The Reason We Fight

Chapter 3. The Opponent

Apparently, a new Hunter has climbed the tower. Kakume knew that he was a Hunter, because Willat had told her so, and he was a Hunter. They had ways of knowing these things, those Hunters, a web database of some sort. This one was fresh out of the Hunters' exam, with a shiny new license. Already he rose to floor 178, a mere three days after entering the tower. Kakume took it upon herself to start tailing him.

Hisoka Morow. Really going all in for the magician motif, which is... kind of dorky. Seems like he went to Heavens' Arena right after passing his exam. His second time around. Has been doing nothing but get into fights within the arena. Fight after fight after fight... He's been quite the busybody. How tedious...

"Yes, he's been robbed by the Arena Ghost, it's said", said a voice nearby.

"Makes me glad I'm not a Hunter. I heard that the Arena Ghost is as white as a sheet, all drained of blood, with a thirst for vengeance. Hoping to find the Hunter who killed her!"

"Well, I heard that when she sniffs out a Hunter, not only does she destroy their license, but also their lives!", the panicked voice said.

"This tower is cursed!", the other man squealed.

Kakume snickered.

"Ah, here you are" Willat said, advancing towards her.

"And what news do you bring, my stony-faced friend?", the girl responded with a smirk.

Willat raised an eyebrow. "Yasin Clemdora. Our next target."

Kakume shook her head. "Clemdora is not even on floor 65, yet. I've got my eyes on that other guy, Hisoka. He will reach the 200th floor soon"

Willat opened his mouth, speechless. This must be the first hint of emotion Kakume has ever seen to grace his face. "Are you quite mad, Kakume? Hisoka is a sociopath. He is the kind of man to kill for sport, and to do it often, and well".

She shrugged nonchalantly. "I don't intend to fight him, just... steal from him. I've seen worse shots. I've made a few, myself. I think it's worth it".

"If you wish to get yourself killed, that is your prerogative, but don't expect me to attend your funeral. I will only tell you this, if you are so intent on it: Hisoka always enters his suite exactly 15 minutes after a fight, and proceeds to shower for exactly 15 minutes henceforth. But know that neither water nor nudity is likely to stop a man like him from butchering an intruder, were he to notice their presence. That is all".

Oh course, Willat was right. Kakume has seen Hisoka fight too. He is like a man possessed. After a fight, however, the worst of his chilling bloodlust was likely sated. And that was the right moment to strike.

If he were to get his hands on me, I would die, sure as sunrise, she thought. Her heart was beating wildly as she approached his suite. So why is it that I am so exhilarated?

She took a breath, calmed herself and suppressed her presence. She put her ear to the door. His latest fight ended exactly 14 minutes ago. Suddenly, she heard the water run. Just like clockwork. She proceeded to prick her index finger. A droplet of blood pooled out. She forced the liquid into the lock, and solidified it in its shape. She turned the doorknob as silently as she could. Holding her breath, she slid to his desk and started going through his things. She looked at her watch: 8 more minutes. A bead of sweat landed on the floor.

"I'm not interrupting, am I?" a sinister voice rang out. The water was still running.

Kakume turned slowly. His malicious Ren filled the whole room.

Hisoka stood, nude but for a towel around his hips, hair plastered against his neck and forehead. He brandished a playing card, then turned it to reveal his Hunters' License. A sly grin formed upon his face. "Is that what you're looking for, Arena Ghost?"

-

Hisoka Morow's toothy smile was that of a predator. His license turned again into a deck of razor-edged cards, which he flung at Kakume. Swiftly, she darted behind the plush couch of his opulent suite, using it as both shield and cover. A card grazed her cheek, drawing a thin line of blood. Goose feathers scattered through the air.

"You shower with it? Unbelievable. Hunters, huh!" she exclaimed, disbelieving.

Excitement gleamed in Hisoka's eyes. "Oh, Wraith. How I've been itching to dance with you." She could hear him approaching. Seizing the blood from her cheek, Kakume manipulated it into a dagger, launching herself at Hisoka from behind the sofa. He deftly avoided her onslaught, delivering a swift kick that sent her sprawling, blood escaping her lips.

"I gotta say, that's one tightly fastened towel you got there".

Hisoka grinned with unsettling satisfaction. "I can thank my Bungee Gum for that. Allow me to demonstrate".

He then snatched her improvised dagger with his elastic Nen power. Now armed, he pressed the attack. Kakume, pirouetting around him, landed a few hits herself. Hisoka, unfazed, threw her against a wall. She grabbed the mirror hanging from it and shattered it against his head.

"That was most uncouth, Wraith", laughs Hisoka, a line of blood dripping on his brow. Creating illusions to bewilder her, he then capitalized on her disorientation to land a deep slash on her shoulder. With a strong kick that left her gasping on the floor, Hisoka declared, "I must admit, though, you're a bit of a disappointment." She coughed up blood and felt her rib break.

As he raised his leg for another kick, Kakume desperately unleashed a battering ram with her blood, pushing Hisoka back. But Hisoka, using his Bungee Gum, stuck himself to her and drew her back like an elastic. Swiftly cutting the link with her blood, she fell back, bruised and battered. Her breathing was labored. It's not looking good for me, she thought glumly. I wonder if Willat will care to investigate, were I to simply vanish. Probably not. He's likely expecting me to. Kakume looked up.

She then molded her blood into the shape of a handgun, unleashing a barrage. The bullets rebounded, catching her off guard. She turned them to their original form before getting killed by her own weapon. A wave of blood splashed into her face.

Capitalizing on her momentary blindness, Hisoka lunged at her.

Kakume walked back in surprise, then plunged the whole room into darkness by shooting out the overhead lights. In the ensuing confusion, she pounced on Hisoka, both of them crashing to the ground. Struggling for dominance, Kakume, wielding a serrated knife with both hands, aimed for Hisoka's neck. "I'll cut your head clean off" she hissed.

Effortlessly, Hisoka twisted the knife toward Kakume's chest, pinning her down. The blade inched closer to her heart. As blood started pooling on her skin, Kakume's eyes blazed scarlet, a mad smile playing on her lips. She was laughing. Hisoka, intrigued, drew back. "How interesting", he said.

Kakume frowned and her irises returned back to their normal greens. She pushed him away, darting for the exit.

Hisoka, alone in the darkened suite, shouted after her, "I have information that you might want to know, Kurta!" Kakume disappeared into the shadows, leaving a smirking Hisoka with a lingering promise: "You'll come back".