Gazelle Steps.
Morrow, of course, didn't know the name of this footwork.
After all, he had indeed stolen this technique from the long-haired woman.
Not that he had deliberately set out to learn it.
But over the course of eighteen matches, she was the only opponent who had used any footwork at all.
So, strictly speaking, this was the sole technique he had managed to pick up through observation and analysis in the arena.
The footwork relied on the balls of the feet for propulsion, allowing for nimble, agile movements in both advance and retreat.
Pivoting on the heels enabled rapid changes in direction, much like a gazelle darting across the plains.
Mastering the mechanics wasn't particularly difficult; the real challenge lay in the explosive power required to transition between stillness and motion.
But this issue could be resolved with the enhancement of aura.
This was also the fundamental reason why Morrow, despite having only recently learned the technique, could execute it even better than the long-haired woman.
Truly overconfident.
Retreating to the center of the arena, Morrow wiped a finger across his slightly swollen cheek, his gaze calm as he observed Tygor standing at the edge of the ring.
After several exchanges, he had already discerned the nature of Tygor's Nen ability.
It was a power that imbued his aura with concussive force—essentially enhancing the penetrating power of his strikes beyond what Gyo alone could achieve.
Since Transmuters weren't particularly skilled at projecting aura outward, the ability could only be utilized effectively in close-quarters combat.
More importantly, if both fists and elbows could serve as emission points for the ability, then other parts of the body likely could as well.
This was a purely combat-oriented ability, perfectly suited to Tygor's needs.
The reason Morrow considered Tygor overly confident, however, was that there had been no need for him to reveal his ability so soon.
After all, most Nen abilities held some degree of tactical value as first-encounter killers.
His own Deceptive Shooting Star was one such example, and Tygor's Transmuter ability was no different.
If Morrow had been the one wielding Tygor's ability, he would have initiated normal attacks with jabs, probing for weaknesses in his opponent's defense during the fight before delivering a decisive, amplified strike.
Given the first-encounter advantage, there was a high probability of ending the battle in a single blow.
But Tygor had gone straight for his ability from the outset, completely wasting its tactical potential.
This spoke volumes about his blind overconfidence.
Still, in a stage like Heavens Arena, where fighters sought to showcase their prowess, holding back was hardly an option, sooner or later, Nen abilities would inevitably be revealed.
But Morrow, bound by the Limitation of enemies could strike at any moment, had no intention of using his Nen ability in the ring unless absolutely necessary.
Tygor, you should be grateful for that…
If he hadn't cared about exposing his ability, knowing Tygor's Nen would have given him all the tools to craft a lethal counter-strategy, one that would make Tygor pay dearly for his blind arrogance.
But there was no if.
Keeping his expression neutral, Morrow watched Tygor's next move, a thought forming in his mind, perhaps he could use this fight to refine his footwork.
—--
Unaware of Morrow's internal calculations, Tygor, driven by an overwhelming desire to attack, charged at him once more without hesitation.
With sharp, piercing whistles through the air, a flurry of deadly fists enveloped Morrow in their shadow. Morrow's concentration reached its peak at this moment. While continuously dodging the jabs, he could only keep retreating.
In just a brief moment, Tygor had thrown over a hundred punches.
Due to the sudden extension of his attacks during the rapid assault, Morrow, despite focusing on defense, was inevitably hit a few times.
Fortunately, his focus was entirely on defense, and the timely dissipation of force from his footwork prevented those punches from affecting his physical condition.
One minute, two minutes…
As time passed, Tygor threw hundreds of consecutive punches during this period. Though he occasionally landed hits on Morrow, none were critical.
I can see it clearly…
Amid the ultra-high-intensity evasion, Morrow gradually adapted to Tygor's punching rhythm. Combined with his increasingly smooth and natural footwork, the situation was no longer as perilous as it had been at the start.
This high-intensity offensive and defensive exchange had lasted until now, and no matter how Tygor adjusted the angle of his aura extension, he could no longer land a hit on Morrow.
Tygor noticed this, and the arrogance he had displayed earlier vanished, replaced by frustration.
"Are you just going to keep dodging… you damn rat?!"
His frustration increased the speed of his punches, but at the cost of losing form.
Morrow ignored Tygor's words.
He didn't know how to describe the sensation he was feeling now.
Every time he dodged one of Tygor's punches, every time he glimpsed the extended aura grazing past him…
He found himself craving Tygor's next punch to come even faster.
And he would dodge it, like a wheel drifting at the very edge of a curve.
Perhaps it was the sense of achievement he derived from it, or perhaps it was pure exhilaration.
This experience made him revel in it.
Even in the midst of this storm-like onslaught, he still had the mental space to think.
As if, in these fleeting gaps, he had gained an additional pair of eyes, observing from a detached perspective.
When the ceiling lights shone down on the stage, he could almost see the dust swirling in the air currents.
And in the flow of Tygor's aura, he could see…
Impatience. Anger.
He's getting desperate.
That's what Morrow thought.
—--
The fight on the stage was intense, and the audience was just as fervent.
Especially Tygor's supporters, who believed he had been dominating Morrow from start to finish, their faces flushed with excitement, veins bulging.
But those who didn't understand Nen couldn't grasp the intricacies of those few minutes in the ring.
"Meditator Morrow…"
Among the spectators, a Nen user muttered Morrow's name in astonishment.
Morrow and Tygor had fought their way up to the higher floors, and the strength they displayed along the way had naturally drawn the attention of the 200th-floor fighters.
Thus, many of them had come to watch this match in person.
As Nen users, what they saw was different from the ordinary audience.
"He… is getting stronger. Rapidly growing stronger in the midst of battle…!"
Eyes locked on Morrow, one of the 200th-floor fighters was dumbfounded.
Had he not seen it with his own eyes, he would never have believed someone could show such rapid improvement in just a few minutes of combat.
This sentiment was shared by most of the 200th-floor fighters present.
They could see Morrow's footwork evolving from slightly awkward to proficient.
They could also see his terrifying adaptability in the high-intensity exchange, adjusting at an alarming speed. This was the first time they saw another side of Morrow after abandoning his meditative stance, a truly terrifying side...
"Tygor is finished."
A Nen user with nine victories on the 200th floor stood up and left.
"When a blade loses its edge, when a fist thrown with all one's strength can no longer harm others...
Then defeat is inevitable."
—--
And indeed, the fierce battle on the arena lost all suspense.
Tygor had lost his sharpest fangs, while Morrow, well-rested and waiting, merely seized an opportunity to send Tygor crashing to the ground in an instant.
As Tygor fell…
The shouts from the audience seats abruptly ceased, replaced by expressions of disbelief.
Tygor had clearly been dominating the fight...
So why had he suddenly been struck down by Morrow in a single blow?!
—--
From one of the seats in the audience, the handsome man who had been observing Morrow all along suddenly stood up.
"There must be... some unknown force beyond my comprehension..."
The handsome man gazed at the arena, his eyes filled with longing.