HxH: I Will Be Supreme

"Heh, I thought you would fall, but that rookie got to you first..."

"Jinsha, I want you to teach him a lesson... Heaven's Arena has been hyping that kid lately, so don't embarrass us."

A few days later, in the private lounge on the 200th floor of Heaven's Arena.

Jinsha sat in front of the dressing table, her face ashen, and head bowed, seemingly lost in thought.

Usually meticulous about her appearance, today her hair was unkempt and her signature lipstick remained unapplied.

She seemed... hollow.

Fighters above the 200th floor were given individual pre-fight preparation rooms.

Several Nen users gathered outside her door, all of them "friends" who met with Jinsha on a regular basis.

For them, facing Oboro was not just an easy victory, but a chance for glory!

Their own ascent to the 200th floor hadn't been nearly as smooth, nor had it generated as much excitement.

They'd all been forced to " encounter" Nen after reaching the 200th floor.

After being eliminated, they'd trained and returned as Nen users... But their previous performances meant that they weren't "fresh faces" anymore, not "newcomers", and certainly not "dark horses"...

Even their winning streaks couldn't match Oboro's momentum... The audience craved unknown talents who were rising meteorically.

Those with established reputations drew less enthusiasm.

"Jinsha, what's wrong with you? Are you listening?"

A woman with two daggers at her waist leaned against the doorframe and frowned at her friend.

"Ah."

Jinsha stirred, eyes blank.

"Damn it! What's gotten into you... Since your return two days ago, you've locked yourself away. Now you're completely distracted." The woman scolded.

"What did you say?" Jinsha mumbled.

"We said you should teach Oboro a lesson. When he registered, some of us tried to test him. He can use Nen, but he's obviously just starting..." the heavyset man in green repeated.

He couldn't finish.

At the mere mention of "Oboro," Jinsha's expression changed.

She instinctively covered her ears, her limbs trembling...

"Hm?"

The Nen users exchanged glances.

What was happening?

"GET OUT! ALL OF YOU, GET OUT!"

Suddenly, Jinsha started screaming hysterically.

"She's lost it!"

The Nen users left in confusion, staring at the closed door in displeasure.

...

Heaven's Arena was buzzing with unprecedented activity, with the number of spectators several times higher than normal.

This surge was due to... the arena's rising star, the Gentleman Fighter Oboro, having his debut match above the 200th floor.

To many, the competitors who reached the 200th floor were more than just fighters... They were martial arts masters, each an absolute powerhouse who had fought their way through thousands to reach the top.

The anticipation of the audience was palpable.

The place was overflowing, even the aisles were filled with spectators.

Heaven's Arena had staged a magnificent spectacle.

Golden confetti, dazzling lights... the clear, passionate voice of a young female announcer.

Amidst thunderous cheers, Jinsha appeared first... But the few dozen meters to the ring seemed to drain her... Her pale face and trembling form caught even the announcer's attention, prompting jokes about insufficient rest.

Then came a roar that nearly lifted the roof.

The expected Oboro appeared... Dressed in an immaculate black suit, his hands in his pockets, he walked leisurely to the ring.

The announcer detailed Oboro's various Heaven's Arena records...

At the sight of him, Jinsha unconsciously retreated, her pupils dilated and her forehead beaded with sweat.

To her eyes, the entire place had plunged into darkness, leaving only his vague silhouette... The man's lazy elegance, that slight smile...

"Follow my instructions."

"Otherwise... I'll display your corpse on the spire of Heaven's Arena."

"Just the skin... no flesh."

"Do not consider fleeing... I'll be watching constantly."

His demonic whispers and warnings flooded her mind.

Every footstep of his leather shoes echoed like thunder against her heart, taking her breath away.

After the announcer's introduction, the match began.

The referee signaled...

Neither Oboro nor Jinsha moved.

"Hm?"

Oboro raised an eyebrow. He'd instructed her to make their match appear real before he deliberately revealed an opening for her to win.

That would fulfill her original goal.

Oboro stood still, waiting for her to initiate...

But Jinsha seemed paralyzed in front of him, every step forward visibly agonizing.

Her breathing became ragged...

"Maybe I went too far..."

Oboro recognized the problem.

In the alley, he'd only "handled" her without physical violence, using intimidation alone... Still, he'd clearly left deep psychological scars.

"Your mental strength is lacking..."

He hadn't considered that.

He'd overestimated her.

She'd come alone to kill him, a fellow Nen user, and yet...

Within thirty seconds, Jinsha had reduced their distance from four meters to two. She was dripping with sweat... Her labored breathing carried even to the audience.

"What is she doing?"

"Oboro, finish her off!"

"Make your move!"

The shouts of the crowd crescendoed.

The woman could barely keep her composure... She hadn't even released her aura.

Oboro struggled to comprehend her emotional state.

The closer Jinsha came, the more terrified she became.

A Nen user's enhanced senses far exceeded those of normal humans, which heightened their perceptions. Even knowing that this was an act... Jinsha's instincts screamed danger. Everything in her was screaming: Run!

A purely physiological response.

But the fear of death forced her to obey their order, forced her forward...

The cognitive dissonance nearly drove Jinsha to collapse.

"I..."

Suddenly, Jinsha's throat tightened around a single word.

Oboro narrowed his eyes and suddenly raised his hand: "I forfeit!"

"What happened?"

"What just happened... Competitor Oboro has forfeited!"

The announcer shouted.

The arena erupted.

"After the signal, neither moved to attack. Only Jinsha approached Oboro mechanically... Perhaps the 'battle' has already taken place... beyond our perception?"

"A contest of presence?"

Confusion spread through the crowd and the commentators.

After forfeiting, Oboro turned and left the ring.

He had realized... if he hadn't spoken first, she would have surrendered.

*Thud.*

Only after Oboro's departure did Jinsha finally collapse, gasping for breath.

...

"Did you hear that?"

In a corner, a man in military uniform sat cross-legged, arms folded, addressing his companion.

"This woman's fighting spirit has been crushed. The moment Oboro appeared, her aura was like a lamb before a lion."

His dreadlocked friend replied around a lollipop.

"They must have met before... Although the reason is unclear, she was clearly terrorized."

"Interesting..."

The dreadlocked man grinned, "He may prove to be an entertaining opponent. Shall we?"

"Since you're intrigued, he's yours... Just stay out of trouble." The soldier rose and headed for the exit.

"Don't worry... I'll exercise restraint and try not to kill him."

The dreadlocked man removed his lollipop and smiled.

...

"Let's go, how disappointing... I was hoping to see this boy's true skills, but he just surrendered!"

Elsewhere in the crowd, Biscuit pouted unhappily.

"His surrender is surprising..." Wing nodded.

"It was deliberate." Biscuit sniffed, "That woman is no match for him, he knows it."

"Then why..." Wing trailed off, his expression clearing, for he had realized something.

"Tch, if I'd known, I'd have gone shopping instead."

Biscuit stormed off angrily.

...

"That bitch Jinsha who won like that was just disgraceful!"

"Hehehe... Regardless, this Oboro seems to lack fighting spirit... I'll challenge him in the next match, and no one will take that away from me!"

"You think you're alone? Look around... This match has attracted many 'big fish'. You're not the only one looking for an opportunity."

"..."

A group of Nen users exchanged words before leaving.

Indeed, beyond the ordinary spectators.

Dozens of Nen users from the 200th floor were present.

All of them had come to observe the rising star firsthand.

Among them, several floor masters!

Though well hidden... still discovered.

Oboro's recent prominence and debut on the 200th floor naturally drew attention to his true abilities.

The only confirmed information: he was a Nen user.

Oboro had sensed the many masters hidden throughout the place... most of them targeting him.

The tallest tree catches the most wind.

Sometimes, excessive popularity proved to be a disadvantage.

But Oboro welcomed this development.

Because... that was his goal.

He hoped to experience the joy of true combat next.

Truthfully, he still wished for a serious defeat...

Only through loss could one grow.

He hoped that someone would grant him this wish.