Leaves crunched under Killua's boots, his hands buried in his pockets, nails brushing the rough fabric. The forest thickened, low branches scraping his shoulders. He shot sidelong glances at Kurapika, who strode ahead.
Kurapika turned his head. "You're awfully quiet," he said, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Still thinking about my little demonstration?"
"Tch," Killua grunted, eyes narrowing.
His fingers tightened in his pockets, nails digging into the fabric. 'Is he really gonna show me how to do that?'
A sharp crack broke the silence. Both stopped calmly.
A man emerged, tall and gaunt, a blood-stained bandana on his forehead. His fingers gripped a rusty machete.
"You…" The man pointed his blade, voice quivering. "Give me your badges!" His hands shook, the machete wobbling. "Now!"
Killua raised an eyebrow, lips twisting into a smirk. 'Seriously? This guy's half-dead. Why's he even trying? Pathetic…' He flexed his fingers, nails glinting. 'I could take him in under a second.' He stepped forward.
Kurapika placed a hand on his shoulder, fingers firm. "Hold off," he murmured, voice calm. He stepped forward, smile relaxed. "Your badge," he said, eyes locking onto the man. "Show it first."
The man blinked, jaw dropping. "Huh?" His machete trembled, fingers clenching. "Who're you?"
Kurapika tilted his head, lips stretching. "Just a candidate like you," he replied, voice soft, almost mocking. He took a step, scarlet eyes gleaming. "So, that badge?"
The man stumbled back, heels catching on a root. "Stay back!" he shouted, voice rising. He raised his machete, eyes wide. 'He's gonna kill me!'
Kurapika sighed, shoulders slumping slightly. In a flash, his hand shot out, seizing the man's wrist. The machete clattered to the ground. The man whimpered, knees buckling, fingers clawing at the air. "Please!" he sobbed, eyes swimming with tears.
Kurapika rifled through his pocket, yanking a badge pinned to his jacket and scanning it. "Thanks," he said lightly. He released the man, who collapsed, hands clutching his chest.
Killua crossed his arms, lips pursed. 'Too easy. I could've done it faster.'
Kurapika turned his eyes to Killua. "Not bad, huh?" he teased, a playful smile on his lips.
"Tch," Killua grunted, looking away. He quickened his pace.
A sharp whistle sliced the air. Killua spun. A bullet grazed his shoulder, carving a gouge in a tree's bark. Kurapika tilted his head, dodging another bullet, blond hair brushing his face.
'A sniper.' Killua froze. 'Where is she?'
He scanned the surroundings.
'Up there.' Twenty meters away, a branch creaked faintly, barely audible. A figure shifted, nearly hidden in dense foliage.
Killua smirked. 'Got you.'
He scooped up a pebble and hurled it, the projectile streaking like an arrow. A muffled cry rang out, followed by a thud. A woman dropped from a branch, a red stain spreading on her forehead, eyes fixed.
Kurapika frowned. "That wasn't necessary," he murmured, eyes sliding to the body. "It's just about scanning badges."
Killua shrugged. "If you're ready to kill," he said, voice cold, "you should expect to be killed."
Kurapika sighed, rubbing his neck. "Fair enough," he murmured lightly. "But try aiming for the badges next time." His teasing smile returned.
With that, they moved on.
After covering some distance, a hoarse chuckle erupted. Three figures emerged—criminals, faces stitched with scars. Among them, a hulking man with a shaved head spat on the ground. "Look at this," he growled, voice deep. "Two kids looking for trouble."
Killua took a step.
Kurapika placed a hand on his arm, fingers firm. "Easy," he murmured, voice teasing. He stepped forward. "Gentlemen," he called, eyes locking onto the giant, "I'd advise you not to piss off my friend." He nodded toward Killua, a wry grin on his lips. "He's not in the mood."
The giant roared with laughter, his axe gleaming. "Your friend?" he sneered, lips twisting. "This kid?" He stepped forward, his cronies advancing.
Kurapika sighed, shoulders slumping. "You asked for it," he murmured softly.
In that instant, Killua lunged, nails aiming for one criminal's throat. His fingers sliced the air, but Kurapika beat him to it, striking the man's chest. The criminal collapsed, groaning, eyes rolling back.
Killua growled. 'Damn it!' He charged the next, fingers targeting the throat.
Kurapika outpaced him again, locking the criminal in a submission hold. The man screamed, knees smacking the ground.
The giant roared and charged.
Killua narrowed his eyes.
'Another one who thinks size is everything.'
Kurapika stepped in front.
Then came a gust. The giant froze. His pupils dilated, mouth twisting into a silent grimace. A trickle of drool slid down his chin. He swayed, knees cracking against the ground, then faceplanted.
'What?!' Killua gritted his teeth. 'He just… looked at him?!' His gaze snapped to Kurapika. 'He could've done that to me earlier?!'
The other two criminals exchanged a glance. One, face scarred with a lightning-shaped mark, stepped back. "He's… a demon!" he stammered, his knife clinking against his belt.
Kurapika turned to them, eyebrow raised. "Your tattoos," he said simply, voice as calm as if asking the time.
The scarred criminal reached for his neck, fingers trembling.
Killua sprang like a coil, his foot crashing into the man's skull before he could speak. The body slumped, lifeless. The last thug screamed, turning to run, but Kurapika was already there, an arm wrapped around his throat. The man clawed the air, dirty nails scraping uselessly at Kurapika's skin.
Kurapika scanned the tattoo on his neck before letting go. The thug collapsed, coughing, hands clutching his throat.
Killua shot him a dark look. He kicked the giant's limp body, flipping it like a pancake. "He dead?" he grumbled, voice sharp. "You could've let him come. I was gonna gut him."
Kurapika crouched beside the giant, lifting an eyelid with a dispassionate finger. "Pupil's contracted," he murmured, more to himself than Killua. "Interesting…"
"Hey," Killua snapped. "What's with always babysitting me?!"
Kurapika stood, wiping his fingers on his pants. "Babysitting?" His teasing smile returned. "I'm saving your energy. Trust me, you'll have plenty of chances to cut loose."
"I'm not a kid!" Killua's voice growled, higher than he meant. "I could've handled those three idiots in ten seconds."
"Eight," Kurapika corrected, scanning the giant's tattoo. "But with two wasted moves."
Killua blinked. 'Is he messing with me?!'
Kurapika turned, resuming their march. "Well?" He paused, a silhouette against the trees. "You gonna stand there like a poisonous mushroom?"
"Tch." Killua stormed past in three angry strides, avoiding his gaze.
Suddenly, Kurapika stared at the horizon. Killua stopped short, following his gaze, eyes narrowing. Nothing.
Kurapika frowned, lips tight. "Fate's a stubborn thing," he murmured, voice low.
Killua blinked, lips parting. 'What's he talking about? Did he sense something?'
Kurapika turned, eyes meeting Killua's. "Stay sharp," he murmured, voice firm. He took a step, his chains glinting briefly. "Things might get interesting."
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