Chapter 39: Majority Rule

Looking around, we spot a sign and 5 stopwatches. Gon reads the sign.

Gon: "The five of you must follow the will of the majority to reach the goal."

We each pick up a stopwatch.

Killua: " There's an O and X button."

After putting on the stopwatches, an announcement sounds.

"Hello. My name is Lippo. I am the prison Warren here, as well as the 3rd phase examiner. Multiple routes through this tower has been prepared, you have chosen the path of majority rule. Cooperation will be key if you wish to clear this phase of the exam. One person's selfish behavior can derail the whole group. Best of luck gentlemen!"

His voice cuts off. The wall opens, revealing a door. Kurapika reads the sign.

Kurapika: "At this door, select O to open, X to not open."

We select O. The door opens. We enter the next room.

Leorio: "Seriously? Another question so soon? Which way do you want to go…O for right, X for left."

We select, O wins.

Leorio: "Huh?! Why would you choose to go right?! Normally, you'd choose to go left."

Kurapika: "That's true. Studies have indicated that people who are lost or stuck at forks unconsciously tend to go left."

Killua: "I've heard of that before, too."

Leorio: "Wait, the numbers don't add up. Which button did you press?"

K, Ki, and E: "O."

We enter to the right path, Leorio complains that so what if they're simple minded. After walking around for a while, we come across a room with an arena in the middle. Looking across to the other side, I see 4 people at front, 1 at the back. I hear the sound of heavy shackles falling onto the floor. Are they prisoners? One of them takes off their cover, he feels dangerous with that scar on his head. An announcement sounds.

"Allow me to explain, gentlemen. Before you are some of Trick Tower's prisoners. The hunter exam committee has also officially hired them as examiners. You will be fighting against the 5 of them. The fights will be one-on-one. Each person may only fight once. You are free to use any method you like. There will be no draws. A win is declared when a opponent admits defeat."

The announcement cuts off. Scar guy speaks.

"You may pick your order. It's majority rule. So secure 3 wins and you may pass. The rules are simple."

Leorio: "Majority rule again?"

Killua: "Well, I prefer straight forward rules."

Kurapika: "I understand. And we must reach the goal within 72 hours. So time will be critical during these fights."

"Okay, I'm up first. Choose your combatant."

Killua: "What shall we do? He said we can fight using any method. So that means anything goes."

Esther: "If that's the case, let me go first."

Everyone turns to me, shocked.

Kurapika: "Esther, you do know that guy is dangerous. Let me go first, we don't know what is at stake."

Esther: "That's why, let me go. We don't know what is a stake. Don't worry, I'll be fine. Killua did say that anything goes. That means, anything goes…"

Killua: "…"

Gon: "What's wrong?"

Killua: "It's nothing…"

A platform stretches towards the arena. I walk forward, never looking back. Scar guy also walks onto the arena. We stand opposed. He speaks.

"Now, let us determine the method of combat. I propose a death match."

A death match?!