The skyscrapers of the megalopolis lit up one by one, painting a glittering urban landscape against the purple sky.
Gon broke the silence, his incredible resilience overriding any apprehension. He brandished his license with a radiant smile. "So, we're heading there? To this Heavens Arena? But…" His face lit up with pure curiosity. "What is it exactly? A tower full of angels?"
Killua let out a small grunt. "Angels? You're totally off, Gon." He crossed his arms. "It's an arena. A massive tower packed with fighters. My dad…" He paused briefly, the name hanging heavy in the air, "…dragged me there when I was six. To 'see how I'd do,' as he put it." A cold smirk tugged at his lips. "I reached the 200th floor without much trouble. It's mostly full of guys who think they're tough."
Leorio whistled, impressed despite himself by the childhood feat. "Damn, your family's on another level. But, Kurapika," he turned to the Kurta, "why take us there? If it's just an arena for brutes, and Killua already breezed through it before he could even walk straight… what's so special about it for us?"
Kurapika, who had been watching the silent flow of flying vehicles in the urban sky, shifted his gaze to them. A faint, melancholic smile, tinged with a hint of secrecy, touched his lips. "It's true, Killua, you reached the 200th floor." His eyes settled on the young Zoldyck. "But I went beyond it…"
Gon and Leorio's eyes widened. Even Killua looked surprised, a brow raised.
"Huh?!" Leorio blurted. "What's so special about the 200th floor?"
"It doesn't matter for now," Kurapika replied calmly, his enigmatic smile deepening. "You'll discover what lies beyond the 200th floor yourselves. And that's exactly why this place is ideal. It's far more than a mere arena, Killua."
Leorio scratched his neck. "Alright, fine… let's say I buy that. But tell me, how long did it take you to master this Nen stuff? Because if it's ten years, I'm warning you, I've got medical studies to finish at some point!"
Kurapika's gaze grew distant. "About a year. A year of grueling, solitary, dangerous work. No guide, no safety net." He fixed them again. "And that's exactly why Heavens Arena is our destination. You won't have to teach yourselves. You'll have constant action, varied opponents, dedicated facilities… and my experience. Our goal is clear: one year at the Arena. One year for each of you to master the core fundamentals of your Nen, to find your path."
"One year…" Gon murmured, clutching his license. His eyes blazed with fierce determination. "Alright! I'm all in!"
Killua nodded slowly. The idea of a place where he could test himself against others, train relentlessly, and above all, grow strong enough to never tremble before Illumi again… it was a powerful prospect. "I'm in."
Leorio sighed, but a spark of ambition flashed in his eyes behind his glasses. "Fine… one year. I just hope we make a ton of cash in that mess!"
---
The journey to Heavens Arena was by sky metro, crossing the sprawling districts of the megalopolis. Gradually, the landscape shifted. Business towers gave way to livelier neighborhoods, then to an area dominated by a titanic structure that seemed to pierce the sky: Heavens Arena.
Even from afar, it commanded respect. A cylinder of tinted glass and brushed steel, nearly a kilometer wide at its base, rising in a sleek spire until it vanished into low clouds. Thousands of windows glimmered, and beams of light swept the night sky from its peak.
"Whoa…" Gon breathed, nose pressed to the metro window. "It's even bigger than I imagined!"
"251 floors officially," Killua commented casually, though his eyes studied the structure with sharp focus. "The 251st is reserved for the Arena's strongest fighter."
The metro pulled into a station integrated into the Arena's lower levels.
The atmosphere changed instantly. Giant screens looped epic fight footage, betting ads, and rankings of top fighters. A diverse crowd—scarred, muscled combatants, wealthy bettors in suits, exuberant groupies, street vendors—thronged the vast corridors.
Kurapika led them confidently through the maze to a quieter area marked "Registration - New Fighters." They found themselves before a row of high-tech counters, staffed by professional, slightly jaded receptionists.
"Name, surname," the man behind the counter said without looking up from his holographic screen, chewing a toothpick.
Kurapika stepped forward. "We're four. We want to register as fighters." He placed his Hunter License on the counter's built-in scanner.
The receptionist glanced at the screen. His eyes widened slightly. "Hunter, huh? Always good to have." He typed quickly. "Standard procedure. Each of you fills out this digital form." Glowing tablets rose from the counter. "Personal info, basic medical history, liability waiver (read it, it's important, we're not liable if you end up pulp), and a fighting pseudonym if you want one. Then retinal and fingerprint scans, and a combat ID photo."
They complied. Gon chose "G" as his pseudonym, finding his name too long. Leorio proudly picked "The Doctor" (prompting a snicker from Killua). Killua, after a pause, simply wrote "Kill." Kurapika kept his real name.
As a mechanical arm snapped their photos from all angles, the receptionist delivered the mandatory briefing in a monotone but precise voice:
"Basic rules of Heavens Arena, listen up, your skin's on the line:
(A/N: I've intentionally altered the Arena's concept. The original was great, but for story reasons, some details needed tweaking.)
1. Floor system: You all start at the ground floor. Each official fight win lets you move up one floor. Higher floors mean stronger opponents and bigger rewards. Lose, you stay put. Three consecutive losses, you drop one floor. Reaching the 200th floor unlocks special privileges.
2. Rewards (Jenny): Fixed payouts per win, increasing by floor (see attached annex for details). Bonuses for KOs, quick wins, or standout performances. You can bet on your own fights or others'. Winnings are paid after a 10% Arena management fee and 30% taxes (sorry, it's the law).
3. No killing: Killing an opponent means immediate, permanent expulsion from the Arena, forfeiture of all earnings, and automatic legal action by local authorities. We're not savages. Permanent injury is tolerated but frowned upon. KOs or surrenders are encouraged.
4. Minimum commitment: You must fight at least one official match per week. Miss two weeks in a row, you're temporarily banned for 12 months. You can refuse a specific fight, but no more than three consecutive refusals.
5. Facility access: Your badge (you'll get it) grants access to training rooms, housing (paid, but subsidized for active fighters), medical care (also paid, sorry), and common areas on your floor and below. Upper floors are accessible only if you're fighting there or invited.
6. These rules apply up to the 199th floor."
He paused to catch his breath. "Questions?"
"Subsidized housing… how much?" Leorio asked, ever practical.
"Depends on the floor and comfort. Ground floor, basic four-bed room: 5000 jenny/month per person. Higher floors get pricier… and fancier. You can rent outside, but it's often farther and more expensive."
Gon raised a hand. "What about training? Are there special places?"
"Standard training rooms are equipped for strength and martial arts. For advanced training…" The receptionist shrugged. "Sort it out with other fighters or hire a private master. The Arena offers them, but they're pricey."
Kurapika nodded. "We'll handle it." He turned to the receptionist. "I assume our registrations are nearly complete?"
"Almost. Final step: validation and fighter badge issuance." The man typed, flipping through files on his screen. "Gon Freecss, alias 'G'… validated. Badge No. 987654. Leorio Paladiknight, alias 'The Doctor'… validated. Badge No. 987655. Killua Zoldyck, alias 'Kill'…" He paused, a glint of interest in his eyes at the surname. "…validated. Badge No. 987656. Mr. Killua, I see you've competed here before. Do you want to start directly at the 200th floor?"
Killua was silent for a moment. All eyes turned to him. Even the receptionist looked up, intrigued.
"…No," Killua said finally, his voice steady. "I'll start at the ground floor, like the others."
The receptionist raised a brow. "You sure? You're legally entitled to resume at your last floor reached."
"I'm not here to pick up where I left off," Killua replied, hands in pockets. "This time, it's not a test forced by my dad. And I'm not alone."
A brief silence followed. Then Gon burst into a bright, genuine laugh.
"Awesome! We'll climb together, floor by floor!"
Leorio nodded, satisfied. "Good team spirit. I approve. Though I wouldn't have minded a shortcut myself."
Kurapika gave a small, approving smile. "It's the right choice. You'll advance as a group."
The receptionist moved to the final file. "Kurapika…" He started typing, then froze. His gaze flicked from the screen to Kurapika's impassive face, then back. A sudden shift came over him. His nonchalance vanished, replaced by surprise laced with deep respect. He stood abruptly, almost at attention.
"Kurapika… Master Kurapika?" His voice shed all traces of boredom, turning almost reverent. He bowed slightly. "We weren't informed of your return, Master. An honor to see you again."
The silence that followed was heavy. Gon, Leorio, and Killua stared at Kurapika, stunned.
Master?
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