Chapter 20: The Target
"Heh, I thought you'd crash, but instead you ran into that rookie…""Jinsha, teach him a lesson. Heavens Arena's been hyping that kid up lately—don't embarrass us."
A few days later, inside the 200th-floor waiting hall of Heavens Arena,Jinsha sat pale-faced at her dressing table, head down, eyes unfocused.She used to take great care of her appearance, but today her hair was a mess, and she wasn't even wearing lipstick.It was as if her soul had left her body.
Before a match, fighters on the 200th floor were given private prep rooms.At Jinsha's door stood several Nen users—"friends" who frequently hung around her.
To them, facing Haze meant not only an easy win but also a golden chance to make a name for themselves.After all, none of them had risen through the ranks as fast or as spectacularly as Haze had.Most had only awakened Nen after reaching the 200th floor.
If they lost, they'd return to training, refine their Nen, and come back later. But even then, they'd no longer be rookies—certainly not "dark horses."Even with winning streaks, they couldn't generate the same buzz Haze did. The audience always adored a mysterious underdog's meteoric rise.Fighters who already had some fame rarely got the same love.
"Jinsha, what's wrong? Are you even listening?"A woman with a bun and two daggers at her waist leaned on the doorway, frowning.
"Ah…"Jinsha blinked back to awareness, her eyes vacant.
"Damn it! What's wrong with you? You've been locked in here since the day before yesterday, and now you're completely out of it!" the woman scolded.
"What did you say?" Jinsha murmured blankly.
"I said, give that guy Haze a lesson!" repeated a plump man in a green jacket. "We tried to test him when he signed up. He knows Nen, sure—but probably just a beginner."
He never finished his sentence.
At the mention of Haze, Jinsha's face twisted in horror.Her hands flew to her ears, her body trembling violently.
"Eh?"The Nen users exchanged confused looks.
"What's wrong with her?"
"Get out! GET OUT!" Jinsha suddenly screamed like a madwoman.
"What the hell?"
Startled, the Nen users glanced at each other and quietly closed the door, whispering in concern as they left.
…
That day, Heavens Arena was packed—far more crowded than usual.The reason?Haze, the arena's newest rising star—the "Man in the Suit"—was making his debut on the 200th floor.
For most, fighters who reached this floor were no longer mere martial artists. They were masters in their own right, having crushed countless opponents to reach the peak.
The stands were overflowing. Even the corridors were jammed with people.Heavens Arena knew how to build hype—blaring lights, golden confetti fireworks, and a charismatic host whipping up the crowd.
Amid roaring cheers, Jinsha stepped onto the stage first.But the short walk from the tunnel to the platform—barely a few dozen meters—felt impossibly heavy.Her face was pale, her body trembling. Even the host noticed, joking that she must not have slept enough.
Then the arena erupted.
Haze appeared.
Dressed in a sharp black suit, hands casually in his pockets, he walked slowly onto the stage.The host began listing his record-breaking achievements on the big screens.
Upon seeing him, Jinsha instinctively stepped back.Her pupils dilated, sweat dripping from her forehead.To her, the entire arena faded into darkness—only he remained, calm and elegant, a faint smile on his lips.
"Do as I say.""Otherwise… I'll hang your body from the top of Heavens Arena.""It's just skin, no flesh.""Don't even think about running. I'll be watching you."
Those cold, demonic whispers echoed in her mind.The sound of Haze's leather shoes striking the floor—each step pounded like a hammer in her chest.
After another round of introductions, the match finally began.The referee's whistle blew—but neither of them moved.
"Hm?"Haze raised a brow.
He'd told her earlier that during this match, they'd fake the fight. He'd pretend to lose to satisfy her.So, he stood still, waiting for her to attack first.
But Jinsha stood frozen in fear. Even stepping forward was a struggle.Her breathing grew rapid and uneven.
Did I overdo it? Haze thought.
In that alleyway, he hadn't even used violence—only words to frighten her. Yet it seemed he'd left a scar deeper than he intended.
What a fragile mindset… he muttered inwardly.
He had overestimated her.She had come to kill him once, a Nen user nonetheless—but now…
Half a minute passed, and Jinsha had barely moved two meters closer. Her sweat poured down, audible even to those in the stands.
"What's that woman doing?""Haze! Finish her already!"
The crowd's roars came in waves.
Jinsha was breaking down. She hadn't released a single Nen thought.Haze couldn't fully read her emotions, but as she stepped closer, her fear intensified.Her instincts screamed at her: Run.
Her body's reaction was purely instinctive—a psychic's sensitivity amplifying her terror.But fear of death forced her to continue—to honor the deal.
That internal conflict—fear, pride, shame—nearly made her collapse and vomit.
"I…"
Her throat quivered as a single, faint sound escaped.
Haze's eyes narrowed. Then suddenly—
He raised his hand. "I forfeit."
"What?!""What just happened—Haze surrendered?!" the host shouted.
The crowd exploded into chaos.
"Since the start, neither of them even fought!""Jinsha only approached him slowly… Was that the battle?!""Was it… a battle of willpower?"
Even the commentator was stunned.
Haze turned and left the stage without another word.He could tell that if he said anything more, she would break completely.
Thud!
As soon as he left, Jinsha collapsed onto the stage, gasping for air.
…
"Did you see that?"In a corner of the stands, a man in a military uniform sat cross-legged, speaking to his companion.
"That woman completely lost her will to fight. From the moment Haze appeared, she looked like a lamb before a lion."
His friend, a man with dreadlocks and a lollipop, smirked."They've met before. No doubt about it. She was terrified of him."
"Interesting…"
The dreadlocked man grinned. "They'd make a fun pair. You want him, or should I?"
"Since you're so eager, I'll let you have him. Just don't cause trouble."
The soldier stood and walked toward the exit.
"Don't worry," the other said with a sly smile, removing his lollipop. "I'll be gentle… I'll try not to kill him."
…
"Tch. What a letdown! I wanted to see that guy's real strength!"Elsewhere in the crowd, Biscuit puffed her cheeks in frustration.
"Didn't expect him to surrender," murmured Wing.
"He did it on purpose," Biscuit said, arms crossed. "That woman wasn't even a challenge—and he knew it."
"Then why…?" Wing began, then paused as realization crossed his face."Ah… I see."
Biscuit huffed. "Tch. If I'd known it'd be like this, I'd have gone shopping instead."
…
"That bitch Jinsha won like that? Pathetic!""Heh, whatever. That Haze doesn't even have the guts to fight. I'll challenge him next! None of you get in my way!""You think you're the only one planning that? Look around—this fight's drawn a crowd of heavy hitters. You're not the only shark circling."
"…"
A few Nen users muttered among themselves as they left the arena together.
Because besides ordinary spectators, dozens of Nen users from the 200th floor and above had come to watch this "supernova" named Haze.Some of them were truly powerful—and even hidden among the crowd, their aura was unmistakable.
Haze could feel them.Many of those presences were watching him.
As the saying went—The tallest tree catches the wind.
Sometimes, standing out too much brings trouble.
Yet Haze welcomed it.After all, that was why he had come.
He wanted to experience true battle again—to lose for real.
Only through defeat could he grow stronger.
And deep down…he hoped someone would finally grant him that wish.
(End of Chapter)