Assassins and Thieves
Chapter 10
The Swindler's Swamp was filled with all sorts of monsters and plants, many poisonous and large. However, the creatures and plants didn't worry Chrome. It was the muck. Sticky and dirty muck continuously slashed on her boots and bare legs due to all the running. Though, throughout the run, Chrome made sure she didn't step on anything except the wet ground. There were mushrooms, vines, branches, and many different debris on the floor. Mushrooms could be filled with poisonous or sleeping gas. The vines could be part of a plant or creatures that could wrap about an ankle and pull its victim to their doom. Chrome's best bet is to be aware of everything and anything in her surrounding and avoid them. They have been running for over an hour or so with no sign of stopping. This is such a torturous First Phase of the Hunter Exam.
Occasionally, there were screams in the distance. Poor applicants were falling prey to malicious creatures due to their poor observation and carelessness.
"I heard some people screaming all around us." Gon pointed out. It was no brainer that there were. Chrome was amazed that they didn't scream louder or longer. Their screams were nearly boring for that matter. They didn't scream out "help me" or "don't leave me". Just screams. Honestly, it was rather disappointing to her. Chrome nearly made a remark about the dying people, but Killua spoke first.
"Just stay on your guard," Killua warned them both. Of course, he doesn't need to tell Chrome that, but it's reassuring. Just as he reminded her, Chrome's guard rose higher again. Her senses became a bit more sensitive again, as if she is nearly ready to jump back as soon as something is out of place.
"I wonder if Leorio and Kurapika are okay," Gon frowned at the thought of his friends being lost in this massive swamp. Chrome didn't think too much about the two. They necessarily weren't her friends, so there's not much to worry about there.
After several seconds of running, the ground suddenly grew soft… nearly hallow underneath. "Huh?" Gon and Killua stood idly once they realized the change of dirt. However Chrome reacted differently.
"Idiots!" Chrome snared as she realized that they might be standing in a trap. Why would they just stand there? Gon was the closest to her, so she made an attempt to grab his bookbag to pull him back with her as she jumped back, hopefully far enough that she's out of the trap. The ground quickly broke into pieces just as she jumped. However her attempt to save Gon didn't go as plan. A frog five times her height appeared from the bottom of the pit right before she was able to pull Gon out of the way. Its mouth separated the two kids as it gobbled up Gon and Killua. Chrome managed to escape the trap. "Idiots! Idiots! Why would you just stand there!" Anger raged in her lungs as she yelled. Though, the frog didn't share the same pain as her. Instead, it gleefully swallowed its preys and hopped away with large thumps with Chrome to its back.
Relax, relax and think. Chrome took a deep breath as her head moved left and right, looking for anything to help her save her friends. She didn't bring a weapon to the exam. No sharp object to slice up the amphibian. A tree branch that's most the size of her arm caught her sight and interest. With enough force, she might be able to puncture it. Maybe aim for the brain. Do frogs even have brains to begin with? There's no point of thinking about this. Chrome grabbed the stray tree branch, hoping that it wouldn't be another trap. Breaking off the tip of it, she was able to make a somewhat jagged tip. Something sharp to cut open the frog. Maybe she could slice it up and pull Killua and Gon out.
Instead of standing there and contemplating on her action, she knew she has a shot with throwing her weapon at it. No doubt that she'll puncture through the rather rough skin, but the only doubt she has is her knowledge of where the brain is. Small mindless animal, it's probably the size of her forearm considering how large it is.
Taking another deep breath, Chrome calmed herself. Knowing where the eyes were, she aimed for the middle. Tossing the stick sharply at the back of its head, Chrome saw it sunk in to the flesh, but it didn't seem to take an effect. Chrome clicked her tongue in annoyance. Did she threw it too weak or did she miss the brain entirely? Either way, she had to save her friends still. With a frown, she ran up to the frog's back. It wasn't hard to jump up and grab a hold onto the stick. Perhaps, she can use her weights and slide the stick down, carving a gash on the frog's back. Chrome motioned a jump, trying to pull her weight and force down, but the stick didn't move. That didn't work, Chrome frowned. It's jammed in there tightly, and beside the stick isn't sharp enough to cut downwards.
She needed another plan. Chrome lifted herself and in addition of her weights up onto the stick and to the top of the frog's head. Thankfully, it didn't have arms, so it cannot do too much to get herr off. Using the frog's somewhat flat head, Chrome was able to have a decent amount of balance on it. She took her whole strength and pulled the stick out of the back side of the head. Thankfully, it didn't even notice it her! If it did, then this task would be so much more troublesome. Successfully yanking the stick out, Chrome smiled.
"Killua! Gon! Are you two okay?" Chrome yelled, hoping to hear their voices.
Quickly, she heard two muffled sound coming from the frog. It must be Gon's and Killua's voice. At this position on top of its head, Chrome took that stick and stabbed downward into the frog's brain. This time she knew she got it. In a few seconds, it will fall down lifelessly. The girl jumped down from the frog, making sure she doesn't step on a mushroom or anything dangerous.
As planned, the giant frog flopped down without a twitch of muscle. Chrome exhaled in relief as she lifted up the giant upper lip so Killua and Gon can crawl out of it. "Are you two still alive in there?" Chrome called out into the slimy hole. As she heard their voice, Chrome smiled. The two boys crawled out slowly and stood up.
"Just stay on your guard," Chrome mocked Killua with a smirk. In return, he glared at her with a click of his tongue.
"I could've gotten out myself," Killua mumbled to himself while trying to get rid of any residue from being inside a giant amphibian's stomach.
While Chrome stood there happily, knowing that she saved the two boys, Gon was standing there in dismay. A certain idea kept nagging in his mind as Gon tried to figure out if it's important or not. "Yeah, I'm still worried about Leorio and Kurapika," he confirmed with a nod.
Killua and Chrome, however, didn't share the same concern as Gon, "Forget about them. Let's move on." Killua replied carelessly, "We can still catch up to the examiner." With that the silver-haired boy started running ahead without them. Chrome looked to Gon who is staring at the opposite direction from Killua's.
"If you are that worried, then you should go." Chrome smiled at the boy in green, trying to encourage him to make a quick decision. There's no point on dwelling on it. The longer he contemplates, the further the examiner gets, and the longer Gon waits, the higher chance of Leorio and Kurapika could be in trouble. "Killua and I can take care of ourselves," Chrome assured.
Gon smiled and nodded at her, trusting her words. "Thanks, Chrome!" He dashed off at the opposite direction. "I'll see you at the Second Phase!" he called out one last time before his shadow disappeared into the Swindler's Swamp's heavy mist.
Chrome should get moving too before Killua leave her too far behind to catch up. He should be quite a far distant away by now, since Chrome decided to stall behind with Gon for a while. But no matter, it shouldn't be hard for her to catch up. She'll just follow Killua's track. His shoes made an imprint in the dirt for every step he took. Chrome followed the footsteps to the main group easily.
"I'm back," Chrome announced her arrival once she was behind Killua.
However, Killua didn't respond back. Instead, he looked over her, hoping to find someone else. "Where's Gon?"
Before answering, Chrome moved herself to Killua's side. "He went to look for his friends." Isn't that obvious?
"You let him go?" Killua frowned. It was clear to Chrome that this boy was worried about his missing new friend, and that brought a smile to Chrome's face.
"Yeah, I'm not going to stop him," the girl shrugged, "He wanted to help his friends, he can."
"But it's dangerous."
" What?" Chrome breathed out a laugh, "You don't think they'll make it?"
"No, not really," Killua replied truthfully. "You do?"
"Without a doubt!" Chrome grinned at Killua.
Author's Note: Thank you for reading Chapter 10 of Assassins and Thieves! Do you guys even read these? Anyways, it's been a hectic few months. Too many school work on my plate, but I still haven't forgotten this story just yet! There's still more to come! It's a short chapter this time, but don't worry. The content is still good...or so I hope. As always, thanks for reading and please review! See you in Chapter 11!