Chapter 26: Challenging the OP
Time passed quietly.
Haze (Haze) had completely relaxed.
Just as he expected… he had no more real battles to fight.
In the following scheduled matches, every Nen user he encountered either surrendered or forfeited without exception.
But of course what Heavens Arena never lacked were newcomers.
Every day, countless fighters arrived in droves, and among them, some young and ambitious talents always made their way to the 200th floor.
So Haze wasn't particularly worried.
Meanwhile, Wing had finally reached the 200th floor as well.
During that period, whenever there was a fight, Haze would sit down with him afterward for a casual chat and exchange of insights.
As for Biscuit, she seemed to be deliberately avoiding Haze the "annoying guy" and rarely showed up.
Wing often said she went shopping every day, whether buying clothes or visiting jewelry stores.
Haze's pace had slowed as well.
He began to train in traditional Chinese martial arts, practicing body movement, footwork, and leg techniques to enrich his offensive skills.
These included Xinyi Liuhequan and Shenquan body movement and stepping techniques shock kicks, flow steps, and more.
It's worth noting that body movement and footwork are distinct disciplines.
Previously, his slow progress in martial arts stemmed from a weak foundation.
Now, with experience and a strong physique, he was mastering them quickly.
Haze estimated that within a year, he could master several new martial arts systems.
As his body grew stronger and his understanding of martial arts deepened, his ability to learn new techniques would only accelerate.
Do not underestimate martial arts.
Nen users may be powerful, but when Nen enhances true martial ability, that synergy becomes invaluable.
Remember Netero, in his youth, challenged countless martial schools, large and small.
The Zoldyck family's assassination arts were, in truth, the ultimate refinement of martial technique.
With a solid martial foundation, Haze could grasp the essence of simpler techniques at a glance
just like King Freeman, who could analyze any Nen ability he saw and replicate its principles immediately.
Such mastery required vast experience.
This accumulated knowledge also allowed Haze to read opponents easily their attack patterns, strengths, and weaknesses
making it far simpler to exploit their flaws.
He wanted to master the human body.
And he would begin… with his own.
After nearly two months of waiting, he finally faced a new opponent.
A stranger.
Someone he didn't recognize
likely a recent arrival to the 200th floor.
At first glance, the man looked like a sumo wrestler, his face showing the nervousness of one about to face a veteran.
Haze didn't use Nen. He merely toyed with him, moving lazily.
Even so, the poor man was overwhelmed, repeatedly knocked around, and left humiliated.
The older fighters in the audience watched with delight.
Even seasoned veterans avoided fighting Haze
so how could this plump newcomer dare challenge him?
Was he courting death?
Yet what stunned everyone was that, after thoroughly beating his opponent
Haze suddenly raised his hands… and surrendered.
Many in the crowd had expected him to finish the man off.
After all, given the precedents of Aishimiru and Zalon, nHazedy believed Haze was the merciful type.
So when he lazily conceded the match, hands in his pockets, and hopped off the stage, the host and the crowd were dumbfounded.
Every Nen user who reached the 200th floor shared one goal victory and prestige.
And yet Haze threw away free points.
People started realizing something was off.
And in the days that followed, their suspicions were confirmed.
Haze wasn't fighting seriously
he was experimenting, using his opponents as live test subjects, slowly mastering Nen applications in real combat.
He no Hazeer revealed his elusive Nen ability, "The Treasure of the Infinite Dreamer's Game."
His losses piled up mostly deliberate or inconsequential.
In one of his matches, even when he used his Nen, he was ultimately defeated by a skilled veteran who had just arrived at Heavens Arena.
Still, it wasn't a disgraceful loss.
The veterans could tell he was holding back.
Everyone thought he would soon challenge the floor leader
maybe even become one himself
but instead, Haze was disqualified under the Arena's rules and had to start from scratch.
Soon after, he reappeared again on the 200th floor.
From then on, outsiders began to understand:
this man wasn't chasing fame he was training,
using the 200th floor as his personal testing ground.
If he could make a name for himself in Heavens Arena through sheer experience or Nen mastery
he could one day found his own school.
That reputation would be invaluable for his future ambitions.
To some, Heavens Arena was sacred a spiritual symbol of strength.
Naturally, Haze's antics angered many fighters,
but none dared speak out.
No one wanted to be the next to fall under his fist.
As expected, a month later, Haze was eliminated again…
And then… he returned.
Normally, when a Nen user was expelled from the 200th floor, they wouldn't come back so soon.
They would train outside for months, even years, before returning if ever.
After all, the 200th floor was deadly;
one wrong move could mean instant death.
Those with real skill, once they became floor masters, saw no reason to linger.
Few would ever do what Haze did.
At that time, Heavens Arena didn't yet have strict re-entry restrictions like later generations.
The veteran fighters saw through his intentions.
But the general audience didn't understand.
They wanted to see the "invincible suited man"
not someone who kept surrendering fight after fight.
Gradually, Haze's fame began to fade.
His fanbase shrank.
The legend of the "man in the suit" began to wane.
Heavens Arena soon started promoting new rising stars,
but the excitement never lasted Haze before everyone's attention shifted to the next dark horse.
It's natural old faces lose their luster; the new always draw the eye.
Of course, beyond training, Haze had another motive
money.
His bank balance was growing daily.
Because in one-on-one matches, he could control the outcome completely.
Even though the betting odds weren't as high as before, every small win added up.
And who could complain about having too much money?
Building assets was crucial for his future plans.
When he eventually joined the Hunter Association,
he knew the expenses tied to missions and achievements were enormous.
A solid financial base was only logical.
After all, the "professional costs" of a Hunter were far beyond what ordinary people could imagine.
A year later, inside the 200th floor arena
the host enthusiastically announced the match's winner: Wing.
On stage, Wing smiled, wiped sweat from his cheek, and bowed respectfully to his unconscious opponent.
Haze leaned casually against the railing, yawning.
That year, Wing had fought eleven matches eight wins, three losses.
Not bad at all.
Most of his progress came from Biscuit's constant guidance, gaining real combat experience and steadily improving.
As for Haze, he had fought countless matches.
Since people discovered they could occasionally beat him,
more and more challengers emerged.
And Haze welcomed it
the increasing number of fights was exactly what he wanted.
"You're here again…"
Wing spotted him early that morning.
After leaving the stage and dismissing the crowd, he walked straight toward Haze.
He shook his head with a helpless smile.
It seemed… Haze had once again appeared out of nowhere.
By now, Wing had lost count of how many times that had happened.
Biscuit had once said:
"Haze grows stronger through sheer quantity and intensity of battle
like a sponge endlessly absorbing water."
This kind of training intensity was impossible for most people
their bodies and aura reserves simply couldn't endure it.
But Haze had a unique edge: he could control every fight,
ensuring his own safety even against stronger opponents.
That was crucial.
Biscuit had also emphasized that Wing's path was different
step by step, building a firm foundation.
Her philosophy valued stability over speed.
Haze's, however, was entirely different.
His way was something only he could handle.
"You've improved quite a bit," Haze said with a grin.
"Not bad," Wing replied, scratching his head. "But I can't compare to you."
Then, half-jokingly:
"So… how Haze are you staying up this time?"
"Almost done," Haze said, raising an eyebrow. "I'm not playing around anymore."
"Wait do you mean…"
Wing's expression shifted, realizing something.
"Yeah," Haze nodded. "I've hit a bottleneck. It's hard to improve further."
"I'm planning to leave soon. But before that…"
He smirked.
"I'll be the one to challenge the floor master."
Hearing how casually he said it, Wing couldn't help but laugh.
But Haze's tone left no room for doubt.
"If you say so," Wing replied, amused. "Then it should be easy."
"Not necessarily," Haze said. "Since I arrived here, those guys have been keeping an eye on me. They've seen most of my matches they know my patterns. They're just waiting for me to make a move."
Then, smiling faintly:
"Still… I'm looking forward to it."
"They'll push me to my limits."
After so much time together, Wing already understood Haze's nature.
He smiled knowingly.
"You enjoy it, don't you?"
Haze chuckled, nodding without hesitation.
"Of course. It's more fun that way."
(End of Chapter)