Chapter 28: Wing's Request
Golden Chronometer Body.
This time, Haze's ability extracted equipment.
Currently, the Infinite Visionary's Treasure House was still incomplete.
He could only use six starter items or two small ones and no large finished equipment.
Because the rules of the game world were still unfinished, his ability to use equipment was limited.
If he wanted to wield six fully completed pieces at once, he would have to wait until his Nen abilities stabilized in later stages.
Moreover, the rules for purchasing equipment with gold coins still needed refinement.
Recently, he had begun designing the player economy: the gold curve, the progression order, and growth balance.
Whether it was equipment, heroes, or resources, the lack of complete game rules temporarily allowed Haze to enjoy the advantages of being a solo player
but at the same time, the overall effectiveness of his Nen abilities was greatly reduced.
If he wanted to completely territorialize the "game world" and make it real, he had to finish building all its rules.
Once those rules were complete and the game world established,
he would finally be able to unleash the full potential of the Infinite Visionary's Treasure House!
At that moment, everyone who entered the realm would become players completely assimilated and transformed into new, independent "heroes."
The difference was simple: others would be beginners... while he would remain a veteran player.
Moreover, once the rules were complete, he could modify them at will
for example, preventing his opponents from leveling up, purchasing items, or progressing at all, completely locking them out.
That would force them to rely solely on their own strength, stripped of all the "blessings" of the game.
Even so, the game's progress and outcomes would still deeply affect the targeted player.
He only disabled the parts of the system that favored his enemy; the disadvantages and penalties remained active.
His opponent would have to navigate a completely unfamiliar game world an almost impossible feat.
After all, this kind of system and play style were utterly alien to the people of this world.
The effectiveness and role of his telekinesis had improved dramatically!
Its main flaw, however, lay in "modification."
Even without mastering the modification techniques of a true Nen craftsman,
his former Diamond-rank experience was more than enough to crush these Level 1 rookies mere NPC-like opponents.
Those were thoughts for the future.
His telekinesis was still developing, and its success remained uncertain.
It wouldn't manifest for some time, so he left it at that.
Equipment-based Nen abilities were undoubtedly weak in the early stages compared to rune or resource types but incredibly powerful later on.
Different items provided effects such as physical penetration, magical penetration, or resurrection armor allowing Haze's combat power to soar to new heights.
Since the equipment pool in his "game" was limited, Haze prioritized basic and small items especially those with special functions or passive effects, like the Chronometer and Gishei'ais Fragment, also known as the Little Electric Blade.
During his battle with Sammy, he carried two items:
a Chronometer and a Whisper which enhanced attack power and armor penetration.
These were items Haze had planned to craft from the start,
and they proved invaluable at critical moments.
Though their physical stat boosts were modest, they were more than enough to defeat a Nen user like Sammy.
Sammy's neck was pierced, blood streaming down as he froze mid-movement.
He gasped, then raised his hand in surrender to the referee.
Had Haze not restrained himself, Sammy would've died on the spot.
Sammy knew it well even his own telepathy couldn't restrain Haze,
proving his chances of victory were virtually nil.
There was no point continuing the fight.
The crowd erupted in cheers, and the host shouted with excitement.
Witnessing the birth of a new "OP" fighter was a big deal even in the small, private Heavens Arena circle.
"Tsk."
Biscuit clicked her tongue. She had expected this result but still felt annoyed.
People admired the strong.
Though Haze's reputation as the "Suit Bully" was outdated and his former glory faded,
in that moment under the spotlight he was the only one shining.
The next day, Heavens Arena began promoting the new OP everywhere.
Screens across the city flashed Haze's photos and highlights.
As for the man himself, Haze quietly packed his things, preparing to leave.
He had completed the first step his foundation and the second his experience.
Both were achieved according to plan.
Despite the system's help, he had always felt insecure and pressured since arriving in this world.
Of course, that was partly connected to a certain Hisoka...
His time in the circus made it clear he had been training relentlessly, squeezing every second.
He knew how dangerous this world was,
and wasn't sure if he could truly establish himself or fulfill his vision.
He might fail or die unexpectedly.
But now... at least he could finally breathe.
At his current level, even if he couldn't stand at the top of the Hunter World,
he had at least built a solid foundation.
He no Hazeer needed to worry about simple survival.
He could afford to be bolder.
The next morning, before dawn,
Haze walked out of the Heavens Arena.
No one came to see him off, no cheers followed completely alone.
Just like the day he arrived.
The flowers and applause beHazeed to him only inside the arena.
In less than two months, perhaps even one, few would remember his name.
"Haha... Mauritonio was right."
Standing in the plaza before the Heavens Arena, Haze turned and smiled at the towering building.
Circus performers and arena fighters were, in a way, the same kind of people.
Though he had spent quite some time in this sacred land of battle,
it was destined to be just a stop aHaze his journey.
"Killua will be here soon..."
He pushed his sunglasses up and chuckled softly.
The kid was gone for now but in his haste, they would surely meet again someday.
The sky was still dark.
Even in this bustling city, the early morning felt oddly quiet.
Apart from a few neon signs flickering on nearby skyscrapers and the rare passing car, the streets were empty.
A cool breeze brushed his face.
Haze dressed in a black suit narrowed his eyes at two familiar figures ahead.
"So... you came to see me off?"
Not far away stood Biscuit and Wing.
"I knew you'd leave," Wing said with a smile.
He stepped forward, then turned back to see Biscuit standing still.
With a sigh, he ignored etiquette between master and disciple and dragged her aHaze.
"Let go of me! I'm not here to say goodbye to this guy!"
"You think of him as a friend, but he's leaving without even saying goodbye.
Don't you think that's a little cold?"
Though slightly resentful, Biscuit followed anyway.
If she truly didn't want to see Haze, she wouldn't have come at all.
"I'm a little touched," Haze joked. "Didn't expect to make friends here."
"Don't flatter yourself. I couldn't sleep, so I went for a walk," Biscuit replied curtly.
"What's that supposed to mean...? Are you breaking up with me?" Haze teased.
"You !"
Biscuit's face darkened.
"Seriously, how old are you?" he smirked.
"Don't you know a lady's age is a sacred secret?"
Seeing the mood sour, Wing quickly changed the subject.
"Haze, where are you headed now?"
"I'm going to take the Hunter Exam," Haze said plainly.
Biscuit's irritation faded instantly, her eyes brightening.
"You plan to join the Hunter Association?"
There were many Nen users without Hunter licenses.
For some, the license was convenient but not essential.
Once you took the Hunter Exam, your personal data was logged,
and joining the Association meant abiding by certain rules.
Of course, the benefits were significant:
access to shared information, resources, and connections.
The Hunter Association was, after all, a semi-official organization tied to higher authorities
and who those authorities were was obvious enough.
"Yes," Haze nodded.
"What about your specialization? What kind of Hunter do you want to be?" Biscuit asked, her tone almost friendly.
There were many types of Hunters: Gourmet, Ruins, Treasure, Bounty, Virus, Recruiter, Blacklist...
They covered every aspect of life.
A Hunter's skill and personality determined their specialization combatant or non-combatant.
Haze was clearly the former.
"My first thought was bounty hunting... or maybe terrorism exploring ruins sounds interesting too.
Once I join, I'll learn more." He looked at Biscuit. "What do you think?"
"The ones you mentioned are all high-risk paths... but they suit your personality."
Biscuit touched her chin thoughtfully, then coughed.
"But that's your business what's it got to do with me?"
"If you don't mind, could I have your contact info?" Wing asked.
"Sure."
Haze noted down Wing's number.
Biscuit peeked at it from the side.
He hadn't expected to meet Wing and Biscuit again
their appearance must have disrupted their original paths.
Without him, without the butterfly effect, they would have Haze since moved on.
"Well then... goodbye."
With a casual wave, Haze turned to flag down a taxi.
"Wait a moment!"
Wing suddenly called out.
"Hm?"
Haze turned his head.
"Haze... would you accept my challenge?"
Wing's face was serious, though slightly nervous almost afraid of rejection.
"...You mean... fight you?"
"Yes," Wing answered firmly.
It was less a real battle and more of a sparring match just a session for guidance.
Both understood the vast difference in power between them.
Haze hadn't expected the request but he could sense Wing's determination.
"You're not stopping him this time?" he asked Biscuit.
The girl said nothing.
"Fine then. You pick the place."
Haze smiled, lowering his raised hand and letting the taxi drive away.
"Thank you," Wing said sincerely, his eyes full of gratitude and excitement.
(End of Chapter)