Three veterans plus one Hwashit Dourou. Wutong returned with confirmation of the match list.
"As requested, your fight against Harrison is scheduled after Yun Gu's match."
"'God Gun' Guy is slotted the day after. I've reviewed Harrison's file—he's sadistic, loves torturing opponents. Before arriving at Heavens Arena, he abused his Hunter license as a mafia enforcer. Then he raped and killed the boss's daughter and ended up on the dark web's most-wanted list."
'A licensed Hunter?'
One strike... two... three—Roy's cane-sword hovered just in front of Wutong's nose.
He was practicing Sun Breathing. He took the towel Wutong offered and wiped down the blade.
[Notification… Constitution +0.2…]
Without looking up, he asked, "And the last?"
"'Ninja' Masaru Kikuta. Not on the same level as Harrison or Guy." Wutong recalled the silver-haired boy he saw at the reception earlier, then added cautiously, "Young Master, you rejected Hwashit Dourou again. He's probably resentful and looking to cause trouble."
He adjusted his glasses. "Better to just kill him."
Roy finished polishing. Blade, gaze, and edge aligned. The new steel gleamed cold in the sun. He replied flatly, "Too late."
Ding ding ding—
The doorbell rang.
Wutong frowned, opened the door—Hwashit Dourou stood outside, pale but composed.
"Why didn't you accept my challenge?"
"Why should I?"
Roy didn't even look at him. He continued bonding with his blade.
Hwashit narrowed his eyes. "Afraid I'll beat you?"
Roy laughed quietly, glanced lazily in his direction.
Wutong stepped forward, towering over him, and unleashed his killing intent without restraint.
Boom!
It struck as Malice through Ren, surging forth.
A Nen storm erupted.
Hwashit's pupils contracted. It felt like falling straight into hell. Panic exploded in his chest.
'Can't win—run! If not, I'll die!'
Instinct screamed to flee, but his body wouldn't respond. He staggered back a step—then collapsed in the hallway.
"Guh... guh..." He gasped for air.
From inside the room came the cold voice of the one he swore to defeat:
"Only the ignorant feel no fear. I trust you understand now."
Bang! The door slammed shut.
Two worlds, divided.
Hwashit sat frozen for a long time before crawling away, defeated.
The corridor lights cast a long, slumped shadow behind him. Wutong listened carefully. When he was sure the boy had left, he turned to Roy. "You're still too kind, Young Master. I'd have killed him. Simpler."
Killing solved most things. Not all.
Roy sheathed the cane-sword. From weapon to walking stick, it returned to its ordinary form.
With a calm gaze and earrings of sun and mountains, he said:
"If I drew my blade over every irritation, how am I different from Harrison?"
Wutong was loyal, always placing Roy's benefit first. He didn't consider morality or conscience. That was Roy's job as master.
"I'm hungry. Go prepare dinner."
It was 4 p.m. Time to allocate more points.
Using hunger as an excuse to send Wutong away, Roy opened his status panel.
Learning from last time, he stripped down and locked himself in the shower.
A muffled groan followed.
The transformation began.
A minute later, he stepped out again—taller, more striking than the day before.
When Wutong returned with the food cart, Roy devoured dinner. By the next day, he had recovered fully and was seated in the arena, ticket in hand, ready for the show.
'Huh? His aura just spiked again?' Biscuit had sharp eyes.
Of course she'd arranged the double ticket with Yun Gu. She plopped right down beside Roy.
"Good evening, handsome." Twin tails swayed. The "girl" greeted the scowling Wutong first, then leaned close to Roy. "Little Roy, have you eaten?"
"I've got candy~ want some?" She popped one in her mouth, then pushed another toward Roy.
He didn't refuse. She beamed, giggling happily in her seat.
The announcer entered, riling up the crowd. Tens of thousands roared back in excitement.
Even Roy felt the buzz—he found it amusing.
Biscuit peeked sideways. "You look pretty happy."
Roy smiled, said nothing.
Then Yun Gu and Morris appeared. The arena exploded.
Roy tapped the armrest rhythmically, enjoying the moment.
"You're way too expressive. You'd make a terrible assassin," Biscuit commented.
Unbothered, Roy watched Yun Gu roll up his sleeves. "I just don't fake things like some people."
"That's not faking—it's misdirection!" Biscuit snapped. "It's strategy!"
"Whatever." Roy wasn't going to argue. She was ancient—probably menopausal. Let her have her fun.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the match begins now!" roared the host—
The fight started.
Yun Gu and Morris struck simultaneously. Nen-cloaked fists clashed and recoiled—
A simple probe.
An Enhancer like Yun Gu versus a Transmuter like Morris. Despite the ten-year age gap, both were forced back three meters.
Credit to Biscuit's training—she clearly knew what she was doing.
"Hmph!" The old hag kicked her legs smugly, glancing sidelong at Roy like she wanted to tattoo That's my disciple! on her forehead.
Yun Gu's jab, then whip-kick—precise and dominant. Biscuit's twin tails bounced high. She raised her fist proudly. "See? That's the power of the heart!"
Shingen-ryu. Shin (heart) was the core. Roy had to admit—Morris was bigger and stronger, but he was the one retreating.
Roy thought of Netero—
Who prayed before every strike.
He muttered aloud, "So this is what it means to repay the boundless grace of one's martial upbringing with everything one has."
Biscuit froze in place.