Chapter 17: Do You Like Acting?
Meanwhile, in another room…
Two people had also just finished watching the recordings of Haze's matches.
A blonde girl in a frilly tutu sat at the head of the bed, her legs dangling, her expression somewhat dissatisfied.
Biscuit cupped her cheeks with both hands like a lovestruck girl and sighed dreamily.
"Amazing… I never expected such a remarkable seed to appear in Heaven's Arena. What a precious raw gem! If it's polished properly, it could become an incomparably beautiful jewel."
After sighing, she turned to her disciple, Wing, who sat beside her, and smiled.
"Well then, what did you see?"
Wing adjusted his glasses and shook his head.
"The match ended too fast. He defeated his opponent right after the referee's whistle. That speed and explosive power… it's terrifying. Other than that…"
"Right, his fighting style is simple brute force just overwhelming physical power. No real technique."
Biscuit nodded, then used the remote to rewind and paused the footage.
"Look carefully. His attack uses the explosive power of his legs to accelerate, closing the distance instantly… now, focus on his hands. See the problem?"
"Hmm… the skin on his palms looks rougher… a bit larger?" Wing said cautiously.
"Exactly. His body isn't in the same league as ordinary fighters it's like comparing two different species. He must've trained in a martial art emphasizing palm strikes. Even through his clothes, you can tell from his gait that his body is compact and powerful. He probably uses some kind of defensive body-hardening technique too. It's a pity no one's been strong enough to force him to show his true strength."
As an expert in raw physical power, Biscuit could see the truth instantly.
"And one more thing… He's fought so many matches, yet his method of finishing opponents never changes. Once or twice, fine but for it to still work after so many times? Do you think all his opponents are fools? After floor 100, everyone should be on guard yet they still fall. Why?"
She glanced meaningfully at her disciple.
"The difference in physical ability. It's like a normal person facing a bullet no matter if you see it, you can't dodge it," Wing reasoned.
Biscuit shook her head.
"That's only part of it. You're missing the real point."
"The real point?"
"Watch closely."
She replayed the footage.
On screen, Haze's motion left behind a faint afterimage just a blur.
"Tell me," Biscuit said, pointing to the blur. "Within this afterimage of a few centimeters… where exactly is he right now?"
"Logically, he should be at the front…" murmured Wing.
"Look again."
Biscuit didn't explain further.
After a while, cold sweat ran down Wing's back.
He realized something terrifying when his master's finger obscured the afterimage, it felt as though Hazehad vanished completely.
There was no trace of his presence. No aura. No perception feedback.
"Now you understand," Biscuit said softly. "This man, Haze, is a master at concealing and altering his aura. His entire body becomes a living bullet. The worst part? You can't even see that bullet."
Her jewel-like pupils shimmered as she continued watching.
"He reminds me of someone… someone very familiar."
"Who?" Wing asked.
"Chairman Netero."
Her voice carried both awe and disbelief.
"He doesn't just hide his aura he transforms it. You see, a person's aura reflects their body, mind, and life energy. Concealment can be trained, but transformation… that requires enlightenment. Observation, comprehension, and a pure awareness of the energy of all living things to grasp the essence of life itself."
"Even you can't do that, Master?"
Biscuit shook her head.
"I could, but it would take an extraordinarily Haze and tedious process. To reach that level, one must be completely pure in mind, pursuing perfection. Of course, Haze's level is far below Chairman Netero's… but to even touch that essence at his age it's astonishing."
Wing swallowed hard. He understood exactly how high that praise was.
To be mentioned in the same breath as Netero, even distantly, was no small thing.
"Oh, one more thing," Biscuit added. "This man must also be a Nen user. To manipulate aura so precisely, his understanding of Nen must be profound. Practicing Nen would be child's play for him."
She turned off the TV and clapped happily.
"You sound like you want me to lose…"
Wing forced a bitter smile.
"Oh, don't say that. I just got a little excited after seeing such a handsome young man with potential," Biscuit said with a teasing grin. "Anyway, your odds of winning are low. First, your physical strength is way below his. Second, his aura perception must be extraordinary he won't be fooled by any feints. But fighting him will be a valuable lesson! Don't feel pressured if things go badly, just surrender."
"…"
Wing sighed wordlessly as Biscuit skipped out of the room.
"Where are you going?" he called.
"He's such an interesting person, of course I have to meet him in person!"
She waved and disappeared down the hall.
Wing could only sigh again, turning the recorder back on.
Later that night…
Knock, knock.
Hazehad just stepped out of the shower, wrapped in a white robe, when he heard a knock at the door.
He glanced over
It wasn't Arena staff.
It was late, and the aura outside felt… strange. Powerful.
Without hesitation, he opened the door.
Standing there was a shy-looking girl of about twelve or thirteen, her cheeks flushed pink, large sparkling eyes blinking up at him.
His heart skipped a beat.
He recognized her immediately.
Biscuit Krueger.
The old monster pretending to be a little girl.
Remembering his upcoming fight with Wing, Hazesmirked.
"Who are you looking for?"
"Um… hello, big brother. My name's Bisiji, and I'm your biggest fan… Sorry to bother you so late… I-I just… really like you…"
She twisted her fingers together, eyes shimmering adorably, projecting a perfect image of innocent affection.
"Oh? You want an autograph?"
Hazeplayed aHaze.
But he noticed her eyes wandering
even through his robe, Biscuit's gaze was glued to the lean muscles beneath.
She subtly wiped a bit of drool from the corner of her mouth.
"I like you so much… Really, I do… Big brother, will you be my boyfriend?"
In the next instant, she lunged forward and hugged him, pressing her head against his abdomen, rubbing affectionately.
"…"
Hazestared blankly.
Then she looked up, tears brimming in her big eyes, waiting for his response.
"Actually," Biscuit whimpered, "I'm terminally ill… The doctor says I don't have Haze to live… My last wish is to be with the one I love. Big brother, will you grant it?"
Hazeblinked then smiled softly.
"Of course. Thank you for liking me. It's an honor to be your boyfriend."
"Waaah, I'm so happy!"
Biscuit feigned tears but her eyes were dry.
Eighteen years old, huh? she thought. So easy to fool.
She wasn't truly interested in him romantically she'd only come to investigate, curious about his identity, his master, and his past.
"Would you like to come in and talk?" Hazeasked.
"R-really?"
"Sure."
"That's wonderful!"
She stepped inside, her eyes quickly scanning every corner of the room for clues.
Click.
The door shut.
Something about the sound made her flinch.
When she turned, Hazewas standing there robe open, wearing only shorts, his expression calm and unreadable.
"Ah!" she yelped, covering her eyes. "B-big brother… what are you doing?"
Could he be a pervert?!
"Don't be so shy," Hazesaid flatly. "We're already dating, aren't we? Why don't you take yours off too… or should I help you?"
He grabbed her wrist.
Her eyes narrowed slightly, ready to strike.
"Ow, you're hurting me, big brother…" she whined but mentally, she was already preparing to counterattack.
Tch. Definitely a bad guy. Zero stars.
Her earlier curiosity evaporated. Even if he had talent, she thought, such a twisted man wasn't worth it.
But then
"Stop acting," Hazesaid suddenly. "Aren't you tired of it? I'm tired just watching."
His calm tone froze her.
"This is the contestants' floor. And late at night, a little girl comes knocking alone, claiming to be my fan without a guardian? Doesn't that sound a bit fake to you?"
"Besides, I invited you in and you entered without hesitation. That's not the mindset of a normal girl your age."
He tightened his grip slightly.
The pale skin of Biscuit's wrist warped under the pressure
Bang!
A burst of force. Both leapt back.
Biscuit landed gracefully three meters away.
Hazeflexed his arm. His forearm was swollen and bruised. He narrowed his eyes.
What terrifying strength…
He had even used Iron Reinforcement on his skin, yet the impact still damaged him.
On the other side, Biscuit calmly popped her dislocated wrist back into place.
"You're not what I imagined. I thought you were a decent young man but you're actually terrible! Don't you know how to treat a girl nicely?" she pouted.
Now she realized Hazewasn't a pervert. He was testing her.
He'd seen through her disguise from the start.
What surprised her more was the damage she'd done
or rather, how little damage she'd caused.
"A girl?" Hazelowered his arm and studied her. "Judging from your strength, even if you'd trained since birth, there's no way your body should be this developed at that age. So… may I assume your real age is much older?"
"And that your childlike form is… your ability?"
Biscuit's expression froze. Her pupils shrank.
She hadn't revealed a thing yet after one brief exchange, this man had deduced her secret entirely.
What kind of monster is he?
A chill ran down her spine. For the first time, she truly felt afraid.
Haze, meanwhile, was perfectly calm.
"Don't worry," he said quietly. "Even if Netero himself were here, I could make him strip down and spill everything."
(End of Chapter)
Two chapters will be uploaded daily, I hope you like it and support us.