Chapter 14: Heavens Arena
Dendora was still far from the Heavens Arena.
It stood in the northeast, while the home of the Zoldyck Clan Mount Kukuru was located in the Dendora region, northwest, directly opposite.
After leaving the station, Haze boarded a bus headed toward his destination.
Not a single seat was empty it was completely packed.
Moreover, most of the passengers were obviously martial artists: some were muscular, others thin and wiry like monkeys, but all had sharp, focused gazes.
There was quite a mix of people… yet without exception, everyone here was motivated by money and fame.
These people came from all over the world; becoming famous in the Heavens Arena was a great opportunity to rise and grow.
The Heavens Arena was the fourth-tallest building in the Hunter World known as the Mecca of martial artists and a paradise for fighters. It attracted over a billion visitors each year, with more than 4,000 challengers registering daily.
Around it, countless bets big and small were placed, fueling the gambling economy.
And then, there was the underground fighting industry…
It had turned the Heavens Arena into a world-famous attraction. Even those who didn't compete visited daily.
If Haze remembered correctly, the Heavens Arena's rules stated that a victory on the first floor only granted 152 jinnies barely enough for a cup of juice. The higher you climbed, the greater the rewards. Winnings accumulated… but if you lost, you could lose it all. The Arena's management wasn't in the business of giving money away.
Around the 50th floor, the reward reached about 50,000 yuan. After the 100th floor, contestants received private rooms. Above the 150th floor, the prize money exceeded 10 million yuan,
and by the 190th floor, it was over 200 million yuan. Above floor 200, however, the fights were no Hazeer for money but for honor.
At that point, fighters were given luxury suites, weapons were allowed, and all participants had to sign liability agreements because the fights became truly deadly.
Two years later, when he was just six, Killua had reached that place for the first time. He climbed to the 150th floor within two months and finally stopped at floor 200, after two years in total.
During this process, eliminations and defeats were inevitable, forcing one to climb all over again.
It was clear: floors 150 to 200 were the most challenging.
Beyond floor 200, although there was no prize money, Haze had a simple idea he could use his winnings to bet on his own matches, multiplying his fortune.
If everything went well, the profits could be astronomical!
However… there was a catch. As his win streak grew, the odds would shrink. In the end, without suspense, there would be little left to gain.
"Maybe I should contact a bigger local casino… ideally, I could even become the banker myself."
As the bus started and slowly drove off, Haze stared out the window, deep in thought.
"Hey, brother… are you traveling?"
Next to Haze sat a bald, muscular man with a thick blonde beard and a white training uniform clearly a martial artist.
The bald man smiled eagerly.
"Yeah."
Haze smiled and nodded in return.
Judging by appearances, Haze didn't look nearly as professional; he looked like an ordinary guy.
"Name's Charles! I'm a rising star about to make my debut at the Heavens Arena. Want my autograph? Maybe you can sell it for a good price someday."
He grinned confidently, showing off his perfect teeth.
"No, thank you," Haze declined politely.
"You sure? Big mistake, buddy! You'll regret it when I'm famous!"
"…"
Haze sighed quietly.
The bus ride would take a Haze time. Judging by Charles's fiery personality and chatter, Haze felt he'd never stop talking unless humored.
"Alright then," Haze said, noticing that Charles had already pulled a notepad and pen from his bag.
"Ross, Charles!"
The bald man's eyes lit up. With a swift stroke of his pen, he signed his name, tore the page out, and proudly handed it to Haze.
"You've got great taste!"
"…"
Faced with someone like this, Haze could only stay quiet.
The rest of the ride, Charles kept talking non-stop. He clearly knew the Heavens Arena well he had once reached the 40th floor before being eliminated. According to him, that was just because he was "too young."
Now, after five years of harsh training, learning techniques from countless martial arts sects, he was confident he could reach floor 200.
Haze listened quietly not mocking him, but rather respecting his dreams.
By nightfall, they finally arrived at the city where the Heavens Arena stood.
Stepping off the bus, they were greeted by the bustle of a massive metropolis towering skyscrapers, flashing neon lights…
This place was far more advanced than Grumgarans, whether in economy, population, or modernization.
"Charles," Haze called out after they got off.
"I can take you to the Arena," Charles offered kindly, thinking Haze was a tourist unfamiliar with the area.
"Got any money?"
To his surprise, Haze extended his hand.
"Huh?"
Charles blinked in confusion.
"Come on," Haze said, motioning with his finger.
Finally understanding, Charles awkwardly pulled out his wallet and handed him a wad of bills.
"Thanks."
Haze accepted calmly, waved goodbye, and walked off.
Charles just stood there, dazed, scratching his head in confusion completely unaware that he'd just been influenced by telepathic thought.
With the extra cash, Haze planned to find a hotel for the night and register at the Heavens Arena in the morning.
Without Charles's "generous help," he'd probably have had to sleep on the streets.
Being nearly broke, listening to the bald man's endless chatter had actually paid off.
Later, he found a hotel near the Heavens Arena, settled in, ate a decent meal, and bought some clothes at the nearby mall: black dress shoes, black slacks, a white shirt, and a tie.
A simple business outfit but it made him look sharper, calmer, and more mature.
The sales clerk had been overly enthusiastic, and since he had some money left, he bought it anyway.
Having lived two lives, Haze's soul was rather old-fashioned; he disliked flashy, youthful styles.
"A man should always look presentable."
Leaving the mall, hands in his pockets and sunglasses on, Haze looked up before him stood a towering structure that pierced the night sky, its peak glowing under the moonlight.
The Heavens Arena.
It rose proudly in the center of a vast plaza, surrounded by shops and bustling streets filled with merchants and tourists alike.
Compared to them, Haze noticed far more fighters among the crowds. Even those in civilian clothes carried an unmistakable aura.
Some young women passing by cast him discreet glances others stared openly, clearly impressed by his new outfit.
"From afar, it looked like a shining pillar… I didn't expect it to be this massive up close."
He exhaled softly, smiling. Seeing it in real life was far more awe-inspiring than the anime version he remembered from his previous life.
With a faint smile, he returned to his hotel.
The next morning, he checked out and joined the flood of people entering the Heavens Arena.
The lobby buzzed with heat and energy.
Crowds packed the space Haze lines formed in front of every registration window.
Staff members rushed about, giving directions and making announcements.
Dozens of massive screens displayed highlights of recent matches and rising fighters the stars of the Arena.
Spectators and contestants were separated into different lines.
After explaining his purpose, Haze was led to a quieter corridor.
At the end, stairs led to the second floor, where smaller registration windows awaited. Even there, hundreds of people were queued up.
"So crowded…" Haze sighed.
"Hey, man, are you sure you're in the right place?"
The person behind him sneered, nudging his shoulder. It was a huge, dark-skinned man over two meters tall, wearing boxing gloves.
"You look like an office worker. You don't beHaze here. This place eats newbies alive."
Haze turned slightly and smiled.
"I'm just here to make some extra cash."
"Extra cash?"
The boxer frowned, thinking Haze was mocking him. His expression darkened.
"Step aside, rookie."
But in the next instant, his eyes bulged as if struck by lightning. He clutched his stomach, gasped for air, then collapsed to his knees drool spilling from his mouth before he passed out cold.
"Someone fainted!"
"Call for help!"
Staff members rushed in, carrying the man away.
Haze, hands still in his pockets, moved forward with the line as if nothing had happened.
The fighter behind him, who had witnessed everything, broke out in a cold sweat.
He hadn't seen Haze move he hadn't even turned around. Yet the huge man was unconscious.
"That office guy… he's dangerous."
Swallowing hard, the man took a cautious step back, keeping his distance.
Soon, Haze reached the window, filled out his registration form, and received his contestant number.
Following the assigned directions, he found his preparation room, turned the handle
and stepped inside.
His first match was about to begin.
End of Chapter.