Chapter 4: The Hero Hunter
A sudden gasp that jumped from his chest, his eyes shot open into consciousness. Alerted sharp gaze that pointed to the sky before he abruptly pushes himself to sit up, and looked to his surroundings. He was sitting on a floor of empty tiles, a pit of darkness beneath, and above his head the second he takes a look at it. There was no end to this area of distant dark skies. A white glowing line that reached across the horizon, disorienting to focus, reality questioned.
...The hell am I at?
A blatant blink of his yellow irises as Garou takes a gander at the area, rising to stand on his feet. How long was I out? He scratched the back of his head that sprout white hair splitting into two. He was confused to say the least, but he does not panic. He tries to remember the last moment happening before here. He was in a fight, the memory was all fuzzy but he can definitely recall the feeling of familiar fists pummeling him to near death.
It then all came back to him. His hopeless struggle against his former teacher and his former teacher's brother, his desperate fight against the S-Class hero the Demon Cyborg, his barely clutched victory against the A-Class Heroes that pushed him to his very limits while he had been drugged, sick, exhausted, and had previously been beaten by two separate opponents; the Strongest Man in the world, and a guy in a dog suit.
But then, something else intruded. An earthquake, emerged by a sudden arrival of a massive flying centipede that burst from the earth, and...
"Right... that damn bird took me."
A phoenix-like monster had flown in and carried him away, sparing him from an untimely fate at his old teacher's hands, but perturbed that his preys - the heroes, had been latched out of his hands, of fists that bruised their bodies and broken their bones. What good were dead heroes if they weren't alive to tell the shameful tale of their defeat by a villain that was himself - a subversion to the trope done too many times that a change was practically demanded.
It really hadn't been his best day, but so was the life of the Hero Hunter, Garou, in his mission to becoming the undefeated monster.
He proceeded to check on his injuries, but to his surprise, there was none he sees or felt. He was even wearing his black shirt he hadn't been before. His thirst for water is gone as well. Did that Phoenix man heal him somehow, or did he take Garou to someone who could?
"Greetings."
He tensed, armed with just his limbs as the fatal enough weapons that they were, he turned his head for the voice, but there was no one there.
"You have been cordially invited to partake in the Competition Between Worlds."
It was like the air was speaking to him, a robotic-like voice rumbled in his ears that gave him an annoying itch to his lobes.
"Currently, you are unconscious at the underground base of the Monsters Association. Your mind is in a state between life and death, though your body is being treated with good care. This is a message delivered to you from a plane of existence between realities. You have been recognized for your skills and tremendous resilience to be chosen as a competitor for the event set beyond space and time."
Hearing the message that had a similar tone to an automatic speaker that answers to voicemails, Garou merely let out a simple confused grunt, "Hah?"
"The competition between worlds is a contest of selected individuals from various dimensions to compete in several challenges for the grand prize of a nigh-omnipotent wish, capable of altering reality of one's dimension. Representing your world as a participant to fight for-"
The speaker went on explaining the competition, though it was only a moment of attention given as Garou quickly fell out of the loop of understanding this sudden and strange offer. As the speaker rambled, he focused back to his void environment, scratching his chin with a null interest in the speaker's telling, he pointed at one direction and decided to pursue for that. Beginning his walk toward it.
"-There will be participants of several skills and capabilities... Where are you going?"
He waved at the sentient air dismissively as he walked. "Not interested."
"...Are you certain?"
He stopped then, glaring up at the sky and affirmed with a point of his finger, "I'm in the middle of something here. I'm not getting sidetracked with whatever business or scam you got going on. I don't take door-to-door sales."
"This is not a scam. There is a legitimate wish that numerous established competitors of powerful capabilities are desiring to achieve."
He tilted his head slightly aside, "Powerful huh? How powerful?"
"Every competitor's strength varies. Their abilities may be limited to moving the earth or casting devastating destructive spells or abilities or likewise effects. The competition consists of hunters, warriors, heroes-"
His fingers twitched.
"-and various others of strong competitors. There is also no need for worry of missing any tasks you are currently pending in your world. Time is irrelevant between the realities, and you may return from competing without a day in your world having passed."
Strong competitors. Now that's something interesting. Must be be something similar to that martial arts tournament, although there were hardly any difficult opponents. Would this competition be any different? Would it actually provide him a challenge that will further develop his skills - to be the villain the whole world will tremble at?
The intrigue soon turned to a petulant frown. He'd been facing a few roadblocks he barely managed to get over or away from. Metal Bat, Watchdog Man, King, and as much as he hates to admit, he barely won against that team of A-class heroes, and not to mention that there were plenty of other strong heroes he'll have to face. That time-slowing effect was also pretty convenient - if not completely incredulous, but it means he wont have to worry about being late in his planned debut in his world. This competition could be a good past time for him to train.
He couldn't care less about the wish. If this competition can give him something that'll make him come back stronger, that's enough of an incite for him.
"Alright, you got my attention." He grinned a cruel smile that marked an intense mask that could strike terror to the meek, "So tell me how many competitors I got to get through?"
"Currently, over 3.7 million participants are entering the competition."
He instantly dropped his smile and into a jaw-dropped astonishment. Holy shi-! That many?!
Apparently, there were that many worlds out there, if not more. (And there is...)
"Once the Preliminary concludes, the number of contestants will cut down depending on how many competitors may fail to reach the quota of the event, though surprise entry can still be valid. The competition is estimated to usually last a year. During your participation, time in your world and in the competition will flow drastically different, and a day will not pass in your world until your conscious return."
The speaker then resumed to explain, "Any injuries you have sustained in your world will not be carried into the competition. Upon entry, you will be faced with life-threatening scenarios. A permanent death during an event will be an automatic loss, and your consciousness will be returned to your world. Further instruction will be provided at your registration."
A clipboard with several papers attached popped into existence in a puff of smoke. A quick swipe of Garou's hand caught the clipboard before it fell.
"Please fill out all the requested information, including your signature, and ensure to read the waiver thoroughly."
Like a company representative not intending to be sued (as if a disembodied voice would). A single-note hum from Garou as he read, marked and signed the papers. One question had him paused, the fill out section asking for his race with a much broader selection of choices, ranging from Human, Demon, Cat, etc.
He circled two answers. "Here, I'm done."
"...Are you sure you wish to register under that label?"
"Got a problem with that?" Garou responded, holding up the clipboard. It was a label he'd been willing to carry nearly his entire life.
"Very well." The clipboard vanished from his hands in another smoke puff. "Your information has been accepted. The Preliminary will be commencing in the next thirty seconds. Best of luck to your participation; Garou the Human-Monster."
/.\
The three children stared at the dark shirt individual as he brought the deceased beast over his shoulder to the center of the field. With how white and silverish his hair appeared, he seemed more like an old man than a mere adult, although his face seemed younger aside from his piercing scowl. A tall built body that has been trained into a figure fitting for a fighter. Gon and Killua knew this much, which means this was not a man they ought to trifle with carelessly.
Emma was more curious than she was cautious as the boys, although that part of her still remained. The man below was a unique looking human unlike those she has seen, even the nameless man. For this one to be hauling an impressively large monster he, all the more impressively, carries with his own body, was he a competitor like her and the Hunters with her?
Her verdant eyes takes heed as the man drops the dead monster and began to pick at one of Devil Serpent's finger claw that looked just about as thick as the size of his own hand. One thing she can't be certain of was which target was the monster tracker specifying. The dead beast, or the man beside it? He may look human, but her recall of the first Preliminary night had her witness of a shapeshifting monster who, for a brief moment, looked like an ordinary man - as amazing as it was to see something that's rather terrifying. Could this be the same case?
"It might just be another competitor," Killua's words brought Emma out of her intense observance. "Let's leave him alone and keep moving, no reason for us to stay and keep staring anyway."
It was a sound point. Though Emma was curious, it may be better that they continue their path. They then heard a slump from the ground and looked once more. The man seemed to have severed the arm from the rest of its hanging limb, it was strange to Emma though, as she doesn't see anything he could have used to do so, she only sees his fingers hovering below the sliced part of the Devil Serpent's arm.
The man held up the hand, and without hesitation, a widened mouth that enclosed his teeth around the flesh of the large monster hand, biting into a single tear of the flesh as the man casually devours his catch. Emma's eyes widened as a shudder takes her and Gon, while Killua's eyes narrowed even further. The man seemed to even be eating the bone of the monster.
This seems to be telling enough for Emma, to which monster the tracker was really identifying.
"Hm. Not bad." They did not hear his quiet utterance of the taste, and watched as he swallowed down the raw meat, and left with a red finger claw nail of the Devil Serpent, plucked from the remaining finger he soon eats as well.
"Come on, let's get going," Killua ushered. Gon agreeing with him with a nod.
"Y-yeah," Emma concede, looking back once more as they began to make their quiet leave. From her continuing observance, the claw nail gripped by the man changed into a flash of white, transforming into a gold star. So he is a competitor.
He slips it into his pockets where she could see the edge of what must be his patch, and he reaches back up to the side of his face for a scratch, a slight burp from him from the meal.
His head and wild eyes whipped for her direction. Emma's heart felt dropped to her stomach, and Gon and Killua immedietly jolted.
"Damn!" A curse from Killua as she felt her arm grabbed and suddenly pulled her from the trees. Danger screamed in the heads of the children the moment they saw those fierce eyes of wolfish golden orbs, Gon and Killua were the first to react as they hauled Emma right out of hiding and sprinted away down a path, holding Emma at each side and carry by her arms.
He noticed us. He noticed us! It couldn't be possible, they were using their Zetsu, which means that young man must have felt Emma's presence. Damn. Damn!
Those eyes. Gon gritted his teeth, adrenaline coursed through his heart. He's dangerous. We have to get away!
Emma dangled in constant abruptness while grasping the arms of both Hunters at each her side. She noticed the fierce rustling of the trees up ahead in front of her. Tailing after them. "He's following us!"
Killua clicked his tongue before shouting, "Gon!"
"Right!" An immediate understanding. No other choice! Coming to a stop with their feet sliding across the ground, they heaved Emma aside. "Whoa!" She yelled out, tumbling over some bushes and falling within them.
"Stay out of sight!" Killua said.
"We'll handle this!" Gon declared.
Emma rushed to her feet and to the bushes, putting away her tracker and equipping her rifle right away. She watches as the boys turned quickly, facing the direction of their pursuer, while she watches their backs.
Gon and Killua knew, the experience of the ex-assassin and the instincts of the aspiring Hunter. That moment of impending threat at the eyes of that man, this is a strong fighter. They'll have to take on this person together. Keeping Emma away was also for the best, as she was a ranged fighter anyhow, and also their only compass in this massive forest.
Whatever it takes... Killua removed and threw aside his backpack, reaching into his pocket, his middle finger slipping through a ring that was attached to another weapon he had on him.
We need to keep Emma safe with the tracker. Gon tossed aside his backpack and fishing rod, his fists clenched by his sides.
She's our only guide who can lead us through this forest.
We have to make sure we don't lose her and the tracker.
A faint white glow surrounds their body, an aura that cannot be seen by the human eye nor of any human who does not possess the same type of ability these boys possess. Yet, as Emma observed them, she noticed something had changed. She couldn't see how, or come to a conclusion as to why, but the air about them, for some odd reason, they appeared to be somehow stronger.
So that means, Killua's eyes narrowed.
Only one thing, Gon tightens his clenched fist.
Unseen from her very eyes. The aura around the boys spiked.
We have to fight!
From the tall trees, their pursuer dropped down. A perfect land on the base of his feet, he slowly rises. Arched back that straightened into a muscled lean figure, as the wolfish fighter glowered at the awaiting people.
Two kids stood ready just several feet before him. The fact that they were children was noted, but did not deter the Hero Hunter, as these were his hidden observers who thought they wouldn't be noticed. He didn't appreciate the staring, but what caught his attention was how quick-footed they were to stay ahead of him.
"You runts want something from me?" He gets to the point, eyeing the boy who looked ready to fight. They didn't respond, contemplating one, until he took a glance at their tossed aside backpacks at the glimmer of something gold.
"Oh?" He spotted the three number of stars on Gon's backpack. "So you're competitors? Guess you're not just any ordinary kids then. So? You gonna tell me what you were watching over me for?"
His upper body leaned slightly forward as he grasped around his hips, "Or are you looking for someone to play with?"
It was a taunt that Gon did not find amusement to, Killua kept calm for the both of them, responding back, "We were just passing through, and couldn't help to stop and look. That was a big monster you had there, after all."
"Yeah? Well I'm not sharing it with either of you if that's what you're getting at," Garou said, looking aside suddenly. Pressing the toes of his left foot against the ground, scrubbing the dirt beneath his step, "And how about you get your other friend out here also?"
The barest quick of movement from his foot, a pebble was kicked and shot between Gon and Killua. None of the children expected it, as the pebble struck the single strand of Emma's ahoge at the top of her head. Emma stood completely still as she felt her standing hair strand be slapped, the pebble bouncing away from the tree it was stopped by.
"You better not been hoping to try taking me by surprise," Garou added, his glare widening at the boys who looked where the pebble was kicked to. "I ain't got time to play around."
Killua was in disbelief. He thought enhancing their aura would be enough to shield Emma's presence, but the man could still note her. This older competitor's senses was too acute. Gon gritted his teeth, but remained somewhat calm. He did not hear the pained cry of Emma, so that pebble must have missed. Maybe intentionally, a warning.
This guy was trouble, the young Hunters soon enough acknowledged this. This man was the type of difficult competitor they would have come across one way or another. They will not let themselves be intimidated by the man, they were fierce fighters of their own right. It was obvious enough, they'll have to deal with this man.
Gon moved to stand in front of Emma's concealed position protectively. Taking that as his cue, Killua began quietly walking around and aside from Garou, eyeing the older competitor as he was eyed back. "Yeah? Well, neither do we."
Let's see just how good his senses are... Killua dared to test. A slight movement of Gon's feet as if ready to move and capturing Garou's swift attention. Killua saw his chance, his aura darkening to a black-like state.
Zetsu.
The presence of Killua vanished.
Garou's face broke into a startle. He quickly turned his head back for the boy at his left, only to find him no longer there. What the-?! Where did that kid-?!
Killua reappeared behind him, eyes hollowed with intent to kill. A shiver ran up to Garou's back as he side-glances in time to see a set of white dagger-like fingernails be near his throat. Garou drops instantly, his knees bended to dodge the attack while keeping his footing stabled, his cheek scratched by the sharp claw of the boy in white. How did he-?!
The sense of another movement but elsewhere, he looked beside him and saw Gon running to him, a fist pulled back to propel. Garou shot up his hand to block and saved his face from the punch, the surprising amount of force from the impact of the boy's small fist pushed him away, his feet dragging the ground until he was able to stop himself.
Killua pulls out his second weapon from his pockets, a yo-yo with its string attached to the ring he wore around the middle finger. He threw the yo-yo for Garou, piercing through the air. Garou hurriedly steadied himself, rearing his head aside and narrowly avoiding a direct hit from the yo-yo, and watched as it crushed through a giant tree behind him. Breaking the tough bark into a dent and broken chunks of the wood surface. A visible gawk at the aftermath of what could obliterate a human head.
The yo-yo was pulled back by the wire, zipping through Garou's white fanged hair as he ducked, the heavy toy-weapon returns to Killua's casual grasp. Gon stops to Killua's side and regarded Garou with an unwavering glare as both young Hunters stood their ground in the face of the dark Hunter who looked at them in beffudled.
A thin line drew blood from Garou's cheek, raising his faintly numbed palm and pressed against the scratch.
These kids... Garou thought as he stared wide-eyed at them. These weren't ordinary children at all. Not with one who had the look of a killer and the other who could punch a large boulder to pieces.
"We weren't going to ambush you," Gon responded to Garou's earlier comment.
"Look old guy, we're just passing through," Killua stated, putting both hands in his pockets, calm but ready. "Why don't we all just walk away from this? Believe me, you don't want to mess with us. We're not as weak as we look."
Yes. Garou understands that now. These runts are much tougher than he took them for.
A moment of ponder from the Hunter as his eyes narrowed at the boys, he takes a deep breath, closing his eyes momentarily. Gon and Killua watched him in silence, awaiting his next response.
For the Hero Hunter, when it comes to facing opponents, all were equal among the battlefield. Whether they were young, old, male or female, there were no favorites or exceptions. Be it heroes or fighters. None will be saved from his wrath.
Evil has no bias.
Lowering his hand, the cut on his cheek seemed to healed instantly from his press, he suddenly moves. Rushing for the boys with intentional vigilance. He will not go easy on them.
Gon and Killua jumped back. The hand of the Hero Hunter deciding at once which to deal with first, and set his eyes on Gon. Killua went around to his side, and thew forward another yo-yo. Garou side-glances the incoming attack and switched his grasp for the yo-yo, a non-direct catch as he changed the yo-yo's trajectory with a simple push of his fingers, and launched the yo-yo aside without suffering it's heavy infliction. Killua was stunned at his maneuver, but yanked out of his surprise as Garou quickly turned tossed a kick to Killua.
Killua braced the attack, putting "aura" in his arms and blocked. It was sharp hit but thanks to his aura defense, no severe harm or pain was recieved. He was forced back a short distance, and Gon took the opportunity to rush forward while Garou had his back exposed. A momentary Zetsu coated his presence as he swiftly skipped aside, rushing for Garou's ribs with a fist ready.
It was a split-second exit of his Zetsu, and Garou spun his head and shot his arm around, a quick latch of Gon's wrist that stopped his attack before connection. Gon was caught off-guard at Garou's immediate reaction, and felt himself pulled and struck against his body from Garou's open-palm fist, sending the young Hunter in green flying and over the bushes.
GON! Emma, watching the fight unfold with captured attention and concern for her travelling companions, her eyes screamed at the flung figure of Gon. Careful not to expose her position as she sprinted behind the bushes and trees to reach Gon, but she stopped when she spotted Killua approaching Garou once more. She can't leave her spot, she must oversee Killua now.
Gripping at her rifle that was ready to fire, Emma was confused when she saw the calm pace of Killua's approach for Garou. Suddenly, Killua's form turned hazy, a type of apparition of some kind was formed, a double appeared on both sides of Killua, with the same appearance as the boy. Wha-?!
Emma widely blinked as she and Garou witnessed multiple Killuas began to surround the dark Hunter. The Hero Hunter expressing surprise in his eyes.
Rhythm Echo.
An assassin ability Killua has learned in his family. One of the Killuas rushed for Garou from behind and Garou immediately struck it with a swift backhanded thrust. However, the Killua disappeared upon touch, revealing to be a clone. Another rushes for him and the same effect occurred, the Hunter was surrounded by Hunters. One of them real. Emma was entirely amazed at what she was seeing and could not tell at all which of the clones is the real Killua - and also, how in the world is this boy doing this?!
What seemed like an incredible trick, Garou was not so very fazed. He bent his knees halfway, another sharp intake of the breath, air filled in his chest as he crossed his wrists. The Killuas rushed for him all at once.
The Hero Hunter's eyes propped open, and a form of blue like strokes flowed in rushing instances of his arms and hands, as each Killua was struck in single fierce movements, quick gestures of finger jabs that had each Killua vanish at contact, until only one remained.
"What?!" Killua was baffled, and a hand quickly gripped his shirt. Caught, Killua summoned his dagger-nails and went to stab the arm, but Garou avoided the attack in a side-step dash, and his knee jolted onto Killua's side, knocking the boy down as he released the white shirt and changed for the sharp hand to a quick pull. The knee locked against Killua's side, entrapping him against the ground.
Emma gasped from the bushes, lifting her rifle in hurry to assist, as she hears the older competitor.
"Try it," Garou dared, "Move, and your arm breaks-"
A pop. The sound of a dislocation from the joint between Killua's arm and shoulder. An action that made Garou pause wide-eyed, "Oh." Well, that's one way to get out of a hold.
Killua spun from the ground and swung his other sharp hand with the added pull of the string and return of the yo-yo. Garou lifted his knee to dodge the stab, vigilantly backing away from the yo-yo that was too close a call, and prompting Killua the freedom to kick Garou in the gut and pushed him away. With a single shrug that sets his dislocated arm back in place, his hands quickly closed together, emitting blue sparks only his eyes can see, and he sprinted for the dark Hunter.
"Lightning Palm!"
Killua's hand pressed against Garou's place of liver, and a barrage of relentless electricity tackled the Hero Hunter's whole body, his already spiky hair spiked even further and Killua's as well. Emma felt a sensation of being near active static, confused as to what was going on, though her senses warns her to stay back.
Lightning Palm. One of the few attacks Killua has developed through the power of his Nen - an ability that uses one's aura to perform certain effects and actions based on the user's own talents, preference, and even mindset. Raised since birth to endure torture and pain, Killua was an assassin bred and by blood. To deal with the severe pain, even suffered electrocution when he was a baby, he was trained to experience it as nothing more than a mild annoyance.
The same cannot be said for those he targets this ability with, and all who embraced this power would be stunned in place for several minutes if the pain alone will not knock them unconscious. Or likely die since this man was not a Nen user, and so was even more susceptible to his ability.
A brief moment of frantic electricity spiraling all over their bodies, Garou grabbed Killua's arm and lifted him of the ground, removing his hand and the attack ceased. Killua looked on in appropriate shock. White smoke rising in a spill from the Hero Hunter, his widened eyes of questionable sanity staring into the disbelieving eyes of the young ex-assassin.
"Was that supposed to do something?" Garou asked, hardly seemed to notice his whole body was smoking.
I-it didn't work? He's resistant to electrocution?! Killua shouted in his mind, You got to be kidding me!
This was not only bad, but very bad for Killua. Most of his other Nen attacks were electric-based, and if this competitor was immune to it, then his Nen is completely useless against this man! Just what is this guy made of?
"Paper!"
The voice rang across the area as Garou snapped his attention towards the shout, something inside him screaming to get back, and he did. Letting go of Killua, both separated from one another as a force of orange energy shot between them, invisible to the eyes of Emma and Garou, though both could sense that something powerful had gone by, and destroys a massive tree into broken large chunks. Emma did not know what had just hit, but she looks to the one who possibly shot it, and to her immense relief finds Gon returning to the area.
Garou looked at the wreckage with a few blinks, then back to the reappearing boy in green. Gon did not show any falter to the attack Garou had intended to be the sole strike that would keep even a grown beefy adult down. He stared oddly at the boy who glared back in resuming challenge.
What are these kids? Garou wondered. Hell they're tougher than most of the heroes I've hunted. Pretty sure this other kid here tried to electrocute me with his bare hands. These two seriously are the real deal.
It actually takes him back when he was just as tough as a runt, and if there's anything to take from that, is that he can't underestimate these boys, or they'll get the jump on him for sure. He'll just have to hit harder then.
"KILLUA!"
From behind the bushes, Emma flinched at Gon's sudden scream for Killua's name. A pair of determined amber eyes looking to the dark cool blues of his friend, and Killua nodded.
Got it. I'll handle this.
Killua let the yo-yo drop, stopping it by his ankles. A bare movement with his finger, the heavy object gently swayed side to side by the steel wire. Garou watched him carefully, remain in attentive to Gon as well who began to steadily approach. The Hero Hunter's arms spread from his side as he prepares himself for whatever the boys have planned. Emma watching in equal anticipation, as Gon makes a sudden stop and positioned himself, clenching his fist and pressing it into his other hand.
The hair behind Emma's and Garou's neck stood up, a tickling disturbance. Something's coming.
Garou was on the immediate defense, eyes on Gon, but never forgetting Killua as his gilded sharp eyes gaze back and forth. His eyes landing back to Gon when the sensation of something there in the fist of the boy became stronger. Slowly, but most certainly getting stronger.
A sharp noise whizzed the air, and Garou's eyes instantly moved back for the boy in white. Killua dashed to the side and threw his several ton yo-yo at him. A distraction? Garou presumed. That won't work.
He once more changed trajectory of the yo-yo, and deciding for the heck of it, direct the yo-yo in a sharp turn and tossed it for Gon. Horror enveloped Emma's eyes as Killua shouted in dismay, "Gon!"
Gon quickly ducked, the yo-yo zipped through his hair, leaving his spiky strands in a split and a frowning displease. "That was dirty!"
"Why don't you go cry about it to your mommy?" Garou grasped the steely string of the yo-yo with his fingers. Killua quickly realized what he was about to do but it was too late to pull the yo-yo back, as Garou has done it first. Squeezing his fingers of the wire, it bends and the yo-yo makes yet another sharp turn, this time for Killua as he ran to the side, chased by his own weapon.
"I don't even know who my birth mother is!"
...Okay. Garou didn't exactly expect a response like that. Kind of a depressing way to express it so loudly too. Crap, he actually felt kind of bad for the boy, but evil has no time to-
A crushing impact to his ankle, Garou reeled himself in shock and a loud grimace through his teeth. He felt his bone shattered as he tries to keep his right foot aligned. Looking down, a yo-yo had bluntly struck him, the yo-yo he thought he had a hold of.
A second one?!
"Whoops. Guess I should have told you," Killua said in a slight smirk as he easily evaded his own weapon flying over his head, "I carry two yo-yos."
It was a gamble in itself to try and deceive the acute man. Killua thought of aiming for his head, but it was likely that it would have been sensed. So he went for the place that it would be least suspected to receive damage, a place where he wouldn't necessarily die if hit hard enough, but a bad place that would hinder his mobility, and it did the job well.
Killua pulls the wire back when Garou lost grip of it at the surprise attack, pulling both strings at each finger and retrieving both - the second one scraping the tree bark it rounded to do the assault. Dashing then for the older competitor as he tried for a better footing with his new pained foot, Killua with both yo-yos in hand, spun them in maximum speed at each of his side, closing in on the dark Hunter.
Garou gritted his teeth, dealing with his injured ankle as he looked on to the approaching threat. Watching the yo-yo spin faster than the normal eye could catch, Garou was not a normal or mere fighter. He launched his hands and began to grapple each and every attempted attack from the spinning yo-yos, changing their trajectory though Killua is able to recover them and continue the assault. Entering the zone, Garou knew that a moment of lax concentration will lead to more broken bones.
A sudden yank of one of the yo-yos, Killua shot the first one for Garou's other ankle, this time though, Garou was ready, and he swatted the yo-yo away as the second one shot for his head, and he swatted that upward.
"Got you," Killua said. With a pale finger, he pulled the steel-string and it was then, too late, that Garou realized what just happened, and what was about to.
Using a strong tree branch overhead of Garou, the yo-yo bends over the branch, swinging under, and struck Garou's back. It was like a loaded truck had hit him, his teeth tightly clenching at the impact he bared with. Killua followed up with a quick leap forward, from the attack behind taking Garou's attention, Killua shot up his foot though Garou quickly blocked it with both hands, feeling the strength the boy had and keeping himself from falling back.
The first yo-yo then returned, and a simple toss and pull of the string that happened at the same time Garou blocked Killua's kick, the yo-yo zipped between Garou's arm and struck underneath the chin, enhancing the weight of the attack with his Nen. A pain in his teeth as his body was stunned. The hit just about as hard if not harder than his old Master's counter knee-kick.
Taking Garou's momentary pause, Killua retrieved his yo-yos and slid passed Garou where he shot the first yo-yo between the Hero Hunter's feet. From the ring Killua wore that attached the string of the yo-yo, a thin opening was chipped through from the pressure of his sharp nail, and latched his uninjured ankle, combining both yo-yos in joined weight, Killua tossed it back up and over the strong branch, and simply lets both yo-yos go.
Garou felt himself yanked by the foot, his view of the world flipped over, and he hung upside down with a spinning head as he forces his body to recover fast, breaking himself out of his daze and slight spinning head. He looked to the sky, which he finds to be made of out of grass.
"First comes rock..."
Uh oh.
Garou looked aside, and saw Gon standing there, having quietly closed the distance while the dark Hunter's focus was on Killua. Something powerful could be felt from the boy, and it sends a shiver to Garou.
"Jan!"
Crap. Oh crap! Oh crap oh crap!
"Ken!"
A single perform of a crunch, Garou's hand swiped for the string that had him suspending in the air, slicing the steel swiftly with just his fingers and no wound even dealt with. However, he could not avoid the incoming attack. He can only braced himself.
"GUUUUUUUUUUU!"
The punch was thrown by Gon, a powerful punch to the gut. Garou's hand stood in its the way, but the impact could not be blocked nor stopped. The wind knocked out of him and burst through the mouth, the force of the attack pushing him. His back breaks through the trees, on and on, tree after tree after tree, several of them he flew right through, destroying them with his thrown body, until he reached the fattest one in the woods, and smashed through. The shape of his figure left in his crashed wake as his body stuffed inside the large tree.
When it was finally over, Emma continued to stare. Witnessing everything that had just happened in an open wide mouth and eyes of sheer flabbergasted, slowly rising from the bushes with a tender hold of her rifle.
"Glad that's over," Killua sighed, grabbing and rolled his shoulder. "He was a good fighter, too bad it wasn't enough."
"Good job distracting him, Killua!" Gon thanked his fellow Hunter.
"Yeah, you too. A direct attack from that without Nen, he's basically history, and in any case, he won't be getting back up anytime soon."
Gon nodded before he remembered something and he turned around, "Oh! Emma! It's safe to come out now!"
Emma snapped out of her stupor and began to approach the boys, coming out of the bushes, "Th... that... that was..."
That was incredible. How did you fight like that? How strong are you guys? You were both amazing!
Though before she should express her every bit of amazed feelings, she first looked at the boy's appearance in check of their state of being, "A-are you guys alright?" It was also a moment for her to recover from the shock at what she had just seen.
"Yeah. He didn't hurt us too badly. Well, not that he could hurt us anyway," Killua vaguely stated.
The aura he and Gon surrounded himself in - Ken - was enough of a body armor that no normal fist could pierce through, not unless their opponents were Nen users as well, and even then, it would still be difficult to break bones when using a Nen attack like Ko to block powerful Nen strikes. Killua could tell that the fists of that man were not to be taken lightly, but nothing that he could call it a problem. The guy managed to give them a scare, but that's over with now.
"Okay..." Emma said quietly, looking back to the wreckage and wondered to herself for a moment. She was glad that her companions were alright, and yet, there was a sense of sorrow that settled. The power that she just saw could deal more than simple harm, and she began to wonder with increasing disturbance the state of the defeated competitor.
"Ready to keep going?"
She looked back to the boys at Kilua's question. "Ah, yeah..."
"Cool. Oh, let me go get the yo-yos. I think they got dragged away with that guy-"
Suddenly the air felt heavy. A shroud that chilled their senses, and the celebratory grin were instantly dropped by the boys.
"No way..." Killua said, looking back to the wreckage. "You can't be serious."
Emma felt herself tremble inside, following Gon and Killua's gaze where a noise of crushing wood emitted.
"Just how tough is he-?"
A startling wind of violence overtakes them. The children were stiffened in place until an object was thrown from the wrekage, reaching far that flew overhead the young Hunters, and slamming against another tree, imprinting a huge dent. The thrown object were Killua's yo-yos, dropping to the ground with a loud thud that dug the dirt.
"This... this feels like En. Does he-?" Gon asked, though Emma did not understand what he meant by that. But no question came as inexplicable terror shot through her.
"Emma!" She snaps back to reality at Gon's voice. Realizing herself, she rushes back to hiding, behind a tree as Gon and Killua prepared themselves once more, staying out in the open.
From the figure shaped hole inside the large tree, an injured hand reached out, grabbing the edge into a crushing grip. Another hand gripped the other edge, and a pull of himself through the crunches of wood, and out of the tree. Blood drips from his mouth, with a deep round mark seen on his stomach. He did not make any vocal sound, pained grunts or even showed that he was biting down between his bloodied teeth. He simply pulled himself out of the tree, silent and steady, one foot stepping back onto the grass, the other foot still stuck within the tree at the trunk.
The dark hunter looked down to his trapped, broken ankle, and forced it through the thick wood with a single kick as if it was made of butter, the shattered barks scattered at he set himself free. He raised his damaged hand and inspected it, black with a burnt mark and obvious sign of broken bones, his fingers closes slowly with forceful success.
"...Alright."
Garou uttered through his blood dripping mouth as he turned his head back for the boys, his eyes blank with a set mind, "Play time's over..."
Gon and Killua stood their ground, yet in their eyes, they saw a looming, wild darkness that erupted all around Garou. Their frightened senses siren inside their heads as Emma suddenly could not move from her place, a tight grip of her rifle as she remained hidden.
I'm scared. Her mind spoke, We have to go. We need to leave. We have to escape!
All spoke the same language that desired to run, and it was then that she realized the truth of the tracker. They weren't dealing with a human competitor at all. They were dealing with a monster.
To Gon and Killua, they were taken back to a moment when fear also tampered their better judgements. A moment that will never be forgotten. It wasn't an exact replica, but it was an essence that was all too similar to that moment, when they were confronted with an even greater foe neither of them could completely comprehend.
Gon's instincts were shouting, the alarm bells ringing to a deafening degree. Yet still, he clenched his hand into a tight fist. Refusing himself to back away or heed his instinctual warning.
"I'm done going easy on either of you," Garou said, his arms going limp as he hunched forward. "It's my turn now."
His posture was a wolf on a hunt, in every sense, and he jumped, gone within the endless leaves above. Gon and Killua jumped back and their eyes quickly went up to search, looking at their entire surroundings. Not a sound of him could be heard, and no movement seen.
Emma, her fear glueing her against the tree, poked her head out slightly. Where? Where did he go?
Back to back, Gon and Killua remained watchful, attentive. Eyes keeping to the area around them, waiting for the hidden dark Hunter. A tear from the earth bellowed beside Gon and Killua and they spun around. Emma looks over, and her jaw dropped.
Large roots ripping off from the ground from a single easy pull, a massive tree, ten feet wide and fourteen feet tall, was uprooted from the ground and lifted over the shoulder of the monstrous humanoid Hunter. His fingers pierced into the barks as he he carried the tree over his head.
Gon and Killua instantly sprinted, and the tree was brought down between them, crushing the ground and causing Emma to jump from the impact, falling on her front as she felt the earth shake briefly.
Garou landed upon the broken halved tree, wild eyes wide as he spun his head for Killua, and lunged. Killua sprints to a nearby tree, and leapt from one to the next, such quick-footedness, he was a sprinting white haze that circled around the chasing dark hunter, then sprung for Garou's back with a Nen-infused kick, aiming for the head.
It was stopped by Garou's quick grasp of Killua's ankle, and a pull that tossed Killua against the ground, the ex-assassin bouncing across and tearing through bushes.
"Killua!" Gon rushed to the fight, sprinting pass Emma and her shocked expression as she began to move through continuing cover.
Garou shifted his attention to the Hunter in green running for him. He allowed the boy to come in his beyond normal sprint. Gon leapt to reach Garou overhead and threw the first punch.
Garou merely stood his ground as he changed trajectory of the thrown punch, practically slapping it aside and thrusted forward and open-palm attack against Gon's abdomen. Gon held his breath at the hard impact, and was pushed against the ground in a single slam, igniting a gasped cough from Gon.
"D-damn it!" Gon shouted, and tosses up a strong kick, though that was blocked with a single grasp of Garou's uninjured hand.
"Not bad, kid," Garou said through his unfettered nightmarish expression, "But not enough."
He flung Gon by the pull of Gon's foot, bringing Gon in front of him once more, and palm-strike against Gon's face, knocking the boy back. Before making a follow up action, he felt a figure jumped on his shoulders and strike his head. However, he caught the hand and the fingers of extended claw before it stabbed through his skull, and Killua cursed.
A back-handed strike against Killua's stomach that sent the ex-assassin flying back, tumbling across the ground once more until making a quick recovery, bearing the hurt from the punch with a stern grimace, stopping on hands and feet.
"Damn you brats are tough," Garou said under his breath, "I'm literally just trying to one-shot you. Can't say I ain't impressed."
Killua sprung for the trees, dashing each and every one of them, a sprinting white shadow, attempting to be too fast for Garou to react, but Garou's eyes followed Killua's every move.
"Jan-!"
Garou kicked the ground, a fragment of the earth summoned and he kicked it for Gon standing afar. Killua sprung out from his sprint and kicked the boulder away, but exposed himself doing so. The dark Hunter kicked up another boulder and hurtled it for Killua, and it smacked against Killua's crossed-arms raised to block.
"Ke... Ken!" Gon resumed the chant as he watched his friend be knocked aside, and Garou rushing for him.
"Pape-"
Garou drops to the ground on his back, the balm of his feet kick up another large rock and hurtled it towards Gon's face like a bullet, which struck. Disrupting Gon's finishing cant yet not his built up paper, the boy was determined to resume as he attempted to thrust his hand forward, until his feet were kicked aside by Garou's, tripping him into falling on the side of his head before he could summoned his Nen attack.
Rock beats paper this time, Garou thinks to himself as he began to take notice of Gon's prime attack, reminding him his countless loss of Rock-Paper-Scissors game against his old teacher, and the head burn he received from that.
Emma watched aside in mortify as Gon and Killua fell into trouble against the risen competitor. They needed help. She has to help them! Grabbing her rifle, she aimed from the bushes for the man as Killua rushed back for Garou and Gon launching himself back up with a push. The rifle following Garou's figure as he dealt with each given attacks from the boys, but her aim moving whenever either Gon and Killua were in shot.
Her expression shook as she attempts to keep her rifle steady, but it's no use. She cannot fire while Gon and Killua were there. Excellent as her marksmanship was, the boys and the man were simply moving to fast for her to make an absolutely sure fire - nevermind that her heart clenches of having to shoot what looks like a human, no matter how obviously monstrous this person was.
She has to do something, she can't stay hiding aside any longer. She has to help those boys. She has to fight aginst that man, but how? What can she do?
I need to take his attention.
If it means that her friends will be spared, and they can either land a good hit or a time for them to escape, then this was the only way. The man, however, already proved to somehow know her location now matter how well she's convinced to be hidden. Perhaps Gon and Killua keeping him busy gives her a chance, but she has to be careful, or else he will jump for her next, and she has reasonable doubt that she will be able to take his hits as well as Gon and Killua are.
As she discreetly moves, watching the fight as she tries to think up of a plan that could lead the man away from her friends. She looked ahead and found Gon's backpack, the fishing rod at its side and the patch of Gon's stars glittering under the daylight. An idea bloomed in her head, a dangerous idea.
But she has to do it.
Gon and Killua managed to regroup side by side only after a couple of throws and hits they had to endure, creating distance from Garou as he stared in a head-leaning glare, daring their next move against him.
This guy really isn't normal, Killua said. I can't see him using some kind of Nen. He really is just a monster, I wonder if that's what Emma's tracker picked up and not that corpse.
The fact that both Gon and Killua were still standing, despite how obviously powerful Garou's punches were becoming, was because of their Ken. However, eventually Gon and Killua will exhaust themselves, and it's not certain if Garou will be willing to hold on long enough for that to happen. For their aura defense of their body to eventually weaken.
Their greatest struggle, however, was trying to hit back. The dark Hunter truly hasn't been giving his all at the start. Even with that broken hand and ankle, and whatever amount of pain he must be under after enduring Gon's Jajaken, the fact that he's still willing to fight no matter his condition just shows how inhuman he was. At this point, they might need to decide to either keep fighting, or escape to recuperate.
"Killua."
A side-glance from Killua to Gon, the ex-assassin looks to the fellow Hunter.
"I need you to distract him," Gon said, tightening his closed fist. "I know we can't fight him for that long, so I'm going to give it my all."
Killua's eyes widened, looking back at the awaiting Garou who was observing them silently. "...Okay. I'll keep him busy."
He started walking forward but stopped suddenly, "...Gon. Don't worry about me. I'll get him close. You do what you have to do."
Gon looked at Killua's back, a hesitant stare that lessoned at the bold, broadened shoulders of his friend, and he strongly nodded. "Right!"
Garou's eyes narrowed at the boys, before they widened, "Hey, are you..."
Killua stood in front of Gon, his sharp hands at each his side with determination shining in his eyes. Behind him, Gon was in position, his knuckles against his palm, power building up.
"You better not be that stupid," Garou talked to shake their spirits. "You don't want to accidentally hit your friend or you might leave a real mess."
Neither of them faltered, the Hunters in Green and White staring in defiance against the Hunter in black, as Killua slowly began his approach.
"...Well aren't you a good pair of friends," Garou said, thinking that it must be nice. Looks like I'll have to get serious and use that then.
His arms began to flow, graceful controlled movements like following a river stream, and a fierce mantis-like grip of his hands that were ready to bite. He grinned, taunting, "Come at me then."
Killua readied himself. Gon began powering up further, his eyes closed, a deep sigh through the nose. Focus. Imagine it. Imagine this guy as someone you want to beat. Imagine him... as them.
White wavy hair. Crimson-gold eyes empty of humanity and only desire for battle. The face of a predator spotting meager preys - a sadistic cat to a pair of mice. The fear he felt from that creature. The anger he felt against that creature. The hatred he has buried deep in his heart, waiting for it to erupt once he meets that monster again. The one who took an important person from him.
Garou's grin was lost as he felt a sudden change, raising an eyebrow at first, then began staring at the boy behind Killua. An impending doom he felt, when he saw Gon open his eyes. Those pairs of amber have darkened, a sole purpose of defeating his opponent... To destroy him. There's no mistake, this boy wants to kill him.
Someone's got issues. His face fierce at the challenge, his fingers clench the air like claws, deciding to intensify his stature. "Fist of the Flowing Water..."
Killua sprinted for him, Garou shot forward a hand, and Gon waited for his moment.
A single gunshot cuts through the air.
The Hunters recoiled at the sudden loud noise, a bullet had reached them, shooting close to the Garou. With inhuman reflexes, he caught the bullet, though he wondered if he even needed to, since the bullet didn't seem to be going for him. A split-second examination of the bullet that actually had an odd design, little bits popping open from all over the shell, and his eyes widened.
Oh shi-! It's not a bullet! It's a-!
Thick green gas poured through the tiny openings, hot spiciness overtakes Garou's vision as Gon and Killua were surprised out of their stance, Killua quickly backing away before the green gas overtakes them, though they would be protected by their Ken anyhow.
"Gon! Killua! RUN NOW!"
They heard Emma's call. Killua looked for her but he could not find her, a second spared glance at the tear gas that surrounded Garou. A quick regard of Gon and he instantly understood. Without a word, Killua turned around and grabbed Gon around the waist. "H-Hey!" Without stopping as he carried Gon over his shoulder, he rushed for the trees just as he avoided a sharp, swift attack that chopped a considerable piece from the tree by Garou's hand, sprinting from the smokes though it quickly enveloped the whole area.
"Wait! Killua! I can still fight him!"
Killua knows. He knows very well, and yet, when he felt that change in Gon's darkened personality, a change he could tell even as it happened behind him, for that brief moment, he wanted to change plans.
And this was their chance for Gon to not go that far into darkness. Killua has seen it, and he doesn't want Gon to see it too. Sprinting into the tear gas with Gon over his shoulder, Killua and Gon's forms were hidden completely. Garou continued to search for them through the muddy vision, while it was giving him itchy eyes and the smell of the gas was strong, he could still very well see.
Was that shout just now the third guy hiding? Another kid? He'd been intending to find him once he dealt with the two other brats, as he could feel himself being stared at from a certain place, but had his mind busy with fighting against those boys. This gas must be a diversion. Throw off his game while he is attacked in this fog that's making him faintly teary-eyed. Too bad for whoever made that shot, this gas was not even enough to make him sneeze.
Acting quickly, he rushed for one of the trees, and surveyed the area at the top. "Where'd you runts go?"
He starts his hop for the next tree, and the next, until finally, he saw movement from the smoke, a body of white carrying a body of green over the shoulder.
"Got you!" He leapt after them. "I ain't letting you off that easy-!"
A hook shot for his hip, a sudden thing that appeared and what he was not prepared for as his attention was on Gon and Killua. His eyes widened as he just managed to glanced aside and down at the sound of a wire, the hook reaching his pocket and snapping back. He sliced the fishing line with his fingers on instinct. The hook was severed free, but the prize was captured, the hook with the object it grasped flung high in the air and fell shortly after.
A child-sized hand caught it between her fingers, the severed-free hook, and with it, a patch that carried six golden stars. Emma, standing far away on a branch of the tallest tree, looked below at the hunter in black, his landing back into the green fog, and mind for his escaped opponents leaving him.
For a moment, they stared at one another, Emma heaving a breath that was amazed at her accomplishment, and Garou mutely eyeing at the child above, before his fingers slowly reached down to his pockets, patting the side of his pants. He ultimately broke his gaze away and searched, digging his hand further, and pulling out the inside of the pocket that coughed out only lint.
Arms dropping to his side, he looked back at the girl.
Oh. No. You. Did. Not.
Emma gulped at his look, and quickly hurried out of sight as the tear gas began to obscure his vision of her, but it did not matter to Garou, the green cloud swallowing his whole figure.
The hunt was on.
/.\
"Killua! Stop! I wanted to fight him!"
"Yeah? Did you forget that we're in the middle of the forest where there's several monsters living around here? All that noise would have definitely gotten someone's attention nearby. We would have been overwhelmed if a horde of monsters came our way!"
"O-oh. Right. I guess it would have been bad if we fought any longer. AH! Hold on! We forgot about Emma!"
"It's fine. Pretty sure that gas just now must have been her. She's a lot more resourceful than I took her for," that was an honest compliment Killua has ever given to a girl. "She gave us the chance to escape, so let's hope she got away too."
"Yeah... Wait. Killua stop."
A serious tone from Gon, Killua actually did so. Letting Gon back down, the Hunter in green drops to the ground, pressing his ear against it. "That's not good..."
"What's up?" Killua asked. Gon closing his eyes as he listened carefully.
"You were right. There's something coming. A horde of footsteps..." Gon said, eyes opening, "A stampede? No. It's something more. Whatever it is, it's getting closer."
"We'd better get out of here then," Killua said, and began to move for one direction.
"We can't!" Gon said, objecting with a loud voice. "We have to go back for Emma. She tried to help us, and got that guy off our back! We can't leave her out here!"
A moment of pondering, and looking at the unhesitant eyes of the hunter whose mind was already made, Killua knew there was no use of rebuking the stubborn, good-natured boy. "Alright, let's hurry back. Hopefully she didn't go too far."
With a nod and a smile from Gon, they quickly take to the trees, the disturbance gradually coming closer as the earth began to rumble.
/.\
Emma leapt quickly from one thick branch to the next that made pathways through the forest, hopping over a five-foot gap, with the way down much more than that. Slight skips while grasping the bark, dropping down and resuming without pause.
It'll be fine, Emma told herself, running through the forest. I'll lead that man away first and can find Gon and Killua later.
They should be safe, though the same cannot be said for her. No doubt in her mind that she is being pursued by the man of inhumane capabilities and strength. It was a burden willing to bear so long as her companions were safe. Hiding the patch in the pockets of her pants, she jumps over some shrubs.
Once I'm far enough, I'll throw this patch aside and-
Passing by a tree, Garou appeared from the other side, running alongside her. Eyes on her smaller figure as she looked up in shock.
"Sup," he greeted, and swung his leg for her feet.
By pure chance, Emma hopped over the leg by just barely, rolling across the ground into a hole, leading into a concealed ditch covered by moss and wood. With a rush in her system as she kept hold of her calm mind, she ran across the ditch she was able to slip through.
Finger stabs through the wooden-moss ceiling, one narrowly missing her back as she kept running. Consecutive hand jabs into the earth for the fleeting orange hair rabbit that she represents, and what he sees through small openings of the ground, trailing after her with every miss. Emma finds an opening through a tunnel of a sort beneath what appears to be joined trees by several, and sprints for it. Losing sight of her, Garou plunged his head through the wood, spotting her back moving for another tunnel, and swiftly pulled back up.
Emma runs through the tunnel of hanging thin roots, and pushes through a small exit, darting down another path and deeper into the thickening woods. A burst through the trees she came out of, the tattered and splintered body of Garou reveals from the smoke as he reared his head for her, and Emma not daring to look back.
They ran through the forest, his hand clawing for her back while she miraculously uses the twist and turn of the crowded terrain of trees and bushes to her advantage, keeping ahead. Rushing under overgrown large roots, bushes, squeezing through tight spots she could fit while Garou literally plunges himself through them, breaking wood and earth to get to her.
His hand suddenly retreats. Emma continued to run, not looking back, not stopping, until she realized after a short moment that there were no more noise chasing after her. She looked back, the dark Hunter was gone.
A thump ahead of her, her attention brought forward again, where she finds Garou latching onto the bark of a tall tree. She abruptly halted and changed direction, a sharp turn to the left, only for Garou to jump for the next tree and cuts her off once more. She kept going into different directions, to keep running, but everywhere she faces, he was there, leaping like a four-legged animal entrapping her.
In her rush, her foot was caught by a small overgrown root, and she tripped. Hurrying to stand back up, Garou jumps from one of the trees for below, and his hand snatched her back, yanking her up as she yelled.
An intense shake of her whole figure ensured, his hold of her vest's back as her rifle and bow slipped out of her grip and reach, a few arrows falling out as well. His single-handed shaking of her stopped then, her eyes spinning as dizziness spurred inside her head, and he picked her to face him, her feet hovering over the ground a foot and a half away.
"Hey."
Her eyes settled, she looked to his face. Seeing it up close, a rugged sharp look, and actually seemed much younger than she took him for. Golden eyes peering at her greens.
"That was my patch you took."
Realizing that the back of her sweater-vest was caught under his grip, she frantically struggled to escape, running in mid-air as he began checking the first pocket of her vest, searching for what was taken from his possession. "Come on. Give it back. I worked hard getting those stars."
She bobbed her feet up and down to have his hold of her relent, but no use. Not even a hint of perturbed as if she weighed absolutely nothing to him - which may as well be the case given how easily he physically smashes through his surroundings with his whole body. She waved her arms in futile, until finally she threw a kick for his ribs when he found her patch of two stars.
Garou readily raised his hand to block, feeling and measuring the weight of it against his palm. The small foot against his open palm, he blinked. Emma yiped as she yanked her foot back, gripping her pained toes the felt as if she kicked a stone wall. Garou drops his hand back to his side as the girl hushly complains "Ow ow ow..."
Garou eyed for a moment, a small huff of a smirk from him as he raises his index finger, "Not as tough as those other brats, huh?"
He poked her belly in the most minor intention of a jab, and she yelped another "Ow!" Confirming his suspicions as she held over her belly. A single real hit from him would knock her out utterly.
He resumed his searth through her vest pockets as Emma reached out to stop him once more, trying and failing to push his arms away.
"Oh? What's this now?"
Emma held back her gasp when he takes out the Monster Tracker from her second vest pocket. Looking at the device with interest, he flips it open to see the inside, "Hoh? A map. That's pretty useful in a big place like this. So those two dots on the screen supposed to be us?"
Emma stopped her incessant and futile struggling, "Two... dots?"
A creaking noise from behind Garou, and at a rising figure, Emma's gaze widened. Garou noticed a shadow cascade over the girl he held, and he turned around.
A massive, pitch black-scaly creature surfaced from the massive, fallen tree. A bone mask with red markings at its head, a slither of its tongue slipped out and in. A roaring-hiss through its closed jaw that could crush a vehicle in one bite. Its blood-red orbs for eyes stared down, hungrily so, at the humans it sees below. Another hiss escaped from the monster's side, rounding the fallen tree, a second massive snake with pale white scales, and a darker shade of its bone mask. The duo creatures slithered out, and together, they released a horrible, sizzling roar.
[Monster Identified] The monster tracker typed out on the screen as Garou and Emma looked up with widened eyes. [Monster Type: Grimm. Name of Species: King Taijitu].
The presence of these monsters was noticed long ago, but because of Emma's attention on Garou, she missed the notification. Together they had unknowingly entered this monster's territory.
Emma looked down for her rifle and bow, both upon the ground she cannot reach, leaving her with only her four-barrel pistol of passive effects. Garou tightened his grip on Emma's vest, and the King Taijitu lunged for them.
Garou jumped, stopping at the base of a tree and continuing when the white snake shot for them. Emma's body flung around at his unrelenting hold as he leaped for every tree, avoiding being bitten by both snakes. The King Taijitu slithered around the area, chasing Garou and the girl he held. More than once did Emma lifted her feet when the King Taijitu's chomped for her, missing her shoes as Garou pulled her away.
She more than once tried to reach her pistol but she was yanked all over the place by Garou as he fled, she could hardly keep still.
She at last felt herself stop, and simply hung by Garou's grip once he climbed high enough of one of the tree, far enough away from the King Taijitu as they began their steady climb around the barks. The dark Hunter looked down on the beast, clicking his tongue, "Someone's really wanting for a snack."
He looked at the little girl he held as she bared with yet another dizzy spell. "Hey, kid."
She looked up for Garou.
"I'm gonna toss you."
The moment she understood that, he landed at the center in between the King Taijitu and with one shove, he threw Emma far above his head, up for the sky. A scream escaped her as the King Taijitu head rose, and shot up to take a bite out her. Sheer horror enveloped her entire being as she watched her coming demise, grabbing for her pistol at her hip at last.
"Back off."
At the monster's closing proximity to the girl who pulled out her pistol, Garou hopped up between the heads of the snakes, and swiftly kicks each side in a series. The King Taijitu cried out in pain as their heads were knocked back harshly, and away from Emma. Her eyes wide at the sudden intrusion that saved her from the monster, unnoticing when two items fell out of her pockets as she continued upwards from the throw, her tracker and a patch of stars not belonging to her.
Garou kicked off from the black snake's head and sprung for the trees again, leaping around the dazed beast in single jump steps. Another lung for the monster, he punched the side of the white snake's head, grabbing a hold of its chin and threw it against the ground with a sickening slam that cracked the earth.
The black snake darted its head and open jaw for the fighter, but he grasped at the fangs of the beast and pushed himself away. Avoiding a bite, the King Taijiu opened its mouth to try again. Garou stopped his feet against a tree he landed on, and with a stomp that broke through the barks into a cater, he leaped for the beast again, striking both of its fangs into pieces with a crossing of his fists.
The black King Taijitu sheered away in agony, its white counterpart feeling its other half in pain, and it shot for the fighter who dropped to the ground, pursuing as it chased him aside. Emma watched the fight far below her in amazement, the feat of the young man who was hopping at all places, his strength to crush the fangs of the monster with his hands. Her appalling eyes then gawked at a new revelation, granted by her increasing distance from the fight and saw the King Taijitu in its entirety.
"They're connected!" She screamed.
"Huh?" Garou heard, and then a sudden cracking of wood. He turned around in his run, a massive tree descending over his head. He jumped away in time. A tremor to the earth, the ground breaking under the pressure of the fallen tree and Garou landed swiftly upon it. He looked behind him, the cause connected by black and white, mixing into grey scales. A connection between the ends of the black and white snakes, a proof of the monster's existence living as one - a two-headed single beast.
He evaded once more when the King Taijitu attempted to trap and strangle him in one crushing blow. Landing upon their connected body, he dashed across the scaly white floor and reached the head, a powerful twist of his open-palm punch against the throat area, the white head of the snake spit out black blood. He went even farther, stabbing his fingers into the throat and dragged it across. Gunk of black, chunks of meat made out of shadows, spilled all over Garou. Blackening the pale white skin of the yin beast counterpart.
The other half of the King Taijitu went in a rage and shot its head for Garou. He ducked under the chomp and ran, the monster following him close behind, circling around the white dying half of itself, and slithering over in narrow capturing of its prey until Garou delivered an impactful kick at the area the King Taijitu body connected, causing it to rise in reaction and he slid across underneath.
The beast followed him still, wrapping its long body around the shared organ of the withering white half, unknowingly closing their airway in a slow strangle that further suffered the creature, and its darker half realizing what it has done.
A single gunshot from the sky, Garou halted instantly when he heard it. From a falling bullet and the sudden collapse of its exterior, a string of material sprung out and covered the entire beast. The King Taijitu was startled by the unknown substance, squirming to break free, but only tangling itself further in the process, sealing off all hope of ever escaping itself.
Its state at his complete mercy, one which he will not give, Garou took to the tree, ran up, and jumped overhead the monster.
Fist of the Flowing Water... Crushing Rock!
A ferocious, onslaught of brutal hits battered the body of the King Taijitu, though the monster's size was enormous, it felt the attack travel throughout its entire body. It cried in severe agony until Garou retraced his fist, allowing himself to fall, and grabbed the black scaled monster's head. A grip and twist of it with his finger fingers and great strength, the creature sputtered out ounces of black blood, and Garou pierced its pointed hands into its eyes, an attack powerful enough to reach the other eye in one blow, ripping through its brain.
He grabbed and flipped himself over, reached the limping paler half of the King Taijitu, and blew his fist straight onto its head, smashing the bone mask and forcing more blood to cough and spurt out from its wounds. A final killing blow by striking the eye that reached the other one, black matter exploding within its skull, it quickly went limp entirely, as did its darker half.
He landed beside the defeated creature, rising with an ache to his stomach, breathing out a slow, heavy sigh with his eyes closed. His neck popped at the crane of his head.
"There. That'll teach it for messin with me," Garou said as if the dead can still learn, his hand outstretching from his side, "Now then..."
Panicked yelling into a louder descent, his clenched fingers caught the back of Emma's vest and stopped the stunned girl from her total drop. He lifted her, a dazed expression facing him, "Where were we?"
Black blood splattered half of his face with a revolting smell, his eyes never losing the slightest of their intensity. Emma stared at the horrid appearance of the young man, a loss for words as her heart sputtered with remaining adrenaline.
She flinched at the movement of his other hand, raising her arms in defense but finds only his palm showing, his fingers relaxed. "Give it."
She looked at his hand, then back at Garou. Finally, she relents, no use of stalling anymore. She reaches for the pocket of her pants, rummaging for the taken patch.
She rummaged still, her orange brows furrowing, and her eyes turned alarmed. She searched her other pocket, then her vest pockets, everywhere she can seek as Garou awaited patiently.
Her arms dropped to her side, a slight sway to her held form. "Um...I don't have it."
"...Hah?" He held her closer, the reek of his bloody state assaulting her nostrils to a burn. "What do you mean you don't have it? I know you had it. I saw you had it."
"I-It's not on me anymore," Emma answered honestly, unveiling her own surprise at this. "It... It must have fallen out when you threw me in the air."
"Oh? So it's my fault?" He poked her in the belly again, and another yelp escaped her. "Don't switch the blame on me. You were the little thief who thought you can just take my stars and run."
He poked her again and again, each poke inducing a small shriek of "ouch!" from the girl. She held her waist in protection and he went for her sides as she tried to push away his finger with her foot.
"I didn't- ow! I didn- ow! I wasn't going to keep them- ow!"
He stopped his poking then. Emma rubbed her belly as she looked at him, and spoke factually, "I was going to give them back to you. I just wanted you to stop hurting my friends."
"Yeah? Well you don't have my patch now." He poked her one more time, her shouting in irk "Ow! Stop that!"
Garou did not heed her as he poked her again, "I put my life on the line for some of those badges you know? So how are you going to make it up to me for them? Unless you're willing to give me your stars."
Emma's mouth thinned, a question in her eyes that downs to his beaten state, and to the dying King Taijitu. A sullen frown formed on her face as she rubbed her belly. "Why?"
"You took my stars. That's pretty fair, don't you think?" Garou answered simply.
"No," Emma said, rephrasing as her heart came back to a calm, "I mean, why should we have to fight over these stars?"
"Hm?"
She lowered her arms, and stated again, "I know this is a competition we're in, but why should we have to fight each other?"
"...Well why shouldn't we?" He shook her a little, her brisk and brief sway under his hold of the back of her vest, "Everyone's looking to win, and you only get one winner."
"That's not a good reason though."
He looked at her continuously, staring as if she had grown a second head.
"I understand that everyone wants to win," Emma resumed, "and if they're here, they must have a reason or that they really want the wish. So do I. But I don't believe we should fight each other for it, if anything, shouldn't we help each other instead? Why..."
She thought of her last vocal interaction with Lewis. His bloodlust, his repulsive eagerness to kill, and no other alternative would ever satiate him despite the fact that it would mean for no one else to die, even himself. What was it that made a demon like Lewis be happy like that, if there wasn't even reasonable hatred he had, or even the need to eat? "Why should fighting be the only solution? Aren't we all the same if we're all just trying to survive?"
Garou regarded her silently. His expression flattened to a perplex, and then he gently lowered Emma until her feet touched the ground, releasing her collar as she found her balance before kneeling down to her level. The fierce unkindness in his face completely dissipates, and what was there was an oddness towards her. Partially coated by the black blood that still drew him with a disturbing appearance, he looked almost child-like, which surprised Emma though she remained awaiting his answer.
"...Hey," He started, tilting his head aside, "What did you expect when you came here?"
"Huh?" Emma only responded.
The dark Hunter pointed at the ground, "This is a competition."
He then pointed at the sky, his finger circling, "There's several of us competing."
He brought forward his finger up close to her nose, "There's only one wish at stake. You don't think anybody's not going to fight for that? Even if they don't have to, they'll still do it."
He lowered his finger, "That's just how people are. They'll put up a fight even if you didn't start it, and they'll do whatever it takes to win. Doesn't matter if the other guy gets the short end of the stick, especially if they're a guy no one likes. Why shouldn't that loser fight for what they want?"
Emma takes serious to those spoken words as a sudden tension in Garou's grip that grappled the air. "Fact it, they don't even have a choice. Doesn't matter what we're given to hunt, because we're all racing for the same prize. No one's gonna be willing to share it, unless you give them a reason to."
His memory of humiliation, beating and unjust punishment that always pushes him to the end no matter how true he fought for himself, the unfairness of it all. The demand by society that he must lose, because it was the status quo. And no one would remember the ugly little kid who justice has done nothing for. That's why in the face of such apathy, he will unleash back as much cruelty, and achieve that victory when everyone else tells him otherwise.
Emma long regarded the man with a galled reaction, a slow fathom to his words, and then to the four-barrel pistol in her hand. Her frown deepening as she takes seriously to his every word, but a few taking her most attention. He says that we have to fight, but nothing about wanting to fight.
The barrel pressed between her thumb and finger, she puts the gun down by her feet.
"...What are you doing?" He asked her.
She looked at him bravely. "I don't want to fight."
"...You're not going to have a choice."
She stood there, her mind unchanged as she stared directly back at the dark Hunter. He reacted nothing, his hand still raised by his head, slowly inching it upward with his fingers straightened like a preparing strike. The nerve of this child who took his points and lost them, and she remained unwavering at the face of him, unarmed.
She remained unmoved, holding in her breath as his hand came down.
Slumping to Garou's side as he began moving forward, walking passed her in lost interest and intention, "Forget it. I don't have time for this. Got to look for my patch or I'll have to hunt for more stars."
A surprised blink of her green eyes as Emma turned around for the young man as he walked away, stopping at the body of the King Taijitu and picked off one of its black and white scale, "I'll spare you this time, but I won't be nice the next time I see you brats."
The scale became a golden star in his grasp and he slips it into his pocket. He paused shortly and turned back for her with a point of his finger, "Word of advice. Don't expect anybody to come and just help you anywhere, even when you need it. You only got yourself to rely on."
He resumed his way, idly waving for the girl behind him, "Good luck staying in this competition, kid."
She watched him go, unsure of a response as he simply went his own path, and remained watchful of his back fade into the rest of the forest the further he went, until he could no longer be seen.
Emma stood there by herself, her face in wonder. Her thoughts of the young man obtaining a new perspective, of that harsh fighter who introduced himself as a thug with a fiendish and brute personality.
Maybe he wasn't a bad person after all.
Competitors Introduced:
Garou (One Punch Man)
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