Sixteen arenas were running matches simultaneously.
Some matches were fiercely contested, while others ended quickly.
Moro's attention was focused on one of the arenas.
The two contestants seemed to be skilled martial artists, their movements displaying clear strategies of offense and defense.
After watching for a while, Moro discerned their styles—one specialized in kicks, while the other relied on punches.
After exchanging over a dozen moves, the fighter skilled in kicks began to gain the upper hand.
"Impressive."
Initially intrigued, Moro found himself growing excited as the match progressed.
The fighters' attacks were swift and decisive, carrying a lethal intensity as if each move aimed to end the match.
Their techniques also displayed precise timing, targeting the opponent's vulnerabilities.
Such mastery was clearly the result of years of dedicated training.
If these two also knew nen, Moro thought, what kind of match would this become?
Just as he considered this possibility, the tide of the match suddenly turned.
The fighter relying on kicks had been dominating, but the other fighter, determined to turn the tables, took a calculated risk.
He endured a brutal roundhouse kick to close the distance and landed a powerful punch straight to the opponent's chest.
That one punch reversed the momentum, sending the opponent crashing to the ground.
Moro's pupils narrowed as he noticed the aura above the downed fighter dissipating rapidly.
The referee, recognizing the seriousness of the situation, checked the fallen fighter's breathing and immediately signaled for the medical team.
Meanwhile, the victorious fighter merely glanced at his downed opponent before looking away, his expression cold and indifferent.
The Harsh Reality of Combat
The scene revealed the grim reality behind the glory and applause.
Every contestant who stepped into Heaven's Arena had to be prepared for the possibility of death.
This aspect bore a striking resemblance to the Hunter Exam.
The Hunter Association, which oversaw the exams, was similarly indifferent to the deaths of participants during the trials.
Aspiring hunters understood the dangers that lay ahead, and so did the fighters at Heaven's Arena.
Before competing, contestants were required to sign a waiver acknowledging the risk of death.
These were not exhibition matches for entertainment—they were real battles.
Facing a particularly ruthless opponent could be a matter of sheer misfortune.
That said, fatalities during the preliminaries were rare.
From the preliminaries up to the 200th floor, the use of weapons was prohibited, and matches were capped at three minutes.
If neither fighter could claim victory within the time limit, the referee would decide the winner based on performance.
As a result, most matches involved careful exchanges rather than life-or-death struggles.
It was rare for two contestants, both trained in deadly martial arts, to face each other as they had today.
And it was even rarer for the match to be so evenly matched that one fighter seized a fleeting opportunity to secure victory at great risk.
The victorious puncher may have anticipated the possibility of killing his opponent, but he had shown no hesitation in his actions.
A Pure Martial Artist
This was the mindset of a pure martial artist.
In Heaven's Arena, a place built on the pursuit of combat, such ruthlessness was not surprising.
Even outside the arena, when two martial artists met and agreed to a duel, it often ended with both a winner and a corpse.
Moro's Thoughts
"I could easily defeat him," Moro thought, his gaze fixed on the victorious fighter as he walked off the stage.
"But if he were to awaken nen…"
Watching the fighter disappear into the corridor, Moro sighed.
"I wouldn't stand a chance."
After a moment of silence, Moro leaned back in his chair, his brow furrowed.
The Role of Martial Arts in Nen Combat
Moro reflected on the importance of martial arts, or taijutsu, in nen battles.
Whether before or after learning nen, he had never formally studied taijutsu.
Yet it was undeniable that martial arts were a critical component of nen combat.
A nen user with no martial arts skills could still defeat someone who had trained for years, provided the nen user's ability was strong enough.
But if one had to rank priorities, which was more important—nen or martial arts?
Moro recalled the fight between Killua and Zushi in the original series.
At that time, Killua hadn't yet learned nen, but his mastery of footwork and martial arts allowed him to dominate Zushi.
However, if Zushi had developed his nen abilities, the outcome might have been different.
Then Moro thought of Biscuit Krueger.
As a first-rate nen user who had trained in the Shingen-Ryu martial art for decades, she didn't rely on combat-focused nen abilities.
Her sheer skill and technique alone made her a formidable fighter.
So, what was the answer?
Moro felt uncertain.
His thoughts drifted to Feitan, whose lightning-fast, unpredictable attacks posed a significant challenge.
Compared to Feitan's nen ability, Pain Packer, Moro found Feitan's speed and combat style far more concerning.
Could nen mastery alone counter such speed-based tactics?
Moro rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on.
Without the Phantom Troupe looming over him, he wouldn't need to wrestle with such questions or feel the pressure of time bearing down on him.
Before the Troupe disrupted his plans, his goals had been simple:
Use nen as a basic form of self-defense.
Amass enough wealth through his antique business to live comfortably.
Wealthy and safe—what a wonderful life that would have been.
But the Phantom Troupe had destroyed all of that.
The Call to Battle
"Contestant 2688 and Contestant 2792, please report to Arena C. Repeat, Contestant 2688 and Contestant 2792, please report to Arena C…"
The announcement over the arena's PA system snapped Moro out of his thoughts.
2792 was his number.
Gathering himself, Moro stood and made his way to the arena.
Upon reaching Arena C, he spotted Contestant 2688—a woman with a long ponytail wearing a tight-fitting outfit.
The woman noticed him as well, her brow furrowing slightly. She seemed skeptical of his youth.
The Match Begins
"Contestants, please step into the ring," the referee instructed, raising a hand.
Moro and the ponytailed woman ascended the stage.
"This match emphasizes combat performance. Please do your best to demonstrate your abilities within three minutes," the referee explained, outlining the rules.
"Begin!"
At the referee's signal, the ponytailed woman moved swiftly, her steps light and agile as she circled behind Moro.
Sorry, kid…
She raised her hand, aiming a sharp chop at the back of Moro's neck.
Some spectators, including a few who had been observing Moro earlier, watched intently.
When they saw him remain completely still in the face of her attack, their reactions varied.
Thud!
The sound of impact rang out across Arena C.
A sharp gasp followed as the ponytailed woman recoiled, clutching her hand in pain.
"What just happened?!"
The spectators looked on in shock.
Meanwhile, Moro stood perfectly still, showing no reaction.
In fact, he appeared lost in thought.