"Piro... you... what's wrong with you?"
As Rocky observed Piro's uncontrolled aura dissipating, Piro suddenly stood up, his lifeless eyes fixed on Rocky. The veins on his forehead bulged grotesquely, making him look like a rampaging zombie.
Rocky frowned, his instincts instantly alert. The next second, Piro lunged at him with a punch, no warning, no hesitation.
Rocky dodged effortlessly, but his concern deepened. Something was seriously wrong.
"Piro! Snap out of it!" Rocky called out, hoping to break through whatever state his friend had entered.
Piro showed no sign of recognition. He continued his relentless assault, throwing punches and kicks with surprising ferocity. Rocky evaded each strike while shouting Piro's name, his patience waning.
*Crash!*
The room erupted into chaos. Tables, chairs, and even the teapot shattered under Piro's wild movements. Rocky's dodging led him to the corner of the room, and Piro rushed toward him again, ready to strike.
Rocky sighed softly. *Sorry for this.*
With precise timing, he countered. His fist connected squarely with Piro's face.
*Bang!*
The impact sent Piro flying backward, collapsing to the floor with a heavy thud. He lay motionless, unconscious.
Rocky cautiously approached and checked Piro's vitals. His breathing was weak but steady. At least he was alive.
"Was this a successful awakening or a failure?" Rocky muttered, troubled. Everything now depended on whether Piro could recover his consciousness.
He gently carried Piro to the bed and laid him down.
*Knock! Knock!*
A sudden knock at the door startled Rocky. He walked over and opened it, revealing one of the Heavens Arena staff members.
"Mr. Rocky," the staff member stammered, clearly uneasy. "We heard some loud noises coming from your room. Is everything alright?"
Rocky kept his composure. "It's nothing. I just knocked over some things. No need to worry."
The staff member's eyes drifted to the chaotic mess behind Rocky. His skeptical expression was quickly replaced by a forced smile. "Ah... understood. But I also came to inform you about tomorrow's match. It's scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Please be on time."
"Got it," Rocky replied curtly.
The staff member hesitated, his professional tone faltering. "If there's anything you need, don't hesitate to call. As one of our star players, you're entitled to—"
"Not necessary."
*Bang!*
Rocky shut the door, massaging his temples. Piro's condition was giving him a serious headache.
"I should've thought this through," he muttered. "Forced awakening... what was I thinking?"
Glancing back at the unconscious Piro, Rocky sighed. "I'll observe for now. If things don't improve, I'll figure out another way."
Despite his worry, he had no choice but to leave the room when the time for his match approached.
---
The Heavens Arena was packed with an energetic crowd, the atmosphere electric. Rocky arrived just in time, greeted by deafening cheers.
"Little Monster!"
"Little Monster!"
"Little Monster!"
The nickname grated on Rocky's nerves. Still, he maintained a calm expression as he entered the arena.
The host's voice boomed through the speakers. "Ladies and gentlemen, our star contender, the 'Little Monster,' is here! But today, he faces an equally extraordinary opponent!"
Rocky's eyebrows twitched.
"Both players are only eight years old," the host continued enthusiastically. "And while the Little Monster has dazzled us with his skills, his opponent, Killua, has also ascended to the 150th floor with remarkable speed, defeating every challenger with ease!"
Rocky's expression darkened as the name registered.
*Killua?*
Caught up with Piro's situation, Rocky hadn't checked his opponent's profile. But now, standing on the other side of the arena, was an eight-year-old boy with silver hair and sharp eyes.
Killua Zoldyck.
The legendary assassin prodigy.
Killua's wary gaze locked onto Rocky as he stepped onto the stage.
*What's with this guy?* Killua thought, a hint of unease creeping into his mind. *He looks so relaxed, but every move of his feels like a trap.*
For the first time in a long while, Killua's instincts screamed danger.
"The match begins!"
At the referee's signal, Killua charged. His speed was astonishing, a blur to the ordinary eye.
But Rocky didn't flinch.
Hands still in his pockets, he sidestepped with ease, dodging three consecutive strikes.
Killua gritted his teeth. "Impossible!"
The boy's face twisted in frustration. He had put everything into his attacks, yet Rocky evaded them as if they were nothing.
Meanwhile, Rocky's calm demeanor remained unchanged. He kept his hands in his pockets, mirroring Killua's initial stance, almost mocking him.
*So weak,* Rocky thought, disappointed. *Protagonist or not, he's just a kid right now.*
But Rocky had no time to entertain prolonged fights. Piro's condition weighed heavily on his mind.
Killua paused momentarily, recalculating his approach. But that split second was all Rocky needed.
Taking a single step forward, Rocky closed the distance. Killua barely had time to react before Rocky's hand gripped his shoulder.
With a fluid motion, Rocky executed a devastating over-the-shoulder throw.
*Crack!*
The sound reverberated as Killua's body slammed into the arena floor, creating a spiderweb of cracks that spread across several layers.
Killua gasped for air, his chest heaving as he struggled to breathe. His vision blurred.
Rocky leaned down slightly, his voice calm but firm. "Sorry, I'm in a hurry."
Killua's consciousness faded. He was out cold.
---
The crowd was stunned into silence. The match had ended in a single move.
Then, as if a switch had flipped, the audience erupted into wild cheers.
"Little Monster!"
"Little Monster!"
The referee and host exchanged relieved glances.
"That was unexpected," the host announced, regaining his composure. "Our Little Monster has once again proven his overwhelming strength with the fastest match in his career!"
Rocky didn't wait for the applause to die down. He turned and walked off the stage, his thoughts already back in his room with Piro.
---
Back in his room, Rocky stared at the still-unresponsive Piro. The boy's breathing remained shallow, his face pale.
"Wake up, Piro," Rocky muttered, his voice tinged with rare vulnerability. "You're stronger than this."
The room fell silent, save for the faint sound of Piro's breathing. The tension was suffocating.
Rocky clenched his fists, determination hardening his gaze. If Piro didn't wake soon, Rocky would find another way—whatever it took.