It took nearly three months.
All the weak points that affected his combat system had been patched.
With his goals completed, there was no reason to remain in Heavens Arena.
Moro gazed into the distance.
The airship carrying Biscuit had become a tiny black dot.
Only when it disappeared completely from view did Moro retract his gaze, lowering his eyes to glance at the red "X" death mark on his left hand.
Less than half a year remained.
Thanks to Kurapika's tracking ability, he didn't need to waste time searching for Feitan.
In other words, he had enough leeway with time.
What he needed to seriously consider now was whether, with his current overall strength, he could definitely kill Feitan.
The key to victory lay in—
Successfully planting a Star Mark.
But the process leading up to that was going to be the most dangerous fight Moro had faced since his death and rebirth.
One wrong step, and Feitan could kill him in a single strike.
So, as always, the problem wasn't Feitan's Nen ability itself.
It was his ghost-like speed, and his ability to seamlessly switch Nen flow between sword techniques and footwork—his mastery of Flow.
That profound control over Flow was the foundation of Feitan's entire fighting style.
And it was the result of ten years of experience that Moro naturally lacked.
To bridge that gap forged by time, Moro had created the ability Star Convergence.
So, to raise the margin of error before planting the Star Mark, there were two things he needed to do:
Level up—at least reach Level 50, ideally somewhere between 55 and 60.
The difference in aura capacity determined how many dodges were needed to satisfy the Star Mark condition, and how long the golden chains could hold the target once the ability activated.
Against someone like Feitan, needing fewer dodges meant lower risk.
And the longer the chains held, the more time Moro would have to retreat and launch a counterattack.
This was critical.
Fully charge the second ring of his Timewheel.
Although he couldn't confirm whether the second ring still granted resurrection, he had experienced the effect of the first ring firsthand. So his instincts told him it likely would.
If he could fully charge the second ring before death struck, it would be like having a free extra life.
Originally, the Timewheel's energy had reached about 64%, with just a third left to go.
Then Chimera sapped 15% of it.
Now, with half the charge still needed, it would take just as much time and effort as leveling up.
Leveling required hunting targets with the right experience value.
Charging needed him to seek out items imbued with Forgotten Will.
All in all, he had five months…
If he couldn't do both in time, he'd have to choose one.
That's life.
Often, you face binary choices—two paths, one decision.
And making choices you won't regret… that's what matters most.
Moro quieted his thoughts and turned from the airfield.
Back at his Heavens Arena apartment, he saw Menchi still trying to feed Chimera.
But the creature ignored the food—until it saw Moro enter. Then it flapped its bizarre twig-like wings and waddled toward him on stubby legs.
The sudden change made Menchi roll her eyes.
Moro looked down at Chimera, rubbing its head against his pants leg. He bent down, picked it up, and tossed it toward the food Menchi had laid out.
This act was a clear signal.
Chimera gave an excited cry as if saying "message received!" and instantly devoured the spread.
It had been starving.
Moro and Menchi watched it scarf everything down.
"I get it now," Menchi said suddenly, clapping her fist into her palm. "Chimera wasn't refusing to eat. It was waiting for your permission. Or rather, your approval."
"Really?"
Moro eyed Chimera munching away.
Maybe because it had drained 15% of his Timewheel energy, a master-servant bond had formed between them.
But in Menchi's eyes, it just looked like Chimera saw him as a father figure or something.
In no time, the pile of food was gone.
The plates were spotless. Chimera must have been ravenous, yet without Moro's go-ahead, it hadn't touched a drop of broth.
Menchi had to wonder—
If Moro never gave the okay, would Chimera starve itself to death?
At first, she thought the creature was kind of dumb. But as they spent more time together, she realized it was anything but.
It was clever.
It could instantly understand Moro's intent from a single action, and adjusted its behavior accordingly.
Keenly observant—that was one of Chimera's traits.
For such a newborn creature, it was incredible.
Now that the feeding problem was solved, everything else became easy.
Two days later, Chimera finally accepted food from Menchi.
All thanks to Moro's permission.
That was the key.
With that barrier lifted, Chimera ate Menchi's meals and even showed her affection.
With the feeding issue resolved, Moro could leave Chimera in Menchi's care.
The hatching of the phantom beast egg had been unexpected.
But Moro realized that the Timewheel energy could be used to hatch such eggs, forming a master-servant relationship.
In theory, if he had enough Timewheel energy—and more eggs—he could hatch a whole army of beasts loyal only to him.
In that sense, he was practically born to be a Phantom Beast Hunter.
But the eggs were rare, and the beasts ate like bottomless pits while growing painfully slow.
Whatever the reason behind that, it was enough to kill the idea.
Better to be a treasure hunter like Kurapika, seeking items bound with Forgotten Will.
With Chimera in Menchi's hands, Moro had one less thing to worry about. Before leaving Heavens Arena, he needed to sell off his championship prize.
His funds were nearly gone.
Using Menchi's Hunter License, he listed the Fehemon Violin, etched with what might be ancient text, on the Hunter Website.
It was already disassembled, but a pro Hunter who needed it might still pay top price.
Next, Moro contacted appraisal expert Akesai from Yorknew's largest auction house, Nanpis, to discuss selling the Golden Geoscope, a fossilized ancient claw, and the golden scepter from the desert kingdom Selma.
Akesai was thrilled to get Moro's call, treating him with newfound respect—not for any personal reason, but because he now ruled the top floor of Heavens Arena.
Nanpis acted fast, dispatching a team to pick up the three treasures.
They promised to hold a grand auction tailored to the items, aiming for top-dollar sales.
Moro's issue with unloading his treasures was now solved.
January 15th.
Moro, Callista, Menchi gathered in Kastro's hospital room.
"Kastro, take care and recover well."
Before setting off, Moro came to say goodbye.
Kastro and Callista had known all along—a place like Heavens Arena could never hold someone like their master.
They were ready for this farewell.
"Master, I'll work hard to catch up to you."
Reclining in his hospital bed, Kastro's serious face carried a glint of aspiration.
He had seen monsters.
He had learned from one.
Now, he would become one.
He believed with enough effort, he could reach that level.
"You're more than capable, Kastro."
Moro offered his complete confidence in Kastro's goal.
Feeling that trust, Kastro smiled his usual gentle smile.
No need to say more.
But to find a guide like Moro—Kastro considered himself very lucky.
Callista looked between Kastro and Moro, and smiled softly.
Only Menchi, holding Chimera, was muttering under her breath.
Something about "abandoning" and "driving away."
After visiting Kastro, Moro left Heavens Arena, declining Callista's offer to see him off.
She and Kastro had both chosen to stay and train.
For Moro, the Arena was just a stepping stone.
But for them, it was a path full of thorns they needed to cross.
He let them stay behind.
But Yamen came to see him off.
"You staying too, Yamen?"
Moro looked sideways at him.
Yamen nodded. "Yeah. I still have a lot to work on."
"Didn't notice."
Moro smiled.
Yamen blinked, then smiled too. "If I've earned your approval, that means a lot. But it's because I see you as a benchmark that I realized how far I still have to go."
"You're giving me too much credit—and underestimating yourself."
Moro shook his head.
Yamen didn't reply. Just smiled and said, "Safe travels."
Seeing the sincerity in his face, Moro nodded and walked toward Menchi, who was waiting nearby.
That night.
An airship carrying Moro and Menchi lifted into the sky.
"You're sure about leaving Chimera with me?"
Menchi asked.
The ship would stop at a transit hub tomorrow. Then she and Moro would part ways—she'd go in search of a weapon that suited him.
But Moro wanted her to take Chimera.
Of course she wouldn't say no—but she wanted to be sure he understood.
"I'm sure. What about you? Sure you want to care for this bottomless pit?"
"I'm fine with it. And don't call Chimera that! He just has a slightly big appetite!"
She glanced down at Chimera curled up at Moro's feet and added, "But just so you know—he's just a newborn. If you let me take him now, he might forget you next time you meet."
"That's fine."
Moro also looked down at the peacefully sleeping Chimera.
It was the perfect chance to test whether their bond—formed through Timewheel energy—would fade without constant presence.
If Chimera still recognized him later, then the bond was deeper than expected.
"Don't say I didn't warn you."
Menchi scooped up Chimera and said, "I'm heading to bed. We're disembarking early. So, I'll just say bye now."
She turned to leave—
"Wait."
She froze, not turning back, hiding the nervous expression on her face.
"You're not… backing out of giving me Chimera, are you?"
"No."
Moro's eyes drifted to her waist, where a faint red glow peeked out from beneath her coat.
The hilt of the Red Jade Avian Blade.
Menchi heard his reply and sighed inwardly. Still, she tried one last bluff.
"Then what? Don't tell me you want me to stay with you tonight~?"
"You're not Biscuit."
"…Huh???"
Was that rumor true??
Moro looked calmly at her back. "So don't say things Biscuit would. Just leave the Red Jade Avian Blade before you go."
"…Tch."
Menchi hesitated, then grunted, removing the weapon and placing it on the nearby shelf.
"Here, take it!"
She flung the door open.
"Menchi."
"…What?"
"Your cooking was delicious. Thanks for everything."
"…Tch."
Her desire to slam the door vanished.
"Hmph! You're not getting any more. Savor the memories!"
She shut the door—softly.
The next morning.
Menchi disembarked with Chimera.
Soon after, the airship ascended again, heading toward the Kukuroo Mountain region.
Menchi stood still, watching the ship disappear into the sky.
Next time they met…
Would be when she found a weapon worthy of him.
She turned and booked a flight to the Land of Flowing Sakura, famous for its swordsmithing.
Moro was off to Kukuroo Mountain.
Her next stop: the legendary land of blades.
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50 Powerstones? (5 Bonus Chapters)
20 Advance Chapters: patreon.com/milezen