Chapter 19: Let's Talk
Back at Heavens Arena, a playful smile flickered across Haze's face.The bustling streets and crowds before him suddenly warped and blurred in his vision.
Someone was following him—radiating an uncontrolled Nen presence and a chilling killing intent, pressing down on him like a weight.Whoever it was, they weren't hiding their presence. It was a direct provocation.
"Heh."
Haze released his own Nen to resist the pressure, chuckled softly, and turned into a dark, narrow alley.Once he reached a blind corner, he stopped and turned around.
A beautiful woman in high heels stood at the other end, gazing at him with sharp eyes.
"So, you really are a Nen user…" the woman said coolly, studying Haze. "I told you—no matter how skilled a martial artist may be, it's impossible to kill an opponent in under ten seconds every single time."
"Do you need advice?" Haze slipped his hands into his pockets with a calm smile. "I can give you some."
"You're quite arrogant… But as a newcomer who just made it to the 200th floor, you don't seem to understand the situation yet. Those above the 200th floor aren't the same trash you've fought before. Once you step into the ring, even if you die there… you did read the registration rules, right?"
The woman brushed her fiery red hair aside, her face alluring and self-assured. Her slit cheongsam-style dress revealed her slender legs.
"I've heard plenty of that trash talk before. So tell me—are you here to warn me, or do you want to train before our match?"
Indeed, the woman before him was his next opponent.
"I'd like you to withdraw," she said coldly.
"And if I don't?" Haze tilted his head slightly.
"Then I'll kill you right here." She extended both hands.
Nen flared from her palms, and in an instant, a dozen small dolls dropped to the ground.
"Materialization type…" Haze narrowed his eyes.
He already knew her name—Jinsha. Her record stood at four wins and three losses.
The Heavens Arena rules above the 200th floor were different; it followed an Application Battle System.Every Nen user was given 90 days between battles. Failure to fight within that time resulted in expulsion.Ten wins earned the right to challenge the host; four losses meant disqualification.
For Jinsha, who already had three losses, defeating Haze was her only chance to stay.
The Barbie-like dolls began to move, stepping toward Haze like eerie marionettes.
Nen abilities took countless forms, and Haze couldn't yet see the true essence behind these toys.
"I'll give you ten seconds," she said in a seductive tone, blowing him a kiss that carried deadly intent. "If a handsome young man like you died here, it'd break my heart. You've just reached the 200th floor—there'll be plenty of chances later. Take this as a lesson."
"So sure of yourself, huh?"
Haze grinned—and vanished.
In the blink of an eye, a black flash streaked forward. His fist shot out, aimed straight for her face—
Swish!
A flash of cold light intercepted his strike, forcing Haze to retreat.
He looked down and saw one of the dolls holding a pair of tiny scissors. It floated down slowly, the blades clicking together.
Haze raised his hand—part of his glove had been sliced open. If he'd reacted a second later, it would've been his wrist.
"Ahahahaha!"
Seeing his confusion, Jinsha laughed. "Still so naïve! You thought you could take me by surprise? I've seen your fights. You're strong—physically incredible, even—but against my Nen, all your advantages vanish! No matter how fast or powerful you are, you can't touch me!"
With a snap of her fingers, she ordered, "Go, my children—kill him for Mommy!"
The dolls lunged forward.
Haze observed carefully. Their speed doesn't match their movement… These things react on their own. Automated response…
He smiled slightly. Nen really was a fascinating, deep art.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Before Haze could counter, the dolls shot through the air with explosive speed, slamming into the alley walls and leaving holes and cracks behind.
Each doll carried a different weapon, moving with eerie precision—some attacked, some defended, others provided support.
Haze dodged through the narrow space, his Nen sharp and focused. None of the dolls could land a clean hit, but the sheer number of them—and the confined space—made it troublesome.
He tried several times to bypass them and strike Jinsha directly. Each attempt failed.
Once, he even got within a meter of her, his fist brushing her body heat—but a doll leapt up and blocked the strike with a comb.
He crushed it with a punch, but Jinsha had already regained her composure and retreated in panic.
Soon after, Haze was swarmed again.
The dolls' speed increased, their strikes sharper. His suit was being shredded—but there was no blood.
Only his clothes were torn.
"What…? Even a direct Nen strike can't injure him?"
Panic flickered across her face, though she forced herself to stay calm.
As long as Haze was restrained, she told herself, he'd eventually tire. Her dolls could repair themselves endlessly—that was her confidence.
"Give up," she taunted. "You can't win. Just admit defeat, and I'll make your death painless."
Her words seemed to work—Haze stopped moving.
Finally… he wasn't dodging.
"Yes… yes!" she shouted, eyes wide. But her grin froze instantly.
Terror filled her expression.
Haze stood motionless as the dolls stabbed him over and over at his chest, head, and neck.
The metallic clang of their strikes rang out, like steel on steel.
Not even his clothing tore further.
She was speechless.
Why… why isn't my Nen working?!
"It seems you misunderstood," Haze said with a calm smile. "I just wanted to play with you a little. Did you really think you could kill me?"
He spoke like a teacher explaining a lesson.
"To be honest, I only wanted to see how your ability functioned."
He continued walking toward her, explaining as if lecturing:
"Each person's Nen ability reflects their nature and adaptability. Yours is well-designed but… fundamentally flawed. These dolls exist to protect you, meaning their top priority is your safety. They can intercept any attack aimed at you—an absolute defense. But that absolute comes at a cost."
"First, their offensive and defensive limits are fixed. Once a strike surpasses their tolerance, they break."
"Second, each doll has a specific role. Your system is automated, which means you no longer fight yourself. You've traded growth for convenience. Your ability is over-engineered… and incomplete."
"Perhaps you were too weak to perfect it. Or maybe you just lacked a real understanding of Nen."
As he spoke, he caught a flying doll's scissor strike with his eyes—the blades stopped midair, frozen by condensed aura.
"This," he said, tapping his temple, "is another Nen technique. Not just coating your body—it's far more refined than simple Ten."
Jinsha trembled, backing away in terror. Her limbs were numb; she couldn't even hear the rest of his words.
"I can think of at least ten ways to break your ability," Haze said flatly. "This is just the easiest."
He tore off his jacket, flooded it with Nen, and swung it out.
Like a net, it wrapped around all twelve dolls.
In an instant, the fabric hardened, trapping them.
"See?" he said, lifting the writhing bundle. "If you're going to manifest weapons, it's best to control them directly. Otherwise, anyone can turn them against you. Sometimes… simpler is better."
"Of course, you could rematerialize them—but that takes time. And a second of delay in a fight…"
"…can mean death."
"AAAAAAHHH!"
Jinsha screamed and bolted.
Pure, primal fear drove her. She had never experienced anything like this.
In just a few minutes, the man before her had completely unraveled her ability. The difference between them was overwhelming.
She knew she would die here.
Ahead, sunlight spilled from the busy street beyond the alley. Hope glimmered—if she reached the crowd, maybe he wouldn't dare kill her.
But just as she neared the exit, a warm hand touched her cheek from behind.
"Shhh…"
Haze's whisper brushed her ear. "Don't run. I'm not finished yet… I'm only teaching you."
"Mmfff… mmff!"
Her eyes filled with tears as his fingers pressed over her mouth.
"Don't cry," he said softly. "Don't be afraid. I won't hurt you… After all, you tried to kill me first."
In the dark alley, his voice was calm—but his fingers tightened slowly around her face.
Her skin and bones bent under the pressure, her hands reaching desperately toward the light just a few meters away—but those few meters felt impossibly far.
Suffocating despair swallowed her.
"Let's talk… for a bit," Haze whispered, his lips curving upward as he dragged her back into the shadows.
(End of Chapter)