Just now, Larry had used his ability to scan the three fighters in front of him. As expected, their ranks were C-level at best. The experience they could provide was so negligible that it might as well be free. But even free experience wasn't worth his time. Gido, Riehvelt, and Sadaso, seeing Larry's lack of reaction, assumed he was too weak to respond. With smug expressions, they confidently stepped forward to fill out the registration form. They were fully prepared to use Larry as a stepping stone—an easy victory to advance their ranks.
Larry finally spoke. "With your level of strength…" He raised his head slightly, golden eyes narrowing. "You actually have the guts to use me as a stepping stone?"
Before they could respond, a crushing force descended upon them. The narrow hallway was suddenly filled with a dense, electric orange aura—a sea of raw, unrestrained aura that crackled like lightning, violently surging in all directions. Compared to this ocean of power, they were nothing more than tiny boats caught in a storm.
The sheer pressure paralyzed their bodies. Their limbs trembled uncontrollably, cold sweat dripping down their backs. Gido's knees buckled, his cane clattering to the ground as he collapsed. Riehvelt, still sitting in his wheelchair, felt as if his entire body was sinking into the floor. If he weren't already paralyzed, he might have fallen over as well. But the worst reaction came from Sadaso. His already unsettling, ghoul-like face twisted in pure horror. His jaw dropped open, frozen in an expression eerily similar to "The Scream"—a grotesque mix of terror and disbelief.
One thought screamed through their minds— 'This is a real monster.' Not just an ordinary strong fighter. Not just someone above them in rank.
This was a calamity-level opponent—someone whose aura was so vast, so beyond comprehension, that even the champion of the 251st floor couldn't compare. And for a brief moment, in their gyo, they saw something— A dragon's silhouette, coiling behind Larry like a manifestation of pure power. Larry walked past them without another glance.
To him, they weren't even worth acknowledging. They weren't even fit to be his Pokémon experience points. He needed to find the floor masters as soon as possible. If they were anything like these three, then there was no point in wasting his time.
As he pondered his next move, a small smirk crept onto his lips. An idea had come to mind. A good one. Not long after Larry left, another figure stepped out of the shadows. She had been there the entire time, watching. Her face was cold and expressionless, her icy blue eyes showing little emotion. Short, pinkish-purple hair framed her delicate but deadly features. She wore a martial artist's training robe, but the form-fitting design, paired with dark purple stockings, gave her a sharp, lethal beauty. She glanced at the three failures as they limped away, completely broken.
A flicker of solemnity passed through her eyes. Even though she had only sensed it for an instant, that presence—that power—was something far beyond what she had ever felt. Even beyond the strength of the entire Phantom Troupe. Her instincts, honed by years of battle, told her one undeniable truth. 'That man… is a monster.'
Her name was Machi—a core member of the Phantom Troupe. A cold-blooded killer, someone who rarely felt intimidated.
But what she had just sensed?
It was on another level entirely. For a moment, she frowned, trying to process it. And then— Her sharp eyes gleamed. The solemnity faded, replaced by a fiery, eager expression. Not fear. Excitement. 'That man… Larry, was it?' She could make a lot of money off of him.
The next morning, Larry stood at the entrance of Sky Arena, accepting a special interview arranged by the officials.
A bright, cheerful female reporter stood next to him, microphone in hand, flashing a charming smile at the camera. "Hello, everyone!" she said enthusiastically. "Our interviewee today is the rising star who took the Sky Arena by storm yesterday—Mr. Larry!" She gestured toward him dramatically. "Mr. Larry has made an explosive debut—in just one day, he climbed straight to the 200th floor, shattering multiple records in the process!"
The screen behind them played clips of Larry's instant KOs, looping repeatedly. His fights had become a phenomenon, stirring massive curiosity. The reporter turned to him eagerly. "Not only that," she continued, "but every time Mr. Larry fights, his opponents are defeated in an instant! No one has been able to witness his true strength! A mystery that has left both fans and experts baffled…
So, Mr. Larry!" She held the microphone toward him. "Now that you've reached the 200th floor, what's next for you? Will you collect your prize and leave? Or will you continue fighting, challenging the legendary floor masters?" She leaned in slightly, eyes gleaming with anticipation.
Of course, from her perspective, it would be best if Larry continued fighting. If he did, her interview ratings would skyrocket—and so would her bonus.
What she didn't know was that Larry's answer would do far more than just confirm his next move. It would shake the entire Sky Arena to its core.
"Hello, everyone. I'm Larry." He spoke into the microphone, his lips curling into a confident smile. "First of all, I just want to make one thing clear—I'll keep challenging in the Sky Arena." The moment his words echoed through the live broadcast, countless women watching were immediately drawn to his charisma. His playful yet composed expression only added to his appeal. "But more importantly, I'm here to issue a challenge to all the Floor master. Show me how strong you really are!"
A hush fell over the press conference as Larry handed the microphone back to the reporter. For a moment, the poor woman seemed frozen, as if her brain had just shut down.
Had she heard that right?
The realization only sank in when Larry added, "Of course, if any of you are too scared to fight, I totally understand." Gasps filled the room. The statement was so direct, so provocative, that it instantly set the stage for a spectacle. Larry had thrown down the gauntlet—on live television, no less—forcing the Floor Masters to respond.