HxH: Apex Predator

Until Silva left the room, Ryker maintained the same posture.

"It seems the family is allowing me to awaken the Sharingan now.

For now, Silva seems to think I'm still within their control, which is why I'm being allowed to freely accept missions and continue hunting. Of course, part of it is likely their curiosity about what abilities I might develop."

"But if they knew what I could gain from this power and what my ambitions truly were, I wonder if they'd regret their decision.

Not that I'm overthinking it—it's just that, judging from the original story, when Alluka's ability surfaced, they locked her away in a pitch-dark basement to control and use her as a wish-granting machine."

"Sure, it could also be interpreted as them trying to protect Alluka and the rest of the family, but once they realized Killua could make wishes without paying a price...

Well, just look at Illumi's mental state. No one can resist a cost-free, all-powerful wishing machine."

"In the original story, Alluka and Nanika communicated with each other. So, is it possible that Alluka can control when Nanika appears?

Because, except for Killua, no one else—even their parents—treated Alluka as purely and kindly as Killua did.

Of course, this could just be the author setting Killua up as the protagonist. Hence, Alluka only granted wishes without cost to Killua."

[AN: The statement above is merely Ryker's speculation]

After thinking it through, Ryker concluded that the Zoldyck family, despite their unique cohesion and interactions, were ultimately profit-driven.

Strength equates to power and leverage in negotiations.

Even if he had misunderstood or misinterpreted the situation, Ryker knew one thing for sure: to stand a chance against Killua when he was born, he had to become extraordinarily strong.

After all, he was living in a world where survival of the fittest was the only rule.

If he wanted the family to live in harmony, with fatherly love, brotherly kindness, and filial piety, then he had to become the strongest and take the lead.

Following his conversation with Silva, Ryker was even more determined to exchange his accumulated points in Heaven's Arena for Kamui. To do that, he needed to quickly deal with the next four matches.

......

Today marked Ryker's debut on the 200th floor of Heaven's Arena, and his opponent was a fighter named Sparrow.

This man wore an eyepatch over his right eye, leaving only one visible.

With the Sharingan, Ryker didn't bother using 'Gyo.' He could clearly see that Sparrow's right eye wasn't emitting any aura.

This wasn't like Ryker, who concealed his special abilities—it was simply that Sparrow hadn't yet unlocked the full potential of his aura nodes.

Judging by Sparrow's aura and the way he used 'Ten,' Ryker estimated that Sparrow hadn't reached the level where he could open all his aura nodes except for his right eye.

In other words, that eyepatch likely covered an augmented eye.

When they faced each other in the arena, Sparrow spoke first:

"I've heard that you climbed from the first floor to the 200th in under three months. Quite the prodigy, aren't you?

But today, I'll teach you something: only living geniuses matter. I love crushing gifted brats like you and dragging them down to hell.

Don't worry, though—I won't kill you. I'll just give you an experience you'll never forget."

Meanwhile, Ryker was busy strategizing how to maximize his gains.

'If I take him out too quickly, the remaining three rookie killers might forfeit their matches. That'd mean losing points...'

Just as Ryker reached a decision, Sparrow rushed at him.

He aimed a nen-infused punch straight at Ryker's face—or more specifically, his right eye.

Ryker effortlessly dodged, creating distance while continuing to think.

'Fine, I'll deal with this guy first. If the others forfeit, I'll handle them later.'

Having made up his mind, Ryker countered by firing three nen bullets at Sparrow.

Sparrow, to his credit, managed to evade two of them but was hit in the thigh by the third.

It was only then that Sparrow realized his opponent was a nen user. Panic flashed across his face as he scrambled to devise a plan.

But Ryker didn't give him the chance. Before Sparrow could surrender, Ryker fired a fourth nen bullet.

"SPLAT!"

This time, it hit its mark, and the result was gruesome. Sparrow's head exploded like a bursting watermelon.

The match was over in less than three minutes, leaving the audience momentarily stunned by the spectacle. Then, cheers erupted, their adrenaline surging from the violent display.

......

In a shadowed corner of the arena, Illumi stared intently at Ryker with his hollow eyes. He murmured, "So this is the power Father mentioned? But I can't see anything..."

A servant beside him responded, "young master Illumi, once you acquire such power, you'll be able to see it for yourself.

So keep working hard. Complete Silva's task, and this power will be yours."

Illumi didn't reply, but his hollow eyes burned with a fiery determination as they stayed locked on Ryker.

At the same time, three other fighters who had already submitted battle applications against Ryker were watching the match.

Two of them decided on the spot to forfeit. The third, however, had no choice—he couldn't afford another loss and would have to face Ryker.

Over the next three weeks, Ryker achieved three consecutive victories, bringing his record to 4-0. As for the two fighters who forfeited, Ryker dealt with them quietly over two nights.

......

Thanks to his recent performances, no cannon fodder dared to submit new battle applications. After scheduling his next match, Ryker waited for an official opponent to be assigned.

A week later, his next opponent was announced: a one-armed veteran named Swain.

Swain was a man in his fifties with a high hairline and neatly combed gray hair. His most striking feature was his prominent hooked nose, which put even Pakunoda's to shame.

He wore a red coat, the empty sleeve on his left side hanging limply, while his right hand gripped an eagle-headed cane.

The announcer's voice rang out:

"Up next, we have the undefeated rising star, Ryker Haruto, facing off against the seasoned veteran of the 200th floor, Swain!

However, after losing his left arm in his last match, Swain's strength may be somewhat diminished in this battle."

..........

As they stepped onto the arena, Swain broke the silence:

"For someone your age to have such strength, you must've trained under a mentor from a young age, right?"

Ryker remained silent, observing Swain through his Sharingan from behind his sunglasses.

Unfazed, Swain continued probing:

"You're young, talented, and already wielding nen. I'd guess you haven't been practicing for long, though. Your martial arts are decent, but your nen techniques seem underdeveloped."

While speaking, Swain formulated his plan.

'This kid's skill level suggests he's been training in martial arts since childhood, but his nen use is still basic.'

'From his previous matches, he doesn't seem to know how to use "In" and hasn't demonstrated the use of "Gyo" either. That means he's either untrained in these advanced techniques or lacks experience against nen users.'

'If he can't see my "Crimson Left Claw," then this match is mine.

Once my claw touches him, his blood will be drained completely, nourishing my technique—a power I gained at the cost of my left arm.'

'He'll likely target my left side, thinking it's my weak point. Little does he know, that's exactly what I want. This kid will pay for his arrogance—with his life.'

The announcer's voice cut through Swain's thoughts:

"Both fighters are ready! Let the match begin!"