Chapter 1: Knocking x At x Death's Door
Chapter Text
….Aauuhhhaaa, you’ve got to be shitting me right now…
Bang Bang
I want to say I’m surprised…which I am! However, at the same time I’m not.
Of all of the ways I could see myself dying, a college shot out is one of them. With all the news I hear about shootouts like this, it wouldn’t have surprised me in the least if one happened on my campus. With the increase of gun violence I almost pray to whatever god that supposedly exist that one doesn’t happen at my campus every time I go there. Even though, I would have preferred if one had never happen in the first place regardless if I’m there or not.
But fate doesn’t work like that.
…
…Heh
I just realized something…
I could have avoided this and still be alive, helping around the house with my mom while I still worked at my crappy job to save some money to get a house of my own.
Yeah…I would still be doing this if I had only stayed home today.
Curse my damn luck.
If one thought if I had stay home and not go to college would I have been skipping my class? The answer is no; I wouldn’t be. I didn’t have a class this particular day…in fact I had a class for tomorrow!
So why am I here you ask? Well…
I had received an email from the college library that my English book was ready for pick up. Since I was visiting my dad during that time and the campus was only a fifteen minute drive, I decided to go and pick it up. Why I didn’t wait till tomorrow instead…. I could not tell you. Maybe I was going a bit stir crazy from being in a house all day and saw this as a good excuse to get out for a bit.
I had thought about going to Barns & Nobles next after picking up the book or asking my dad if he needed me to pick up anything while I was out.
If I had just waited until tomorrow…or whenever they would have let the students back on campus. I would still be here and not have the thought about what my family will think once they received the news that I died.
The moment I had made my decision to go; I had a bad feeling in my gut. I didn’t know what caused it, so I was on guard. In hindsight I should have listened to my gut feeling that was telling me to stay home. But no… I just had to go. And this is what I get.
A bullet in my chest and stomach.
The only thing I could remember was a shearing shot pain shooting through my body and the next thing I know I’m on the ground, feeling my blood slowly draining from my body.
It really hurts to breathe because of the pain, despite not having much of a choice in doing so. Holding my breath hurts even more. All I can do is just laying cursing myself for coming here and feeling the guilt of what my family will be going through because of my decision.
My body is slowly going numb from the lack of blood and no matter how much I try I just can’t move a single finger from my body. I might have let out a grunt from trying to move again but it’s hard to tell over the sounds of people screaming and the occasional gun firing.
…what kind of gun did they bring for this shit to still be happening?
A cough suddenly comes out of me along with the taste of iron. Guess that was blood I cough out.
I long gave up hope that I’ll be saved at the rate I’m feeling my body slowly shutting down. There’s really not that much else that I can do but just lay here and wait until death finally takes me. Even though the thought scares me of what happens after life…I guess I’ll finally get my answer of what’s on the other side.
Is there an afterlife or…is there really such a thing as reincarnation.
Actually…if there is such a thing I doubt that I would remember if I got reincarnated, as some tales say that you don’t know if you were. Heh, it would be funny if I got isekai into a fictional world but stuff like that doesn’t happen in the real world. That only happens in fanfics and anime.
Buuut, that doesn’t mean I can’t use the rest of my time to day dream if I could get reborn in fictional world which one would I have preferred or wish I could be reborn into.
Bang Bang Bang Bang Bang
Oh, look at that five more bodies are down. Seriously though, where the fuck are the police? Shouldn’t they be here by now? What about the security guy? Maybe he got scared and fled instead of doing his job. Man, welcome to America, where rescue is very slow. If I didn’t already accept the fact that I’m going to die here, I am now with how slow the rescue is taking to get here.
Uuuhh, what was I thinking about before…oh right! Reincarnation.
Hmm well, if I could be reborn in an anime world I don’t really know which one I want to be in. With the amount of anime shows that I’ve seen there’s a lot to pick from and giving the fact that I can only pick one. That’s…a tough decision.
However, if I start with the list of worlds that I don’t want to be reborn in that would help crack down the list a bit. Since I for one would like to die from natural cause…as in I want to live past the age of 20 thank you very much. The list of anime that I would wish to never be reborn in would be, Tokyo Ghoul, Attack on Titan, Fairy Tail, not that it’s a bad world to possibly live in…I just don’t think I can handle all of that chaos., Hellsing, Hellgirl , even that world is pretty normal to mine…if you ignore that fact that some can actually send you to hell for just pissing them off. And I rather not be going to hell after what I just went through thank you very much! And finally, One Punch Man that should be self-explanatory.
The list of worlds that should be a big fat NO is pretty long but not very long. I guess I could also add in Death Note. I mean compared to all the anime I just listed, this one looks like the most safest. Like the only thing I have to do is not get arrested, have zero contact with Light, don’t go to same college as Light, don’t look suspicious and I can have a somewhat normal peaceful life.
…Assuming I keep all my memories from this life to help me avoid all that bullshit.
Yeah…I would rather live there. If I could have a say in it, I just need to remember the story line and avoid everything. There’s no way in hell that I’m going to try and change everything. As tempting as it is, I just want a normal life.
Oh…
…My body feels really cold now.
It’s starting to hurt even more to breath…it’s…take me even long just to get a breath in. I guess that means my time is up.
…Damn it, I also just started a new anime series too…well not new since the remake came out in 2011 and I never did watch the original. I heard some good and bad things about it and thought I might as well give it a try.
Looks like I won’t even bee able to finish it. And know I won’t know how it ends. I’ve only seen one arc, I believe, but what I’ve seen so far that is also a world that I wish not to be reborn into.
Hunter x Hunter
Yeah…as much as I like to know how it ends I’m fine in not being born there just to find out. I’m very happy in not knowing.
Though it is a shame, the show did look good. I want to say, ‘maybe next time’… but I don’t know if there’ll be a ‘next time’.
Ah…
It’s getting harder to keep my eyes open.
Well, I guess this is it.
Good bye world…I’ll never miss you.
Tap Tap Tap
I feel weird…
Tap Tap Tap
Small even…very small, like a new born size.
Tap Tap Tap
Wiggling around, the first thing I noticed was that I appeared to be wrapped up in a blanket, keeping my warm. Though my face feels a bit cold. And the other thing that I took note of is that it feels like someone is holding me.
I can feel the alarms blaring in my head right now…
Don’t tell me…
I tried to struggle a bit more, but my body feels really weak and refuses to listen to what I say. I felt whoever was holding me, tightening their grip and coming to a stop.
“Hmm~ what’s this?”
…Okay…that voice sounds a bit familiar and I can tell it’s a male. Not to mention the piercing gaze on me that makes me nervously wiggle my body from the gaze.
It was a struggle at first but I mange to open my eyes. Blinking a few times by how blurry everything was at first, yet sadly nothing really changed, and my vision stayed as a blur. The only colors that I can make out were white, red and…I think I’m seeing yellow…or is that gold?
Damn it, I can’t tell with how shitty my vision is.
“Awake, at last I see~!” The person cheerfully said. And I don’t need to have my sight back to tell that his man has a grin on his face. “That’s good, I was starting to get a bit worried that you were dead~”
Huh?
…come again?
The alarms are blaring even louder now. What do you mean by that?! Hey mister?! What the fuck to do mean?!
I remember dying from gun shot wounds, did he save me or something? But then why is he carrying me outside…or why do I feel so damn small?!
Ahh…I’m afraid I might the answer…and I really want to be wrong right now.
“Ah…” A small whimper escapes me upon feeling something soft and pointy touch my check making me squirm a bit.
Jesus! This dude’s nail is long! He could cut skin with that kind of nail…. but hold on that whimper I just made…that almost sounded like…
“Ah~ I wonder how ripe you’ll become in the future~” He chuckled “Just thinking about it is making me excited~!”
…
…
Forget my theory…SOMEONE HELP ME!!! I’VE BEEN CAPUTRE BY A FUCKING WERIDO!!! WHY DOES LIFE HATE ME SO MUCH?!
And could someone please tell my why this died sounds so freakin’ familiar!? I don’t have a lot of guy friends, and I don’t interact much with my fellow classmates so why in the hell does his voice sound so familiar.
Ahhh, just where am I and what happened to me! Can I go back being dead?!
“But… I don’t know if I want to kill you once you’re ripe.” The man sigh and that comment along just had me crying on the inside. I’m going to die young again, I just know it! “I guess, we’ll have to see what the future will hold for you little Nagisa~”
Aaahhh—wait, what? Nagisa? Last time I check my name is Skylar…oh hell no.
“I doubt you even know what I’m saying, but you will when you get older and remember what I say.” The grin was back on his face; I just know it. “I do wonder what it’s going to be like a father at my age. At least I won’t be bored for a while~!”
…I think I just died again.
Right then and there.
Now that my fears have been confirmed that I, Skylar, have been in fact reborn as Nagisa in another world. Nagisa who, you might ask, I don’t know. I’ll probably know in the future. The only thing I know for sure is that my father is without a doubt a pedo and wants to kill me once I’m ‘ripe’ or whatever that means.
The tone of this man sounds familiar and yet I don’t remember who.
At lest my memory is still intact, just like those who have been isekai to another world. So there’s no doubt I’ve been reborn into an anime or game…giving that the man voice sounds familiar…but which one?
Hopefully once my eyesight is better and I can see where I’m at and who my new father is I can put the pieces together in figuring out where I am now and play my cards from there. I just…hope that I’ve been reborn in a ‘safe’ world and that I can somehow run away from this pedo before he kills me.
Wait…oh God Damnit! I just realized that I have to go through puberty again!
Fuck!
On the bright side I don’t have to deal with monthly periods for a while! There’s a pro in all of this!
…I guess for now I’ll just try to make my body to work with me and figure out where the hell I am.
Man…
Wait…hold on…
I forgot about breast feeding!
NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
Chapter 2: My x new x life part 1
Chapter Text
Life truly hates me.
Just…what the hell did I do in my past life to deserve this fate? I don’t recall doing any crimes in my last life! Seriously I just wake up, go to school or work and back home and chill before repeating the same progress.
So where in the world did I go wrong to deserve this fate!
I was living somewhat peacefully in my new life up until my vision finally got better. And then destroy any hopes and dreams that I had in wishing to have a calm normal life.
Why you might ask…well once I got a nice, good look at my new father I finally figured out what my full name is and where I have been reborn into.
Nagisa Morow is my new name.
Does the name Morow sound familiar? If not, let me explain.
The last name Morow belongs to a certain psychopath in this wonderful world. Who you might ask…well…
IT’S FUCKING HISOKA MOROW.
You know the damn red hair clown that seems to lust over two of the main characters! Oh, and not to mention a complete psychopath!
Truly life really does hate me!
I’ve been reborn into Hunter x Hunter! One of the worlds that I didn’t want to be reborn into! If some god wanted to throw me in something close to a fantasy world then why couldn’t it have been Pokémon!
The very moment I got a good look at my father…I almost fainted in shock upon releasing the new hell I’ve been born into.
…Okay I did faint in shock. But who can blame me!
I also…apparently freaked out Hiso — excuse me — my father out by my sudden faintness. I would have laugh at that, if I wasn’t in this situation.
Getting back on track, the only reason on how I now know my last name, is the fact that while I was watching the show, I had google the characters to get a bit of info on them. I never really look down at the plot section…even though I never really cared if it spoiled me or not. I was merely curious about the character info about them.
Of course, that means when I googled search Hisoka I also learned his last name.
Honestly if I had a choice in this matter of being reborn in this world, I would have been happy to be related to Gon, that kid can go on his quest to be a Hunter while my butt with stay happily at home. You go and have your adventure kid; I’m not getting rope in that stuff. I’ll just root for you on the side lines…is what I would have done. Or…I would have been perfectly happy to be born from two random parents and NOT know what world I was born into…though I’m pretty sure I would have figured it out at some point.
Once again when I say life truly hates, I really do mean life truly hates me.
Why couldn’t I have someone else be my father…
At this point I might start dubbing him as Papa-pedo or something…huh…I wonder what his reaction will be if I say that as my first set of words to him. When do babies began to speak again?
…Meh, I’ll find out when my vocals cords began to work.
There is however another thing that I’ve notice during my time here.
I’m a bastard!
Yep, my parents had unsafe sex. How do I know this? Well, the Hisoka right now looks like a teen. If I had to guess his probably 16 or 17.
Wow…what else can I add to my new background?!
Oh! Oh! How about…I don’t have a mother!
Wonderful! This is already stating to feel like a plot to some anime or fanfic story.
The time I notice that I didn’t have a mom when I ‘woke up’, is that I never once been breast feed. Thank you God! However,…even I know that doesn’t fully disclose that statement, since I know there are women out there that either chose not to breast feed or are unable to. The only reason I came up to this conclusion is the lack of a female voice…or presence.
Well…not completely. Hisoka travels a lot, and I get a lot of comments from women, but none of them had ever said about me being their daughter. So, I’m just going on a limb here and guess that she died… I honestly don’t know how to feel about that. At least it doesn’t look like Hisoka doesn’t feel any resent towards me.
…Maybe it was a one night stand? And the mother just didn’t want me?
So many questions and it’ll be a long while before I can get any answers to them. I do hope that’s the case and some poor woman didn’t die just to give birth to me. I feel like that's a bit unfair that I get to relive a new life at the cost of someone else.
Not much that I can do about it now. Truthfully the only thing that surprised me the most so far in this life, is that Hisoka knows how to feed a baby. Much less know how to take care of one.
Ahhhaaa…there really isn’t much to talk about right now. Being a baby sucks, for a while I could only wiggle my body around and babble in baby language and cry. I’m so happy that I can crawl right now! Now I won’t be bored out of my mind, wondering when we’ll be traveling next.
And speaking of crying… I need to get my Papa-Pedo attention. I need a new diaper, like…right now. Even though I really don’t like it, I don’t like sitting in my own shit. So, I’ll just deal with it, much to my embarrassment.
So commence the crying!
“Wwwwaaahhhhh!”
“O-Oya, what is it now?”
*First Words*
After some time, I finally manage to say my first words. About time too and it also helped me to figure how old I am. Ten months old, ir I recently remember that babies tend to start speaking words around that age. Granted I was able to roughly speak in babel language but not enough to actually communicate.
I only remember this since I literally have nothing to do! The only thing I can do is let my mind wonder or crawl around. So, for the past ten months I’ve been bored out of my mind. Why couldn’t this be more of an anime show where you can skip all this and just get straight to the plot? Honestly what God did I piss off to deserve this fate?
Well, I might not be a god, but I am in my own mind so I’m going to speed things along. I’m going to talk about the time I spoke my very first words in this world.
Cue evil grin.
The day I started crawling was the day that I refuse to be pick up. Not because I don’t to be near my new father. It is but can you blame me! I just hate been carried around. It was something I hated even in my previous life. Of course, there are times that I have no choice but to cooperate in being picked up. Like now, I’m currently in Hisoka’s arms as we walked through some random town. I wish I could tell you what town I’m in but seeing as I can’t read the signs, yet I can’t. Not that it would really matter since I don’t know this world layout yet.
Strange how I can understand what their saying, yet I can’t read a damn word here.
As I sat in Hisoka’s arm and looking around at the things that I could still seeing in my very limited vision, I looked up at Hisoka. For a long time, I’ve been debating on whether or not I should call him my father or by his name. There are a lot of names I could give to this guy, like Pedo-clown for instance.
Just what is up with dude in dress up like a jester? Thank god I don’t have phobia of clowns or I’ll be even more screwed here.
“Hmm~?” Hisoka came to a halt in his walking and look down at me with his closed-eye grin. He must have notice me staring at him. “What is it little Nagisa?”
Well as people have said before, a baby’s first words leaves a strong impression. Let’s seeing if I can speak now? I slowly open my small chubby mouth and began to try to get a word out.
“Pa…”
“Oh?” I felt him stiffen up a bit as he open his eyes.
“Pa…do”
Come on you damn words!
“Are you trying to say ‘Papa’, little Nagisa?” Hisoka asked with a raised brow.
“Pa…ah…”
“Almost. It’s Pa-pa.”
“Pa-pa…”
“Yes that’s right~!”
“Pe-do.”
“Eh?” Hisoka froze as if he was trying to make sure he heard that correctly. “What was that Nagisa?”
I blink staring up at him as a smile grew on my face. “Papa-Pedo!”
I kid you not, when I say that I saw a big rock landing on top of Hisoka’s head with the words that I’m guessing that says ‘Papa-Pedo’ on it.
Huh…I thought you could only see that in anime, guess not.
Hisoka look back at me and let out a strain laugh. “No, no, Nagisa. It’s Papa. Pa-Pa.”
“…Pedo!” I added at the end.
“Papa.”
“Pedo.”
“Papa.”
“Pedo.”
“Pa-Pa.”
“Pe-do.”
This argument went on for a while. With both of us going back in forth on how I should say ‘Papa’. It was quite an amusing site to see. A teenage boy arguing with a baby, that was until the police came over after some people heard our argument and became concerned about me. They went off asking us questions asking who Hisoka is and what his relationship to me is.
“I’m her father.”
The policeman gave him a long stare, and it doesn’t take a genius to read his mind to know what his thinking. Since I don’t know what I look like right now, I don’t know if I bear a resemblance to Hisoka. For all I know I could look like my mother. After a minute of silence one of the officers looked at me and gave me a friendly smile and asking in sweet — annoyingly — tone, who this man was.
I’m more amazed this guy thinks an infant at my age understand things. Like dude…I’m not even one yet.
Either way, I am, however, a 20 year old in a infant body and does understand what is going on. And being the smartass that I am…
My response.
“Papa-Pedo.”
Silence.
That’s all I have to say.
Silence.
It wasn’t long till the police took me and Hisoka to the station and I could tell the Hisoka was trying hard not to kill them. Either he doesn’t want to get in more trouble, which would be surprising if that was the case, or doesn’t want to kill in front of a baby (I’m pretty sure he’ll still do that…if it wasn’t his child his killing in front of). I honestly don’t know.
After our time there and getting tested at the hospital that shows that I was indeed Hisoka’s child, which had crushed my dreams on the hopes that maybe I’m actually not related to this man and for some odd reason kidnapped me from the hospital for whatever reason.
When the test came back positive the staff still seem to be concerned about me and did some more…test, if you know what I mean, to make sure there was nothing else going on. When nothing came back, they let us go.
As Hisoka walk out of the hospital building with me in his arms once more, he let out a deep sigh and look down at me. “You’re going to be trouble magnet aren’t you?”
I merely smiled innocently up at him.
*Appearance*
For a long while I have been wondering what I looked like now, compared to when I was still alive in my world.
Do I still have the same blond hair and green eyes, or do I have a different appearance?
Do I look like my mom or Hisoka or maybe a bit of both?
Ever since that incident with my first choice of words and the police questioning if I was really Hisoka’s daughter had me wondering. I mean if I really did look like Hisoka then I doubt they would have taken us to do a blood test to see if it was true.
As I grew I was able to make out small glimpse of what I look like. When my arms aren’t covered or when Hisoka baths me — very embarrassing this is why I call him Papa-Pedo — I could see that my body is a light tan color. So, I defiantly don’t have Hisoka’s pale skin tone. I can sort of see why the police had their doubts, but what made me really see why they had their doubts was my hair.
Now my hair as of now isn’t very long, the only time I see it is when it starts to cover my eyes or when the wind blows. During those times I saw white, not silver-that-looks-white-in-anime type but white, pure white.
Which…you know had me wondering how give that I’m not pale. Most people that I’ve seen with straight up white hair are albino. And they are very pale. Like I said my skin has a slight tan to it, but I’m still a bit pale. So how the hell do I have white hair?
It wasn’t until I was two years old when I got my answer. When I finally am able to see what I look like.
We were at a hotel — correction I was at the hotel. Papa-Pedo went out to do god knows what. Yeah smart move there Dad, leave a two year old by herself in a hotel late at night. Thank god you daughter has the mind of a neurodivergent adult, that can somewhat take care of herself. The hotel we were staying at had a fully body mirror next to the door.
I was sitting on the bed watching a random program, till I looked over at the mirror and the curiosity got the best of me.
Heading over to the mirror and my jaw just drop to the ground. Well…I was right about my hair color, but that’s not what shock me. Oh no, what shock me was who I look like.
Nagisa Momoe.
Nagisa Momoe a character from the anime Puella Magi Modoka Magica, an anime that I saw before I started the Hunter x Hunter series.
…Funny how our names are the same and the last names are a bit close only with the first two letters that are the same. However, there is only one key point that is different from that character and me.
Our eyes.
While hers are yellow and red, mine is a simple yellow the same color as Hisoka. Welp, there’s one thing I have in common with him. Honestly, when I first saw myself in this mirror I would have never guess that I had any blood relation to Hisoka. The only time that one can see the resembles is if you point out that we are related to each other. I don’t know what I looked like when I was an infant, but now as I grew older there is a faint resembles, you just have to look really hard to see it.
I do wonder…
…What does my mom look like?
Do I fully resemble her?
If so, how does Hisoka feel about me looking like her?
Better question, why do I look exactly like Nagisa Momoe. Just…how…?
…These are question that even I don’t know if I’ll ever get the answers too.
Just what is the story behind my birth?
Chapter 3: My x new x life part 2
Chapter Text
*Death comes again*
I…
I…saw…someone get killed…right before my eyes.
The killer…was my father.
I know he was trying to protect me and I’m grateful for it. If he hadn’t gotten there in time I would have been killed. But when seeing someone get killed right before your very eyes.
It’s…horrifying.
I wish that I could erase that very day from my eyes.
The day start off as any other day, well any other day for us that is. Honestly the longest time we’ve ever been in a town, or a city was like four months. I just don’t get why we travel a lot and not stay in one place like a normal family…
Did I just say normal?
Hah! There is nothing normal as having a psychotic pedophile clown that only gets aroused by strong opponents as a father. I’m surprise that I’m still sane!
Wait, hold up, what was I talking about again before I went off track?
…Oh, that’s right!
The trauma that happen to me.
Today was our last day in this town, and Hisoka and I were currently on our way to the market to get more supplies for our next journey. The clown was planning to leave me back at the home we were renting, but I stubbornly refuse to be left there and told him I was coming.
For God’s sake who leaves a four year old by themselves at home? Oh right, Hisoka! His done it before when I was two. And at a hotel!
So, after our small argument, which I won by unleashing my most powerful weapon; the puppy dog eyes and speaking in a cute voice, ‘Please Papa!’. Shed a couple of tears to give it a more effect and hook-line and snicker I was out of the house in no time.
Huh, guess there are some things that can make this pedo-clown to cave.
It was a…peaceful day; a lot of people were out walking around, doing their things, while I held on to Hisoka’s hand so that I don’t get lost or separated from him. And also, I just refuse to be pick up.
I don’t know how long we were there but as I was patiently standing next to Hisoka a gunshot suddenly went off.
I instantly froze in pure fear when memories of the last time I hear a gun fire went off. Hell, I’m pretty sure I was close to hyperventilating by now from how bad I was shaking. And not long after that shot went off the whole place went in an uproar as people starting running around in a panic. I was in too much of a state of shock to even move or recognize what was going on.
I dimly remember Hisoka trying to grab hold of me before something snags me up roughly by my neck. From there my memory was a bit of a blur, all I could remember was Hisoka running after me and more gun shots went off and I lost sight of Hisoka in the crowd.
I frantically began to look around to find out what was going on, I look up at the person holding me by the neck and saw the gun he was holding.
Son of a bitch, I’m being taken as a hostage.
Yeah like that is going to happen.
The moment I snap out of my state of shock is the moment I began to struggle with all my might that a body of a four year old could do. I began kicking, screaming and biting. The only thing that manage to do is piss off the man even further as he shouted at me to shut up and whack me with the gun against my head.
That made me cry out in pain as something warm and yet trail down my forehead. So, the only other thing I could do was cry out for help. Praying that my father is able to find me before it was too late.
And my wish came true when the man ran down an alley right into a dead end. The man let out a curse frantically looking around to plan the next escape…that was until a strong killing intent flow through the alley we were in. Making the both of us to freeze in our place.
“My my~ It seems you have nowhere else to run now.”
That voice!
The man turn around sharply pointing his gun at the man that had spoken. Through the bloody blurry gaze, I was able to see Hisoka standing at the end of the alley with a not so happy look on his face. He wasn’t wearing his signature smirk that he always does when fighting someone, no he had a small frown on his face but looking at his eyes one could tell he was downright piss and ready to spill some blood.
When Hisoka took one look at me, his face went from pissed to furious. And the next thing I know, I’m holding out my hands to him crying out.
“Papa!”
Right after I said that the gun that was pointed at Hisoka is now pointed at my temple. I cried out in pain as the barrel of the gun push into my wound.
“Come any closer and the girl dies!” The man cried out making Hisoka to halt in his steps. “Now why don’t you back off, while I take my leave.” A frown from on Hisoka’s face before his signature smirk appears as he started chuckling. That made the man very upset as he pointed the gun back at him “What the hell are ya laughing about ya damn freak!?”
SLICE
…
…
It was dead silent for a moment as I process what just happen. It wasn’t until the man let out a blood gurling pain screamed, that I realized what happened.
Hisoka had cut off the man arm. With what I don’t know until I saw him lift up his arm seeing a playing card cover in blood held in his hand.
“AAAAAAHHHHH!!!!” The man howl in pain dropping me to the ground and grab hold of this bleeding arm.
I fell on my butt and just sat there still in shock at what I just say. Hisoka walked up next to me still holding the bloody card in his hand. With a closed eye smile he said, “Did you honestly think I’ll let you get away with my child?”
“Aaaahhh…yo…you…bastard…!” The man took out a knife from his pocket and was about to get up to strike at Hisoka. Before I could yell out the card that was in Hisoka hand struck into the man’s forehead, making the man fall down to the ground…dead.
Hisoka bent down and pick me up and before he could say anything I wrap my tiny arms around his neck and cried my eyes out on his shoulder.
Dear God…I could have been killed again. That thought alone mad me cry even louder; I don’t want to die again! Not this soon! I was just brought into this new life.
I could feel Hisoka rubbing my back as he tried to calm me down.
Damn it…why did this have to happen to me?
*Training with Hisoka*
Has to be the most stupidest idea that ever came to mind.
Here I am panting like a dying animal that had no water in years. Running away from a giant ass snake big as the freakin’ high rise towers that you can find in New York City was not fun. Getting almost eating by one wasn’t even better! I think I’m now growing a fear for snakes next to clowns now thanks to you-know-who.
Okay let me rewind this story real quick.
It’s been nine months since the shootout at the market and witnessing a person die before my very eyes. For the past three months I had some night terrors, which lead me to sleep with Hisoka. I could tell he was worried about me as I had grown quiet and not call him any names with ‘pedo’ added to it. Hell, I even stopped eating for almost two weeks, the clown had to force feed me just so I don’t starve myself to death. I probably didn’t start acting like my normal self till five months later.
On the ninth month the two of us where walking down the street heading to the next town. It was quiet between the two of us, for me I was just lost in my thoughts thinking back to that day. As for Hisoka…I honestly don’t know, but I have seen him shooting me some glances every now and then.
“…Hey…Papa…”
“Hm~?”
“Can…can you train me?”
Hisoka halted in his tracks as he stared down at me and I look back up to him. “You want me to train you?”
“Yes.” I nod “I want to be stronger so the next time an incident like that happens again I will be prepared.”
Hisoka still stare down at me with his piercing yellow eyes and quite frankly it was starting it make me uncomfortable. “Well, I guess it’s a good thing you brought it up.”
“Huh?”
“I was planning on training you when you turn six. But after that little incident had me thinking if I should just start your training a bit early.”
I…was not expecting that…okay well I could sort of see it coming. I know that the clown had made some enemies during our travel, and I was pretty sure at some point he would train to at least know to defend myself. But to start that young…then again I’m asking this question at the age of five so who am I to say.
“Okay…so when do we start?”
Right then and there apparently.
No better day to start training then doing it right now, he said.
Right after saying that, the damn clown vanished into thin air leaving me behind with only a couple of spear food, clothes and a small first-aid kit and leaving behind a note saying to stay alive in the woods for the next three months.
…
…
…That son of a bitch!
One day!
One day I tell you! I will have my revenge on this bastard, ONE DAY!!!
Sooo, during those three months I’ve been chased by bears, bees, big ass snakes that shouldn’t even exist and sometimes people. I struggle a lot when trying to catch some food and finding which plant is safe to eat or not. Shelter is another story that became a pain in the ass to make, especially when it rains.
I can’t believe that damn clown leaves a fucking five year old in the forest by themselves! Where the fuck are the child protective services when you need one!? This is the twenty-eight time he leaves his own child by themselves with no supervision. At least those other twenty-seven times he left me in a house NOT in the woods!
“I swear I shall have my revenge…” I panted seating on the ground covered in dirt and sweat. “Two months down…one more to go.”
ONE MONTH LATER
“GAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!! WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH THESE WOODS!?!?!?!?!”
Right now, I’m currently been chased by another one of those big ass snakes.
“AAHHHH STAY AWAY FROM MEEEEEEEE!!!!” I ran as fast as I could, jumping through trees and rocks trying to get the damn thing off my tail. I don’t even know how I even got in this situation in the first place. All I was doing was walking around the woods waiting for Hisoka to show up…well I hope he would. It’s already been three months, then again he didn’t say where or when he’ll show up, he just told me to survive out here.
“…! Damn it!” I panted, my body is getting really sore now I’ve been running from this thing for the past half hour and I’m already feeling exhausted. It doesn’t help that I haven’t had any decent meal in the past three months. I’ve lost some weight because of that, catching fish is not easy much less trying to catch a bear too.
Right now, I’m tired, cranky, hungry and I just want to take an actual bath and sleep in a nice warm bed while planning my revenge on my dear old father. But no, I’m stuck here running for my god damn life…yet again.
Seriously where is that clown? If he doesn’t show up soon his kid is going to be eaten by a sna… opps, spoke to soon.
“Gah--!?” My field of vision went black and next thing I know is being squeeze to death in a wet and warm place.
Damn it, I got swallowed up by a snake. This cannot be happening.
“…Ah!?” Shit… it’s getting hard to breath in here, and I can barely move a muscle “…!...Come on…”
BA-THUMP
I can’t give up now.
BA-THUMP
…Not yet.
BA-THUMP
For some strange reason the image of Bebe in their snake form appeared in my mind.
Why the hell am I thinking about that?
…Heh, if I could turn into that, I’ll be able to get out of this snake in no time.
If only…
BA-THUMP
BA-THUMP
BA-THUMP
“!?” I silently gasp in pain as a shearing hot stabbing of pain shot throughout my entire body.
What…What’s going…on?
I can barely breathe; my whole body is in massive pain as if someone is stabbing me with needles all over my body.
BA-THUMP
“G…Gwa…AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!”
Outside the snake that had eaten Nagisa continue to slither around finding content of eating its prey however, not a moment sooner the body of the snake ripped in shreds as a big black snake burst out of it fly to the air letting out a huge roar.
When it was done roaring the body glowed and shrunk down revealing an unconscious Nagisa as she fell back down to the ground. Just before she hit the ground a figure jumped out of the trees catching her.
“My my, aren’t you just full of surprises~?” Hisoka hum looking down at his daughter then over to the shredded snake. He was in fact planning on saving her from the snake, once she got eaten but he held off for a moment to see what she might do next before rescuing her. A good thing he did, or he would have missed out on a surprising moment. It would seem that she had used her Nen—knowingly or not—to save herself.
“That ability though…it’s almost like your mothers. You two are so much alike, you know that?” Hisoka said to himself looking down at his sleeping daughter “I suppose it’s time to start teaching you Nen then.”
CRACKLE
POP
“…Mmhhm…” Slowly, painfully, I open my eyes to see the night sky before me. What…happen?
I tried to get up but my whole body was in so much pain; it still feels like someone is stabbing me with needles I can barely move a muscle. The only thing I can move is my eyes and my head a bit if I move it slowly.
I began to look around my surrounding area to see that I’m still in the woods and a small fire burning beside me. I also notice that my wounds have been bandage and wrapped up in a blanket. But who could have done this?
“Awake at last I see.”
My eyes quickly move towards the sound of the voice. There I spotted Hisoka sitting on a log shuffling his deck.
“How are you feeling?” He asked.
“Sore…” I mumble in response “My whole body feels like lead, and it also feels like someone is stabbing me with needles.”
“Is that right?” Hisoka stop shuffling his deck as he got up and sat down next to me “I’d imaging you’d still be in pain after that stunt you pulled back there two days ago.”
“T-Two days.” I stutter in shock. Have I been out for two days?
“Yes.” Hisoka said putting his hand on my forehead “You had broken out in a high fever…though it would appear to be going away now.”
Well, that would explain a bit why my body feels like lead.
“By the way Papa, what happen? How did I get out of the snake?” I ask him. I don’t remember how I got out, maybe the clown saved me.
“Hm, you don’t remember?” Hisoka raised a brow. I slowly shook my head in response. “What is it that you do remember?”
“Well…” I frown as I tried to recall what happen “I was…running from a giant snake then…I got swallow by it.” I shudder at that, yep I now have a fear of snakes. “Ummm, after that though…” What happen after that? “…I don’t remember what happen, I only remember my body being in massive pain and blacking out.”
Hisoka let out a low hum as he stared at the fire as he took in the information I gave him. Then he opens his mouth and spoke slowly and almost quietly as if he didn’t want me to hear him, but I did. “So, you did use your Nen unconsciously.”
I blink a couple of times confused. “Nen? What’s that?”
“Nen is a technique that allows a living being to use and manipulate their own life energy.” He said.
Okay…I don’t recall ever hearing about this in the show then again I only got to see what I suppose was the first arc. But why do I get the feeling he isn’t telling me everything about this ‘Nen.’
I guess Hisoka notice the frown on my face as he gave me his usual smiles and said, “Once you’ll feel better I’ll start teaching you Nen and more about it.”
It took me two whole weeks to fully recover from whatever stunt I pull when I was in that snake. Once I was healed the two of use first stop at the town where I could properly bath and restock on our supplies as Hisoka had said we’d be staying in the forest for at least two or three years of training.
In some ways I’m almost dreading to be train by him and I mean by an actual training not leave-you-child-alone-in-the-woods-for-three-months-training. His going to make me actually fight him and have you seen how this clown fights? I’m going to get my ass handed to me in 5 seconds flat. Its times like these that I wish I was still dead and not reborn.
When we got back to the forest, Hisoka then began to explain to me about Nen and it four major principles and that one should be able to open and close their aura nodes at will. That only told me that this is going to be a VERY long three years. So, after the five hour lesson with me asking question and him explaining things he set me off to begin mediating for however long it’ll take me.
Now that long 6 months of training has passed, we are now going to find out what type of Nen I fall under.
…Joy.
Chapter Text
*Water Divination*
I blink.
And blink again.
I look up at Hisoka smiling face.
Que the shivers and muttering 'Pedo' in my head.
I look down at the glass sitting on the stump from a tree and blink again.
"What the hell is this?" I finally ask him pointing down at the glass filled with water that has a leaf on top.
"This here will help us figure out what type of Nen you fall under. It's called, Water Divination."
"Water Divination…" I mutter "So how exactly does this tell me what Nen type I am?" I don't know why but I was expecting something…else…then this.
"When you apply your aura around the cup, depending on what happens to the leaf it'll show you what Nen type user you are. It's pretty simple." Hisoka said sitting down on the spare log. "You place your hands beside the cup, and use Ren"
Okay…that sounds simple enough. And easy too. I’m definitely glad it's not something extreme like in other shows.
Yeah…definitely happy.
"So, by putting my Ren in the cup it'll tell me what category I go in."
Hisoka nods "That's one way to put it." He leans forward putting his hands beside the cup. "Allow me to demonstrate."
I watch as he put his Ren in the cup but…ah…
"Nothing happened." I stated and in reply I was given his 'Pedo-Smile' as he pointed to the cup.
"Give it a taste."
Confuse and now curious, I slowly put a finger in the cup and taste it. "Mh!" I blink rapidly in surprise "It's sweet!" It taste like the gum that he is always obsessed with.
"If the flavor of the water changes, that means you are a Transmuter. So, this shows me that my aura falls in the Transmuter class."
"All right, so if the taste of the water changes then the user is a Transmuter. What about the others?"
"If the volume of the water changes, then the user is an Enhancer. A Conjure is when the impurities appear in the water. Emitter is when the color of the water changes. Manipulator is if the leaf moves on the water's surface, and a Specialist is when something completely different changes appear."
Wow…that was a lot to take in. There are so many different out comes to this, I wonder what I'll be.
"Now why don't you give it a shot."
"Okay."
As Hisoka watches his daughter put her hands next to the cup, he narrow his eyes in thought.
There is another way to figure out one's Nen type and that is judging them by their character. A trick he uses often. However, when looking at his daughter he can't pick out what she could be. It's almost sad that her own father can't pinpoint her personality as it keeps changing at certain times.
Though…after witnessing that ability she used on the snake, Nagisa might very well be a Specialists. However,…his mind drifted off to a particular person who he thought was a specialists was in fact a Conjurer, he wonders if Nagisa has the same ability as them. An ability to transform into something else that is in no shape or from related to any Nen, while having a different ability of Nen. That person's ability was able to turn into a strange white cate while their Nen was conjuring two large golden rings that summons creatures to help them fight in battle.
“Oh!”
He was snapped out of his thoughts from his daughter's shocked voice. Looking at the glass he saw that there were impurities forming in the glass.
Nagisa look up at him “There’s…things forming in the water. Does that mean…?”
“Indeed.” Hisoka smiled down at her. “It would appear that you’re a Conjurer.” Just like your mother, he silently thought to himself.
“A Conjurer huh…” I mutter looking down at the glass. I wonder what a Conjurer even does. I can only assume by the name that I can conjure stuff, but how? Is it only one thing or can I conjure multiple things…ahh my brain hurts just trying to figure out what this all means. I thought this world was only a fighting anime, not fighting with magical powers or something!
"Now then…" Hisoka stood up, snapping me out of my thoughts. "Time to move on to the next stage of Nen."
"…Eh?"
…More training?
Oh man…
*Phantom Troupe*
Standing in the middle of an abandon warehouse with multiple people staring at us with an unamused, curious, weary faces. Not to mention the killing intent I'm feeling from them. Yeah let's not forget that. Good thing I'm used to my father's blood lust, or this one will have me feeling a bit…dizzy so to say.
…I think I have finally establish that…my father is a fucking crazy ass wacko that needs to be put in a mental hospital or locked up FAR away from children for eternity, who will one day get me kill from dragging me with him on his 'adventures'. Yep. That is him alright.
Honestly…I'm surprise that I manage this long, truly I am.
Glancing at my father then over to the other occupations here, I begin to remember why we — mainly the damn clown — are here.
It was a rumor that we heard.
We were traveling in a shady town near Meteor City when we over heard a conversation.
Apparently the leader of this group called the Phantom Troupe stood head to head with the head family of the Zoldyck and manages to survive. I don't know much about the Phantom Troupe, but I do know that it takes a lot to go up against a member of the Zoldyck and come out with a tie. And knowing that…that was all it took to perk interest in Hisoka, and all I could do was sigh as he drag me to find more info about them and where they are located.
Which was not easy I can tell you that much.
I look over at the man who look like the leader of this group. He looks at both of us, but it felt like his gaze linger on me a bit more as if he is trying to find something. It's making me feel uncomfortable a bit.
Doesn't help that the others keep glancing at me as well.
Am I missing something here?
I felt a bit of relief when the leader opens his mouth to speak.
"What is your business here?"
"Why I would like to join your little group, of course." Hisoka smiled.
"…I see, if you wish to join you must kill one of the current members and take their place." The leader explained.
"Oh~ does it matter whom I chose then?" Hisoka hum looking over at the members with interest, judging their strengths and who would be worth his time in a fight. But I know that he only has eyes on the leader.
"No, if one of the members is willing to fight you will." The leader said then his gaze fell upon me. "Child… what is your name?"
Um…what?
Why would he want to know my name? I would understand to a degree if he straight up ask both our names…but he never ask for Hisoka name. "…N-Nagisa." I hesitantly replied.
A flash of recognition appeared in his eyes. Which had me feeling very confused wondering why that may be the case…actually, all of the members had the same look too. Why?
As far as I'm aware I've never met these guys or made a name for myself in order for them to know me.
"I see…" The leader mumbles gaining a soft look in his eyes. Again why?
My view was cut off from Hisoka stepping in front of me. Almost like a shield. He was tense, I could tell by his stance and the narrow look in his eyes. I guess he notices the looks as well and it got him on edge.
"My daughter will not be joining." Wow…the seriousness in his voice has me on edge. In all my nine years I've been with him I'd never heard that tone coming from him. I guess that he is really bothered by the looks I've been receiving. "She is only here because I have no place for her to stay at."
A small, barely, noticeable smile appeared on the leaders face as he closed his eyes "That is fine. I had no plans on having her join." He open his eyes "Who here would like to fight him?"
A man with long silver hair steps forward with a raised hand. "I will." He said.
"Eh, really, Omokage?" A man with black hair pulled back with a sword strapped to his side, spoke up in disbelief "You want to fight this guy?" He shoved his thumb in Hisoka's direction.
"Of course. It has been a while since I've used the new dolls I'd created. I would like to test them out." The man, Omokage, replied.
"Very well then." The leader said "Omokage will be your opponent."
"That is fine." Hisoka replied holding a card between his fingers.
The moon is shown brightly in the holes of the roof, its rays lighting down at the dead body that was once a man known as Omokage.
I swallow the bile of puke that came up my throat. No matter how many dead bodies I see, I still feel a bit unwell when seeing them.
The battle only lasted a good twelve minutes with Hisoka mainly playing with his opponent. And now the leader stood before us ignoring his dead comrade as if he had no meaning anymore to them.
"It would appear we have a new member amongst us." The leader said. "My name is Chrollo Lucilfer, I am the leader of this Troupe. What is your name if I may ask?"
"Hisoka."
Chrollo nod his head "Then I welcome you, number 4, Hisoka, to the Phantom Troupe."
Despite him welcoming Hisoka to the group I couldn't help but notice that he was looking at me. As if he was welcoming a lost member back to the group.
Just what on earth is going on here?
There are so many questions I have and yet no answers to receive.
*Heaven's Arena*
Is probably the most sanest place that my father has ever drag me to. I thought looking up at the enormous tower, standing in line as we waited for our turn to come up and register.
I let out a sigh rubbing my left shoulder blade as it still hurts a little, before shooting a death glare at the men making snide comments about my height and gender. Letting out a low chuckle when the quickly look away with nervous sweat already forming on their hairline.
Man…it's almost been a year since Hisoka, and I suppose me too join the Phantom Troupe. Hanging out with them I notice that they treat each other almost like a family, even I started to see them as a family to me.
And yes Hisoka I had seen you as my new father, despite what you put me through.
Though I mainly hanged out with the girls as I really need a girl talk…and a friend. Not the best place to make friends but with a father like Hisoka…it's kinda hard to make one when he is hovering over my shoulder. It does make me wonder how he would react if I started dating. I hope that fellow has some good health insurance, cause they are going to need it. Badly.
Maybe it’s a good thing I have no desire or interest in dating.
I don't take part in the raids they do, which thankfully they all understand...or the fact that Chrollo and Hisoka won't allow it. Though, Chrollo did say if I ever wanted to join in on a riad then I'm free to do so. Of course I did pass, I don't have interest in it nor do I want to innocent bystanders. I do have morals thank you very much. I only kill out of self-defense — mainly due from the kidnapping because of my father's enemies that wanted revenge — or if there is truly no other choice but to kill.
And not to mention some of the training they gave me. Though most of it was from Uvo, as he wanted me to improve on my hand to hand combat. A memory that I would also like not to recall. Sooo, sorry no flashbacks! Uvo was also the one who brought up as a joke, that I was like the heart of the spiders. Chrollo, for whatever reason, approved of this and it eventually begin to stick, and I was there for claimed as the spider's heart. Despite that I'm still not a member of the Troupe, though that doesn't stop them from treating me as if I was.
"Hm, Nagisa, what are you doing?"
"Huh?" I snap out of my thoughts and saw Hisoka standing a few feet away from me.
"It's our turn to register dear." He said holing up a slip of paper.
"Oh, right, sorry." I walk over grabbing the paper and begin to fill it out.
"Is there something wrong?"
"No." I shook my head handing my form to the lady behind the glass "Just thinking is all."
He stared at me as if he was trying to find the real answer, then with a nod he began to head inside "If you say so~"
"Wha-! Hey wait!"
“So Papa…" I began sitting next to him watching the ongoing matches down below "Why did we come here, again?"
"I heard there were some strong opponents here. So, I wanted to test these little fruits out~" He said.
That's all!
Honestly why am I even surprised. Of course, he'll come here just to fight strong people that's pretty much what he lives on. And he wonders why he has some many enemies.
Well…I can be at least be a bit thankful that my life won't be at risk this time.
…I hope…
"Also, this will be a good place to train your Nen more." He added.
"Huh, you mean…" I trailed off as Hisoka nods his head.
"That's right. The higher up you got there will be a good chance that you'll run into a Nen user. But they are generally on the 200th floor."
Now I see why he wanted to come here.
"109621 to stage A, 109622 to stage C"
"Well then" Hisoka stood up "I guess it's finally our turn."
"Right." I stood up.
"Oh and Nagisa…don't hold back."
"Got it." I smirked. Time to show these sexiest bastard just what a little girl is capable of.
Yeah…he and the Troupe have been rubbing off on me.
Hiding up in the shadows, red glowing eyes looked down at Hisoka and Nagisa.
"My, my…" The lady said. "To think he was able to find me." She narrowed her eyes. "…Well not quiet. It's not surprising that he found my location, they do broadcast theses fights." She held a hand up to her mouth and let out a chuckle. "But I just couldn't help myself. It has been awhile since I'd let the witches play, who was I to pass up a good fight."
Her eyes moved over to Nagisa, gaining a soft-sad look in them. 'Nagisa...oh how you have grown.' She sadly thought then looked over to Hisoka 'You've raised her well Hisoka. A shame that I can't take part in your lives.'
"It's a price to pay when one gives birth from the 'Other World' and the parent comes from the same place." She pushed herself from the wall arms falling down to her side.
"Soon though. Soon I can be reunited with you two again. Just be patient till then Hisoka." She turns on her heel and begins to leave. "Best to leave now before he spots me."
A gust of wind flew by making her long white hair with pink tips at the end flow behind her.
"Till we meet again Nagisa, no…Skylar as that was one of your original names, our paths will soon intertwine so, enjoy your new life till the very end."
*Hunter Exam*
PLOP
…Eh?
"…"
"…"
"I'm off to take the Hunter Exams. Take care of my daughter while I'm gone."
I watch as Hisoka leaves the room as I sit in Chrollo lap, who look a bit shock — from Hisoka throwing me in his lap — and confuse like me…and is that amusement that I see in his eyes?
I look up at Chrollo "What just happen?"
"I believe I'm babysitting you now."
"B-Babysitting!" I exclaimed "Why the hell do I need babysitting!? I'm 11 for peats sake!"
"Your father thinks otherwise."
"AAAAHHHHHH!"
I swear I'm going to kill that fucking clown! Babysitting my ass. After everything that I went through I'm damn sure I can take care of myself. That damn pedo clown will pay when he gets back!
I swear it!
Notes:
Chapter 5 will on out on Aug 23
Chapter Text
For a while now I have been thinking if I want to take the next Hunter Exam. If memory severs correctly the next upcoming exam is when the story begins. I remembered that Hisoka failed his first exam before he retook it again and meet Gon and the others. I really don't know if I want to go, at least I have a while before the deadline ends to sign up.
Though Hisoka had already sign up for the next exam the moment the month of January ended. Hell, the pedo-clown even asked me if I wanted to go. I honestly would have thought he would just sign me up for it whether I wanted to or not.
Shocking.
For as long as I know Hisoka, I would have thought he wouldn't give a damn on what I thought, giving his character. Still, I didn't give him an answer, only telling him that I would think about it. I mean for peat sake you can die in that exam! And there's no way in hell that I want to die again...young, that is.
40's...eh sure, by that time I would have at least lived my life.
But 12...no way, not even if you paid me.
Now five months later, and I'm still thinking about it. To be honest over the years my memory about that exam is kinda blurry. I-I mean I still do briefly remember what the first phase is: running (the one thing I can survive in). After that everything else is sort of hazy.
I know I'll probably remember the other exams when I get there...I hope I do that is. But as of now I don't remember.
Unlike those people in fanfiction or in anime who remembers everything, I sadly don't.
Think about it people, 11 years have passed and in those 11 years memory fades not to mention I haven't watch HunterxHunter in 11 years. It's a miracle that I remember the names of some of the characters. Probably due to the fact that I keep thinking about them.
Cures my damn memory. I never really did have the best memory out there. Hell, I'm still shock that I remember my previous name!
"..." I let out a sigh leaning against the railing of the boat.
Oh yeah. Hisoka and I are on a ship sailing towards Whale Island, for more training.
Lovely.
We are only going to be on that island for a month, from what Hisoka told me. This won't be the first time I've done this type of training.
My training is to be able to hunt someone no matter the location. More precisely to find Hisoka in the forest instead of a city/town like I used to.
A month should be plenty of time to find him right?
...Hahaha, sure! If you were Hisoka that is!
In towns or cities, it took me four or six month just to find him! And now his expecting me to find him in a MONTH!? And in the woods!? What the actual hell!? I'm not God here you damn clown!
I close my eyes in frustration while rubbing my forehead. This is going to be a very long month. "Wait..." I slowly open my eyes and frown. "Why does Whale Island sound so familiar to me...?" And it's not because I read it on a map. For some strange reason I feel like I'm missing something here.
Something very important.
"Something seems to be on your mind. Care to share?"
"!?" I snap my head to the left in surprise that someone manage to sneak up on me and that I didn't even notice. Looking over I am greeted by a familiar smiling face that belongs to no other than my father.
"Papa..." When did he-know what, no, I don't even want to know. "...Yeah something like that." I mumble looking back out to the ocean.
"Let me guess...it's the Hunter Exam, am I right?" Hisoka said.
I nod my head. "It's not like I'm worried about the exam or even dying… I just…I don't know if I really want to take it. It's been on my mind ever since you came back. And every time I think I want to take it, I wind up chickening out and go back to thinking on whether or not I want to take it. Even if I did what would I use the license even for?"
…It's true.
I keep chickening out and keep making excuses just so I can debate if this is the path I want to go. I'm positive that with all the harsh training Hisoka and sometimes the Troupe have put me through, I know I can tackle any test the exam might throw at me.
As long as it's not a cooking exam. I can't cook to save my life; the same went with my past life. I have this unique talent to catch everything on fire. Cooking tools, food, water…yes water the damn thing actually caught on fire. How the hell is that even possible!?
I don't know how or why but the kitchen just hates me, Hisoka has even banned from ever stepping foot in the kitchen!
Still...even with all the things I'm capable of I just can't make up my own damn mind and take the damn test! Just what's me holding back from telling Hisoka that I want to take the exam?
Is it my fear of dying again?
I don't know why it should; having Hisoka as your dad you most certainly have a target on your back from all of his enemies that he makes. What better way to get revenge then targeting his child. It's one of the many reasons why I had asked him to train me. Not to mention my ties to the Phantom Troupe, being around them I'm constantly in death arms with all the things they do. I should be used to facing death by now.
And yet…this one damn decision is stopping me!
Why?!
"…Does it really bother you so much, that you would cry little-Nagisa?"
Something warm and wet rub against my cheek.
"…Huh?"
Crying?
I reach up feeling my cheek and felt the wetness on my finger. Tears. "…" Was I really this frustrated about taking the exam that it would make me cry?
"S-Sorry. I didn't mean to cry about it." I quickly wipe my eyes.
"Hmm…" Hisoka hummed before going silent. Great he has that look in his eyes again. Damn clown is planning something. Is it too late for me to jump in the ocean and swim away or just drown myself to get away from whatever crazy scheme his planning? "Let's see…why don't we do this instead~" He grin making shivers running down my spine in fear.
"D-Do what…?" I hesitantly ask. Oh God, what does he have in mind? Please let it be good and not affect my health. Please!
"I'll give you till the end of this month to make your decision if you want to take the exam or not. However, there will be no take back once you give me your answer.
"...Huh?" Come again?
A smirk fell on his lips. "What I mean is, while you try to find me also think about if you truly want to be a Hunter. I will accept whatever decision you make, little Nagisa~"
"I…I see." A month. A full month to truly decided. Okay…yeah that should be enough time to think about it (Yeah as if five moths wasn't enough before). "All right." I nod my head. "I'll give you my answer by the end of the month."
"Good." Hisoka said before walking away. "I'll be waiting for your answer~"
I couldn't help but to shiver from the tone of his voice. It's the same tone he uses when he finds a new 'toy'. "Pedo." I mutter before looking back to the ocean. "A month, huh?"
Well…at least I have a decent amount of time to think.
…
"Hmm…"
…
…
"…Hmm…"
…
…"Hmm—aaAAHH! And why the hell does Whale Island sound so fucking familiar!? What the hell am I missing here!?"
"Finally land!" I quickly hop off the ship — much too some people horror — and stretch, feeling some bones popping. "Ah~ much better. Man, I really hate boats…" Don't get me wrong, I don't get sea sick that easily. It's just the moment I get off a boat, it still feels like I'm on it and that alone throws me off balance.
"So, Papa when do we start…" I look over to where Hisoka should be standing…only to see that his not there "…the…training…"
A dust ball could be seen rolling by. Wow, didn't know this island have one. Huh, who knew?
"Where did he go?!" I exclaimed, which causes me to get some stares from passerby's. "Woah!" A strong gust of wind flew by making me hold my waist long hair down and close my eyes. When it lightens up, I slowly open my eyes and caught a piece of paper floating in the air.
"Huh?" Grabbing the paper I unfold it and read the contents.
'Have fun hunting me~ ;3'
"…"
"…"
Que another dust ball.
"…THAT SON OF A -!"
TWO WEEKS LATER
"…And I still haven't found that damn clown." I huff sitting on the ground leaning against the tree. For the past two week I've been wondering around the forest trying to find that damn pedo-clown. I've gotten some clues since Hisoka never really takes out his cards from his dead opponents. During those times I'd use every tracking technique that I knew to find him and so far no luck what so ever.
Damn clown knows how to hide that's for sure. Sigh and I only have two weeks left to find him.
…And give him my answer.
"Man…" I sigh looking up at the sky. I could feel a slight dull of pain in my eyes from using Gyo too much. "I guess I'll take a small nap then go back to tracking that stupid father of mine."
Growl
"…And some food." I close my eyes and began to rest for a bit.
Rustle Rustle
"…?" What was that sound?
Yawing, I sat up rubbing my eyes while looking around.
Rustle
"Hmm, there?" I look over at the bush beside me. I quickly grab hold of my weapon keeping, it in its pouch in case I might need it and quickly went on guard. Knowing my luck it's probably either an animal of these woods or one of the town's people walking around. Still… I don't want to take any chances; I had come across some poachers, which I quickly dealt with, while wandering around the woods.
Narrowing my eyes I spoke out in a stern voice, showing no fear "Who's there? Show yourself."
Rustle
"…" I tighten my grip of my weapon.
FWOOSH!
"Huh!?" Next thing I know, two giant paws flew right out and something big and furry landed on top of me.
"GAHHH!"
I kid you not when I say I saw my life flash before my eyes. Yet again.
"…! …Erg!" Man, what the hell fell on me anyways!? It's heavy! I tried to struggle my way out but whatever is on top of me won't budge.
"…Kon!"
Huh?
A…voice.
"…Kon, where are you?"
A male voice…no it's still to childish like from the tone, so maybe a boy?
Wait.
Maybe he can save me!
I started to struggle about as the best as I could and I felt the thing on top of me shift a bit.
"Ah! Kon there you—Agh, what are you doing?!"
I heard something pounding on the ground as it rushed over here and began pushing this — I'm assuming it's an animal — off me. And I was soon greeted by a boy with long spiky black-green tipped hair. The boy looked down with worry hazel brown eyes.
…Where have I seen this boy? I know I've never met this kid in my life, so why does it feel like I know him? Ah, this is going to drive me insane. The answer is like on the tip of my tongue! Though the only thing I could say here is that this kid sure does love the color green.
"A…Are you okay?" The boy asked in worry.
"Ah…Yeah." I said slowly.
I was still in shock and trying to figure out who this boy was.
"Oh, I see. That's great." The boy said in relief while scratching the back of his head "My friend here must have jumped on you because he thought you were me…"
"…I see." I chuckle lightly, though I don't know how this animal could have thought that I was him.
"I'm Gon! And this is my friend, Kon!"
Eh?
Right now, it just felt like the whole world just froze.
Gon…
That name…
…
…
…Holy fucking shit.
How did I not notice this sooner?
Whale Island.
It would explain why it sounded so familiar to me. That's because this is Gon's home, one of the main characters to this world. And his standing right in front of me. I honestly thought that if I took the exam I'll be seeing him and the crew there, not here!
"Hello, are you still there?" Gon's voice snaps me back to reality.
I look over at his worry expression. "Ah, yeah, sorry about that." I nervously scratch my cheek "I sort of zoned out for a sec, my bad. My name's Nagisa."
Gon blink before he gave me a big friendly smile. "Oh good, I thought something was wrong there for a moment." He laugh "By the way, what were you doing…In a place like this?" He ask reaching a hand out to me, which I gladly took and help me to my feet.
"Hm? Oh, I'm…looking for someone." I think it might be best if I keep Gon away from Hisoka till the exam starts.
"You're looking for someone? In that case, I can… OH!" Gon let out a surprise gasp as he looked at my left arm. "Your arm is bleeding!"
"What?" I look down at my arm and it was indeed bleeding. Now that I'm taking notice of it I can feel the stinging from it. "When did I cut myself?" I mutter in confusion.
"You probably got scratched when you fell just now." Gon said as he examines the wound. "We need to take care of this…"
"No, no it's fine!" I quickly said "It's just a small scratch. Nothing to really worry about."
Gon shook his head. "It'd be bad if it got infected!" He pointed in a certain direction "There's a river close by. We can wash your wound there."
…Something tells me this kid won't take no for an answer. So, with no other choice but to nod my head and let him drag me to the river.
"…There." Gon said as he finish tying up the bandage "This should do the trick! This ointment works really well, so don't worry."
I look at my arm clenching and unclench my hand. I could hardly feel any pain now. "Thanks, Gon!"
Gon smiles before he froze for a sec. "Kon said he's sorry!"
"…?" What is he…a giant shadow formed above me, slowly looking up, I swear to god I almost had a heart attack. The animal from before stood behind me with fish in its mouth.
"This is his apology to you." Gon said as Kon place the three fish beside me.
"Th-Thank you…"I stutter still a bit scared of him. I mean he practically almost crushed me to death ten minutes ago, so of course I'm a bit weary of him! In any case, I thought looking at the fish, at least this saves me the trouble of getting food.
"Oh, that's right! You'd mention that you're looking for someone right?" Gon said.
"That's right."
"Who is it you're looking for? I can give you a hand to help you out."
While the thought is tempting, and if I do recall, Gon doesn't meet Hisoka till the Hunter Exam. And now that I met him much sooner than I thought… it might be for the best if I keep the story plot the same as much as I can remember.
Sadly, with Hisoka already here on this island, gods know where, the chances of him running into Gon are pretty high.
"No that's alright; this is something I have to do on my own. Thanks for the offer though." I told him.
"Really? Why's that?" He ask.
"Well…to put it simple, this is training for me."
"Training?"
"Yeah, the person I'm looking for is my father." I then began to explain to him the reasons why I was here on the island. Gon listened and nods his head.
"I see now. So that would explain why you're here in the woods."
"Yep." I nod and then gave him a small smile "Trust me though, I would like to take up your offer, but this is a task I must do on my own."
Gon shook his head. "It's all right I understand." He then got a thoughtful look on his face. "How come you're doing this type of training anyway?"
"Good question." I said leaning back a bit to look up at the sky. "When I was little I did ask Papa to train me in self-defense. I don't know when the training turn to learn how to track down people…" And to kill, I thought silently to myself. Best not to let him know that now. "Though I guess his doing this type of training if I ever wanted to take the Hunter Exam."
"Really? The Hunter Exam? Are you going to take it?" Gon asked excitedly.
"Maybe." I hum looking back at him. "I honestly don't know if I want to take it. What about you?" I ask even though I already knew the answer to that.
"Me? Well, I'm taking the Hunter Exam. I already sent in my application." Gon said.
"That so…" So, he already sign up. "Then there's a chance you might run into my father. He's taking the exam as well."
"Your father is taking it too?"
"Yeah. He would have become a Hunter from the last exam but failed, so he's taking it again."
"Do you know why he failed, Nagisa?" Gon asked.
Yeah. He tried to kill an examiner he didn't like. I dully thought. "I…rather not say. Sorry."
Silence fell between us for a moment till…
Growl
"!!" I blush in embarrassment from how loud my stomach was. It was almost loud as a lion's roar.
Gon blink before he let out a loud laugh. "Looks like someone's hungry!" He laughed as Kon join in to.
Okay that's just mean! It's one thing when a person is laughing at you, but it's another when an animal laughs at you too!
"Shut up!" I snap at them wrapping my arms around my stomach. "I haven't eaten anything since this morning, okay. So of course I'm hungry!"
"Sorry, sorry." Gon held up his hands in front of him. "I suppose it's a good thing that Kon brought some fish over. Why don't we cook them up?"
After shooting him one last glare, the two of us went to search for some wood. It was around sunset when the fish were done cooking over the fire we made. Gon and I ate the fish while Kon had left to go get more as three wouldn't be enough for us to eat. While eating the fish I looked over to Gon and asked him a question.
"Say Gon, why do you want to be a hunter?"
Gon paused mid bite as he looked up at me. "The reason why I want to be a hunter? Hmm, well I want to be a hunter to find out why my dad desired so much to become a Hunter then taking care of his own child!"
"That's it?" I ask in disbelief "You do know how dangerous the exams are right?" Gon nods his head with a smile.
"Yep! But I don't care so much about that! If anything, it make the exam sound so much more exciting!"
I stare at him in shock, is this kid insane? His taking the exam just to find out why his father chose to be a hunter over taking care of him?! Not caring so much about the dangers the exam holds. What the hell is with these kids these days!? Here I am sulking around debating if I should take the damn thing or not and here he is taking just to find out what's so important about being a hunter.
"Do you even know what kind of hunter you want to be or what kind your dad is?"
"No not really. I only know that his a hunter." Gon said.
…Okay.
Sighing I look directly at his eyes "So tell me, after you become a hunter what are you going to do from there? Are you going to come back home or are you going to go around and explore and try to find your father?"
"Well…" He started pondering about what he wants to say. "Once I get my license I plan to come home to show it to Aunt Mito, after that…I guess I will try to find my dad."
"I see…" Not much to work with…well at least he has some sort of plan. "At least with the hunter license you'll have access to a lot information, you should be able to get some info on your father….!?"
"Yeah you're right Nagisa!" Gon agreed oblivious to the sudden realization that had struck me.
Access to information that only hunters can get into…
BOOM!
"…Mh…" I slowly open my eyes to be greeted by a flash of light, lighting up my room and the distance sound of thunder. "Looks like a storm came in." I mutter sitting up in bed. Glancing over to the clock on the wall the time read 1:08 a.m., damn, the storm woke me a way to early, oh well I'm feeling a bit thirsty anyways. Getting out of bed I made my way to the door and walked out of the room.
As I began to make my way to the kitchen I notice the light to the living room was turn on. "Honestly, did that lazy pedo-clown forget to turn off the lights?" I huff and walked over to the living room.
However, before I even step foot into the room I spotted Hisoka sitting on the coach looking at a photo with a sad expression on his face.
"Papa…?" I whispere to myself confuse as I watch him touch the photo and mumble something under his breath.
"…Lyza…"
"!?" Lyza …that was my mother's name. After pestering Hisoka for a while to a least tell me something about my mom, he cave in and told me her name…and what happen to her.
As far as we know, she's still alive but we don't know her location. Hisoka had said that was one of the many reasons why we traveled a lot. His just trying to find the person who he truly cared for.
All that I was told was that when Hisoka went back to the hospital room where Lyza was in, he saw her jump out from the window leaving me in the crib. He tried to go after her but couldn't find her anywhere, so he went back to collect me and left, and that was when I had woke up.
…I want to know why she left. I want to know why she left like that, what was her reason for leaving? We looked but couldn't gather any info on her and some information that we could use was block, only Hunters could get in there.
…Tch. I glance back at my father before going back to my room. I need to start packing, we're heading out to Meteor City to find the Phantom Troupe. Apparently Hisoka heard some interesting news about the leader, and he became…'excited'.
Honestly what god did I piss off to deserve this fate?
That's right. With a hunters licensee I can get info that I wasn't able to get into before. Maybe this way I can find my mother and demand to know why she left. And the only way is to get my licensee by taking the Hunter Exam.
"Man, that sure was satisfying!" I chirp happily while rubbing my now full stomach.
"It sure was!" Gon agreed.
"By the way? Shouldn't you be heading home? It's already dark." I ask him when I realized how dark it was.
Gon looked up to seeing that the sun had fully set and the only light out was proved by the campfire. "Yeah, I should head back home; Aunt Mito must be worried by now. Are you going to be okay by yourself out here, Nagisa?"
I gave him a smile "Yeah I'll be fine. I've been out here for two weeks I can survive another. You just get on home; I have a damn clown to find."
"Clown?"
"My dad." I said standing up "Well, I guess this is where we part ways, it was nice meeting you Gon. Let's hope we meet each other in the future."
"Yeah, same here."
After putting the fire out, we both said our goodbyes and went our separate ways.
ONE WEEK LATER
"…Fucking finally." I huff pulling a twig out of my hair. It's been a week since I've last seen Gon and I had also managed to find my pedo of a father.
"My~ you've found me a lot quicker than I thought you would. Well done my little Nagisa." Hisoka smiled looking down at me from the cliff he was sitting on. He jumped down and walked up to me "Well, have you come to a decision my dear."
"Yeah." I nod "Yeah I did."
"Good~ Let's hear it then."
"I choose…"
Notes:
Arc One: A New Life is finally finished.
Next up is Arc Two: The Hunter Exams. Which will cover chapters 6-14!
Chapter Text
I should have fucking known.
I should have fucking known!
That god damn clown. How the hell am I even surprise?! I should have known better than this. When I think I figured out my father he goes and does something so dramatic and catches me off guard.
"I chose to take the Hunter Exam." I firmly stated looking up at Hisoka.
There…I said it. I will take the exam and find my mother.
"That's good to hear." Hisoka smiled "It would have been bad if you said no."
…Why do I have a bad feeling about this?
"Why is that…?" I dare ask.
"Because dear…I had already sent in your application on the same day I sent mine~"
…
…Say what now?
Did…Did I hear that correctly…?
Did he actually…
"YOU DID WHAT NOW?!"
As it turns out, I thought with my eyebrow twitching, he had plan to tell me about my sudden application as he drags me to the exam site.
The damn fucker didn't even ask me first! Minus the time on the island! All he said was that he knew I was going to take it regardless. You'd think he'd have SOME consideration about my feelings. But no, he didn't.
He does know I could die right?
Right?
…Probably not.
He must have some very strong faith in my abilities to not get screwed over. That or he’ll be making sure I make it out alive. I honestly don’t know which option I would preferred.
I heaved out a sigh leaning forward as I rest my chin in my palm. I'd said it once and I'll say it again: I should have fucking known.
"Hey there! You look a bit stress out."
Hmm? I open an eyes seeing an oversize man smiling at me while holding a can of juice. Yeah…I don't trust that smile. It almost like Shalnark smile when his acting all innocent like. He may have a childish face but in no way shape or form is he a nice guy. People learn that the hard way. Thank god we're good friends…gaming friends that is.
"Nervous about the exam?"
"Who are you?" I ask in a bored tone.
"My name is Tonpa." He said then held out the can to me. "Here why don't you take this; it'll help you calm down."
"Uh…"
"My, my what is this I see?" A male voice rang out.
I look up to see Hisoka standing behind Tonpa with a closed eyes smile along with his arms crossed over his chest. And boy does he look pissed. Even Tonpa himself looks scared and ready to piss his pants as he looks over his shoulder to see him too.
"A little pig trying to poison my cute little daughter? Now that won't do at all."
I could practically feel Hisoka blood lust leaking out of him — even some nearby bystanders went on edge or look a bit ill from it — as he held one of his cards against Tonpa's throat.
"Y-Your…Your daughter!?" Tonpa squeak out looking even more scared then before.
"Your scaring him, Papa." I mutter though I could honestly care less if he was or not. If he manage to somehow piss off my father this much…then he'd probably deserved it.
"Yes. My daughter." Hisoka said opening his eyes as he gave Tonpa a death glare "Now let me give you a simple warning. If I catch you anywhere around my daughter again and I will gut you like the pig you are. Are we clear?"
"C-Crystal clear sir!" Tonpa quickly said before taking off with a speed he'd probably never ran before.
“…” I stared at the direction Tonpa ran off to before look back over to Hisoka. “What was that all about?” I ask standing up from the ground.
“Nothing that concerns you dear~” Hisoka replied with his signature smirk “Just a little pig that needs to learns it place.”
“…R-Right.” I replied before diverting my attention to the other end of the hall upon hearing some shouting. “I wonder what’s going on over there?” I wonder out loud looking at the direction where the noise came from. Unfortunately, due to my size I couldn’t see over anyone shoulder.
Thankfully, Hisoka was kind enough to answer my question. “It would appear that the pig moved on to some fresh new targets.”
“I see…what’s his deal anyway?”
Hisoka looks back down at me. “That pig, also known as Tonpa the Rookie Crusher. Given his namesake he enjoys crushing new hopeful candidates. If memory serves correctly this will be his thirty-fifth time.”
“Really?” I blink in shock upon hearing how many times this guy has taken the exam, before looking back over to the direction of where I’m assuming Tonpa is “Wow, that man must live a sad life if that’s all he does.”
“Hmhmhm, indeed~” Hisoka chuckle.
“If he takes joy in crushing hopes in the new candidates, then I’m guessing something is in that drink he tried to give me.”
“More than likely. My guess is that it’s filled with laxatives.”
“Seriously?!” I balked at that before mentally shuddering at the thought of being stuck on the toilet for who knows how long. Ugh, I hate those times.
“It’s merely a guess. It’s definitely filled with something, but nothing dangerous to kill a person. Just enough to get them unable to compete in the exams.”
“O…Oh…” Even though I never really planned to accept that drink from him, I suppose it was a good thing Hisoka step in and stop it. Along with giving me info about that guy. Well at least I know to keep an eye on him and never trust a word that comes out of his mouth.
But wait…if this Tonpa guy is a rookie crusher does that mean…?
“Hey, Papa—Ah?!” I let out a grunt in surprise upon feeling something ram into me, almost most knocking me over. “The hell…?” I look over behind me to see the asshole that bump into me walking off.
“My. How rude of him.” I flinched at the dark tone that left Hisoka’s mouth.
And in a flash the next thing I knew the man is kneeling on the ground scream in pain and horror. As it would appear that his arms are slowly melting away into petals.
“…” I could only stare in shock at the scene. I know of Hisoka Nen…but even I’m stump on how he’s pulling this trick off. I…I mean I could make a guess but…
I glance over at him, seeing him looking down at the man, arms cross with a smirk on his face.
“My. How unusual.” Hisoka drawled as the people around us slowly step away, as if to create as much distance from him as possible. “Seems this poor man’s arms have turned into flower petals. Now you seem, now you don’t.” He tilts his head back as his grin widen even more “You should be more careful. And do apologize if you bump into someone.”
After that show and speech, the air grew even tenser in the room, making me feel a bit uncomfortable to be honest. “Was that really necessary, Papa?”
“Of course.” He smiled down at me before patting my head. “How else is he going to learn from his mistake.”
“…You could have just taken one arm to send a message, instead of both.” I pointed out to him.
“Best to make the lesson stick.”
I’m getting the feeling that he was itching to release his anger after confronting Tonpa from earlier, and this poor fellow just happen to be his target. “Right. Well…at least it wasn’t an examiner I guess.”
“Like that would have stop me.”
“…No, I suppose not, hm?” When I look back up at him I happen to notice that thanks to the crowed parting ways, I am able to spot a familiar figure at the entrance of the tunnel. “Is that…?” I step to the side to get a better look, and to my surprise it is who I thought. “Ah!...Huh?” However, my surprise quickly turn to anger upon spotting Tonpa handing Gon and his friends the same drink he tried to offer me before.
“Papa, I’ll be back.” I patted Hisoka on the arm as I quickly made my way to Gon and the others “I need to go and help an acquaintance of mine from making a big mistake.”
“Acquaintance?” I heard the question tone in his voice as I quickly ran off, not bothering to give him a reply.
As I got closer to the group I quickly called out right as three were about to open their cans "I really wouldn't drink that if I were you."
“Huh?” The group all turn to look at me with a mixture of surprise and fear. The fear mainly coming from Tonpa as I watch in fascination as his whole body went white as a sheet — eyes frantically moving around as if it were looking for something…or someone.
No doubt he’s looking for Hisoka, especially after the threat he gave him and the stunt he just pull not too long ago.
"Ah!" Gon gasp out in surprise when I saw the recognition flash through his eyes. "Nagisa!"
"Hold on, you know this girl, Gon!" The man wearing glasses and a blue suit asked.
I blink at him with a small frown, trying to figure out why he looks familiar along with their yellow hair companion. “Oh…!” It only took a second to realize who they are, but sadly I couldn’t remember their names. All I know is that those two are part of the main crew from the show and that’s it.
"Yeah." Gon nods at the suit wearing guy "I ran into her last year."
"Hehe, it's good to see you again Gon." I smile at him with a small wave before getting serious. "Anyway, as I said before, don't drink that juice. It's full of laxative, so if you want to take the exams don't drink it."
"What!?" Both Gon and suit guy shouted in surprise while the yellow hair fellow just had a shock look on his face.
…I really need to know their names.
Tonpa on the other hand began to sweat nervously, probably because of the fact that I blew his cover.
"Hey is this true man!" The suit guy angrily yelled grabbing the front of Tonpa shirt.
"Uh… well, I, uh…" Tonpa sputter holding both his hands up "Hey! Will you look at the time! Gotta go!" He quickly got out of the man’s grip and ran into the sea of crowd.
"Hey, get back here!"
"Don't bother." I told him "You'll just be wasting your time."
"Tch."
"If I may ask.” The yellow hair guy spoke up and I gave him a curious look. "How did you know what was in those drinks?"
I blinked "Oh, well…" I quickly retold the story of my encounter with Tonpa "…After that Tonpa stayed very far away from me."
"Well after a threat like that I would too." Leorio said.
I nod. "Yeah no kidding I don't exactly blame him either. Also, to answer your question it was more of a guess then anything.”
“A guess?” They all asked.
I nod, tilting my head back and spotted Tonpa walking around talking to other candidates “Yeah, it was my father that made some guess about what is in those cans. And given his reaction to when I called him out, it would seem that he had guessed correctly.”
“I see.” The yellow hair guy said.
“Oh, and just a warning about Tonpa. He is also called ‘Tonpa the Rookie Crusher.” I told them “He enjoys crushing hopes of new examinees, so don't trust everything he says or accepted anything from him."
"Really?" Gon asked with a tilt of his head. Is it legal to be that cute? "But he seemed like a nice guy."
"It just shows how people will do anything to pass." Yellow hair guy said.
"Man, I can't believe we trusted that guy." Suit guy grumble as he scratch the back of his head.
"Well, this just shows you not to trust everyone. So…choice wisely on who you can trust or not." I said. "By the way… what are your guy's names? I already know Gon, so it would be wrong if I didn't know yours."
"Oh, well my name is Leorio!" The suit guy — now known as Leorio — introduced himself with a grin.
"And I'm Kurapika."
"So Leorio and Kurapika got it." I nod. Well now that I know their names I no longer need to dub them as suit and yellow hair guy. "As you already heard from Gon, my name is Nagisa. I'm a rookie too. Nice to meet you."
"Oh, by the Nagisa, who is your father?" Gon asked.
“I’m a bit curious myself.” Kurapika spoke up “You mention that he guessed what was in those drinks. Does that mean his participating in the exams as well?”
“Oh, yeah, he is. My father is actually retaking the exam since he failed last year. And since I’m old enough to take it, he decided it would be a good idea to take it together.”
“He does know how dangerous the exams are, right?” Leorio ask with a mixture of concern and disbelief at what he was just told. And yeah…I get that. What sane parent would knowingly let their kid participate in one of the most dangerous exams on this planet. Let alone doing it together.
“Yeah…” I slowly began “This is actually the least dangerous thing he has made me do.”
“The least?!”
“You’ll probably understand once you know who my father is…” I sheepishly chuckle at them “Actually…you guys already know him, in fact.”
They blinked and at the same time they said, "We do?"
"Yeah…" I nod before turning and pointed at Hisoka once I spotted him in the crowd. "He did make a big scene after all. Number 44, Hisoka.
“…”
“…”
“…”
"EEEEHHH!?" They all shouted in shock…mainly Gon and Leorio, Kurapika kept quiet but from his wide eyes and mouth slightly ajar I could tell he was shocked too.
"You mean to tell me that psychotic clown is your father!?" Leorio yelled.
Could he be any louder? Shout it to the whole world why don't you.
I let out a small almost defeated sigh. "Yes. Yes he is…unfortunately."
"Hey…uh…you're not going to go and suddenly kill people are you?" Leorio wearily ask keeping a slight distance from me.
"Will I…*sigh* No, I won't. I'm not like my father. I only kill if necessary, so you're fine Leorio." I told him. "Though speaking of my father, you should stay away from him if you can, as he won't hesitate to kill you if he has a chance. Please keep that in mind. If I'm near him I can distract him so you can get away, but I can't promise you that it will work."
"Got it." Kurapika said with a sharp nod "We'll keep your warning in mind. Thank you for telling us."
"Yeah! Thanks, Nagisa!" Gon happily said.
"Yeah thanks."
"Heh, no problem."
RING~~~~~~~~~~~
The sound of a ringing alarm suddenly went off making us look over in the direction it came from. When it stop the ground shook a little when the wall on the other end lift up revealing a tall man wearing a purple suit and had not mouth.
…Wait
The guy has no mouth!
What the hell!?
How does this guy even eat!?
"I apologize for the wait." And how the hell is he even talking!? "The entry period for Hunter applicants has ended. The Hunter Exam will now begin!"
"Heh." I smirked feeling a bit of sweat rolling down my forehead. Despite all the training I went through…I still feel a bit nervous. Perhaps if I remember what all the stages of rounds we’d be going through I might be okay. As of now I’m going in blind like the others…the only thing I do remember is the first round is running. At least that’s something I can easily do.
"A final caution." The man said "If you are short on luck or ability, you could very well end up seriously injured or even dead. Those who accept the risks, please follow me." He shoved his left arm out "Otherwise, please exit via the elevator behind you."
Looking around I didn't see anyone showing signs of second thought. Looks like everyone is staying then.
"Very well. All 404 applicants will participate in Phase One." He turns around and began to walk with both his arms and legs stretching out.
…Um…Okay? I thought as we began to follow him.
"Of course, no one turned around and left." Leorio grumble. "I'd hoped a few might withdraw."
"Well, seeing how it was a challenge to get here, I wouldn't want to leave either." I said, even though I secretly much would love to leave…if I didn’t know Hisoka would stop me from leaving.
As we continue to walk I notice the change of pace and next thing I knew we are now running along with everyone else.
"Wh-What?" Leorio spoke up in confusion.
"I think the people up front have started running." Gon said.
"It’s because he’s picking up the pace." Kurapika pointed out.
“Yeah, no kidding.”
“How rude of me. I neglected to introduce myself. I am Satotz, your Examiner for the First Phase of the Exam.” Satotz introduce himself. “It’s my responsibility to lead all of you to the Second Phase.”
"Second? Whatever happened to the First?” I heard someone up ahead inquire.
"The First Phase is already underway.” Satotz informed everyone, which caused everyone to mutter in shock upon the news. “The First Phase is quite simple. All you have to do is follow me to the Second Phase. So, try to keep up.”
“Follow you? So that’s it?” The voice that we heard from before speaking up again “There’s nothing else?”
"That’s right." Satotz replied. "I cannot tell you where or when you must arrive. You need only to follow me."
"Oh joy…" I mutter under my breath. Even though I knew this first phase was running…the knowing and doing are two completely different things. I can’t remember how long we’ll have to run. All I know is that’s it’s a long run.
"I see how it is." Looks like Kurapika caught on.
"This test is weird." Gon said.
"Sounds a lot like a basic endurance test to me. That’s right up my alley." Leorio smirk “Keep running, pal! I'll be right behind you!"
I side eye Leorio before letting out a small sigh, well it's nice to know that he has positive attitude. But not knowing how far we'll run is going to be a mental strain on the brain. It would seem he is also testing our mental fortitude.
AAaaahhh…I'm already starting to hate this exam. I blame the clown on this…actually everything I went through is the clown's fault!
The exam's First Phase begins, amidst a mix of warriors and knaves. One candidate is disqualified before it even starts. The total number of Hunter applicants is 404.
Notes:
A double update!
Since I'm working on the last chapter for Hunter Exam Arc I figured I might as well also post the first chapter for the Second Arc today instead of waiting on Sep 6. While I have almost all the chapters written and ready to post I'm still going to stick with a bi-weekly schedule. Though depending how much further I get into the story there might be some double updates on the occasion, no promises though!
Chapter 7: Hope x and x Ambition
Chapter Text
"AAAAAaaaaaaahhhhhhHHHHH!"
"Somebody help us!"
"Oh God what is that thing!"
"Nate!? Nate where are you!?"
"Mommy! Mommy!"
"*Bark Bark Bark*"
"Where did this thing even come from!?"
BOOOOOM
"It HuRtS. I wAnt TO DeStOrY. DESTROY DESTROY DESTROY DESTROY DESTORY DESTROY DESTROY DESTROY DESTROY DESTROYDESTROYDESTROYDESTROYDESTROYDESOTROYDESTROYDESTROYDESTROYDESTROYDESTROYDESTROYDESTROYDESTROYDESTROYDESTROYDESTROYDESTROYDESTROY! EVRYTHING MUST BURN!"
CRACKLE BOOM
"DDDDDEEEEESSSSTTTTTRRRRRROOOOOOYYYY"
BOOM
"Oh dear…" A woman dress in all white with long white hair and pink tips at the ends, standing on top of a half destroyed building watching the town's destruction before her. Her red eyes narrowed as she watches the witch shoot more lightning bolts to the town before it killing more people in its path.
"Humph. It would seem, my child that you gave up on hope and fell into despair letting your soul gem to become consume by the darkness in your soul. I did tell you what would happen if you did. Now look at you."
She held out both of her hands as two golden rings appeared. "Now…our contract has come to an end. Time to collect your soul."
She threw one of the rings at the witch "But first… let's get you calmed down shall we?" The ring grew above its head before clamping down around its neck and let off a blindly bright light as the witch gave off on final scream. When the light faded it showed the witch slump forward—unmoving.
"And now…" She threw the other ring "Time to take you to see your other sisters."
The ring hovered above the witch before expanding in size. A black and purple vortex formed within as it began to suck the witch inside it.
Before fulling going in the witch's once red eyes flickered to brown and mumbled one final sentence before vanishing.
"…Goodbye mother…"
"And done." The lady said as the rings vanished. "Hmm…" Her red eyes gaze back to the town's destruction. "It'll take years before this town recovers. And to think that you'd made a wish to protect it only for you to destroy it by your very own hands. Oh, the irony." She chuckled. Just before she began to make her leave, footsteps reaches her ears along with panting.
"Oh?" She turn around with a raised eyebrow as she saw a young woman with messy brown hair and blood splatter around her body.
"You…" The woman growled, glaring at her with brown eyes. "This is your entire fault!"
"What could you ever be talking about?" The lady said in an uninterested town "If you must know I didn't cause this, the witch did."
"LIAR!" The woman screeched "I saw you…I saw you talking to my daughter. You may have taken a different form…but you were the cat that was talking to her!"
"...Oh!" The lady gasped clapping her hands together "Now I know why you look so familiar. I knew I saw someone looking through the door as I talk to Sarah. You're her mother."
"Why…" Tears began to form in the woman eyes "Why did you do it…What did she ever do to deserve this fate!?"
"I didn't do anything. The choice was all hers." She smirked giving the woman a smug look "And now I own your daughters soul."
"…" The woman's eyes widen as the white hair lady continue to talk.
"I gave her a fair warning before she made a contract with me, but she chose to continue with it. She wanted to protect this town. And in the end…the pressure from the others made her fall in despair consuming her soul gem and well…fufufu…you saw the results did you not?"
"Give…"
"Hm?"
"Give…her…back…" Tears began to fall down the woman's face and in her shaking hands was a knife. "GIVE HER BACK TO ME! GIVE ME BACK MY LITTLE GIRL!" She charges forward in range holding the knife above her head.
"My, my…" The lady sigh.
Slash
"Huh…" The woman blinked as her arm holding the knife fell to the ground, she looked back at the other woman noticing a sword in her hand covered in blood and then…her body fell apart in pieces. The last thing she saw was glowing red eyes and the same smirk on her face.
"…Sarah…"
"…" The lady looked down at the corpse before putting her sword back in its sheath "What a tragic end. Even till this day I can't understand humans." She jumps off the roof making her jacket to flutter up and on her lower back was a twelve legged spider with a number zero drawn in the middle.
Upon landing on the ground, she began to make her way through the woods. It wasn't long till she came to a halt. "Did you enjoy the show, Shalnark?"
A shadow formed within the tress before stepping out in the light. "Man…it sure is hard to hide from you, huh, Lyza."
"Heh." A smile formed on Lyza face.
“Haah…” I let out a low sigh looking up at the group before me. If my mental clock is right…we’ve been running for probably two hours now. So, we probably run over thirty kilometers from the start.
Not to mention…
“Hump!” I leap over a collapse body of a candidate that collapse from exhaustion. Just how long is this tunnel again?
“You doing okay, Nagisa?”
“Hm?” I snap out of my thoughts to look over at Gon. “Oh yeah, I’m good! Just thinking about how long this tunnel is.”
“Yeah…” Gon nods turning his head back “It almost feels like it’ll never end!”
“No kidding.” When I look back up front, I couldn’t help but frown upon seeing Leorio slowly losing pace up ahead. It looks like he almost at his limit…but that can’t be right. Didn’t he…make it further in the exam?
As I thought this out of the corner of my eye, I saw a sliver hair kid riding on a skateboard passing by. I couldn’t help but look at the skateboard with envious. Damn…wish I thought about bringing something like that with me, would have made this experience a little more joyful. Though I doubt Hisoka would have let me. That stingy clown…
"Hey! Wait up, kid!" Leorio yelling had brought me back to attention, as I look back over to him to see him yelling at the skateboard kid.
"Hmm?" The kid look over to him.
"How about you show a little respect for the Exam!"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean quit using a damn skateboard. That’s cheating.” He pointed to the board.
The kid look at his board then back to Leorio "How’s that?"
"How…?!" Leorio growled in disbelief "This is an endurance test, that’s how!"
"No, it's not." Gon chime in
"Huh?" Leorio turn his head to glare at Gon "What are you babbling about now, Gon?"
"Honestly, Leorio…" I sigh at him before giving him a deadpan look “The examiner never gave out any rules, remember?”
“That’s right.” Gon nod in agreement “The examiner guy only said we had to follow him, that’s all.”
“Yeah, so it doesn’t matter how we do it. As long as we keep following him it’s all good.”
"Hey! Who side are you on!?"
"Hey…" The silver hair kid begins as he moved back a bit. "How old are you guys?"
"I'm twelve years old." Gon said.
"Same."
"Hmm…" The kid hums with interest, before he jumps off his skateboard, catching it as he began to run beside us. "I think I’ll run for a little while."
"Wow." Gon said in awe. "That was cool!"
"My name’s Killua.” The kid introduce himself. At that introduction I had a small, startling moment as I quickly realized that Killua is also part of the main group…so that would mean, I’ve officially meet the main characters of the story.
While it wasn’t my intention to meet all of the main characters, but well…
"Hi, I’m Gon!"
"I’m Nagisa."
I guess it’s not to bad…as long as I don’t get drag into crazy stuff.
"Hey Nagisa." Killua call out.
"Yeah." I look over at him with a question look.
“I got to ask, but is that your real hair color?” He ask while pointing to my hair. “I’ve never seen anyone with that color beside old people.”
I felt my eyebrow twitch; I can’t tell if his being serious or not about this question given the slight smirk on his face. But he does have a genuine curiosity look in his eyes, so I guess he doesn’t fully mean to insult me…probably.
"Yeah, it is." I answer, grabbing a strain from my bangs “It’s because I’m albino.”
“Albino?” Both Gon and Killua ask in confusion.
“It’s a genetic condition where someone will have little to no melanin production. Which could lead to reduced or absent pigment in the skin, hair and eyes.” I explain to them. Though it would appear Gon is have a bit of a hard time in understanding the explanation compared to Killua.
“Really?” Killua asked, “So it’s because of that, that you hair is white?”
“Yeah, I inherited from my mom. Though thankfully I don’t have a sever case as I still have some skin color or I’ll be having a rough time out in the sun.”
“Oh…and here I thought you were lying about your age and was secretly an old hag.”
“Grhg!!”
This brat…!!
“That’s so…” I gritted out with a strain smile “Then that means you aren’t an old man then?”
"Huh?!” Killua had an offended look on his face. “Who the hell are you calling old man!?"
I gave him an innocent smile “Well, I just assumed with your gray hair that you might be secretly an old man.”
"It's silver!"
"Doesn't look like that to me~"
"Uh guys…please don't fight." Gon spoke but then a sweat-drop roll down his head as we both turn to him.
"Stay of it Gon!" We said before glaring at each other. One could practically see sparks coming out of our eyes.
…Something tells me that I might try and kill this kid by the end of the day. Calling me old hag; I'll have you know that I'm 32 year old woman trap in a kid's body. I am in no shape or form a 'hag'.
"So, tell me Shalnark, what brings you here down to these parts?" Lyza asked.
"It's kinda hard to ignore one of your witches, destroying a town. I thought I'd drop by and say hello."
"That's not the full truth now is it."
The smile on Shalnark face fell a little. "Boss wanted me to check up on you. We knew that witch was not one of yours, so it had to be a new one and it ran on rampage right?" Lyza nodded. "He wanted to make sure you were unharmed."
"How sweet of him." Lyza cross her arms of her chest. "And he couldn't come and see me himself? I'm hurt."
"The Boss is a bit preoccupied, so he sent me instead."
"Oh… so a messenger then." She said. "That's fine; I'll hound him down later. And you can tell him I'm fine. I have the witch under control. Was there anything else?"
"Yes it's about your daughter and your…boyfriend." He said the last word with disdain.
If Lyza wasn't interest about the conversation before…well she is now.
"What about them." She demands.
Honestly how much farther are we going to run? It's been four hours now and nothing has changed. I'm almost tempted to go to Hisoka and demand him to carry me.
Yeah.
I'm that bored right now.
Though I have to pat myself on the back for lasting this long. In my old life back in school, we had to run a mile every week in P.E. I could only last ten minutes of running before I quiet and just walk the rest of it.
So yeah I feel very proud of myself right now. Past me would be so proud and jealous.
As the three of us ran I notice that we seem to be lacking someone. Looking around I spotted Leorio hunched over panting pretty heavily.
"Hey Gon."
"Yeah?"
I simply point behind me, making Gon to look over and come to a halt. I follow too along with Killua, though he'd look confused as to why.
"Hey, forget about him." Killua said. "You’ve got to keep moving."
"…" I look over at Gon watching as he kept staring at Leorio, who look five seconds away from collapsing from exhaustion. I can’t say I know what going on through his mind but as I look back over to Leorio, I can only guess that he’s trying to encourage him in his own way.
"Man, screw this" Leorio heaved and shot off running like a mad man…or as if the devil was on his tail, however you guys want to see it. "I'm becoming a Hunter, not matter what! Damn it all!”
"Woah!" I quickly jumped out of the way before I got run over. "Seems like he found a new motivation."
"You think?" Killua asked.
"Yeah." I nod while Gon used his rod to pick up Leorio's case that he left behind. "Hey, nice catch."
"Cool!" Killua exclaim as Gon attach the case to his bag "Let me try that later."
"Only if you let me try your skateboard, okay?" Gon said as we went back to running.
“Man…I don’t have anything to offer…” I moan as we went back to running.
“That’s okay, Nagisa! I can still let you try my fishing pole!”
“Thanks!”
At some point during the run, I notice some stairs leading up ahead to which I mentally groan at the sight of them. I don’t know how far we have run but I believe we are nearing the eighty-kilometer mark, and while I don’t feel any exhaustion…those damn stairs might be pushing it for me.
“Hey, I’ve got an idea.” Killua chime, making Gon and I look at him curiously, and I don’t know if I like the grin on his face. “Let’s race to the finish, see who’s faster.”
“I’m fine with that.” I said even though I’m mentally groaning as we get closer to the stairs. My legs are really going to feel this later. “But how about we put stakes on it, to make more interesting?”
“I like the sound of that!” Gon said “How about the loser has to buy dinner?”
Killua gave it a quick thought before nodding his head with a grin. “Yeah, you’re on!”
We all look at each other with a grin before looking back forward with determination. "Ready…" We all began "Go!" Then we took off running using our full speed that we have been holding back. Five minutes later we manage to catch up to Leorio and Kurapika.
"See you at the goal, Kurapika."
"Later gents."
"Catch you later, old timer."
"Hey, I'm not old!" Leorio snapped at Killua "Can’t you tell I’m a teenager just like you?!"
Wait, what?
"Huh?"
"No way!"
"You're joking, right!?"
"Can't take another step…"
"Th-This is it…I’m finished…"
We passed by two other applicants who had just giving up.
"I gotta say. I'm impressed that you guys can keep up with me." Killua commented.
"Really?" Gon had big smile on his face when he said that, while I just gave Killua a curios look wondering what he was talking about.
“Or maybe they’re all so slow, you just seem fast.” Killua then let out a disappointing sigh “Man… I thought the Hunter Exam was going to be more of a challenge. This is boring.”
For you perhaps, I thought to myself. Even though I’m not found of all this running, I’m just glad we’re not doing anything extremely dangerous…yet.
"Hey, why do you want to be a Hunter, anyway?” Gon ask.
I wasn’t quite sure which one of us he was asking, but Killua decided to answer first anyway.
"Who me? I never said I wanted to be a Hunter.” He said.
"Huh?"
Gon look at him confused, while I raise a brow at Killua.
"Then why did you even bother joining?"
"I just heard that the Exam was supposed to be really hard. It sounded kind of fun so here I am.” He explained “But it’s not as fun as I thought.”
“…” I blink staring at him in disbelief. That's all! He only join cause he thought it would be fun! What the actual fuck, his almost like Gon!
What is wrong with these kids?!
I had a near mental break down in deciding if I wanted to take this damn Exam or not, knowing how dangerous it was and not wishing to die young again!
"What about you guys?"
Gon and I look at each other; I gave him a nod indicating that he could go first, given that I already knew the reason for Gon wanting to be a Hunter. Gon responded back with a smile followed by a nod.
“Well, the things is, my dad’s a Hunter.” He began to explain “So, I decided I was going to be a Hunter just like him, no matter what.”
“Hm, so what kind of Hunter is he?”
“No idea.”
"Huh?" Killua look at him in surprise before laughing out loud. "It’s the weirdest thing I’ve ever heard."
"Yeah…trust me Killua; I thought the same thing when he told me." I said.
“Wait really?” Killua look at me in shock “When did he tell you that?”
“I ran into him last year and he told me about his reason in wanting to become a Hunter.” I summed it up to him, not feeling the need to get into the reasoning on how we met.
“That so?” He let out a low hum before looking back over to Gon “So you wanna be the same kind of Hunter as your dad but you don’t know anything about him? That’s nuts.”
“Mito’s the one who raised me.” Gon further explained. “And she told me a little, but I’ve only ever seen him in pictures she showed me from a long time ago.”
“Wait, so who’s Mito?”
“She’s my aunt.
"Ah…"
“She said that my dad took the Hunter Exam when he was only 12 years old, too. He passed his first try and became a Hunter. That’s when he decided to leave the island. So, I came here in order to find out why he chose being a Hunter over staying at home with me.”
"Hmm…what about you?" Killua looked at me.
“To get information.” I replied.
“Information?” The both ask.
“What do you mean by that?” Killua demanded.
“Well…I’m searching for my mother to be precise.” I began to explain. “You see when I was born my mother for some unknown reason left me and my father behind with no warning or explanation.”
"Eh, really?" Gon ask in disbelief.
"Yeah." I nod. “I remember that if you become a Hunter you can get access to information that no ordinary person can. So, my goal is to find my mom and ask her why she left.”
“Do you know if she even alive?” Killua ask, which is honestly a fair question.
“Yeah, I’m sure.” I said “A little over a year ago, my father took us to Heaven Arena. Apparently they broad cast their fights and my mother was there. Sadly, we didn’t get to see her, but regardless that broadcast was enough to know that she’s still alive.”
I only figure out the reasoning about why Hisoka took me there, besides training me. I got lucky enough to see a recording of my mom and had asked Hisoka about it and he told me the reason for why we came there.
“Plus, I want to help Gon find his father!” I added with a smile.
Perhaps it’s stupid of me in wanting to stick around with the main characters despite not knowing what the future lies ahead. And I don’t know what Hisoka plans to do after he becomes a Hunter, at best nothing would really change, and he’ll keep moving around. And I don’t mind it, at least with him I can guarantee nothing bad would truly happen to me, with how protective he can get at times.
However…I would like to hang out with kids my age…well…physically that is…I know I’m mentally a bit older. But I never really got a chance to have a proper do over with being a kid again. Since I’ve always been on the move never really staying in one place long enough to make any friends. And all my currents friends are freaking killers! So, pardon me if I want something close to a normal friendship!
As close as I can get.
And Gon did help me realize something, so I want to return the favor to the best as I can.
"Huh?"
"What do you mean by that, Nagisa?" Gon ask.
"Gon, remember when I asked you what you'll do after you got your licenses. You'd said you'll go look for your father and it was thanks to you that I'd decided to take the Hunter Exam when I realized I can get into information that I was unable to before. So, this is my way of thanking you."
"Eh!?" Gon blinked in surprise "You don't have to do that Nagisa!"
"No, it's fine." I look at him with a smile "Because…you're the first friend I had ever made since I was brought into this world." I caught Killua surprise look in his eye "My father and I have always been traveling searching for answers, so I never have time to make friends. And even if I do they tend to be scared away by my father. So, I want to help, plus…I have a feeling that you wouldn’t know where to start once you got your license right?”
"…" The two of them were silent then Gon got this understanding look in his eyes.
"Got it." Gon said. "Thanks for the help, Nagisa."
"Heh, no problem!"
Just then the hallway began to brighten up more. We look up and saw the exit not too far away.
"The exit!" Someone shouted.
"Whew…"
"Finally, I can get out of this dark tunnel!"
The three of us look at each other with smirks of our on and took off. As we ran, I'd passed by Hisoka. And without missing a beat I turn my head to give him a small wave as we pass him. And he return with wave with a bit of a questioning look in his eyes.
"Goal!"
The three of us shouted at the same time as we reach the top.
"Yay! I win."
"What are you talking about?"
"Yeah Gon! It's was very obvious that I'd won."
"What are you talking about Nagisa, I was faster."
"Guys please, I was faster."
"No, I was!"
"No way, I was!"
"I was faster, so you two have to buy dinner!"
"Nope! I was faster. So, you buy me dinner."
"No way, it's you two who are buying me dinner!"
"Nah-ah, I was faster." Gon said then looked over to Satotz. "Hey, which one of us was fastest?"
"You crossed the finish line simultaneously." Satotz answer.
"Oh…" Gon mumbled.
"Guess that means we tied. What now?" I asked.
"In that case, I'll buy Killua and Nagisa's dinner. While Killua will buy mine and Nagisa. And Nagisa will buy mine and Killua." Gon said.
"Huh?" Killua looked at him confused.
I had the same look too. "Wait…what?"
"I don't get it." Killua finally said.
"Neither do I."
"Hey, Mr. Satotz." Gon look back up to him, completely ignoring the fact that he just left us confused. "Is this where the Second Phase begins?"
"No, it isn’t. we have quite a way to go.”
"Seriously." I groan "Well I guess it beat running in a dark tunnel, so it might be more exciting then.”
"That depends on what you define as 'exciting'." He said.
Oh… I...don't like the way he said that.
With nothing else to do here but wait for the others, I guess in the mean time we can chill till it's time to run again. "Anyone up for a game of Go Fish." I asked holding up a deck of card.
"Wh-…Where did that even come from!?"
"Sure, I'm in!"
It was probably only roughly 10 minutes later when the rest of the applicants showed up. Leorio collapsed on the ground sweating like a pig while Kurapika came up not too long looking just fine if not a bit worn out.
"Hey, Kurapika!"
Kurapika look down to his right seeing the three of us sitting a circle playing Go Fish. He gave as wave and tried to catch his breath before speaking. "Is this our destination?"
"Nope, not yet."
"Satotz said we still have ways to go. Tch." I glared at Killua who took my 4's. The little shit just smiles back at me smugly.
"Hmm, I see." Kurapika nod looking around "Looks like the fog is lifting."
"Ah, really?" Gon stood up while I quickly put away the cards and following him. And true to Kurapika word the fog is fading. From there I saw…
"A forest…lovely." I mutter. This is going to be so fun.
“The Milsy Wetlands, also known as Swindler’s Swamp. We must cross it to reach Phase Two of the Exam.” Satotz began to explain “This place is home to a variety of truly bizarre animals, many of which are crafty, voracious creatures who deceive and feast on human prey. So please, be very careful.”
“Oh lovely…” I mutter.
"If you’re deceived, you’ll surely die.” Satotz warn us.
That warning had nearly everyone mutter in shock upon the news at the same time a groaning machinery sound is heard over the crowd. We all turn around to see a metal gate coming down closing off the entrance to the hallway we just came from.
"Wait for me!" A man cried out just as the gate closed down.
Oof, better luck next year, pal.
“These wetland creatures are not to be underestimated, for they will use every trick in the book to fool their prey.” Upon saying that everyone turn back to Satotz in shock “This is an ecosystem in which all creatures hunt by the art of deception. And that is why it’s also known as Swindler’s Swamp.” Then he turn around with his back facing us “Now then, please follow me closely so you won’t be deceived.”
Leorio let out a scoff as he stood back up. "Keh. Is he messing with us? If we know they’ll try to deceive us, who’s gonna fall for it?”
"Don't fall for it!" A male voice rang out making everyone turn to the direction it came from.
"Listen, didn’t I just say that we won’t?” Leorio ask as he look over to the direction of the voice.
"D-Don't let them fool you!" A very wounded man step out from the wall "He's lying! That man is lying to you!" He points towards Satotz. "He’s an impostor! A total fraud. I’m the real Examiner, you got it?” He points to himself.
"An impostor?" Leorio asked out in disbelief. "What's going on?"
"Didn't you just say you wouldn't fall for it?" I mumbled. The only reason I'm not freaking out is because how too coincidental his timing is and not to mention guy just feels.
"But then, who is he really?” I caught number 294 for ask looking at the wounded man then to Satotz.
“I’ll prove it, look at this!” The man drag out a strange looking creature though the head had a look similar to Satotz…well…if you take out the mouth that it.
"Oh wow, he looks like Mr. Satotz!” Gon exclaimed.
"This is a man-faced ape from the Milsy Wetlands.” The man explain.
"A man-faced what?" Leorio questions.
“The man-faced ape loves the taste of human flesh. But their limbs are really long and thin, so they’re actually quite weak. That’s why they disguise themselves as humans. They trick us into following them into the wetlands, where they work together with other creatures to kill and eat us.” The man explains as he points his finger back to Satotz “That’s what he wants. To deceive the entire Hunter applicant pool and feast on every one of you.”
"Bastard…" Leorio growled glaring at Satotz.
"Oh yeah?” 294 wondered with a suspicious look in his eyes “Well, then that would certainly explain why he doesn’t walk like a normal human.
Then suddenly in a blink the supposed ‘Examiner’ fell down to the ground dead with playing cards sticking out of his body.
Wait… those cards…
I snap my head over towards Hisoka to see him shuffling his cards with a close eye smile. "Hmhmhm~ I see, I see. That settle it, then." He open his eyes to look at Satotz "So you are the real one.”
Satotz merely stared back before tossing the cards that Hisoka had thrown at him to the side. At the same time the ‘dead’ man-face ape had shot up and took off running once it new it’s plan had failed.
“The Examiners are Hunters.” Hisoka said “Each is hand-picked by the Exam Committee to do this job without pay. Anyone who holds the title we’re vying for ourselves could have deflected that attack. And quite easily, I might add.”
“I shall take that as a compliment. Thank you.” Satotz replied “Still, should you choose to attack me again, for any reason, I will have no choice but to report you for attacking an Examiner, and have you immediately disqualified. Is that clear?
Gah!? I mentally balk upon hearing that before shooting Hisoka a small glare. Nice job Hisoka! Why not go and try and get yourself disqualified again for the same reason that got you kick out last year!
"Of course." Hisoka replied in a nonchalant tone.
SQUAK SQUAK
The sounds of birds caught our attention and looked over to see some vultures eating the dead corpse.
"Nature can be so brutal. It’s hard to watch…" Leorio commented.
"No kidding." I said.
"So, he was a man-faced ape as well." Kurapika said.
"He was trying to confuse the applicants and lure some of you away. These attempts are to be expected.” Satotz explain.
"We can’t let our guard down." Killua said.
"Yeah."
“Please be aware that you will encounter such deceptions on a regular basis.” Satotz said as he walk up to the end of the group to get a closer look at the dead body. “I must assume that a number of you were fooled into suspecting my true identity.”
“Oh, well, I uhh…” I heard Leorio sputter behind me when being called out.
“Understand,” Satotz turn back around to face us “I want to make it abundantly clear that if any of you are to lose sight of me once we enter the fog of the Milsy Wetlands, you have no hope whatsoever of reaching the Second Phase of the Exam. You’ve been warned.” He paused for a moment, letting us process what he just said before speaking again “Now, let’s begin. Please follow me.”
And with that…the marathon began again. This time instead of an underground tunnel, it’s now in the Milsy Wetlands were everything here will try to kill us.
…I just had to wish for something more exciting to happen, didn’t I.
Is it too late to ask to turn around and leave?
The applicants have finally left the long, dark tunnel and stepped into the light. So far, 36 candidates have withdrawn from the Exam, and 368 remain. Their next challenge will be the Milsy Wetlands, which is also known as Swindler’s Swamp. The excruciating Hunter Exam continues.
"What about them." Lyza demanded.
Shalnark held up his hands "Nothing bad I swear! Funny how you laughed at that mother's misery and yet be concerned when your family is brought up."
"Shalnark."
"All right, all right." Shalnark sigh "Two years ago Hisoka came to us and asked to join our Troupe, and with him was your daughter, Nagisa."
Lyza relax a bit upon hearing that. "That so. What else?"
"Naturally like you have predicated if he ever came, he joined."
"And Nagisa?"
"Boss prevents her from joining. Even if we lose a member he won't let her join. He does not want her to bear the burden of being a member, despite her close connection to us."
"I see…" Lyza looks up at the clear blue sky "So…that's the path he took then. I don't know if that's for the best or for the worst. Did Chrollo tell her yet?"
Shalnark closed his mouth just as he was about to answer and debated in whether or not he should answer. "*Sigh* No, he hasn't told her at all and neither have we under Bosses order."
"So, you're telling me that in the two years he has known her he has yet to tell her that…" She stop in mid-sentence and let out a sigh "Good grief" She rub her forehead "And he calls himself the leader of the feared Phantom Troupe, yet he can't muster the courage to…Whatever, I'll pound the answer out of him the next time we cross paths."
"When will you be able to see Nagisa again?" Lyza blinked at him from the sudden question and the out of character too. Shalnark coughed in his hand "Sorry, I meant when are you able to make contact with her. We know that a shield of some kind is preventing you till it finally decides you can."
"Oh." She mumbled "In two or so years I'll be able too. It's hard to say but that's the estimate guess from what I'm able to tell. I can now be in the same town as her without feeling the push of the shield; however, I can only still see her from a distance."
"And Hisoka?" He inquired "We both know that you'll confront each other either way, with or without the shield. What then? Do you think Hisoka still cares for you like he did 12 years ago? What will you do?"
"That's…" Lyza begin "is an obstacle that I'll face when the time comes. It is hard to say if he still cares for me like he did back then. I won't blame after what I had done if not. However, if his looking for a fight then I'll give him one. It's hard to say till the time finally comes. So, in the meantime, tell Chrollo that I won't be able to participate in any of the raids if Nagisa is with you."
"Got it." Shalnark nod and began to turn around and leave but stop and turn back around. "By the way what were you doing before coming here?"
"I was on my way to see Ging. He'd message me saying that he found something that I might like. So, with my little side quest done I'm off to see him. Oh, and I almost forgot." She threw a slip of paper in his direction "That's my new cell number; my previous phone got destroy in a fight. Give it to the Troupe members and have them text me their numbers so I can mark it down."
"Will do, later then."
“Till next time."
Chapter Text
“Haa…haa…” Man running in all this wet ground makes it slightly harder to run, it really makes you put in a bit more effort in lifting your legs up. I can only hope that I don’t lose a shoe from running in this mud.
“Oh great…” I mutter under my breath when seeing the fog starting to thicken again making it hard to see in front of us. Running in this foggy wetlands is honestly the least of my concerns, it's the unknown factor of what beasts that could be hiding in the fog. And with limited vision it’ll be hard to detect them until they strike.
“!?” Just then a familiar aura flare in the air.
That’s…Hisoka…but why?
I happen to catch Killua eye, and it appear that he caught on to the sudden air shift. He look at me and the both of us nodded our heads.
“Gon.” Killua called out.
“Yeah?”
“Let’s try to move up to the front.”
“Right.” Gon nods “The last thing we want to do is lose sight of the Examiner right now.”
“…” Guess Gon doesn’t feel the same sudden shift in the air like Killua, and I did. “It’s not that Gon. We need to put a bit of distance between Hisoka and us.”
“I agree.” Killua said “Staying to close is dangerous. I can smell it.”
Smell? I look over at him in curiosity and tried to sniff the air. The only thing I can smell is the wet grounds.
“Smell, huh?” Gon wonder before doing the same thing as I did. “Huh?” Gon gain a confuse look then glance over his shoulder to look at Hisoka “I don’t think he smells.” Then Gon suddenly raise his voice much to Killua and I surprise. “Hey, Leorio! Kurapika! Killua and Nagisa says we should all move up to the front of the pack.”
“Hey, calm down, don’t you feel the tension in the air?” Killua warns him.
“You idiot!” We heard Leorio voice echo back to us “If I could reach the front I’d already be there.”
“Go ahead, we’ll me you there.” Kurapika’s voice also shouted back.
“Aww.” Gon pouts upon hearing their response.
“Come on, let’s go.” Killua urge him before the both us sped up our pace.
“Wait, hold on!” I heard Gon call out for us and not a moment later he caught up.
The further we ran into the wetland the thicker the fog becomes. “Great with how dense the fog is getting; it’s getting harder to tell which way were going.”
“What worried we’ll get lost?” Killua ask with a slight mocking tone in his voice.
I gave me a small glare “No. I’m worried about the unknown factor here.”
“What do you mean, Nagisa?” Gon curiously ask.
“I’m not concerned about our skills in keeping up with the others or finding them if we get lost. It’s the fact that we don’t know what it’s front of us. For all we know we could be heading towards a cliff and not even know until it’s almost to late, or perhaps a beast coming out in attacking us. Satotz did say the beast here would use whatever tactic need in order to kill us.”
“I suppose I get it.” Killua said with a concentrate look on his face “Without knowing what’s to come it would be slightly hard to tell what would be the best way to prepare ourselves.”
“Yeah. I’m not here to doubt anyone skills…it’s just a slight worry that I have. Who knows when something going to happen.” Right after saying that, sudden screams of pain, shock and confusion filled the air catching our attention.
“I wonder what’s happening. I can hear people screaming all around us.” Gon wondering tilting his head back.
“My guess is that they either ran into the beast or some kind of trap.”
“Looks like you were right for your concerns. We need to be more careful from here on.” Killua said.
“I haven’t seen the guys in a while. I just hope they’re safe.” Gon said in concern, before slowly picking up pace again to try and put as much distance from the chaos behind us as much as possible.
As we ran further into the woods, the ground suddenly had a weird feel to it.
“Huh?”
We all look down confused, but at first glance the ground looks the same I couldn’t see anything that would indicate that something is wrong, but…
“Does the ground feel weird to you guys?”
“Yeah, it kinda doooess--!?”
All of us suddenly yelled out in shock when the ground cave in, leading us to fall into the dark pit below.
“—aaahh, oomph!?”
We all let out a groan upon reaching the bottom of the…whatever we landed in. All I know is that it’s very dark and it smell, not to mention this weird liquid that were laying.
“Ow…where are we?” I heard Gon question somewhere to my right.
“Don’t know, but it sure does stink in here.” Killua said.
Just thing we felt movement and the liquid began sloshing around. “Wait…” I slowly began as I paid attention to the movement. “Don’t tell me…”
“We’re inside a stomach.” Killua said having figuring out the same conclusion that I got to.
“Really? Then how do you suppose we get out?” Gon ask.
“Hmm, good question…”
While the boys were figuring out what might be a good idea to escape before we become food, I on the other hand am debating if I should transform into Bebe. If I did it would defiantly get us out of here…and also kill whatever ate us. But I’m worried if I’ll accidently hurt Gon and Killua. The form pretty big and depending on how it goes the two might get caught up in it.
“Wait, what’s that sound?” Gon question snap me out of my thoughts making me to pay attention to the noise.
Rumble
“Huh...?” It almost sounds like a the stomach is rumble. Then suddenly the liquid began to rise in the stomach.
“Woah!!”
“Ah?!”
“Ugh!”
“Ow, gross” Sitting back up in the pile of liquid that the beast had thrown up, I look up to see a giant frog walking away from us.
“I guess he must not have liked the way we tasted, huh?” Gon sheepishly laugh.
“It was this stuff.” Upon hearing that Gon and I look over to Killua seeing him holding a familiar open orange can.
“Wait…isn’t that the can from Tonpa?”
“I believe so! I guess that’s what save us.”
“Yeah, probably so.” Killua agree tossing the empty can to the side. “But I could have escaped without it.”
“…” Huh, he seems pretty confident about that. I wonder what he would have done if that can didn’t open.
Well…at least I didn’t have to transform and risk the potential of accidentally hurting the two. So, it work out in the end either way. I just need to take a very long shower and burn these clothes.
“I’m still pretty worried about Leorio and Kurapika.” Gon said looking off to the side.
“I’m sure they’ll be okay, Gon. Have a bit more faith in them.” I can understand Gon’s worry, but unlike him I however have faint memory that this four made it very far in the exam. So, unless I somehow changed something without knowing, I’m sure the two are okay and will catch up to us later.
“Right, like Nagisa said, they’ll probably fine.” Killua got up from the ground “We need to keep moving. We can still make it if we start right now.”
“I agree.” I got up and tried my best to get a much grim off of me as possible.
Once up the three of us took off running again. And in no time at all we reach the exist of the woods and to our relief we spotted the rest of the candidate running further ahead.
“All right!” Killua cheered.
“Thank goodness we caught up to them!”
“We caught up with the main group, Gon. Look. Huh?”
At the confused sound, I turn back around where we though Gon was, but no one is standing behind us. “What?” I mutter out loud feeling the confusion swirling inside me.
“That weird.” Killua said, “He was right here a minute ago, right?”
“I…thought so too.” Did he somehow get lost? That can’t be right though, the fog didn’t change, and we kept going straight.
“Maybe he fell behind a bit.” Killua guess before stepping forward to the group running ahead. “Come on, let’s go catch up with the others. I’m sure he’ll turn up in a bit.”
“…” I stare down at the direction we just come from, feeling a bit unease at the fact that we might have lost Gon. If I could go back and track him I would. However, with how vast and dangerous this place is, I just can’t chance it. I can only hope that Killua is right, and he’ll join up with us in a bit. He is the main character after all so he'll defiantly make it back in one piece.
“Right…Let’s go.”
“Gon!” I shouted upon seeing him in the distance with Kurapika standing next to him. Oh good, they both made it. Getting Killua attention, we both headed over to where to two were, and the closer we got I spotted Leorio laying against the tree…and he look pretty beat up. I wonder what happened to him. Either way I’m glad that all three of them made it back safely.
“Killua! Nagisa!” Gon happy called back when he turn around and spots us.
“I was starting to think you weren’t gonna make it here.” Killua told him. “Or that you didn’t make it at all.”
“I just followed the trail of Leoiro’s cologne.” Gon happily explained much to our shock.
“You tracked his sent? That’s how?” Killua ask in disbelief.
“In this place?” I also ask. These wetlands have a strong muggy smell to them, how was he able to track a single sent through all of this?
“Yeah, sure did!”
“Man, Gon!” Killua gave him a weird look “You really are weird, aren’t you?”
“Huh?” Gon tilted his head to the side with a confused look.
"Excellent work, everyone!" Satotz voice rang out. "The Second Phase will take place here, in the Visca Forest Park. So, I shall now take my leave. I wish you all the very best of luck.” And with that we all watch Satotz take his leave.
Rumble
"Hm?" We looked over to see the iron gates slide open revealing a mansion and a lot of…coo…king… tabl…es…oh no.
Oh, dear god no!
Oh, please oh please oh PLEASE! Don't tell me that the next challenge is cooking! I take back what I said before! I don't mind the running in fact I feel fully energized to do another long ass marathon but PLEASE anything besides cooking! I mentally cried.
"Will all applicants who passed the First Phase please enter?" A woman’s voice call out. Following the order we all walk through the gates and spotted two people sitting up on the porch in front of the mansion. "Welcome all. I'm Menchi, your examiner for the Second Phase.”
“And likewise, I’m Buhara.” The really big guy sitting behind Menchi greeted. Damn his huge, I’ve never meet anyone this tall before. And here I thought Uvo was tall.
Grrrrooowwwwwllll
…That was a loud growl.
"Wh-What was that sound?" Someone in the crowd said.
"Sounds to me like you’re getting hungry." Menchi looks up at Buhara.
"Not just hungry, I’m famished!"
"Well, there you have it." Menchi said standing up "The Second Phase…will be cooking!"
CRACK
…C-Cooking…
"Woah, Nagisa turn to stone!"
"What the hell, Nagisa?"
"Ha…ha…haha…"
"Do you think she lost it?"
"I don't know."
…I'm going to fail.
"Wait… we’re cooking?" Hanzo sputter in shock.
“Huh?" Todo frowned in displeasure "What do you mean, we’re cooking? We came here to take the Hunter Exam."
"That's right." Menchi nods and continues to explain “The Second Phase of the exam will be preparing a meal that’ll satisfy our palates.”
"Why do we have to cook?!" Someone in the crowd ask.
"Don’t you know? It’s simple really, because we’re Gourmet Hunters!” Menchi proudly proclaims.
"Huh?" Todo blink in surprise before bursting out into laughter which was followed by everyone else laughing. “Man, talk about a let down!”
"You hear that? They’re Gourmet Hunters!” One of the applicants mocked.
A frown of displeasure from on Menchi face as she watches the applicants laugh at them.
"So, you’re both Gourmet Hunters. And what exactly do you want us to make?" Todo ask.
Menchi glares at him before closing her eyes "Buhara?"
Behind her Buhara slowly stood up. "Today’s required ingredient will be pork."
"Pork? You mean like pig meat?" Someone call out.
“Feel free to use meat from any species of pig in Visca Forest.” Buhara inform them. “As you see, you’ll use these cooking facilities to prep your pork dishes. To pass the exam, you must create a dish to satisfy our discriminating palates.”
"But we won’t be evaluating taste alone.” Menchi added "So take this seriously. Is that clear? When we’ve both eaten our fill this portion of the exam will be over.”
"Okay, enough talk." Todo cockily said waving his hands. "Let’s just get to it, alright?"
"Let the exam’s Second Phase…" Buhara smacks his stomach making a loud noise "…begin!" With that everyone turn around and ran out of the gates as fast as possible.
"All right let's go!" Leorio shouts.
"Wait! What about Nagisa?" Gon asked.
"Ha…haha…cooking…hahaha…"
"Forget about her Gon, we have more important things to worry about." Killua told him.
"But…"
"I'm sure Nagisa will be fine, Gon." Kurapika said "She'll join us soon once she get her bearings together."
Gon looked a bit unsure as he glances at Nagisa one more time, who is still in a stone like form — he is curious on how she did that — before hesitantly nodded his head "Okay, let's go."
As the four left leaving Nagisa alone, Hisoka walks up to her putting his hands on his hips as he look down at his stone shape daughter. "Oh dear, it looks like she broke. Well~ that won't do at all." He picks her up and began to head out.
"We gotta catch a pig and cook it, huh?" Leorio said as the group walk together looking around to spot any pigs to catch "Man, this is way easier than the First Phase."
"I just hope it’s that simple.” Killua said.
"I highly doubt it. This is the Hunter Exam after all."
.
.
.
"GAH!?" Leorio jump back at the sudden sound as they all whip around to see Nagisa standing behind them, soaking wet as she rings out the water in her hair.
"Nagisa when did you get here?" Gon asked.
"And why are you wet?" Kurapika added.
"Just now, Gon." I told him "And as for why I'm soaking wet. Well…"
SPLASH
"GAGHPPP!...*COUGH COUGH* What the hell was that for!?" I snap at my grinning father, who just toss me in a fucking lake. Where the hell did this lake even come from? There wasn't one anywhere near the wall!? God damn anime/manga logic. Now my clothes are wet! Son of a bitch…
"Now, now Nagisa~ Mind your language."
"Screw you!"
Hisoka sighs putting his hands on his hips, "It seems that you came to a dead end."
"You think!" I snap.
"Hm, I think you should still give it a try though. Who knows you might pass."
"And if I don't…?"
"Then you fail." With that he walks away with a wave.
"What the…HEY WHAT KIND OF ENCOURAGEMENT IS THAT YOU PSYCHOTIC PEDOPHILE! GET BACK HERE YOU DAMN CLOWN! I'M NOT DONE YET!
"…My so called loving father tossed me in a lake to snap me out of my shock." I bluntly told them.
"He toss you…into a lake." Leorio said in disbelief.
I nod my head. "Yeah. What a lovely parent that I have. Tossing me in a lake then ditching me in the forest while I suffer walking around in wet clothes on the high chance of getting sick! Yes my father is the best!" I'm damn positive one can see the sparkles and flowers behind me as I speak about how much I love my Papa-Pedo in sarcasm. "Haaah… Murder plans aside” I continue ignoring Kurapika muttering 'Murder plans?' “We need to find some pigs right. To cook."
"Yeah that's right." Kurapika said.
"Oi Gon, wait up!"
We look over to see Killua jumping down the hill letting out a shout of glee. The three of us share a look before jumping down too…which turn to a bad idea as we all end up slam to each other.
"What the hell do you think you’re doing?!" Killua yell raising his fist.
"I found them." Was Gon's response
"Huh?"
"Pigs!" Leorio exclaimed.
"…Those pigs…are abnormally huge…" I spoke in shock.
Holy shit those pigs are huge! I thought the only abnormally large animals here where those blasted snakes! …And is it just me or are those pigs eating bones from another animal?
“They’re all… chewing on bones." Leorio commented.
"Don't tell me…" Kurapika began "…they're carnivores?"
And on que the bones snaps and the pigs glare at us. Well shit…
"Time to run!" I exclaim as we all quickly got up and book it, while those devil pigs chased us. As we ran I notice some of the other contestants looking over at us in shock. "Run! Man eating pigs are chasing us!" That got their attention as they too began to run away…some…not so luckily as the pigs use their snouts to slam into them.
"These pigs are crazy!" Leorio yelled.
"Yeah, no kidding!" I yell back.
As most of the contestants ran, others try to fight back in order to catch them. But as luck would have it…it didn't quite work. Their snouts are too strong and too big to get around.
Throwing a boulder will only get smashed. Sharp object barely even pierced the damn things. So how the hell do we beat them?! Gah it's like the tip on my tongue but I don't remember what the answer was.
BAM
"Huh?" I look over at a pig that had slam into a tree, the one that Gon was targeting. When the pig got its bearings together and turn to make another attack, more apples from the tree landed on the pigs head making it squeal out in pain.
Wait…could it be that…?
"Wait a second…"Gon mumbles before jumping in the air and slamming his fishing pole on the pigs head. The pig let out one more squeal before dropping dead.
"Oh~ Now I see…" I grin.
"Huh, that’s it! Their foreheads are their weak spots." Killua grinned
"I see, that makes sense. They developed tough snouts to protect their delicate foreheads.” Kurapika said.
I cracked my knuckles "Well then, I guess it time to start cracking some heads in!" The three of us then took off killing our respective pig. Killua killed his with his skateboard; Kurapika used his weapons while I gave mine an axe kick to the head. With that done we gather our pigs and ran back to the site and start cooking.
"Not one applicant has passed yet." Leorio said as he, Gon and Kurapika watch Menchi yelling at the other contestants.
"And Menchi has yet to take a single bite of anyone’s entry." Kurapika said taking notice of how only Buhara is only eating and not Menchi.
"Seriously?!" Menchi yelled. "Can’t anybody out there make something that’ll satisfy me taste buds."
"That's it!" Kurapika snapped his fingers "The Second Phase is a cooking test, but they’re judging us based on originality and observation.”
"I see…" Leorio grinned.
Leorio proudly places his pig on the table with a decoration of a flag on top. "Tell me how much you love it.”
"Is this supposed to be a kiddy meal?!" Menchi scream throwing the plate in the air…only for Buhara to quickly catch the pig and eat.
"Okay, mine is next!" Gon says with his pig being covered in pink bows and flowers.
"It's just like the last one!" She yells shoving it away.
"The next entry’s min, ready to be judged." Kurapika puts his down. And unlike the others he made his into a sandwich filled with some fruit, lettuce and tomatoes.
"Well..." Menchi hummed eyeing the pig "…finally, something that resembles an actual dish." She picks up a fork and cuts in the pig.
'The point is to use the provided facilities and ingredients.' Kurapika thought as he watches Menchi taking a bit of the pig '…to highlight the main feature, the pork. In other words, the taste is insignificant!'
"GROOOOSSS!" Menchi yells throwing the plate in the air.
"Huh?" Kurapika gasp in shock by the sudden display.
"Presentation is important, but not at the expense of the flavor. You’re basically no better than Number 403.” She gives him an 'X'. While Kurapika feels like he got stab threw the heart by that statement.
"Haha!" Leorio laughs looking over at a dejected Kurapika "Better luck next time."
"No better than Number 403, huh?"
"No luck for you guys either, huh?" I ask walking up to them.
"Ah, Nagisa how did you do?" Gon asked.
"Oh…about that…" I gave them a strain smile "Yeah. I failed."
"Huh? What do you mean you failed?" Leorio exclaimed "We didn't even see you go up there."
"Look." I pointed over to my station. The boys blinked at the pile of dust sitting there.
"Nagisa…what happen to your station?" Kurapika asked.
"Hahahaha! Funny story you see…"
"Yoish!" I grunted placing the pig over the grill. Stepping back I gave the nob on the grill a wary look.
'Who knows you might pass.'
Yeah…right. It'll be a miracle if the pig doesn't burst into flames then turning into ash. I sigh before slowly putting my hand on the nob. "God…or whatever deity out there please let me get through this without screwing up!" I slowly turn the nob to low, better to start from there and see how it goes.
I watch as the flames slowly start up before it began to slowly cook the pig.
"Hah!" I gasp out happily. Yes it not bursting into flames! I can do the happy dance right now. "Okay, guess I can crank the heat up a bit."
And before I could even touch the thing…the damn thing burst into flames. And by 'damn thing' I mean the entire fucking station burst into flames. Including the kitchen utensils and they weren't even on the grill!
"Woah what the hell?!"
"That grill burst into flames!"
"How is that possible?!"
"ha…haha…haaa!" I collapsed on the ground and cried out "DAMN IIIIIIITTTTTTT!"
"Woah her station burst into flames!" Buhara exclaimed.
Menchi blinks "Looks like Lyza was right about her. I'd had a bit of hope when she started the fire."
"Guess that means she failed then."
Menchi sighs "Yeah…shame too, I would have like to see her pass. Oh well."
"Why does this keep happening to me?!" I cried.
"Wait…Your entire station burst into flames!" Leorio cried "How is that even possible?!"
I sigh "I don't know…Papa and I are still trying to figure that out. I'm even banned from the kitchen."
"That's got to be rough." Kurapika said.
"No kidding." I nod "At least Papa can cook… to a degree…we mainly do take-out the most."
"I see."
"Hehe…That was so much food." Buhara laughs patting his stomach "I couldn’t take another bite."
"Yeah, I'm pretty stuffed, myself." Menchi said getting up from her seat "So, none of you passed to the next phase. Exam’s over!”
"It's over?"
"What the hell?"
"Is this a joke?"
"Yeah! No more cooking!"
"I think you're the only who is happy about this…"
“Nobody passed?
"Are you serious?"
"Does she really mean that?"
"Wait, so the exam’s over?"
“You gotta be kidding!”
Suddenly over the disbelief voices a loud crashing sound is heard causing all of us to look over to see Number 255 glaring angrily at the Menchi.
“This is unacceptable. Do ya hear me? I will not accept this!”
"Say what you want, but you still failed.” Menchi told him.
"Shut the hell up! You asked for pork, and we gave it to you. We risked our lives--"
Menchi to cut him off "Your challenge was to prepare a pork dish that both examiners would find delicious, and none of you even came close to succeeding. You all did pretty much the exact same thing.” She then let out a scoff “I mean, it’s like you didn’t even try to figure it out. And when it looked like you had tried, it was just fancy plating with no flavor to back it up! It’s clear that none of you took this seriously.”
"yeah, but com on pork? No matter how you cook it, it’s still just pork." Number 294 sigh before letting out a startle yell when Menchi came out of nowhere grabbing his scarf and began to yelled at him.
"You wanna say that one more time?" She snaps "If I hear any more crap from you, I’ll shove my arm up your ass and knock your teeth out! Got it?!"
After Menchi ripped Number 294 to shreds, she sat back down on the chair with a huff “So, as I was saying, not a single one of you has the guts to cook anything remotely new or innovative.”
"Hey! Shut up!" Number 255 yells pointing a figure at her "I’m not here because I’m trying to be some gourmet cook, but a Hunter!”
"Yeah!"
“That’s right!”
“You tell her!”
Everyone else began to agree with him.
"My goal is to become a Blacklist Hunter, and no stupid Gourmet Hunter is gonna tell me I can’t.”
"Then it’s too bad that a stupid Gourmet Hunter is your examiner.” Menchi said back “Well, better luck next year, I guess.”
"Huh? Why, you…" Number 255 growled.
"Wow…his face is actually turning red!"
"Now's not the time, Nagisa."
"Don't mess with me!" Number 255 charged at Menchi fist raised in the air ready strike and just before he could Buhara sent out an upper cut sending 255 straight through the air making him it the wall before crashing down to the ground.
“…Woah.” I mutter in awe at the sheer strength in that punch.
"Buhara, please don't interfere."
"I’m sorry…" Buhara looked down at Menchi. "…but it kinda looked like you were gonna kill him if I didn’t step in.”
"Heh. Probably." Menchi stood and lo and behold she has to kitchen knives in her hand. When the hell did she get those…much less where?! "Let’s get this straight. We frequently venture into the dens of ferocious beats, in search of the finest ingredients.” She said as she walk down the stairs, stopping when she reach the bottom.
“And every Hunter is proficient in at least some form of martial art.” As she saying that she threw the knives in the air performing a trick with them. “You lack focus, and the will to experiment with new things.” Catching the blades she pointing them at us “And that alone disqualifies you all from becoming Hunters.”
Everyone went quite upon listening to that speech all processing what she just said.
“Well, that said, it seems a bit excessive…” A sudden voice echo loudly in the air catching all of our attention. Everyone look up to spot a blimp flying overhead. “…to fail every single applicant.”
"The symbol of the Hunter’s Association!”
Upon hearing that I took a closer look at the blimp and sure enough on the side is the Hunter’s Association symbol. Does that mean someone from the committee is trying to help us?
Then in a blink a figure jump out from the window, landing on the ground with a hard boom, causing a strong gust of wind to hit us, along with dirt and derby. When the dust cleared up and reveal an old man standing in the crater.
“…” I couldn’t help but stare at the old man in amazement. How the hell did he pull that stunt off without hurting his knees? Or legs for that matter.
"Hey, wait. Who’s the old man?" I heard someone ask.
"He is the Head of the Exam Committee, and he’s responsible for the Hunter Exam." Menchi explain. “Chairman Netero.”
Wait chairman?! This geezer?
"Oh, I just work behind the scenes.” Netero said. "It’s not all that impressive. I only intervene in the exams when little issues like this one pop up. Now, dear Menchi.”
"Sir."
"It’s come to my attention that you’ve chosen to fail all this year’s applicants, the reason being, as I understand it, their general reluctance to challenge the unknown.”
"No." Menchi replied. "I’m sorry, sir, but I snapped when a candidate insulted Gourmet Hunters. And I’m afraid I made the exam harder than necessary.”
…Well after hearing that, I can’t fully fault her. Just about everyone hear mock her upon knowing what the Second Phase was.
"I see, but it seems you’re aware that this exam was completely unacceptable." Netero concluded.
“Yes. It’s just that I get so emotional when food is involved. I’m not suited for this position.” Menchi admits “So, I must resign as examiner. Please let them retake the Second Phase.”
“Sadly, I can’t imagine where we’d begin to find an examiner on such short notice.”
"My deepest apologies, sir." She bow to him.
“Hold on, I have an idea.” Netero began “You continue serving as examiner, but you yourself must participate alongside this year’s applicants, in completing whatever challenge you chose.”
Menchi gasp in surprise by Netero proposal.
“Well, what do you say? Sound reasonable?” Netero ask “Surely that would make the applicants more comfortable with the results.”
"I suppose you’re right." Menchi grin “And I have just the thing for the new challenge. We’ll all be making boiled eggs!”
"Boiled eggs?" Everyone question.
"Chairman, since I see you brought your airship, would you mind taking us all to Split Mountain?"
“Split Mountain? Oh, I see. Yes, of course!”
After a two hour ride the blimp finally landed on Split Mountain. Never heard of a mountain being called that, till I saw the mountain in person and saw why. Now off the ship we all gather up at the edge of the cliff some of us looking down seeing how deep it goes and damn that is a fall.
"This is it.” Menchi said before point down in the tavern “Take a look at what’s down there.”
Following her instruction, I took a closer look and saw past the fog are webs sticking to both sides of the mountain.
"What is that?"
"A spider-eagle's web." Menchi inform us.
A…spider-eagle web?
I…don’t think I want to imaging what those things look like.
"They build their webs way down there?” Gon asked.
Then out of nowhere a strong gust of wind shot up.
"Look past the web to what’s underneath.”
Okay…looking closely at the webs I spotted something hanging from them "Are those…"
"Those are the spider-eagle eggs." Menchi said.
"Spider-eagles build their webs in deep ravines like this one." Netero explained. "It helps protect their eggs from predators. That’s what makes these eggs one of the most difficult ingredients to obtain. Also, the eggs are commonly known as ‘Dream Eggs’.”
"Hey, wait a minute…" 255 began "You don't mean we--"
"You bet I do" Menchi says walking closer to the edge before jumping down grabbing onto the web. Everyone let out a gasp of shock.
"Even if she grabs a few eggs…" Leorio began "…how’s she gonna climb back up?”
Good question.
"Ah, she let go!" I exclaim as we watch her let go of the web, grabbing hold of an egg before disappearing into the fog.
"Is she trying to get herself killed?" Leorio exclaimed.
"No, she's not." Kurapika spoke.
"Huh?"
Then out of nowhere that strong gust of wind came back and bringing back Menchi who grinned at us.
"That looks so fun." Killua said in awe.
"This ravine has updrafts that are crucial to the spider-eagles. Once they hatch, the wind currents help guide their newborn chicks as they fly up to safety.” Netero explained.
"There!" Menchi lands back on the ground holding out her egg "Now I just need to boil it and I’ll be set!"
"Y-You…You gotta be kidding!” Number 255 stutter looking at Menchi as if she grown a second head. "You mean, you really expect us to jump down there? That’s crazy!"
"I've been waiting for something like this!" Gon says grinning at us as we nodded back. I'm not a big fan of heights but this does look like fun. The five of us jump off the cliff each grabbing a string of web at the nick of time.
"Okay! Count me in!" 294 says as he jumps off too, which then began a chain reaction as others begins to jump down as well.
"Wait!" Menchi yells "I still haven't finished explaining everything!"
"Looks like just about everyone came down…" I said looking around.
"Man, I was hoping for some to back out." Leorio grumble.
"Hehe. Catch you later." A random person says letting go.
"What are we waiting for, let’s go!" Leorio eagerly says.
"Hold on!" Gon quickly told him. “Don’t let go yet.”
"Why not?"
"Isn’t it obvious Leorio?" I asked.
"There's no wind." Killua said.
"There updrafts don’t happen all the time.” Kurapika added.
"GAAAAHHHHHH!" And that's the screams of the fool who jumped to early.
"When do you think the next one comes along?" Leorio asked.
“Any minute now." Gon said.
GRR
"!?" The web that we are holding on dips down. "Shit. There's too many people on here."
"What?!"
"It would appear that the web isn’t strong enough to support all this weight.”
"Gon, can we go yet?"
"Damn, I can't wait for an updraft!" Someone yelled before letting go of the web followed by others. But like the first person they all fell to their doom.
"It's gonna snap!" Leorio yells.
"Now!" Gon shouted.
"About time" I yell letting go of the web as each of us grab hold of an egg and fell further down. Then… a gust of wind shot us back up to land. “All right!” I cheered.
"And the rest of you?" Menchi asked looking over to the others that didn't go down with the others. "I guess you quit."
"It takes courage to concede, too."
Everyone began to step up some fire while putting pots on top filling it up with water, before tossing their eggs in.
"Nagisa."
"Hm?" I look over to see Hisoka waving me over, who is standing next to someone with a lot of pins in their head. How the hell is the comfortable? "What is it, Papa?"
"I don't trust you starting your own fire so why not toss yours in here?"
"…Honestly you give out the greatest encouragements I have ever heard." I grumbled walking over and plopping my egg in the boiling water. "You know, you could have at least help me start the fire back there?"
"Hm, but then that'll be cheating."
"Oh, so now you want to follow the damn rules!"
"What are you talking about? I've always have."
"I call bullshit!"
As Hisoka and I argue back and forth we ignore pinhead reaching in the pot and grabbing an egg taking a bit out of it.
"…Good."
The applicants have learned that whether you're a Blacklist Hunter or a Gourmet Hunter, calling yourself a Hunter requires an enormous amount of determination. Only 42 applicants remain.
Notes:
Just a small heads up chapter 9 that's original plan to be out of Oct 3 MIGHT be delayed. Things in irl are getting very busy, but I'm hoping it won't get in the way for me to release the chapter. However, I wanted to give the heads up just in case if it does it'll be release when I get a free chance!
Chapter 9: Showdown x on x the Airship
Notes:
Hey guys sort of bad news, this story is going to be on hold for the whole month of October rest, which is why I'm posting this chapter early since I don't know when I'll get the free time to post this chapter. Reason being my younger sister is getting married late that month and with her wedding getting closer things are getting a bit chaotic in this house. There a lot more stuff going on but I won't go over everything.
The next chapter will be out on Nov 7 instead.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
After an everyone had their fill of the spider-eagle eggs, the sun had officially set marking the end of the day. Well, I guess that means the Hunter Exam goes on for a couple of days I guess, it did take Hisoka almost a week or so to come back from last time.
Once everything was clean up and put away Netero had all of us board the blimp once again, having everyone standing in the viewing deck room.
“I will now take the opportunity to introduce myself properly to the remaining 42 applicants. I am Netero, the Chairman of the Selection Committee for this year’s Hunter Exam. It’s a pleasure to meet all of you.” He greeted once again.
“And I’m his secretary, Beans.” The green little bean shape guy introduce. And hold on…wasn’t that the same person that greet Hisoka and I when we got off the elevator? He was the one to give us our badges.
“I had originally planned to make my appearance during the Exam’s final phase but, well seeing as how I’m already here…” He pause staring at everyone in the room making the tension feel a little high, making me—and probably everyone else—wonder if he is going to start the next phase or something. “I have to admit, there’s nothing I love more than this feeling of tension in the air.” He said with a smirk “So, I think I’ll stick around for the remainder of the trip.”
“We are scheduled to arrive at our destination tomorrow morning at 8:00 a.m. exactly.” Beans inform us “You’ll find dinner waiting for you in the dining hall. You’re also welcome to get some rest, of course. You’re free to do as you please until we contact you. The evening is yours.”
“Hey, guys! Let’s go and explore the airship!” Killua excitedly ask us once Beans had finished talking.
“Sure, I’m in!” I said, even though a part of me just wants to drop dead and sleep I am curious to know what else is on this ship.
“Yeah!” Gon also agree then the three of us took off only for us — actually me — stop in our tracks when a familiar voice call out to us.
“Oh. You plan on leaving your poor Papa behind again, dear Nagisa?”
Ignoring Killua questioning look — which had me realizing that Killua doesn’t actually know that Hisoka is my father — I tilted my head to stare at him. “Oh, I’m sure you’ll be fine Papa. It’s not like it’s any different from the time you’ve ditch to do god knows what for days on end.”
Hisoka merely shrug his shoulders with a grin “True. Well, don’t let me stop you from having fun then.”
With that he walk off and the three of us were about to resume our exploring until some clacking sound came closer behind me. I pause once again to turn around to see that pin head guy again staring down at me.
“…What?” His stare is making me feel a bit uncomfortable, the aura around him kinda reminds me of Hisoka. And I faintly recall catching the two talk a bit back while waiting for the First Phase to begin and them hanging out with each other while cooking the eggs. It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if the two are friends of sorts.
“…” Pin head man just continue to stare at me before walking with no explanation whatsoever, leaving me behind feeling confused.
“What was that all about, Nagisa? Do you know that guy?” Gon ask walking up to me.
“No, not a clue.” I said, “But I believe he might be acquaintance with my father.”
“Whatever the case, let’s just put it behind us and go explore.” Killua said and the three of us resume our original plan.
The sound of tapping from kitchen utilities tapping the plates echo in the room as the Examiners from the first two phase all sat around the table, eating their dinner.
“So. How many applicants do you think’ll make it this year?” Menchi ask them after taking a bit of food.
“You mean, who’ll pass the Exam?” Buhara ask.
“Yep.” Menchi nods “Looks like we’ve got a pretty impressive group here. Though, I did try to fail them all, sure. But still.”
“Gee, I don’t know. I guess it depends on what the other phases are.”
“That’s a good point. I hadn’t thought of that.” She admits. “But a few of ‘em stand out, didn’t you notice?” She reach down to pick a piece of fish “And one even hast his whole aura thing going on.” Putting the fish in her mouth she look over to Satotz and spoke, regardless of the fact that there is some food in her mouth. “What do you think, Satotz?”
“I’m inclined to agree.” He said putting both the fork and knife down on the plate “I quite like the rookies this year.”
“Yeah! Same here!” Menchi agrees. “I like number 294. I really think he’s got a good shot at winning.”
“I’m partial to number 99, myself.”
“He looks like a spoiled, selfish brat if you ask me. What about you, Buhara?”
“Who I think will pass?” Buhara wonder thinking back to all of the current candidates that remain “Well, he’s not a rookie but my money’s on number 44. I’m sure you guys must’ve noticed it, too, but when number 255 was throwing a fit, 44 was the one who looked like he wanted to kill somebody. He had this cold, intense bloodlust.”
After saying that the room got a bit tense.
“Of course, I noticed that.” Menchi said looking down at her plate “How could I not? It looked like he could barely restrain himself.” Then she pause to look back up to Buhara in confusion “Hold on, didn’t your realize? He’s been like that ever since we showed up. I’ve had a bad feeling about him this whole time.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.” She huff with an annoyed look “He’s the real reason I was so edgy during the Exam. I mean, he kept trying to pick a fight with me.”
“I had a similar experience.” Satotz adds after taking a sip of his drink “He should be carefully monitored.” He suggested before looking up at the two “Though it pains me to admit this, I feel we are all birds of a feather with him. But his affinity for darkness is infinitely stronger than ours. We Hunters, as you know, are constantly seeking out new rivals. And the Hunter Exam has no shortage of opponents, each perfectly qualified and worthy of respect.”
He pick his drink back up to take another sip before continue talking “And every now and then in our searches we encounter someone… Somone who chooses to surge forward when you or I would opt for the brakes. An anomaly of sorts.”
“…” Menchi and Buhara both stare at him in silence for a moment until a loud noise outside their door caught their attention.
“Hey! Kids! What are you doing? Stay out of the kitchen!”
“I’m guessing those three kids are causing a ruckus out there!” Menchi laugh, making the tension in the room leave the room and making the atmosphere a bit better.
“It would appear so.”
“Speaking of…” Buhara starts looking down at Menchi “I’m surprise you didn’t pick Lyza daughter as your top pick.”
“I must agree on that statement, regarding with how much you admire her.”
“Hey!” Menchi angrily huff with a small pout “Just because I admire Lyza and would totally love to see her daughter pass, I wasn’t gonna take it easy on her! I have standers you known.” She pointed her fork at them “If I seriously wanted her to pass I would have made my challenge a desert round!”
“That is true…” Buhara agreed.
“Besides, my bias opinion aside, I do believe she has the potential to pass. Given who her father is…” She grumble.
“I do have to agree, I suspect that she might be well versed in Nen.” Satotz said much to their shock.
“Wait, really?!” Menchi exclaimed.
“Yes.” Satotz nod “It was brief, but I was lucky enough to be near her for a short period of time. In that time, I detected a faint aura, to which I suspect she was suppressing at the time.”
“If she is cable of fully using Nen, then she would have a bit of an upper advantage in the Exam.” Buhara said.
“However… that entirely depends on what type of ability she has and what she can do.” Menchi adds.
“All very true.” Satotz said “I guess time will only tell.”
“True.” Menchi nods before letting out a sigh “Still though…what the heck did Lyza even see in that creep?!”
“I believe that is something you should ask her yourself.”
“Hey Nagisa, a question for ya.”
“Hm?” I look over to Killua wondering what he wanted to ask. The three of us are currently eating some food we took from the kitchen and sitting on a bench in front of the window, enjoying the city lights from below. “What is it?” I ask after swallowing my food.
“You called Hisoka, ‘Papa’, is he really your dad?”
“Oh yeah, you weren’t there when I told Gon and the others who he was.” I realized before giving him a nod “But yeah, he is, unfortunately, my father.”
Killua look at me in shock “Seriously?! Man, and I thought being related to my parents was bad enough.”
“Speaking of…” Gon spoke up then look towards Killua “Your parents. Are they—I mean…where are they?”
Hmm, that’s a good question. I already know Gon family history, but not Killua’s…or maybe I did long ago, back when I first started this series. It’s not like I can remember now, for all I know they could be dead.
“Hmm…” Killua pounder on that question for a moment before answering. “They’re alive. Probably.”
“Probably?” I repeat feeling confuse by that statement.
“What do they do?” Gon ask, and I’m not sure if he asking about what they do that would make Killua say on why he probably thinks they’re still alive.
“They’re assassins.” Killua bluntly replied.
“Oh…” I blink, now realizing why he said ‘probably’ with a job like that who knows if they’ll be coming back alive or not.
While saying that Gon look at Killua in surprise “They both are?” He genuinely ask, which had shock Killua for a moment there that had made him to burst out laughing.
“That’s your response?” He laugh “You really are a riot, aren’t ya?” Gon just look at him with a slight confused look on his face. “You guys aren’t the first person I’ve told about my parents, but you’re the first to take it seriously.”
“But it’s true, isn’t it?” Gon ask.
Killua gave him a serious look “Why d’ya think that?”
“It’s just a hunch.”
“Huh…” Killua stared at him for a moment before looking over to me “And what about you?”
“Well…” I slowly began thinking over on how I should word this. “It’s a bit hard to put it into words for me. You have…this feeling around you that says you’re not like your average kid. So, you saying you’re parents are assassin’s, just fit I guess?”
Killua went silent for a long moment before letting a sigh, laying his head on his arms that were folded over the counter. “Weird.” He began “Most of the time people only like me because they can’t tell if I’m serious or not.”
“Huh?” Gon let out a confused hum.
“I’m from a family of assassins, so yeah, they’re all in the business of murder.” He explained “And my entire family…they’ve got real high hopes for me. But, y’know…I can’t stand it. Who wants their whole life mapped out for ‘em?”
“…I don’t think anyone does.” I chimed in. “If I know someone is planning my whole life and won’t let me do the things I actually want, I would be pretty pissed.”
The thought of someone having plan my whole life and not let me do my own thing…that would frustrate me to no end. In my previous life I didn’t have that problem, I could do whatever I want as long as I had a good job.
But here…I don’t think Hisoka has anything plan for me…well beside wanting me to get stronger and for some reason wants me to take this damn Exam. Besides those two…I don’t think he really cares what I do with myself. But just the thought if he did…would I even be able to fight back?
The thought scares me to be honest.
“Right!” Killua nods “When I told them I wanted to decide my own future, they all flipped out. It was crazy! My mom had tears just streaming down her face and she kept screaming at me how I had the potential to be a top assassin.”
“Wow…” I raise a brow at that while Gon let out a strain laugh.
“Horrible parents, right? No wonder I’m rotten! Then we started fighting, so I slashed my mom in the face, stabbed my brother in the side, and ran away from home.”
“…” Gon and I could only look at Killua with disbelief. I…have no words for that.
“I’m sure they’re out for blood now.” He smirk at the thought, and I don’t know if that’s something one should be proud of. “If they all come after me, I’ll kill ‘em! When I get my license, I’ll hunt ‘em down to the last one! I’m willing to bet they got pretty hefty bounties on their heads.”
Strangely that thought gave me a sudden idea. Hisoka…does have a lot enemies…I wonder if he has a bounty on his head? Might be rude of me to think that…but I believe I’ll be doing a world of favor if I turn him in. That’s if…I can catch him.
After Killua finish talking about his family, we began to talk about other things, one of them was the time Hisoka first threw me in training back when I was five years old. That snake chase still haunts me to this day. Then suddenly in mid conversation a sudden burst of blood lust shot right at us.
Startle was stood up and spun around to the direction where it came from, but no one is there.
“Y-You guys did feel that right?”
“Yeah, sure did.”
“Something wrong?” A familiar voice call out from behind us. The three of us turn around to see Netero walking up.
“Mr. Netero…” Gon blink up at him before pointing his finger at the direction where the sudden disturbance we felt from before “You didn’t see anyone coming from that side, did you?”
“No, I didn’t.” Netero shook his head.
“You’re fast. For an old timer.”
When Killua said that it click to me that it was Netero who we’ve felt. But why did he do that in the first place? To test us or something?
“Oh. That trick? I just barely moved, that’s all.”
At that response Killua and Netero had an intense stare down. “What do you want?” Killua asked. “You don’t have anything to do ‘til the last phase, isn’t that right?”
“Now, now, no need to be so unkind. I just got a little bored, so I decided to look for some company.” Netero said.
“And you had to get our attention by pulling that stunt?” I mutter in disbelief, though Netero just gave me a smile.
“I’ve been meaning to ask you, any thoughts on your first attempt at the Hunter Exam?” He ask us.
“Yeah!” Gon nods happily “It’s a lot of fun! There haven’t been any written test yet, and I was kinda worried about that.”
“So that’s what would get you worried?” I look at Gon with a small smile “Honestly I would have preferred a written test instead of the cooking test we did.”
“I’m disappointed, honestly.” Killua bluntly said “I expected this to be a lot more challenging. But I assume the next phase’ll be more interesting.”
“Oh, well. We’ll see…” Netero hum looking off to the side.
Yeah he definitely knows something, and I’m gonna make a bet the next challenge will be an actual challenge compared to the last two. I mentally sigh, well guess that means I’ll need to be prepare for whatever it is.
Killua frown at him annoyed before turning around “Let’s go, guys.”
“Wait! Just a moment.” Netero quickly calls out making Killua to pause in his step and turn around to stare at him with interest. “Would you like to play a little game with me?”
“Game?” Both Gon and I asked simultaneously
“And to make it interesting, if you three can beat me, I’ll make you Hunters on the spot.”
“Really?!” Gon exclaimed in surprise “I’ll play!”
“I…suppose it’s better than doing another cooking challenge. So, I guess I’m in.” Don’t know about us being able to be Hunters on the spot, this is the chairman after all. I doubt it’ll be easy.
“…” Killua kept staring at him as he slowly turning around. I’m guessing his evaluating the offer that was given to us.
“What do you say? Well?” Netero grin with a knowing look in his eye.
Standing in some…training room, I guess? I don’t know the wall are padded so it so must some kind of place one can train in. Netero did lead us to this room to play a game.
Speaking of the man had changed his clothes and now wearing a simple black tank top and sweat, standing in the middle of the room bouncing a yellow-black ball on the floor. He held the ball in his left hand while his left leg is press on the calf of his right leg.
“Now, let’s go over the rules of the game. All you have to do is simply take this ball away from me. If you can do that before the airship arrives, you win.” Netero explained
We look over towards the clock on the wall seeing that it’s almost approaching 11 p.m. on the clock. If I recall Beans said we’ll be arriving by 8 a.m. so that would mean…
“So, let’s see. We’re scheduled for an 8 a.m. arrival, yes? Well, that’s not too bad. You still have nine hours left.” Netero said while spinning the ball on his left pointer finger. “And feel free to us any tactics you want. I will only defend. I promise.”
“Huh…” I blink at that. Any tactics we want? So…should I use my Nen? I secretly glance at both Gon and Killua, no it wouldn’t be fair to these two. I don’t sense any Nen aura from them. Guess I’ll just use my stander attacks then.
“That’s too easy!” Gon pointed out confused. “It’s… barely even a game!”
I would agree with Gon if it wasn’t for the fact that this guy is the chairman, you don’t get that title very easily and as they always say: Beware of an old man in a profession where men die young.
“Then why not give it a try and see if you’re right?” Netero prompted at him.
“All we have to do is take the ball?” Killua ask in wanting to clarify with him.
“Yes.”
“Then, I’ll give it a shot.” He stated.
Well with Killua going first it gave Gon and I a chance to watch how Netero would operate. Maybe we can figure out a way to get the ball from him, from that.
“Go right ahead.” Netero said.
We watch as Killua walk in front of us then it look like he is going to walk in a circle around Netero. Maybe he’s scanning him to see where would be the best place to attack first. I would have done the same.
“Huh?”
“Woah!?”
Gon and I let out a surprise gasp when suddenly it look like there are multiple Killua walking around Netero in a circle.
“Wha…” I blink multiple times trying to see if my eyes are suddenly playing tricks. Is…this Nen? Could I have been wrong about him, and he was surprising it? No…that can’t be right.
“I see a bunch of Killua’s!” Gon exclaimed in surprise.
“So, you’re seeing them too?”
“Yeah? How do you think he’s doing that?”
“I’m…not sure.”
All these mirror images of Killua is actually starting to hurt my eyes. Just how is he doing this? If I was in Netero position it would be a challenge to figure out where the real Killua is. Then in a blink Killua charge forward on Netero left side trying to grab the ball, sadly Netero was quick to defend and lean out of the way.
After that Killua tried almost every attempt to grab the ball, however each attempt fail and all Netero did was dodge around while chuckling. That old geezer defiantly found all of Killua attempts to be amusing.
“Oh wow!” Gon gasp out in awe.
“Getting that ball defiantly won’t be easy.”
A few more attempts later Killua landed on the ground and glare at Netero — who look back out him with amusement in his eyes.
“Is that all? How disappointing.” He said.
That comment seem to have pissed Killua off, as he spun around and took off straight toward Netero before ducking down and slamming his leg into Netero right leg. Both Gon and I winched at the loud smacking sound it made upon contact.
“Eeww…” I winched feeling the phantom pain of what that must have left.
“Ow! His pivot leg!” Gon flinched back with a grimace.
I don’t know what I was fulling expecting after that but instead of both of them crying out in pain, it was Killua who cried out jumping back and hopping on his right foot while holding his left leg. Netero merely look at Killua in shock.
“It…look like Killua needs a moment.” I mutter to Gon.
“Yeah, I think so too.” Gon nods before lifting his arm, calling out to Killua “Killua! Tag me, tag me! C’mon! Let me have a turn!”
Killua turn around and limp back over to us before clapping his hand on Gon raised arm, tagging him in. As Gon went up, I went over to Killua who sat down.
“You doing good?”
“Yeah, I’ll be fine.” He said, rubbing at his leg. I look down at it seeing it starting to turn a light pink color.
“Man, that kick sure did a number on you. What is his body made out of?”
“Don’t know, but my leg is still throbbing.”
“Hmm…” I dug around in my bag then pull out a can of numbing spray. “Do you want me to apply this to your leg?”
He look at it for a moment, as if giving it some thought. When he open his mouth to give me an answer a sudden bang rang through the room causing us to look back, just in time for Gon to fall down to the ground clutching his head.
“Did he…”
“Idiot!” Killua yelled out him angrily with his fist raise “We already know how high you can jump, so you don’t have to go all out! Focus!” He crossed his arms with a pout “You had a chance! He dropped his guard for a second!”
Gon got back up from the ground and began to walking around while rubbing the back of his head. “Well, that didn’t work.” He sheepishly said before taking off again.
“Hey.”
“Hm?” I glance back over toward Killua, who kept watching the match.
“I’ll take up your offer on the spray.”
“Oh, sure.”
Once getting Killua leg situated and asking if he wanted me to wrap up, to which he declined. We were brought back to attention at another bang, this time with Gon face planting into the wall.
“Seriously, Gon!” Killua yell out again.
I let out a sigh, putting the can away and taking off my bag putting it to the side. “Gon, let me give it a try.”
“Okay!” Gon hop up and ran over to tag me in.
I walk up making a stance in front of Netero before I made any moves I open my mouth to ask him a question. “You said we can use any means necessary to get the ball right?”
“That is correct. You can do anything you want, and I will only defend.”
I flick out one of cards holding it up. “Then you won’t complain if you get sliced up then?”
“Only if you can successfully hit me.”
“…” I felt my eye twitch.
I really shouldn’t be too made by that; I can tell even without using Gyo that Netero is way out of my league. He may be suppressing it, but I can tell that this man is strong I don’t think I’ll even win if I use my Nen ability…or that.
Sure, it might give me a slight edge in getting the ball…but I also don’t feel like answering the questions they’ll definitely throw at me at the moment. Some other time I will but not right now.
“Hmm…” I let out a hum and began to slowly wake around in trying to find a good striking point. From what I gather so far Netero is very flexible and fast, using normal techniques is almost impossible to work on him. Honestly if I had Hisoka Bungee Gum technique I could probably win this little match in no time. Sadly, I don’t have that ability.
For now, I just need to get that ball out of his hand!
Twisting my body, I threw three card covered in my aura to sharpen them straight towards Netero left side that is holding the ball.
Netero let out a surprise hum “So that’s how you plan to do this?”
As I had hope he began to lean his body back to avoid the cards, quickly moving on my feet I dash behind him and threw three more cards at the same arm before moving around to the other side to repeat the same process. Now he has the cards coming from behind and to his right at the same time and with him still leaning back he has limited option in his next move.
He could find a way to twist his body to dodge it, and I would just strike again while his in the process of doing so. I’m sure he has other ways to get out of this; I highly doubt my little trick would faze him in the slightest but well a girl can dream.
Netero let out grunt before tossing the ball high in the air, much to my. Not letting this chance got to waste I quickly jump up to try and grab the ball while Netero was in the process of dodging my previous attack.
“All most got it!” My fingers were just shy of grazing the ball when all of a sudden a shadow loom over me. “Huh—Ah?!”
Before I could even process what had happened I’m suddenly slam face first into the ground.
“Woo! That was a close on eh?” I heard Netero chuckling from above.
“Ow~!” I lifted my head up — feeling my noise throbbing in pain — to glare at him.
“That was some decent thinking there, forcing me to let go of the ball.”
“…You did that on purpose.” I grunted slowly getting back up to rub my nose, thankfully not feeling any blood on my hand. “You let me believe I had a chance to capture that ball, when you could have easily done a different way to dodge those attacks.”
“My, who knows?” Netero grin before holding up the ball “Would like to try again?”
“…” I narrow my eyes at him.
“Ow…” I rub my leg, letting out a low groan. “What the hell is his body made out of?” I pull a similar stunt that Killua did, but instead of kicking his leg I went for his side. Which in turn only ended up hurting me then him. “Geeze…”
Almost two hours have passed since we started this little game and none of us has gotten close to nabbing the ball from Netero. From all the sweat we’ve build up the three of us took our top layer of clothes off to try and cool down. Even with my cardigan off, I’m still feeling a bit too hot for my liking.
Gon and I stand on the side lines trying to catch our breath while Killua took another turn in trying to capture the ball. During the whole time, there was something I’ve notice about this little game… and I don’t know if I should be annoyed by it or not.
“Ow, ow, ow!” Killua groan leaning on the ground, holding his hand to his nose from where he was headbutt from getting hit from the back of Netero head.
“You kids aren’t getting anywhere, huh?” Netero smirk down at him with a mischievous look in his eyes. “Why don’t you three try attacking me at once?”
“…” Well, that’s an idea, we haven’t gotten anywhere in a 1 v 1. Perhaps our chances of succeeding will be higher if we attack at the same time.
Killua let out a low angry growl, shooting up from the ground to attack again as he scream “Why, you--!”
Gon and I glance at each other and nodded before taking off to join the battle.
“Okay! We gotcha now!”
Charging forward, we both attack only to get our ass’s whop, to no one’s surprise.
“Not bad!” Netero said. “But still not good enough.”
Not giving up the three of us kept charging forward, with all of our attempts failing. The last one resulted in us smashing our heads together, making us all yell out in pain. All while the old geezer laugh at us.
“Damn…” I growl glaring at the old man. We’re getting nowhere at this rate and I’m getting close to calling it quits.
“Guys…I have an idea.” Gon suddenly said, making Killua and I to look over at him.
“Oh, yeah?” Killua raise a brow at him.
Gon nod before getting into a running stance. “Yeah, wait for the right moment to strike after I make my move.”
“Huh…what do you mean by that?”
But Gon didn’t answer my question and instead just shot straight forward toward Netero —who just grin at him.
“Gotta say, your attacks don’t amount to much.” Netero smirk as he lean back to avoid Gon kick, but then to all our surprise the kick landed. Gon had kick his shoe off to increase his range.
“Hey!”
“Yeah!”
Killua and I charge forward upon seeing an opening. The kick had startle Netero enough for him to let go of the ball. Killua shot forward appearing at the back of Netero much to his surprise and landed a sharp kick to his back.
The ball went flying forward and Killua made a grab for it. “Now’s our chance!”
“I think not.” Netero said upon recovering from the blow, trying to twist his body around to kick Killua away from the ball.
“Like I’m gonna let you!” I yell kicking Netero in his chin flipping him back a bit from the ball.
“Ah?!” He let out a gasp of surprise.
“Guys now!” I yelled turning around to try and grab the ball.
“Right!” The both responded.
“Oh! Sneaky kids!”
“I’ve almost got it!” The three of us simultaneously said.
Then just when we thought we had the ball, Netero shot out of no knocking us away to the ground with a hard landing. Letting out a pain groan, I gave Netero a hard glare.
This guy…
I can feel the itch under my skin in wanting to transform or use my Nen. However, I just took a couple of deep breaths to calm myself down. Last thing we need is this ship to explode all because I let my emotions to get the better of me.
“Well now…” Netero began with a grin “Excellent teamwork! You get an ‘A’ for effort!”
Gon just look excited by that news…and probably at what just happened “You’re amazing, Mr. Netero!” He praised. “Really amazing!”
I click my tongue I look over to see the footprint Netero left behind. My eyes went wide upon seeing the scorched mark and smoke coming out of it.
The hell…?
Just how much force did he put into the jump?
“Ah, forget it.” I heard Killua huff and look over to see him standing back up with a frown on his face. “I quit. Ya beat me, all right?” With that he turn around to the direction of where he drop his t-shirt at.
Gon quickly got back up, looking over at Killua “Don’t quit! We’ve still got lots a time. And besides, we came so close just now.”
“Come on. You’re really clueless, aren’t ya?” Killua bluntly said picking up his shirt. “It’s hopeless.”
“Hm?” Gon look at him confused to which I let out a sigh and stood up.
“Gon…haven’t you notice that Netero never once use his right hand or left leg?”
“You caught it too, huh?”
“Wait…seriously?” Gon look between the both of us in surprise.
“Yeah.” Killua nods at him “He’s way too powerful for us, Gon. We could keep at this for an entire year and never get that ball.”
Gon look back at Netero in shock upon hearing that statement, as Netero relax his stance with an impress look on his face.
“Figured it out, did you? And here I was thinking I’d been pretty slick about it.”
“Oh! I get it now!” Gon said in realization.
“Hahaha!” Killua let out a mocking laugh “You sure know how to piss me off, old man. Let’s go, guys!”
I made a move to leave as well, giving that I’m feeling really exhausted and definitely don’t want to participate in a losing battle even more. “Right, I’m going to head on out too.”
“You too, Nagisa?”
“Yeah, I have to agree with Killua, we’ll never get that ball in the short time frame we have. Besides, I want to get some much needed rest before the next task.”
“I see…” Gon said before smiling again “Then, I think I’m gonna play a little longer.”
“Huh?” I blink at him in shock just as Killua pop back in at the front door and made a surprise noise himself.
“Hah?!” Killua yell as he rushing up to Gon face “Are you deaf? Didn’t you hear what I just said?” He angerly ask “Look! It’s pointless! You’ll never get the ball from him!”
“S’okay. ‘Cause I don’t really care.”
“The heck you mean by that?” I ask in disbelief at Gon’s smiling face.
“We’ve only used up half of the time limit. I’m gonna see if I can get him to use his right hand before the rest of it runs out.” He explained.
“…” Killua and I could only stare at him in shock before a sigh escapes my mouth. “Honestly Gon…where do you get all this confidence and energy from.”
“Hehehe…” He merely laugh at me.
“Fine. I get it.” Killua let out a sigh of defeat. “Well, good luck. I’m going to bed. You coming, Nagisa?”
“Yeah, I’m coming.” I wave Gon goodbye as I jog over to grab my stuff before heading out of the room a few steps behind Killua.
“You doing good?” I ask running up to him as he took his blue long sleeve shirt off, leaving his top body bare to the cool air of the ship. Honestly I felt a little jealous by that, can’t do that unless I want to flash him. One of the down sides of being a girl.
“Not really, that old geezer put me in a bad mood.” He grumble glaring down at the floor.
“Yeah…I feel you on that one.” I said looking down the hallway “I felt this strong itch in wanting to do something bad. If you didn’t call it quits I don’t know what I would have done.”
“Seriously?” Killua blink at me in shock “Just what would you have done?”
“Well…” I began before giving him a smile holding a finger up to my lip. “That’s a secret~.”
“Eh?!” He balk at me before getting an annoyed look on my face. “The hell you mean by that?”
I chuckle skip a bit to get in front of him “It’s exactly what I said, I don’t want to give away all my tricks while taking the exam.”
“…” Killua shot me a glare before heavying out a sigh “Fine. Keep your secrets.”
“Don’t pout too much, I’ll probably show you some day.”
Walking further down the hall I pause upon seeing the restrooms up ahead. “Hey, I’m going to wash up really quick. You go on ahead.”
“Yeah, will do. Catch you later.” Killua wave before continuing down the hall.
“Yeah, later.”
Notes:
Writing fights are not my strong suit, which is funny given that I'm writing a fic that set in a action type of show. Perhaps I'll improve over time the further I go down.
Chapter 10: The x Trick x Tower
Chapter Text
“Okay, so…where are we?” I wonder out loud looking around at the new location we were brought to. We had landed on a very tall cylinder-like mountain with an extremely tall cylinder-like tower. And at first glance there is nothing at the top of this tower, all there is are the other candidates and the blimp that flew us here.
“Ahem!” All of us look over at Beans who clear his throat loudly to catch all of our attention “Everyone, this is the site of the Hunter Exam’s Third Phase. You’ll be competing here at the top of the Trick Tower.”
“Did you say Trick Tower?” Someone ask.
“That’s correct! In order to pass this phase, you must reach the base of the tower alive. The time limit is 72 hours.” Beans explain the goal of the Third Phase “And with that, the Exam’s Third Phase will now begin. Good luck to each and every one of you.”
“We’re supposed to find a way down here?” I ask in disbelief, like how are we supposed to do that, I don’t see anything that would indicate how we are supposed to.
“I guess so.” Killua shrug.
“Any ideas, on what we should do?” Gon ask.
“No, not at the moment.”
“Then…why don’t we check out the edge? Maybe we’ll find a clue or something.” Gon suggested.
Killua and I look at each other for a moment before shrugging. “I don’t see any better options, you?”
“Same, might as well check it out.”
“Cool if we join you?” Leorio voice call out from behind us.
“Kurapika, Leorio!” Gon happily said “Sure, you can tag along as well!”
With two more people add to our little search team we all headed over to the edge and look down. And…wow…that…that’s far. I’m feeling a little light headed from just staring at that.
“Whoa!” Gon let out a gasp in awe as he got down to his hands and knees to look over the cliff, while the rest of us stay standing, leaning over to get a better view.
“Now what? Are we supposed to climb down?” Leorio questioned.
And what a valid question is that, since there doesn’t seem to be anything on top that would help us…we might just have to.
“Well, I hope not. That would be suicide.” Kurapika replied and I nod my head in agreement to that statement.
“Yeah…maybe there’s something else we can do. We could…have this plan as the last resort.”
“What, scared of a little height?” Killua teased at me.
“Hell no!” I snap at him “I don’t want to risk my life over something we could possibly avoid!”
“Guys…” I heard Gon let out a sigh.
“Hehe…” We heard someone chuckle behind us and turn around to see Number 86 standing there with his arms cross, and a confidante smirk on his face. “Guess, this is where I’ll shine.” He said before walking over to the edge and began to climb down the tower. “For an expert rock climber like me, this gonna be a piece of cake.”
“Oh, wow!” Killua hum as we all watch Number 86 make a quick steady pace down the tower.
“Look at how fast he’s going!” Gon said.
“Do you think he’ll actually make it to the bottom?” I wondered as the man figure slowly grew smaller the further he goes down.
“Does this mean…we actually have to climb down?” Leorio hesitantly asked.
Then…suddenly we hear this loud thudding like noise, the sound was loud enough for everyone on top of the tower to look up, trying to figure out where the sound is coming from. Even Number 86 had paused in his climbing.
“What is making that noise?” I ask looking around, then as if to answer my question these…weird shape creatures that look like they had a creepy body of a baby with wings flew around the tower. “What the hell?!”
We all watch in horror as the flew around, hearing the man down below screaming terror before one of them snatch him in his mouth before flying away.
“HELP ME!!”
Is the last thing we weird from him as the creatures flew off into the distance.
“Uh, so, I guess we can’t climb down, not this way at least.” Leorio shakily said.
“Yeah…” Kurapika slowly said in agreement.
I took a slowly carefully step back from the ledge. “Yeah…I’m gonna stay a bit of a distance from there.”
“Good point.” Gon crawl back a bit before standing back up. “So, what should we do next?”
“Good question.” Kurapika hum turning back around, looking at the layout of the top of the tower. “Perhaps there is another way that we aren’t see yet.”
“Should we split up and look for clues?” I suggested.
“Hmm, it’s not like there’s anything else we can do at the moment.”
“Maybe we’ll have better luck if we look around.” Leorio said.
“Then why don’t we split up and look around. If either of us find a clue we’ll meet up.” Killua said.
“Sounds good to me.”
“Same here.”
“Alright, then let’s do this.”
With that we went off our separate ways, Kurapika and Leorio going on one end to explore while the three of us went to the other direction.
“I wonder what clue we need to find, anyway.” Gon wonder looking around.
“If we go by the name-sake of the tower, then the answer is probably obvious.” Killua said, “We might just be overlooking the answer is all.”
“You think so?”
“Hey, guys.” I call out to him “Is it just me or are there less people up here?” I pointed toward the other candidates scattered around the floor noticing that there are less people here than before. Heck I can’t even find Hisoka, and that’s saying something.
“Whoa, you’re right!” Gon exclaimed. “Where did everyone go?”
“They probably find the clue to move down.” Killua wonder.
“Yeah, but what could it bbeeee!!” I yelp when the floor underneath me suddenly gave way, and the next thing I know I’m falling down. The last thing I heard were Gon and Killua shouting my name in surprise.
“Oof!!” I grunted at the sudden feeling of someone catching me during my sudden surprise fall. When I open my eyes, they went wide in shock upon seeing who caught me.
“Papa!”
Hisoka merely smirk down at me “My. Guess who decided to join me.”
“What the— how did I…?” I look back up to see the hole I fell in is suddenly close shut. “What…wait don’t tell me I…”
“You’ve feel in one of the trap doors of this tower.” Hisoka told me before putting me down.
“I see…so that’s how the other made it down.”
“Indeed.”
Damn, thanks to my sudden fall I’m unable to tell the others. My only saving grace is that Killua and Gon were near me when it happen. Hopefully they’ll find Leorio and Kurapika and tell the key on how to climb down.
“So, what are we supposed to do now?” I ask him looking around the room, taking note of how dark it is, and the only light is coming from the screen on the wall. There doesn’t seem to be any doors in this room for us to go through, are we supposed to find another puzzle or something for a door to appear.
“The monitor over there, tell us our next step.” Hisoka pointed to the screen.
“That thing?” I walk over to it, reading the words out loud “’The two who drop into this chamber must find their way down while keeping the other alive in order to pass. You’ll be making choices on which path to choice.’ Okay then…” I pick up the wrist bracelet on the table to see that it had the countdown clock, along with a heart monitor and an ‘X’ and ‘O’ buttons under neath.
I look over and saw that Hisoka already had his bracelet on his left hand showing the timer and his heart beat. “So, all we have to do is get to the bottom without either one of us dying?” I ask, slipping the bracelet on my left wrist.
“It would appear so.”
“Very good!”
“Huh?!” At the sudden voice being spoken the two of us look over to see a speaker on the top left of the wall.
“My name is Lippo. I’m the prison warden here, not to mention, your examiner for the Third Phase of the Exam.”
“Wait…prison warden.” I mutter in shock. Does that mean this tower is actually a jail?! Then does that mean we might run into the prisoners here? If so the task for us to stay alive might be a slight challenge. But given both of our skill level we should be fine.
“We’ve gone to the trouble of preparing multiple routes through the Tower, and the one you’ve chosen is the path of trust. If you want to pass, and I’m sure you do, keep your partner alive to the very end and you’ll pass, simple as that.” Lippo explained “If one person dies during the trip down then the other candidate will fail. Best of luck!”
With that the speaker made a clicking sound indicating that Lippo turn of the mic. Then upon hearing Hisoka chuckling I look over to him confused. “Uh, Papa…you doing alright?”
“Yes, yes, I’m doing good.” He said “I’m quite please that it’s you I’m partner with. Anyone else and I would be tempted to kill them, costing me my chance at passing.”
“…R-Right.”
Just then a rumbling noise is heard, and we turn to the direction to see a portion of the wall sliding up revealing a door, with a lock screen on it reading: At this door, select O to open, X not to open.
“Guess, this means we can move forward now right?”
“Agreed.”
The two of us selected the O option and with a click the door unlock and open revealing a hallway. I poke my head out to get a better look.
“At least there’s better lighting out here, then before.”
Walking down the hall, there didn’t appear to be anything that could be dangerous at first glance. It might be wishful thinking, but I do wish it would stay like this the whole way down, but I know better than to think that.
“Haa…”
“Hm, something wrong?”
“No, not really.”
Approaching the end of the hall we come across another lock room, with metal bars blocking the path on both sides. In front of us is another screen this time saying: Press the ‘O’ for the dangerous route or press ‘X’ for the safer route.
…I already know which route Hisoka will choice. It really takes no brainer for one to figure out just by being near this guy. Still…
I look down at my bracelet I really want to take the safe route, for my own sanity sake.
Stare
“…”
Beep
The dangerous path open on our left, allowing us to move forward.
That fucker.
I really am starting to question if the path we chosen is really the dangerous path. Looking at my wrist see the time; it looks like we’ve been walking down this hill for almost ten minutes with nothing happening so far.
“Was there a glitch in the system or something?” I wondered out loud.
The only dangerous thing I could see in this hall is Hisoka, who is causally walking ahead of me with no care in the world.
“Perhaps.” Hisoka hum glance back at him “Frankly I’m a little disappointed so far.”
“I’m not.” I bluntly replied, “I quite like the nice quiet stro—holy shit!” I leap back just in time to avoid arrows that suddenly flew out of the wall.
“The hell?!”
“Well, now how curious.”
I quickly got back up looking at the arrows that were pierced into the walls, if I haven’t reacted in time that could have killed me.
“Why did the arrows struck at me instead of you?” Hisoka is walking a few feet further ahead so it would make logical sense that if those arrows were going to shot, Hisoka would have been targeted first.
“I believe it’s because of that.” He pointed to the ground.
“Huh?” Looking down I saw one of the stone bricks in the floor is further down in the ground compared to the others. “A trap floor? How did I…?” How could I have not noticed that I step onto a trap? I can only think it was because I was talking to Hisoka that I didn’t notice.
“So, that’s how it’s going to be.” I look back up to Hisoka as he look further down the hall “It would seem this floor is rigged with traps.”
“I see…” Walking up to him I look down at the floor “If that’s the case it would be hard to tell which tile is a trap or not.”
“Indeed. We’ll just have to watch our step then.”
“Right.”
…Yeah easier said than done.
I seem to have the most rotten luck ever on this path…and I blame Hisoka for it! I wanted to take the safer route but nooo, Hisoka wanted to take the dangerous path. And I’m the one suffering for it!!!
How is that fair?!
After the first trap and being cautious about our step, I have been get hit with trap after trap after trap.
One cause the floor under me to open up, and the only reason I’m not impaled by all the spike down there is thanks to Hisoka quick reflexes in catching me. Another is when spike had actually shot up from the floor forcing me to bend my body in ways I never knew was possible, all so I can avoid being impaled. Hisoka had to use his Bungee Gum to safely pull me out.
The next trap however…
“Oh, look at tightrope laying in the middle of a massive pitfall, with spikes at the bottom. What could go wrong.”
Yeah, before us is a 30-foot long pitfall, with spikes at the bottom and is that…skeleton bones down there? Whatever don’t give it much thought, Nagisa for your own sanity. It would appear that the only way across is to walk the rope that is tide around a metal pole sticking out of the ground. The rope at glance looks sturdy so it probably won’t snap on us.
“Hmm…” Hisoka walk over to the rope and push down on it a couple of times. Probably to test the firmness of it. “Nagisa, I want you to go first.”
“Huh?!” I look at him in disbelief. “Why?!”
“To catch you in case you fall, of course.” He gave me his signature smirk “It would be difficult if you were behind me.”
“Why do you assume I’m going to fall, anyway? For all you know I’ll probably make it just fine.”
“Then…” He wave his hand towards the rope “Why not prove me wrong?”
“Errr…!!” His lack of faith in me is pissing me off.
Things were going well, getting across the rope. I was pleasantly shocked that it was able to hold both of us at the same time. We were steadily making progress getting across the rope, I had a few hiccups on suddenly tilting too far on one side but quickly fix my position. This is definitely a real test in one’s balance that’s for sure.
I want to say we were almost 10 feet in when all of a sudden a strong burst of wind from underneath shot right up. Because I was aware of it, the sudden shock of it had me loosing balance completely, causing me to fall off the rope. The feeling of my body suddenly going light and seeing the spike getting closer to me had me terrified.
My only saving grace is Hisoka quick attacking in using his Bungee Gum, stopping right before my face smack against one of the spikes.
“Ah--!!” I scream in fright staring directing at the sharp pointed end of the spike, I tilted my head up to see the Bungee gum attach to my left ankle. On top of that I spotted that Hisoka feet are covered in it too. Guess that explains why he didn’t suddenly lose balance at the sudden surprise wind attack.
“Whoa!” I yelp when I’m suddenly pull back up, and instead of putting back on the rope Hisoka — the asshole — held me under his arm as he continue on down the path. “Seriously?!”
You know the one thing I notice about this whole experience ever since walking down this path was that Hisoka had found enjoyment with every trap I’ve fallen for! That asshole found this whole thing funny!
Again.
Why am I the only one suffering in this and not him?!
“Finally!” I happily cheered upon walking into another choice room “We’re out of that hellish hallway!”
“I was honestly disappointed.” Hisoka pouts “I was hoping for something more exciting.”
I shivered at the sudden look in his eyes, muttering ‘weirdo’ under my breath before looking around the room we’re now in. It looks similar to the other room we were in before. Metal bars blocking our path and a screen in front of us to make another choice.
Press ‘O’ to take the dangerous path that could lead to guaranteed death or press ‘X’ to take the slightly safer path.
“Hmm~” Hisoka let out a hum raising his hand to press a button that I just knew he was going to press.
“I want to take the safer path!” I yell out him, making pause from pressing the button, much to my relief.
“And where is the fun in that?”
“Seriously? After what you made me go through for picking the path you wanted, you owe me!” I pressed the ‘X’ button on my bracelet. “And besides, it says ‘slightly safer’, maybe you’ll find something interesting down there.”
“Doubtful.” He pouts before letting out a sigh and pressing a button on his bracelet “But fine, we’ll do your way then.”
“Thank you.”
RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE
“How the hell is this a slightly safer path?!” I cried out in frustration as Hisoka and I ran down the hill as fast as possible, while a giant boulder rolled down behind us.
When the path opens and made our way over the first thing I notice compared to the last path is the down hill slope of hit.
“Is it just me…or is this path tilted a further down.”
“It does look that way.”
While I am curious as to why it’s design that way, we just continue on down. It was quiet for some time before I look over to Hisoka and ask a question that has been bugging me for almost two years now. And given where we are at I might as well ask him.
“Hey, Papa there’s something I’ve been wondering about…”
“Hm?”
Hisoka look down at me from the corner of his eye. I stare back, taking a deep breath in before asking the question. “Why did you even want to become a Hunter anyway?”
That’s the thing that has been on my mind for a long time, despite being around him for 12 years I’ve never been able to figure it out. I don’t know what the OG Hisoka reason was and I’m only making a guess — though I’m sure I’m wrong — that maybe this Hisoka has the same goal as me. To get info on Lyza.
I had already known for a long time that despite all the travel to clench his thirst for a good challenge, Hisoka was also searching for any leads regarding her. The closest we got was the Heavens Arena.
Unfortunately, not long after we join it would have appeared that Lyza left. After that Hisoka hasn’t made much effort into finding her, making me think for a bit that he just gave up.
“To be frank, I don’t.”
“Huh?” That response caught me off that I almost trip. I snap my over to Hisoka looking at him in shock. “Then why the hell are you taking it?”
Then what is the point in taking it twice?
“However…” He closes his eyes for a second before a smirk grew on his face and he open them back up. “A Hunter License can be incredibly useful.”
“Yeah…?” I raise a brow at him feeling a bit confused and unease — mainly due to the look on his face, it’s a look I’m familiar with and one I don’t want to be in front of. I’m already aware of the usefulness of a Hunter License is, so what about it caught Hisoka eye?
“With a Hunter License, Hunters can often kill without any fear of prosecution.”
…That’s it?!
“Like that has ever stop you.” I bluntly mutter.
“Indeed. With the License I can go to place no other normal person can go and perhaps I’ll find even more wonderful fruits to play with. Hmhmh~”
A shiver went down my spine at the face he was making. “Would you caught that out, with your predatory face!!” And he wonders why I still came him Papa-Pedo at times.
Honestly…
So, Hisoka doesn’t have interest in looking for Lyza then? He just wants an excuse to fight strong people and worry about being charged if he kills them. Honestly that fits him. I’m a little disappointed by his answer but at the same time it doesn’t fully surprise me. I guess he did decide to give up his search for her. But why now after 11 years of searching?
I glance at Hisoka from the corner of my eye. He’s probably not giving me the full answer.
“Now, it’s my turn to ask.” Hisoka turn his head to me. I look at him feeling confused by what he meant by that “Why do you want to become a Hunter?”
.
.
.
.
“…Eh?”
Did…
Did I hear that right?
What does he mean by that?
Am I missing something here?
“The hell kind of question is that?!” I exclaim pausing in my steps as Hisoka to pause, turning around looking at me “You’re the one who turn my application in without my consent or have you forgotten that?!”
“I haven’t forgotten in the least.”
“Then why—”
“It was your face.”
“Huh?” I blink at him, confused by what he meant. “My…face?”
Hisoka nods at me with a small smile “Back on Whale Island, you had this determine look in your eyes. To me it look like you had goal in mind, and it made me curious to what it could be. So, why do you want to become a Hunter?”
“…” I let out a sigh before resuming our walk “For the information network.”
“Oh~.” Hisoka hum “Let me guess, to look for your mother.”
“!?” I flinch at that before shooting him a surprise look. “How did…?”
Honestly, I never really kept the reason from Hisoka because I was worried what his reaction would be. I doubt he would have really care if I wanted to search for her. I just…never deemed it important to tell him. So, I was a bit shock that he figured it out.
“Come now.” Hisoka pouted “What kind of father would I be, if I didn’t know my own child. You always had this curiosity look on your face whenever the rare times I would mention your mother around you. Perhaps I’m a bit to blame for not telling you much.” He shook his head.
“No, that’s…” I hesitated a bit, trying to find the words to say.
I never really blame him for not telling me much about her. Sure, I’m curious in wanting to know a bit more about her, I mean what child wouldn’t be. I just…never once view Lyza as my mother. She just someone who gave birth to me a left, leaving me with Hisoka. If anything, all I want is some answers, I don’t want to reconnect to try and form a family. Despite how Hisoka act whenever Lyza is brought up, I’ve seen the cracks that he tries to hide behind. Her leaving had really hurt him.
And that makes me mad.
So, all I want from her are answers. If the two want to try and reconnect that’s up to them, I’m not going to force it upon them if they don’t want to. And despite what type of person Hisoka is, he is my father. And that’s all I really need. I don’t need a mother; I already had one in my past life and that’s enough for me.
“It’s true…that I want to search for her.” I said looking down at the ground. “But maybe not the reason you’re thinking about.”
“…”
“I know you’ve tried to hide it…but…” I clenched my fist “I’ve seen whenever you look at that picture or talk fondly about her. You have this sad aura…this sad look, on you whenever you try to think I wasn’t paying attention too. I know when she left it had hurt you. And despite what you or anyone else thinks…” I snap my head staring at him with tears in my eyes. “You are my father, and I do care for you, I don’t like the fact that Lyza had hurt! And it makes me so mad.”
“Nagisa…”
“The only reason I want to search for her is answers! I’m not looking to reconnect as mother and daughter. She burn that bridge when she left. All I want to know why she left, and hurt you at the cost, and it better be a good one!”
It was silent for a moment after my speech; the only sounds were my sniffling from trying to calm myself down. Then not a moment later, I heard Hisoka let out a sigh before he walk up to me. I let out a small gasp in surprise when I’m suddenly being pulled to his chest and feeling him hugging me.
“…I suspected for awhile that you wanted to search for your mother.” He slowly began “But I never knew it was to this extent. What a terrible father I am, not knowing that my efforts to spare you from my feelings had hurt you. For that I’m sorry.”
“…!?” That apology had shocked me for I was never expecting it, nor did I really need it. I shifted my head to look up at him, but Hisoka tighten his grip on my head preventing me from moving it. I let out an annoyed huff before raising my arms to hug him back. “Don’t apologize…” I mutter into his chest “Seriously. Don’t. It’s sounds weird coming from you.”
Hisoka suddenly let out a bark of laughter in surprise, as I felt his chest vibrate from the noise. “Fine, fine, I won’t.” He let go of me stepping back a bit. His face had a softer look one that I don’t see very often as he smile down at me before patting the top of my head. “Is that your reason then?”
“…Yeah, it is.”
“I see…well that’s it then. I won’t tell you what you can or can’t do whenever you do finally see her.” He paused before giving me a serious look “Let me ask you this, however, how would you feel if I decided to kill your mother.”
“As long as I get my answer first, then I don’t care what you do.” I said looking dead into his eyes to show that I really meant by what I said.
“Oh?”
“I can’t miss something I’ve never had.”
And it’s true, Lyza could never replace what I had with my own mother. Even if she was around instead of leaving, she could never replace the relationship I had with my previous mother. So, if Hisoka wants to kill her it wouldn’t bug me in the slightest, all I’ll feel would be sorrow towards him…for having to kill something that was once dear to him.
“I see…” Hisoka hum before turning around to continue walking, I quickly follow behind him.
“By the way…” I began again “…there’s something else I wanted to ask.”
“What is it?”
“Why did you want me to take this exam anyway? I have a reason now in wanting to take it, but before I never really had any desire to do so.”
Hisoka look down at me with a close eye smile “Well, it’s because I thought it would be a great bonding experience for the both of us!”
“…What.”
“Yes, I was hoping we could bond together and see how much you grown over the years, but alas…” He sigh with a shake of his head. “You left your poor ol’ Papa alone before the exam even begun.”
“Huh…” Hisoka, wanted to me take this blasted exam…just so we can have a father and daughter moment? Am I hearing that correctly? He wants to bond over one of the most dangerous exam in the world. Why does that surprise me? It totally fits him. He would pull that stunt off. And better yet…is he pouting? Because I’m haven’t been spending time with him during the exam?!
“I’m happy truly.” He continued “That you’ve made some friends, I just wish you remember that you dear Papa is also here.”
“…”
Holy shit the clown is actually jealous.
I…I don’t know what to say to that.
And thankfully — or unfortunately — I didn’t have to as the floor underneath us began to shake.
And that’s how we ended up here running for our lives as a massive boulder chase after us. Now I know why the floor is slanted down, it’s for the damn rock!
“This was not the kind of danger I was hoping for.”
“Is this seriously the time to complain?!”
We’ve been going at this for at least seven minutes. When we took this path I didn’t expect the ‘slightly safer’ part meant getting crushed by a boulder?! Shouldn’t this be something in the ‘guaranteed death’ path?!
“Aaahhaaa, is there a switch or a door to help us out of this messy?!” I cried, picking up my past to try and put as much distance between me and the bloody boulder.
“Hm~!” Hisoka merely hum through all this chaos and pointed up ahead. There I saw an open entrance in the side of the wall.
With a cry of joy, I quickly dash into pitch dark room — not even caring at that point if it was a trap or no t— and collapsed to the ground to catch my breath. “Oh, thank god! We’re out of that mess.”
“Not quite yet.”
“Huh?”
I look up at him confused when suddenly the door behind us close shut and suddenly the room begin to light up as candles, that apparently sitting on some staircase magically lit on fire. From there we saw a man sitting across from us.
“Who…?” I mutter, standing back up.
“I’ve been waiting for you.” The man said before looking up at us with a smirk. “Hisoka.”
“You know him?” I ask pointing a finger at the man. There wasn’t anything remarkable about the man at first glance, the only thing that caught my eye were the scars on his face.
“Yes, he’s the incompetent examiner from last year.”
“Incompen—wait!” My eyes went wide at the sudden realization “This is the you guy attack last year?!”
“That’s right little lady.” The man grin as he glared at Hisoka as he stood up to his feet. “Ever since the last Exam, all I’ve ever thought about is killing your dad.”
That statement had me frowning at him. Him? Killing Hisoka? That’s laughable. But the thought of someone saying directly to my face kinda pisses me off.
“See, I’m not an Examiner this year, I’m only here for revenge for all the scars he gave me.” He explained as if I’m supposed to feel some kind of sympathy for him. But, yeah, no, that probably the most stupidest reason I have heard in wanting to get revenge for. Like buddy, you should have been prepare on the off chance if a candidate chooses to attack you.
“I wasn’t expecting you to take the trust path, but this will my payback all the better.” He slowly took out a curved sword at his side then pointed it at me, much to my surprise “What better way then to kill your daughter make get dis—augh?!”
I too froze in place at the sudden deep malicious blood lust that filled the room. I slowly look out of the corner of my eye and went wide in fear. The blank murderous look on Hisoka’s face…even when using Ten to protect myself from this feeling, I can still feel my legs shaking.
I almost feel faint from the feeling.
If I’m feeling it this badly, then that man who is feeling the full burnt of it must be having it worst.
“Let make one thing undoubtfully clear here.” Hisoka began, eyes glaring into the man in front of him “I could careless at your pitiful attempt in revenge for those scars I gave you. Attack me all you want, however lay a finger or blade on my daughter and I’ll make your death brutal.” He growled “Don’t blame my daughter for you inadequacies.”
I happen to glance back over to the man seeing his pale face as his body is shaken with fear. Then as if the man slowly got his composer together, he pull out another curved sword “Shut up!” He yell spinning the blades in his hands. “Fine then! I go with my original plan and kill you instead and make you daughter watch!”
Hisoka let out a low hum as his blood lust receded a bit, making it easer to breath. “Two-blade style, huh?”
To my amazement Hisoka actually let out a surprise gasp when the man tosses the blades in the air, pulling out two more from behind his back.
“All-direction four blade style!” The man proudly said. “Take this!” He then threw the blades at Hisoka who quickly dodge the attack, while I yelp running off to the side to avoid the blades. While they weren’t directed at me, they came a little to close for my likening.
The man grab the blades that swung back at him and charge at Hisoka, who jump back to avoid the attack.
“Look out!” I yell upon spotting the first two blades that he threw in the air suddenly charges at Hisoka. He thankfully dodge them but received damage on his right shoulder and left side. “Papa!”
“I’m fine.”
“Hah, ‘fine’ you say!” The man laugh tosses the blades in hands into the air then caught the ones that hit Hisoka “Let’s see if you can keep that composed face of yours up!” He yell before tossing the blade back towards Hisoka.
I could only watch in a mixture of worry and awe as Hisoka was able to gracefully doge every attack after that.
“Haha! Up, down, left, right, you’ve got nowhere to run!” The man exclaimed throwing sword after sword towards Hisoka “You’re going to be cut up from every angle by my endless barrage of blades. You can’t dodge my attacks forever.”
At that a surprise gasp escapes me when one of the blades come flying towards me. “Shit…!”
I need to move!
I twisted my body to prepare myself to doge, but the blade is coming to fast. In that split second my vision sudden went dark and I felt something warm and firm covering me.
“Huh…?” I lean back and to my surprise and horror, Hisoka had jump in front of me taking damage from the blade that was originally aimed at me. What’s even worse is that I can see it sticking out from over his shoulder. “Papa…the…blade…”
“Hahaha!” I heard the man laughing in glee “I knew you would jump in front of that attack to protect your daughter, Hisoka!”
“Hm, that so?” Hisoka said in a calm voice as he slowly release his hold of me and pull the blade out of his back.
“Ah!?” I gasp reaching a hand out as if to stop him, as he turn around to block me from the man’s view.
“That’s right, and I’m going to keep going at this until I have you writhing in pain!” The man replied before a familiar sound of a blade being thrown fills the air.
“Now, see, I’m pretty sure I said…” The man and I let out a gasp — more surprise from me and horror from the man — as Hisoka caught the blade that was thrown at him. “That is if you dare targeted my daughter, I would make you pay.”
He began to walk up to the man while holding the blades at his side, as he got closer I could see the man pale face eyes filled with horror as Hisoka walk closer to him. “Well…perhaps it’s your lucky day.” Hisoka said holding up the blades “You see, I don’t want to traumatize my daughter, so I’ll make this quick.”
The man took a fearful step back before screaming “Damn it!” Right before Hisoka sliced his head off.
“…” I could only watch as the head fell down and hearing the body collapsing on the floor. I swallow the urge to through up as I continue to stare at Hisoka’s back, doing everything I could to not glance at the body. “Papa…”
“You’re not hurt correct?” He said with his back still facing me.
“Y-Yes, I’m not hurt…but your back.”
“Good.” He toss the blades to the ground turning around to face me with his signature look. His still mad, I thought as I stare at him. “We’ll worry about my wounds later, once we’ve completed the Third Phase.”
“R-Right.”
It’s moment like these that I’m reminded of how dangerous Hisoka truly is, and sometimes…I can’t help but to feel a bit afraid of him.
The stone door open reveal a large empty circle room with multiple door covering the wall. Hisoka walk out first and just then a robotic voice speaks out.
“First to pass the Third Phase Hisoka, number 44. Time elapsed, six hours, 17 minutes.”
“I’m guessing this is where we wait for the others.” I said walking further into the room.
“Second to pass the Third Phase Nagisa, number 45. Time elapsed, six hours, 18 minutes.”
“Were we really in there for that long?” I wondered walking over to Hisoka who sat down near a wall that didn’t have a door on it. “It felt longer than that.”
“It did, didn’t it.” He hum pulling out his deck of cards “Now we just have to wait until the time runs out.”
“Yeah…while we wait.” I brought forth my Bubble Trumpet and giving Hisoka a stern look. “Take your shirt off so I can heal your wounds.”
Hisoka glance at my trumpet then at my face before letting out a sigh. “Fine.” He pulled his shirt off tossing it in front of him. A quick glance at it show the majority of his shirt is stain red with his blood. That probably could have been avoided he had let me treat it sooner. He got up to turn around showing his back towards me allowing me to see the extent of the damage.
I look over his back taken not of the smear blood stain covering the majority of his back thanks to the open wound, still slowly spilling out blood. I glance over to the other wounds on his shoulder and side and saw they have stop bleeding, meaning that they weren’t as deep as a cut as I first thought.
The one on his back however…
“I really, wish you had just let me treat you at the first moment…” I sigh before bringing the trumpet up to my mouth. I blew into it while pushing down the middle knob, three bubbles flew out going toward each wound. With a pop, I watch as all three wounds slowly close leaving no scar behind.
“There down.” I said as I made the tool vanish into thin air.
“So, it seems.” Hisoka patted each spot were the wounds originally were before turning his head to look at me “I’ll always be impressed by what that trumpet of your does.”
“…You’re such a weirdo, you know that?”
“I’ve been told.” He smirk lean forward to pick up his shirt, putting it back on.
I let out a sigh and sat down next to him, “I think your shirt might be a lost cause.”
“Without a doubt.” He held up his hand holding his deck of cards “Feel like playing a few round to kill time?”
“Son of a--!” I growl throwing the cards to the ground as I pointed my finger at him “I know you’re cheating, asshole!”
“Hmm, it’s quit rude to throw such accusation.”
“It’s not an accusation if it’s true!”
Rumble
The sound of another door open stop me from wanting to strangle Hisoka as we both look over to the Pinhead guy walking out.
“Gittarackur, applicant 301, is the third to pass. Time elapsed, 12 hours and two minutes.”
Gittarackur…so that’s his name…I’m going to keep calling him Pinhead. That name is way to completed to remember. Also, who even names their kid that? God I hope it just an alias or something.
Pinhead let out a chuckle when his head turn to us or more accurately at Hisoka. “Something told me you’d already passed the finish line.” Is it just me…or does his voice sound a bit distorted?
Hisoka look up at him with a grin “That so~”
“You seem awfully damage.”
“There no need for worries.” Hisoka look back down shuffling his cards. “My dear daughter already treated my wounds.”
“Is that right?” I shiver upon him staring at me, feeling the weird vibes again from last time I was near him. “So, this is the daughter you keep talking about. How curious, she also knows Nen?”
“That’s correct.” Hisoka says.
I look at both of them confused “Wait, you two know each other?”
“Acquaintances of sort.” Pinhead says while looking down at me “You have my deepest condolences for having him as your father.”
“Hey now.”
I raise a brow at him “Same to you. I also apologize for whatever headache he’s given you. I doubt you really enjoy listing him ramble about me.” I’m honestly surprised that Hisoka actually talks about me to strangers…and I honestly don’t want to know what those talks even intel.
“I haven’t.” Pinhead said with zero hesitation “I’ve gotten close to killing him because of that.”
“Justifiable.”
“Hmph!” Hisoka pouts looking off to the side “My very own daughter and friend gaining up on me. How rude!”
“Then don’t give us a reason to.” I deadpan.
He only shrug showing that us, bad talking him didn’t bother him in the slightest before looking up at Pinhead. “Care to play round?”
“Hard pass. You’ll just cheat.”
“I knew it!” I exclaimed ignoring the stare coming from Pinhead.
Hisoka huff with a pout. “How rude. Accusing someone of something so horrendous.”
“All right!!” A voice yell out interrupting me from chewing Hisoka out. Looking over to see that Ninja cosplay guy running into the room just as the speaker made its announcement.
“Hanzo, applicant 294, is the fourth to finish…”
“I’m the first one to finish!” Hanzo cheered before he turn to see us. “What the…” He blink at us in confusion before a realization dawn on him.
“Time elapsed, 12 hours and three minutes”
He grabbed his head with hands and let out a defeated cry. “Ooohh! I don’t believe it. I came in fourth place.” He cried while falling to the ground on his hands and knees.
“Dramatic much?” I mutter under my breath, which had Hisoka chuckling.
More and more time pass and more candidates made it into the room. With every new door opening, I perk up hoping that I would see my friends only to be let down when it’s not them. I glance at my watch seeing where the countdown is.
There is only three minutes left on the timer. I frown in concern looking back up scanning around the room, just what is taking Gon and the others so long?
“It’s finally over, huh?” One of three brothers Number 199 say, making me frown in displeasure.
It’s not over until the clock hits zero.
“Yeah.” Number 198 nods in agreement “Feels like it took forever.”
I glance back down at the watch seeing it almost nearing the two minute mark. Then suddenly the sound of a door opening had me perking up. I look over and to my disappointment again it wasn’t my friends. Instead worn out dirty man walks out of the doorway.
“I…I…made…it.” The man collapsed onto the ground, unmoving.
I blink feeling a little concern for the man, and it would appear the brothers might be worried too…or maybe curious to know if the guy is still alive. I watch as they walk over to the body and saw as Number 198 bending down to touch his neck.
“He’s dead.” He said.
“Damn, what a moron.” Number 199 bluntly said “It’s better to survive and try again next year than to pass and die tryin’.”
Harsh, but I have to agree with him.
“One minute remains.”
“Looks like it’s jut the 19 of us that are already here.”
“!!” I went stiff at the announcement feeling the worry build up even more when there is no sight of Gon and the others.
They have to make it!
They’re the main characters; there’s no way they’ll fail…unless somehow I changed something without knowing…but that can’t be right.
Then suddenly another rumble of a door open is heard making all of us to look over.
“No way…” My eyes went wide at the sight before me.
“Kurapika, number 404, is the twentieth to pass. Killua, number 99, is the twenty-first to pass. Gon, number 405, is the twenty-second to pass. Time elapsed 71 hours and 59 minutes.”
“Boy, my butt hurts!” Killua complains. “I certainly wasn’t expecting the short and easy path to be a slide.”
“Even with that big slide, that was really close!”
“Haha, my hands are covered in blisters.”
Then not a second later I caught sight of Leorio and Tonpa fighting at the entrance of the door.
“Leorio, number 403, is the twenty-third to pass. Tonpa, number 16, is the twenty-fourth to pass. Time elapsed 71 hours and 59 minutes.”
They made it!
GirlThoughts on Chapter 4 Wed 17 Sep 2025 01:09AM UTC
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AyumixRose on Chapter 4 Wed 17 Sep 2025 09:33AM UTC
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GirlThoughts on Chapter 7 Wed 17 Sep 2025 02:08AM UTC
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AyumixRose on Chapter 7 Wed 17 Sep 2025 09:35AM UTC
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GirlThoughts on Chapter 8 Sat 20 Sep 2025 05:28PM UTC
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Geppetto (Guest) on Chapter 10 Sun 14 Dec 2025 06:05PM UTC
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Poppy (Guest) on Chapter 10 Sun 14 Dec 2025 10:02PM UTC
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Ebony_Sky on Chapter 10 Sun 14 Dec 2025 11:35PM UTC
Last Edited Sun 14 Dec 2025 11:40PM UTC
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