[The Ferry]
The ship was stocked with food, but most candidates were too nauseous from stress to eat.
Not Ryker. He ate like a king.
Ponzu sat next to him, wringing her pale hands, officially a member of "Team Monster."
[Zevil Island]
"We have arrived."
The guide announced the rules clearly.
No fighting on the ship. Instant disqualification.
Disembark one by one, in the order you finished the Third Phase.
Two-minute head start for each person.
Stay on the island for one week. Collect 6 points. Return here.
"Will the first candidate please disembark?"
Hisoka walked off first. He vanished into the jungle instantly.
Two minutes later.
"Next."
Ryker walked down the gangplank.
Two minutes later.
"Next."
Hanzo.
Illumi.
Ponzu.
The rest followed. Gon and his friends were dead last.
"Ryker-bro! Be careful! We'll catch up soon!" Gon shouted from the deck.
But something strange happened.
Ryker didn't leave.
He walked off the ship, stood on the jetty, and waited.
"Eh? Ryker... why aren't you moving?" Gon blinked.
Killua frowned. The other candidates on the boat started murmuring.
"What is he doing?"
"Is he... spawn camping?"
"He's going to ambush us as soon as we step off the plank?!"
"Mr. Ryker, the island is big. Shouldn't you hide?" Hanzo asked as he walked past.
"I'm waiting for a friend," Ryker smiled. "You go ahead, Hanzo."
"Alright then. Good luck!" Hanzo vanished into the trees.
The atmosphere on the boat grew tense.
"That arrogant bastard."
"Does he think he can take us all on?"
"If he attacks us, we rush him together!"
The candidates glared at Gon's group.
"He's with those kids. If he attacks us, we take the kids hostage."
"Yeah! Get the green-haired girl and the tall guy in the suit first!"
Leorio gulped. Ponzu shivered.
Then, Illumi (Gittarackur) walked down the plank.
Click. Click.
His pin-covered head turned mechanically toward Ryker.
He realized immediately: He's waiting for me.
Arrogant.
He drew my number?
Foolish child. But... Hisoka warned me. 'Don't touch my fruit.'
If I break his toy, Hisoka will be annoying.
Illumi decided to ignore him. He tried to walk past.
"Wait."
Ryker held up a card.
"This is your number, right? How about we go into the woods and settle this?"
Little Killua, Ryker thought. Big brother is going to bully your bully for you.
Illumi stopped. He turned his head slowly, the pins clinking.
He looked terrifying. A walking voodoo doll. Most candidates avoided eye contact with him.
Ryker was inviting him to a duel.
"He drew the Pin-Cushion!"
"Hahaha! Good! Maybe they'll kill each other!"
"I bet on the needle guy. He looks nastier."
The candidates on the boat whispered excitedly.
"Ryker-bro..." Gon looked worried.
"That guy... is dangerous," Killua muttered. He felt a primal fear looking at Gittarackur, a sense of déjà vu he couldn't explain.
"You... are talking... to me?" Illumi spoke, his voice distorted and monotone.
"Card #301. Unless you're blind, that's you," Ryker nodded.
Silence.
Illumi calculated.
Fighting him is a risk. Hisoka will be mad.
But he challenged me. If I run, it looks suspicious.
"Of course, you can just give me the badge," Ryker smiled, extending a hand. "I'm a pacifist, you know."
The candidates on the boat gasped.
"This kid is toxic!"
"If someone talked to me like that, I'd kill him."
Illumi stared at Ryker for a long moment.
"Fine," Illumi said flatly. "You asked for it. It has nothing to do with me."
If he dies, he dies. I can tell Hisoka it was self-defense.
Illumi turned and walked toward the dense jungle.
Ryker followed, waving goodbye to Gon and the others without looking back.
Read ahead with 30+ chapters now with daily updates!
@patreon.com/Authorizz