Nobunaga held his sword tightly, his eyes glowing with a sharp light.
It was reminiscent of when he and Machi pretended to be a couple in Yorknew City and discovered Gon and Killua following them.
Although not as refined yet, his look already carried a certain deterrent.
"That way, we can attract a decent opponent to fight."
Phinks grinned.
"And if the opponent is very arrogant…"
His knuckles cracked as he clenched his fists.
"Then killing them on a stage like this is perfectly possible!"
"If they're seeking death…"
Feitan casually echoed: "What's wrong with us satisfying them?!"
The two suddenly felt that this place was perfect for them.
They felt like they were in their element!
Uvogin felt the dormant beast within him gradually awaken, perfectly matching his fighting style.
Nobunaga's hands were gradually itching.
He had the urge to strike.
Feitan and Phinks, on the other hand, were looking at applicants circling around, their style and aura reminiscent of the biker gangs they'd been in before.
"This is a dungeon run!!"
Anyone who plays games knows that, besides the normal monster-killing and leveling-up activities, dungeons are a must!
To them, Luke had brought them to the outside world and then headed straight to the dungeons.
Logically, new players should first develop their skills before even considering dungeon adventures.
But… For Feitan and Phinks, with both of them having awakened their Nen, the applicants around them seemed no different from elite monsters.
Because, in their eyes, these guys were just ordinary people who couldn't use Nen!
"It seems there aren't many people out there who understand and can use Nen…"
Feitan and Phinks exchanged glances, instantly understanding each other's meaning. It seems the ability to use Nen isn't widely known outside of the world and is even somewhat rare.
At least, in their opinion, this seemingly terrifying group of individuals didn't possess this power.
They didn't even seem to know it existed.
This meant… Luke had truly been generous, sharing this precious power with them and helping them learn it!
Where else could they find such a good leader?
Not even with a lantern could you find one!!
The two exchanged glances and quickly conveyed their understanding, then they stepped forward even more firmly, silently following Luke's back.
Nobunaga, who had been following Luke, raised an eyebrow.
"Hmm?"
Luke subconsciously turned his head to glance at the two with a hint of confusion.
He felt as if their steps had suddenly become steadier, each step imbued with a sense of unwavering determination.
And looking at their expressions… He wondered if they were reminded of something…
Luke shook his head, grabbed Uvogin, who was already unable to contain himself and was about to burst into the crowd to show off his prowess, and led them to the registration desk.
"Welcome to the Heavens Arena. This is the registration entrance. There are five of you, right?"
The lady at the registration desk greeted them politely and formally.
Huh?!
Uvogin, who was at the front, had a change of expression first, then Feitan and Phinks, both of them fixed their gazes simultaneously.
This seemingly harmless, petite, and adorable receptionist was before them. She seemed to be faintly shrouded in the glow of an aura!
She was also a true Nen user!
"Even the people handling registration are Nen users?"
Phinks muttered to himself, then suppressed his excitement: "I'm really looking forward to it!"
He had originally thought that the fighters who came to register here were worthless, with only rudimentary skills at best.
The absence of even a basic Nen user made this Heavens Arena, known as a fighter's paradise, seem a bit underrated.
But after meeting the young lady at the registration desk, such thoughts immediately vanished.
It seems that this Heavens Arena is for those with true skill.
Even a mere receptionist possesses such prowess.
How much more powerful would those who reach the higher levels be?
He's really looking forward to it!
"Not five…"
In response to the receptionist's question, Luke shook his head and pointed at Phinks and the other three: "Only these four would sign up."
"...?"
Uvogin and others looked at Luke simultaneously.
"Why are you looking at me?"
Luke spread his hands calmly: "You four need further combat experience and training."
"As for me, sorry, I'm just an ordinary inventor."
He smiled: "Going on stage and fighting with my fists like this isn't my style."
"Besides, you four are enough to enjoy the limelight in front."
"Some people have to hide behind the scenes."
This was the first time Luke had set the tone for their outside missions.
Not just this time, but for all future team missions, this would be the same.
Even before, in Meteor City, he had let Chrollo walk in front while he hid behind.
This kind of behavior, inherently exposed to the public, wasn't in his style.
Uvogin and the other four didn't mind. If Luke didn't appear publicly, it would actually help them conceal their plans.
Who in this world doesn't have a few hidden cards?
Uvogin, Feitan, and Phinks encounter no problem registering.
But…
"Why aren't you letting me register?!"
Nobunaga was so angry that his hair was standing on end, and he demanded an explanation from the receptionist in front of him.
"Excuse me, sir. According to the rules of our Heavens Arena…"
The receptionist remained calm and polite as she explained to Nobunaga: "Can you remove the sword from your waist?"
"Absolutely not!"
Nobunaga flatly refused.
He even tightened the grip on the sword at his waist. To him, this sword was as precious as his life!
Of course, he couldn't just take it down like that!
"Excuse me."
The receptionist flashed her signature polite smile.
"According to Heavens Arena rules, weapons are not allowed on floors below the 200th floor."
"What kind of bullshit rule is that?!"
"I'm truly sorry, sir. That's the Heavens Arena's requirement. We're just following the rules…"
A faint but powerful aura began to radiate from her.
Her aura rose, while her gentle smile remained as she calmly looked at Nobunaga: "If this causes you any inconvenience, please forgive me…"
Nobunaga: "..."
Forgive you? This was clearly using aura to intimidate him, trying to force him back!!
Is the Heavens Arena really that arrogant to its visitors?!!
Fine! If you're that strong, I'll show you I'm not to be trifled with!!!
Nobunaga raised his eyebrows and stomped forward angrily.
Then…
"Fine, I'll just not participate!!"
He snorted, tightened his grip on his sword, and followed Luke's pace.
It was just a combat competition, after all!!
Who are you looking down on? What's the big deal about this anyway?!
It's not like this is the only place to train and gain experience.
At worst, in the future, there will just be more life-and-death fights out there in the wild.
As for now, it's obviously more important to stay by Luke's side.
Yes, Nobunaga had found a good excuse for himself.
After Uvogin and the others registered, they received their numbered plates and headed to the waiting room.
They were about to face their very first battle in the outside world.
Thousands of people registered in the Heavens Arena every day.
Since everyone came to register, they would basically be automatically matched with an opponent within a few minutes after finishing the process.
All fighters had to test their skills on the first floor, so besides the waiting room, the first floor was filled with battle rings.
The first contestant was Feitan.
And his opponent…
"Hahaha, how come I was matched with such a shorty!"
In front of Feitan, the tall, skinny fighter was ecstatic, even laughing arrogantly with his hands on his hips.
"This guy is hopeless."
On the spectator seats, Luke sighed the moment he heard that.
Nobunaga, behind him, opened his mouth, then simply nodded and closed it again.
Well, there's really not much to say about a dying guy.
"This guy is doomed."
In the waiting room, Uvogin and Phinks, seeing this, immediately sentenced the tall, skinny fighter to death.
"What the hell, this guy is so lucky!"
In the waiting room, the other fighters waiting for their matches watched this scene, filled with envy and jealousy.
Some even beat their chests and stamped their feet, lamenting that Feitan's opponent had really struck gold.
Uvogin and Phinks both glanced over at them at the same time.
If they wanted to face Feitan so badly, then fine, they both silently hoped those guys would win their current rounds, so they could meet Feitan next.
And it wasn't just in the waiting room; the reactions were the same up in the spectator stands.
"What? Isn't the gap too big?"
"The outcome of the match is obvious at a glance. It's completely pointless."
"I'm saying, isn't there something wrong with the recent fighters?! How can fighters of this caliber even compete?!"
"It can't be helped. After all, Heavens Arena's reputation is that anyone who signs up and pursues fighting competition will be given the opportunity."
"But they shouldn't let fighters like that compete!"
"What the hell are you guys complaining about?! If you want better, more intense fights, then go upstairs, go beyond the 100th floor, pay money to watch! You can even see the floor masters if you're willing to pay. What's the point of whining here?!"
"I'll complain if I want, what the hell does it have to do with you!"
"Shut it! I fucking hate you freeloaders, you're already lucky enough to have something to watch for free, and yet you're still picky..."
The audience was already starting to squabble.
Some even cheered for the tall skinny guy below: "Be gentle! Don't hurt the kid!"
"You're really lucky, you little one!"
Even the tall skinny guy himself thought so: "Hahahaha, I'm so lucky! I never thought Lady Luck would be so kind to me!"
The tall, skinny fighter rubbed his hands together, completely dismissing Feitan.
"Little dwarf..."
A sinister grin crossed his face. "I'll love you well."
"And make you regret coming into this world..."
Whoosh!
Before he could finish his words, his vision blurred, and the little dwarf, whom he had thought was already in his grasp, disappeared.
Immediately afterward, a sound of something breaking through the air echoed.
And then…
Crack!
A burst of cracking noises followed.
"...!!"
The tall, skinny fighter clearly heard the sound of his own bones breaking.
Then came the splitting, piercing agony that stabbed into his consciousness in an instant.
"I..."
He instinctively opened his mouth, unable to suppress a howl of pain.
But… his howl had barely begun when it abruptly stopped.
Crack, crack, crack…
Even the audience stopped arguing.
Horror filled their wide eyes as the scene on the stage became crystal clear.
They saw Feitan land a punch right into his opponent's throat, making him cough blood, unable to utter a sound again.
At the same time, he reached out and knocked out the tall skinny guy's teeth one by one.
"I really hate your pig-like voice."
Feitan's voice was as calm as water.
But he didn't stop there.
Under the horrified gazes of the spectators, Feitan picked up the opponent's broken teeth and, while the opponent trembled in pain, forcibly pried open his mouth.
Then, using the sharp ends of his teeth, he vigorously chopped his opponent's tongue!
Until the opponent's mouth was covered in blood and his body was twitching, unable to move.
Then finally, Feitan pulled his hand out of his opponent's mouth.
Then, with a look of disdain, he shook off the severe tongue he had taken with him.
"You got lucky this time."
Feitan took one last glance at his opponent, who lay on the ground like a dead dog, barely breathing in but unable to exhale.
"If it weren't for the rules of this Heavens Arena prohibiting killing, your head would have already fallen to the ground."
He said this calmly, not even sparing him another glance.
Well, when it comes to following the rules of the game, Feitan hasn't evolved to the point where he'll resort to any means necessary to complete his goal.
At least he still has a bit of youthful spirit.
Then, he turned and looked at the referee, who stood there in silence.
"Here's a suggestion for you..."
Feitan spoke in a faint, low voice: "Actually, in the first round of battles, it's best if we can carry weapons."
"We don't need anything too extreme, just something small will do."
"Otherwise, if I have to slice up my opponent's tongue with their own teeth every time, it'll be a little troublesome."
"And they will also suffer a lot more..."
Feitan was genuinely giving a friendly reminder: "I think you should consider this suggestion."