Chapter 52: Hisoka's Deadly Game
"One... two... three!"
Pokkle's pupils shrank to pinpoints. His body tensed to its limit, every muscle screaming for release. Hisoka was only a few meters away — any closer and escape would be impossible.
The instant Pokkle gave the signal, all three of them moved.
Swish!
They shot off in three different directions like rockets breaking formation — their speed so explosive that in less than a heartbeat, they vanished into the mist. It was, without question, the fastest any of them had ever run in their lives.
---
Hisoka stopped walking and clapped softly, a delighted grin stretching across his face.
"Not bad," he said with a tone of mock approval. "A very clever decision."
He tapped his chin thoughtfully, voice light, almost playful.
"Tell you what — I'll even give you ten seconds. A little head start, as a reward."
He began to count aloud, his tone lilting like a nursery rhyme.
"One... two... three... four... five... six... seven... eight... nine... ten."
When the final number rolled off his tongue, Hisoka's smile widened.
The hunt had begun.
---
While Hisoka was savoring his "examiner's game," Osren, elsewhere in the marshlands, was enjoying a game of his own.
He strolled through the thick forest, the "Leorio" beside him — the unfortunate Human-Faced Ape — trudging along obediently, carrying armfuls of random plants and fruits.
Apparently, the local beasts of the swamp had strong territorial instincts, because with a monster like the Human-Faced Ape walking beside him, no other creatures dared to approach.
Convenient.
Osren took the opportunity to study his surroundings, his sharp eyes scanning the undergrowth. He spotted clusters of strange mushrooms, hanging berries, and thick moss-covered roots — all potentially useful ingredients.
He crouched down, inspecting a vine that glowed faintly in the mist. "Hm… interesting texture. Might be edible. Or poisonous. Either way, worth testing later."
Then, with a bright smile, he turned toward his reluctant assistant.
"Leorio! Be a dear and grab that one for me, would you? We can let Gon and the others try it later."
The Human-Faced Ape froze mid-step, blinking as though in disbelief.
"And that one too — you said you're good at climbing trees, right? Perfect. Bring it down for Kurapika to sample later."
"Leorio…"
The ape's face twitched. It wanted to turn hostile, to bare its fangs and attack, but they weren't at the ambush point yet. If it lost patience now, it might ruin its own trap.
So it swallowed its rage — just like it had swallowed all those buns earlier.
Fine. It would endure. For now.
And so, the once-proud predator scampered from branch to branch, obediently gathering herbs and fruits like a particularly hairy servant.
To any bystander, it would've looked like a cheerful field trip between two good friends.
Inside, though, the Human-Faced Ape was dying.
This has to be the most humiliating meal I've ever hunted, it thought bitterly. I've eaten humans with less effort than this.
Still, the thought of fresh prey — warm, bleeding, soft — reignited its hunger. Drool began to drip down its chin again, thick and stringy.
Osren caught that detail instantly. His gaze flicked to the creature's mouth.
Almost there.
He reached into his bag and felt the weight of the small empty pouch he'd been saving. Everything was lining up perfectly.
The ambush point should be just ahead. Time to vanish.
He turned with his usual easy smile. "Leorio, that's enough for now. Gon and the others must be getting impatient. Let's head out."
The Human-Faced Ape perked up — finally, the act would end.
But as it looked up, ready to follow, Osren had already disappeared into the mist.
Just a whisper of movement, a rustle of leaves — and the forest fell silent.
The predator blinked in confusion, sniffing the air. Nothing.
The prey was gone.
Somewhere, unseen, Osren smirked faintly.
Let's see how long it takes before you realize who was really being hunted.
---
The Human-Faced Ape froze in place, utterly dumbfounded.
What… what just happened?
Its prey had vanished right before its eyes.
From somewhere deep within the mist, Osren's voice echoed — calm, distant, and deliberate:
"Leorio, hurry up, or we'll be late for the exam!"
The sound was faint, almost teasing — like a trail deliberately left behind.
The ape hesitated. The direction of that voice was nowhere near the trap it had prepared. But after all that effort — all that humiliation — how could it let its prey escape so easily?
"No," it growled under its breath. "He's mine. He must've gotten careless. I'll catch up, strike fast, and eat him before he even realizes it. Then it's all worth it."
Muttering to itself, it lumbered after the sound — straight toward its own end.
Because the truth was, from the moment its disguise had "fallen apart," the Human-Faced Ape's grand dream had already died.
And dreams, by definition, are only called dreams because they can't be achieved.
---
Meanwhile, on another part of the battlefield, Hisoka's game was entering its next act.
"Now then…" he murmured, tilting his head as if pondering a fine wine. "Which one should I play with first?"
He finished his count to ten and smiled, licking his lips. Just as he was about to move, a rustle caught his ear.
"Hmm?"
The faint sound of branches snapping drew his attention — heavy footsteps, slow but determined.
A moment later, a figure emerged from the fog, dragging a massive wooden pole behind him.
"...Oh my," Hisoka said, genuinely amused. "Back so soon?"
Leorio stepped into view, breath ragged, eyes burning. "I can't do it," he muttered, half to himself.
"Hmm? You've given up already?" Hisoka's grin faltered slightly — disappointment flickering in his tone. "How boring. My prey shouldn't stray from the script."
But Leorio raised his head, defiance blazing in his eyes. "No. I'm saying I can't run away. My pride isn't so cheap that I'll let someone like you trample on it!"
He roared, lifted the wooden staff high, and charged.
"RAAAAH!"
Hisoka sighed, the sound almost wistful. "So reckless."
Leorio's attack came fast — but Hisoka's reaction was faster. A simple hop back, and the club swung through empty air.
Still, Leorio didn't stop. He pivoted, bringing the weapon around for another strike.
Swish!
A single playing card flashed. The thick wooden staff snapped cleanly in half.
Leorio's eyes went wide. He spun — but Hisoka was already behind him.
He swung the broken stick wildly. Nothing.
Thud!
A brutal punch sank into his stomach, folding him in half. Hisoka caught his chin gently, almost affectionately.
"What a beautiful expression…" Hisoka purred. "That blend of rage, courage, and the faintest hint of fear. I adore it."
He raised a card between two fingers, smiling like a man about to sign his masterpiece. "But I'm afraid this is where your story ends. Goodbye."
Then —
Whack!
A blur of motion from above — a fishing rod lashed through the air and cracked Hisoka square across the forehead.
The magician staggered back, more surprised than hurt, his grip on Leorio loosening.
"Haah… haah…"
Gon stood there, panting hard, both hands clutching his fishing rod, eyes locked on Hisoka like a cornered animal ready to bite.
Hisoka blinked, then chuckled softly. "Not bad… little boy."
His gaze fell to the weapon in Gon's hands. "A fishing rod? What a fascinating choice. May I take a closer look?"
He started walking toward Gon, casual, curious — a predator who'd just found a new toy.
Gon didn't move, didn't blink, his knuckles white around the grip.
"Come now," Hisoka beckoned, voice dripping amusement. "Let me see it."
"Hey! Don't ignore me!"
Leorio, who had somehow dragged himself upright again, clenched his fist and threw a desperate punch at Hisoka's back.
Bang!
Without even turning, Hisoka's arm shot back like a whip — and his fist connected cleanly. Leorio was sent flying, his glasses spinning off into the grass.
"Leorio!" Gon shouted, lunging forward. He swung the rod like a spear — but Hisoka caught him effortlessly by the throat.
"Such a brave little thing," Hisoka said softly, lifting him off the ground. "You ran all the way back to save your friend. How adorable."
His fingers tightened. Gon's face turned red, breath catching — until suddenly, Hisoka's expression changed.
He smiled.
"Good. You pass."
And just like that, he let go.
Gon collapsed, coughing violently, staring up in disbelief.
Pass?
He had no idea what just happened.
---
Hidden somewhere in the mist, Osren watched from afar — his face unreadable.
He'd known this part was coming, but he hadn't intervened for one simple reason: in Hisoka's game, even knowing the script didn't guarantee survival.
No matter how great one's ambition — if you can't live to see it through, it's meaningless.
---