Gon and Killua stared, frozen.
Ryker's fist glowed red, radiating a heat that distorted the air. His skin flushed as blood pumped through his veins like hydraulic fluid.
[Divine Strength] (Red).
The pressure was suffocating. Even in the corner, Killua felt his throat tighten.
What is this power?!
If that punch lands... the airship will explode!
Killua turned pale. He thought he knew Ryker's strength. He had seen him punch a man into the sky. He had seen him slaughter pigs and spiders. But this?
This was different.
This was a catastrophe.
A massive shadow seemed to rise behind Ryker, blotting out the light. It felt... like Illumi. No. Like Grandpa Zeno.
Netero's eyes widened.
He's insane!
The Chairman calculated the trajectory instantly.
If Ryker punched the floor with that much force, he would punch a hole straight through the hull. At this altitude, rapid decompression would rip the airship apart. Everyone—the candidates, the crew, the kids—would die.
Netero would survive. He could survive the fall.
But the Exam would be over. The Association would be ruined.
The ball didn't matter anymore.
Netero moved.
He abandoned the game. He abandoned his "one hand, one leg" rule.
He became a blur of motion, rushing to intercept the fist before it made contact with the floor.
BOOM!
Fist met palm.
Netero caught it. But he didn't use Nen. If he used his 100-Type Guanyin Bodhisattva here, the ship would disintegrate anyway.
So he used pure physical technique.
Supersonic Fist (Red).
He softened the blow, absorbing the kinetic energy into his own body to prevent the shockwave from shattering the hull.
But the moment they connected, Netero regretted holding back.
Ryker's fist felt like a molten wrecking block.
Crack.
The floorboards beneath Netero splintered. The old man was forced to take a step back to disperse the force.
"Whew!" Netero exhaled, shaking his stinging hand. "You really are a little lunatic, Ryker-kun!"
Caught it.
Disaster averted.
But then Netero realized something.
His hand was empty.
He had used both hands to catch Ryker's fist.
Which meant... he had dropped the ball.
The volleyball bounced once on the floor.
Ryker reached out with his free hand and caught it.
"Gotcha."
Netero blinked.
I lost?
I... Isaac Netero... lost to a kid?
I got baited.
[DING! You have defeated Isaac Netero (Victory Condition Met).]
[Rolling for Copy (10%)... Success!]
[Acquired: [Absolute Will] (Red).]
Red Trait!
Ryker checked the stats, hiding his disappointment.
Trait: [Absolute Will] (Red) (Passive)
Effect: You possess the ultimate mental fortitude. Immunity to fear, coercion, and mental interference. You can maintain 100% combat efficiency even when critically injured or near death.
Damn. No [Bodhisattva]. No [Black Tier] martial arts.
Still, a Red passive was incredible. Immunity to mental attacks? That was a hard counter to manipulators like Illumi or terror-inducing auras like the Royal Guards. Plus, fighting at full strength while dying? That was a berserker's dream.
"Yay!! Ryker did it! He beat the old man!" Gon jumped up, cheering wildly.
"So that was it..." Killua whispered, eyes wide.
He finally understood.
Ryker never intended to destroy the ship. He threatened mutual destruction to force Netero to act. It was a gambit. A bluff backed by a nuclear warhead.
If Netero hesitated, we all died. If he acted, he dropped the ball.
Ryker bet our lives on Netero's conscience.
It was terrifying. It was brilliant.
And the Rhythm Echo...
Ryker had used Killua's own technique to confuse Netero initially. He learned it in seconds.
Killua looked at his own hands.
I thought I was a genius. Grandpa said I was a one-in-a-century talent. I learned Rhythm Echo in three days.
Ryker learned it in three seconds.
For the first time, Killua felt the crushing weight of a true monster.
"I need to get stronger," Killua muttered, clenching his fists. "Much stronger."
Netero sighed, scratching his head.
"Well played. I didn't expect to be outsmarted like that. As agreed, you win."
The old man reached into his robe.
"I can grant you your Hunter License right now."
Ryker tossed the ball back to Netero.
"No thanks, Chairman."
"Eh?" Netero paused.
"I want to earn it properly," Ryker said with a righteous expression. "A Hunter License represents honor and fairness. Taking a shortcut would be an insult to the other candidates."
"However..." Ryker smiled slyly. "Since you feel bad about losing... let's just say you owe me a favor."
Netero stared at him. Then he burst out laughing.
"BWAHAHAHA! You reject the license but ask for a favor from the Chairman? You greedy little brat!"
A favor from Isaac Netero was worth ten licenses. Maybe a hundred.
Ryker had traded a piece of plastic for a "Get Out of Jail Free" card from the strongest man in the world.
"Fine! One favor. Within reason," Netero agreed, wiping a tear from his eye. "You really are an interesting one, Ryker."
It was the best outcome for everyone. Netero didn't have to deal with the V5 complaining about him handing out licenses arbitrarily, and Ryker got a powerful connection.
The airship continued its journey through the night.