HxH: Apex Predator

After the two figures disappeared from view, Zeno appeared beside Silva and said, "Silva, what do you think?"

"He lied," Silva replied calmly. "He knows I know he lied, and he chose not to explain. Yet, his silence in itself is an answer."

"What else?" Zeno asked, intrigued.

"I observed his actions throughout this mission. As I mentioned to you before, there's arrogance buried deep within him.

Back when he was with the family, such emotions rarely surfaced. However, this mission seems to have triggered a growth in that arrogance."

"It's likely influenced by his successful completion of the mission and defeating an adult Nen user. But more than that, I believe he's gained a significant source of confidence.

The experience has left him with a deeper belief in his strength, or at least in the growth of his future potential."

"This confidence, this 'unexpected fortune' as one might call it, has emboldened him. Even though he knew I would see through his lie, he chose to remain silent.

This suggests he feels he has the leverage to resist—or, at the very least, the right to remain silent."

"When I confronted him about his intentions to leave and tested his response, he chose to partially reveal the truth, openly admitting his desire for the freedom to act independently."

"This leads me to hypothesize that his training in Heaven's Arena will provide him with opportunities similar to those from his last mission—opportunities to further develop his strength.

Should he determine that his training here allows him to match my level of power in the future, this hypothesis could prove true. We'll have to wait and see how the training unfolds."

Zeno chuckled after hearing Silva's analysis. "You two have a far more interesting father-son dynamic than we ever did. I'm genuinely curious to see how that boy develops."

......

Elsewhere, Ryker arrived at the registration desk with Tsubone.

"Young master Ryker, do you plan to keep wearing that outfit?"

"As long as the arena allows competitors to wear masks during matches, I see no reason to change."

"Please fill out this form," said the clerk, handing them a sheet.

Ryker quickly completed it. "Here you go."

"Thank you. Ryker Haruto, your registration number is 4396. Please remember your number and wait in the locker room until you're called."

"Haha! Young master Ryker, why this name?" Tsubone asked with a grin.

"It was a whim," Ryker replied, waving him off. "Now, I need to prepare."

Stepping into the locker room, Ryker couldn't help but look around curiously. This was his first time in a setting similar to an underground fighting arena.

However, his unique attire caught the attention of nearly everyone present.

"Hey, look at this! A kid? What's a brat like you doing here? Go home and play your cop-and-thief games!" someone mocked, laughing loudly.

Ryker narrowed his eyes, "Silva said not to use any methods outside the rules. I wonder if killing someone in the locker room would disqualify me. Consider yourself lucky."

"What did you say, brat? Come here, and I'll teach you a lesson!"

Before the confrontation could escalate, the broadcast interrupted them:

"Will competitors 4396 and 2200 please report to Arena 7. Competitors 4396 and 2200 to Arena 7."

As Ryker made his way to the arena, he found his opponent was a familiar face.

"Well, well. Tough luck, little guy. We meet again," his opponent sneered.

The referee explained the rules: "This match uses a point system. The first to score ten points wins. A competitor unable to continue or who surrenders will be eliminated."

Ryker raised a hand. "Referee, what happens if I accidentally kill my opponent?"

The question left the referee startled, though professionalism compelled him to respond. "The arena allows injuries or deaths during matches. However, attacking after a victory is declared will result in disqualification."

"Good. Just wanted to confirm," Ryker said casually.

His opponent growled, "Big words, kid. I'm going to enjoy putting you in your place."

The referee called out, "Begin!"

In an instant, Ryker launched forward, leaping high into the air. By the time he landed behind his opponent, a severed head followed closely behind, rolling across the floor.

*Thud!*

Two seconds later, the sound of the headless body hitting the ground echoed through the silent arena.

For a moment, the audience and nearby fighters were frozen in shock. The referee recovered first and announced, "Match over! Competitor 4396 wins!"

Amidst a mixture of gasps and whispers, Ryker calmly walked up to the referee to receive his next-floor assignment.

"You're being promoted directly to the 50th floor," the referee said, handing him a slip.

As Ryker left the arena, news of his performance spread rapidly. "Ryker Haruto" and his registration number, 4396, became widely discussed throughout the lower floors of Heaven's Arena.

Meanwhile, Tsubone was on the phone. "Master Silva, just as you predicted, young master Ryker didn't hold back. In his first match, he killed his opponent with a single strike."

Unaware of the growing reputation behind him, Ryker was already in the elevator. The attendant began explaining the floor layout and the win/loss system, but Ryker's focus was elsewhere.

"Five points, huh? At least it's better than the two I got from those mobsters."

[AN: He is talking about system points]

When the elevator chimed and stopped, Ryker exited and completed the formalities at the reception desk. He then entered the competitors' lounge.

"Since I registered this morning, I should be able to squeeze in one more fight today. Two matches a day seems to be the limit, considering the number of participants."

After waiting about three hours, Ryker's number was called again. This time, his opponent was far more cautious, clearly having heard the rumors about him.

The opponent, dressed in a black martial arts uniform, displayed skilled breathing techniques, likely from a traditional school of combat. He also seemed to be a regular at the arena.

Not that it mattered. As with the first opponent, Ryker swiftly decapitated him.

The referee, now accustomed to Ryker's methods, declared his victory without hesitation and promoted him to the 100th floor.

In the elevator again, Ryker reflected on his progress as the attendant explained the rules of higher floors.

"Two matches, two wins, double-digit points. Not bad. But for triple-digit points, I'll need to face opponents above the 200th floor—Nen users."

"Still, this is an arena, not a battlefield. If my opponents surrender, I can't take them out. Wait… Silva only said I must follow the rules and win on the arena floor."

"He didn't say anything about what happens 'after' the match. If I deal with them outside the arena, it shouldn't count as breaking the rules."

A sly grin spread across Ryker's face, "I'm such a genius. Let's do that."