The target for Illumi was Goz.
In terms of strength, Goz wasn't weak. During the third phase of the exam, he and Pokkle had passed at nearly the same time. But luck hadn't been on his side.
When the lots were drawn, he ended up becoming Illumi's target.
If Goz had chosen to surrender his badge willingly, Illumi wouldn't have attacked him. Just like Kaizen, Illumi saw killing as part of the job—but only if it was necessary.
No one works for free. Not even assassins.
Unless there's no other choice.
But Goz had overestimated himself—and underestimated Illumi.
"A sneak attack?" Goz scoffed, gripping his spear tightly as he lunged straight at Illumi's heart.
"Since you're here, you're not leaving!"
...
Thud!
Before he even realized what had happened, Illumi's strike had already landed.
Goz's eyes widened in shock. He looked down.
A gaping wound had opened in his abdomen—his internal organs crushed and bleeding out.
"What...?"
His pupils contracted.
What just happened?
His mind scrambled to recall the moment.
He'd seen Gittarackur's appearance. He'd anticipated the move and lunged first, spear aimed straight at him. And now... this.
So fast!
A flash of memory flickered in his mind—Illumi's movement.
Dodging effortlessly.
Piercing his body with terrifying ease.
Retreating before Goz could react.
Too fast.
He's in a whole different league.
"Gittarackur…"
Desperation and regret twisted Goz's face.
I'm no match for him.
I didn't even have a chance to fight back.
To be exact... I'm already as good as dead.
He hadn't expected someone this powerful to be among the examinees.
Illumi took slow, measured steps toward him.
"Wait. Wait, wait a minute," Goz called out, panicked.
"Hm?" Illumi tilted his head.
"I lost. You can take the badge. But give me a little time, please. There's still something I want to do... something I haven't done yet."
He already knew he wouldn't survive this.
Passing the Hunter Exam was no longer an option.
But even now, Goz had one last wish.
Ever since witnessing that scene in the Milsy Wetlands, there was something he'd longed to do.
After clearing the third phase, that urge had only grown stronger.
He wanted to fight Hisoka.
Hisoka thrived on surprise and excitement in battle. Gon, Kaizen, Killua, Illumi, Hanzo—they all piqued Hisoka's interest.
But he wasn't the only one drawn to that thrill.
As a martial artist, Goz also longed to challenge the strong.
And of all the examinees, it was Hisoka he had chosen as his opponent.
Illumi might have been stronger. But Goz hadn't chosen him.
And the gap between them was too vast. Illumi wasn't someone he could even imagine beating.
But Hisoka? That was different.
Illumi said nothing, simply staring down at him.
Goz didn't know if his words had made an impact.
But at this point, he had only one choice.
Run.
Get as far away from Illumi as possible.
Only then might he have a chance to fulfill his final wish.
If he had to die, he wanted it to be in battle with Hisoka.
Clenching his teeth, Goz suddenly turned and bolted into the forest.
Illumi followed, calm and unhurried.
...
Kaizen and Ponzu were nearby.
Ponzu stared toward Illumi's direction, unease heavy in his gaze.
Before, the queen bee had been the source of his fear.
But now, he had seen Illumi fight.
That speed. That precision. That cold, mechanical efficiency.
Ponzu shuddered.
If he had been in Goz's place, he wouldn't have lasted a second.
His thoughts drifted to something Siper had once said.
"If Siper saw this… I wonder what she'd think."
"She was right," Kaizen murmured. "If he had struck first, she'd be dead now."
...
A few crimson butterflies flitted through the underbrush, their delicate wings glowing red under the light.
Drawn by something invisible, they suddenly swarmed in one direction.
Kaizen noted, calmly gathering a few and storing them in Sumas's storage space.
They weren't powerful.
But their sensitivity to the scent of blood made them useful.
A perfect type of tracking beast.
...
In another part of the forest—
Sheila had waited for days.
At first hopeful. Then anxious. Then despairing.
Ever since the mass of strange beasts had appeared in the area, she had remained on edge.
But nothing changed.
Until now.
A swarm of crimson butterflies suddenly appeared in the trees nearby.
Sheila froze.
Then her face lit up.
"Hello?!"
She shouted into the forest, voice echoing.
But no one answered.
Her face darkened.
Bang!
She slammed her fist into a nearby tree, splitting the bark with a loud crack.
...
Kaizen finally spotted someone.
Hisoka sat against a tree, legs sprawled lazily, a few red butterflies fluttering around him.
A deep gash still marked his shoulder—leftover from the fight with the previous examiner. He hadn't bothered to heal it.
He could've killed the examiner easily.
But Hisoka wasn't normal.
Just like his match with Kastro—he had taken unnecessary damage for the sheer thrill of it.
Even when he could dominate a fight, he held back.
Fought with broken arms.
Let the blood flow.
That was what made it fun for him.
...
Further into the bushes, a much larger swarm of butterflies gathered.
They weren't circling Hisoka.
They were heading toward someone else.
Because the scent of fresh blood was stronger there.
Goz.
The butterflies were drawn to the newer wound. The fresh kill.
...
Nearby, hidden in the shadows, another figure approached.
Illumi walked silently toward the scene.
Suddenly—
Hisoka looked up.
Eyes fixed on the direction Goz had fled.
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