Alex and nchi step into the elevator, heading up to Floor 229.
Each of the 21 Floor Masters have their own designated floor, from 230 to 250. Alex’s challenge is for control of Floor 237, but the fight itself will take place in a massive arena capable of accommodating a huge audience. It’s the sa stage where, according to Alex’s research and earlier observations, Hisoka will fight Chrollo later in the tiline.
When they reach Floor 229, Alex and nchi proceed to the backstage area. It’s relatively empty, as only staff mbers and 200-class fighters have access here. Alex feels more at ease, knowing there won’t be any distractions from the crowd just yet.
To his surprise, he spots a familiar figure approaching—a tall, handso man with white hair, blue eyes, and a yellow cloak.
“Nice to et you,” the man says, extending his hand. “I’m Kastro. I couldn’t help but notice that you seem to have so connection to Hisoka. He ntioned you. After my humiliating loss to him, I’ve resolved to train as hard as I can against the fighters here. Today, I just wanted to introduce myself and wish you good luck.”
“Thank you,” Alex replies, shaking his hand. He pauses for a mont before adding, “But let give you one piece of advice: trying to train as hard as possible against the losers here won’t give you the results you’re hoping for. It’s like an Enhancer trying to learn a Manipulation and Conjuration Hatsu—it might work, but barely, and the results won’t be satisfying. You’d be better off focusing on your fundantals and avoiding the trap of thinking you’re strong after beating a few 200-class fighters here.”
Kastro smiles stiffly. “I’ll keep that in mind,” he says before quickly walking away, almost successfully hiding the panic on his face and the sweat trickling down his forehead.
A few monts later, a group of Floor Masters approaches Alex. He exchanges polite greetings, pretending to know them. Once they leave, nchi leans in.
“These Floor Masters are all around Darius’s level,” she says. “Darius might have more Aura, but he leans heavily into Enhancent and Emission, so it’s not a direct comparison. I’d say he’s slightly above average strength for a Floor Master.”
Alex glances at his [Destiny Watch]. Only ten minutes remain. “If I win quickly enough, we’ll be perfectly on ti for dinner,” he jokes.
“Quite confident, aren’t you ♥?” a familiar voice interrupts from the side.
Alex turns and imdiately tenses up. Hisoka is leaning casually against one of the pillars in the center of the room, his unsettling smile plastered on his face.
“I’m looking forward to an exciting performance ♣,” Hisoka says, his tone dripping with amusent. He giggles creepily before walking away.
“What a fucking lunatic,” Alex mutters.
“What a creep,” nchi agrees, for once matching Alex’s sentint.
Just then, another unexpected pair approaches. It’s Darius and a young woman walking beside him. The girl is tall but far from her father’s hulking physique. She looks more or less normal, though her haughty expression and confident stride imdiately give away her personality.
“I see you’re already here, Alex. Ready for the fight?” Darius asks.
Before Alex can respond, the girl interjects, her voice dripping with entitlent. “Wrong question, Daddy. You should ask him if he’s ready to lose and hand over that absolutely gorgeous earring. I can’t wait to wear it! You might as well give it to now to keep it from getting damaged during the battle.”
Alex stares at her, unimpressed. Yep, my impression was correct. She’s as entitled and spoiled as they co.
He ignores her provocations and instead addresses Darius directly. “I’m ready, Darius. No hard feelings, regardless of how it turns out, right? By the way, I have this friend nad Sua—she has so good connections inside the tower. After you lose and go broke, I can help get your daughter a nice job cleaning toilets here. It’d suit her well, I think. That mop of hair of hers could finally get so real use.”
The daughter’s face twists in rage, and she opens her mouth to fire back, but Darius laughs and places a calming hand on her shoulder.
“Don’t worry, my girl. Daddy’s going to take care of things in the ring. I’ll see you soon, Alex,” Darius says, leading his daughter away. She continues to hurl curses and insults at Alex as they walk off.
nchi shakes her head but can’t hide the grin spreading across her face. “You can be so petty sotis. But I have to admit, I liked the mop joke. Haven’t heard that one yet.”
“Glad you enjoyed it,” Alex says. “Alright, I’ll see you in a few minutes. Cheer on, okay?”
As he begins walking toward the Arena, nchi suddenly grabs his arm, stopping him.
“Don’t lose,” she says firmly. Then, after a brief pause, she adds, “And even if you do… don’t get yourself killed out there.”
Alex is taken aback by her unusually caring tone. “Don’t worry. I won’t throw my life away for pride,” he reassures her, giving her a confident smile.
nchi releases his arm, and Alex strides toward the Arena, his nerves steeling as the countdown to the fight begins.
… … …
As soon as Alex steps into the Arena, the sound of thousands of cheering spectators hits him like a wave. The massive circular stadium is packed to the brim, with rows upon rows of seats carved into its walls.
Above the noise, Alex hears the familiar, overly enthusiastic voice of Mina echo through the loudspeakers.
“Ladies and gentlen, welco to this special Floor Master challenge!” she announces, her tone trying to sound cute while hyping up the crowd. “Floor Master Darius needs no introduction! He has dominated countless fights in his reign as a Floor Master and never shies away from a challenge. Perhaps the strongest fighter in terms of raw physique alone, he wields his mighty warhamr and uses his devastating shockwave fighting style. Let tell you, countless opponents have been smashed to death right here on these floor tiles, sharing the fate of common flies being swatted to the ground! Oh no, this scares Mina! I hope I won’t have to see sothing that cruel today!”
The audience roars with laughter and cheers, leaving Alex wondering if Mina is more popular than she lets on.
“And now!” she continues with exaggerated flair. “Facing him is none other than Alex Kerber, who stord through the 200-class fighters with a record of 10-0! His last fight against Bahawin was just as cruel as so of Darius’s infamous matches. Poor Bahawin was blown to pieces by mysterious explosions!”
So of the crowd jeer and laugh at the ntion of Bahawin’s fate, while others seem genuinely shocked.
Mina doesn’t stop. “I hear there’s a special bet between these fighters today—sothing about a precious earring Darius wants to give his beloved daughter and Alex wanting to use it to propose to his newly revealed girlfriend, nchi! It’s romantic, it’s exciting, and it’s going to be brutal, people! This will be a fight no one forgets anyti soon!”
Alex tunes her out. What the hell is this cheap soap opera crap? he thinks, shaking his head. She’s turning this into a circus.
As Alex approaches the center of the ring, he lights up a pair of fla-spewing devices attached to the two large bags he’s carrying. Bright purple flas shoot out from the devices, catching the crowd’s attention.
Damn, this atmosphere feels too thick, Alex thinks as he glances around the massive audience. This isn’t the kind of battlefield I enjoy. Give a dangerous forest or a slum any day. Surrounded by this many people, it feels wrong to reveal all my abilities and sches.
The referee begins reciting the rules, though Alex barely pays attention. It’s just formalities at this point. Finally, the referee asks the fighters if they’re ready.
“YES!” Darius declares in a booming voice, his tone full of confidence.
Alex, still calm, nods. He walks back a few steps, pulling out a small pouch from one of his pockets.
“Okay, START!” the referee shouts.
Instead of charging forward, Alex holds up the pouch and tosses it toward Darius, shouting, “Your daughter is right. Here’s the earring. You can keep it during the fight.”
Darius’s lips curl into a smirk, but instead of picking up the pouch, he swings his warhamr, sending it flying into the air.
The pouch explodes midair, unleashing deadly shrapnel into the crowd. A few sharp fragnts hit so spectators, causing panicked screams to erupt throughout the arena.
Oops. Alex grimaces; guess that didn’t go as planned. This is the first guy not to fall for this ingenious, sacred trick; he probably has good LUK as well.
Darius doesn’t seem fazed in the slightest, instead glaring at Alex with a fiery intensity.
“Would’ve been too easy!” Alex yells. “YOU’RE GOING DOWN!”
With that, he swings open both of his bags, revealing dozens of small grenades inside. Without hesitation, he grabs a handful, lights them on the purple flas, and hurls them directly at Darius.
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