[Trick Tower - Base]
There was no fork in the road this time.
After defeating Togari, the massive doors simply opened, leading them to the plaza at the base of the tower.
"Congratulations! You are the first group to pass! And all five of you made it? What incredible luck!"
Lippo's voice echoed from a speaker on the wall.
The plaza was empty. Just Ryker and his Nightmare Team.
"We... we passed? Just like that?"
Ponzu blinked, still feeling like she was in a fever dream.
She hadn't done anything. She just fell down a hole, bruised her butt, and followed the monsters.
And now she was the first to finish.
This... this is what it feels like to be carried by smurfs.
Ryker looked at Hisoka.
Should I kill him here?
Hisoka looked back, his smile widening.
Oh? Are you thinking what I'm thinking?
Their eyes met for a second, then slid away.
Forget it, Ryker decided.
Get the license first.
A Hunter License was the golden ticket. It opened doors to restricted areas, information networks, and high-level hunting grounds.
To get stronger, he needed to farm the top-tier Hunters—Ging Freecss, the Zodiacs. Or go to the Dark Continent and farm the Chimera Ants.
That's the real endgame.
The bigger the storm, the more expensive the fish.
Killing Hisoka now would make him a fugitive before he even got the license. It wasn't worth the hassle.
Patience.
[The Waiting Game]
Slowly, other candidates trickled in.
Bodoro the Martial Artist. Bourbon the Snake Charmer.
The timer on the wall counted down.
Some candidates stumbled out of the doors only to collapse and die on the spot, their hearts giving out from exhaustion or poison. Their bodies were dragged away unceremoniously.
Cruel.
"Hmm?" Ryker frowned at the clock.
Gon and the others are taking forever.
Hisoka, Illumi, and Hanzo were all here. The biggest threats were out of the equation. Why were they struggling?
"THIRTY SECONDS REMAINING!!" the loudspeaker blared.
If they don't make it, I lose my protagonists.
"WAAAAAAH!!"
"WE MADE IT!!"
A familiar scream echoed from one of the side doors.
Gon, Killua, Kurapika, and Leorio slid out, covered in dust and grime. They looked like they had been through hell.
Ah. They must have hit the 5-to-3 path.
"Ryker-bro!!"
"Ryker-san!!"
They ran over, beaming.
"TIME'S UP!!"
"Twenty-four candidates have passed the Third Phase! Five died upon exit. Please proceed outside!"
The doors to the outside world opened.
Sunlight.
Real, warm sunlight.
A gentle breeze.
It felt like heaven after the dank tower.
"Congratulations on surviving Trick Tower! Only two phases remain: the Fourth Phase and the Final Phase!"
Lippo, the mohawk-wearing examiner with glasses, greeted them with a smile.
"The Fourth Phase will take place on Zevil Island. But first... draw a lot."
He held out a black box.
[The Lottery]
The rules were simple.
Draw a number. That number is your target.
Your target's badge is worth 3 points.
Your own badge is worth 3 points.
Any other badge is worth 1 point.
You need 6 points to pass.
It was a battle royale.
Statistically, half the candidates would be eliminated. Realistically, even fewer would pass.
Ryker reached into the box.
He drew a card.
301.
Gittarackur.
Illumi Zoldyck.
Ryker raised an eyebrow.
Oh ho!
I drew the Pin-Cushion. Is this my [Strong Luck] at work?
Heh. Too bad it wasn't Hisoka.
"What did you guys get?" Ryker asked the kids.
Gon showed his card.
Hisoka.
Destiny is strong, Ryker thought. Even with my interference, Gon still draws the Joker.
Killua got **** (Bodoro). Easy win.
Leorio got **** (Ryu). Not Ponzu this time.
Kurapika got **** (Amori). One of the brothers.
[The Boat Ride]
Immediately, candidates began removing their badges. Hiding their numbers.
It was the smart move. Don't let your target know who you are. Don't let your hunter find you.
But four people kept theirs on.
Hisoka.
Illumi.
Killua.
Ryker.
"Ryker-bro... why don't you take yours off?" Gon whispered. "You'll be a target."
"A game is only fun if you have an opponent," Killua said coolly, hands in his pockets.
Ryker smiled. He took a step forward.
He scanned the crowd of nervous candidates on the deck.
Then he shouted.
"HEY EVERYONE! I AM NUMBER 406! WHO DREW ME?"
Silence.
The crowd stared at him like he was insane.
Is he mocking us?
Arrogant bastard.
He's baiting us.
Does he have a death wish? Once we get to the island, I'll snipe him from the jungle.
Ryker waited.
Fishing is easier when the fish jumps into the boat.
Why waste time hunting a hunter? If he identified who was targeting him, he could eliminate them instantly and spend the rest of the week farming rare beasts on the island.
"No one?" Ryker frowned. "Are you all that scared?"
He shrugged.
Whatever. Come if you dare.
"I... I drew your number!"
A voice called out from the back of the crowd.
Ryker turned.
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