Chapter 26: Challenge the Floor Master
I was Busy All Day
...
Time passed slowly.
Oboro had become completely relaxed, and just as he'd predicted, he found himself without a match.
In the several battles that followed, every Nen user he encountered surrendered or forfeited without exception.
What Heaven's Arena never lacked, however, were newcomers.
A large number of fighters flocked here every day, and there were always newcomers who reached the 200th level, including young, enthusiastic challengers.
Therefore, Oboro wasn't worried about it.
Besides, Wing had finally reached the 200th floor.
During that time, whenever Oboro watched matches, he'd sit with Wing for simple discussions and exchanges, and as for Biscuit, she seemed to want to avoid Oboro, whom she considered an eyesore, and rarely showed up.
Wing mentioned that she spent her days shopping, either for clothes or jewelry.
Oboro's pace had started to slow down.
He'd started practicing new martial arts, including body movements, footwork, leg techniques, all to enrich his offensive repertoire.
These included movements and footwork from Xinyi Liuhequan and Shenquan, such as shaking steps and pivots. It should be noted that body movements and footwork were separate disciplines.
"I was slower to learn martial arts before because I didn't have a proper foundation," he reflected. "Now that I have experience and my physique isn't weak, I'm able to progress quickly. I'll probably master several new styles within a year."
As his body strengthened and his fighting experience and martial arts understanding increased, he'd be able to master new techniques faster and faster.
He wouldn't underestimate martial arts. Although Nen users were powerful, with Nen's enhancement, martial arts that were purely physical techniques showed their true value. After all, even Chairman Netero had challenged countless martial arts schools in his youth, and the Zoldyck family's assassination techniques were essentially refined martial arts.
With a solid martial foundation, he might eventually reach a level where he could learn techniques at a glance.
Like Ging Freecss, who could understand and replicate Nen abilities through mere observation.
All this required massive experience.
This foundation would allow him to easily assess opponents' styles and weaknesses, to more easily perceive their vulnerabilities.
"I need to understand the human body, so let's start with myself!"
He waited two months before meeting his next opponent.
A new face.
Probably just reached the 200th floor.
The man resembled a sumo wrestler and faced Oboro with obvious nervousness, as if facing a veteran.
Oboro didn't use his Hatsu, just basic Nen techniques to toy with him. Still, the man struggled constantly, taking hits and losing points, looking particularly embarrassed.
The veteran spectators watched with glee.
"If we're avoiding him, how dare that fat guy challenge Oboro?"
"Is he looking for death?"
But they were shocked when, despite beating his opponent to exhaustion, Oboro raised his hand to forfeit!
Many had expected him to kill the newcomer...
After all, with the precedents set by Aisemilu and Zalong, no one expected Oboro to be merciful.
They watched, stunned, as Oboro casually raised his hand in surrender, hands in his pockets, and lazily left the ring. The announcer and the audience were equally stunned...
Every Nen user who reached the 200th floor had one goal: to win and become a Floor Master.
Victory was right there, freely offered, but he'd turned it down!
Some began to notice the pattern!
The time that followed confirmed their suspicions.
Oboro was playing, or rather, using his opponents as practice dummies, gradually familiarizing himself with Nen techniques in battle, never revealing his true Hatsu, "The Game Archive of Endless Dreamers"!
He lost more fights, mostly by intentional surrender, and in one out of three fights, he'd actually fought with pure techniques, only to be defeated by his opponent's Hatsu.
That opponent had been another talented veteran who'd just arrived at Heaven's Arena.
Even though the losses weren't total defeats, the veterans understood that Oboro wasn't fighting seriously, and they had seen his true ability.
When everyone expected him to challenge the Floor Masters, perhaps even become one, he was eliminated by the rules and forced to start over.
Then, shortly thereafter, Oboro reappeared on the 200th floor.
By now, outsiders realized that he was either pursuing the prestige that martial artists valued, or "gaining experience" by using the 200th floor as his "personal training ground!
Fame in Heaven's Arena, whether for a fighter with a martial arts background or a Nen user, could create opportunities to establish their own school, which is crucial for future development.
For many, Heaven's Arena held sacred significance, with unique meaning and spiritual symbolism.
Naturally, Oboro's actions left the other participants quite dissatisfied and deeply embarrassed.
But no one dared to complain.
No one wanted trouble.
As expected, Oboro was eliminated again a month later...
Then he returned...
Normally, Nen users who were eliminated on the 200th floor wouldn't try again, because they knew they weren't ready... They'd train outside for a year or more, returning only when they'd gained confidence.
The 200th floor proved to be too dangerous; to persist without proper preparation meant risking death in the ring.
Those capable enough to become Floor Masters would naturally move on.
Few would behave like that...
Moreover, the current Heaven's Arena didn't limit the number of registration attempts as it did in later eras.
The 200th floor veterans had figured out Oboro's intentions, but the audience couldn't understand. They'd wanted to see the 'invincible' Gentleman Fighter, not someone who surrendered match after match.
Gradually, Oboro's reputation plummeted and his fan base shrank considerably.
The Gentleman Fighter became something of a faded "legend"...
Heaven's Arena began promoting newcomers. The storm quickly passed and attention shifted to new "dark horses".
That's the reality: the new generation always pushes out the old, and the explosive newcomers always get the attention.
The veterans got tired of watching...
"It's human nature to get tired of the old and chase the new," Oboro mused.
But he wasn't just training, he was making money...
His bank balance grew daily...
In one-on-one fights, he could completely control the outcome. Even though the odds weren't as favorable as they were at first, every win was worth it.
"Who would complain about having too much money?"
A substantial fortune would benefit his future plans.
Joining the Hunters' Association and specializing would require significant expenditures to complete missions and achieve goals, each of which cost considerable sums. To prevent future problems, he needed financial security.
A hunter's 'professional expenses' were beyond the ordinary imagination...
...
One year later, in the arena on the 200th floor.
The announcer excitedly announced Wing as the winner.
On the stage, Wing smiled, wiped the sweat from his cheeks, and humbly bowed to his unconscious opponent.
Oboro leaned against the railing and yawned.
This year, Wing had fought a total of eleven matches, with a record of 8 wins and 3 losses, which was quite impressive.
He'd spent more time following Biscuit's teachings, absorbing combat experience and training systematically.
As for Oboro, he'd fought so many fights that he'd lost count. Eventually, people realized they could win against him, and more challengers appeared, which Oboro welcomed. More fights meant more experience.
"Here we go again..."
Wing had spotted him early. Instead of returning to the corridor, he left the stage, waited for the crowd to disperse, and then walked directly to Oboro, raising his hand in greeting.
After speaking, Wing shook his head with a wry smile.
It seemed that Oboro had registered again.
He had lost count of how many times this had happened, but he'd gotten used to it.
Biscuit had said that Oboro strengthened himself through countless intense battles, like a dried sponge endlessly absorbing water.
"Most people can't withstand the intensity of this type of training," she had remarked. "Their bodies and their aura can't handle it."
Besides, Oboro could control the fights. Even in the face of much stronger masters, he ensured survival and escape.
That proved to be crucial.
Biscuit had emphasized that his method wasn't vague, but methodical, taking measured steps and building solid foundations, not pursuing speed, but using "slowness" to integrate lessons.
As for Oboro, he was different.
Only he could enjoy and complete this kind of training; it wouldn't suit Wing.
"You've improved a lot," Oboro smiled.
"I'm okay, but I can't compare to you," Wing said, scratching his head before asking, "How long do you plan to stay this time?"
"That's enough. I don't plan to continue," Oboro raised his eyebrows.
"You mean..."
Wing's expression changed, indicating understanding.
"I've reached a plateau, it's hard to improve any further here," Oboro nodded. "I'm ready to leave, but first I want to become a floor master."
Seeing him talk so casually about Floor Masters, Wing couldn't help but laugh.
But he believed in Oboro...
"You'll probably make it easily."
"Not necessarily. Ever since I reached the 200th floor, they've been watching me. They've seen so many of my fights, they must know me well by now, they're just afraid that I'll challenge them anytime, I doubt they'll be unprepared." He grinned.
"That said... you're actually looking forward to it. You want them to pressure you..."
After such a long association, Wing had gained insight into Oboro's personality.
Oboro smiled and obviously agreed.
"It's more interesting when there's pressure... isn't it?"