Chapter 32: Ascension—Greedy Schemer Auren—Wake-Up Call

Auren wakes up after a night of training, and now has a full day off with free time before his big fight tomorrow.I need to obtain more money. I have a plan that will make me rich forever, but I'm not confident in it yet. Until then, I need to find other ways to earn.

He texts Konrad, “Don’t forget to bet the max on me for my next fights. They’ll probably do a background check and realise I’m a new Hunter, but even if the odds are terrible, we will still earn some money by betting huge amounts.”

Shortly after, Konrad replies, “Heaven’s Arena is smart. They only allow bets up to a certain amount, and the odds are adjusted in real time. However, I’ve already hired an agency that uses multiple proxy bettors. We’ll have to share some profits, but there’s no other way. I’ll transfer your cut after the fight.”

Not bad. He’s reliable and useful.

Auren decides to use his time to visit the official Hunter Website, also known as the Hunter's Tavern. Before he can access it, he buys a brand-new laptop and connects from his room.

Using it in Heaven’s Arena should be safe enough. This place is huge, and it’s common knowledge that many Hunters are around. No one will suspect anything.

First, he creates two separate requests. One specifically asks for original and authentic Ben’s Knives, offering to buy them at a premium. The other is a broader request for any weapons, clothing items, or tools useful in combat.

Money is for spending!

He then spends a few hundred thousand Jenny on detailed information about Heaven’s Arena's 200th class and Floor Masters.

Despite the level of detail—often including video footage—Auren pays only 215,000 Jenny for information on over a hundred fighters.

It’s public info. Probably several people record and sell this stuff, which keeps the price low. Still, fighting here means exposing yourself. I know I said my ability can be exposed, but do I want it to be this visible?

As Auren watches more information, he manages to spot a specific pattern among the fighters.

One group is composed of fighters initiated into Nen through forced trauma. They’re often crippled or severely wounded, with permanent injuries that shape their abilities. Many base their skills on whatever they lost.

How simple-minded… Lose an arm, then come up with an ability that basically replaces or mimics an arm.

They use Nen to regain or compensate for their disability. That’s a weak mindset. Those abilities are all pathetic.

Many of the stronger fighters don’t even have a proper Hatsu. And those that do? Their abilities are predictable and dull.

Even some of the Floor Masters. One emits exploding bubbles, another conjures spikes, and one enhances his fist enough to shatter the ground. These are Floor Masters, and that's all they can do? I see at least ten I could beat easily. This is good.

Alright, new goal. I’ll become a Floor Master without even using my Hatsu! I don’t need to reveal Limitless Waters. Basic and Advanced applications of Nen should be enough!

The day of the fight arrives.

Standing opposite Auren is an elderly martial artist in his sixties.

Auren gives him a quick look but senses nothing unusual.

Let’s see how my technique compares.

“Welcome, everyone! Hope you’re ready for a fight like no other! Tonight, we bring you something special! Our newest fighter, straight from floor 1 to floor 150—welcome Auren!” a female announcer shouts, her voice echoing through the arena.

The crowd bursts into applause as a short clip plays, showing Auren's previous victory—how he tossed his opponent aside with ease, throwing him into the audience seats, winning in a single move.

“He’s up against a fighting veteran—please welcome Dilira!”

Auren looks up at the screen. It shows Dilira using a martial style that reminds him of Chinese Kenpo.

He’s not weak. He fights decently strong opponents, but he’s not using Aura. I should be fine. This is a good way to compare only my bodily strength and unarmed technique.

The referee calls both fighters forward and reviews the rules. “Same point system as always! Ignore my calls and you're disqualified!”

“Get in position!”

Meanwhile, the betting odds are displayed. To Auren’s surprise, they show him behind his opponent.

What?! Konrad's got millions riding on this fight. How are the odds even? Does Dilira have some kind of support? I can’t believe this, we are in luck tonight.

“Begin!” The Referee shouts!

The match starts, and Dilira dashes forward.

Auren grins and transforms both his hands into claws.

Dilira jabs rapidly, but Auren slips through them with ease. Suddenly, Dilira launches a heavy low kick. Auren leaps over it, then counters with a slash of his claws. Dilira blocks as best as he can, but Auren’s sharp claws tear into his hands, drawing blood, deep cuts appearing on Dilira’s arms and hands.

“Critical Hit! 2-0 Auren,” the referee calls.

Dilira screams in pain, then retaliates with a desperate punch.

Auren smiles, reading it clearly, and raises both hands to block it effortlessly.

Before the punch connects, Auren suddenly senses a surge of Aura from Dilira! Instinctively, he shifts his own Aura, generated just from his Ten, to focus on his arms. But even with the quick reaction, the hit lands hard—Auren is blasted backwards, sent flying out of the ring.

“Clean Hit & Down! 2-2!” the referee calls out.

“WOW, EVERYONE! This fight is so fast and intense I can barely keep up! Fighter Auren landed a brilliant combination of strikes that drew blood, seriously injuring Dilira—but in a shocking turn, Dilira delivered a massive counter, launching Auren out of the ring like a broken puppet! He’s taken serious damage! Can he recover in time?!” the announcer yells, her voice laced with tension.

Auren lies there, nose bleeding, eyes fixed on the lights above the arena. A vicious grin spreads across his face.

You are dead.

“Auren, you have ten seconds to return to the ring! One... two... three... four!” the referee begins the count.

Slowly, Auren pulls himself up and steps back into the ring at the count of eight, wiping the blood from his face.

“Incredible! Auren is back in the ring! The score is tied, two to two! Where will this battle go next?!” the announcer cries, the crowd roaring behind her.

If that bastard had used Ko... I’d be dead or in pieces. Lesson learned, Auren. Arrogance nearly got you killed.

“Resume!” the referee shouts.

Dilira, eager to finish it, charges in. His Aura is now fully flaring, unrestrained.

With a smile, Auren lets his own Aura flood out and meets him head-on. The moment Dilira senses it, his expression changes—he throws up a guard, surprised, focusing solely on defense.

Ko.

Auren ignores the guard completely, swinging his claw-hand with precision. It’s a vertical sword-like movement borrowed from a technique his master had once taught him for use with a katana.

In one clean arc, both of Dilira’s arms—used for blocking—are severed. Blood sprays into the air.

“Critical Hit!… The match is—” the referee begins, but before he can finish, Auren is already moving again. He launches forward and slams his foot into Dilira’s chest, using Ko with full force. The blow sends Dilira crashing into the arena wall, the impact deep enough to embed his limp body into the stone.

I felt his chest cave in. He’s done. That’s what you get for trying to murder me with a surprise Nen attack.

“STOP! THIS FIGHT IS OVER!” the referee yells, frantically waving his arms. Dozens of Heaven’s Arena staff rush toward Dilira, who remains completely motionless.

“Unbelievable! I don’t even know how to describe what we just witnessed! Auren cut off Dilira’s arms and then kicked him across the arena with brutal force—just like how he was thrown out earlier! A twisted and cruel revenge! The match was short, but every Jenny spent on a ticket was worth it!”

Good riddance.

As Auren leaves the arena, he’s met by Konrad.

“So, how much did we earn?”

“Auren, are you alright? Your nose…”

“It’s broken. I’ll be fine in a day or two. Just tell me how much we made.”

“Not sure yet... but after expenses, at least 200 million,” Konrad says.

“Good. Cover the costs and wire me the money. I’m going to my room,” Auren replies.

That’s the last time I hold back. I don’t care if my opponents suffer. I can’t afford dumb risks anymore. Arrogance almost cost me everything.

Back in his room, Auren uses Azure Restoration to heal his broken nose, returning his body to peak condition within minutes.

Weeks pass, and Auren finally reaches the 200th floor. In every fight since Dilira, he’s used Ren, but always with calculated restraint—just enough to avoid crippling or awakening his opponents. Using Ryu, he precisely manages his Aura output, deliberately weakening his attacks compared to a balanced use of Ren.

Altogether, Auren earns around 200 million directly from Heaven’s Arena. Combined with betting profits, his total earnings reach 500 million. After his first explosive win, the odds on him tanked, and despite heavy bets, only modest profits followed.

Still, to Auren’s surprise, two individuals respond to his request about Ben’s Knives. Trusting the Hunter’s Website, he transfers 20 million and 30 million Jenny respectively to each seller. They promise to deliver the weapons to a local bank within a few weeks.

Meanwhile, Konrad invests a staggering 5 billion Jenny—almost all his savings—into a new pharmaceutical company. He transfers Auren a 51% ownership, keeping 49% for himself.

“We’re going for a quick and dirty use of the Copperleaves,” Konrad explains. “Cluck is doing research, too, but we can’t match her in quality. So instead, we’ll focus on basic anti-inflammatory medication. It should outclass what’s currently on the market. Our scientists are studying the four herbs to figure out how they work—and trying to either find cheap alternatives or synthesize what we need. I think we’ll have something ready in a few months. My father promised to fast-track approval.”

“Sounds great, Konrad,” Auren replies.

This guy… he scraped together five billion? He’s richer than I thought.

At last, Auren decides it’s time.

He steps forward and registers himself as a new fighter on the 200th floor.