Chapter 2: The Marathon
The first phase of the examination started when an odd-looking man -who was supposed to be the examiner- came out of nowhere. The total participants were down to four hundred and six, the one eliminated was the one whose arms was mutilated by Hisoka. Once the proctor explained the many horrendous possibilities that may occur during the examination, everyone was asked to follow his lead.
They started walking at a normal pace and everyone started to doubt if this was a part of the examination. Their doubts were soon proven right when the proctor started quickening his pace, leaping forward in an almost inhuman way and he started introducing himself as he did. "Oh, and by the way, I am Satotz and I am in charge of the first round. My job is to lead you to the place where the second round is."
It was a test of endurance. They were to follow the proctor and no one knew how far and how long it would take for them to reach their destination.
A young boy, around Gon's age went past Gon's group with a skateboard and Leorio couldn't help but yelled at him. "Hey you, that's cheating!"
He was slowing the pace of his skateboard with one of his feet as he looked back at Leorio and simply asked. "Why?" Leorio couldn't tell if the brat was actually ignorant or just feigning innocent just to tick him off.
"Because this is a test of endurance!"
"Really?" Milda asked him, the same way the silver haired kid did.
The four teenagers turned their heads to where she was and almost trip over their own foot when they saw her sitting sideways on a huge black horse. "Just where the hell did that horse come from?!" Leorio questioned in utter bewilderment.
"Eh? Where's Zaito-san?" Gon asked, looking around for any sign of the butler. He swore he was with them just before they started quickened their pace.
"He's here." Milda pointed down at the horse she was riding on.
"HAAA?!" All four boys stared at Zaito in his horse form with eyes the size of saucers.
"Tsk, We'll be left behind if we don't move." The horse literally spoke in Zaito's voice and the look it gave them... Its brash attitude confirmed their doubts on whether or not it was really Zaito.
"H-How did you-" Leorio started.
"This is his power." Milda explained briefly. "Well, any of you want to hop on? He can fit about one more adult or two kids."
Looking at this as a chance to get 'close' to Milda, Leorio made a perverted facial expression that sent shivers through the other three teenagers and irked Zaito to his core. "Then I'll be-"
"Anyone but you, you perverted freak!" Zaito kicked him to the wall with his hoofs.
Gon, Kurapika and Milda sweat dropped at the sight of Leorio's half-unconcious form under a pile of rubbles, compiled from the impact Zaito caused to the wall. "Well, I say he deserves it." The mysterious young boy said with a shrug.
Leorio leaped up furiously vigorous from the rubble. "What the hell is your problem you stinking horse!" he came face to face with Zaito, spraying his words in his face.
"Hey, hey, this isn't the time to fight!" Kurapika pulled Leorio away and got himself in between the two raging bulls.
"Hey everyone, I think we are being left behind." Gon pointed out. There was no one else behind them.
"Let's go Leorio." Kurapika said, dragging his still fuming friend by his shirt.
"Hey tell me, how old are you?" the silver haired boy stopped Gon on his tracks before he could follow Kurapika and Leorio.
"I am twelve."
"Hm, just like me." He murmured. "I am Killua, and you?"
"I'm Gon."
Killua looked up at Milda. A slight blush on his face as his eyes accidentally lingered on her barely covered thigh. "What about you lady? And who is this horsey anyway?" he pointed at the glaring horse.
"Ah, I am Milda Faery, but Milda is fine and this horsey here is my butler, Kunzite, we usually call him Zaito."
"And that blonde guy?"
"I'm Kurapika." He waved back from the distance he had walked.
"What about that ossan over there?" Killua pointed ahead at Leorio who now stood behind Kurapika.
(A/N: to those who haven't already know, ossan is uncle, or old/older man in his thirties or forties.)
"For heaven's sake, how many times do I have to say this? I am not that old!" Leorio yelled, pointed a finger to his chest. "I am a teenager just like you guys!"
"ARE YOU SURE?!" everyone exclaimed in unison, the shocking revelation was like a fist knocking the wind out of them.
"Damn it you all! I'll never speak to any of you ever again." Leorio declared dejectedly and immaturely stuck out his tongue before he ran past Kurapika.
"Oh come on Leorio!" Gon called out, trying to catch up to Leorio and apologize. Kurapika and Killua followed their lead.
"Ne Zaito." Milda jumped off her butler's furry back as she spoke. "I think I'm also going to run. Bye-bye." She waved and started running without first taking off her high heels and she caught up to the others as if running on those high platforms was her second nature.
Zaito returned to his original human form as he watched them running together. His lady was talking animatedly with them, laughing gleefully at something Gon said. The butler of the Faery's house couldn't help but smiled. It had been a while since he saw lady Milda that happy.
When they finally caught up with the other applicants, Kurapika noted they had been running for more than three hours, around 40 kilometers and he wondered how much further they had to run. To his surprise, Milda, the delicate looking young lady can keep up with them in those killer shoes and she didn't look tired at all. On the other hand, Leorio was already out of breath. He had been stumbling back and forth, slowly losing his balance. Five hours into the exam, Leorio finally stopped and they thought he had finally given up. They realized how wrong they were when Leorio sprinted vigorously past their group and further onward.
It only got tougher. They were met with a tall, seemingly never-ending length of stairs before them and the examiner accelerated his pace, looking like he hadn't been running at all. At this point, Leorio had his clothes off, sweating profusely as he kept running with high spirit and determination that impressed Kurapika, The two then exchanged their reasons why they wanted to become a hunter. Gon, Killua and Milda managed to get behind the proctor without breaking a sweat and the two young boys shared their reasons why they were taking the Hunter's exam, before they turned to Milda and asked her the same question.
She looked back to make sure Zaito was nowhere within earshot. Gon and Killua took notice of this and they exchanged a curious look. "Don't tell Zaito about this, but I want to become a hunter to get away from my family." She stuck out her tongue playfully and giggled.
"Eh? Why?" Gon questioned, a brow raised skeptically.
Killua turned his head and faced forward. His cerulean blue eyes stared blankly at Satotz's back. "So you too?" he said in an almost inaudible voice. "Well, I kind of understand that."
"But Killua, didn't you said you are just trying out for the Hunter's exam?" Milda asked in confusion and Gon nodded, seconding her question.
"I am. But I did run away from home you see." He confessed. "Ah, look!." He pointed up at the glowing light that was the exit.
"Finally!" Milda proclaimed. She and every other participant felt like they had finally reached the gates of heaven, but was oblivious to the fact that they still had a long way to go and through Numelle's Marsh no less. The Marsh was engulfed in thick fog and the entire open wide field that surrounded them was eerily quiet. "A word of caution. Stay close to me and pay attention if you want to stay alive. Every creature in this Marsh eats human for lunch and the thick fog is in their advantage."
'He's lying!" a voice suddenly yelled out from behind them. Everyone's attention turned to him, a worn out-injured man who made an appearance from one side of the dark tunnel's exit. The stranger claimed he was the real examiner and accused Satotz as an imposter, showing them a man looking ape that -shocking but true- resembled Satotz except for it's furry body.
Some started to doubt; which one was their real proctor? While Satotz could only stand by and watch in silence. There was no hint of anxiety from him, neither did he tried to defend himself.
Milda who stood by Gon and Killua sighed in disinterest. It was pretty obvious which one was the real examiner and Mr Satotz without a doubt was the real deal, his aura told her that much. All this drama was just a waste of time and she thought maybe she should just tell them.
All of a sudden, playing cards were flying as fast as lightning towards the two proctors. Satotz caught the three cards directed at him with ease, while on the other hand, the man who started the ordeal died in an instant as the cards dove deep into his face, slicing through his head into three parts with three consecutive clean cuts.
"I see." The culprit mouthed with ease, his peculiar voice revealed his identity.
Hisoka threw another card at the man-faced ape who tried to run away in the midst of the commotion and it died instantly. Troops of vultures arrived in a flash feeding on the two dead bodies.
"Ugh, nature can be really brutal to watch." Leorio mumbled absent-mindedly.
"And there you have it ladies and gentleman. That man is the real proctor." Hisoka pointed at Satotz who showed no sign of change in his expression.
"Oh, splendid!" Milda clapped her hands with fiery enthusiasm. Completely losing herself in the heat of the moment, excitement overwhelmed her senses and her heart was beating loud and fast. The way he threw those cards was simply beautiful. He didn't even move an inch from where he stood and what impressed her most was his sadistic killing intent. She wanted him to hurt her, cut her up with those cards and she would die in blissful pleasure.
To say the crowd was a little surprised was an understatement. The same girl from before was cheering on Hisoka again for his cold blooded murder and they could tell from her flustered facial expression that she took pleasure just from watching, most had no doubt she was mentally ill.
"Milda-san?" Gon believed she had completely changed into a different person, the side Zaito had warned them about. He pulled on her arm when he couldn't get any response from her. "Milda-san?"
"Huh?" she mouthed, brought back from her trance.
"Milda-san? Are you all right?"
Milda blinked. "Gon?"
Killua let out an irritated sigh, "Are you really interested in that creep? You are such a dumb weirdo you know that?"
"Killua." Gon tried to stop his new friend from upsetting the lady.
Gon and Killua awaited her incoming burst of angry volcanic eruption, only to be caught in bewilderment when she laughed nervously. "Ah, I'm sorry. I got carried away."
From the majority female of the human species they have met, no matter the age, if you called her a dumb weirdo or anything of sorts, they would have given you the lesson of delicacy with their fist.
Zaito who stood not too far away from Kurapika and Leorio watch his lady with his fist balled up in agitation. He wasn't angry at her, he knew well that Milda cannot stop herself from her strange addiction, he was angry at the man who roused that side of her. That clown was the greatest threat to his ojou-sama within this entire exam and it was his job to protect her even if it cost him his life. Zaito made a mental note to catch the clown off guard within the mist of this marsh and use that opportunity to kill him.
A wide smile plastered on Hisoka's face. He could feel the killing intent radiating from the butler and he was stimulated with his desire to kill. Oh, I'm going to have so much fun.
"Number forty-four." Satotz referred to Hisoka. "The next time you tried that on me again, whatever the reason I'll have you disqualified. Am I understood?"
"Yes, yes." The magician obliged.
"Hey Gon." Milda asked.
"What?"
"Why do you still call me with –san? We are already friends aren't we? Why the formalities?" Milda rested both her hands on her hips, her gaze fixated on Gon.
"Because you are older?" Gon simply answered with an innocent look on his face. He was happy that Milda considered him a friend.
All of a sudden, Milda's expression changed a hundred and eighty degree from an angel to a she-devil. "And just who are you calling old?" She could get exceptionally deadly when it comes to the word old or anything associates with degrading her looks.
Gon whimpered under her intense gaze. It was Leorio all over again, only difference was, she was more sensitive. "Bipolar old hag." Killua mouthed, crossing his arms over his chest.
"What was that you snot nosed, little-"
"Then let us be on our way. Remember, don't lose sight of me or you will be as good as those two." Satotz gestured to the two dead bodies the vultures were feasting upon.
The moment Satotz began the marathon, Killua ran, pulling Gon with him the very first chance he got.
"Hey, where do you think you are going?!" Milda yelled out after them with blazing rage, motoring towards the two young boys with little effort and when she had gotten close enough, she managed to give Killua a good beating.
The haze grew thicker as they descended in, and most were getting more fearful of what could happen to them if they strayed out of the group. Everyone on the first few front rows had their eyes fixated on Satotz back, while those at the back had to rely on the front group.
Killua's face was throbbing with pain, swelling here and there the size of baseballs, his teeth almost fall off and no one barely recognize the kid as Killua Zoldyk or as participant ninety-nine.
"Are you alright Killua?" Gon asked him worrily.
"Vat bu uh hing On? (What do you think Gon?)" Great, and now he could barely even talk.
Gon tried to suppress his chuckle despite his feeling of sympathy towards the white haired boy.
Milda looked away, sticking her nose up in the air. "That'll teach him not to mess with me."
Killua mumbled some incoherent words.
When they heard numbers of terrified screams from behind them. Killua turned to Gon and said, "Ay hing e hulg ho ahag, hip an aye on e juck. (I think we should go ahead, keep an eye on the judge.)"
"Alright."
"You seriously understand what he just said?" Milda raised an eyebrow.
Gon shrugged, a small smile graced his lips. "Kind of. I believe he told us to move ahead and keep an eye on Satotz-san."
"Hat's wayt, e hulg hat ahey hom Esyoka. (That's right, we should get away from Hisoka.)"
Gon looked up at Milda. "He thinks we should get away from Hisoka."
"Huh? Why?" Milda asked. "I would love to get closer to him."
"But he's a dangerous man." Gon told her, despite knowing the reason why she took a liking to Hisoka.
"Fohag hit On, chi hon weesheen hu weehon. Hore imfourantee, Esyoka ish up fuh bluk. Eel huz iz hog fu ish atbhanache." (Forget it Gon, she won't listen to reason. More importantly, Hisoka is out for blood. He'll use the fog to his advantage.) Killua's audible words were lower this time.
Gon nodded his understanding before turning his head to look over his shoulder for any sign of Kurapika and Leorio with no luck. "KURAPIKA, LEORIO! Killua says it's better to move ahead!"
Killua almost tripped by Gon's sudden yelling and his attempt for long distance communication with Kurapika and Leorio.
"We would if we can!" the voice came from Leorio.
"Just move on without us, we can manage!" this time from Kurapika.
"Well boys, you can go ahead!" Milda sung happily, running backwards.
"Uwaa don't- Where are you going?!" Gon called out to her but was too late when he couldn't see her figure anywhere within the thick fog.
"Buh, hat whopit whoman." (Bah, that stupid woman.) Killua grumbled. "Yets oh On!" (Let's go Gon!)
No answer.
"On?" Killua glanced at the direction where Gon was supposed to be but found no one. One after another, how foolish can they get? Well, he was just going to keep on moving. He hoped Gon would find his way to the finish line.
Meanwhile, Milda giggled childishly as she quickened her pace, heading towards the direction where she heard a lot of people screaming. 'Sorry boys, I will have to use this fog to my advantage and see Hisoka.'
When she got there, she saw Kurapika and Leorio, the only two left on the wide-open field surrounded by thick haze and numbers of dead bodies. Not only the marsh's monsters, even Hisoka had to play the judge and massacred the other participants for fun.
"Tsk, that sick bastard!" Leorio grumbled, readying his weapon for any incoming attack. They could hear Hisoka's creepy snickering as his shadow approach them closer and closer.
"Ah, looks like I missed the fun part." The young lady made her presence known and made her way towards the two teenagers.
"Milda?! What are you doing here?" Leorio asked aloud.
"I thought you're with Gon and Killua." Kurapika frowned.
"I'm here to watch Hisoka's show."
"What?! You come all the way here just to watch him kill?" Leorio bellowed, while Kurapika sweated a big drop of confusion. They understood her mental situation, but to come all the way here just to see them to their death? Sure, they barely knew each other for half a day, but that was just too cruel.
Milda blinked. "But it's over, right?"
Hisoka chuckled like a mentally ill person, "Oh, beautiful one I'm glad to see you here."
"Ah, Hisoka-sama!" Her eyes turned into a pair of pink hearts in a matter of heartbeat, her hands clenched together in front of her profound chest. They could see the weird flowery background behind her.
"Hisoka-sama?!" and just like that all thoughts of logic and natural order came to a screeching halt in Leorio and Kurapika's minds.
"The show isn't over yet." The clown declared, flashing his cards haughtily.
Milda put a finger on her chin. "That's weird. I don't see how the show can go one without living victims."
"Milda?" Leorio mouthed, clearly taken aback by what she said.
"Then what about those two people behind you?" Hisoka said, pointing his murder weapons at Kurapika and Leorio. "And you…" He purred and chuckled eerily once again.
"Too bad. As much as I like you, I cant let you lay a hand on any of my friends." Milda asserted with confidence. Her face was still a little flustered, but was much serious this time.
Kurapika and Leorio smiled and gave each other a knowing look, obviously touched by what she said.
A grin stretched broadly on Hisoka's face. "We'll see about that." He charged at them at full speed, throwing his cards as he did, aiming at the three with the intent to kill.
Kurapika managed to counter his attack with his pair of sheathed bokken swords, while Leorio evaded every attack with near succession. Hisoka was even more impressed with the young lady; she managed to knock his cards to the ground with her bare arm in one swipe, overlooked by Leorio and Kurapika who were too busy defending themselves.
Hisoka chuckled with pleasure. The expression the woman had on her face made his inside danced with uncontrollable desire that immediately went to his loins. "Ah, such beautiful sight!" he stuttered shakily in midst of pleasure.
His killing intent and current reaction did the same to Milda, she almost moaned in respond, but she bit on her tongue to get a grip of her senses and turned to face Leorio and Kurapika, who had a sickened look on each of their faces. "Kurapika, Leorio. You should go back and join Gon and Killua in the marathon."
Leorio frowned. "To hell with that! I am not backing down until I beat this guy senseless."
"You are welcome to try." The perverted clown sung.
Leorio jumped head start for an attack but was instantly taken down by a heavy blow from Hisoka and his consciousness faded away as his body hit the ground.
"That's another expression I like." He commented as he stared down at the passed out ossan looking teenager that was Leorio.
"Leorio!" Kurapika and Milda called out in instinct.
"Now, who's nex-" Hisoka was unable to finish his sentence when something round and red hit the side of his temple hard enough that it bruised.
"Gon!"
"What are you doing here?" Milda frowned like an angry mother to a child who was caught awake past his bedtime.
The twelve year old took a deep nervous breath, he did just hit a cold blooded killer with his fishing rod. "I was worried."
"Ah, that's a good one, little boy." Hisoka rubbed his bruised temple, taking slow predatory steps towards Gon. "Let me see that weapon of yours."
"Gon, run!"
Instead of heeding Milda's word, Gon the brave soul he ran head front towards the killing machine, only to be caught by the neck. Hisoka's grip grew tighter as he relinquished himself in the desire that once again overtook his senses. It was the look on the little boy's face. He was afraid, yet his brave stubborn self was telling Hisoka he wouldn't back down even if he kills him. His little fingers were clawing at Hisoka's hand, desperately trying to free himself of his suffocating grip. When the clown was about to snap Gon's little neck, Milda suddenly appeared out of nowhere and tightly gripped his arm. "Let him go." She demanded with a deep frown etched on her delicate face. Hisoka's desire multiplied. Her grip was as strong as iron and she gave him a look of warning that she could easily snap his bones if he resist. When Gon suddenly fell limp, he looked back at the child and he told himself, this fruit has yet to ripen, wait for the time…
Hisoka dropped the boy to the ground. He could feel himself trembling with excitement and he chuckled as he put on a smile that went to his eyes. "How wonderful…"
Despite her dress, Milda quickly knelt to the ground and helped Gon getting up on his knees. "Gon, are you alright?"
The poor trembling boy was trying to catch his breath as he gave her a reassuring smile.
Hisoka who had regained himself from his overwhelming excitement, move closer to the two. In response to his suspicious behavior, Milda pulled Gon closer with her protective arms.
The magician smiled at the two, his hands resting on his hips. "You passed."
Milda blinked, obviously as confused as Gon. "Eh?"
"You too. Both of you passed." He told them before he turned on his heels and walk towards Leorio's unconscious form.
They were about to protest, but Hisoka turned to them. "I won't kill your friend. He passed too." He reassured before he picked Leorio up and throw him over his shoulder and that was when he received a phone call from someone, an unknown acquaintance of his. They guessed it was someone amongst the Hunter exam applicants, because Hisoka told him he would be right there soon enough.
He gave them one last look. "I assume you can find your own way to the finish line." It was a question.
Gon nodded.
"Good boy." He told Gon and shot a flirtatious wink at Milda, who blushed beet red in response, before he strode away with Leorio dangling over one side of his broad shoulder. They watch him as he disappeared further into the mist.
So? how was it?
A little side quizes: Zaito used his Nen ability to 'henge' into a horse. Guess, which category of Nen user he falls in? What about Milda?
I think you all know what comes next... Second phase of Hunter examination! Cooking!
See you next chapter if you are still interested in reading.