Conrad had issued a single mental command.
The White Death orb activated, compressing aura into a refined, high-velocity Nen bullet.
It traveled in a straight line, piercing her body and ending the fight in an instant.
If he had wanted to kill her, he could have aimed higher.
Head or chest.
A fatal strike would have been effortless.
This reality also made Conrad think about his third ability that he wants to create.
Some sort of a defensive nen ability that would protect him against instant death nen abilities.
Of course, he believes he is not capable of creating an ability that would block the Halkenburg Arrow or a tank from a nuclear explosion, but he knew that he does not want to get killed without knowing the reason for it.
"The next focus will be on creating a defensive Nen ability that is practical and does not have many conditions to be fulfilled."
"Or, more conditions but easy to fulfill and remain passively active."
"Something similar to Black Ring, an ability that would not cost much of Nen to keep but will provide clear protection against Nen and physical attacks."
In the end, Conrad thought about Anisa, and he knew why Anisa lost: not because her ability was poorly designed or weak, but because she was outmatched in nearly every fundamental parameter.
Speed.
Physical strength.
Reaction time.
Situational awareness.
The ability to form and execute a new plan while already engaged in combat.
Her defeat had been inevitable the moment the fight began.
Conrad exhaled slowly and leaned back in his chair.
"She's closer to Adarte than I expected," he muttered.
Talented and dangerous under the right circumstances.
Her question about why he did not fight with killing intent suddenly made more sense to him.
It was tied directly to the nature of her Black Revolver.
Her ability rewarded enemies who tried to kill her.
"I suppose she had a past that would involve some sort of judgment and revenge."
"She really feels hatred towards the people who could kill without a second thought."
"Her hatred and views on judgement of those people empower Black Revolver to the highest degree; it is a known fact that nen respond to emotional stimuli to the highest degree."
Conrad could not help but think that if Black Revolver were to be active and conditions were fulfilled, he would have no way to stop such an ability at this stage.
He did not know for sure, but he knew that he would be moderately injured at the best scenario.
In real battles, against reckless or bloodthirsty opponents, that condition could turn her into a nightmare.
But Heaven's Arena was not a battlefield.
It was a controlled environment.
A Nen user who relied on their opponent's intent to activate their strongest ability was vulnerable to someone who refused to give it.
"A Nen user must always assume there are countless ways to fight."
"And talented ones are rarely simple thinkers."
He stood and went to the bathroom, letting the hot water wash away the lingering sweat.
When he finished, he dried off, changed, and ordered food to his room.
As he ate, he analyzed the battle from start to finish.
His orb control had been stable.
The activation delay had been acceptable.
Most importantly, his decision-making under pressure had been sound.
"There were no unnecessary risks," he concluded. "That's good."
Still, he was not satisfied.
"At this point," he said to himself, setting the utensils aside, "I need two or three more battles here. Against stronger opponents. More dangerous ones."
"Without feeling overwhelmed, at least in the sense of having a logical hard time, I cannot test my abilities further."
"The fact that I know that the enemy is weaker than me is not a good thing to get used to."
"In the end, it would be the same as having a tiny needle that Illumi placed on Killua to escape when he feels he encounters a powerful enemy."
"I may not have some sort of a needle that affects my decisions, but I may create that habit myself due to self-preservation."
"A good thing and a bad thing."
He leaned back, staring at the ceiling.
"After ten fights… like Hisoka told Gon. Ten real battles."
"I will be in a better spot to take on more hard and dangerous missions to improve myself even further."
To sharpen himself further, he would need real missions.
Real enemies.
Situations where hesitation meant death.
"I may go and take the Hunter Exam," he murmured.
The thought had been forming for a while now.
"I still have time. Next year… that's when the exam that aligns with the series timeline begins."
The exam where Hisoka killed an examiner and was disqualified must be this year; at least that's what he remembers from Tonpa when he introduced Hisoka to Gon, Kurapika, and Leorio.
Conrad opened his eyes slowly.
He was always alert in Heaven's Arena, especially when moving through public spaces.
Hisoka was a fighter here too.
A predator who enjoyed dangerous games.
Commonly known as a "Fruit-Farmer," letting the potential-filled people grow and then dueling them to feel alive.
Conrad trusted his abilities.
He did not trust himself to face a maniac.
Not yet.
"Not at my current level," he admitted.
Hisoka was not just strong.
He was a battle genius, someone who thrived in uncertainty and turned even disadvantages into entertainment.
Fighting him now would be gambling with his life for no real benefit.
He believed that 99% of the time he would think that he was about to win and then lose because of some sort of way that he did not expect.
Conrad stood and looked once more at the three orbs resting quietly on the table.