•••••••••• NOTE ••••••••••

I'm sorry for the wait! It's like about a month since I last update a chapter.

I apologize. It's just that I'm very busy with packing my stuffs.

I'll be moving once I graduate junior high/middle school.

Which the ceremony will take part a few more days to come.

I'm sorry for neglecting the story. Ok, well then, enough with the apologies, shall we?

Don't forget to vote, comment or follow! Enjoy your reading!

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Kurapika's POV

The food Morté cook for us was heavenly that it was no wonder why she breezed through the second exam.

After last night's dinner we couldn't wait for breakfast and woke up early to find Morté at the kitchen.

Too bad Morté didn't spare Tonpa even a bite of her recipes.

In the end Tonpa ate bread and canned food in the corner while watching us eat.

Morté didn't give him a sliver of a glance as not acknowledging his presence.

Harsh, but he deserved it with his behaviour.

Speaking of last night.

That night was peculiar. To think that a pillow froze into ice and blast to dust.

An extraordinary phenomenon right in front of our eyes.

We asked about it to Morté who seems to feigned ignorance.

We soon give up from lack of answers and clues.

But my curiosity wanted to be satisfied even more so when I wonder if they also heard it.

Though it seems no one else appeared to have heard it. I've confirmed it, when I asked them they told me I was just hallucinating.

But I'm sure of it. I heard it right after the 'ice pillow' incident occured.

I asked Gon about it since he has superior sense and he proved my hearing right.

He confirmed me that he also heard it.

How come there is the sound of soft, echoing giggles?

Morté's POV

Nightmares. I should have expected it and that the last time was a fluke or a miracle but I couldn't help the disappointment I feel.

Even though I'm supposed to move on. Even though I'm free now. Even though they're dead.

My mind was blank except for Kira's concerns asking me through the link.

I feel bad for not responding, I just need some thinking.

Not to mention my neck still hurts, pounding my head with nerves.

Using my Nen ability for the exam was necessary to hide what I actually did.

It was to confuse them on how I did it exactly and at the same time didn't give them my bonafide physical abilities.

But it didn't help that the aftereffects was like this.

Pain are fodder for Sadie. She generates the nightmares.

That dream, my past, my darkest moment. The stuffs I'm better off forgetting.

The entire time I was quiet, I blocked out everything that's going on.

I ignored their quarrel. Because my next decision entirely depends on their agreement.

If they choose the long path, I'll follow, I just need to run full speed.

If they choose the short path, I just need to be one of the three people.

It's that simple.

Thanks to Gon's idea, however, all of us managed to pass together.

"Applicant #95 is the twenty-third to pass," Bean-san, I presume, announced.

"Thank you Gon. It's a very good idea you had there."

Despite my blank state I managed to convey my gratitude and praise to Gon.

He faced me. Sheepishly scratched the back of his neck with a close-eyed smile.

"Nah. The most important thing we passed together," he said.

I was always surprised. He is so innocent, so trusting, so pure.

Gon, you are like the sun. Your warmth encompasses all, your cheerfulness brightens the place.

I better not start moping especially after seeing such a smile.

'Kira I'm sorry I didn't reply. I'm fine now,' I reassure her to stop worrying in my head.

To be honest it is starting to get me a headache.

'Thank goodness milady. Are you sure you're fine though?' There she goes again.

'Yes. I'm positive.'

She quieten and take turn with me, her being lost in thought just like I am a minute ago.

'Kira?'

It feels like she has switched roles with me. She's now the one deeply thinking and me concerning her.

She didn't respond just like I am. And now I know her worry just like she was.

Decision was made that I will not bother her and focus on the upcoming phase.

"The third phase is over. Twenty-five applicants have passed. One has died."

Rumbles courses through the floor, the sign of continuing to the next phase.

The door on the base of this tower opens and suddenly I'm reminded something of the past.

The door opens to an abyss.

There's no color, no light, no promise of anything but horror on the other side.

No words. No directions.

Just an open door that means the same thing every time.

To fight your way in this twisted test in life.

Survive.

I shook my head, trying to shook the thoughts away as well. This is different, the door opens to light.

With color. With hope and future ahead, with nothing tying me down.

I snapped out of it completely when I heard someone calling me.

"Morté, let's go!" Gon and the others waited for me, they smiled at me.

I moved almost habitually as if used to this already, to be with friends calling out my name.

"Hurry up, Morté! Kira, tell her to not daydream often!"

I chuckled before walking alongside them and exits the third phase location.

Squinting my eyes from the piercing sunlight I brought my hand and shade them above my eyes.

My cloak and mask didn't help preventing the light to penetrate my eyes.

In fact, in the heat they clung to me and smolder me even more.

I let my eyes get used to the radiation. Discreetly I swept my gaze at the remaining applicants.

Including me and the gang, there are 24 people. A large difference from the first phase.

The man who I recognized as the owner of the voice back at the tower—Lippo-san— inquired us to take lottery.

He informed of the lottery determining who to hunt and be hunt at the confusion.

I knew of what he implied, yet didn't make a move to hide my plate.

In order starting from Hi-chan, one by one participants move forward to take their card.

On my turn, however, I heard a comment after I pulled out a card.

"You have.......no mercy?"

I paused myself from turning my back on this curious examiner.

"What? You expected sympathies?" I snapped back.

I pierced his orbs with my own with fierceness beneath my hood.

There are two meanings he tried to imply: 1) I had no feelings at all, or 2) if there comes a time my opponent plead for mercy will I grant it.

I'll take offense if he's implying reason 1). Despite my.......teachings, I'm still a human with a beating heart.

"Heh, silly me." Ah, it's reason 2) then.

Yes, silly, Lippo-san. Mercy will get you killed one day. Give no lead before your enemies.

One could take advantage on slight openings. Be alert at all times.

With that, I return walking back to my spot between Killua and Kurapika.

Considerable time had passed since I last used my Nen ability on that prisoner.

The throbbing aftereffect on my neck hurts less, but another kind of nerves invade my head.

It's the atmosphere, I realized.

I could feel animosity, fear and wariness from other participants aside my friends—which includes Hi-chan and Illumi-nii.

My thoughts concluded it's a result from when I lost control of my anger.

I could still feel the sensation of my fingers curling around my own grandfather's neck.

Yet at the same time,  helplessness from being unable to stop Sadie by myself.

It was worst that grandfather's guilt had rendered him of retaliation of any sort.

And that only made Sadie furious instead.

Closing my eyes shut, I sigh. Concentrating on my gift of tranquility, I sought it and bring it out.

I imagined it as a blue ribon that expands and pulses like an aura.

Furthering the calming sense I let the ribon flow around the area.

Opening my eyes I continue to maintain the now soothing atmosphere and is satisfied at the relaxed slouch of each opponents.

Never too cautious to bring others' guard down. Let them be conceited and pounce when they underestimate you.

I chuckled lightly at the notice of Hi-chan, Killua, Illumi-nii and Kurapika's knowing glance.

Hmm... Perceptive.