A Promise Between Worlds

by CrafterofTales

When Emma's life hangs by a thread, a mysterious entity offers her a chance to free her family from the Demon World. The catch: she must participate in a competition between people from several worlds, and enter numerous events for the promised wish. Meeting those of other-worldly abilities, she is a child not only relying on smarts and tenacity, but her heart as well.

3. Hunter x and x Assassin

Chapter 3: Hunter x and x Assassin

A chipper morning medley of birds and wind brushing against the leaves. Emma stepped over a thick root grown out of the ground, vigilant eyes focused on the path and her now calm surroundings.

She had survived the night. Running and enduring the onslaught display of superhuman abilities, skillful use of contraptions unlike any she has ever seen, and vicious beasts roaring throughout the dark wilds until finally, the sun shows itself over the horizon, and the whole forest came to a quiet.

Emma hasn't slept a wink, but she can still manage travelling on foot, hunting, remain on alert as she tread through the wilderness. She could withstand exhaustion for at least two more days before it will inevitably overcome her. It was best to bide herself time to cover as much ground as her legs could carry her.

Three days without sleep was her record when she and Ray traveled with the nameless man. It was a brutal treatment of moving through that forest of stone trees in her world, one she quickly had to adjust when sneaking through dangerous territories, it would mean her end if she let down her guard. In a way, it was for the best form of learning to survive harsh conditions, especially now.

Taking a short break between some trees, chewing a piece from the Frenzy Boar jerky gripped in her hand, keeping an eye to her surroundings. There were only a few animals in this vast area of thick green fertility and towering growth, watching a deer and a pair of rabbits pounce away. White butterflies waltz by under the sunlit streams piercing through the blocked view of the sky and its countless leaves.

Looking at this moment of peace, the area was beautiful, it was incredible to know that everything here, alive and brimming, was all simulated. With what, though, she can't quite say, but it was realistic enough. After a moment of rest, she resumed her walk through the enchanted-like forest.

A couple of minutes prior during this calm brisk, she founded a second Challenge Board. The next wanted game was an exotic critter that lives underwater, the Banana Fish. Supposedly a low-level monster to capture that lives in a lake near rocky terrain. From what little was shown in the sketch of the map and direction, she deduced it to be somewhere north.

There had been no luck or hint of a village nearby, and she hasn't seen any other competitors since last night. She wondered where they were now. Her thoughts then came to the image of the boy of green tinted hair, and hoped that he and his friend were alright. She hoped many had managed to survive through the night.

What that boy had done to have destroyed those monster ants still clutches her mind. It was like he released some sort power literally at the tip of his finger as if it was some kind of blaster.

There were a few theories she came to that explained what she could have seen, and she thought back to the other sorts of skills and abilities she has witnessed from the other competitors - maybe that boy had an invisible gun, like how that armored girl had an invisible weapon when fighting that shape-shifter.

She recalled the phenomenon back then. That black energy beam from the mountains. It seemed too amazing to suggest, but could it have been from a competitor? Something that was similar to what that boy of green tinted hair did? That dark laser was far bigger though, she can't imagine what could release such power unless it was some kind of huge weapon. Something she can only comprehend to an extent from the books she's read.

The forest was growing denser the farther she traveled in it. The rifle she carries on her back was cracked from her struggle against the monster ant. Though it was still usable, another powerful strike would break it. She holds her bow and arrow as her next stable weapon, carefully observing the area she ambled through.

Brisk noises of rustling bushes not too far from her and Emma halts, listening as it grew closer. An animal or a monster? Too risky to wait either way. She hid at once, rushing behind a massive tree, near underneath a big root sticking up from the ground. She held her breath as she looked over with her arrow clutched between her fingers, waiting and watched.

From the bushes, a small humanoid figure ran out, cloaked in dark brown fabric with a hood that concealed most of his face. "Crud. Where'd he go?"

A boy? Emma realized. He looked about the same age as her, with an indecisive-like behavior, shifting his attention to the area around him. Was he lost?

"Should I go back to the village?" The hooded boy vocally pondered, "Maybe he won't be too mad if I wait for him there-"

A sudden tremble was felt beneath their feet, a harsh sound that rummaged through the forest somewhere east. Both of the children's eyes instantly followed towards the noise, a gasp escaping the boy as there was a loud impact against the trees, like a body slam. Emma looked the other side of the tree, and she was met with a terrible sight.

"N-Na..." The child stuttered as he looked down one direction, legs wobbling as he feebly backed away. Distance away from the hooded boy, what suddenly emerged from the wilderness, a large grotesque creature. Its body squirmed with dark thick worms, their existence feasting the flesh of this beast, like sentient furs that completely coated its entire form. Its eyes were pure red, a hot vehemence towards the little boy.

"Nago!" The boy sputtered out. "I-I didn't mean to wander onto your territory! I-"

The skin-crawling limbs of the horrid beast, or what seems to be acting as its limbs made up of worms and maggots, extended and multiplied as it corrects its body and position towards the boy's direction. The boy slowly backed away, and the beast crawl-rushed for him.

Emma's eyes widened, and she reacted without another thought. Jumping over the root as the boy fumbled in his fear and retreat, she ran behind him, grabbing his hand.

"RUN!" And pulled him along, his startled and befuddled self with it as his eyes met the sight of her orange hair. Instincts kicked in as he soon as he should, sprinting with the girl and out of the pathway of the maggot-coated beasts.

It rushed passed them before coming to an abrupt stop and took its time to re-positioned itself, granting Emma and the cloaked boy an opportunity to run ahead. The children rounded a third tree, Emma's unrelenting her hold of the boy's hand as they sprinted with all their might. Their small size an advantage through as small openings in the dense forest as they hear the gnarling sounds of Nago behind them.

"W-wait! That leads to a dead end!" The boy warned her when they were running for one direction. Emma heard him and averted immediately, pulling him to a pair of large bushes and pushed through, burying themselves within the leaves and out of sight. The pursuing monster ran past them, and after losing sight of them, it stopped, unnatural limbs sprawled and turning its large body to face all directions for the fled children.

"What is that?" Emma whispered as she watched the monster with a focused glare, armed with her bow and arrow. It was unlike the Demons of her world, and the movement of those live, poisonous-looking insects makes her skin crawl.

"It's Nago, the Demon Boar God," she heard the boy explained, surprising her with the knowledge that that was a Boar they were looking at. "He's the leader of the Boar Clan. This must be his territory. He doesn't like intruders, and really doesn't like humans."

"Is there a way out of this forest? Somewhere we can escape it?" Emma asked him, never taking her eyes off from the seeking monster.

"Yeah, but it won't be for another few miles. The closest here is my village, but Nago will attack everyone there if we don't lose him now."

A deep contemplation in Emma's bright green eyes, focused on the prowling Demon Boar, and inevitably coming to the only solution she has to make. "I'm going to distract it. Try to run away if you can."

The boy looked at her in shock. "W-what?! Wait!"

She emerged out of hiding. Running to the side far behind the monster boar, she pulled her arrow by the bowstring and fired. The left rump of the Demon Boar God was pierced, and a high-pitched squeal left the beast before it turned for her. Black maggots covering the beast extended like an arm, the Demon Boar ran for her, its sickly limb retching for her life.

"Don't let that touch you! You'll die!" The boy shouted aside.

She dashes to the side, the revelation shaking her core but she proceeded on with calm determined grace, avoiding the Boar God's direct touch. She fired another arrow, piercing the other arm that reached out for her. She ducked behind several roots growing out from the ground and uprooted trees. Wriggly insect arms slams against the wood, destroying the bark exterior completely.

It can extend its reach. Emma calmly analyzed as her heart raced. But it's slow to turn around. And with all those maggots making those extra limbs mean that it's fast down a straight path.

It'll have the speed that can outpace her on foot. This dense forest of tight spaces is her saving grace to stay ahead and avoid capture then killed by the monster of maggots. With its weakness yet unknown to her, the best she can do is lead it somewhere she can completely escape it.

Looking to the path where the boy said led to a dead end, a risky and perhaps foolish idea came to mind, as she fired a third arrow for the Demon Boar, and ran down that hopeless path. Hearing another pained squeal behind her, and the hasty thudding that chases after her. She leapt over large roots and bushes, took around the enormous trees that spared her some distance from the Demon Boar and its reach of poisonous maggots.

At the end of the path was the proclaimed end, an enormous wall of rock as each side was blocked by huge trees. She reached her pistol holstered in the pocket at her hip, the Demon Boar screeching coming closer to her back. As they drew close to the end, Emma pulled out her four-barrel pistol and leapt to the side, pulling the trigger and shutting her eyes close.

The bullet fired in front of the Demon Boar as it faces the boulder, and a flash ignited, blinding the beast to a howling-screech as it slams against the stone. Maggots flying off from the flailing decaying Boar God.

Emma sprinted away, back to the path they had just entered, and met the cloaked boy again who had followed after the girl in worry. The area white from the flash, he only felt her hand once more grasp his and pulls him back.

"Come on! Let's go!"

They fled further into the forest as the Demon Boar God slammed itself against the ground and trees, writhing in its own white blindness. The children ran as far as they could, climbing over small cliffs and rough terrains, until the howls of the Demon Boar soon meshed with the sound of the wind. They kept running until they were sure to be safe, and stopped for a breath.

The boy fell to the ground on his back, his tank of stamina cold empty as he gasped, "Tha...thanks... You really went out of your way for me... We actually escaped Nago..."

He craned his head to see her under his hood, "What did you do? Some kind of flash?"

Her breathing coming to a steady, Emma looked down at her four-barrel pistol, "It's... a special gun. Something I got from back home."

Holstering it in her pockets, she walks over to the boy, offering her hand, "Are you okay?"

The boy lifted his head with his thumb by a bit to see, and reaches with an accepting grasp, helped by Emma to stand up, "Yeah, I-"

Emma heard something then, something squiggly and snapping branches from behind her. An instinctual jolt at the noise as she saw the boy's eyes widened. She started to turn but the boy was quicker, throwing himself for her and both tumbled to the ground as sharp metal swiped over them, the tip of her orange fringes cut.

"Wait! Don't kill her!"

Emma's heart rapid from the sudden entrance of a figure in red, her round green eyes staring at the imposing figure who dropped from one of the tall trees. An adult size figure, carrying a long staff with a wide curved blade, brown-crimson armor with silver rims that robed from his shoulders and ankles. A skin tone of deep orange with red painted lines below his eyes and over his cheeks, and shaggy pale red hair. The most distinguishing feature of all though, was the in-human features of two white horns on his head, his narrowed bronze eyes cold and animalistic.

"She helped me just now!"

The boy sprung up and spread out his arms, his hood fallen back as he defended Emma. A surprising sight of the boy's face, having similar features as the man? before them. One white bone stump at his forehead and the same painted symbols on his round face. Emma clutches her bow as the man of monster-like attributes lifted his spear.

Bother her and the boy froze in place. Clinging at the end of the monster-man's spear, black maggots squirm at the blade tip. With swift motion, the monster-man stabs his spear point into the ground and sliced the maggots in repeated ease.

"This had been on that human's backpack," he said, "If it had made contact to either of you, a slow agonizing demise would have awaited for you both."

That had been on her? It must have latched onto her backpack when the Demon Boar was flailing. What a terribly close call, but then that meant they were saved. Was this person good then? Or would that attack just now aim for her life as well?

"These kinds of maggots can only be carried by one beast living in this forest," he raised his head for the children, eyes narrowed, "What happened?"

"I'm sorry, I should have stayed close to you," the monster-like boy began, gathering enough courage and steeling himself to answer, "I... I accidentally stumbled onto Nago's territory and came across him."

"Did his maggots touch you?"

"No! We-!"

"Are you sure?" The adult stressed, a demand for absolute certainty that if proven otherwise, could mean the detriment of boy's very life.

"I'm sure," the boy asserted, facing the adult fully.

Emma rises to her feet slowly, still gripping onto her bow cautiously, but no attempt to reach for her arrows. The adult was questioning, not outright attacking. There was a sure hostility in the adult's eyes, wary and ready to strike directly at her. Having the same features as the boy, or perhaps more accurately it was the other way around, was this the boy's father?

She calmed her heart and kept her eyes on him. Keeping calm was the most suited course, and there may yet be a way to reciprocate this. Another long regard from the adult before his gaze turned to Emma, gesturing his spear towards Emma.

"You are with a human."

"A friend," the boy corrected, happily declaring, "She was around and led Nago away. She saved my life."

The adult's eyes remained suspicious on her before lowering his spear, though still gripping it as he began his calm approach, "If Nago realized you are among the Ogre clan, he'll incite war against us with his group and the Orcs."

Ogres. So they really are monsters? They seemed so human despite having rugged looking appearance and fangs. From the books she's read, Emma had imagined ogres to be different. Sloth-like creatures, with much bigger muscles and weight, but instead these ogres had a thinner physique, and an air of grace mixed with wildness, yet had a posture of pride and leadership.

"I had my hood on the whole time. He couldn't have known!" The ogre child insisted.

The ogre adult still was not pleased, "Nevertheless. You should have made your way back to the village, or leave carvings on the trees for me to find. If his maggots had touched you, a journey for a cure would have been severe for even ogres like us."

"S-sorry," the ogre boy said, lowering his head in shame. The older ogre frowned at the child, before relief softened his hard gaze. His hand outstretched and patting the young one's head of messy red hair.

"Thank goodness you were spared from Nago's wrath. Our clan would have lost their future chief, and I would have lost my only son."

The witnessing show of affection relaxed Emma, composing herself with a small hint of a smile, as she thought back her own time with her family - the love they had shared, and their warm presence she misses.

"So you have saved my son?"

She looked back up to the ogre man, giving a steady nod and vocal affirm.

"Then you have my gratitude," he knelt down and lowered his head, the bud of his spear standing against the ground. The hostility in his posture now gone. "Forgive me for startling you. I wasn't sure what to make with a human being so close to a monster. It usually stirs conflict. It's remarkable that you have risked yourself to save an ogre like my son."

"Ah, it's no trouble. You're welcome," Emma responded politely, forged by her trained years of etiquettes. His mannerisms remind her much of Musica and Sonju. While she had been unaware that the boy was a monster, she wouldn't have stood by even if she knew beforehand. Emma knew firsthand the horror of being chased by large beasts far too well.

"Um, are you competitors?" She then asked.

Raising his head, the ogre answered, "No. We are non-participants."

NPCs, Emma fathomed with widened eyes. So these were the generated AIs said before the beginning of the match to occupy the world. How amazing, they seemed and act so real. Perhaps, they simply were.

"By your question, are you perhaps...?"

His question left in the air, Emma grasped it with a quick answer, nodding, "Yes. I'm a competitor."

"Really? Cool! Dad! We should help her!" The boy suggested eagerly, bouncing on his feet. "Let's take her back to our village!"

The ogre man nodded, "That we shall. I wish to reward your new friend for rescuing you." He then addressed Emma with sincerity, "You will be the first human to visit, but do not worry. Our clan will welcome you, I will make sure of it."

A village of ogres? If they were as friendly as this man and his son, Emma certainly has no qualms with that. It was much better than to remain out here in the open wild. Plus, if it was true that NPCs help competitors in their objective to collect starts, maybe these people can help her.

The ogre man rises upright once more, heading towards one direction, "Come then. It's some distance away, but it shouldn't take us too long to reach there."

"You'll like it there!" The ogre child promised enthusiastically, pounding his curled fist against his chest. "You'll be our guest of honor! We'll have a big feast to celebrate our escape from Nago! I'm sure the others will be amazed how you were able to survive the Demon Boar God."

"Ah. Food would be good, but you don't have to go that far," Emma humbly said, though certainly a cheer is in order in having avoided death, at least for today.

"Nope! My pride as an ogre will not allow that. I'm going to make it up to you however I can!" The child ogre proudly said.

"Calm little one. No need to be insistent," the ogre adult gently reprimanded, yet a smirk laced his expression, "Though, I suppose I would have done the same. We ogres have our honor, and to us, a debt unpaid cannot be stand for. Now stay close to us, human. This territory harbors several wild creatures and other strong monsters not part of our clan."

/.\

Emma followed the leading ogre chief alongside his son. Traversing crude and luscious terrains of the forest. Throughout the small journey, Emma began questioning both the ogres, if there were other clans, what they do, and especially the monsters that lurk around here. From their answer and general understanding of the world, at least this part within the large forest, there are several clans, both allies and enemies.

There also lived wild monsters, not affiliated to any clan, and ones Emma makes mental note to take cautious of. Human villages exist but far outside this forest, and it'll be a hefty travel to reach one on foot. Almost a shame, but Emma did not complain the company she has with her now. She was only curious of seeing other freely living humans, perhaps she may have her chance sometime later. Get a glimpse of the other world outside the one she was born in.

Throughout their time spent, she began to learn more of the ogres, including one very interesting tidbit about her ogre companions.

"You don't have a name?" Emma asked.

"Nu-uh. A lot of monsters usually don't have those," the ogre child explained. "It might be different for others. For us, a name means that we're strong to have it. To have our own identity that separates us from other monsters."

"Then, what can I call you?"

"Maybe future village chief? Cause that's what I'll be someday!" He gleefully proclaimed. "When I grow big and strong, I'll be leading my entire clan!"

"I doubt any ogre would follow someone that can't keep track of their own people," the current ogre chief makes a jab at the boy's earlier mishap, earning a recoil from the young one's affected ego and a pout. Emma thinned her mouth to erase any hint of a chuckling grin.

"Now then, as a competitor, you must be hunting for a particular beast then, yes?" The ogre chief then said, directing his question towards Emma. "I hope it isn't what I think it is..."

"N-no mister!" Emma quickly stated. "It's not you, or any ogre at all! And even if it was, I wouldn't want to do it. You and your son seem very nice people, I'm sure your clan must be the same way."

"Even after how I reacted with you? I'm surprised you would consider us in that manner," he said in bemused, clearing a bush with a swipe of his spear. "I will say this that we ogres aren't quite friendly at first greeting, but it's kind of you to think so. Perhaps we can provide information for whatever creature you are seeking. We're talented hunters in our own right, and rather knowledgeable in many areas such as this forest or monsters in general."

"That would help a lot. Thank you," Emma smiled.

After a few hours of traveling, through the guidance of the ogre chief's knowledge of the forest, avoiding territorial ravenous monsters and the like, they arrived at the village in an open field surrounded by trees. Small houses stood above the ground by wooden beams as its legs with small stairways that lead to its entrances. Paper shoji doors that slide open to the side, and rooftops with sides that curved inwards.

There was no fence or walls to protect them, there were hardly even any guards surveying the perimeters, so it was either that the ogres were ignorant to the dangers of lacking in defense, or they were very confident of their own strengths. The chief and his son's arrival drew the attention of the other villagers before noticing Emma's presence, confused stares and curious onlookers, as well suspicious. The chief announced Emma as their special guest, friend of his son, and requested his people to treat her with welcome and respect.

Moving further into the village, there were ogres in various sizes, colors and horn placements. Children playing together, adults working outside and in, doing chores, keeping their homes clean, and all other activates Emma sees around herself. Upon hearing the ogre chief's wordily depicts their village, she discovered that one side of the village had strong ogres dedicated to training, the other side dedicated to painting. A tailor shop in some corners, sewing delicate fabrics that made into robes which Emma realized to be kimonos, something she has read about in Gracefield with Gilda when the other girl's interest in fashion began to pique.

Looking at the styles and architectures, they harbored a sense of familiarity in Emma, and it was only a brief moment later did she remembered where she'd seen these sorts of designs from. From the world culture books she's looked through, the designs in the ogre village were very akin to the Japanese culture depicted in the pictures and drawings. It was as intricate in real life, if not more marvelous to see. The ogres here are a clan of regal and artistic people, overall upholding imposing statures as warriors.

When news came to the other ogres of the ogre chief's son's rescue, delivered by their chief as he gathered his people to the center of the village in front of his much bigger house, weighing with more intricacy than the rest, of the brave act done by the young human girl that saved the life of the chief's son, an instant renown of acceptance was shown by the ogre people, and at the chief son's appeal, a celebratory feast was in order. Emma appreciated their collected, yet amiable treatment that left a warm, grateful smile on her face. She only wished her family was here to enjoy this with her.

She showed civility to each and every ogre, minding herself from staring at their horns and appearance in amazement for too long, and the food they brought out. The feast settled at the center of their village outdoors, mats and pillows for everyone to sit upon. They sat on their knees and began using chopsticks to pluck food from their bowl filled with rice, cooked meat slices, boiled eggs, dumplings, and other food.

Watching how they behave, sat, and eat their foods, Emma takes a moment to follow and adeptly copy their actions out of courtesy, with the chopsticks that were the very first she's ever touched and uses, she successfully picks up a tiny clutter of rice, bringing the piece to her mouth and eating it.

The warm aroma of the feast and gentle clash of their joined jugs that spilled the foam of their rich drink. The joy of chatter among the proud ogres and allowing their casual attitudes to come out. A friendly exchange between Emma and the chief's child as they talk about idle things and stories of their life.

"So you want a way to the world of humans to escape the demons?" The chief's child simplified, his red brows furrowing as he hears Emma's story of where she hailed from and her situation.

Emma nodded, "And it's not just for my family. I decided that I want to save all of the children from the other orphanages. They probably have no idea that their homes are really farms. I want to save my family, but there's no point in reaching for that goal if all the other orphans are left to die. That's why I want to win this competition and make a wish; for all the cattle children of the demon world to be transported to the human world. But..."

Her green eyes dimmed with sadness, "If I do that, there'll be a war. I don't want that, but I can't accept how it is now. I left behind half of my family so that we could look for a way into the human world, and then go back for them. I don't want anyone else to die, but if a war breaks out between the human world and the demon world, then..."

There was a contemplative look on the chief's child as he listened, "So what are you going to do?"

Emma stared at the cup of milk she grabbed and held in her hands, "...I'm not sure yet. I know that I have to find a way where there won't be any deaths or sacrifices. Right now though, I have to keep doing everything I can, that no more cattle children are killed, and find a place where my family can be safe."

"Hm..." The ogre child said thoughtfully, openly wondering, "In that case, if every human leaves that world, I wonder what the demons would have to eat?"

A shot across her system as she heard this question, and she sulked even further. Lost in thought. She had no response, but she knew deep in her heart that it was a question to eventually come. Even as she determinedly presses on in her mission with several other things worrying her mind, filled with a drive for everyone's sake in her world, it was not enough for her to ignore the things in between - the repercussion of her fixated goal.

The ogre child spotted her reaction and realized his own thoughtlessly said words, "AH! I'm sorry! That sounded bad. If a human would want to kill and eat me, I'd want to fight back."

He blinked at the human girl before him, and stuttered, "I-I mean-! That's not-! I don't mean like... Y-you know what, never mind! I take it back! You do what you got to do! I wouldn't want you to get eaten, so do your best for your family. Okay?"

He shifted his seating to recover himself, head lowered apologetically, "I know that if it comes to my clan, I would want to save every one of them. They're my family, and as the future village chief, it's my job to look after them and lead them. If anyone were to come for us and they mean harm, then we stand and fight!"

He raised his cup with a valiant grin that means to triumph over his enemies, but the sorrowful eyes of Emma retracted his moment of bravado. "Oh, but I guess you wouldn't want to fight at all." He looked down at his food with nothing much else to reiterate, except his note of her nature. "You're a really gentle person."

"I know that fighting is something that we have to do, that it might be the only way for us to stay alive," Emma contended, "If it's for the people I love, I'd do it for them. I've been fighting for them ever since I found out the truth about our home. I've met other humans who fought and suffered so much. It's just..."

She added, "If it comes down to choosing to fight, and making sure no one else gets hurt, wouldn't the second choice be better? I hate how it is, how much pain it brought. But isn't it better that there can be a resolution without having to kill anybody? Then everybody gets to live in peace."

The ogre child considered with a hum, "Yeah, that does sound good. Maybe the demons could make an exception, and they won't have to hunt humans anymore."

A thought Emma had considered before, but unless the demons have a resounding reason to do so, she has to find it and deliver it before she could bring all of the children to the human world. However, if most of the demons were like Lewis, then there was no hope for negotiations, nor can she be reckless and escape anyway. She has to think up a solution that will not lead to war while sticking true to her agenda. Hopefully, by the time she passes the preliminary, she may have some semblance of an concrete idea.

A little later, the ogre chief joins them, approaching between them with a jug in his hand, "Are you enjoying your meal, Emma?" He asked before taking a swig of his drink, sitting down.

Erasing her previous moment of conflicting contemplation, Emma piped up with a distinct smile to masterly overlap her inner dilemma, "Yes! Everything is delicious. I'm really grateful for your kindness."

"For a friend of my son, I'll only offer the best hospitality," the ogre chief said. "You are welcome to stay here for the night, if you like. For rescuing one of our own, we will give whatever we have on us to help you on your hunt."

"Thank you, but I think I should keep moving today. I want to make use of all the time left before the end of the week," Emma said as she reaches for her backpack, and pulls out the paper she plucked from a Challenge Board. "I'm looking for this fish, do you know anything about it?"

The chief looks at the shown paper, a frown on his face, "The Banana Fish? Yes, I know it well. This creature lives in a lake near rocky terrain that's east here. It's the closest to reach, but you'll have to be quick to catch it. It's the only fish that lives in that lake, so if someone happens to capture it before you, you'll have to find another place that's farther away and more dangerous to travel to."

His son stood up to see the listed monster for himself, curious of the creature that appeared like any fish, with delicate fins that seemed to flow, sprouting three sharp-looking needles.

"Its size is about twelve inches, but it should be manageable enough for you to handle. However, the threat level described here does not truly convey the scope of this creature's capability. It's not a difficult monster to capture, but it's nothing less dangerous," the chief informs. "These thin talons here. They're laced with a poison that can drug you into a lucid state of mind. Susceptible to a sort of mind control that is impossible to resist, and can cause insanity."

Emma mentally makes not of the given information, nodding her head as she listened. It was quite fortunate of her to obtain this before hunting for the fish, and now comprehended the importance of avoiding being pricked by those needle-like talons.

The ogre chief then gave recommendations to avoid being pierced by the talons, to wear something thick enough like armor or some form of rubbery substance, like leather. Having possibly neither, then it was best to let the fish flail around on land until it eventually tires itself out, though precaution is still in order such as restraining its movements somehow.

"A little poke of the Banana Fish's talons will do enough to affect you. You won't die, but it won't be a pleasant experience. While the body of the fish is safe to touch, it's meat should not be eaten. I've seen what it has done to one of our own. When he attempted to rid the poison by cooking it, the poison remained and he succumbed to its maddening affects after a single taste, and we had to put him out of his misery."

Emma winced in sorrow at the story, softly giving her condolences.

"No worries little one," the ogre chief assured, "Nature is merciless, but that is life. At least now, you know to be careful. Remove the talons and the fish will pose no threat to you. You are free to keep those talons, use them however you like. They may do you well as daggers or arrows. The meat, though poisonous, makes for a good bait to attract other beasts."

He then gave directions to the lake, using the back of the Challenge paper as a map, and advising her of paths and territories to avoid through the jungle until she reaches the near edge of the forest. The distance to the lake is not so far, but rushing for it would not be wise in a forest such as this, swarming with wild monsters.

"Thank you, mister. This will help me a lot!" Emma happily said, no matter the imposing challenge that awaits in this hunt.

"I'm glad that it will," he raised his jug in complementary, "Eat and take as much food as you need before you leave. A word of advice when hunting for the Banana Fish, it'll take time, so patience and diligence is in order."

There was a new thought that came to him, seen in his eyes as he lowered his jug, "I may have something that could also perhaps help you further in your journey. When you are done eating, I will show it to you. For now, enjoy the feast."

Emma nodded, looking back at the fish monster on paper, a resolute gaze.

/.\

The feast continued for the ogres, while Emma had her fill, and preps to continue her journey. She was given plenty of food to eat over the trip; rice balls, cooked small slices of meat, bread, and dumplings contained within a plastic box, wrapped in cloth. She was grateful for the food, and for the ogres treatment. She was also greeted with the blacksmith of their village by the chief's son, to take a look at her rifle after noticing it's appearing damage from her last night altercation with a monster ant.

The blacksmith repaired it as best he could, even though rifles were not their specialty, he seemed to have a grasp of the mechanics, claiming to be a genius at weapons. It didn't seem to take too long at all, and given back her rifle, the gun seemed to have lost its crack entirely. Emma thanked the blacksmith before both she and the ogre child retreated to the center of the village.

"Come back any time, okay? And be careful out there. Where you're going doesn't lead to Nago's territory, but there's a lot of monsters to watch out for still," The chief's son said. Emma nodded, assured that she will. Though the Ogre clan were made the most convincing NPCs, Emma saw them individually as real people. She will not forget the hospitality given here.

"Indeed, little one," the ogre chief said from aside, returning after separating himself from them to pick up something. He stopped right beside his son. "Which is why I believe this may help our new friend here manage her way around the forest much easier."

In his hand, he held out an object. A red and black rectangular device of some kind. Emma accepted the device, looking at it curiously. "Is this... a cell phone? Or something to play games with?"

"Open it and see for yourself."

She flips open the device. There were two screens, and few buttons to push. Upon opening it, the screens lit up in activation, and a map-like gray grid shows in one. On the grid, there were many red dots noted, and general shapes and outlines of what seems to represent the trees around them.

"That is a Monster Tracker," the ogre chief answered. "It belonged to a hunter years ago. I have no need for it, nor care to rely too much on it, but I'm sure it will be put to better use in your care. It shows a general layout of the area you are in within fifty meters, and can warn you of any wild monsters nearby. From what else I discover, should you carry a piece of any monster, the device can examine it and provide more information about the monster, including their abilities and weaknesses. There may be more to it but I'm not sure, you'll have to uncover that yourself."

Emma was at awe at the device in her hands. The incredible advantage and use this would give her in an event such as this! What a wonderful gift!

It really is a lot like being in a video game.

"For saving my son, you deserve this gift that will no doubt help you on your journey," the ogre chief said. "Now go. Best of hunting, Emma. We shall hope for you to visit us again."

Closing the device, she puts it away inside one of her vest pockets. "Mister, this is an amazing gift. I don't know how I can repay you..."

"Win this event," the ogre chief responded. "And if possible, be victorious in this competition as well. Do so for your clan awaiting back in your world - your family, that is."

She nodded, an overwhelming sense of gratitude that she acted on instinct. Rushing towards the ogre chief, she granted him a big hug around the waist. The ogre chief did not expect the embrace, but nonetheless, he patted her head.

"I certainly hope for your survival, Emma. Fight to the end."

"I will," Emma promised. Releasing him, she gave her final word of parting from the ogre clan, and sets out from the village, waving goodbye to all, at least until she may come back to them yet.

/.\

Venturing into the wilderness, the Monster Tracker indeed has proven its usefulness. Not only guiding her around hidden pits and dangerous trenches, whenever a monster was within the fifty-meter vicinity, the device quietly beeped in alert, prompting Emma to hurry and hide out of sight. It saved her the trouble of running into and away from the vicious and enormous creatures she comes across.

It was disturbing to consider that if she was without this tracker, she would have eventually been faced against said creatures, the chance of escaping and fighting them successfully without knowing their weak points considerably low and far too risky. This will be very helpful in her search and catch for the Banana Fish.

A few hours of her moving around the treacherous forest and avoiding deadly encounters, she finally arrived at the edge of the jungle to rocky terrain, a large blue water lake before her that expands around and behind a cliff. Looking at the water, she could make out the sight of several small fishes swimming, none matching the appearance of the Banana Fish.

"Oh," she said, suddenly realizing, "I don't have a fishing rod."

She mindfully deflated for overlooking such an obvious necessity if she wishes to capture the fish, and felt even dumber for not asking the ogres if they could lend her one fishing rod if they had any. They must have believed she would do fine on her own skills, if they didn't think to ask how she intended to fish from this lake at least. She takes a deep breath to calm herself.

"It's okay. I can figure something out..."

She'll need a line, a net, and a bucket to place the Banana Fish in. She may be able to find something from the jungle she can make a rope out of, like the vines. She could also use those vines and perhaps the cloth also that covered her lunch box as a net. As for what to use for a bucket, it may just be simpler to dig a hole deep enough to safely drop the Banana Fish inside. Now her only issue is the bait to lure the Banana Fish with. There might be some bugs she could find and dig up in the forest. Or maybe use a bit of her food.

The sun was high above her head, she approximated four hours until the sunset. She must prepare herself and begin fishing at once before nightfall or she'll have to delay it until tomorrow. Being out in the open was bad, doing so at night is worse without much light to guide her except from the moon.

After collecting several vines from the forest, cutting them down by shooting arrows with expert precision, she starts tying them into a net along with the cloth from her lunch box, and ties the vines into two long ropes to pull the net in. Those moments of knitting in the winters with her family has made their effective debut yet again. Getting some insets to work as her bait, she dug a hole for the place where the banana fish may resign after capture, using a hard stone she found aside as her shovel. Thirty minutes of work done, she began to fish.

First was a test run, tossing the net onto the water, watching it sink slightly but with the top corners still floating. After a few minutes, the corners shook and she pulled quickly. A single small fish was only caught, but the effectiveness of the net was certain. A second try and she caught two more fishes, larger than the last. This net will do nicely enough to catch the Banana Fish. Releasing the caught fish back into the lake, she set her backpack and bow aside, her rifle carried on her back by a strap, she sat on the ground and waited.

And waited she did. Carefully observing for that yellow body of scales and white fins as described in the poster.

For every hour pass, she gently reigns in her net to add more bait and cast it back out onto the lake. Some nibbling was noted from where she sees, but the Monster Tracker made no such detection. It proved to be working back in the forest when it warned her of incoming monsters, so all that's left is for her to wait for the tracker's cue. The sun was coming closer to the horizon, a faint orange and blue covering the sky. If nothing was achieved today, she will try again tomorrow.

As she waited, she began to think to herself. If the progress here was too slow, then it might be best to move on and search for another challenge board. There was still plenty of time to collect all five stars, but it would be wasteful to not spend every second actively looking for points. If things are becoming to taxing, then she will have to consider making that choice. For now, she will continue to try for the Banana Fish.

And then another thought came. What if the Banana Fish was already captured? Could another competitor have been here and captured it already? If so, then she shouldn't dawdle here any longer, though she can't be sure if the Banana Fish was or wasn't taken. Perhaps she ought to walk around the lake, although this was a massive lake, far larger than fifty meters. Who's to say the Banana Fish won't keep moving and avoid the tracker's pinpoint? If only she had a fishing boat...

A sudden beep of her tracker. Emma looks down to it, in the first pocket of her sweater. A Monster?! She takes out the device to check, the detection was coming from the lake. Could it be...?

She stood up, putting away the tracker again, listening to its continuous beeping. She waited. The beeping continued.

A small splash rippled within the lake, Emma straightened her shoulders in attentive alarm. Leaping from the waters with a small hop, a yellow creature with pale white fins and needle-pointed talons. Its yellow scale glimmered from the slow submerging sun behind her.

Her tracker rang with updated information: [Monster Identified: Banana Fish. Threat Level Estimated: 1.5].

There it is! She withheld her excitement to remain discreet and not frighten the fish away.

The Banana Fish dashed across the water; its appearance muddled but it's color distinct that she kept her eyes on it even as it swam in questionable agitation. It reached her net. Without waiting for it to pause or risk allowing it to swim past it, Emma pulled the rope and closed the net.

"Yes!"

The closed net shook and protrude with jabbing from the inside, bobbing in the water. Emma began pulling the rope and the net in.

A sudden yank in the water that stopped her pull. A surprising bit of strength the fish had. Emma simply tugged the rope harder.

The net sinks into the water.

"Huh?"

She was powerfully pulled into the lake. Emma gripping the ropes on instinct, and she was faced with water, a cold shower that dowsed her whole body as she was heaved across the lake. She held her breath. Blinding water masking her, she hadn't been given the time to even scream her surprise. Panic ran through her mind. What was this?! What was going on?! Ideas and theories raced in her head, and as soon as she attempted to comprehend that she should probably let go (and decide against it since she has never swimmed before), a sudden break of air as she was heaved up and out of the water.

"Ah."

She coughed and spat out water, then opened her eyes to the sound of a voice.

A young boy stared at her with nonplussed amber eyes. His black spiky hair had a shade of green at the tip, and he wore a green uniform and shorts. The agitated net over Emma's head was held up by a fishing hook and line, the rope of the net still tightly clutched by her hands. She stared back at the boy, her panic vanishing into equal surprise, and noticed that he held the fishing rod in his hands, the very rod whose line and hook held Emma's own net.

Fifty feet above the waters, on top of the cliff the young boy sat upon.

"Ah!" Gon was startled as soon as he comprehended the girl holding for dear life in front of him, he accidentally lost grip of his spinning reel and Emma drops, her legs curled quickly around her rope as she felt her stomach sink until she was yanked to a stop, barely clutching the rope still, unrelenting her grip with puffed cheeks as she held back her scream.

"S-sorry!" Gon stopped her fall by catching the reel, and began reeling her in. He helped her come to the cliff he stood on and she was safe, slumping on her back onto the flat surface and heaving several breaths. She lay right beside the boy as he checked over her dowsed state.

"Are you okay?" He asked.

She nodded, still quite surprised as to what just happened, and pushed herself up to sit. Was she... just fished out by this boy? From all the way up here? "Y-yeah."

"Hey, what happened?"

She hears another voice from behind and looked over her shoulder.

From a tall rock, another boy showed up. His hair fuzzy white, and his eyes a deep blue, it reminded her of Norman. He wore a white shirt with dark blue sleeves of another shirt underneath, and dark blue shorts.

"Ah! Killua!" Gon called.

Killua blinked befuddled at the sight of the girl and began to walk towards them. "Who's that?"

"I don't know. I think I just pulled her out of the water," Gon answered, looking back down to the girl. "Hey, what's your name?"

"E-Emma," she answered, still catching her breath. "Who are you?"

The boy in green smiled widely. The purity in his expression of a warm gaze that spoke many adventures endured. "I'm Gon! This is my friend, Killua."

The boy in white jumps down from the rock, and approaches, giving a nonchalant wave as Emma found herself mesmerized by his calm blue gaze, his demeanor reminded her of Ray. "Yo. So, you mind telling us what you were doing swimming around here?"

/.\

After collecting her thoughts and recovering from the surprise for a moment, Emma explained herself the best she could, hoping that telling the boys will also give her an explanation to what happened. Once revealing that she was hunting for the Banana Fish, there was a sheepish realization that came from Gon's face.

"Oh..." He said as he gave Emma a towel to dry herself with. "Sorry, that was me. I was fishing here too, and I guess we both caught the same fish."

"So you really pulled me all the way up here?" Emma asked, amazed rather than upset. The only other child she knew who was physically stronger than that of an adult and could even indirectly survive against a demon was Adam, and that was purely due to the genetic experiments he endured in Lambda. This boy, however, did not appear to have any mutations in his body. He was just strong. Amazing.

She glanced at his backpack when a particular object glittered under the setting sun, and to her surprise, sticking onto the side of his backpack was a patch with two small golden stars on it.

"Are you guys' competitors?"

Gon nodded, unhesitant. "Yeah! Are you one too?"

Emma nodded, eagerly. Competitors. Other participants. "So then, you're from another world!"

"Yeah! We are!" An answer to be boldly stated without consideration, it would have been thought that this boy was other imaginative or out of his mind. But with such confidence radiating from him, Emma believed him wholeheartedly, after all, she was no different.

Amazing. Truly amazing! Other humans from other worlds! She had so many questions, eager for more upfront answers. What were their worlds like? Did they live in a society of other humans? So many questions she wanted to spit out all at once!

"You made this net?" A question from Killua diverts Emma's focus. The make-shift net of vines and single cloth lifted in his finger.

"Yeah. I didn't have a fishing rod so I did what I could," Emma explained. It was surprisingly better than she anticipated, considering how intact it remained after she held onto it for so long as she was dragged underwater.

"Wow! That's pretty good!" Gon said, looking at the net with intrigued. Killua opening the net to see the squirming fish inside.

Emma jolted upright, holding out her hands to stop, "Wait! Be careful! It's talons are poisonous!"

"Really?" Killua asked, looking back at the held net.

"How do you know?" Gon asked curiously. Emma hurriedly explained her meeting with a group of ogres, "EH?! You met ogres?! Cool!" Gon's overawe interrupted her story before ushering her to continue, listening to the gripping story that was explained in just a few important sentences so to get the message across.

Upon finishing, Emma affirmed once more as she looked at Gon, "So we have to be careful with its talons or it'll affect us very badly. It's safe to touch the body, but you should definitely not eat it. It'll be just as bad if you even taste it."

She looked back to the net, and sees Killua holding the Banana Fish in his bare hands. An odd piercing wound at the side of the fish's head before he lifted a fin and licked one of the talons.

He licked one of the poisonous talons.

Emma gawked at him.

"Oh yeah. It's definitely poisonous," Killua confirmed.

"Oh, it is huh?" Gon said, believing his friend's word. "Guess we should be careful with it-"

"WHY DID YOU DO THAT?!"

The towel fell off from Emma's shoulders as she stood up, screaming with incomprehension at the inexplicable action after her warning, her eyes bulging wide with panic. "W-we have to get you to a doctor! You'll get sick! You'll go crazy!"

They looked at her and her shocked reaction. Killua raised a hand to calm her, "It's alright. Poison doesn't affect me."

"H-huh?" Emma stuttered, lowering her arms that were waving the air urgently, "I-it doesn't?"

"Nope," he said easily. "My body can take anything. Laxatives. Drugs. Even cyanide. I can tell how poison taste, so you're definitely right about this fish."

Did he want to confirm it simply for the sake of it? Impervious to laxatives, drugs, cyanide? H-how did he have that sort of immunity? Or rather, what made him figure out he had that immunity? Was this something kids from other worlds can do beside super strength? No wait, if he says he's impervious to poison then that implies there are poison dangerous to humans. B-but did he really have to lick it?

Emma's mind was simply filled with endless questions. Just how strong are other children from other worlds are?

"You said it's these needles that we have to watch out for," Killua said, "Can't we just remove them?"

Emma snapped out of her thoughts at his suggestion. "Y-yes. The ogre chief said that it would be safer. But only after killing the fish."

"Done. It's already dead now."

"Eh?"

She... didn't see him kill the fish. She watches in total befuddlement as Killua lay the fish on the ground. Indeed, the fish's body was limp, utterly lifeless when just a moment ago it was fighting inside the net.

Emma stared at it, confused. "How... When did you kill it?"

"When I grabbed it," he lifted a finger, "And stabbed it with this."

The nail of his finger extended into a sharp point and Emma jerked her head back. It was like a thin dagger with a white blade for a nail, a sense of unease settled, yet she couldn't help but looked on in fascination, moving her head a little closer to inspect. "Whoa. How do you do that?"

"It's a long story, but basically, my body was trained to be tough," Killua merely said, his nail shrinking into normal once more.

"Killua really is amazing, especially when you get to know him," Gon said in boast of his friend.

Killua scratched the back of his head, which honestly worried Emma considering how sharpened his nails could be. "It's no big deal," Killua said, sounding a bit sheepish at Gon's words. "Anyway, I'm guessing since you know about the Banana Fish, you were after it too, huh?"

"Oh," Emma said, "Yeah. You guys were hunting it also?"

At their nod, she acknowledged the dilemma they were in. Emma had caught the fish but Gon had reeled it in. "Well, you guys can have it, since you did beat me at reeling it in. It's only fair."

It wouldn't be right to fight over it, she can always hunt for the next monster anyhow. Gon looked at Killua for a moment, seeming to share their thoughts with each other before they looked back at the lying fish.

"Why don't we share it?" Gon suggested, smiling. His offer takes Emma by surprise.

"Really?" Emma asked.

"Yeah! You kept holding onto it even after I reeled it in. I was planning to share it with Killua anyway, so we can all have a piece," Gon said. Killua shrugged in agreement.

"I don't mind. Let's do it," A quick pull of each talon from one fin, Killua offered the three needles for each of them. Emma was careful to pluck one without being poked by the point as Gon picked the second one, and Killua keeping the third. Holding it out in their hands, they waited expectantly.

A glow surrounds each needle, transforming the shapes into something smaller and rounder-like, and then a pop. One golden star in each of their hands. Emma beamed triumphant, "We got them!"

"Great! So we're left with just two stars to go," Gon said.

Killua nodded alongside him, "Right. Shouldn't be too hard for us with the time we have left."

"How many stars do you have?" Gon asked Emma.

"Just two, including this one," Emma said, putting away her star in one of her vest pockets where her badge is. "I'll have to go back to the forest over there and find more challenge boards."

"You came from the forest?" Killua asked, brows raised at her. "Some villagers we met told us that a lot of strong monsters live there."

"Yeah. It was where I was brought to after I enter the competition," Emma explained. "I've fought against some big monsters before, so maybe that's why. It's also where I met the ogres. I think though that I was lucky on some parts, since the monsters in my world are different from the ones that live here. I've managed to avoid a lot thanks to-"

Her eyes widened, "Oh no! I hope it still works!"

She reached the second pocket of her vest and pulls out the Monster Tracker, garnering interest from the boys as she opened the device. The screen was shown to be working still. The mechanics were still in good use, but still worried, she looked back to Gon and Killua. "I'm sorry, but can I have a scale from the fish? It'll just be a moment."

Curious about her request, Killua followed through with it, plucking off one scale from the Banana Fish and hands it to Emma. "Thank you," she said as she sets the scale onto the bottom screen at the center. A ripple visual effect occured as Gon and Killua scooted closer to see what was going on, Emma paying attention to the screen solely.

[Analyzing...]

There was a confirmation bell-like sound from the device.

[Analyze completed.

Identification: Monster.

Name of Species: Banana Fish.

Updating... Capture Level: 1.5. Threat Level: 5.

Biography: While a harmless creature of low difficult capture level on par of any fish, its needle-like talons carry a poisonous effect that will mentally degrade anyone of low-poison resistance].

A relieved sigh left Emma. The device was still working, and waterproof as it turns out. Gon and Killua were impressed with the technology in her hand.

"Is this how you were able to move through that forest?" Killua asked.

A nod from Emma as she smiled, "It's a tracker that can detect monsters. The ogre chief gave me this to help me through that jungle, and it works like a map too."

"Oh!" Gon said with added intrigue and wonder to the girl. "That's really useful! You could use that to find any monster you want!"

"That'll definitely give you an advantage," Killua said, sitting back, "You should be careful with that. There might be some people willing to take that from you."

"Ah, yeah," Emma said as she closes the device and puts it back to her vest pocket. "It's useful, but I wouldn't say it'll help me hunt just any monster. I'll have to get a piece of the monster first to learn any weakness of it."

"Hm, yeah, that can be risky," Killua said. "With Gon and I, we're professional trackers ourselves, so we can manage just fine."

"What monster are you hunting next?" Emma asked.

Gon reaches for his backpack and pulls out a sheet of paper, showing it to Emma. The paper showed a depiction of what looks like an animal of a bat, a name under it reading: Golden Bat.

"After we find this monster, we'll have to look for more Challenge Boards," Gon tells. "We're hoping to look for it in that forest after we caught the Banana Fish. We might even get more stars if we go there."

"Mm. Wouldn't that be dangerous?" Emma said, though she fathomed the reasoning behind it. Entering an area that houses lots of monsters would be sure to collect more stars for competitors, and yet it's still rather risky, considering the capabilities of those strong monsters.

"Maybe, but we're willing to give it a shot. We'll be careful though," Gon assured, "You said you've already been in that forest. Can you tell us more about it?"

"There's a lot to tell, actually," Emma answered, grabbing her chin in thought briefly, before eying back at the boys, "I mean, I can just lead you through the forest if you need me to."

A startled cough from Killua from her abrupt suggestions. Gon blinked at her, "Would you?"

"Sure. The forest is really dense so you can get lost pretty easily without a map like the one I have. It's not just monsters but also a lot of dangerous traps to avoid," Emma explained before adding, "Plus, if you need help looking for that monster you're after, we can visit the ogre village. They might be able to tell you where to find it."

"That would be great!" Gon's expression lit as Killua looked on in surprise.

"I can even help you find the monster with the tracker I have," Emma followed up. Before anymore could be said, Killua cuts in.

"Hold it hold it. I mean, it would help us a lot, sure, but..." Killua began slowly, "Are you really fine with that? This is a competition after all. Wouldn't you just be helping your opponents?"

"I don't mind!" Emma immediately stated, "You guys seem nice anyway, and you even gave me a piece of the Banana Fish. I'd be happy to help you both."

"Thanks! We'd really appreciate it!" Gon said with a wide grin. Killua seems a bit more perturbed, thinking over this.

"Ah, well, I guess in exchange for helping us, you would want a share of what we're hunting for," a question of precaution offered as Killua taps into the intention of Emma's helpful nature. "I don't mind you having that idea, but it's better that we know what our intentions are. The other competitors will be fighting to get as many points as they can. We should be honest with each other first if you're serious about leading us."

"Ah, I see..." Emma said, looking down in consideration, "Well, it's true that having your help would be a really good advantage, and I can understand your suspicions. But in that case, why don't we just help each other win the Preliminary then?"

Killua stared in procuring attention as she resumed, "I won't obligate you to share any hunt either of you get. If you do though, I'll do the same. In the meantime, I can help you guys with whatever you're hunting for."

"Sure! We can do that!' Gon all too quickly agreed, at least to Killua. The boy in white merely sighed, he'll just have to make up for the other boy's won over trust with his own personal safeguard. In any case, it would be valuable to have a tracker that this girl has to help them in their hunt. Not a bad deal, even if he thinks that this girl was also just as too trusting or eager to lend help as his friend Gon.

"It's getting dark, so maybe we can start travelling for the ogre village tomorrow?" Emma suggested. "Last night, the forest had been really active, so it might be safer this way."

Killua looks to the sun-setting sky, "Hm. We did hear that there were a lot of noise at that time." He would prefer they get a head start, but until the girl was completely dry, they shouldn't risk getting their navigator sick during the night in the said to be dangerous forest. Might as well start early tomorrow morning then.

"I'm sure the ogres will help. They're a bit on edge around strangers, but they're nice people," Emma assured. "Meeting them also made me realize that not all monsters here are something to worry about."

A thoughtful hum from Gon, "That's pretty interesting to know."

"Mm," Killua said, though in his head, it was better to stay alert around others than not to be. Better safe than sorry. He then stood up, "Alright, we can start moving early in the morning."

"Right!" Emma said, "Oh! I better go get my things. I left my backpack down by the lake before I was pulled in."

"Sorry..." Gon apologized once more, but Emma reassured him with a warm consoling smile.

"It's alright! That was pretty amazing anyway. I didn't realize other kids can be so strong in other worlds."

Not exactly normal for anyone to just do, Killua mindfully thought, clearing the surface with his foot for some space. "Let's make camp around here, we'll also need some wood for a fire."

"I'll go get some," Gon offered, looking back to Emma, "Are you ready?"

She nodded, standing up as well, "Let's go! Oh! By the way, the Banana Fish's meat isn't safe to eat, but the ogres told me that it can make for a really good bait for other monsters."

"We'll keep that in mind," Killua said as he grabs the Banana Fish again. Gon and Emma started their walk to the edge that led down below, a ragged path with some protruding rocks, Gon takes an easy jump onto one while Emma confidently takes the other, both accustomed and athletic to handle rough terrains such as this.

"You have a really strong fishing rod by the way," Emma said as they made their way down. "I didn't realize that there was a rod strong enough to lift a kid like me."

"Thanks! I actually gave my original fishing rod away to some sick villagers back in my world, so it's nice to have it again," Gon said. "I've been fishing a lot since I was little. The best memory I had was when I caught the Master of the Swamp on my home island, it was the size of a baby whale!"

"A-A baby whale?! Really?!" Emma yelled in amazement. "You really are strong!"

A small cheerful laugh from Gon as they reached halfway down the cliff. Killua noting Gon was slowing down purposefully for Emma, although she was pretty athletic enough to handle the climb down herself. It became apparent to Killua that Gon has taken a liking to the girl already. They do seem to behave somewhat similar, maybe that was the might of the reason.

/.\

A fire burns the cluttered sticks, ripped chunks of tree barks, and tall grasses that present its light in the darkened area befallen by the night sky and its distant moon shadowed by dark clouds. The three children sat around the fire and its comforting warmth, an air of heat that blanketed Emma's face and her form wearing still damped clothing, having set her vest and boots to dry by the large rock aside. Gon had collected plenty of leaves from the forest to make up for bed cushions, with the help of Emma as well, and now they rested on each nice pile.

Gon offered her an extra leg of the cooked rabbit he caught as an apology for his earlier accidental doing, no matter Emma's constant assurance that he was not at fault. She decided to accept his gift to alleviate his guilty feelings and resumed her questions of the boys; who they were, and what sort of world they hailed from.

"We're Hunters!" Gon answered proudly, and explained what having the title Hunter means in their world. Not of the usual hunters that sought out animals in the woods for their hide and meat, but the sort of Hunters who sought everything in the world. Discover new species, fragments of forgotten history, deadly ailments, and cures for said ailments. There were various themes and focus every Hunter has an interest in finding, but in the most basic form; they were Hunter's endlessly craving for an adventure.

The Hunters in Gon and Killua's world perform all sorts of jobs, from body-guarding elite figures to seeking abandoned riches in dangerous territories, to mercenary work, capturing wanted criminals, and venturing into uncharted lands. It was as incredible as it sounds, even more so with how passionately Gon expresses the occupation of a Hunter.

"My own dad even left me with my Aunt Mito when I was a baby."

Perhaps a bit too passionately.

Emma hiccupped in shock at Gon's casual telling as hre resumed, "If someone is willing to leave behind his own flesh and blood, choosing to be a Hunter over being a father, then being a Hunter must have been that amazing!"

A surprisingly optimistic view, even for Emma. While that's certainly an inspiring way to look at it, Emma personally couldn't see herself leaving her own family behind for personal strive. She wasn't sure what she would think if she had a parent who would do the same to her, "You're really not that bothered?"

He shook his head. "I wanted to see what made being a Hunter so amazing, and to find Ging, my dad, one day. It hasn't been easy, but that's what being a Hunter is all about. And going on all these adventures with Killua, it really has been an awesome experience. Being a Hunter is the greatest thing!"

"It's not all fun and games though, it's a dangerous job," Killua remarked, "You could lose a limb or your life, and Gon definitely had one of those happen to him. Other than that, I guess he's right in some ways, it hasn't been boring."

"I see, eh? By losing a life or limb...?" Emma asked for further clarification.

"He lost his hand to a guy who makes bombs," Killua responded, Emma widely surprised as she looked to Gon and his now undamaged hand. "We got it fixed," the boy in white resumed, "but the foot of it all was that he didn't follow the plan we all agreed to do."

"It turned out fine in the end though," Gon argued, flexing his fingers to show his hand in good condition.

"Sure, only because we had something to heal you, and you were lucky it was only your hand," Killua blatantly said back. "You really couldn't just follow the plan like your life depended on it? Like it actually did?"

An embarrassed weak laugh from Gon as he scratched the back of his head.

"Honestly, you can so stubborn about it too," Killua playfully mocked as he ate his portion of a meal from a can, drawling to Emma with emphasis, "It really is hard having to deal with an idiot like this guy,"

An angry pout from Gon, "I'm not an idiot, I just like doing things a bit more honestly."

"Yeah? Well, maybe you're too honest!" Killua countered, answering with a hint of a funny voice, "You know, like an idiot?"

"I am not!"

"Yeah, you are. You know how many times you've done something reckless?"

"It's not so bad... and it's hasn't even been that much."

"Ha! You see?! Even you know that you can be an idiot sometimes, idiot."

"Okay, so what if I am an idiot?! You can be just as bad too!"

"Nu-uh, you're way worse than I am! Id-iot," The white-haired boy stretched the insulting word humorously, and a banter ensued between them. Emma observed their mild arguing from aside in silence, watching as a faint reminisce came to her. A clear view of the boys in front of her a hazy reflection of the two boys she personally knew, and misses very dearly.

"You guys have been through a lot together, huh?" Emma asked, a gentle expression worn.

They stopped their banter, Killua answering, "Yeah, you could say that."

Gon nodded whole-heartedly, looking to Killua, "We really have, haven't we?" He then gazed back at Emma, "We look out for each other a lot. Honestly, there isn't anyone else I trust more than Killua. He's my best friend!"

"H-hey! Don't just go shouting that sappy stuff around!" Killua sputtered.

Gon saw no problem with what was said, looking confused as he stated matter-of-factly, "Why? It's the truth."

"You..." Killua avoided eye-contact with anyone, staring up at the starry sky. Emma chuckled behind her arms that wrapped around her knees. Green eyes expressing warmness that once more thought back the two friends of her own, one gone, and one waiting with the rest of her family.

"Anyway, let's get some sleep now. It'll be better if we move fast, if the village's that far," Killua said, adjusting himself on his pile of leaves and rested his head.

Emma nodded at the boy, "It should only take us a few hours, but yeah! We can start moving at sunrise if that's alright?"

"Sounds perfect!" Gon said as he too began to adjust in his own pile. Emma smiles kindly at the two boys as they resumed their idle talk, her thoughts traveling back to her world, to her own family, to what she was here competing for.

Norman... Ray... She thought lovingly of her own best friends, of her own family. I hope you know that I'm okay. I'll do my best here, and win this competition as soon as I can.

/.\

Day Three.

A sense of serenity in the vast wilderness of the forest. Sunlight streams bathing the plants and flowers, entering through little openings from the head of the trees that were grandiose in width and length, harboring several wild critters from squirrels to sparrows and etc.

A sudden crack of the tree bark, the thick to thin that made thousands of roots tear off from the ground as the entire massive tree fell over. A grand-size beast stepped over it, a monster with half the body and head of a lion, its hind legs reptilian with a scaly tail, and nimble bird feet. It sighed an ominous, hungry growl, treading through the thick jungle as it seeks potential prey to chew.

From overhead, upon the large branches of the trees, a small voice of a girl quietly breaks from the leaves, "Over here is a deep ditch. It looks like there's some thorns and spikes down there."

Emma whispered from what she sees through the tracker, and eyeed below at the four-legged beast, "After that monster leaves, let's move across this branch to the next tree."

"It really is a good thing you have that tracker with you," Killua said in equal discretion. It was even better that they were able to meet someone like her. Hiding within the trees shielded by millions of leaves and branches, Emma, Gon, and Killua huddled somewhat close as they watched the monster below begin to walk further away.

Avoiding unnecessary conflict was better than starting one and exerting energy that should be saved for their current objective, even if fighting the monster may earn them a piece of the creature and thus a point, to do so without a plan and without familiarizing their surroundings, and without knowing what sort of defense capability the creature has, they would just risk their lives recklessly. This was learned from Gon and Killua's last hunt. Who knows what to expect from an unknown enemy in a place that could be the death of them if they so much as make one misstep?

Gon marveled at the distancing beast that made his instincts shiver, while Emma focused on the screen of the Monster Tracker. Reliant on this device that not only grant them a visual scope of the general shape of the area, but helps them avoid traps like deep ditches with blood-thirsty spikes at the end and vicious creatures disguised by nature's scenery, blending in with the environment, perfect to make their ambush, even underground as well.

"There's one more monster north from here. We should take a different route, that Chimera might end up fighting it," Emma advised.

Killua nodded. "Alright, what about east?"

"It's all clear. Let's go."

They followed her direction. The shiny screen of the device their guiding beacon, and Emma, the girl who carried their leading torch. They carefully traveled through the jungle wearing their backpacks and weapons at hand - although Killua was without one. Emma imagined that he must think his claws are enough, and when she asked if he'll truly be fine without something else to fend himself with, Killua assured that he was fine and that he has more than his dagger-like fingers to fight with.

When she asked for elaboration, Killua shrugged and told her that he may show it to her soon enough, once they locate their monster. Gon carried his fishing rod, showing once before his ability to use it as his unique weapon. Emma openly wondered how he could hunt monsters with it, and Gon decided to demonstrate.

Eyes darkened with intense focus, he threw the fishing line in the air. There was a startled chirped noise at the end of it.

"Whoa!" Emma yelled when she witnessed a sparrow being quickly reeled in, the bird caught while it was flying. Releasing it from his hook, it showed itself no evidence of harm and easily flew away from his grasp, Gon cheekily smiled at her gawked expression.

"That was amazing!" Emma highly praised. "What is that fishing rod? Can I see it?"

"Sure!" Gon handed her the rod, watching her examining it with her green eyes glittering with intrigue. "I had this fishing rod with me when I left Whale Island to take the Hunter's Exam. It helped me out with a lot of things. For this round, it's a great way to catch monsters off-guard, and even get a piece of them if I ever needed to."

"Hm. I remember the first time I saw you, you had that rod with you," Killua mindfully said. "I thought it was weird, like you were expecting to go fishing or something."

"Yeah," Gon slowly uttered, a moment of thought. "Maybe I should use it in fights more often? But I want to rely on my own fists more than anything-"

"Look! I got a bird too!"

They looked back at Emma's declare. The little girl, with a glorifying smile and eyes glowing achievement, held between her fingers the fishing line at the edge of the hook, a bluebird struggling by the end of it.

Young eyes widened and mouth parted in pure disbelief as they stared at her.

"WHAT?!" Gon's astounding screech had Killua jolted and cringed. "You actually did! C-Cool! It took me all day before I was able to do that! Have you fished before?"

"No, but after watching you, it looked pretty simple," Emma gleefully said as if it was a simple activity anyone could have done. She helped the bird fly free and returned the rod to the baffled yet purely impressed Gon.

"Wow. That's really amazing!"

"Uh, yeah..." Killua rubbed the back of his neck in bewildered. "You're actually kind of skillful, huh?"

It seems there was more than it meets the eye of this simple looking girl, well, aside from the numbers on her neck anyhow, which Killua had been taking note of since the first time they saw her.

A bright look from Emma, she then checked back with her tracker, "From here, we can take this path over there. It's so far the safest. But if anything comes up, I'll let you know right away. Let's do our best!" She pumped her arms eagerly.

The boys nodded, raising their clenched fists. "Osu!"

She continued to lead the way as they walked around enormous trees and pushing through bushes for several minutes. They narrowly avoided a deathly pitfall full of poisonous flowers. Gon using his fishing rod to hook a sturdy branch above, and with Emma and Killua holding him, they swung over the large pit. Emma was at first worried that Gon wouldn't be able to even carry the both of them, but giving faith in his assurance, she was taken by awe at his strength once more. How on earth does a boy around her age get this strong?

They climbed over boulders, large roots and even taking paths over the trees with its branches wide and tough enough for all three of them to walk across, chatting occasionally about idle things such as exchanging age - the boys were about two years older than Emma she discovered, and they all began to tell their family life and the like as they pass the time while they travel together.

"You have over thirty siblings?" Gon was boggled by the information relayed by Emma. She nodded.

"We're not actually related by blood," she informed, "We all lived in the same orphanage, but I always thought of them as my family."

"Oh, I see. You're an orphan," Gon comprehended, and beamed, "It must be nice to have a family that big."

Emma smiled widely, "Yeah. It really is. I would've loved to introduce them to you guys."

Killua listened to their talk with some interest, slicing away another thick bush with such grace and ease that Emma stared wondrously, marveling every time he initiated his quick gesture of attacks for someone just a year or so older than her. She wanted to know how both these boys were so strong, but before she could ask, they arrived at a sizable opening within the jungle. A green flat field with daisies sprouting in some places, and little ladybugs flying around.

Emma noted the area with a glance, "It should only take about another hour or two until we reached the ogre village. I hope that's okay."

"We don't mind!" Gon reassured kind as they stepped onto the field. "We trust you-"

The Monster Tracker suddenly beeped, the sign of a monster nearing. Emma quickly lifted the device and opened the screen. A monster presence was noted, represented by a white dot on a grid, just entering the fifty-meter radius. There would usually be no cause for worry from such a distance, except, from her brief examination of the field, towards where the monster was coming from, it looked to extend about thirty or so meters.

At this position, once the monster enters the vicinity, they'll be spotted immediately.

"There's a monster coming from that way! It'll see us in the field!" Emma alerted. "We have to hurry!"

Moved by her urgency, they broke from their easy walk into a run, catching her off-guard at their speed as Gon grabbed her hand and hurriedly pulled her along.

Twenty meters.

They reached the other side of the area, blocked by thick trees and pathways covered by bushes that would take too long to cut through.

Ten meters.

They hastily climbed the trees, Killua reaches the top first while Gon gives Emma leverage, lifting her off the ground with her foot to his hand, and send her upward as her hand outreached for Killua to quickly grasp, and pulled her up without any difficulty whatsoever as Gon hurriedly climbs after them.

Five meters.

They bustled together behind the numerous leaves and branches thick enough to hide themselves, holding their breaths. A view of the area through the small openings, Emma peeked as she held herself in place, no movements to draw any sound, and quieting her Monster Tracker as well. The other boys posed in greater stealth positions, like they have done so endless times before. Hopefully when the monster arrived, it won't hang around for too long, or else they'll have to leave the quietest way possible.

One meter.

The monster then revealed itself.

...Huh? Emma stared, confused.

Gon's feelings were the same, looking on surprised. "Isn't that a-?"

"Shh!" Killua shushed Gon, eyeing the unveiled being with a narrowed, cautious gaze.

The figure stepped onto the field in a steady pace, sharp eyes of gold irises surveying the area, a stern glare that dared anyone to cross his way.

Emma was sure what she was looking at, though it was an unnerving display. A massive thing being carried over his shoulder, a dead creature with a long serpent-like body. The Monster Tracker vibrated in identifying the monster; declaring it a [Devil Serpent]. Its appearance was most certainly demonic, purple skin with a pale wild mane and three unresponsive eyes, a massive jaw that could eat a whole person in one bite.

It seemed undeniably dead. Could the Monster Tracker track dead creatures? Yet that alone was not what grasped Emma's attention, but who walked across the field.

A human?

His figure wore a black, long-sleeved, skin-tight shirt that pronounced the body feature of his abs and muscles. Tan-colored baggy pants with a yellow belt tied around his hip, and black slip-on shoes. He seemed hurt with small cuts to his clothing, but nothing that looked severe, his face only scuffed, a sharp, intimidating expression of golden irises, wolfish almost. He walked without trouble as he carried the huge monster over his shoulders. His somewhat spiky hair white, close to silver, that split upwards into twins as if they were his horns, a wild dexterity that announced his fierce nature.

They watched silently, a mild agitation that disturbed their senses and curiosity. Their wondering eyes observing the person ahead and below them, a new hunter coming to light.

---

Edited for better reading/Hopefully there won't be any notifications in the email. This is the reason why I don't come back to fix any mistakes I made.

Competitors Introduced:

Gon and Killua (Hunter x Hunter)

A/N: Just to warn you all now, this story may not be updated frequently. I have returned to classes so this story may face delays as I focus on my new semester as well as trying to update my other stories.

This is something I posted to pass the time when I'm suffering from my lack of inspiration for my other stories and this fic is something I've been thinking for a while. Honest feedback is much appreciated, as well as theories for where this story is leading (I have an idea of a plot already set but I want to hear what you guys think).

Until then! I pray for the best new year for everyone!