Standing before the two frightened women, Auren begins to speak in a calm and friendly voice, doing his absolute best to refrain from conveying any kind of negative or hostile intent.
"I've done some reflection as well," Auren says. "Let's just say we both made some decisions we may now regret. How about we put our differences aside and meet in the middle of our initial positions?"
"The... middle?" Mia asks carefully.
"Just accepting these Knives would be too one-sided. Even if you acquired them with the intent to blackmail me, you didn't do anything illegal. How about two hundred million per knife? Four point six billion altogether. I'm also willing to buy them at that rate in the future, should you... stumble upon more. Surely, you didn't pay more than that... even if you had to invest a lot of money to find them. In addition, I might be interested in your services in the future. How about that?"
"Huh?" Maya asks, now looking confused. "But we were gonna give them to you for free..."
Mia raises her hand, stopping her from speaking. "We accept."
Exchanging details, Auren instructs Zepile to immediately make the payment. After a little bit of small talk, both parties leave, the women looking not just relieved, but satisfied, leaving the situation with no more lingering threats and enough money to not only make up for their investments, but come out with a hefty profit as well.
"You should have just accepted?! Why would you pay them?!" Vanessa asks, grabbing her head with both hands. "What a waste."
"I don't want to become known as the Hunter who threatens his opponents with assassination, especially if they play and act by the laws. That would not only make me appear rash and unagreeable, but more importantly, mark me as incompetent."
"Good decision," Ura says, clearly approving. "If you have the money, it's good to not be petty, especially over such comparatively meager sums... you'll see I'll easily recoup that money in the next few days."
"Right," Auren replies.
"Yeah... but you could have paid less... so much money... gone..." Zepile says, looking like he aged a decade compared to this morning.
Back on the airship, the entire group sits at the table, all of their spoils already in the cargo hold, including the twenty-three new Ben's Knives.
"When I get the time, I'd like to try them out, but we're on a tight schedule," Auren says, smiling weakly. "I'm flying to Heaven's Arena now. You might want to purchase another airship... or rent one, your choice."
"Aren't we coming along for the ride?" Oron asks, confused.
"No," Auren states, giving no reason. "You have a job to do! Those last few days were enough lazing around."
"... I'm coming along. I need to supervise the betting," Ura announces. "Until now, I've staked three billion through various straw men and organisations. There is much work to do."
"I'm coming along as well," Neffi announces. "I want to, and you need some protection. After the fights, you might be wounded or in bad condition, leaving you wide open. You need to have someone and I can fly us out of any danger should I need to."
"I'm coming along as well," Vanessa announces, causing Konrad's face to change into one of pure relief and ecstasy.
"Good idea!" Konrad can't help himself from blurting out.
"... Why?" Auren asks her.
"I'm bored..." she replies instantly, looking a little embarrassed.
"Fine, that's all then. Goreinu, you bring back my spoils with the others. I'll give you enough Jenny to buy another airship. Jolt, maybe you can refer them to someone who sells one that would be suitable for our needs?"
"Of course," Jolt says. "I have many contacts, I'll get you the best deal possible."
A few days later, it's just Neffi, Vanessa, and Ura, along with Jolt, who escort Auren to Heaven's Arena in his airship. Marsha stays with Goreinu, Oron, and Zepile, while Konrad remains in Yorknew.
Sitting in the main quarters on a couch, Neffi and Vanessa at both of his sides, he reads the dossier sent to him by Illumi.
"What a crook! Murder, kidnapping, rape, slavery, how can someone like that be free? Not only is he free, but he is a superstar, a popular floor master. What filth. Auren kill this fucker!" Vanessa angrily complains.
"I agree with her," Neffi says. "This can't be... how could he have gotten away with that?"
"His crimes were committed in poor countries... there is the question of jurisdiction," Auren points out. "In any case... since I don't need to spare him, I won't... if I encounter him in battle."
"Just be careful, Auren..." Neffi mutters quietly.
"Heh, as if. Auren will slaughter anyone in his way. Truth to be told, these Floor Masters appear to be highly overrated clowns. If I had participated in that Battle Olympia contest, I might have easily won."
"You arrogant..." Neffi mutters, but Auren laughs.
"Heh, this time I have to agree with Vanessa." He says with a grin. "You two would have had excellent chances to win against a majority of the floor masters. Neffi, calm down, I will be careful, you can trust me."
Auren then decides to accept the request by sending a message to Illumi, earning him a possible reward of two billion Jenny.
With just days until Battle Olympia, Auren spends most of his time in his gym, the Faerie's Tear no longer in his hand, but tied to a thin chain he wears as a necklace, as he practices his Ren.
This is just the first major step to my ambition. I can't afford to lose against nobodies. These Floor Masters are all petty and weak, chasing after fame and wealth. My target is the lowest of the low, a murderer who's hated by an entire town that scrounged up enough money to attempt to hire the Zoldycks. I'll win... at any cost.
Finally arriving at the North Western Continent, with just a day to spare, Jolt skillfully lands Auren's airship at the nearby airport.
"Do you want to come along?" Auren asks him.
"No, I'll watch it somewhere else," Jolt replies. "Wouldn't want to be a bother. Just win it, will you?"
"Thank you," Auren replies. "I'll make it quick. We'll be spending the night at the Arena before it begins."
"I wouldn't expect it to be quick," Ura responds. "Out of twenty-one Floor Masters, sixteen will participate. Slightly less than average, but still a majority."
"Whoever fights me loses," Auren declares confidently. "This is a knockout tournament, so I only have to win four times. Also, the annoying rules will be gone this time... no points... this will be over in a flash."
"I am not quite sure it will be that easy, but I wish you the best of luck," Ura says, not quite agreeing with Auren. "As you said, the matches won't be point-based... however, there are some rules, such as that if your opponent surrenders or is unconscious. The referee may also end the battle at any point if he determines that it's over. There is also a rule that if you stay outside the ring for longer than ten seconds, you'll lose."
"That seems fine to me. I just need to make sure my target does not have a chance to escape or surrender. What was his name again? Kuma?"
"No... it is Gama," Ura corrects him, smiling. "Apparently, he fights with his tongue. I am not sure what his Nen category is."
"Heh, I can tell you!" Vanessa announces. "He's clearly a weakling. A Loser. A No-name."
"..."
Everyone stays silent, but Auren can feel agreement in Ura's and Neffi's faces.
"You may be right again, Vanessa. You're wising up a little," Auren says, smiling. "Let's leave. Jolt, I'll see you soon, take care of yourself."
As the group walks toward the large, towering Heaven's Arena, Vanessa is still arguing with Neffi, walking ahead of Ura and Auren. "I tell you, he must be a Conjurer!" she declares confidently.
"No, he is manipulating his tongue, so that is clearly Manipulation," Neffi says calmly. "He must be a manipulator.
"Auren!" Vanessa says, turning around, walking backward. "What is it?"
"I'd say Neffi's guess is more likely. How could he possibly be a Conjurer? Maybe if he conjures a fake frog tongue around his real tongue... that would also have to involve Manipulation, though. Honestly, it's such a stupid Hatsu that I don't even want to think too deeply about it."
Entering Heaven's Arena, there is visible excitement on the first floor.
Multiple people, men, women, and even children, are discussing wildly, of course, about the upcoming contest.
"Tomorrow. It's happening tomorrow! I can't believe I got tickets?! I am so lucky!"
"Wait, so you're going? Man, I'm jealous..."
"Of course not, I sold them for a couple of million, do you think I'm stupid? I'll be watching from another floor for just ten thousand Jenny!"
"Damn, I hate fucking scalpers like you, you owe me a drink."
"Who do you think will win?"
"Of course, the champion, who else?"
"The Iron Man? I guess he is pretty much invincible. I don't even know how anyone can hope to beat him. Last time, he won without even so much as a scratch."
"I'm rooting for Charlotte! She's so hot... I want her to beat me up."
"You sicko, she would crack your head in seconds... maybe that's what you need, huh? Go ahead."
"I like Auren, he's so cute! The others all look like ugly freaks—they disgust me. I would never date them."
"Yeah, but he's a little moody... but I guess that's his charm, and anyone else is a freak anyway. Did you see this new participant in the 200th class? His name is Kastro, and he is so handsome! Such a pure guy... I'd love to marry him. I bet he would treat me like a princess."
"That guy... didn't he lose against that scary jester?"
"Yeah, that guy creeps me out. I hope Kastro pays him back one day. Maybe he can fight against Auren in the next Battle Olympia? That would be an exciting fight, hehe."
"Heh, aren't you popular, Auren?" Vanessa asks, clearly amused. "Moody, huh? I guess that fits. You need to be a little kinder to your big sister! You can remain a cold asshole to others, though."
Is that how she sees me?
"He needs to leave you behind!" Neffi retorts angrily.
"It's been a while," Auren states, seeing the fighters lining up to register, once again ignoring their bickering.
"Let me look up the card for that guy... didn't care about him as long as he paid me regularly..." Auren mutters, taking a small card out of his pocket.
"There it is... Jort Nikra — Heaven's Arena 200th Class Manager," he reads aloud.
"Jolt? I thought he was gonna stay back?" Vanessa asks, now confused.
"Jort!" Neffi corrects her, sounding annoyed.
"Whatever his name is... I hope my floor is empty... maybe I should have given him a call sooner," Auren admits, dialing the number. "Anyway, time to call him..."
"Jort Nikra speaking," a calm voice echoes through his phone.
"This is... Floor Master Auren," Auren replies. "I'm standing on the first floor of the Arena... I assume my floor is ready for a few acquaintances and me?"
"Of course, I'll be there in just a few minutes, please wait for me!" the voice says, now exceedingly excited.
Just two minutes later, the familiar manager in an elegant suit rushes toward Auren, escorted by four subordinates.
As he does, the people surrounding them point at Auren.
"Demon Claw Auren! He's back!"
"Nightmare Blade, Auren! Wow, he is so cool!"
"Look, he's grown up, he's at least 1.60 (5'3'') now! He's so handsome."
"I want an autograph!"
"Floor Master Auren, please follow me," Jort says, looking embarrassed, while his men block the excited masses trying to get to Auren.
-----------------------------------------
A/N: Always thankful for Power Stones, Comments, and Reviews. Thank you for reading!
If you are interested, then please support me at patreon.com/FRWriter
45+ Early chapters available
New Chapters every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday!
Bored? Complains? Demands? Check out the Discord: https://discord.gg/puVqWsf3y9
Thank you for supporting the story with Power Stones!