A/N: My Christmas cover was a bit too lewd and got removed. Don't worry. The story is not dead or abandoned. I'll be able to choose a new cover in a few days. ;-) The uploads will continue.
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Alex stands in front of the referee again, his fiery red eyes glowing ominously thanks to [Commander Shepard's Dog Tag].
In a calm but threatening voice, Alex delivers his ultimatum: "I am a Hunter. Do you want to die? You have 5 seconds. Start the fight or declare me the winner... NOW."
The referee looks stunned, clearly intimidated and unsure how to handle the situation now that things have escalated to this point.
"Five!" Alex begins counting, his tone steady, calm, and deliberate.
"Four. Three. Two. One… This is your last chance!"
Finally, the referee relents. "Bahawin, I'm starting the fight now! Agree or forfeit!"
Bahawin looks momentarily shocked, glancing at the number above Alex's head. It's only at 63—there's still a third of the timer left. However, he quickly regains his composure, sneering. "Sure, the fight is as good as won anyway. If you fight, you'll be breathing heavily soon enough. I'd love to see you try. Referee, I'm ready!"
"THEN FIGHT!" the referee shouts, visibly relieved to regain control of the match.
"Ladies and gentlemen, you heard it! The fight has finally started!" the moderator announces excitedly. "Oh, but wait—what's this? Alex is just standing there instead of attacking? What's he doing? He was so adamant about starting the fight, yet now he's motionless!"
"You surprise me," Bahawin taunts. "Are you really that curious to see what happens when the counter hits 100?"
"No," Alex replies, flashing a sinister smile. "I just don't see the need to do anything. I'll never know what your ability does, and frankly, I don't care. Just die, will you?"
Bahawin laughs maniacally, his voice echoing through the arena. "Hahaha! You'll regret your arrogance, you stupid, unprepared clown!"
Alex's grin grows wider as he raises a hand and points toward his eyes. "You might want to look a little closer," he says cryptically.
Bahawin's expression falters as confusion sets in. "Gyo? YOU USED IN?"
The realization dawns too late. As Bahawin activates Gyo, the last thing he sees is a cluster of small, round metallic objects lying at his feet, their bright purple fuses burning down rapidly.
"STOP I GIVE U…" He begs
"Goodbye," Alex says with a wide grin.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Eight deafening explosions engulf the arena in a fiery storm. Bahawin is caught in the full blast, his body torn apart by the devastating force.
To Alex's absolute delight, he notices the referee getting caught in the explosions as well. While the referee avoids the full brunt of the blast, he's struck by shrapnel, leaving him wailing and bleeding on the ground.
Alex ignores the system's damage calculations entirely, focusing instead on the two notifications that flash in front of him:
You have killed Bahawin
You received Chest (Green)
The referee's panicked screams fill the air, but the crowd and moderator cheer and analyze the match; they pay him no attention at all. As Alex surveys the scene, he feels a wave of relief wash over him when he sees the system recognizing his win.
[Secret Quest Completed:
Mission: Win fights in the 200 class of Heavens Arena
Won fights: 10
Reward: Spider's Blessing]
[Spider's blessing]
World: Hunter x Hunter
Quality: Deep Blue
Effect: This item immediately transforms into one of 13 random items, each temporarily granting access to an enhanced version of its owner's Hatsu. The resulting ability is random.
Note: 13 abilities, all rare and powerful. Together, they make up the deadly spider, feared all over the world.
Spider's Blessing? 13? Could it be? The Troupe? Will I receive an ability from the Troupe? Alex wonders, analyzing his spoils with excitement.
Seconds later, the blessing vanishes, replaced by another item: a round, purple ball resting in Alex's hand.
[True Gallery Fake]
World: Hunter x Hunter
Quality: Deep Blue
Effect: Allows you to create a copy of a random item in your possession. While holding this item, you cannot obtain, trade, throw away, or use up any other items.
Effect: Disappears after leaving this world. Guarantees 100% success if used on Deep Blue items or below. For Light Purple items and above, the success rate decreases significantly based on the item's grade.
Note: It can copy almost anything, as long as you have enough Aura, of course!
Alex grins widely. He feels extremely lucky! Both his enemies are dead or incapacitated, and he's secured his tenth win—a milestone that comes with significant rewards.
Too bad the show's over, Alex muses, watching workers load the referee onto a stretcher and gather up the scattered body parts of Bahawin. He chuckles to himself, unable to resist enjoying the sight of the referee's pitiful state.
The moderator's voice cuts through the chaos, addressing the crowd. "FOLKS, WE HAVEN'T SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE! PURE MADNESS! I'm getting word from the higher-ups… It's official: this match is over! Alex Kerber wins! What chaos, what carnage! I hope you all join us at Heavens Arena again for another unforgettable night. Have a good—"
"STOP!" Alex suddenly shouts, his voice booming as he steps toward one of the arena's cameras.
The moderator freezes, startled, while Alex takes control of the moment.
"MODERATOR!" Alex calls out. "I have something to say!"
The crowd falls silent, riveted.
"I hereby challenge Floor Master Darius to a fight," Alex declares boldly, staring directly into the camera. "I've heard you accept any challenge… Funny, because all I've seen you do is fight total losers and overachievers. You haven't faced a single real opponent.
"You're a Floor Master in name only. I wouldn't be surprised if you got that title the same way my last opponent got his wins—with tricks and schemes. I challenge you to accept a fight within 14 days. It's fine if you want to avoid a humiliating loss—or perhaps something even worse. But at least everyone will see your true reputation in a few days!"
Alex smirks into the camera, his tone dripping with arrogance. "I'll look forward to you finding a good excuse to back out!"
As the tension in the arena hangs thick, Alex thinks to himself, Darius is a strong opponent. Everything I just said is a lie… but I need him to accept my challenge at any cost. Sorry, dude!
The crowd erupts into chaos, with cheers, boos, and animated discussions filling the arena. Even a few fighters in the audience seem to be arguing over Alex's bold challenge.
Wasting no time, Alex leaves the arena and heads back to his room, where Menchi is waiting.
"Not bad, my cute student!" Menchi says with a grin, wrapping her arm around Alex's head. "You stayed calm and didn't fall for his tricks. And wow, you were so intimidating with that referee—I've never seen you like that. I felt that threat too, you know? I liked it, but honestly, I prefer the normal you. That dominant attitude doesn't suit you."
Alex sighs, gesturing to the snacks and drinks scattered around the floor. "It's been, what, ten minutes since this sad excuse for a party started? We're just sitting on the ground, eating cheap snacks and drinking cheap booze! We could've gone out to a nice restaurant, you know? Are you a fake gourmet Hunter? Is your star made out of copper?"
"NO WAY!" Menchi snaps back, laughing. "Fights have to be celebrated like this! You don't appreciate this celebration at all. You're naughty, and now I have to punish you," she declares as she mounts him.
"Stop this already… you're drunk!" Alex protests, struggling beneath her. "I hate drunk people—especially when I'm sober. Seriously, get some hel—"
Before he can finish, Menchi presses her foot onto his mouth, silencing him.
Alex's face turns red as he blushes uncontrollably. He freezes, feeling her warm, slightly moist sock against his face. His breath comes faster as he catches glimpses of Menchi's joyful, mischievous expression peeking out from behind her foot.
What the fuck…? Why am I reacting to this? FUCK. No way I'm taking this. I've never beaten her in a grappling match before, but she's drunk as hell! This is my chance. Today I'm getting that ass, like I swore I would!
In a swift motion, Alex rolls out of her grasp and lunges toward her. Menchi, however, looks more amused than anything—her expression a mix of surprise, entertainment, and mischief.
It doesn't last long. A few seconds later, Alex finds himself kneeling on the ground like a dog, Menchi's legs tightly wrapped around him. She effortlessly pins him down and delivers a few slaps to his rear.
Maybe this wasn't such a good idea… Damn it, Alex thinks, gritting his teeth as he reluctantly accepts his punishment.
After ten seconds of victorious smirking and slapping, Menchi lets him go and flops back onto the floor, returning to her drink and watching one of her favorite shows on TV.
Alex, finally free, uses the moment to activate his newly acquired [True Gallery Fake].
Since I can't choose an item, this is basically a random chance. Should I think about what item I want? Nah, it's useless. It's all about luck anyway. Let's just use it! Alex decides after weighing his options.
"Activate [True Gallery Fake]," Alex says aloud.
[[Destiny Support Token] chosen.]
"!!!" Alex stares at the notification, stunned. No way… Destiny Support Token? This is huge!
But his excitement quickly turns into anxiety. Wait. It's a Purple item… Will it work? Please work, please work! Alex prays fervently, his heart racing. He knows the odds aren't in his favor since Purple items are two grades above guaranteed success.
[[True Gallery Fake] activation's outcome: …]
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