Chapter 4

Heavens Arena (Tenkū Tōgijō) is a tower combat arena, the world's most popular battle site, where victorious fighters ascend to higher floors as part of its reward system. It is on the same continent as the Republic of Padokea, the Zoldyck Family's home country, but is located on the opposite side of the continent.

"Now going for his 10th battle on the 200th floor. Suffering 0 defeats since his arrival the bloody butcher VALEEERRRR HANMAAAAAAA."

Valeer kept his hands in his pockets as the crowd cheered. He was wearing grey baggy combat pants and a black compression shirt with black slides. His lean muscular frame was easy to spot through the shirt. His shirt had a design of a roaring oni on the back.

"YEAHHHHH"

"Cut him to pieces butcher"

"I put my life saving on you"

"Look over here cutie mmm~ mama likes them your"

"He doesn't want you skank"

"Hmph, you're just jealous I'm an experienced woman with fully developed assets, and you...well you have some growing to do I see"

"I'll kill you, you fat-tittied COW"

Feeling the crowd starting to calm down. The announcer continued.

"And his opponent also with 9 victories, but with 3 losses taken during his time on the 200th floor. The floating guru GAAAAAAAAA."

Ga's is a tall, broad man. His true appearance is unknown, as a gray gas mask always conceals his face with red lenses intended to look like a moth. His gas mask has three tubes that come down over the neckline of his cloak and fold up underneath. He was floating with his legs plat a few feet off the arena floor. 

He is clad in a large white cloak and a white turban, underneath which he wears a coat and pants of the same dark green color and gloves and boots of the same greenish grey. The lining of his cloak has a design reminiscent of moth wings

Both Valeer and Ga need a tenth victory to be able to challenge a floor master. Floor Masters are the 21 highest-ranked competitors in Heavens Arena. They have that title because they're given their own floor between the 230th and 250th floors. To become a Floor Master, one must first win 10 matches on the 200th floor of the celestial tower, and must not lose 4 matches. Then they must challenge a Floor Master to take his or her floor. 

A referee walked into the arena. He pointed at Ga"Ready". Ga nodded, he then pointed at Valeer"Ready. Valeer nodded. He crossed his hand."Fight".

"This is not your time young man. You've had a good run. But I will win this and continue to become a floor master." 

Said Ga, his voice dignified. Valeer raises a brow.

"Huh, fodder who lost to other fodder, has the gal to give me advice. Hmph, make your move and shut up. Your words are meaningless, talk with your fist, with your strength. Let me see how long you can entertain me."

Valeer's voice was cold at the start but had a hint of anticipation towards the end. He easily entered the higher floors when he first got to the heaven arena. Once he got to an opponent who had good techniques and a solid grasp on Nen he started to have fun with his fights. But Ga was the fight who had a Hatsu, which got his blood pumping a little he just hoped that floating wasn't all there was to it. Otherwise, he'd show him how he earned the nickname butcher and what happens to opponents who disappoint him. 

"Hmph I warned you, boy"

Ga flew up fash and dropped down with a double-leg dropkick, Valeer easily evaded and he hit the floor creating a small crater. Ga didn't let it up. He flew towards Valeer and rotated midway into a spin kick.

Valeer leaned back with unnatural flexibility. His body a full 90 degrees as he watched the kick fly over his face. This continued for some time. Ga started throwing punches as well. But Valeer evaded his attacks with minimum effort and small moments. 

Ga was getting desperate and shouted at Valeer.

"Stop dodging coward. Is this how you won all your battles"

The crown was growing bored and many although the minority who had not seen Valeer's previous battle were boing the showing.

"STOP RUNNING"

"FIGHT BACK COWARD"

"WE PAID FOR ACTION"

Valeer rubbed the back of his head. Then ran his fingers through his hair. He sighed with disappointment.

"You're weak. So fucking weak. All you can do with your Hatsu is fly. Not at mind-boggling speeds mind you, but the pace of an athlete running. Your martial arts skills are entry-level into the realm of true experts. I've wasted enough time on you. Perhaps the Floor Master will prove more worthy."

Ga was gritting his teeth. How dare this welp insult him like this. So what if all his attacks had been dodged? Eventually, the child would slip and he'd win. He had to WIN.

Ga's internal monologue was broken by Valeer stamping on the ground and causing a small tremor.

"This is something I came up with for far worthier opponents. But I suppose you'll do. It's one of the Hatsu I've developed. It's amazing what one can do with raw talent and imagination."

Di-did this welp just say one of....one of. He had struggled to make one Hatsu. Just the one and this...no...no...he had to be bluffing. Yes bluffing to throw him off. 

Valeer now full in a stance by bending his knees in a half-crouch position, extending his right arm with a half-clenched fist facing his body, and bending his left arm with an open palm.

"Perhaps the press of death with help you to uncover untapped potential. The kind that will make sparing you an option. Or perhaps...You'll Die"

{Destructive Cresent}

Valeer unleashed a flurry of punches. The air rippled with each blow. Ga barely had time to utilize Gyo, when his left arm was sliced off. Before he could scream his right arm soon followed. When the scream finally left his mouth his toso was separated from his bottom half, then his head from his torso. Before any of the body parts could touch the ground. His head, upper half, and lower half were split in half. The last this Ga saw before his world faded to black was the look of disappointment on Valeers face.

The judge was horrified but called the match anyway.

"Your winner VALEERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR"

The crown roared in revelry savouring the bloody spectacle below. Valeer walked off the stage. He only took part in death matches with his opponent. To him, the threat of death, and the fear of mortality bring out one's true potential in a fight. I fight without stakes is just pointless. If you're not being paid and you have nothing to lose then what's the point? From the 200th floor up all weapons are allowed....it no longer mattered. He faces a floor master soon. A true challenge. For now, he's rest

Upon arriving at his room he removed his closing and took a shower. When he was done he put on some baggy pants, made himself a stiff drink, and looked out the window to enjoy the view as he sipped slowly. His apartment was one of many on the 210th floor. It was quite large and came with a Queen-size bed, a mini fridge, a bathroom, a closet, and a button that calls for room service. 

 As he was enjoying his drink his eyes suddenly narrowed before they relaxed. 

"You don't need to sneak around Paku-chan. Come on in" he said loud enough for the person outside his door to hear. The door opened and in walked a tall young woman with, short blonde hair that ended just below her ears. She wore black jeans and a purple blouse that exposed the cleavage. She had an apathetic look on her face, that slowly morphed into a small smile as her gaze landed on Valeer.

He was taller, although she expected that. But he was taller than any 11-year-old had a right to be. Already standing at 5'8, maybe she could attribute it to early puberty, but knowing him it was his body responding to the training he put it through. And muscles...Machi was right his physique plus his looks... he'd be a lady killer...we'll judging by the volume of some of the females she heard in the crowd he already was.

"Hey Val, just checking to see if you've gotten lazy"

Valeer nearly raised his brow. A response she expected although a raised vein was missing. Perhaps he'd somewhat mellowed out. She watched as he walked to a closed and retrieved a bag. He then walked toward her and handed it to her.

When she opened it she saw several high-end tailored women's business suits, a silver revolver with black roses on it, and some horror romance novels that judging by the title she would love.

"Happy Birthday Paku-chan"

She felt his embrace and responded in kind. She knew he hated showing his kinder side. And she and the other knew it was a privilege only troupe members got to see. She raked her fingers through his hair as his head rested in her blossom. After a few moments, they separated. 

He sat on a chair near the window and she sat on the bed. 

"Congrats on turning 21, you're an adult in all countries. Not that I'm not happy to see you, but why are you here Paku"

"Can't I be here to check in on you"

Valeer to a sip of his drink. The whiskey and coke had a nice flavor he enjoyed.

"Part of, yes, but not the full reason."

Pakunoda smiled. Valeer was smart as always. Once she thought he was only smart when It came to fighting. Even Chrollo said he was a natural-born killer. But she watched him consume knowledge from books when he was younger not just about martial arts but about the world in general. And he never forgot anything her love of read. Then there was that scary intuition that both annoyed and impressed those around him.

"There are six months left until we meet up in Meteor City...six months until we go back home. The website was done some time ago as Chrollo had long amassed the needed funds..but recently he's been talking about what comes after the vengeance. About what the Troupe should do next."

Valeer gazed out the window for a second before refocusing his gaze on Pakunoda.

"Thought like that is best not being overcomplicated. We'll simply use the talents we have and the skills we've learned the best as they can be used. And knowing how everyone is we'll be good at it, and if you are good at something never do it for free."

Pakunoda blinked at the simplicity of his statement. However, she also understood the underlying layers. To avenge their friend they had all one way or the other learned how to kill. Why not put the skills they'd learned to good use and make money while doing so? Se her relaxed expression like a small discomfort was relieved Valeer smiled.

"Go take a shower, the water can switch between hot and cold. I'll order room service and we can catch up. And you will be sleeping here, you can leave and return to his side tomorrow. He's not Uvo Paku."

Paku was about to protest but she heard the rest of his sentence and she knew better than to argue with him when he set his mind was made up. She sighed before a smile appeared on her face as she started undressing while heading to the bathroom.

Valeer watched her head into the bathroom before returning his gaze to the view of the city below. He wondered what kind of group they'd be in the future. A group of killers? Yes. Of that, he had no doubt. But Chrollo was a visionary and it would never be that simple. Killing would be involved but they'd be something to gain from it besides the pleasure of ending a worthy opponent. 

He swirled his drink and downed it. He looked forward to seeing what the future held, but for now, he'd savor the present.