The match ended, and the audience dispersed.
After several years, a new challenger had fallen, remembered by the spectators in an unfriendly manner.
Leaving Heavens Arena and returning to the presidential suite of the hotel, Killua couldn't help but voice the question in his mind.
"Law, that move you used earlier was Rhythm Echo, right?"
Aside from Rhythm Echo, the high-speed movement that left no trace was equally eye-catching.
Killua genuinely couldn't detect even the slightest hint of movement.
Law closed the door, took two cans of chilled carbonated drinks from the fridge, and said, "So that move is called Rhythm Echo? A fitting name."
Killua caught the carbonated drink Law tossed to him, his face blank. Law's response confirmed his earlier speculation.
'Since he doesn't even know the name of the move, then the possibility that someone else in the family taught Law the Rhythm Echo is ruled out. The only possibility left is that Law watched me use it several times and then learned it by himself.'
Seeing Killua's adorable dumbfounded expression, Law chuckled and said, "My mastery of combat skills is quite high, and my bodily coordination far exceeds your imagination. So it's not strange that I learned Rhythm Echo. The hard part is mastering it and figuring out how to apply it effectively."
Back when Biscuit put Law through that hellish physical training, she opened a door for him. In the six or seven years since, Law hadn't slacked off even once, advancing both his Nen Abilities and combat skills simultaneously.
That Law could learn the Zoldyck Family's Rhythm Echo in just a week from watching Killua was the result of years of accumulated experience. Of course, that was merely learning it, and true mastery would take much longer.
"But to use Rhythm Echo, you need to match it with the perfect rhythm, something that can't be mastered in a short time." Killua insisted, still unable to believe it.
"True, but it's actually not that hard."
Law popped open the tab, took a big gulp of the carbonated drink, then set it on the table nearby. Raising both hands toward Killua, he suddenly began moving them slowly, like a conductor leading an orchestra.
His hands fluttered like dancing butterflies, leaving behind a trail of afterimages.
To some extent, music and rhythm share common ground.
Law didn't understand music theory, but when he absorbed the harp version of [Sonata of Darkness], he not only mastered the harp performance but also grasped the seven melodies of the grudge-laden music. His instincts for melody and rhythm were deeply ingrained in his subconscious.
Killua's eyes widened as he followed the movement of Law's hands, detecting the rhythmic afterimages within. A deep sense of admiration welled up in his heart.
"Rhythm Echo is a very useful technique for offense, but remember… only when your opponent's breathing is disrupted can you go all out with a lethal strike. Otherwise, in every attack, you must hold back just a little."
Law lowered his hands and shared his understanding with Killua.
"Dad told me that too," Killua said. In front his still-limited experience, the abilities Law displayed were nothing short of miraculous.
"Alright."
Law shrugged.
The next day, Killua won his match on the 50th floor, advancing to the 60th floor. However, in the match the following day, he surrendered again and was demoted back to the 50th floor.
Two days passed uneventfully, and it was time for Law to leave.
Though Killua was reluctant to part, no matter how much he pleaded, there was no way Law could stay any longer.
"Work hard and aim to reach the 190th floor as soon as possible."
At the hotel entrance, Law ruffled Killua's soft hair. Not wanting Killua to see him off at the airport, he chose to say goodbye here.
"Yeah." Killua nodded.
"Go back to your room."
Law smiled, then turned and walked toward the sidewalk, waving at Killua without looking back.
Killua pouted, watching until Law got into a taxi before reluctantly turning back and heading into the hotel.
Inside the taxi, Law sat in the back, resting his cheek on his hand as he gazed at the scenery passing by outside the window.
Killua wasn't truly alone… the Zoldyck Family had assigned two highly skilled butlers to secretly watch over him.
On the surface, the Zoldycks' training methods seemed brutally harsh, always carrying the risk of death. But the Zoldyck Family wasn't particularly large, and their numbers were few, so they still left some room for caution.
For instance, while Killua was sent to Heavens Arena alone for training, two capable butlers were always lurking in the shadows. Their duty was to eliminate any threats that came from outside the scope of his training.
If Killua were struggling in a match, on the verge of defeat, the butlers wouldn't intervene. But if an enemy of the Zoldyck Family attempted to assassinate him, they would step in.
Killua entered the elevator and rode up to the hotel's top floor, walking down the wide, red-carpeted hallway.
Suddenly, the air seemed to fill with sharp, icy needles, causing Killua to leap back in alarm, his nerves instantly on edge as he warily eyed the T-shaped corridor ahead.
"Pretty sharp reflexes, kid."
A slightly shrill voice echoed from around the corner. The moment the words were spoken, a man in a yellow vest stepped into view.
His face was elongated, with eyes, mouth, and ears noticeably larger than average… it was Saiyu, the man Pariston had wanted to plant as a spy among the Zodiacs.
Saiyu had come to Heavens Arena with two options: recruit Law or eliminate him. Initially, he had leaned toward the first, but after seeing Killua, he chose the riskier second option.
Capture Killua alive, then use him as bait to set a deadly trap for Law.
Saiyu's Aura flowed steadily, his oppressive presence bearing down on Killua, who had yet to learn Nen.
Faced with this clearly hostile man, Killua felt a sharp pain in his forehead as his instincts screamed danger. Before the bone-chilling cold could fully seize him, he spun around and bolted.
Seeing Killua flee without hesitation, Saiyu's lips curled into a knowing smirk. He took a step forward, chasing after Killua while subtly raising his arm… a faint but deliberate motion.
Killua chose the emergency staircase as his escape route, running with all his might, not even sparing a glance backward.
Because of this, he failed to notice two shadowy figures emerging from the rooms on either side of the hallway behind him.
These two figures were the Zoldyck Family's butlers. When Saiyu released his Aura, they had calmly concealed their presence, waiting until his attention was fully fixed on pursuing Killua before launching a sudden ambush.
A pincer attack, timed with ruthless precision… a deadly trap!
Yet, Saiyu's knowing smile had been meant for these very butlers.
"First one."
As if anticipating this, Saiyu flicked his slightly raised arm backward. Nen surged in his palm, materializing in an instant into a staff, [Nyoi Bo]. With a sudden extension, the rounded end of the staff pierced straight through the unprepared Zoldyck Family's butler.
Splurt!
One of the attacking butlers, caught completely off guard, had his heart impaled. Blood sprayed instantly, splattering across the walls and floor.
The deadly trap meant for Saiyu had, in that moment, reversed its target.