Road to the 200th Floor, Part 2

Author's Note: This work has received major editing(compared to the other work) and has been reposted, do note that the original work is also mine though(Limitless Chat Group in the multiverse). Starting from chapter 7, it's all completely new content. I also figured out that, instead of posting every day and burning myself out juggling between writing and the rest of my life, I could get a release schedule... so here it is:

Release Schedule:

-Every Tuesday

-Every Friday

-Every Sunday

Extra Power Stones and I'll release extra chapters!!

thx 4 all the support! (づ｡◕‿‿◕｡)づ

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Later that evening, after a series of other fights, the commentator announced:

"Are you ready to rumble?!"

"We now have, the long awaited and anticipated 2nd co-main event right in front of us!"

As the announcer was saying their part, the lights dimmed and the music, which started at a very low volume, was gradually going up as if demonstrating the buildup to this duel. While the music was getting the crowd more and more hyped, the commentator continued:

"From the red corner, we have a very promising prospect. At just 17 years old, he's become a martial arts master and has come here today to demonstrate his superior skills and fighting style. Ever since he's arrived at the arena he's been undefeated with a record of 15-0. Standing at 1,80 cm and weighing 82 kg of pure muscle, it's Gon Soku!"

Coming out of his corridor, Gon Soku demonstrated his unmatched charisma, greeting the crowd with an incredibly honest smile and a few nice gestures such as signing a few shirts and shaking some fans' hands.

"He's so nice!"

"I'm rooting for you!"

"Show 'em what you got!"

Having the crowd settles down for a bit, the announcer carried on with the other fighter's introduction:

"From the blue corner, he's one of the most trending fighters in the tower. He's come from floor 0 less than two weeks ago and he's part of the same group as "The Blaze". Having won every battle within a minute and with close to no expression on his face, he's earned the moniker "Cold-Faced". It's... "Cold-Faced" Cillian!"

Going into the arena, Cillian discreetly asked:

'Great Sage, can you show me my current status?'

[Affirmative,

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Status:

Overall power(body, soul and mind): Initial level 4 (Danmachi)

Basic Observation Haki: 95,4% mastery

Cursed Technique: Cleave and Dismantle: 36,1% mastery

Basic Body Refining Scripture: Volume 2: 11,4% completion

Nen: 2 Star: 1,2% completion

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]

'Other than nen, all other parameters haven't gone up much in the last few days... Makes sense though, I haven't had anything that stimulated them. At least yesterday afternoon I reached 2 Star nen. From that improvement I can confirm that each star of nen brings upon a significant qualitative and quantitive transformation. All in all, I finally broke through to level 4 and can now contend with active adventurers who've managed to reach level 5 not too long ago.'

Having both fighters arrived at the arena, they casually greeted each other before retreating to their respective corners.

Both fighters ready to duke it out, the referee started the countdown:

"3...2...1...Start!"

Noticing that his opponent took on an extremely careless stance, Cillian used Gyo to try and figure out if it was part of a technique. Surprisingly, Gon Soku emitted his aura and nen in such an unrefined manner that made Cillian sure his foe hadn't learnt anything about nen. He wasn't even using Zetsu as a mean to hide his nen but simply let it flow out haphazardly, indicating his non-existent experience of manipulating life energy.

Although Cillian had figured out early on that his opponent wasn't a nen user, he didn't lower his guard or look down on Soku, displaying the minimal amount of respect one should have for a fighter who risks their life every time they enter the ring.

While Cillian was in deep thought, Gon Soku, although he portrayed a very relaxed image, was everything except calm. After taking a few deep breaths in, Gon Soku thought back to what his master told him before he went to the Arena.

'Soku, don't forget, return immediately after you win your 190th Floor fight. The 200th Floor is on a whole another level. Some of the Floor Masters can even contend with me. Don't worry though, after you return I'll make sure to teach you what makes those fighters special. After you learn this power your potential and all the training we've done until now will flourish, making your strength progress by leaps and bounds. Only then can you return to Heaven's Arena and challenge the 200th Floor and its fighters, ok?

Don't worry, master. Leave everything to me!'

Reflecting on what his master said, Gon Soku realised:

'I'm sorry, master. Even though I promised you I wouldn't fight any of these monsters until I become one myself... I can't seem to hold myself back today!'

With a battle-frenzied grin, Gon Soku dashed towards Cillian, rapidly closing in before doing a taekwondo style triple kick, one to the thigh, one to the hip and the final one to the head. Not backing off, Gon Soku mixed in a bunch of different styled strikes, boxing, mma, muay tai, and many other lesser known martial arts. To the audience, it seemed like Cillian was getting pummelled by Soku's flurry of punches but, as the one sending all these strikes, Soku was getting more and more wary before finally realising that Cillian hadn't moved at all from where he was at and that none of his strikes landed. Rather, they all slid off, were dodged or blocked.

Having finally recognised what just happened, Gon Soku swiftly backed off and looked towards his opponent, trying to discern if any of his strikes had landed. After the dust settled down, Soku scanned Cillian's whole body only to find out that the sole part of Cillian's figure that was different to the start of the match were his hands which were subtly fuming, showing the strength at which Soku had hit Cillian.

'Thi-This monster...'

'He is... surprisingly strong for someone who hasn't leant nen. To have this much strength at our age in this world is giving... final boss/protagonist's secret backing vibe. It's really surprising he didn't appear in neither the anime or manga. I guess it serves to show that this truly is a "real" world and not just a scripted act.'

Seemingly enlightened, Cillian slowly walked towards Soku and used Zetsu, intending to finish the match with pure physical prowess.

Noticing his opponent's shift in mindset and even the deactivation of his mysterious power, Soku, instead of backing down or getting excited, maintained a composed expression, fully agreeing to Cillian's silent challenge.

After a few seconds, both fighters met in the middle of the arena and, without any form of communication, met the other's enthusiastic kick with one of their own. Cillian, seeing this as an opportunity to further develop his unique set of martial arts, used Great Sage to the maximum, trying to incorporate Soku's unique style with his own. Soku, on the other hand, saw this as a chance to experience the thrill of fighting a mysterious power user with a guarantee of no permanent or lethal damage.

In a matter of seconds, innumerable blows were traded, Cillian dodging almost all of them and Soku instinctively blocking most of them.

Judging that the distance was just right, Cillian launched a round-house kick right towards Soku's head, only to be met by his opponent's version of the same kick. Expecting this counter from Soku's aggressive style of martial arts, Cillian took inspiration from one of his favourite webtoons' martial art, Renewal Taekwondo, and, overpowered Soku's leg that performed the roundhouse kick before spinning and kicking his opponent's chin with his supporting leg, knocking him out cold.

"..."

"What kind of kick was that?!"

"Isn't this even more exiting than the 200th Floor fights?!"

"Incredible!!"

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