'Was dragging himself up from severe injuries just to say the words 'I surrender'?'
Anyone with good eyes could see that Hisoka was on the verge of collapse, with severe internal and external injuries. Even those without such discernment could tell that Hisoka was seriously injured, looking as though he might fall at any moment.
Seeing that Hisoka had no intention of continuing the fight and had uttered words of surrender, the referee immediately declared Law the winner of the match.
As the referee made the announcement, the commentator's voice congratulating Law on his victory echoed throughout the arena. In an instant, the venue erupted into a deafening roar that seemed ready to lift the roof.
The tenth victory! This means that Law has won the ticket to challenge a Floor Master with a perfect record.
All eyes in the venue were fixed on Law. This was the treatment for the winner, while the loser could only quietly exit the ring.
Hisoka slowly retracted his eerie smile, then ignored the medical staff rushing toward him. Dragging his severely injured body, he turned and walked toward the exit passage.
That final punch had been filled with killing intent that struck straight to the core.
Hisoka knew very well that Law's last punch had been a genuine attempt to kill him, but he had barely managed to withstand it.
'What a pity, isn't it?'
Hisoka's eyes were calm, showing not a trace of the emotions a defeated person should have.
Each step toward the exit passage was agonizing. Every cell in his body seemed to cry out in pain, the intense suffering everywhere, relentlessly simulating his nerves.
Hisoka endured this pain and his battered face remained expressionless. His gaze is fixed on the passageway not far ahead. He had to reach it to enter what could truly be considered a safe zone.
Everyone in the venue was focused on Law, so no one noticed Hisoka leaving. Only the two staff members carrying the stretcher and Law himself watched as Hisoka slowly made his way toward the passage.
Law stood on the ring and watched quietly, while the two staff members chased after Hisoka. After all, their duty was to quickly transport the injured loser to receive medical treatment.
'Wait a bit.'
Law silently watched Hisoka's back as he was about to enter the passage and suppressed the urge to chase after him.
Each entrance and exit passage was quite long. With Hisoka's injuries, it would take him at least ten minutes to walk out of the passage. But with the interference of the two staff members, it would likely only take five minutes to get Hisoka out.
Before the match, Hisoka had made a bet, saying, 'Do whatever you want with me'. But Law didn't believe it for a second, which was why during the fight, he hadn't missed a single opportunity to deliver a fatal blow.
If he wanted to kill Hisoka now, he couldn't do it in front of everyone. He had to wait until Hisoka entered the passage, then wait another three minutes before following. Even if he was too late, he could still find Hisoka in the medical room.
Watching Hisoka disappear into the passage, Law withdrew his gaze and found himself standing amidst the fanatical gazes of countless fans, with his ears filled with voices that were too excited to express in words.
The reporters, who had already occupied the nearest audience seats, immediately pounced on the stage like wolves and tigers.
The outcome of this match was different from before. This was Law's tenth victory, and next up was the Floor Master challenge. They had to get an interview with Law this time.
The reporters rushed onto the ring and seeing that Law wasn't turning to leave as he had done in previous matches, they grew excited. One by one, they pushed their microphones toward him.
"Mr. Law, now that you've achieved ten victories, is there a Floor Master you wish to challenge?"
"Mr. Law, how are you feeling right now?"
"Mr. Law, there have been rumors of a grudge between you and Mr. Atomu. Is that true?"
…
Inside the passageway, not a single person could be seen. Although the match had ended, Law was still on the ring, so the audience remained in the venue, leaving the passage completely empty.
After entering the passage, Hisoka had only walked a few dozen meters before leaning against the wall, his eyelids drooping, looking half-dead.
He propped himself up against the wall, supporting his swaying body, and said with his head lowered, "I almost died. "
However, these words were not spoken to himself but to someone else.
As soon as he finished speaking, a black-haired boy slowly emerged from the shadows where the light couldn't reach. Judging by his appearance, he was only two or three years younger than Hisoka.
"Knowing you can't win, but you still charged in head-on, isn't that stupid?" The young man looked at Hisoka, whose face was nearly destroyed, and there's a hint of confusion in his unusual black eyes.
This person was Illumi, though it was unclear why he was here or what his relationship with Hisoka was.
"Before the fight started, I wanted to win." Hisoka raised his head slightly and looked at Illumi.
"Oh, I don't believe that." Illumi said flatly.
"Is my word... really that untrustworthy?" Hisoka's twitched, making his already battered features look even more hideous.
"Of course." Ilmi suddenly raised his hand, holding two bead-headed needles between his fingertips, and said calmly: "The fact that I'm here is proof that you weren't confident enough."
"I feel very troubled when you say that." Hisoka's lips curled into a grin.
Illumi still had a blank expression on his face as he continued, "Besides, the bet you made with Law before the match… you never intended to honor it from the start, did you?"
Hisoka shrugged and said, "Since the fight was meant to kill the other, what's the point of a bet?"
"But you survived." Illumi pointed out bluntly.
"Ah~" Hisoka lowered his head and said, "It's not a good habit to like to sabotage others so much."
"Enough with the nonsense."
Illumi shook his head slightly, and flicked his hand toward the direction of approaching footsteps. Two bead-headed needles shot out and pierced the heads of the two staff members rushing over.
"Perfect timing. This way, I don't have to carry you myself."
Illumi watched as the two staff members, whose expressions had become dazed, and ordered them to come over.
This is his Nen Ability. He can inject his Aura into the bead-headed needle, and he can control anything that is pierced by the needle.
After the two staff members were pierced by the bead-headed needles, they instantly turned into Needle People. In a sense, at that moment, they had lost their souls, turning them into walking corpses.
"We need to hurry. He'll catch up." Hisoka reminded, his consciousness almost blurry.
This was a battle that he knew he had no chance of winning before it even started, but Hisoka tried to find a glimmer of chance of winning. In the end, he failed, and now he had to bear the risks and consequences.
However, the preparations he made before the match were meant to minimize those risks, which was why Illumi was here to back him up.
Hisoka had always been a lone wolf. His acquaintance with Illumi was a matter of chance and coincidence, but they weren't exactly friends. Their relationship was more like a long-term partnership.
This wasn't an assassination request but a reinforcement one, yet Illumi had accepted it. And the only person Hisoka could turn to for such a task was him.
"Don't worry. If he catches up…"
Illumi ordered the Needle People to carry Hisoka onto a stretcher, then walked quickly ahead, and said, "I will leave you behind without hesitation."
Just before losing consciousness, Hisoka heard Illumi's irresponsible words and showed a weak, bitter smile.
"If it's not necessary, I'd rather not face him..." Illumi looked ahead and quickened his pace.
After hearing Illumi's final words, Hisoka finally passed out.