Phantom Troupe's Web

Chapter 13.

"The Third Phase of the exam is over. 26 applicants have passed. 1 has died," the examiner announced before a door leading outside opened. The remaining examinees gather outside Trick Tower where the examiner, a petite man with a violet mohawk and red eyes stood with grey pants, a deep purple jacket and glasses, stood waiting for them. "Ladies and gentlemen, congratulations on having escaped Trick Tower. Only the Fourth Phase and the Final Phase remain," he informs, a glint in his glasses before pointing at the island behind him and continuing with his speech. "The Fourth Phase will take place over there, on Zevil Island. Let us proceed," he snaps his fingers and a tall man in a mustard yellow jumpsuit approached him, rolling over a cart that had a box on top of it. "I will need you to draw lots."

"Lots?" one asked with confusion.

"For what?" another asked.

The glint in the examiner's glasses fades, a devious smirk appearing on his face. "To determine who will hunt and who will be hunted," he motions to the cart next to him. "In here are 25 numbered cards. In other words, your ID numbers are on the cards. Now, I need you each to draw a card in the order by which you exited the tower. Will the first person come forward?" the mohawk man requested.

Iris hums, her hands finding their way to rest on either side of her waist, watching Hisoka approach the card and pull out a lot before retreating to where she stood. One by one, the applicants proceed with the order, the former assassin walked over to the cart, indifferently sticking her arm inside and pulling out a white card and returning to where she previously stood.

"Everyone's taken a card? Then, remove the seal from your card," the violet-haired man instructed. Peeling the seal off, a number stares back at the emerald-eyed woman. "The card indicates your target. This box has recorded which card each of you drew. This means that you're free to dispose of your card if you wish. The objective is to steal your target's ID tag," he announced, earning gasps from a few who began hiding their badges.

One of the applicants who came as a trio with his brothers sighed loudly with relief. "Oh, so we don't need to kill each other," he said.

"Naturally, you're free to use any method you choose to steal the ID tags. Including killing your target and taking the tag off the corpse," the examiner added. 'So, just take their tag? That's easy' Iris thought, glancing down at the number she drew before back up and scanning the horde for her victim, ditching the lot once she spotted them. "Listen carefully! Your target's ID tag is worth 3 points. Your own ID is also worth 3 points. All other ID tags are worth 1 point. You need 6 points to advance to the Final Phase. So while on Zevil Island, you must gather enough ID tags to total 6 points. That is the condition for clearing the Hunter Exam's Fourth Phase," he concluded.

With the explanation over and done with, the remaining applicants boarded a boat that was sitting waiting for them to sail over to the island. On the boat was a woman with short red hair and yellow eyes and a super cheery personality, speaking to the group with a bright smile.

"I'd like you to commend everyone on board for their excellent work during the Hunter Exam's Third Phase! I will serve as your guide. My name is Khara! It will take 2 hours for this boat to reach Zevil Island. All 25 applicants remaining are automatically qualified to take next year's exam! So if you fail this year, don't feel bad. Please try again next year..," Khara's cheery voice slowly loses its cheeriness once she realises none of the participants is paying attention to her speech.

From her spot on the boat, Iris gags at the woman and her positive remarks, hugging her knees closer to her chest while resting her chin against them, tilting her head to the side. Everyone was on edge after the objective for the Fourth Phase was announced, most people were cautiously glancing at the petite woman who was in between Gittarackur and Hisoka, both males minding their own business, not bothering the woman's attempt to rest. While most had hidden their badges from being taken easily while on the island, the trio's remained presentable on their chests, taunting them to try and take them from their owners. The ride on the boat wasn't as long as Iris expected because, after a small nap, she had been awoken by the voice of Khara, announcing their arrival.

"Thanks for your patience, everyone! We've finally arrived at Zevil Island!" the worker merrily proclaimed, holding a clipboard and timer in her arms. "Now, please disembark in the order by which you cleared the Third Phase. After each person disembarks, we'll wait 2 minutes before the next person's turn," the redhead explained. "You will stay on this island for exactly 1 week. During that time, you must amass your 6 points of ID tags and return here. Alright then, the first person may start!"

Watching the cruel magician embark off the boat, Gittarackur turns and looks down at his sister. "How do you plan on getting your points?" he asked, waiting for his turn to leave the boat.

"Kill them, of course," she smirked, bidding him goodbye when he was called on. When her turn is called upon, the disguised woman walks confidently passed the surrounding participants, her aura suffocating them as she disembarks from the ship and into the deep forest. Her figure fades into a shadow as she jumps onto a branch, stabilising herself before leaping from branch to branch, scouting the island.