"He looks like he's enjoying it," Uvogin said, clenching his fists.
"Drop the 'looks like,'" Nobunaga replied. A flash of ferocity flared in his eyes, but then he seemed to think of something, and the corners of his mouth curled up slightly.
Killing someone right when they're feeling most proud… that had its own kind of satisfaction.
"You sound like you're eyeing my prey," Uvogin said, lowering his head and shooting Nobunaga a hostile look.
"This isn't the place to start a fight," Shalnark cut in as the peacemaker. "So what—are you planning to deal with him in the arena?"
"Didn't we decide we don't need his Scarlet Eyes anymore?" Uvogin shot back.
"Yeah, we don't," Shalnark nodded. "But running into him in the arena won't be easy."
Uvogin turned and headed toward the exit of the arena. "Then we put some pressure on our prey. If he runs, even better—we can kill him outside."
"Just don't overdo it," Shalnark said casually as he followed. "His ability is pretty troublesome."
"If Uvogin can't handle it, I'll step in," Nobunaga said, tightening his grip on his katana, looking completely resolute.
But before his words had even finished echoing, a burst of killing intent exploded from up ahead.
Bang!
Nobunaga was sent flying backward.
The arena was instantly thrown into chaos, and security rushed in at top speed.
But by then, Ronin was already gone from the ring.
---
"That publicity stunt worked out pretty well," Milia said. She had been waiting in the corridor beneath the arena to greet Ronin after his victory. "After beating Sidney, no one's likely to challenge you anytime soon."
"That's fine," Ronin said calmly. "I can challenge others."
The 200th floor was packed with fighters—some nasty veterans who lived to torment opponents, and some powerful types who welcomed any challenger without fear.
Ronin's first two matches had both been ones where he was chosen.
Now that no one was lining up to pick him, he could finally choose his next opponent himself.
"Alright," Milia said, handing him some prepared materials. "Here's a list. They're all strong, and beating them would make a big splash. Of course, if there's someone else you've got your eye on, we can go with your call."
Ronin took the documents, but his attention drifted to the noise and commotion coming from the stands outside the corridor.
"Let's go eat first," he said, not bothering to ask what the chaos was about. It didn't matter.
But as soon as he left the lounge, he was handed a letter.
A staff member delivered it, saying a blond teenage boy had asked him to pass it along.
Ronin glanced around but didn't see anyone familiar. Instead, a certain blond boy came to mind.
Kurapika.
Had he come looking for him?
With that thought, Ronin examined the envelope carefully before opening it, Milia standing beside him.
The contents were simple.
> "I'll throw you off Heaven's Arena and let you experience the same kind of fall I did.
> I hope you don't die.
>
> —The man who crushed your father's skull."
Ronin's pupils shrank.
The person who wrote the letter was obviously Uvogin.
But the one who had actually handed it to the staff member wasn't Uvogin—it was Shalnark, the troupe member with short, light-blond hair.
"So it's finally happening," Ronin thought.
He felt some pressure—but not much.
If anything, he felt more excited than nervous.
Maybe he really was born for battle. Just like when he'd first crossed over into this world—after inheriting the previous owner's memories, he'd dared to challenge Uvogin head-on.
Now that he had some real strength under his belt, he was even more eager to fight someone on equal footing—or someone stronger.
And Uvogin was the perfect opponent.
That said, unlike his fight with Sidney, there was no way he could face Uvogin without using his ninjutsu.
But he also didn't want to expose those abilities in public.
So the best solution was…
Ronin looked seriously at Milia.
Milia hadn't figured out what he meant yet, but she noticed a hint of expectation in his eyes.
"What is it?" she asked. She instinctively reached up to adjust her glasses, then remembered he was watching and quietly slipped her slender hand behind her back instead.
"The Phantom Troupe is here," Ronin said, tucking the letter away as he walked toward the elevator. "I need power. Which means it's time for you to tell me what your ability is. You've been looking forward to this too, haven't you?"
Watching Ronin turn away, Milia adjusted her glasses properly this time, a faint smile appearing on her lips.
That usually cool, detached face suddenly softened with a smile, and when Ronin glanced back at her, he was momentarily stunned.
"Let's talk about it in detail over a meal," Milia said calmly.
---
Hidden among the crowd, Shalnark watched Ronin and Milia leave.
He hadn't sensed any nervousness from Ronin—only composure.
Uvogin's evaluation of that kid just kept climbing.
This guy was seriously arrogant.
That was Shalnark's most honest impression.
"So?" Uvogin asked as he came up behind him. "You give him the letter?"
"Yeah," Shalnark nodded.
"Well? Well? Did it scare him?" Uvogin asked eagerly.
He'd spent a long time thinking about that threat during the match, all so he could see fear or anger on Ronin's face.
Best case scenario, Ronin would lose control, his eyes would turn red, and his identity as a Kurta clan member would be exposed. That would've been perfect.
Shalnark shook his head. "Sorry to disappoint. He stayed calm. He even casually lit the letter on fire and tossed it into a trash can before getting on the elevator."
As he spoke, Shalnark pointed to a trash can near the elevator entrance. Smoke was already rising from it, and security guards were rushing over.
"Idiot with no common sense!" Uvogin snarled, slamming a fist into the stone pillar beside him and leaving a deep imprint behind.
"Let's just warn him to his face," Nobunaga said as he shook off the security guards and joined them. He shot Uvogin an annoyed look. "You're like a powder keg—set you off and you explode."
"Wanna fight again?" Uvogin glared back at him.
"Think I'm scared?"
Shalnark covered his face.
---
At the same time, on a first-floor arena ring—
"Kurapika, you may advance directly to the 50th floor," the referee announced after Kurapika defeated his opponent in a single move.
Kurapika nodded, turned, and walked off the stage.
All that remained in the ring was the unconscious brute he had just taken down.