บท 16: Phase 4

{Ren POV}

We walked into the tower the next day. The door was unlocked. As we came through, we could see the look of surprise on Hisoka's face. We simply whiled away our time sleeping and talking. Unlike in the original, Gene and co. passed with 12 hours left.

Gene- "When did you guys get here?"

Ren- "We got here at the 22-hour mark…"

Gene- "That's amazing! How did you get here so quickly!"

Ren- "We directly jumped off the tower instead of going through it."

"Something doesn't make sense… If you did so, you would have reached within an hour." enquired Kile. Freya smirks and says, "We went on a date, we went to this lake and we fed each other… We even slept together." At this, Kile becomes red as she looks down and starts muttering something. Leorio noticing this, "Quite the playboy, aren't you. Not only Freya, but you have also bagged Ki-". Before he could finish his sentence, he gets sent flying by a pouch from Kile.

We just spent our time doing stuff like this. I know Kile has feelings towards me, but to me, she is just like a cute little sister. For the past 12 hours, she has been relentlessly trying to get closer to me…

"THE APPLICANTS PASSING THE THIRD PHASE- 27 WITH 1 DISEASED!" Announced the examiner as he led us out of the tower.

Examiner- "Congratulations on your successful descent. Only two more phases lie ahead."

This shocked most of the participants as usually there would be at least 7 phases. "The fourth phase will be held on Zevil island and the first step is for you all to draw lots. This will decide who will hunt who…" said the examiner as he brought out a box. "In this box are 26 numbered cards corresponding to all the remaining applicants… You will draw one card each and will draw in the order you exited the exam." We all drew our cards. "Does everyone have their cards… Good. We have recorded the number each one of you drew. You may dispose of your card if you wish. The applicant whose ID is specified on your card is your target…" Mine was number 89. He is a burly man named Shinto whereas Freya's target is this martial artist named Kenmi (No.362).

Examiner- "You objective is to collect the other applicants' ID badges. Your badge, if it stays in your possession is worth 3 points. The badge of your specified target is also worth three points. To advance to the final exam phase you must acquire a minimum of 6 points. Those are your parameters for the fourth phase. Enjoy your stay on Zevil island."

We have been travelling towards Zevil island on a ship the Hunter association arranged for us. Gene, Freya, Kile and I have just been talking about random stuff.

Kile -"Say, what numbers did you guys get?"

We all showed each other our cards. Gene got Hisoka just like the original. Fate works mysterious ways I guess. Kile didn't know who number 199 was so I helped her out by telling her that it was Umori. At this Kile was disappointed as he was pretty weak. On the other hand, Gene was tensed about having Hisoka as her target but was also looking forward to it at the same time.

Freya and I got of 2nd and third as the order you exited the ship depended on the order you cleared the 3rd phase. Hisoka would have challenged me but the injury I had inflicted had healed. Freya and I just waited outside the ship for our targets to walk out and immediately took their badges. No one dared to attack us after word got out on how I beat Hisoka in one punch. Well, the rest of the day was pretty boring. We went around just observing people.

It was on the second day that we heard Leorio scream. Shit, I forgot about the part where they get stuck in the cave. Freya and I rush into the cave to see an unconscious Leorio along with Gene, Kurapika and another girl. The girl seemed to be explaining something until she looked at me and blushed deeply. Seeing me here, Gene almost in tears of relief jumped at me telling me about how Leorio got poisoned. She had pulled me into a tight hug. Freya tried to separate us but Gene didn't seem to get the hint. "Gene, If you can let me go I can get us out of here and cure Leorio," I say. Gene realizing what she was doing, let go of me embarrassed. She is so adorable when she is embarrassed. This is probably the first time I have seen her embarrassed.

I get serious and take the antidote from the dead snake-charmer who had set this trap. The snakes attacked me only to disappear. I gave the antidote to Leorio. He noticeably got better in just a few seconds. I instantly annihilated all the snakes and led us out. The girl gave us her badge willingly as a show of gratitude. I accepted it as Leorio still required a few badges to win.

Some time passed as an announcement was made throughout the island.

"ATTENTION! THE FOURTH PHASE OF THE HUNTER EXAM IS OVER. ALL APPLICANTS MUST NOW MAKE THEIR WAY TO THE LANDING SITE. YOU HAVE ONE HOUR TO SHOW UP. ANYONE WHO FAILS TO SHOW UP WITHIN 1 HOUR WILL BE DISQUALIFIED. ONCE AT THE LANDING SITE, YOU ARE NEITHER HUNTER NOR TARGET. ANY ATTEMPT TO TRANSFER BADGES WILL GET YOU FAILED."

There were 11 applicants including me who had gathered at the landing spot. Illumi (In disguise) and Hisoka obviously passed. Gene and co. also passed. An airship descended picking us up. We were once again greeted by chairman Netero.

We all were asked to take rest and we will be called when needed. Netero and the Examiners had gathered in a room to discuss this year's applicants and the final stage.

Netero- "Well now, 8 out of the 11 are rookies! Quite a showing by the new blood this year!"

Buhara(Gourmet Hunter)- "Has this ever happened before!"

Netero- "Sure… Though it usually follows a pattern. A decade goes by, there are no rookies with beans and then one year a whole gaggle of them show up and beat the pants off the vets. This makes four times since I became chairman."

Satotz(Phase one examiner)- "Does anyone know the set up for the final test?"

Menchi(Gourmet Hunter)- Dunno. What could top the 4th phase? In any case, It will be harder than the third phase so the rookies can still burn out…"

Netero- "Though you might be right, I thought I'll try a new wrinkle. To prepare, I'd like to have a word with each of the nine.

"Whatever it is, Freya and Ren will pass it without any problem. Those two are just so irresistibly adorable…" Said Menchi while drooling.