094: Sometimes, Appearance Can Really Save a Life

"That guy doesn't look like someone to mess with. If I go up there, I'll probably get killed instantly."

As a doctor,Leroute had seen many people, especially men. As a beautiful woman, she was particularly sensitive to the way men looked at her.

From the moment she met Ronnel's gaze, she understood what was in his eyes.

Calm. So calm, it was as if she didn't even exist.

It was like he was looking at a few insignificant ants.

Leroute thought she had come to terms with life and death, but meeting someone who completely disregarded life—that made her heart tremble.

Whoever is thinking of love can go on ahead. The old lady isn't playing! I still haven't lived long enough!

"What are you talking about? He's quite handsome! He probably likes beautiful women. Seduce him, and you'll succeed for sure," prisoner called out from the side.

"He looks like a boy, and as they say, boys with innocent faces are never up to any good. Guys like that are the most likely to toy with you!" added, laughing.

Leroute shot a sharp look, deciding not to bother engaging with him anymore.

"You go."

At that moment, the blue-eyed dissection expert Johness, who had been silent all this time, looked up and spat out the word,

"You."

"Eh?!"

"I've had my prison sentence reduced, but it means nothing to me. What I really want is to feel the thrill of tearing through flesh and blood again."

"I don't want to get killed before I can enjoy that thrill, so you go."

Johness looked at Majtani with cold eyes.

Johness wanted to go up there, to start dissecting bodies, but he knew that whoever fought in the final match would face the strongest opponent. He had no chance against the silver-haired kid who had fought earlier, let alone whoever was stronger than him.

To avoid being picked by Director Lieber, Johness decided it was best to settle the matter internally.

And since he couldn't go up himself, the logical choice was Majtani—the loudmouthed guy trying to bluff his way through everything. There was also the attractive doctor, who might distract people with her looks. It was pretty clear who would go up to die, wasn't it?

Sometimes, appearance can really save a life.

Majtani: "Wha...?"

"If you don't go, I'll have to take your flesh and blood instead, for my enjoyment."

Majtani shuddered at Jonny's words and, swallowing hard, said, "Fine, fine! The prison warden, unlock my cuffs."

Kach-chk!

Majtani rubbed his wrists, muttering under his breath as he walked to the stone bridge.

When he arrived at the ring, he stopped in front of Ronnel and took off his cloak.

"Eh...?!"

His face was grotesque—eyes bulging and sunken at the same time, uneven teeth jutting out in all directions, and no sign of a nose. His appearance was more horrifying than a car wreck, resembling a zombie from Resident Evil. It was enough to make anyone feel uncomfortable just looking at him.

On top of that, his muscles twitched all over, and his chest was adorned with heart shapes. The entire look was beyond disturbing.

"This guy looks hard to deal with. Good thing Ronnel's fighting. If it were me, I'd have a tough time," Leorio muttered, adjusting his round glasses with a sigh of relief.

"It seems like they know this is the deciding match, so they've sent their strongest guy," Leorio added.

"Strongest? Him?" Killua, standing nearby, gave Leorio a sidelong glance.

"That guy looks weak. He's just pretending to be tough. I bet even landing a hit would be hard for him, let alone killing anyone."

"I don't feel anything strong from him," Gon added, tilting his head as he analyzed the opponent.

"Yeah, he doesn't seem like a fighter at all," Kurapika chimed in, nodding.

"Well…"

Leorio looked around, noticing that Killua was thinking the same thing. With a sigh, he leaned against the wall, feeling the rising tension in the air.

"Still just talking?"

Ronnel's lips curled into a smile. A real spider meeting a fake spider? What perfect timing. There was no need to wait for the Phantom Troupe—this could be handled here and now.

"Huh. If it's him, I guess it's worth it. Once he shows that Phantom Troupe tattoo, I wonder how Ronnel will react?" Lippo mumbled, eating a sandwich while watching from the screen.

On the ring, Majtani cracked his knuckles, staring at Ronnel, who looked no older than eighteen. His heart began to race.

"Both Johness and Leroute said this guy is strong, so he must be. But maybe, just maybe, I can fool him like I did with the last guy, right?"

Majtani muttered to himself as he put on a sinister grin.

"I've killed nineteen people so far, but the number nineteen is unlucky. It makes me uncomfortable. Now, I'm excited—the twentieth person has finally come to die!"

Ronnel didn't respond. Arms crossed, he simply smiled, watching Majtani's performance with a calm demeanor.

After all, this was Majtani's show. Why steal his spotlight, right?

"I live for the thrill of battle! I don't do harmless duels. I want blood, your organs, and the sight of your pain!"

The more Majtani talked, the more animated he became. His voice grew louder, and his face twisted into a grotesque grin, fists clenched and arms raised as if he was completely immersed in his role.

"So… is this still a deathmatch to win?" Ronnel asked, loosening his arms and cracking his neck, the bones making a satisfying pop.

Seeing Ronnel's calm demeanor made Majtani's heart skip a beat—he was scared.

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