Chapter 240 Are We Going?
Television programs have long been a staple of human entertainment. Whether it's dramas or variety shows, their popularity always fades with time. However, there is one exception.
That is... the live broadcast of Heavens Arena's battles!
Every fight in the Heavens Arena is linked to an immense web of interests. The legalized betting industry spans the entire world. Even those who don't attend in person can place bets online. News surrounding the fights is often more valuable than celebrity gossip.
This is because viewers who bet through various channels or even online can only learn some critical information through news related to Heavens Arena.
With such a huge audience base, the sales of this type of news are truly astonishing.
A few months ago, reporters reported extensively on the various 'him' said by the Floor Master, Atomu, spinning countless narratives. Eventually, the hype died down… but now, it was resurfacing!
In order to get first-hand information, the means of reporters cannot be underestimated. They don't need a direct interview with Atomu, and with just a few rumors, they can fabricate sensational headlines that capture the public's attention.
Today, Atomu's behavior of blocking Law in the hallway was quickly picked up by reporters. When they combined this with Law's challenge announcement and confirmed match time, the reporters' excitement exploded!
Within an hour, countless news reports flooded in, one after another. Even advertisements for the match began appearing.
Law, a dark horse newcomer who has been gaining momentum in the Heavens Arena recently, and who seems to have some connection with Atomu.
Atomu, the Floor Master of the 230th floor, still holding his title despite having lost three fingers a year ago.
Sandy, a strong contestant expected to challenge the position of Floor Master.
By tying Law, Atomu, and Sandy together, the hype skyrocketed. Spectators were drawn in, ensuring that this match would become tomorrow's top event!
With clear financial benefits, even the Heavens Arena's officials began promoting the fight.
As a result, while Law had just learned about the time of his match, an advertisement for the match was already playing in a small noodle shop on a distant continent across the sea.
…
In the tiny, colorful TV mounted on the wall, a deep male voice boomed as high-energy battle footage flashed across the screen at one-second intervals, paired with an intense background track designed to capture attention.
As the montage ended, the screen displayed two high-resolution photos: one of Law on the left, and one of Sandy on the right, with a big 'VS' letter in the middle that was burning like a flame!
At the same time, the announcer's deep voice delivered the final statement:
"The dark horse newcomer, Law, who is suspected of taking three fingers from the Floor Master, Atomu, is set for his first match against Pyromaniac Sandy, who is just one step away from the floor master's throne!"
"The fight will take place tomorrow at 3 PM! Don't miss it!"
Uvogin hadn't closed his mouth since he started spraying Nobunaga's face. He stared blankly at the end of the long commercial on TV before he returned to his senses.
Nobunaga's face was covered with noodles, but he didn't even bother wiping them off. Instead, he turned his head to look at the TV on the wooden stand, and his entire neck seemed to be frozen.
"Heavens Arena..."
There was an inexplicable emotion floating in Machi's eyes. She was playing with the wooden chopsticks in her hand, spinning them on her fingertips like a pen. After only a few turns, the chopsticks suddenly shattered into more than a dozen pieces and scattered on the table.
At this time, there were only three customers in the shop, Machi and the other two. The owner was standing behind the counter, watching Machi and her friends intentionally or unintentionally. When the chopsticks inexplicably broke into more than a dozen pieces, he suddenly became silent.
After breaking the chopsticks, Machi pursed her lips, covered the remains of the chopsticks with her hand, and let out a quiet huff.
Uvogin shoveled the rest of his noodles in the bowl into his mouth. He swallowed with barely any chewing, and then said, "Are we going?"
He was naturally referring to the Heavens Arena.
Ten days ago, after over a year of training, the Phantom Troupe tested their strength by raiding a famous museum exhibit.
The purpose of the Troupe's operation is to steal, but Uvogin, who had zero subtlety, clumsily alerted the museum's security team. Afterwards, the two sides start fighting, and all the well-trained guards die at the hands of the Phantom Troupe.
Afterwards, Chrollo left to recruit new members, giving the rest of the Troupe free time under the condition that they stay low-profile.
Originally, once they finished eating, Uvogin, Nobunaga, and Machi planned to split up. However, who would have thought that an advertisement about Law suddenly played on TV, which was a preview of the battle in the Heavens Arena.
"Of course." Nobunaga finally peeled the noodles off his face and casually flung them at Uvogin, who dodged them with ease.
"We're going," Machi confirmed.
"The Heavens Arena looks very interesting. I want to join. What about you guys?" Uvogin cracked his knuckles and chuckled.
Right now, they were in free activity mode, and the Troupe wouldn't be issuing orders anytime soon. This was the perfect chance to go mess around with Law.
"I'm not participating." Machi replied indifferently.
"With Law here, I will definitely participate." Nobunaga said.
"Then let's find a place to watch the fight first before heading over." Machi suggested.
"Alright."
Uvogin nodded, then stood up, took out a wad of cash from his pocket and slapped them on the table.
Nobunaga and Machi also rose from their seats, and the three of them headed straight for the store's entrance.
The shop owner waited until they left before cautiously approaching the table to collect the money. Upon taking a look, he found that Uvogin had paid far more than the cost of the meal.
"Wait a minute, sir! I need to give you change!"
The owner was startled and quickly ran out of the store with the money. He looked towards the long roads on both sides, but there was no sign of Uvogin and the others.
"…Gulp."
The owner swallowed nervously, 'The road was so long, and the three guests had only been gone for a few seconds, so how could they disappear?'
…
In an office building, the stench of blood quietly spread through the air.
The messy desks were piled with random junk, half-eaten bento boxes, black handguns, and gleaming machetes lay scattered about.
On the ground, men in black suits were lying on the ground. A rough estimate was that there were at least a hundred of them, all lying on the ground without a sound, with a large amount of blood flowing from under them.
The only sound in the entire room was the television playing in the background.
A tall, red-haired man sat atop a corpse, facing the TV screen. Blood pooled beneath his feet, soaking into his shoes, but he didn't care in the slightest.
This man was none other than Hisoka.
Sitting on the lifeless body, Hisoka toyed with a few playing cards. With a flick of his fingers, they fluttered gracefully like butterflies.
"Hmm..."
Hisoka let out a low, ambiguous murmur as he gazed at a photo on the TV screen.
His narrow, curved eyes were slowly relaxing, and his eyeballs, which had been uncontrollably excited before, were gradually calming down.
"Hmm~ The omnipotent magician, huh..."
Hisoka's fingers halted mid-motion, and then he with a casual flick, he hurled the cards at the TV screen.
The playing cards pierced directly into the photo displayed on the TV screen. With a few soft 'hissing' sounds, the playing cards were deeply embedded in the monitor.