"I'd like to commend all of you on your work in the Exam's Third Phase," said the ridiculously perky, orange-haired, yellow-eyed Hunter woman.
She stood there in the middle of the steamboat deck, lecturing us like she was on television. The woman had a headset wrapped around her pixie cut. Her outfit was a yellow, red, and white dress uniform thing with the Hunter Association logo on her chest. She was so lively that, if it weren't for the fact she explained herself as a Hunter Examiner, I thought I was on the set of an infomercial.
As I sat on the railing of the boat, I scratched my red hair in confusion at what she was trying to do. Also, because I no longer had bandages on my head. Those things were itchy.
She continued, "I'll be your guide. It's nice to meet you. You can call me Khara. It will take two hours for this boat to reach its destination, Zevil Island."
It took us two hours to get down the mountain, jeez. It'll be midday by the time we arrive…
"All twenty-six applicants who've made it this far are granted an open invitation to participate again in next year's Exam. No matter what!" Khara said, punctuating her sentence with a wink like that helped. It didn't at all. Everyone glared at her or pointedly ignored her.
She faltered, her voice shaky, "So even if you don't pass this time, we really hope you'll try again. Never say die, right... everybody?..."
She looked defeated as she stared at everyone who was mentally readying themselves for the Hunger Games. Couldn't she read the atmosphere?
It felt like being in a cage surrounded by tigers, bears, and monsters. The tension was a suffocating blanket. This was far different from either the tunnel or the bottom chamber of Trick Tower. We were about to hunt each other, potentially to the death. Nothing she said could make us feel comfortable unless she said, "You all passed."
Two hours of being surrounded by enemies... it already felt like being in a ticking bomb. Good.
I was sitting on the railing of the ship, dangling my legs, Stick at my side, and backpack on the floor. I had a crumbled napkin balanced on my thigh from when I ate some food from my backpack.
Next to me was Gon and Killua. Both of them had followed my lead of sitting on the boat railing. But in the opposite direction as they were kicking their feet over the ocean. Sitting to my left was Leorio and Kurapika, who were both sitting on the floor.
Leorio sighed, leaning back with his arms behind his head. Kurapika spoke, calm, collected, and serious, "It appears the battle has already begun."
Leorio answered, nodding in agreement, "You're right. Everybody has already taken off their badges and tucked them away so they won't get stolen yet."
I moved my lower, tasting the dismissiveness in my mouth before speaking it, "Took them long enough."
Khara, ever the adorable woman who I have known for all of ten minutes, spoke again; trying to raise everyone's spirits. She was sweating like a comedian bombing on stage. I commend her. She was really trying her best.
"All right, everyone. For the next two hours, you're all free to do whatever you like. Thank you and I hope you all enjoy the rest of the voyage," she said, walking away with a nervous laugh.
Gon got up and walked away, towards the bow of the boat. After a few seconds, Killua followed him. I stared at the rest of the Hunter candidates while Leorio and Kurapika conversed. I had made sure to memorize the applicant numbers all throughout the Exam. Even if I didn't, I had their number written down on my laptop. The fact that no one made that connection was a boon.
All the people I expected to be here were here. I'm surprised Siper got this far, but I guess skills truly pay the bills. I'll freely eat dirt: I was wrong about her.
Doesn't mean I'll hold back.
Leorio drew me out of my thoughts by elbowing my shin. I turned down to my left to see Leorio and Kurapika staring at me.
"What?" I said with a questioning eyebrow saluting the sky.
"Hey, if we're your targets..." was Leorio's tentative.
I rolled my eyes, and then answered, "No, you guys ain't my target," with a subtle look to check if anyone was watching, I flashed them '2, 8, 1' with my fingers. I continued the conversation, but at a whisper, "What numbers did you get? I might be able to tell who's your target..."
They both looked at me in surprise. I looked back at both of them in confusion.
"What?"
Kurapika answered, "Even if we aren't your targets, we could still be yours..."
"But you're not, are ya?" I said with an annoyed sigh.
"No..."
"Yeah, ok then. We're fine. Sheesh," I hopped off the railing and squatted down like a Russian gangster. I lifted an index finger up, because I might as well accept the inevitable, and continued, "how about we team up? That way, I tell you guys your target and I get teammates? The only catch is, you guys can't leave the party for any reason. No matter what. Fair?"
Kurapika and Leorio looked at each other for a moment, then back to me. They nodded, and both said OK. Of course they would. I was the third most powerful in our group behind Kurapika, second if I used Ren…
I clapped my hands, closed my eyes, and smiled, "Great! I leave the party! You two are now stuck together."
They looked at me with disbelief and annoyance. Kurapika super annoyed and Leorio in super disbelief. Before Kurapika could speak, I moved my floating finger closer to his face, like I was shushing his lips.
"You're a man of your word, Kurapika. Can't back out now. Besides, you'd be disrespecting the honor of the Kurta if you do," I said with a smirk.
He glared at me, the bastard I was. He looked away, crossed his arms, and looked... well, cross. When he spoke, it was with annoyance filled in his voice, "There was no reason for trickery."
I snickered at his anger, "You'd never have teamed up with Leorio otherwise."
Leorio frowned, "I'm getting real tired of being underestimated..."
I looked up at the sky, asking for mercy, before looking back at Leorio and speaking.
"Do you know how to hunt?"
He frowned, "I-I know how to fight..."
"Then you don't know how to hunt. Just be honest, Jesus..." I said with a sigh.
He growled at me, but I snapped back with a glare. Maybe with a bit too much anger in my whisper...
"Hey! Don't you dare give me attitude... First: Stop being obstinate, your lives are on the line. Second: I'm gonna' bet money one of you has the Amori brothers as a target."
Kurapika's eyes flashed in surprise before speaking, "Yes. My target is one-ninety-nine."
Now it was Leorio's turn to look surprised. He turned to Kurapika and replied, eyes twisted, "Hey, my target is one-ninety-eight. Does that mean?..."
I pointed to myself with a thumb, scowling, "Yeah, it means I'm the shit, bitch. I know everything..."
They scowled at me.
I knew absolutely nothing. It was just an educated guess. Based on the fact that Kurapika had been staring at the brothers more than usual. He would have no other reason to stare that much other than that. Especially since he never met them or cared they existed before. I just got real lucky Leorio had them as a target as well.
While everyone else had the luxury of quitting and trying next year, I don't. Desperation gave me the edge over everyone. It made me sharp
Kurapika narrowed his eyes at me, assessing me. I glared back at him, not really appreciating his glare. We held the stare down for a minute. I could see him think over backing out. He read my thoughts through my face and knew I wouldn't back down. Ultimately, he sighed and agreed with a single nod.
"Given the circumstances, it would be better to team up. But why won't you join us?"
I shrugged, closed my eyes, frowned. I thought everything over while fighting the temptation truly give them a piece of my mind.
I was very annoyed at them, but not angry at them. Just very disappointed and frustrated. You'd think, after all things the five of us have gone through, their first reaction would be something other than merciless self-interest. If their biggest favor was, 'I might not actively hunt you down,' I don't want it. That pissed me off.
Stop the pretense and just be my enemy. Tell me exactly what you'll do to me, and I'll tell you exactly what I'll do to you. May the best person win.
I knew why they were being like this. Blah, blah, blah. Self-reliance. Blah, blah, blah. Prove yourself. Blah, blah, blah. I want to win on my own terms. Blah, blah, blah, pubic hair started growing down there, I'm man, gotta' do man shit. I get. I fuckin' get it. I was that age, many moons ago...
I don't give a fuck…
That attitude's better when you you're in any other situation except playing hide and seek with Pennywise and Pinhead.
So, that sums up why I was very disappointed in these four.
Yet, I promised myself I'd make these brats Hunters. Even if I didn't, I gladly take responsibility for their safety. Especially with how everyone hates me.
Most of the applicants were gunning for me. For some vendetta or another (Second Phase, mostly) they want me, so they want them by association. I can't let that happen. Extreme situations call for extreme solutions. Got to lean into that hate.
This strategy sucks for my safety, but great for the four's long-term survival. Seven days, huh…
When I opened my eyes, I raised my right hand and splayed my fingers apart. I lifted my left index finger and stared at them with a frown.
Dead serious.
"I researched all the applicants whenever I could. From what I can tell... there are six people that could be targeting me: Anita, Todo, Goz, and the Amori brothers. They're the people that have been staring at me whenever possible. Trying to get my measure. Since five of them already hate me, I'm betting Goz is after me."
Kurapika nodded, understanding my point as he probably did it himself. Leorio looked surprised.
"You got all that from staring? Geez..." he said, nervously he looked around at the other people.
I hissed, snapping his attention back to me, "Don't look at people when you're talking about them. I'm positive the only people better than me at strictly hunting are Garetta, Pokkle, Sommy, and Siper. And the only people better than me at stealth are Garetta, Siper, and maybe Sommy."
Hisoka, Gittarackur, Hanzo, and Killua don't even fucking count. They're so high above me they might as well be birds. I can only estimate them using the Hunters I personally know, and that's very bad. I'm positive I can hide from those four, but I'm not too confident. I'm not even thinking about stalking them, let alone attacking.
In a straight fight, there's a lot of people that can beat me. Goz was one of them. But that won't matter since I won't be making this a fair fight for any of the applicants.
Kurapika answered, knocking me out of my thoughts, "If your assessments are true, it would only back up the need to team up."
I frowned. I wasn't backing down to his Kurta logical argument bullshit. I sneered slightly and continued.
"In this type of scenario I'm better on my own, honestly. Put it like this, in terms of hunting, you'd be my Leorio."
Kurapika's better than me at a lot of things, but not hunting. Not after what I've gone through. I'd fistfight him.
Apparently, Kurpika thought the same. His mouth was slightly open in shock, like I called his mother a whore. Kurapika countered, completely livid at being compared to Leorio.
"You are severely underestimating my abilities and greatly overestimating your own. I am in no way comparable to Leorio. I would say you're Leorio to me."
Leorio's eyes looked like 'T's' as we continued using him as a unit of measure.
"Yeah? Well, I'm at least in dark green. You're in bright blue, white, and yellow. While in ballerina shoes. So who's talking to who about hunting ability?"I said with a low snarl.
He made a face before continuing, his voice strained in an angry whisper, "There are more components to hunting then merely camouflage and stealth."
"'More components neh, neh, neh... Yeah? Well, whereas you have the 'theory' bookworm, I have the practice," I angrily whispered back, giving him an underhand point and a sneer.
"You only have three months of training! I've been training to be a Hunter for several years!"
"Yeah, but I've trained with five, count 'em, five Hunters! And my Master's one of the best Hunters in the world!"
Leorio raised an eyebrow, "Who is your Master, anyway? You never told us."
I turned my frown on Leorio, "Oh yeah, I never did say," I turned back to Kurapika my eyes cocky and but I had a soft smirk on my face, "I guess it's fine considering we're friends all. He's name Mayer Domo."
They both looked at me like I punched them in the gut, faces blanched. I stared at them, confused.
Leorio's voice was shaky, "Are you serious?..."
Kurapika stared at me in disbelief, his eyes studying my face as he nodded. When he spoke, it was fragile, "I-I see... it's… obvious now with the sword…"
The only time I saw Kurapika act like this was when the Kurta Clan was brought up. I looked at them in confusion.
"What?"
Leorio frowned and looked away, then spoke in distress, "You really don't know, huh? I'm surprised... it's an open secret that your 'Master' is one of the worst criminals on the planet. He should be locked up in Trick Tower. He's killed countless people..."
I looked at Leorio, confused... and hurt. Mayer wasn't that kind of person.
Kurapika nodded, then his voice became one of remembrance and longing, "I can understand your confusion, but it's true. At the same time... now that I met another of his apprentices... I can't reconcile Mayer's reputation with his student's personalities..."
I looked at him, confused, "Wait, what? You met Leon?"
He nodded, "It was... one of among many reasons I was so upset after speaking with Evira. I assumed Sheila and Leon were simply difficult to track. I thought they had lied… But they saved Pairo… I-I never thought..." he looked down, sadly.
I put a hand on Kurapika's shoulder. It troubled me seeing him like this. The reserved, put together, adult Kurapika turned into a confused teen. He was so hurt and lost. Suddenly reconciling long-held beliefs in his head…
He looked back up at me, eyes distant. I stared back at him with even more concern, "Hey. I know you haven't been able to process everything yet, but right now's not the time. I need you to trust me. I have reasons for what I'm doing, ok? Please trust me."
He frowned, but nodded. I don't think Kurapika appreciated the fact that, regardless of how capable and intelligent he was, I still thought of him as a kid. Also, I don't think he was used to relying on people…
He was seventeen, for Christ's sake. If he was back on my planet, he would still be with his friends in school right now. This world… no, no just this world, things like his clan happened on every world…
I frowned at the upset Kurapika. I knew I hurt his pride. For someone as independent as Kurapika, that meant something.
But I rather hurt his pride than him dead. With people like Hisoka or Gittarackur in the mix, this no longer became fun and games. Not that there were much fun and games to begin with. But that just shows things have escalated, significantly.
I turned to Leorio, "Tell Gon and Killua to stick together. If Killua acts like a brat, whisper to him my message, 'Make sure Gon doesn't use Nen and protect your first friend, you brat. Don't let me down." Remember to say brat, that's the important part." I finished with a smirk.
Kurapika and Leorio looked at me with wide eyes for a second. They looked at me with confusion, before Kurapika's face changed to understanding. I smirked, this world and pseudo mind reading. Still, he couldn't believe it, "What are you going to do..."
I turned back to Kurapika. Without looking at Leorio, I spoke, "Sorry about this, Leorio."
In my peripheral, Leorio tilted his head in confusion.
Then I slaslapped in the face with a backhand. That's when I started roaring. I acted like an evil fusion between Kuwabara and Yusuke, with no redeeming values.
"You fuckin' brats! If you're not gonna' follow what I'm telling ya', then go fuck yourselves! I hope you die! Hell, I'll kill you myself!"
They looked at me in with wide, surprised eyes. Disbelief and shock on their face. Even though they knew what I was doing, they couldn't believe my act. Excellent.
All the other applicants turned to us.
I stood up, grabbed Stick and my bag, before stomping off to the center of the deck. I swept Stick towards all my opponents with my right hand, jabbed a thumb to my chest with my left, and started yelling.
"Listen up, you bums! You all stay out of my way, you got that!? If not, this is what I'll do to ya'…"
Then proceeded to insult and berate everyone. Just going to town with my insults and generally acting as obnoxious as humanly possible. Talking about their mothers, their sisters, their uncles. All the intricate positions they could do with animals of a sexual variety.
Insulting them hard as fuck so they could all hate me.
For the next two hours...
Well, not everyone. Not Hanzo, Gittarackur, or Hisoka.
I'm a fool, but not crazy...
Day 1: Gon & Killua
Gon was upside down. His legs wrapped around a branch like riding an upside-down horse. He was thinking. Struggling. Trying to figure out how to take down his opponent…
Killua spun around the branch, mimicking Gon's position while facing the boy. He had a frown on his face as he spoke, "Stumped about Hisoka, huh? Man, that really is bad luck."
Gon frowned and shook his head, "Yeah... I don't know how we can take his badge."
Killua nodded, before narrowing his eyes. His ears twitched, his hearing picking up noise in the distance. Gon looked passed Killua, seeing something in the tall grass far in the distance. The boy spun himself around the large tree branch with ease and settled into a low squat. Killua did the same and turned around.
"There's an applicant. Over there. In the tall grass…" Gon said in a whisper, entranced by the person.
Killua looked at Gon with surprise, then with a smile. He was finding Gon's natural senses were better than his own. The only sense he had better than Gon was hearing. Killua turned back and squinted to see the man, whereas the Freecss only needed a slight narrowing of his eyes clearly see the man.
"Hey yeah, you're right. Huh... I think there's another guy near him. It's hard to tell."
Gon's eyes widened, his whisper loud and surprised, "Hey, I that's James! I can tell from his wooden sword and the hair!"
Killua placed a hand on his brow and shaded his eyes from the sun, squinting harder to see the green figure slowly approaching. He heard something else. The pulling of a bowstring. But that was the only sign there was a fifth person in the area…
Before they could decide what to do, James did something.
In Killua's opinion, something stupid.
He stood straight out of the grass with an eyebrow raised. The two boys could both see that James had rubbed dirt, mud, and other materials onto his dark green suit. It gave him very basic camouflage. It was effective, but he looked like a madman.
What Killua found was that he didn't hide his beet-colored hair. For a man who said he knew how to hunt, that was a monumental error.
Why James would half-ass his camouflage and stop hiding when he had the advantage was beyond Killua. Knowing the mafioso, James did it for some hair-brained reason. If Kurapika's explanation was correct, the only thing Killua could think was that... oh.
He looked around, his eyes serious. There weren't many people who could stalk Killua without revealing their presence. He had counted two people around, but if James could evade his abilities, who knows who else...
He had to find the person, or people, stalking them...
But how did James know?...
James
I stood there in this giant field, grass as high as my shoulders. Staring...
Staring at the Maroon-headed, purple-colored, turtle neck-shirt wearing idiot wandering through the tall grass. I've been trying to get him to notice me senpai (I think I used that correctly? I dunno…) for a while now. At least I can use incorrectly while staring at this fool.
I'm standing straight up. Not hiding at all at this point! The guy hadn't even noticed me yet! Worse, I've been stalking this guy for close to an hour, badly, yet he still hasn't noticed me. This guy is like a Skyrim NPC. I swear to god I'm not even trying to hide…
This is the guy I picked. Kyu the mercenary. I knew he was the weakest by a large margin, but hoooly fuck. It's like expecting a person to be able to crack an egg correctly, but after twenty crushed eggs, you wonder how they are alive let alone applying for a cook position. How'd he get this far?
I may accept this world now… But god damn does this guy sucks! I mean, he does know how to fight, but I know how to fight. So not really a high bar…
I sighed, closed my eyes, and calmed down. When I opened my eyes, I glared at my prey.
Going eleventh had given me time to hide and pick my prey. But the same applied to the people who went before me. Some people picked me...
I count... six people around me. I don't exactly know who. I think two of them are Gon and Killua... and I only knew that because of Zetsu. One of them made no sound, while the other did. Yet, if it was Gon, he's surprisingly stealthy. Zetsu's the only thing giving me the super sense to notice them. Otherwise, I'd be as clueless as the next person.
I can feel four people staring at me. It's strange how sensitive I am. As they stare at me, I can feel the intent from what little aura they have. The more they concentrate on me, the more I can pinpoint their location. It's like the feeling of being watched, but on steroids. Zetsu is crazy sensitive.
Looking at this fucking guy makes me slightly regretful for not joining Kurapika in making a Hunter supergroup. Sighed internally. I also felt bad for slapping Leorio. But it had to be done to be convincing. I'll let him slap me back later...
The major reasons why I slapped Leorio in the face were a few:
The main reason was that I wanted them safe. If everyone disassociated me from them and I made myself a big enough target, they'd be ignored. Then the other four could pick off their targets. Less danger for them. Then Killua and Kurapika could babysit Gon and Leorio, respectively, and teach them. In this area of expertise, the dark-haired duo were incompetent. But they both had prodigious talent. More than me in when it came to physical talent.
They would learn a lot from Killua and Kurapika. I'm excited to see what happens when you gave them two amazing teachers.
Second, I knew how to hunt alone. I already did something similar to this, and now that I wasn't forced to march dozens of kilometers, I could take my time. This place was would be my sandbox.
Last, but certainly not least:
I wanted to experiment and practice with Nen…
I knew damn well we all were going to practice it behind each other's back. I don't blame them and I know I can't fully stop them. That's why I put Leorio with Kurapika and Killua with Gon. Leorio was cautious while Killua was protective. They'd make sure Gon or Kurapika do nothing reckless. I could tell Blondie and the other green humanoid were like me. The moment they felt and saw the potential of Nen they wanted it. Each for different reasons.
To be fair, Kurapika is responsible. But Gon isn't so…
Even if Kurapika wasn't, Leorio was relatively normal and just wanted to pass the Exam. He didn't give a crap about Nen. Also, he was a Doctor in the making, and wouldn't let Kurapika get sick as I did. Killua was interested, yeah, but he was born awesome, rich, but just wanted to be normal. He wouldn't be as tempted to do anything too crazy. I hope.
I pray Killua isn't too eager to get rid of that needle though... Killua was fully ready to pull it out with his bare hands...
All I knew was that Gon would be safe the moment Killua heard my words. Actually, I think they all would. Sappy, emotional, manipulative? Definitely, but I'll be damned if it doesn't work.
They'd both make sure the two did nothing ridiculous in their pursuit of power.
I sighed. The only people who could unlock Nen on this island, that I am aware of, are Hisoka, Gittaracukur, and I. I would unlock nobody's Nen. And hopefully, Gon and Kurapika weren't stupid enough to try the other avenues…
I'm not exactly well-versed with sensing Aura... so who knows who else can manipulate it...
But that's why I'm here with this bum. Now that I won't die from Nen, let's see what happens when I fight this bum with it. The reason I stalked this guy for about an hour was for multiple reasons:
This guy was a bum. I saw where he hid his badge. I wanted to experiment with Nen without risking getting hurt or getting my ass-kicked.
Time to eat the small fish to become a bigger fish.
I transitioned from Zetsu to Ten. The transition was a lot smoother and quicker after meditating with Nen of the Flames. Only a second. Way better than my fight with that prisoner. When I transitioned from Zetsu to Ren, it took a thirty seconds to a few minutes.
Two things happened:
One, I couldn't feel the people around my periphery as strongly as before. They were still there, but they kinda faded away. I had to really concentrate to sense them.
Two, I could see his Aura emanating off the top of his head, like a cooling kettle. It was barely anything. But if that's how much people normally release, no wonder I nearly died. I had been leaking that amount on every inch of my body.
The purple, turtle-necked fool smirked. When he spoke, his voice sounded like he gargled marbles.
"Heh, you're really stupid. Sorry to ruin you're fun, but if you're going to be coming after me, you should know what you're up against. I'm no easy target."
I gave him a flat look as I aggressively hunched over my sword in disappointment. I sighed.
This guy sucks. Even his insults suck. Everything about him sucks. He's the mayor of Sucksville, USA.
His giant, ugly, red nose and tiny eyes just bugged me. For some reason it, felt like this guy existed to lose.
I whipped my sword over my right shoulder and walked towards him like I didn't have a care in the world. There were a few ways I coulda' approached this instead of straightforward, but I had people tailing me. Until I could shake them, I had to act like a brute. Which was really fucking hard for me. I was trying to be subtle about it too, but that hadn't worked at all. Even my half-assed camouflage somehow worked.
That meant I had to be caricature bad: literally, just walk up to the guy like a moron.
I sneered as I walked the ten meters distance between us, the sound of shuffling grass the only noise. The man named Kyu kept the saber in his right hand pointed straight at me, eyes narrowed. Yet, his confident smirk was still plastered on his face. I wanted to shake my head in disbelief.
The moment I reached three meters, I knew he was just bad.
I outranged him by a significant margin. I squished his tumor noise with a thrust of my wooden sword, but I didn't. But he didn't attack either. He just stood there waiting to counter a long range attack, instead of closing the distance. Sabers are slashing weapons that needed to stay mid range to produce power for their circular cuts. Not stabby stab weapons to stab with from stabby stab distance.
This is like when tall bully places a hand on another kid's head, and the other just windmills his arms. That's comparable to how ridiculous this was to me. I felt dirty. Yuck…
I could have ended this right then, but I needed to wait...
I stood in front of him like an idiot. But he didn't attack. This guy sucked, but he was cautious. I rolled my eyes internally and began humoring him.
I circled toward his sword hand while I continued to rest Stick over my right shoulder. I angled myself towards him, walking backwards in a circle around him. I even had my left hand in my pocket.
I was as open as I could make myself without throwing my weapon down and just barring my neck.
From my laptop's database, Kyu took the Exam three times before. He had years of raw fighting experience, but very little formal training, skill, or talent. From what I could see in front of me, it was true. He was a bruiser and brawler type fighter: a guy who relied on instinct and experience. One battle after another taught him how to be a warrior, but not correctly.
So he knew I was better than him and wouldn't attack… I needed him to attack.
I did what I did best.
"Well, ya' gonna' stand there all day you ugly, fat-nosed, retarded asshole? You're even uglier, mutt of a mother shoulda' fuckin' aborted you at bir-"
Aaaand that was enough. I leaned back as he jumped forward, his saber pulled back. With his body weight he behind him, he snapped his arm forward slashed at my face with everything he had.
I wanted to roll my eyes. He wasn't even in his striking range yet; but he had telegraphed his slash, and he lunged in with sloppy overhead cut to my head. I leaned over to my right, so casually I felt disrespected for him.
That's when I felt the Killing Intent.
Not this bum. It was from one of the people stalking me.
I pulled my left hand out of my pocket and casually backhanded Kyu's sword wrist with my left forearm, sending his sword slash flying wildly around my body. With the same arm and my inhumanly strong muscles, I grabbed him by the turtleneck and spun him around me like a particularly heavy pillow. His feet dragged against the ground as he stared at me in shock from my strength.
I wish I could've used Ren to help, but I was inexperienced with it and it would have exhausted me quickly...
Guess my regular strength would have to do. I swung Kyu in the path of the oncoming projectile. He gave a quick yell and then groaned in pain as the arrow sank into the flesh of his upper back.
Kyu slackened and struggled to stay standing while in my grip. His eyes became unfocused and tired, before the rest of his body became as loose and weak as a piece of cloth. He dropped his saber and became a ragdoll. The mercenary hung limply from the end of my arm as I frowned.
Arrow. Poison. Tranquilizer. Pokkle. He wasn't a bum. He was extremely dangerous.
I looked over my human shield and saw disappearing movement in the grass. He had immediately changed his position the moment he saw his shot failed. He would find another hiding spot to snipe me from. Endlessly...
My eyes widened and my mouth became dry. It hit me. That terrifying feeling — sharp tingle on the back of my neck and my stomach drop. It told me to move.
Killing intent.
But this was death.
I let go of Kyu and instantly dropped down to my knees, as fast as I could. I felt the wind through my hair as something flew over my head.
A moment later, Kyu fell like a brick, his limbs going in every which direction. I scowled, feeling miserable for insulting him earlier...
He was dead. A poisoned dart stuck in his face.
A split second later and that would have been me.
I closed my eyes, breathed, then refocused on his bag.
No time to waste...
Using the cover of the grass to conceal myself from the snipers, I hurried. I put down Stick and grabbed Kyu's bag straps. In one motion, I ripped them apart like the brute I was acting. The straps ripping in half like a cheap shirt.
I didn't have time to search for his badge in his bag. I'd just be taking the entire thing.
My mind raced. Fuck… Garetta?! Was I wrong? Was I his target, or did he just see an opening and take it?
Shit, he's worse than Goz…
Fuck...
Acting the fool was no longer tenable. I had to lose these guys as soon as possible; even if it put everyone shadowing me on high alert. I calmed myself and went into Zetsu. Simultaneously, I slowed my breathing and heart rate. I took control of my body, minimizing as much noise I could make. Breathing slow, steady, and calmly. Relaxed... yet controlled…
All unconscious, thoughtless, extraneous movements were gone as I slowly crouched through the grass. I became a ghost as I glided smoothly, controlled steps taking me forward…
One badge down...
Gon & Killua
The two boys watched in surprise as James disappeared into the tall grass, as though turning invisible in front of their very eyes. Gon had never seen anything like that before. While Killua was familiar with it himself, he was surprised at how proficient James was in stealth and hiding his presence.
The guy's still an idiot,' Killua thought, his eyes half-lidded. James didn't have to do any of this, the moron…
Killua scoffed, disappointedly, before his eyes turned deadly. He focused on his hearing, trying to pinpoint any unusual sounds. He couldn't pick up anything, but knew someone still around. Killua had chosen to forgo reading James' note on his competitors to add more a challenge.
Killua was beginning to have misgivings about that choice. The blowgun user tried to kill James for his two badges, not because the beethead was his target. The assassin was positive who the blowgun user's target was…
"Gon. That Someone's following us."
When Killua turned, his deadly eyes disappeared. It was replaced by soft, sad, surprised eyes.
Gon trembled. His face thoughtful and nervous as he stared at the place in the grass where the dead body was. The boy nodded and spoke. His hands gripped his fishing rod tightly, "Yeah. I just noticed it too. When James was being attacked. He's still nearby…"
Killua stared at Gon, surprised. Gon felt the applicant's Killing Intent and was aware he was still around.
Killua furrowed his eyebrows and held a pained look to them as he studied Gon. This was all new to Killua.
Seeing someone as strong as James having trouble with people nowhere near Hisoka's level had triggered the same nervousness Gon had held before on the boat. A trembling of adrenaline and fear...
Gon came to the very real understanding that his life was in danger. He was being chased by someone stronger than him, and had to take a badge from someone even stronger than that. His normal bravado cracked by the twin fangs of Garetta and Hisoka, the realization sharp in his mind…
The Zoldyck stared at Gon seriously, then turned back to where James once stood. He had made his decision.
He would protect his friend.
"Gon. I have an idea. But we have to get going..."
Kurapika & Leorio
The blonde and the black-haired man observed the three Amori brothers in the bushes next to a small clearing. With the advantage of being seventh and tenth to pass, respectively, they had taken their time to wait for the Amori brothers.
But this was not the Amori Brothers' first time taking the Hunter Exam.
They were not amateurs. Each one was at least as strong as Leorio, and capable of fending for themselves for the two minutes required for backup to arrive. Then two would be more than capable enough to wait for another two minutes.
At that point, it would be three against two; and the Amori Brothers had the advantage of teamwork. They were brothers. No matter how capable Kurapika and Leorio were as a team, they were still at a disadvantage.
They had read James database on the other applicants. While Leorio wasn't capable of memorizing all the Hunter candidates' numbers like James or Kurapika, he still remembered the brothers' strengths and weaknesses.
Paradinight whispered to Kurapika, "From what I remember, the blue one is the weakest, while the red one is the strongest."
Kurapika nodded, impressed Leorio remembered, "Yes. The red one is the eldest and their leader. He's the one who gives the orders when they attack. They use a triangle-formation to catch their opponents off guard. The red one then uses distinct sounds to communicate which attack pattern they will use."
Leorio nodded, "So, what's the plan?"
Kurapika looked at Leorio for a moment before nodding. He had expected Leorio to be a liability, but so far he had listened to Kurapika's orders completely. He had become adept at stealth with a few simple instructions and guidance for Kurapika. Leorio was a surprisingly quick learner for someone so brash and loud.
Leorio did tell James and Kurapika that he worked full time at a clinic while training himself for the Hunter Exam. Kurapika wondered what was possible if Leorio applied himself...
The Kurta sighed. Unfortunately, that potential wasn't useful unless they could use it in the present. Unless Leorio could split himself in half, Kurapika would be facing off against two opponents. That meant Leorio would, at the very least, fight an evenly matched opponent.
It didn't help their situation that the Amori Brothers had their guard up. They knew someone was around. But it wasn't Leorio or Kurapika who alerted them, but a sixth person. And Kurapika had a feeling he knew who.
'This would be a good time for Leorio to practice how to sense people,' thought Kurapika.
And to help Leorio practice Nen of the Flames...
"Leorio, I want you to close your eyes and listen. Focus your attention on your ears and notice the surrounding sounds," Kurapika said as he monitored the Amori brothers.
Leorio looked at Kurapika and nodded, following his directions. Once he did, Kurapika continued.
"Try to imagine the sound around you as ripples in a pond. Try to determine their direction, then determine what the sound could be, and then try to determine what the creature is by visualizing it in your mind. Then tell me what you hear."
Kurapika had learned a tremendous amount from James' notes. The Kurta had never noticed that he intuitively used many of the techniques described by Nen of the Flames. He could always visualize enormous sums of data, information, or images without issue. It was, among other reasons, why he passed the test to leave his village.
As Leorio concentrated, Kurapika grabbed his chin and continued to think. Temptation came bubbling through his mind.
'Can talent in one other field indicate talent in Nen? James stated he was determined to be physically unremarkable. This is consistent with the amount of training he underwent and his hand to hand fighting ability. But his mind is a different story entirely. The same applies to everyone. Gon, Killua, Leorio, James, and myself... We all contain remarkable potential to have gotten this far in the Hunter Exam. If Hisoka was willing to...'
No. Even Kurapika wasn't that crazy or desperate for power to ask for help from that monster. Hisoka did not deserve to be a Hunter. So why would he ask help from that monster…
Leorio shuffled quietly as he spoke, his eyes still closed in concentration, "I heard something. I think it was a bush moving, it's hard to make out. I... I don't think it's an animal, probably a human. A small person."
Kurapika nodded, suppressing a small smile of pride.
"Good. Lead the way."
Leorio nodded. The two of them walked quietly, swiftly, yet controlled. Avoiding branches, stones, and any loose debris that could cause a sound. On soft dirt, noiseless moist grass, and even the occasional displaced sand; they trekked through the underbrush with deft movement and precision. Gently moving low-hanging branches, brush, and anything they could cause a sound by accident.
Half the battle of stalking through a forest was the environment itself. At any moment, if one dropped their guard, the forest would complain of your existence and alert your prey...
The other half was staying unseen. This meant blending into the shadows, shade, and environment. Approaching from a direction our prey doesn't expect. Staying low, and at angles to minimize being in your prey's peripheral vision. Anticipating your prey's path so as to not to be in their way if they move.
I was tedious, taxing work. That's why James' remarks stung Kurapika so much.
Kurapika knew how to hunt, even if he wore bright blue, yellow, and white. The Kurta were expert hunters, so good that they had rarely used camouflage to hunt. The Flustro forest, with its swirling patterns and thick canopy, was notorious for people becoming lost in its densely packed trees.
That was the reason why the Kurta settled in that particular forest in Lusko province, close to a half a century ago. Only a people as experienced as the Kurta could navigate such a maze of a forest. James could criticize his apparel, but Kurapika knew forests and how to hunt.
What did James know? A hunter always wears what they want…
With that thought, his mind wandered to his past. Sheila. Leon. James.
Fate had decided for him to meet the third Mayer apprentice. His memories went back to the second apprentice...
...
The two had saved her from being lost in the forest.
In exchange, Sheila taught them the outside world and gave them Dino Hunter book that turned the two friend's world upside down. Pairo and Kurapika fell in love with the book and the outside world. Then, one day, she was gone. All that was left was a note of thanks and her wishes, "I hope we meet in the outside world one day! (I hope I'm a Pro Hunter by then.) I'm looking forward to it. Bye!"
The two wished her luck in their hearts and hoped she would be back one day, her promised fulfilled. Or, as the two hoped, they would meet her as hunters...
Except she was back a few days later, smiling sheepishly. She had brought a tall, strange man. Kurapika and Pairo thought they were in big trouble.
The man was extremely strange. Tan skin. Bright yellow and light orange robes, sashes, and colorful rainbow beads draped all over. Bright orange sunglasses, a bright never-ending smile. Last was the wooden suburito resting on his left shoulder. The strangest thing was the combination pompadour and mane of orange-fruit colored hair he had.
He dressed as thought if someone told him about the idea of a Buddhist priest, but he missed the point entirely.
At first, they told him to leave, using a translator the Kurta had. The man refused, speaking in broken, pieced together Kurta language.
He said his name was Leon de Sol. He wanted to thank the two who saved his 'amor'. He said he wanted to learn more about the Kurta language. He said, in his own common tongue of world, in a heavy accent, "Have a good fockin' time with the Coorta Clan! OK?!"
He said many, praising things. The man never seemed to stop talking.
The Kurta were polite and flattered. They accepted his thanks. But not his presence.
They were strictly isolationists. They dismissed his foolish request with chuckles and told him kindly to leave. So he left.
And came back the next day.
And the next day.
And the next.
He came back every day, bringing along poor Sheila with him. He refused to leave. He always told the Kurta not to blame Kurapika, Pairo, nor Sheila. That he had found the village on his own, and that Sheila had tried to convince him otherwise. But he could not be denied.
He said it all with a bright smile and easy-going attitude. Forever shining off him.
In the beginning it was flattering, then tiring, then infuriating.
The Kurta became heated that the stranger would not leave. Imposing himself and dismissing their wishes. His insistent badgering and mere presence a disrespect to their tradition of isolation, anonymity, and safety.
Yet, even with his stubbornness, his eternal smile, warmth, and honesty made it plain that Leon was a good man.
But a misguided one.
Eventually, the Kurta decided to run him out by force.
They threatened with violence. It didn't work.
A mob. Not at all.
Then stones.
Then fists.
Then weapons.
He was never deterred. Never broken. He came back every day, looking more disheveled, battered, and deformed with each encounter. Kurapika remembered how swollen Leon's head was. The lumps were so bad his face looked ridiculous. A giant melon with swollen slits for eyes, sunglasses, and enormous, exaggerated puffed up cheeks.
But the man never broke. And he never fought back. And he never let them hurt Sheila.
The villagers pressured the Elder. He did not dislike the man, but he had a duty to the village to keep it safe. If he was fool enough not to leave, he would be fool enough to tell the world how to enter find the Kurta. The Elder felt like he had made a mistake, settling in this forest when they were nomads for a reason...
He had no choice but to order him dead.
When the mob came for him, weapons in hand… he annihilated them. Over half the village taken down by a single man in a flash of light. But one of them dead. None of them even hurt excepted for being disoriented and having an extreme headache. They stared at the man who had held a wooden sword, not even used. He shined brilliantly in front of the knocked down villagers.
Kuripika remembered the man's strange way of speaking very well. It was the first time he experienced radically different beliefs and culture. He remembers how annoyed Leon was, holding his head in frustration and disappointment...
"Ay Chingao, no again... Look. I been real kind to you idiots. OK? But it's real borin' when you do these things. I just want to learn yoo language and have a good time. Now yoo gonna' to just have to accept me or I keep beatin' yoo oop. OK? Yoo started this, no me. Yoo no strong enough to stop me, so quiet or complain. I no care. But I no leave! No yet! Not oontil I learn Coorrta, really say thank you, an' have foon! OK?!" Leon said. Sheila was behind him, laughing nervously as she rubbed the back of her head in embarrassment at her fiance's actions. Her eyes were full of life…
...
Kurapika shook his head, fighting back the mirth on his lips. Kurapika and Pairo never understood why Leon was a Language Hunter, when he could barely speak the languages he discovered...
He barely spoke English correctly, let alone his own language of Beria! But his kindness, personality, and force of will transcended the barrier of language.
It was writ in air.
It was fire from the soul.
It was lightning from the heart.
He had given his clan a cell phone and his thanks before leaving the village. Leon and Sheila put a finger to their lips as they smiled.
"We no tell nobody about Kurta! If yoo need help, we come help old man Elder, OK? No one hurt yoo clan! An' Koorrahpeeka, Perro, thank you fo' helpin' mi amor Sheila. Come find oos! We teach yoo and show yoo the world, hahaa! Just like you teach oos about yoo clan, we teach you how to be Hunter. OK?! Koorrahpeeka? Perro? ¡Te amo mis amigos!" Leon promised with a warm hug.
That was the last time Kurapika ever saw him. The image of the two walking away, back towards him with Leon's arm around Sheila's shoulder...
Kurapika felt rage hit him.
And he was dead. He survived the Phantom Troupe once, only to die for the Kurta clan. For Pairo.
Leon was dead. Sheila was dead.
As with the rest of his clan.
At the hands of the Phantom Troupe.
The Kurta's eyes turned scarlet behind as he was lost in his memories, anger, and thought. Drudged up by James' very existence...
Leorio snapped him out of his dreams as he pointed to the person in front of him. Kurapika barely remembered following Leorio...
It was Anita, she had felt his feeling Killing Intent and was staring at the two. Nervous. She was stalking the Amori brothers too…
Kurapika quickly composed himself. He saw an opportunity.
Now he had a plan...
Author's notes:
Hey all! I hope you are well and continue to do well! With everything happening out there in the world, I hope you all are safe and healthy. Sincerely, you all deserve to be happy!
Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
Skip this below if you want. Just more backstory stuff and information on non-canon stuff. Very depressing. Ignore this part or move on to the next chapter if you wish.
If you do, see you next chapter!
Rondo out!
XXX
More info on this strange, HXH world.
If you're wondering how Mayer isn't in jail. Move M a space to the right, flip it upside down. Then add an L to the left and s to the right. What does that spell? He's got lots of them because of Evira. You can see why Mayer beat the idea into James' head about being a criminal. It's not like Mayer likes it any better.
Mayer was was a former Blacklist Hunter Mayer, he hates being a criminal. But if being an angel doesn't change anything, one has no choice but to be become a devil.
With all the shit the P.T. have done to him, his situation, his reputation, you can see why Mayer so despondent and depressed. He hates being a devil.
Moving on to his apprentice…
Leon's obviously inspired by Latin America and Spanish culture. My culture in fact! So he talks like someone I know. Shit, a bunch of people I know.
Flustro is Esperanto for whisper. As in Whisper Forest. Lusko is Esperanto, therefore Esperanto. Rondo has spoken.
I always wondered why Kurapika never went to find Sheila, like wanted. She never even shows up again. Well, if Sheila found the Phantom Troupes, she would probably want revenge for what they did to her friends who saved her. And I don't think she had any chance against them either.
Monsters be monsters. Phantom Troupe be Phantom Trouping.
Thank you for reading. See you in the next chapter!
Rondo out!
