Disclaimer: I do not own hunterxhunter. All characters and plot of the said manga/anime is under the intellectual property of Yoshihiro Togashi. This is a work of pure fiction whereas names, OC's, places, or events are products of the author's imagination. If there is any resemblance to actual/real persons, places, or events, then it is pure coincidence.
Case File #4
1.20.2008
Dr. Navi Riche
Due to unforeseen external factors, 0023, 0012, and 0011 have been forced to compromise and resign from this mission. 0007 will still keep its covert role and continue the espionage alone. We will not be sending any reinforcements to replace the Matryoshkaz that resigned from the mission in order to avoid any suspicion. Moreover, this is an opportunity to conduct further observations on the skills of 0007 as a Sparrow and, for research purposes, develop our system in manufacturing Matryoshkaz as soldiers, spies, or assassins. As of now, 0007 has not shown any signs of deficiencies with the skillset needed from a Sparrow.
Mission Status: Ongoing
Volume 1: Chapter 4
The Maze
The game had just begun.
"Damn it!" I softly curse under my breath and try to recollect myself. My first thought was to call out to Gold or Blue but I immediately disregard the idea after remembering what the mannequin said. This wasn't a simple game. This was a game that involved killing. Though I'm not fully certain that any of the kids here with me would be capable of that, I'm not in a position to be complacent.
After a few seconds of calming down, I carefully look at my surroundings; there was one wall in front of me without any openings, on my left side there were two openings, on the right there was one, and behind me was a long path that split into two sides at the very end.
I look around again for more clues in case I missed something but all of the walls looked identical. I knew that I shouldn't just randomly choose a path or I'll just end up in a wild goose chase and so I push myself to think of a plan or what to do. I glance at the wall in front of me and start to walk closer to touch its surface. I look up and tried to estimate how high the wall was – probably around twenty feet.
Immediately, I pat myself down to see if I could find anything useful on me. I already checked earlier after I woke up but I wanted to double check. In the end, I found nothing useful for the situation I was in. I was only wearing a plain yellow dress that reached above my knees with white ruffles at the tip which came in full circle. My sleeves and collar also had the same white ruffles. I was also wearing a pair of black doll shoes with heels about an inch high. I decided to take off my shoes in order to move around more freely.
I check the clock above and see that about five minutes had passed.
In frustration, I comb my hands through my hair then feel something cold and hard. I pull it out and find a hairpin in one of my hands. It was bigger than my palm and was embedded with tiny jewels. I look at the wall once again and attempt to make a scratch on it using my hair pin. It worked.
An idea quickly pops in my head as I reach out to the wall but then I immediately hesitate and pull back my hand. With how smooth and clear the metal walls were, one single marking would definitely be easy to spot if one was paying attention. If I were to make markings on the walls would it be dangerous if ever it would lead someone to me? Would that person be hostile or friendly?
For some reason, I remember Gold's words – "As long as we stick together, we'll get through all of this."
It sounded foolish but… I want to believe in his words. I definitely don't want to kill anyone and I'm sure the same applies to every frightened child that's probably aimlessly running around in this maze. Whoever the people are behind this game, I'm not going to let them turn me into an inhumane being.
With a newfound goal, I scratch the hairpin against the wall in front of me and leave an X mark, then I quickly run towards the right opening. I repeat what I did on the wall of the path I just entered and leave an arrow mark pointing towards the area I was originally in. Before proceeding to the next path, I pondered whether to leave a clue indicating that it was me who left the markings – preferably a clue that only Blue or Gold would recognize. Objectively speaking, out of all the kids, they seemed the smartest and most observant, and I would feel much safer if it was either of the two of them who'd come to me. Finally, I scratch the hairpin on the wall once again and leave a mark of number "3" above the arrow – since they're the only ones who know that I was the third to wake up and that the rest of the kids started to wake up in groups, unlike Gold, Blue and I who woke up individually. I then move on to the next path.
For about an hour, I continued the same process again and again. After that, I decided to follow my markings back to the starting point in case they disappeared or in the worst case scenario – the maze was changing. After all, this game and the people behind it are unpredictable.
I start to retrace my steps and thankfully, the markings were still there and the maze didn't change at all. In just approximately thirty minutes, I arrive back at my starting point with the X mark.
With short contemplation, I decide to rest for a few minutes and catch my breath before entering another path. Once again, I proceed to repeat the plan I had.
An hour passed.
Then two hours.
Then three.
Anxiety starts to crawl into my skin as I realize how odd it was that I haven't encountered a single person yet, moreover, it's been awfully quiet, like I was the only one in this maze. But instead of holding on to the thoughts, I try to break away from the anxiety trying to consume me and choose to keep going.
And suddenly, as if someone was reading my mind, a scream stretched out – it was a boy's. He was screaming for help and I instinctively and foolishly ran towards the direction it most probably came from.
The sound of a distressed voice crying out for someone to help him continued to echo and for the first few seconds of running, I wonder why in the world am I running towards danger? At one moment, I cursed my body for unconsciously moving all on its own, and in the next, without warning, I run into something hard enough to knock me into the ground. I immediately feel the pain rush through my body because of the impact, but I push myself to quickly sit up and brace for whatever was to happen.
My eyes widen as I recognize the familiar figure also lying on the ground in front of me.
"… Blue…?"
He abruptly sits up in recognition of his name. I could physically see that his face was drained of color – he looked paler than before – well, it would be more of a surprise if it wasn't. Though initially, he looked terror-stricken, the moment he looked up and recognized me, relief spread on his face. "R-red?... Thank goodness…" he quickly stands up and gives me a hand. "You don't know how relieved I am to see you…" he muttered.
I stand up with his help and replied, "Me too."
His trembling hand continued to hold on to mine. He may have been more panicky than me, and he may seem like he was a few years older, but nevertheless, we were both afraid. I gripped his hand to reassure him. He gave a weak smile and let go.
"Were you running towards the voice?" he asked.
I nod at him in reply. "You too?"
"Yeah… I don't know why but for some reason my body moved on its own." He said while repeating his mannerism. "It's like... I felt like I needed to help that person."
With my eyebrows raised in surprise, I continue. "That's odd. I also felt the same thing. Even though I knew it wouldn't be wise to go to the source of the voice, my body started running towards it anyway."
He hummed while looking down then suddenly glanced up at me like he remembered something. "Did you leave those markings?" He asked while pointing to the arrows on one side of a wall.
"Yes."
"I had a feeling that was the case… Good thing you also thought of leaving the mark '3'. That's what pushed me to follow it. You probably only wanted me or Gold to figure out the clue and come to you, right?"
I have noticed this, even in the little time we've been together – despite of Blue's feeble and shaky exterior, he was surprisingly quite observant and sharp.
Since I didn't say anything, he continued. "W-well… what should we do?" he reverted back to his shaky voice, "You… don't plan on killing me or anyone else right? Because I don't either."
"No." I reply firmly, "Of course not."
"Do you have a plan?"
I pause and think for a moment then said, "It may be risky but maybe we should go to the source of the voice we heard."
Clear hesitation and doubt crossed his face as he replies, "Are you sure? I know this sounds weird coming from someone who was just about to go there, but we don't know what happened and we don't have anything to protect ourselves from."
"We'll do it quietly and discreetly of course." I said while putting a hand on his shoulder. "It's already been more than three hours of silence and nothing has happened yet. You haven't encountered anyone else before me right?"
He nods.
"Then if we avoid that voice we heard we might end up as sitting ducks, not knowing how to escape from this."
Blue stays silent for a few seconds but nods at me with a fragile smile, "Okay… Let's go."
Immediately, we start to walk briskly towards the direction of the voice that we heard. For around ten minutes, the two of us discuss and try to analyze which paths we should take along the way. Eventually, we fall into a cautious and guarded silence when Blue speaks up, "Um… Red…?"
I glance sideways for he was walking beside me. "Yes?"
He lowers his head and stays silent. I patiently wait for him to continue. He looks up at me and softly mutters, "I'm sorry… About before… I mean…" I tilt my head, wondering what he was sorry about. He seems to notice my gesture because he continues, "Before we got separated… I kind of lashed out on you and indirectly called you inhuman. That was unfair of me… Sorry…"
"Oh…" I had almost forgotten about that. "It's okay. You were just scared and I've put it behind me already. I'm just glad that we managed to run into each other." I look at him in the eye and smile, "Having you as company puts me more at ease."
He blushes but immediately recollects himself. "Y-yeah… Me too."
Oddly enough, it feels like I'm trying to comfort a younger child, when the roles should have been reversed. "Anyway…" I continue, "We should –"
Before I say anything else, another scream rips through the air. It was the same voice we heard and it sounded closer now. Blue and I could easily tell and estimate where it came from. We run towards the voice and stop before turning another corner. At the moment, we could clearly hear a boy shouting for help just around the corner. The two of us nod at each other and we carefully peak at the corner.
I could feel Blue try to hold in his gasp as we beheld the sight before us. There were two bodies lying on the ground – one looked like a girl smaller than me lying down on a pool of blood, while the other… I could not even tell what or who it was… It looked like the remains of a body that was hit by a grenade or bomb. I look around to find who the owner of the voice was and I see a boy with a physical built that was larger than ours, backed up at one wall, crouching down and crying while shouting for help.
After making sure that there isn't any other threat around, I step out of the corner and carefully approach the boy. He notices me and desperately says, "Please… H-help… Help me…"
I kneel down in front of him but chose to remain in a safe distance – enough to immediately escape when something goes wrong. I can hear Blue walk up behind me, staying alert and watching out for anything that suddenly pops out just like we talked about. "We want to help you but for us to do that you have to calm down first okay?" I tell the boy with the most soothing voice I could muster up.
He continues to cry but eventually sobers down.
"Your nickname?" I ask.
"… J…"
"What happened here?"
"There… was four of us… Th-then he… H-he… He…" J's voice started to shake again.
I notice his eyes dart towards the discombobulated body. Blue must've noticed it too because we both glance at it at the same time but immediately turn away in disgust. J must've been referring to that body so we waited patiently for him to recollect himself.
"He was going crazy…" the boy continued. "He was breaking down a-a-and he started to shout at no one… But… he was probably talking to the people behind this game… He shouted that he was giving up… That he surrendered… He begged them to just kill him immediately… He said he would rather die quickly than k-kill someone else or be killed slowly by a-amateurs…."
"Then?" Blue urged him to continue but used a calm voice.
"T-then… He gripped his chest… And… And… coughed up blood… He looked like he was in so much pain… The three of us couldn't do anything…" J pulled his knees closer to his chest and gripped his hair with two hands. "I don't know how but he looked like he …. Exploded…"
"…What…?" Blue asked in disbelief and fear.
I look at J and see the trauma in his eyes as he recalled the memories of what transpired in the area we were in.
"We can't escape this game…" J's body starts to tremble more after each word. "They… They can kill us even without touching us! We'll die if we say we give up… They'll kill us if we don't play!"
I try to stay calm but deep down fear starts to pull me down in an abyss. "Where… Where's the other child you were with?" I ask and try to hide the shakiness in my voice. "There were four of you right?"
So far I've only seen two dead bodies and J. So who was the other one?
Thankfully, J manages to hear my question and answers, "She was quiet… I think her name was Sky… Immediately, after he exploded… Sky pushed that little girl to the ground." He glanced at the girl's dead body. "And… and banged her head to the floor again and again and again and again!" J hugs his knees tightly but nevertheless, continues to tell his story, "She wasn't human… Who would do something like that without batting an eye? She looked so cold…" He then looks up at me and the guilt in his eyes was clear, "But so am I! I didn't… I didn't do anything… I just watched her… kill that girl… I was afraid…"
Blue and I stayed silent. That was the only thing we could do at that moment. Stand still and stay silent.
"After that…" J continues, "Sky disappeared…"
I furrow my brows in confusion, "Disappear? What do you mean?"
"Exactly what it meant..." He replied.
"Disappear?" Blue asks, "As in 'vanished into thin air'?"
J nods in confirmation.
I stand up and turn away from the crying boy and pull Blue aside. I make sure we were out of earshot from J before we start discussing.
"What now? It seems like we have no other choice but to …" Blue didn't finish his sentence. I could tell he didn't want to. He was slightly trembling but I could see his great efforts in trying to stay calm.
"I… I don't know…" I reply truthfully. "Just… Let me think first…"
I remember the conviction I had before all of this. I was so determined to think of a plan and escape but now… It all seemed impossible. What would Gold do if he were here with us?
How foolish I was.
Believing in his words.
Then all of a sudden, I feel someone tackle me to the cold white floor. I fall face first into the ground and shout out in pain as my nose bridge breaks. The person who pushed me forcefully rolls my body to face upward then quickly places his hands around my throat and squeezes.
It was all happening so fast. J was so much bigger than me so I had no chance of escaping his grip. I clawed at his hands, trying to gasp for air. Tears roll down from my eyes and blood drips down from my nose. "They'll kill me if I don't kill first! I don't want to die! Please!" He yelled at me like he was begging which was an unlikely tone for someone who was trying to kill. "Please just die! Die! Die! Die –"
Blue knocks J off of me with a hard shove. The impact was so strong that J rolls away from me on the ground a few times. I finally take a deep breath and hold my throat. I felt agonizing pain but I still manage to sit up. "Can you stand?" Blue asks urgently.
I attempt to stand but my body doesn't listen to me. My head was a blur and throbbing in pain, probably because of the fall I had earlier. Knowing the answer to his question, Blue puts himself between me and J, standing protectively. "Don't worry I won't leave you."
"What the hell are you doing?!" J shouted at Blue. Clearly, he was out of control now. He looks like he had gone mad. His eyes were filled with a combination of dismay, bloodlust, dread, and malice. "Don't interfere! You should be thankful I chose to kill her and not you!"
"You bastard… So you were just acting?... you're out of it." I hear Blue mutter softly. But it didn't sound like him.
"You idiots! That's why I was screaming for help in the first place! Don't you get it yet! We have to kill to survive this game! Now out of my way!" J lunges at Blue who easily stops him despite of their difference in built. Blue punches J at the face, causing him to stumble backwards. J awkwardly balances himself and attempts to punch back at Blue.
Suddenly, in one swift movement, Blue holds on to J's outstretched arm and lifts both of his legs to wrap them around his neck, with J's arm – the arm he was holding on to – trapped inside his leg wrap. The two of them fall on the floor with a thud. J, who wasn't ready for Blue's sudden attack, desperately gasps for air while trying to pull Blue's legs off to escape.
I could only sit there and watch. J was clearly bigger than Blue, but it didn't look like he could escape Blue's lock on him anytime soon. The panicky boy that I was with is nowhere to be found, the look on Blue's face was the look of someone with the intent to… kill.
Fearing what he might do, I reach out my hand and attempt to call out, "Blue…"
Before I say anything else, a cracking sound filled the air as Blue abruptly twists his legs. J's hands go limp and I could no longer hear his gasps for air. Blue immediately pushes J's body away from him, but this time his face was once again filled with panic. He looks at his hands like he was confused at what he just did, as if he was possessed by a completely different person for a few seconds.
"M-my… my body… just moved on its own…" he weakly muttered then looked at me, "Why? … Why do I know how to do that?"
He looked so desperate to receive an answer that it pained me because I could not give him one. I was in a state of shock just like him. I lift up my trembling right hand, wondering why it suddenly felt wet and warm, only to realize that I fell on the pool of blood of the little girl's corpse. I lifted my other hand then placed my palm on my forehead and gripped my hair, wondering why the hell any of this is happening. My mind is a mess and I zoned out of the situation I was in. However, a blurry voice managed to break into my rambling thoughts.
"Red…"
"Red…"
"Red! Let's go! He cleared the game. He's going to disappear any moment now."
I can hear him. I can clearly hear Gold's voice. But I stayed on my knees and stared into the lifeless eyes of J's body. Then I looked at Blue. His eyes were full of fear, confusion, and distraught – like a sea in the middle of a storm.
I can feel Gold pulling me up by tugging my arm, shouting at my ear.
"Red! Focus! Pull yourself together!"
I did not resist Gold's pulls as he started dragging me away. But I couldn't tear my eyes away from Blue. To be more precise, it felt more like I did not want to. I could clearly see the torment in those ocean blue eyes, as if he were pleading me not to leave him alone. He did not utter a word. Still, I waited. And waited. Until, he suddenly vanishes, the only trace of his existence being the corpse of a child that he killed.
Finally, I recollect myself and carry my own weight. I look at Gold who still manages to smile at me. I know that behind his smile was a mind in the midst of chaos, but he still chose to smile to reassure me and prevent me from panicking.
"Red… Are you okay?"
"I'm fine now." I immediately reply out of reflex, even though those words were the opposite of what I felt inside.
I look up at the numbers once again. There were less than eight hours left.
"Erin… Erin!"
The redhead looked up at the boy who called out to her. He stood beside her, wondering why she hasn't gotten out of her seat yet.
"We're here. See?" he pointed at the screen on top of the elevator doors. Erin looked at what he pointed at.
"Oh. Yes, you're right." She replied while standing up and walked alongside Gon towards the elevator doors that have not opened yet.
"What? Were you daydreaming, little brat?" Leorio, who was now standing in front of the doors, asked. With the tone of voice that he used, he sounded like he was trying to rile her up. Erin simply ignored Leorio which only made him more ticked off. His attempt in annoying the girl only ended up backfiring.
Gon dropped his smile and asked her, "Are you okay?"
Erin turned to the boy and stared at his golden eyes that were full of concern. She smiled then said with a very calm voice, "Of course, I am."
A dinging sound echoed in the elevator room and was promptly followed by the doors opening.
"Are you sure, Erin?" Kurapika asked as well, while walking out the elevator along with the others. "You looked quite… distracted ever since the navigators escorted us."
Erin kept a pleasant expression. These people are too observant and kind for their own good, she thought. In her mind, she couldn't help but sigh. I guess it is my fault. Looks like I am getting a little rusty.
The redhead smiled, "Yes, I'm fine."
Still, the innocent boy didn't look quite convinced. With the brightest smile ever he then says, "Just tell me if there's anything wrong. We are friends after all."
Kurapika and Leorio couldn't help but smile at the pure kindness of the boy.
"…Okay." Erin replied then turned to look at the place where the elevator has brought them.
The four stood in front of a crowd of people that watched them intensely after exiting the elevator.
"Strange atmosphere down here." Leorio mumbled to his companions.
The Kurta nodded in agreement, "They clearly are different from the other applicants we've encountered so far. Each is a master, in their own right…"
Gon stepped forward first and attempted to talk to a few of the applicants near them, only to be blatantly and intentionally ignored.
"Everyone's really tense." He added while slightly pouting his lips.
Erin stepped beside Gon and commented, "Well you can't really expect a welcoming party in the Hunter Exam."
The boy scratched the back of his head and sheepishly smiled at his friend, "I guess you're right."
"Hello!" a very short man with a head shaped like a green bean approached Leorio and offered him a small circle badge with a number on it. "Please take one."
The man proceeded to hand another badge to Kurapika, Gon, then lastly Erin.
The four looked at their newly received badges. The redhead stared at the number on her badge – it was 406. She glanced at everyone else's and immediately started to memorize their numbers out of habit.
"Be sure to wear this on your chest at all times." The bean man continued, "Be careful not to lose it." He smiled warmly at them, quite ironic for the tense atmosphere they were in. Erin angelically smiled and thanked him to which he replied with a slight bow, "You're welcome," he said then he walked away.
"Haven't seen you guys before." The four looked towards whoever owned the voice. It belonged to a fat man who was walking towards them. "Yo!" He said while wearing a friendly smile.
"You can tell we're new?" Gon asked curiously.
"Well… More or less." The stout man replied. "After all, this is my thirty-fifth attempt." He said proudly.
"Thirty-five times!?" Gon and Leorio exclaimed simultaneously.
The stout man placed one on his chest and extended the other with pride and said, "Well, you can say I'm an exam veteran."
Leorio and Kurapika immediately looked at each other. The man whispered, "That isn't something to brag about you know…"
"Indeed." The Kurta whispered back in agreement.
"Wow. How impressive mister." Erin politely complimented the stout man who scratched the back of his head in embarrassment and replied, "Oh, it's nothing really."
Dude, she's clearly being sarcastic. Leorio thought to himself. After all, being the victim of Erin's constant verbal attacks made him feel like everything she says is sarcastic. But I have to admit, it's kind of nice seeing her do it to someone else other than me. Go on Erin! Roast this dude!
The redhead smiled at the fat man, "It really makes one wonder how you're not dead yet."
Okay I take back what I said. Why does this girl have to go the morbid route?
The stout man looked clearly taken aback by her comment because it definitely did not match the kind and warm expression she was wearing. "U-um…" he stuttered but regained his composure. "If you have any questions, feel free to ask me."
"Thanks!" Gon beamed in gratitude at his generous offer.
"My name is Tonpa." The stout man extended his hand.
The energetic boy shook his hand, "I'm Gon!... And this is Erin." He gestured to the redhead standing beside him who also extended her hand for a handshake. Tonpa didn't want to accept it but in order to avoid an awkward atmosphere, he put on a fake smile and took it. "These are Kurapika and Leorio." Gon continued to introduce the friends who were behind him then proceeded to ask Tonpa, "Hey, are there also others who have taken the exam a few times like you?"
"Well, I have the most experience here, so I can name a few." He looked at the crowd of applicants and pointed at one applicant, "There's him…" Tonpa continued to provide information to the group about the other veterans who were taking the exam along with their strengths and specialties. "There are many more, but the ones I mentioned have taken this exam more times than the others."
"I see. Thank you Tonpa-san!" Gon said.
"Don't mention it. So do you have any other questions? I'd be happy to –"
Before Tonpa could continue what he was about to say, a man started screaming. Everyone quickly looked towards where the commotion might have been happening. In the middle of the crowd, a man wearing a cape fell to his knees as both his arms disintegrate into red flower petals.
"Oh? How peculiar…" A tall pale man who looked he was part of a circus troupe said. He stood by and watched with his arms crossed. The poor man continued to scream in agony. "His arms seem to have become flower petals." With a mischievous tone, he lifted both his arms to show innocence. "No smoke and mirrors here." He maliciously grinned at the man who had just lost both arms. "Do take care. When you bump into someone, make sure you apologize."
Every single person in the tunnel didn't dare to utter a word. The tense atmosphere that surrounded them began to feel heavier after the incident.
"That psychopath is back again…" Tonpa murmured to the four. He was far away from the circus man but he acted like he could hear him if he spoke normally.
Gon looked at Tonpa. "Again?"
"Does that mean he took last year's exam?" Kurapika asked.
Tonpa nodded. "Number 44. Hisoka, the magician. You guys should stay away from him. Last year, he was sure to pass the exam. He only failed because he killed an examiner he didn't like."
Leorio clearly didn't like the sound of that as he reacted, "E-eh?! And they're still allowing him to take the exam this year?"
"Makes sense." Erin commented and looked at Leorio. "There's always a new set of examiners every year and they're the ones who determine what type of tests there are."
"She's right." Tonpa followed and grimly said, "Even the devil himself could pass if the examiner allows it. That's just how the Hunter exam works."
"Well… he does look dangerous. That's for sure." Leorio said and turned to Erin. "By the way, it seems like you know a lot about the nature of the Hunter Exam. Don't tell me... you're a re-taker as well?"
"It's called extensive research." Erin replied with a smile and whispered to Leorio. "If you don't want to end up like Tonpa-san then I suggest you try it sometime too."
Once again Leorio snapped at Erin and started to bombard her with futile retorts. Kurapika didn't even bother to stop him since he was already getting used to it now.
"Oh right! A little something to mark our acquaintance." Tonpa reached into his sling bag and pulled out a drink.
Leorio immediately stopped barking at Erin and noticed Tonpa's offer. "Oh! Thanks! I was getting thirsty."
Tonpa handed a drink to each one of them. They all thanked him and clinked their canned juices together while saying, "Cheers!"
The fat man internally snickered at the four fools who easily accepted his drinks. The juice I gave you contains an extremely strong laxative. Just one sip, and for three days, your guts will be a non-stop rollercoaster! Ha! Tonpa couldn't wait to see these rookies fail. But then he felt a pair of eyes on him. He looked at who they belonged to and it was Erin – smiling at him daintily and at the same time… eerily. Gon, Leorio, and Kurapika had already opened their drinks. But for some reason, Erin just continued to hold on to hers. Sh*t. Did she notice?... No way! My acting was perfect!
"Is there something wrong Erin?" Tonpa asked the girl with the friendliest smile he had ever given.
Kurapika noticed Erin's actions and decided to subtly hold back in drinking his canned juice. Gon and Leorio, being the oblivious ones, started to bring the drink towards their mouths.
"No. There's nothing wrong." She replied. "I'm just waiting."
"Waiting…?" Tonpa was starting to get antsy. "For what?"
Suddenly, Gon spitted out the juice that he had just sipped.
W-what?! Tonpa couldn't even hide the surprise in his face.
"Tonpa-san… This juice must've expired already." Gon said.
Immediately, Leorio spitted out his juice in the air as well. "Seriously! That was a close one." He exclaimed in relief while wiping his mouth.
"H-huh? That's strange…" Tonpa stiffly scratched the back of his head. Impossible! That laxative should have no taste or scent!
Kurapika was already slightly suspicious of Tonpa suddenly offering them drinks and he was having doubts whether to drink the juice or not, but he wanted to see how Gon or Erin would react to this. He trusted Gon's senses and Erin's perceptiveness. Now that it seemed like his suspicions were justified, he calmly poured out his drink in front of Tonpa.
The stout man went down on his knees and apologized at the four. "I'm sorry! I didn't realize that the juice must've gone bad."
Gon, being a kindred soul, replied, "It's okay! You don't have to apologize. Is your stomach okay?"
"Y-yes! I'm fine."
"You see, I've sampled all kinds of mountain grasses and plants so I can usually taste when something is bad." Gon smiles at him warmly.
"R-really…? That's… a-amazing" Tonpa replied while awkwardly laughing. Damn… I just had to run into this wild mountain kid! And after hearing what the boy said, Tonpa immediately glanced at Erin and remembered what she said earlier about waiting. Don't tell me… That b*itch! She must've already knew that this boy would figure it out so she waited. Erin noticed him glancing at her so she slowly gave Tonpa a small smile that almost looked like a smirk to him. Tsk! She didn't even bother to call me out, she just wanted to mock me! Tonpa stood up and quickly made his exit. "Sorry about that again. I'll see you around." He waved and walked away.
"What a talkative old man…" Leorio murmured.
Kurapika moved closer to Erin and whispered, "Do you think he put something in the drinks?"
The redhead glanced at the Kurta. This guy really is sharp. I have to be extra careful around him. "Yeah… Who would bring a bag full of canned juices to the Hunter exam?" she whispered back, "It was quite obvious."
"What's obvious?" Gon suddenly jumped into the duo's conversation.
Kurapika and Erin looked at each other and immediately had a silent agreement. "No, it was nothing Gon." The Kurta said.
"Really?"
"Well…" Erin continued. "We were talking about how awfully pungent Leorio's cologne was. He's being too obvious."
"What the hell? Why are you sh*t talking me again!?"
"I wasn't though?" Erin elegantly placed a hand over her chest. "I was only concerned for you."
"The hell you were!"
Gon sniffed at Leorio then said, "She's right. Your cologne really is strong. It has a unique smell."
Leorio stomped his feet and barked at the boy. "Would you please stop sniffing me like a dog!"
"Sorry." The boy scratched the back of his head and grinned sheepishly. "I just wanted to make sure. I was curious!"
Erin folded her arms and spoke again. "We still don't know the content of the exam. If ever hunting each other would be involved, then that would make you an easy target. Right, Kurapika?"
"I agree with her." The Kurta folded his arms and decided to just play along with Erin. It's quite scary how she can easily shift the conversation like that.
"Well I can't really remove cologne that's already been applied ya' know! So what do you suggest huh? I'll just strip my clothes right here?!" Leorio was getting aggravated more and more.
"Well… that's really all up to you, Leorio." Erin said then placed a hand over her mouth, appearing like she was surprised. "But I didn't expect you to be that undignified. Honestly, I thought more highly of you."
"YOU LITTLE BRAT!"
Kurapika could only sigh and rub the right temple of his head for the rant that was about to come. How did the conversation go to this?
Suddenly, the sound of a bell echoed in the tunnel like an alarm. At the other end, the wall started to slowly go upwards, revealing a man wearing a purple suit at the other side. All of the applicants placed their attention on the man as he spoke. "I apologize for the wait. The entry period for applicants has ended. The Hunter Exam will now begin! A final caution… If you believe you lack luck or ability, you will most likely end up seriously injured or dead. Those who accept the risks, please follow me. And for those who don't, please exit via the elevator behind you."
Despite of the man's grim warnings, not a single person moved a muscle.
"Very well. All 405 applicants will participate in Phase One." He turned around then started walking like a robot with big exaggerated movements. Everyone started to walk as well and follow him.
Then he quickened his pace into a jog.
"W-what?" Leorio asked in confusion, noticing the change of pace.
"The people in front started running." Gon commented.
Kurapika nodded. "Yeah. He's picked up the pace."
"I neglected to introduce myself." The man leading the crowd announced. "I am Satotz, the Phase One examiner. I shall lead you to the exam's Second Phase."
"Eh? Second Phase?" Leorio looked at his companions running beside him.
Erin raised her eyebrows. "Then… does that mean…"
Kurapika continued her unfinished sentence. "This is…"
The redhead and the Kurta looked at each other. Realizing they were thinking the same thing, they simultaneously said, "Phase One."
As if to confirm their guess, Satotz stated. "Phase One has already commenced!" The whole crowd of applicants burst into murmurs. Some were confused, while the others merely stayed quiet. "I cannot tell you where or when we must arrive. You must only follow me to the Exam's Phase Two."
"Really?" Leorio asked. "We just have to follow him?"
"I see how it is…" The Kurta muttered.
"This test is weird." Gon commented and slightly furrowed his eyebrows.
"I expect it's an endurance test. Fine by me!" Leorio exclaimed, full of determination. "I'll be right behind you!"
"Be careful, Leorio." Erin warned him. "He's also testing our mental fortitude. Keep your eyes open."
The man couldn't hold back his surprise. He didn't really expect the little brat to be worried about him. Heh! I knew she was a good kid. She's just trying to act cold and snarky towards me. "Of course!" Leorio replied to her, "Don't worry about me!"
Erin wanted to sigh but held herself back. Of course I'm not worried about you, I'm worried about Gon. She glanced at the boy. If Leorio gets caught up in something dangerous then Gon would definitely be involved. He's just too good of a kid to leave that idiotic man behind.
The boy must've noticed Erin looking at him because he turned towards her and gave her an encouraging smile. Erin returned the gesture.
And deep down… for the first time, she didn't know if her smile was real or not.
Author's Note: Yes... I know... I AM SORRY! T_T It's been tooooo long and Killua didn't appear in this chapter huhuhu I was really having a hard time writing this chapter. When I finished the original draft, I didn't realize that it was too freaking long haha so I edited it again and that's why Killua will end up appearing in the next chapter. GOMENASAI! T_T
Anyways, as always, thanks for continuing to follow and stick to this story! Til' next time! :3
