You should thank the rule of law. Thank the countdown timer over your head for saving you.
It bought you a little more time.
Ryker sneered internally.
"Oh. If you came to tell me that, I already know. Let's go, Gon, Killua."
Ryker yawned, bored.
He disliked wasting effort.
Especially on a show-off like Hisoka. Fighting him now yielded little profit because no traits would drop.
But three days later!
Unfortunately for you.
That day, my Ulquiorra is on duty.
Ryker smiled. Gon and Killua, however, glared at the weird clown, daring not relax.
The trio disappeared down the corridor.
"I didn't expect a Phantom Troupe member to be underestimated. Am I just here to watch the match?"
Suddenly, a figure stepped out from a side path. A girlish voice, laced with disdain.
Phantom Troupe Member #10: Machi!
"Just making preparations. Wait here a few days. After I finish with that kid, you can leave."
Hisoka said expressionlessly.
"Can't tell. A guy the Boss values so highly, losing confidence? Is that kid strong? He looks ordinary."
Machi glanced in the direction Ryker left.
"Hehe."
Hisoka said no more, turning to leave, leaving Machi alone.
"That guy!"
Machi cursed and left too.
She swore, if not for the astronomical daily fee he paid, she wouldn't stay in this dump.
Two Days Later. Heaven's Arena Ring.
"Let's give a warm welcome to our contestants! The Supernova, Ryker! Maintaining a 9-0 winning streak on Floor 200!"
"And our legendary fighter, Hisoka!! Let's welcome him!!"
The beautiful announcer's passionate voice ignited the stadium.
Ryker's performance had been dazzling, marking him as a top dark horse.
Hisoka was even more popular than Kastro!
Handsome, mysterious, and all his losses were forfeits, making him a hot topic.
"Brother Ryker, good luck!!"
Gon shouted nervously.
"Brother Ryker will definitely win!"
Killua sweated for Ryker. He sensed Hisoka was even more dangerous than Kastro.
"Very difficult... I'm afraid your big brother will lose badly this time."
A strange voice spoke up.
They turned to see a man wrapped in bandages sitting nearby.
"Who are you!?"
"Me? Hehe... uh, I'm Kastro... I lost to Hisoka once. That guy is a monster. Your brother is too young. His record is good, but compared to Hisoka, the gap is huge."
Kastro shook his head.
He escaped the hospital just to watch this match.
To him, Ryker was strong, but Hisoka was invincible against such a young opponent.
"Mr. Kastro?! I watched your match days ago. That Ulquiorra is truly strong! You didn't lose unjustly," Killua said, recognizing him.
"Yes. He was terrifying. I didn't expect anyone besides Hisoka to be that strong here. I lost convincingly."
Kastro sighed.
"Actually... that guy might be even stronger than Hisoka. If Hisoka wins today, tomorrow he fights that monster. I'm looking forward to tomorrow more."
Kastro said solemnly.
"Brother Ryker won't lose! You don't know his strength!" Gon argued.
"I believe in him too! Mr. Kastro, Brother Ryker is far stronger than you think," Killua added confidently.
Kastro was surprised by their blind faith.
If only Kastro saw Ryker beating up Silva Zoldyck, he'd rethink his assessment.
In the Ring.
"Hehe. Finally, this day has come. You've learned Nen. The fruit is ripe."
Hisoka stared at Ryker with burning, greedy eyes, licking his lips.
To him, Ryker wasn't human. He was art. A ripe fruit.
A disgusting look.
"Are you ready? I'll start the match."
The referee raised his hand, sensing the tension.
A thrilling match between two dark horses!
"I forfeit."
Before the ref could speak, Ryker raised his hand.
"AH!?"
The referee froze.
Hisoka froze too.
He never dreamed Ryker would forfeit.
Ryker fought him hard during the Hunter Exam. He didn't lack will.
But now?
Hisoka's excitement vanished. Like punching cotton.
"Wait, Contestant Ryker. If you forfeit, it counts as a loss," the referee warned.
A loss meant needing two wins to recover rank. Not worth it.
"Sure. I forfeit. Bye."
Ryker couldn't be bothered to explain. Hands in pockets, he walked away.
Hisoka's face turned dark enough to drip ink.
He was ready for a climax, and Ryker denied him.
"Can you give me a reason?" Hisoka asked suddenly.
Ryker stopped and looked back.
[Target Hisoka Farming Cooldown: 12H]
He said nothing, turning away again.
Hisoka's expression turned sinister.
That look...
Contempt.
His prey looked down on him.
Hisoka wanted to kill him right there.
But then... he "understood."
"Hehe. I see. Fine. I'll deal with you after I solve tomorrow's trouble."
Hisoka realized.
Ryker intentionally skipped this match.
If Ryker forfeited, Hisoka's next match would auto-match with the other Supernova, Ulquiorra!
Smart kid. Wants to see me fight someone else first.
Shameless, undignified, but smart.
Things are getting fun.
Hisoka smiled confidently. He saw through everything.
"Announce the result, Ref."
The referee announced Hisoka's victory.
The stadium exploded.
"RIGGED! RIGGED!!"
"FUCK YOU! REFUND!!"
"FAKE MATCH!!"
Tickets were expensive. Fans were furious.
Insults rained down on Ryker. "Coward!" "Trash!"
"Brother Ryker..."
Gon looked conflicted as Ryker returned.
The audience booed, and other fighters looked at Ryker with disdain.
Forfeiting without a fight was shameful here.
But Ryker had no choice.
If he beat Hisoka today, he wouldn't match with Ulquiorra tomorrow. And the cooldown wouldn't be reset.
Letting Hisoka win meant matching him with Ulquiorra tomorrow, when the cooldown was up.
Perfect farming.
Hisoka was just an Elite Mob now.
Ryker aimed for Chimera Ants, Netero, the Dark Continent.
"Brother Ryker must have his reasons," Killua defended him.
"A wise choice. Avoid the monster Hisoka. Climb back up later. Provided you don't meet Ulquiorra," Kastro commented from behind.
"I wasn't feeling well today. Winning isn't important," Ryker smiled.
In the past two days, he farmed Gon and Killua again (via "training").
Two designated drops:
[Blackening] (Black) (Gon)
[Electricity Resistance] (Purple) (Killua)
Gon and Killua were nearly tapped out.
[Electricity Resistance] was nice for a tank build.
[Blackening] (Black) was a double-edged sword.
It was Gon's "Adult Gon" transformation power.
Massive boost, but at the cost of life force and body.
But Ryker had [Absolute Will] (Red). He might retain consciousness.
And [Super Regeneration] (Purple).
Still, the cost was too high. It was a "break in case of emergency" ult.
The Ultimate Ult.
Ryker's excuse was flimsy, but the kids trusted him.
The public opinion of Ryker tanked. He was kicked out of the "Supernova" list.
Considered a coward.
The Next Day.
Hisoka VS Ulquiorra.
The news reignited the audience's passion.
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