Chapter 28: The Meaning of Killing
In the Sky Arena, contestants who garner significant attention are often given nicknames by the audience.
This process marks the transition of spectators into loyal fans.
The creation of a nickname usually depends on the distinctive traits a contestant displays in the ring.
For Moro, his most common habit during matches was to contemplate after failing to counter his opponent's moves. He would pause to analyze and come up with a better response before subtly guiding his opponent into repeating the same scenario for another try.
When facing opponents with exceptional techniques, Moro's intervals of deep thought would grow noticeably longer.
Over time, this earned him the nickname "The Contemplative."
Fans began to recognize a pattern: the longer Moro spent reflecting during a match, the stronger his opponent likely was.
During this period, as Moro became the center of discussion, he inevitably heard about the nickname. Many fans even approached him for autographs.
The Sky Arena had a strong fan culture.
Because of the betting culture surrounding the fights, spectators who placed wagers would often become die-hard fans of winning contestants.
Moro paid little attention to these unavoidable phenomena.
After all, "The Contemplative" was far better than nicknames like "Hand Chop Killua" or "Palm Thrust Gon" from the original series.
Still, while Moro could ignore the nickname, he wouldn't dismiss the potential threats that came with having fans.
Imagine if a swarm of fans rushed toward him—such chaos would be the perfect cover for an assassination attempt.
Moro wouldn't even be surprised if someone pulled out a grenade in the middle of the crowd.
He came to the Sky Arena both to hone his strength and to openly confront any reprisals from Nolan. But that didn't mean he'd recklessly hand his enemies opportunities to attack him amidst the chaos of fanfare.
Ascending to the 100th Floor
On the fifth day, Moro completed his tenth match, advancing effortlessly to the 100th floor.
In the Sky Arena, the levels are divided by several thresholds.
The first threshold spans from the 1st to the 100th floor.
Reaching this level signifies a noticeable improvement in contestants' skills, along with significant upgrades in living conditions.
As a result, many contestants resort to desperate measures to avoid being demoted from the 100th floor.
Moro was well aware of this reality. Still, over the past few days, as he climbed to the 160th floor, he encountered no harassment or hostility.
Perhaps his near-invincible presence in the ring had deterred potential troublemakers.
Reflections on Progress
"This has been a productive period," Moro remarked, returning to his room after a match on the 180th floor.
In less than ten days, Moro had completed 18 matches, encountering a wide array of opponents. He gained valuable experience, expanded his understanding of combat, and enriched his repertoire of techniques.
Notably, his keen observational skills—honed through years of working in the antique appraisal industry—had seamlessly translated into his battles.
By studying his opponents' habits and subtle physical cues, Moro could often predict their next moves based on the smallest reactions.
Though ten days wasn't a long time, Moro could clearly feel his progress. Starting from zero, his growth felt exponential—like a sponge absorbing water or a blank sheet of paper being filled with knowledge.
Reaching the 190th Floor
The next day, Moro ascended to the 190th floor for his matches.
With newfound confidence, he set his sights on the 200th floor, revising his earlier plan to progress slowly.
If he won both of today's matches, he would reach the 200th floor.
"Contemplative Moro! Contemplative Moro!"
"Hahaha, I've bet on you today, Moro! Don't let me down!"
"Go, Moro!"
The audience packed the stands, with most attendees there specifically for him. Tickets had been scalped to exorbitant prices—something usually only seen in 200th-floor matches.
It took Moro only ten days to generate this level of fan fervor, a testament to the Sky Arena's status as a fast track to fame.
Match Against Tyger the Sonic Fist
"And now, the highly anticipated showdown begins!"
The announcer's energetic voice filled the arena, momentarily quieting the roaring crowd.
"On the left, we have the undefeated rising star, Contemplative Moro! And on the right, another undefeated fighter, the ferocious Sonic Fist Tyger!"
As the announcer introduced the competitors, the crowd erupted in cheers for Tyger.
"Go, Tyger! Take him down!"
"Send that Contemplative fraud to hell!"
Clearly, Tyger was also a popular figure in the arena world, commanding his own loyal following.
Standing on the left side of the ring, Moro fixed his gaze on the tunnel ahead.
From it emerged a muscular man with a buzz cut, bare-chested except for yellow boxing shorts. His fists were tightly wrapped in white bandages.
Moro's eyes briefly widened in surprise as he noticed the faint aura of Nen surrounding Tyger.
His Nen was stable and well-practiced, indicating a strong foundation.
Tyger marched onto the ring, his expression cold and composed.
"Contemplative Moro," Tyger sneered. "The clueless masses think your hesitation in battle is a sign of mastery. But today, your corpse will prove them wrong."
"Corpse?" Moro raised an eyebrow, puzzled by the hostility. For a moment, he wondered if Tyger had been sent by Nolan.
As if sensing his confusion, Tyger smirked. "Don't overthink it. This isn't personal. I just don't leave opponents alive."
"Is that really necessary?" Moro asked calmly.
Tyger released his Nen, which enveloped his muscular body.
"If power isn't used for killing, it's meaningless. The arena just makes it socially acceptable."
Moro frowned at first, then chuckled.
Tyger's eyes turned colder at the sight of Moro's smile.
In the Crowd
Several fighters who had previously lost to Moro, including the long-haired woman from the preliminaries, were watching from the stands.
Though they lacked the skill to rise as steadily as Moro, they followed strong contestants like him and Tyger closely.
They knew all too well about Tyger's reputation as a brutal and ruthless fighter who disregarded his opponents' lives.
"Come on, Moro, take this bastard down!"
Though they had suffered humiliating defeats at Moro's hands, they now found themselves rooting for him.
Compared to the merciless Tyger, Moro was a far better opponent to face.
In one of the corners of the rowdy audience, an attractive man sat silently, watching Moro with a sharp, unyielding gaze.