Chapter 2: Not Friends
After arriving in Glamgarans, the circus settled into the venue where they would perform.
The circus leader, Mauritonio, had originally planned to take Hisoka to a hospital for treatment, but seeing that the young man could already move on his own, he simply took him to a clinic for some basic bandaging.
The members of the circus were a little shocked by the young man's resilience.
After all, when they'd found Hisoka, he was practically at death's door.
And yet only a few days had passed.
Still, no one paid much attention to the newcomer. They had a show to prepare for in two days, and the circus members were already rehearsing inside the venue, following the leader's instructions carefully to avoid any mistakes on performance day.
The circus included a wide variety of acts fire-breathers, acrobatics, animal training, and more! But the most famous of all was Mauritonio's signature trick: "swimming in the air."
This act seemed to defy gravity, allowing the performer to float lightly above the ground as though walking on air.
To Hazewho already knew the entire story it was obvious that the captain was secretly using his telekinesis to keep himself suspended.
Mauritonio's telekinesis had a sort of "magnetic" quality to it.
At the same time, Hazerecalled that the captain besides being a serial killer had once competed in the same Hunter Exam as Kinfulis. Unfortunately, only Kinfulis had succeeded that year.
No one really knew what happened back then, but the experience had left a shadow on Mauritonio's heart, causing him to abandon his dream of becoming a Hunter. Instead, he became a traveling performer and founded this circus.
"Eh?"
The day before the show, Hazewas washing clothes in his room when he heard a familiar sound behind him.
He didn't need to turn around to know who it was Hisoka.
Leaning lazily against the doorway, Hisoka watched him with a smirk.
"Everyone in the troupe's got a special skill or two. What about you? Laundry?"
"…"
"Nothing better to do? Why don't you go watch the others perform and learn something?"
Haze's face stayed blank.
Since coming to the troupe, Hisoka had been carefully observing everyone studying their methods, their techniques, their timing.
Hazeknew perfectly well what he was doing. The guy was learning.
Judging by Hisoka's future strength and talent, his learning speed was terrifyingly fast.
"Well… I've seen enough," Hisoka said with a shrug.
Haze's heart skipped a beat.
That tone he was implying he had already mastered it all, that the skills others had practiced for years were trivial to him.
"I'm busy. If you're not, please leave," Hazesaid calmly.
His value to the circus lay in logistics. As a new member, he hadn't yet earned a place on stage. To survive among strangers and not make enemies, Hazeworked quietly, taking on odd chores.
"Hey…"
A hand landed suddenly on his shoulder. Hisoka leaned closer, his voice a whisper near Haze's ear.
"You snuck out last night, didn't you?"
"...!"
Haze's pupils shrank.
He had gone out secretly to train. He had to use every spare moment to condition his body using the traditional Chinese martial arts regimen provided by the system.
He didn't have time to waste he knew what was coming. The leader's death at Hisoka's hands, the circus collapsing… and then he'd be on his own.
"Living with you was a mistake," Hazemuttered, his dislike for Hisoka deepening.
Yes when rooms were assigned, the leader had paired him with Hisoka.
"Hehehe…" Hisoka chuckled. "I've never seen training like yours before. It's interesting. How about teaching me?"
"What about this " Hazeraised a finger. "Tell me who you really are, and I'll consider it."
All his training routines were designed to strengthen specific body parts arms, legs, core and though the results were impressive, the side effects were brutal. His limbs still ached constantly, though he hid it well.
"My past, huh? I thought you hated me," Hisoka said lightly, dodging the question. "No matter… I'll remember that."
"Keep doing your chores. Don't bother me."
Waving lazily, Hisoka left the room.
"Afraid of being found out, huh?" Hazesmirked as he returned to his laundry.
He wasn't worried Hisoka would expose him. It didn't matter anyway the circus's days were numbered.
And as for Hisoka he had no friends in the troupe. NHazedy liked his half-lidded eyes or his ever-smiling face. Naturally, he was isolated.
Haze, however, was the only one close to his age so by circumstance, they ended up somewhat connected.
Gram, the "City of Pleasure," was a lively, bustling place filled with entertainment casinos, clubs, and luxury hotels.
The vibrant atmosphere made it a mecca for performers of all kinds, including the Moritonio Circus.
Finally, the day of the show arrived.
The venue, packed with thousands of spectators, buzzed with excitement.
The troupe took the stage to roaring applause, performing one dazzling act after another.
The highlight was Mauritonio's aerial performance: hanging upside down from the ceiling, cane in hand, he walked gracefully across the dome as if gravity meant nothing.
The crowd went wild, cheering and throwing gifts onto the stage. Hazeand a few others gathered the bills and coins, bowed deeply, and left the stage quietly.
As he exited, Hazecaught sight of Hisoka sitting cross-legged on a beam above, watching Mauritonio with keen interest.
"Could he… feel the telekinesis?" Hazewondered, frowning.
Even though he knew Mauritonio's secret, Hazehimself couldn't sense the flow of Nen or aura. That required talent.
And Hisoka's talent was nothing short of monstrous.
The night ended with thunderous applause another success for the troupe.
"Haze… how's your horseback act coming aHaze?"
That evening, during dinner, the captain looked at him and asked.
"I can manage the basics," Hazereplied.
"Good. You'll perform tomorrow."
"Understood."
Since joining the troupe, Hazehad only learned the simplest stage routines. Horseback acrobatics were among the easier acts riders performed dynamic stunts while galloping at high speed.
Having lived two lives, Haze's learning ability, while not as freakish as Hisoka's, was still remarkable thanks to his relentless effort, something the captain had clearly noticed.
"Isn't it too soon?" asked Abaki, a girl with bright orange hair tied in a ponytail.
There were only three people around the same age in the troupe: Haze, Hisoka, and Abaki.
"Sooner or later, it has to happen," the captain replied kindly. "Better to gain experience early. Don't fear failure you're still young."
Hazenodded quietly.
Meanwhile, Hisoka spun his knife and fork idly, his thoughts unreadable.
Time passed, performance after performance.
Haze's debut was nothing remarkable just a filler act between main events, meant to keep the crowd entertained. There was no pressure.
Since then, Hisoka had taken on more chores, often managing the troupe's props and supplies.
The Moritonio Circus grew more famous with each show, business booming in Gram.
And Hazecontinued training every night, unbothered by Hisoka's presence in their shared room. When the time came, he simply left to train in secret.
His diligence paid off his progress was remarkable.
Late one night, in a remote park on the edge of Gram City.
Haze, with sandbags tied to his limbs, dragged himself across the dirt. Sweat poured from his face, soaking his shirt.
He crawled back and forth, then climbed trees barehanded, and finally began striking trunks with his fists and feet each motion precise and disciplined.
Before Haze, dawn approached.
Panting, he stripped off the weights, gasping for air, chest heaving.
My strength and flexibility… judging by the stats, they're almost balanced. Time to move on to martial techniques.
He smiled faintly, looking at his calloused hands.
In just over a month, his body had changed completely his frame leaner, his muscles defined, his presence sharper.
He looked like an adult now. The transformation was astonishing.
In such a short time… no one would believe it, he thought.
It was partly the system's help but also something about this world itself.
This wasn't Earth; the environment, the energy, even life force felt different.
He'd only begun scratching the surface. But for now, he was satisfied.
"My body's got potential… That much is certain."
Compared to traditional training, the system's regimen was brutal but the results were undeniable.
As steam rose from his bare skin into the cool night air, Hazemurmured, "Almost time to head back "
He froze.
There, sitting cross-legged on a nearby bench, was a familiar figure.
"Heading home?"
Hisoka.
"When did you get here?" Hazefrowned.
"I've been here a while," Hisoka said lazily. "You were so focused, you didn't notice."
He stretched and yawned. "Couldn't sleep. It's boring being alone."
"…"
Hazesaid nothing.
Being watched was bad enough but being watched by Hisoka felt deeply unsettling.
"Hey…" Hisoka tilted his head, resting his chin on his hand. His eyes, half-hidden behind his fringe, glittered faintly. "You've always seemed… different. Like you're carrying something heavy inside. As a friend, maybe you could tell me your secret? Maybe I can help."
The moment he said secret, Haze's gaze turned cold. He stared directly at Hisoka.
"You really want to help me?" he asked quietly.
By now, he understood Hisoka well enough. The man wasn't being kind he was looking for entertainment.
"Of course," Hisoka smiled.
"Then do me a favor," Hazesaid evenly. "Go die."
"…Are you angry?" Hisoka raised an eyebrow.
Hazeignored him and started walking away.
"Don't be so cruel," Hisoka called after him with a chuckle. "Don't worry I'll keep your secret."
"Understand this," Hazereplied without looking back. "You and I are colleagues. Not friends."
"Yes… I understand," Hisoka said softly, catching up beside him.
(End of Chapter 2)