"Whoosh~"
Like a sharp arrow, Illumi darted between the candidates, causing a huge commotion.
"What speed…!"
"Candidate #301? That's the weirdo who hangs out with Hisoka!"
"What's his name again?"
"Gittarackur~"
Many candidates recognized him and instinctively stepped aside, making way for him.
Humans naturally fear the unknown—and "Gittarackur," in the eyes of the masses, was exactly that: unknown and terrifying. Not to mention the mad magician Hisoka, who followed closely behind.
"Ohohoho~ What's Illu-baby up to? I'm so curious~"
"Will he insist on killing him? Hmmm~ What should I do? It's all so exciting~ Just thinking about it drives me wild~"
The devilish aura twisted around him. Hisoka leaned low to the ground, nearly gliding as he followed Illumi, his elbows unnaturally bent at a grotesque angle, muttering constantly with a widening, perverse smile.
It was pure lust, excitement, and bloodthirsty tension all rolled into one. He was high on murder hormones.
"Tsk~ That damned fruit vendor's really in a mood."
Roy noticed them both coming from a distance—Hisoka and Illumi, like a pair of possessed lovers chasing prey.
Their expressions? "Ecstasy" wasn't enough to describe it. These two… really were a couple in spirit, if not in title. Eternal companionship… forever twisted together.
Shame I still don't know who's on top when they sleep at night…
"Shit—why are those two freaks heading our way?!"
Leorio's soul nearly left his body as he looked back and sprinted faster.
He had thought they'd go after someone in front, but no—they were clearly coming for him. Absolute bad luck.
"It's not because of you."
Kurapika's expression was grim. His eyes slid toward Roy.
"The one they're targeting… is most likely him."
"Who can't do it?!"
Leorio snapped back, dignity wounded. But seeing Kurapika ignore him, he grabbed his friend with a pitiful smile.
"Alright! I admit it! I really can't do it!"
Kurapika: Don't touch me.
That smile… it's too cursed.
Am I your Gakutou? I'm not your horse!
"Hang in there. We're almost there."
Leorio: Almost my ass! My butt's on fire! We've got two rabid dogs behind us!
"They're not here for you."
Kurapika's tone was firm.
"Killing a small fry like you would be a waste of time—plus it risks disqualification."
"They're not that stupid."
Leorio: … Ouch.
Sure, I was insulted…
But damn it, he has a point.
Just as if to confirm Kurapika's theory—
Thwip! Thwip! Thwip!
Three needles whizzed past Leorio and Kurapika's heads, aimed straight at Roy.
"Uncle, look out!"
Gon's sharp ears picked up the sound. But the warning wasn't necessary.
If the needles had taken Roy by surprise, they wouldn't be worthy of targeting him in the first place.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
The needles embedded into the ground just in front of Roy—perfectly spaced and deadly precise, blocking his path.
"Hoo~"
Roy reined in his step and signaled Killua to stop.
He narrowed his eyes and squinted at Gittarackur as he approached. With a calm demeanor, he brushed aside his wine gourd and took a sip of fruity liquor.
"What's this? You my fan now too?"
Illumi didn't respond. His eyes remained locked on Killua, forehead glistening with sweat.
His expression was full of distress.
He pointed silently at Killua, then pointed at himself—clearly trying to say something—but couldn't. His mouth was sealed shut with needles.
"Hey… you can't speak?"
Gon asked cautiously.
Kurapika arrived just then, dragging a breathless Leorio, and quietly took his place beside Roy.
Suddenly, a familiar perverted laughter echoed—
"Ah~ I see~ Ohohoho~ It really is you, Gittarackur~"
Whoosh—!
A gust of wind swept through as Hisoka appeared before them, eyes gleaming with sadistic desire, locked onto Roy.
"Mr. Tianwei~ My dear friend here is offering a trade. He wants to replace the kid under your feet."
The twisted couple's bond showed itself again. As soon as Hisoka finished speaking, Illumi crouched down with his back to Roy, tapping his own shoulder.
The entire group fell silent.
Gon, Kurapika, and Leorio's eyes turned into flat lines.
Wait… is this guy… volunteering to be a horse?!
Is that even a thing?!
Cheap? This is beyond cheap…
Killua stood frozen, moved nearly to tears.
Big brother… you're a good person! From now on, I swear—I'll call you blood brother!
Being a horse? At least it's better than the daily whipping back home…
"Heh~"
Roy sneered. He didn't believe for one second that this so-called "good brother," who had tormented Killua all his life, would do something so noble.
This is about Killua. That's the only reason he's lowering himself like this.
"Sorry, but I don't have a habit of riding strange horses."
Illumi's needle-pierced face twitched. He seemed to have expected Roy's rejection.
Without missing a beat, he looked at Hisoka and held up three fingers.
Hisoka licked his lips, eyes curving into crescent moons as he grinned.
"Three hundred million~"
"He's offering 300 million to be your horse."
…Huh?
Now that's the ceiling of the criminal underworld.