Chapter 356

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In Abel's memory, Hisoka was always tenacious about the things he was interested in, such as his obsession with Chrollo. 

Even knowing that Chrollo had dug a big trap waiting for him, Hisoka would still jump in without hesitation. What this guy pursued was something completely beyond ordinary understanding.

Now was no different. With his arms healed, Hisoka could easily use the Nen ability "Bungee Gum" to leave Heaven's Arena unnoticed and hide somewhere in the vast world. It would be almost impossible for Abel to find him. "Bungee Gum" was one of Hisoka's abilities; it could transform Hisoka's aura into a rubber-like substance. It could be used for disguise or to seal wounds to stop bleeding.

However, Abel was not worried that Hisoka would do such a thing because Hisoka's personality would never back down from finishing the game. This was why he suggested this game in the first place. Even knowing it was a trap, Hisoka would jump in without hesitation.

The door opened gently. A shadow slipped in like a ghost. At that moment, Abel had already fallen on the table, his entire face pressed down, making it unrecognizable. Hisoka quickly confirmed that the food on the table was indeed what he had sent in. Looking around, there were no signs of it being dumped or destroyed. He could almost be sure that Abel had really eaten all of it.

But why? Why was there an ominous feeling of darkness pervading the entire room?

Should he make a move? Hisoka asked himself this. The person in front of him had already been poisoned and had fallen, with flaws all over his body.

Yet, he dared not move a step forward, as if there was some immense danger hidden ahead. But in the end, Hisoka's raised foot landed. Just not forward, but backward!

Hisoka abandoned the action and chose to retreat the way he came. What made him do this was the feeling that what he had seen was all an illusion. The real situation was that a monster, eager to devour him, was lurking in the darkness, quietly waiting for its prey!

So at the last moment, he chose to give up. As Hisoka slowly closed the door, Abel, who had his head buried on the table, suddenly opened his eyes. The monster had awakened from the darkness!

"Did he sense it? Well, that makes it more interesting, Hisoka."

"I'm looking forward more and more to the next game."

Abel grinned silently. That night passed quietly with Hisoka retreating in fear.

In the morning, as soon as Abel stepped out of his room, he saw Hisoka leaning against the wall, seemingly guarding outside all night. 

"My intuition was right after all," Hisoka said. Seeing Abel in perfect condition, he instantly understood what had happened the previous night.

Had he acted rashly, he would likely have been disassembled for parts again. It had been a long time since Hisoka had met someone as "cunning" as himself. Interesting, this game was really interesting!

"You managed to reattach your arm and even move it normally; you must have found a reliable doctor," Abel noted.

"Yeah, though the treatment was expensive, and the way he got angry was terrifying—almost took my head off," replied Hisoka.

"That's a shame. By the way, last night's dish was good, I really liked it."

"As long as you liked it. I made sure to add a lot of 'special ingredients' just for you."

"The mouse that sneaked in quietly is too timid; it's kind of disappointing."

"The game has just begun, hasn't it?"

Upon meeting, neither of them seemed to have any intention to fight. Instead, they started chatting.

"So, who gave you the courage to stand in front of me and talk so confidently?"

"Small! Little! Mouse!"

Abel's expression turned as quickly as flipping a page in a book. One moment he was smiling, and the next, an overwhelming murderous aura erupted towards Hisoka. Hisoka, triggered, instinctively released his own aura filled with malice.

Blocked it?

No, that was just an illusion.

In Hisoka's vision, the opponent suddenly became incredibly enormous, looking down on him disdainfully.

Looking down?

Hisoka was startled. It was then he realized that his malicious and killing intent aura had been shattered by the opponent's overwhelming presence, a presence that screamed "I alone reign supreme."

Wave after wave of intense pressure assaulted his senses, making him feel incredibly small. At some point, a voice began to echo in his mind, growing clearer and more piercing.

"Kneel!"

"Kneel!!"

"Kneel!!!"

Unconsciously, Hisoka's knees began to bend. It felt as if a mountain weighed down on him, crushing his breath and his pride.

Just then, an announcement echoed through the broadcast system: 

"Someone has submitted a duel request. The requester is Tokoro, please, Abel, proceed to the 200th-floor information desk to confirm the venue and time."

Hearing the broadcast, Abel withdrew his conqueror's Haki. As he defeated more opponents, his domineering aura grew stronger. It was no longer a mere gimmick that worked only on weaklings but could affect even formidable foes like Hisoka. Just now, he was a breath away from completely crushing him.

"My fifth victory is coming, and your time is running out."

"Find some way to entertain me, mouse."

You arrogant?

I'm more arrogant!

You wild?

I'm wilder!

Abel walked away.

Hisoka was left standing there, beads of sweat dripping from his face. The defeat in terms of aura had left a deeper impact than losing his arms and being kicked out of the ring in previous battles. The thought that he nearly knelt down filled Hisoka with a twisted look of rage.

Unforgivable!

...

Service Desk.

Abel saw his next opponent, Tokoro, a man with long white hair and squinting eyes.

"You must be Abel. Allow me to introduce myself—I'm Tokoro. I've been training hard for the past two years after losing to Hisoka."

"Originally, I wanted to defeat Hisoka myself to break free from my inner demons and claim my tenth victory."

"But it seems I was still a step too late."

Tokoro's tone was filled with regret. He had waited long enough and couldn't afford to wait until Hisoka recovered from his injuries.

Moreover, in his view, even if Hisoka managed to reattach his arms, how much of his strength would really return?

"So, I want to fight you and start my new life."