It took Killua a week to barely reach the 50th floor. In almost every match he lost, he would concede after just a few exchanges once he felt his chances of winning were low.
The needle embedded in Killua's brain was slowly changing him, making him decisively forfeit when facing stronger opponents with low odds of victory.
Because of this mindset, it would likely take Killua a very long time to reach the 190th floor.
Law attended every one of Killua's matches and could see that he was improving rapidly. However, Killua had too few usable trump cards, and his only standout technique was the deceptive Rhythm Echo.
After watching so many matches and seeing Killua use Rhythm Echo repeatedly, Law felt it was indeed an excellent technique. If mastered, it could combine with [Instant] to form an unpredictable offensive strategy.
…
The top floor of a hotel, the presidential suite.
Law cooked Killua a large plate of fried rice loaded with extra meat and watched as the boy happily devoured it.
They had already visited all the high-end restaurants nearby, yet in the end, Killua still preferred Law's cooking.
In Killua's eyes, even a simple plate of fried rice tasted better than the signature dishes of those upscale restaurants.
"Eat slower."
Seeing Killua wolfing down the food, Law pushed a glass of orange juice toward him and reminded him.
"Mmph!"
Killua's mouth was stuffed full of rice as he responded, but his eating speed didn't slow down at all.
Seeing this, Law chuckled and shook his head.
Silva had ordered him not to provide Killua with any substantial assistance, but Law didn't think letting Killua eat well and stay comfortably would be an issue.
However, when it came to the actual training in the Heavens Arena, he didn't interfere at all.
Soon, Killua finished the entire plate of fried rice, patted his full stomach in satisfaction, and then looked at Law with sparkling, pleading eyes, "Law, can't you stay and keep me company until I reach the 190th floor?"
"No way, I'm busy." Law refused without hesitation.
Not to mention how long it would take Killua to reach the 190th floor, Law had never planned to stay at Heavens Arena with him indefinitely.
He still had many unresolved matters at hand. The most pressing was the issue with the Lawlin Museum, as he needed to address its underlying problems as soon as possible and develop the website further.
Even if it took years, it didn't matter, because the Lawlin Museum's potential was undoubtedly at the billion-level.
Aside from that, there was another matter… the whereabouts of the Kurta Clan. He had started gathering intelligence half a year ago but still had no leads.
Seeing Law's firm stance, Killua realized his request was hopeless and couldn't hide his disappointment.
"Then when are you leaving?" Killua asked dejectedly.
"After tomorrow's match, I'll stay for two or three more days." Law replied.
"So soon?!" Killua frowned.
Law nodded. Originally, he had planned to leave the day after tomorrow, but unexpectedly, someone who had earned ten victories had challenged him. It had been three years since his last match.
The thought of not being able to eat delicious food after Law left made Killua miserable, but there was nothing he could do about it.
…
At two p.m. the next day, the Heavens Arena once again welcomed a grand spectacle.
A Floor Master challenge match wasn't a common occurrence, especially when the challenged Floor Master was Law.
Though the match was still an hour away, the venue was already packed.
Killua had secured a front-row seat and was amazed by the bustling, noisy crowd… it was his first time seeing such a scene.
He knew Law was famous in Heavens Arena, but witnessing the scale of this match made him realize he had severely underestimated Law's popularity.
Not only was the venue packed, but the corridors outside and even every live broadcast screen in the lower floors were crowded with spectators.
Just sitting there, he could hear people around him discussing Law… mostly talking about the overwhelming strength Law had displayed in past matches, where he effortlessly KO'd his opponents.
Some even believed that if Law participated in the Battle Olympia, winning the championship would be a foregone conclusion.
"Law is amazing… his cooking is delicious, his knowledge is vast, and his strength is so great even my big brother has to back down." Killua swung his legs while sitting on the chair, but then he remembered that Law would be leaving in a few days, and his excitement deflated.
…
An hour later, as the commentator hyped up the match with an impassioned introduction, the two fighters stepped into the arena simultaneously.
On one side was Floor Master, Law, and on the other was Tora, a burly middle-aged man who had earned his challenge rights with an undefeated record. His massive hands were particularly striking, with protruding knuckles that looked as hard as steel.
Perhaps it was the fearlessness of the inexperienced, but despite the fact that no one had dared to challenge Law in years, Tora remained calm, even flashing a provocative glare at Law.
The referee positioned the two fighters, and after the commentator finished the introductions, he raised his hand and declared the match begin.
Right from the beginning, Tora roared loudly, as if trying to assert dominance, while simultaneously opening all his Aura Nodes to their limit, unleashing his Ren in a burst of power.
"A meaningless move."
Law commented coldly, then started to move, walking irregularly in a 'Z' shape with very short intervals. His speed did not seem fast, but he left a series of afterimages.
In the audience, Killua's eyes widened in shock when he saw Law use Rhythm Echo.
'Rhythm Echo flexion is a technique that only people from the Zoldyck Family are qualified to learn, so why does Law know it too?'
'Did he… just learn it by watching me use it?'
Thinking of this possibility, a huge wave of emotion rose in Killua's heart.
…
Back in the ring, Tora remained calm despite seeing at least three afterimages flickering around Law's irregular movements.
"His speed isn't that fast. If there are three afterimages, then I'll just include all of them in my attack range.'
Tora retracted his Manifested Aura, wrapping it tightly around his body in Ken, keeping his eyes locked on Law as he formulated his strategy.
Suddenly, Law's movement shifted. Tora's vision registered four moving figures… only for one to vanish instantly, leaving three afterimages still in motion.
The lingering afterimages briefly disrupted Tora's focus. The next moment, just as he reacted, his consciousness was struck as if by a boulder, violently shaken before plunging into darkness.
Law reappeared behind Tora, his hand raised in a motionless strike.
With just a single, precisely distributed chop, despite Tora being in Ken, Law had effortlessly knocked him unconscious.
"Again with this?!"
The commentator accidentally blurted out his thoughts, a major slip-up that, instead of drawing criticism, resonated with the audience.
The referee hesitated for a second before quickly announcing the result… Law had won by KO.
Realizing his mistake, the commentator scrambled to recover, showering Law with congratulatory praise while inwardly sighing in frustration.
In a secluded corner of the crowded stands, a man sat idly picking his ear with his pinky… it was Saiyu.
"Pathetic. Trash."
He mentally scorned Tora, who had been instantly defeated. He had come hoping to witness Law's strength firsthand, only for the fight to end so abruptly.
'Trash' was Saiyu's go-to insult, applicable to anyone.
Seeing that the match was over, Saiyu stood up and headed for the exit.
He had arrived at Heavens Arena two days prior, avoiding direct contact with Law while observing from the shadows. Coincidentally, he had caught this match and decided to watch it live.
'If there's a usable 'condition', maybe I should adjust my approach. Trash.'
Saiyu coldly considered his options. That 'condition' was the silver-haired kid sticking close to Law.