Time travelled by slowly; excruciatingly slow. With each hour passing by, Daniel got more and more depressed, hoping his friends would pop up at a moment.

All Daniel did was sit and watch, trying to figure out who was who, and their numbers as well, seeing as he had nothing better to do.

The first five already in the room were:

Hisoka the scary clown, whom, much to Daniel's dismay was strangely enough, good looking. Hisoka has fiery red hair combed up, flowing up erratically everywhere. He wore a pink skin tight suit that stopped half way at the arms. And wore a teal puffy shirt on the top of skin tight suit which still showed Hisoka's waist, with a purple club and spades suit. His teal pants were also puffy, like his shirt and had a yellow shawl holding up his pants, a pair of navy blue jester shoes, and the #44 badge on his shirt.

Pokkle is another examinee that Daniel looked at. He was wearing a light purple turban on top of his shoulder length brown hair, white pants, white shirt, yellow neckerchief, red vest, with a purple belt over the top of it and the #53 badge on his vest. The quiver of arrows across his back, suggest that he is either an archer of some kind.

Hanzo was one already in the room and Daniel noticed that he had the number #294 badge.

Geretta, the huntsman was another, with the #384 badge. He had an afro puff hairstyle and wore a heavy short-brimmed hat, sunglasses and a white ruff.

Gozu was a tall muscular man, with shoulder length brown hair and a Fu Manchu. His attire included; a blue sleeveless shirt with an orange sash along with purple pants, with a #371 badge on top. The large spear, and clothing suggested he was a warrior.

The last person in the room was disturbing, and made Daniel fear him for some reason... a reason he couldn't understand, yet... Although he didn't know the name of the person, he knew to stay as far away as possible from him. His teeth chattered constantly as if he was cold, and always smiling, in a creepy kind of way…

#301 was his number, and his attire was hard to digest. It had a green and dark green colour scheme with large golden pins in the vest and shoes.

Every time the door opens, Daniel would look up with a smile, hoping. But every time it happened, his smile would soon falter as soon as he saw who had entered. They were not the ones he was waiting for.

There was Bodoro the martial artist with the marked chin, moustache and the hair tied in a ponytail and #191 attached to his martial artist robes.

Ponzu, who wore a big yellow hat, salmon blouse and baggy pants and orange shoes without heels and #246 attached to her shirt.

Bourbon the snake charmer was another one. He had a large nose and wore a light blue and purple robe, tan turban and the #103 attached to his robes.

Kenmi #362 in the yellow and red martial arts garbs.

The Amori Brothers with the respective badges of #197, #198 and #199. They each wore plain clothing but he couldn't tell them apart until he learnt their name.

Agon the short swordsman, with bushy eyebrows and a large crooked nose. He has gray hair that kept in a ponytail, and outfit included; a blue cloak that covered his upper body and a blue dress beneath it. The #281 was displayed on his cloak.

Siper the marksman with the sniper rifle and #80 badge. She also wore sunglasses and had red hair that was tied at the back with a yellow bow tie, brown vest, navy shirt, grey pants, brown boots and grey gloves.

Sommy is a tall and slender man, with brown messy hair and thick eyebrows. He wears a black long sleeved shirt with tan pants. When the monkey walked in first, this made Daniel laugh, even if it was only for a second. He had the #118 badge.

Shishito who had the #89 badge, and had long dark blue hair that touched his shoulders.

Ryu the swordsman. He wore a green undershirt and dark blue over-shirt vest, brown pants, and silver boots. The #34 badge was displayed on his over-shirt.

Kyu was another one with the badge #105 and the sabre. He has maroon hair, which is cut short and red nose. His attire includes; a purple long sleeved shirt, brown jeans and grey shoes.

Kōrudo, the ninja girl in a red mini skirt. Her deep red hair colour was obviously dyed, as he could notice the black regrowth. She had a vest on that held eight knives, four on each side. She has the #299 badge.

Katsuo the wanna hero. He has light brown Pompadour and green eyes with a blue tint. He wore an all white army uniform which included a white biker jacket with the #153 badge displayed on it. His constant bantering screamed flamboyancy and was seen arguing with the cold Kōrudo almost all the time, or fixing his hair. He also has a pair of wooden nunchakus attached to the each side of his waist.

With three remaining minutes to go, an announcement is made to the group.

Three minutes remain.

The three brothers smile as the oldest comments "It's finally over..."

"Yeah, that took forever." The youngest of Amori bothers states.

Kōrudo in the back yells "Thank fucking Christ... This was too damn long! I should have taken my time..."

Daniel's face scrunches in irritation. Out of all the people, she had to be one of the passing examinees…

When a door opens, Daniel looks at it with hope. A man with the #283 badge steps out, groaning as he clutches his wounds "I... made it in time..."

As the man collapses to the floor, Daniel loses interest fast. The youngest of the Amori brother speaks up after checking the person out "He's dead."

"The fool." The oldest Amori continues to yell, "Better to live and try again, than to pass and die."

Daniel looks rather glumly at the floor as his sister speaks up "It will fine. They will come..."

"One minute remains." The second announcement is made.

"Looks like it'll just be the twenty-three here." The youngest Amori blurts out.

Another door opens again, this time Daniel looks up again, overcoming with joy for some reason. As Kurapika, Killua and Gon step out, an announcement is made.

Kurapika, applicant #404, is the twenty-fourth to pass.

Killua, applicant #99, is the twenty-fifth to pass.

Gon, applicant #405, is the twenty-six to pass.

Total time, seventy-one hours and fifty-nine minutes.

Killua whines "My butt hurts... I didn't expect a slide for the short and easy path."

Zaikaria laughs out loud after hearing Killua's comment.

Daniel gets up excitedly, running over to Kurapika, Killua and Gon, yelling to draw the three's attention "Killua! Gon! Kurapika!"

Gon and Killua turn to look in Daniel's direction, surprised by his sudden outburst.

"Daniel!" Gon yells his name first.

Killua, however says Daniel's name more like it's a question "Daniel?"

Daniel frowns at Killua as he runs up to them "There's only one here..."

Killua chuckles "That's true."

Thirty seconds remain.

Gon smiles widely "That was really close."

Kurapika smiles softly "My hands are covered with blisters."

A man grumbles behind them "Same here."

Daniel looks up surprised to see Leorio with the man named Tonpa step through the door.

Leorio, applicant #403, is the twenty-seventh to pass.

Tonpa, applicant #16, is the twenty-eighth to pass.

Total time, seventy-one hours and fifty-nine minutes.

Leorio grumbles as he manages to squeeze out the door "My hands are blistered, but all five of us cleared the tower together." He ruffles Gon's hair next, "All thanks to Gon!"

As Gon smiles, Kurapika continues to explain the prior hour "We entered the long and difficult path. Then cut a hole in the wall, to sneak into the short and easy path."

Killua smiles at Gon "Man, I can't believe you actually came up with that idea on the spot."

Daniel frowns "I missed out on so much fun?!"

Gon smiles innocently "I realized that we could break the walls, using the weapons. But it took over fifty minutes."

Daniel whines from this information "All I got was getting chased by a giant bolder for eight hours, nearly getting skewered by arrows, and a fight with Mi and Yu!" He sighs in boredom at the last part.

Killua lifts an eyebrow "Mi and Yu?"

"Twins..." Daniel responds flatly.

A loud beep echoes throughout the room, letting the people know that the Phase is over.

The Third Phase of the exam is over. Twenty-nine applicants have passed. One has died.

When the final announcement is made, a door opens, flooding the room in a bright light. Daniel looks in awe, waiting for the next phase to begin.

After having Gon and Killua make it in time before the exam finishes, Daniel is filled with joy. He'll get to travel along Gon and Killua's side, a journey, he'd hoped would never end. YES! I get to continue travelling by their side! I hope it's something fun that we will get to do together! Like... Um... find treasure together in groups... That will be awesome!

"~"

The twenty-eight applicants, who had just passed the Third Phase, step outside to face their Third Phase examiner.

Lippo is a rather short man wearing dark grey and grey, with a tint of brown attire consisting of; plain shoes, pants, a jacket, large pair of glasses that covers most of his face. He has violet hair, spiked up into a Mohawk. He speaks up "Ladies and Gentlemen, congratulations on having escaped Trick Tower. Only the Fourth Phase and the Final Phase remain."

"Two more..." Hanzo almost, sighs in relief.

Lippo points to an island behind him. "The Fourth Phase will take place over there, on Zevil Island. Let us proceed."

As he clicks his fingers, a bald man wheels in a small bin. "I will need you to draw lots."

Everyone looks confused as Geretta asks "Lots?"

Pokkle asks next "For what?"

Lippo grins slightly "To determine who will hunt and who will be hunted."

Murmurs echo throughout the group as Lippo holds out his hand to the bin "In here are twenty-eight numbered cards. In other words, your ID numbers are on the cards. Now, I need you to each draw a card, in order by which you exited the tower. Will the first person come forward?"

A sense of dread washes over Daniel as he feels as though that this could be another Phase he fails at. If he draws any of his friends or his sister, he wouldn't be able to pass the exam; unable to take the tag he needs in order to pass.

Everyone looks around as Hisoka is the first to step up. Hisoka pulls out a card, picking at it in his hand. The strange teeth chattering man steps up next, second at passing, and also the second to take his own card.

"Guess I'm next." Hanzo goes next.

Geretta goes next, follow by Pokkle soon after, but not before commenting "I'm next." After Gozu, Daniel takes a card followed by his sister. One after another, they everyone claims their own card.

When Kurapika goes next, Gon asks "Hey, Killua, and Daniel."

"Huh?"

"Hmm?"

"He said something about hunting and being hunted. Does that mean we'll be fighting each other?"

Killua smiles "Yeah, probably."

Daniel's dread intensifies as he looks at the card, hoping that the number underneath it isn't one of his friends' or Zaikaria's. Killua steps up next to claim his own card as Zaikaria looks at Daniel in concern. I hope for his sake, that he doesn't have to target a friend…

Killua grabs a card, walking over to Daniel and Gon casually. He smirks as Gon leaves to take a number. Killua's smirk shifts into a smile, making Daniel feel butterflies in his chest. He's a little too happy, and for unknown reasons as well. What was this feeling pulling at his heart strings?

Gon takes a number, walking back to Killua and Daniel as Leorio takes one, followed by Tonpa.

"Everyone's taken a card? Then remove the seal from your card."

When Daniel removes the card, he smiles widely after seeing #198.

"The card indicates your target."

Mostly everyone exclaims in surprise as Daniel continues to smile at the card. YES, I don't have to hunt any of my friends! And I believe this belongs to one of the Amori brothers... though I don't remember which one. They all look alike...

Everyone except for a few cover their number. "This box has recorded which card each of you drew. This means that you're free to dispose of the cards if you wish. The objective is to steal your target's ID tag."

"Oh, so we don't need to kill each other." One of the Amori brothers sighs in relief.

"Naturally, you're free to use any method you choose to steal the ID tags." Lippo looks down with his eyes closed, attempting to hide a smirk "Including killing your target and taking the tag off the corpse."

Another Amori brother grins "That sounds like the fastest way."

"S- So that's what this is about?"

"Fool, there's nothing to be scared of."

"Listen carefully!" Lippo lifts his hand up, "Your target's ID tag is worth three points. Your own is also worth three points. All other ID tags are worth one point. You need six points to advance to the final phase. So while on Zevil Island, you must gather enough ID tags to total six points. That is the condition for clearing the Hunter Exam's Fourth Phase."