Part 13: Win X Or X Lose

SECCO RASVIN

"The chairman wishes to interview every applicant. If your number is called, then please come with me.", Mr. Beans said to all of the applicants inside the room where we were staying.

We all waited in the room for the other applicants that got an interview until it was my turn. Mr. Beans lead me into a wide room and in the middle, there was the chairman, sitting in a pillow and a small low table in front of him.

"Have a seat.", he gestured me to sit on another pillow at the other side of the table. I followed him and sat on it. It was a comfortable seat. I wonder why didn't I tried hacking my pillows in my bedroom and sit like this?

I just stayed quiet in my seat and wait for him to speak first. I wonder if this is the final phase of the exam because the chairman showed up.

"So... I'm going to interview you to satisfy my curiosity.", the chairman started to speak and I listened to him very carefully. "First question, which of the nine applicants caught your attention?"

I tried not to answer childishly. "That would be 405. I saw how he deals with situations many times since the first phase of the exam, and that really amazed me. 99 also caught my attention the second. I don't like 301 and 44 acts in the exam."

"Hmm... next, which do you least want to fight?"

"405, 99, 403, and 404. I've become friends with them since the first phase of the exam so I can't afford to fight them. And to be honest, I don't want to fight anyone. Because I think I don't have the chances to win.", I smiled insincerely, embarrassed of what I said.

"Hmmm... I see... You can go now.", he said so I got up and walked towards the door. I was about to open when I noticed something. Among his questions, it's really obvious. Could it be...

I turned around to see the chairman, still sitting in the pillow, checking something from a document he's holding.

" Mister Netero, can I ask a question?~"

He laughed at me like an old woman. "You've already asked. What is it?"

"You're making a tournament as the final phase where we're going to fight each other, right?~", I asked in curiosity. He started to laugh again because of my question. Did I say something wrong?

"Hahaha. You're a sharp one! Yes, that's true.", he said to me with a smile. I insincerely smiled back and was about to move out of the room, don't know how to react to what he said when he said his last regards.

"And... one more thing, Secco.", I leaned over to him once again. "Earlier during the fourth phase, you've been saved by the rules but... if you killed some innocent people next time, I'll put you on the blacklist."

I gave him a surprised look, at the same time, confused. I don't remember told anyone about it except Gon and the others, and he already knew about it again. And right now, he looked so serious, threatening me to put a bounty on my head. I immediately moved out of the room and into the corridor.

During my walk on the corridor, I thought deeply of what the chairman said earlier, confirming my thoughts. Probably, someone might be stalking us during the fourth phase. And I also thought about what he said before that. If it's going to be a one-on-one fight, there is a possibility that I might face my friends, well, I hope not.

***

Finally, we landed on our destination and it turns out to be a very large building. Mr. Beans showed up in front of us.

"This hotel was owned by the Hunter Exam Selection Committee. This is all yours until the time of your battle has been announced. For the Final Phase, we will be having a one-on-one tournament. All you need to do is to win to pass the exam. The winners will be removed from the tournament, and the losers will continue to fight. The one who finishes the top will not pass at the exam."

"So... you mean, there's only one applicant who won't pass?", the ninja guy asked him.

"Yes.", the chairman showed up in front of us. "And this is the bracket."

He showed a large sheet of paper and put it on the board provided. Lines are connecting one another. We saw the numbers of our tags in each of the lines below. I saw mine and it was just beside Leorio's number.

"Here are the rules. Weapons are allowed in the battle. Cheating is not allowed. You will be declared the winner when your opponent admits defeat. But if you killed your opponent, you will be disqualified. The remaining applicants will pass and the exam will end."

"Now, we will begin the Final Phase of the exam.", Mr. Beans said. "The first battle will be Gon versus Hanzo. Please step right in."

Before Gon steps forward towards the large area in the middle of the room, he looked at me and smiled. I smiled back and gave him a thumbs up. "Do your best, Gon!~"

He nodded and continued walking up to the wide-area at the middle of the room, while Hanzo, the ninja guy, was on the other side. The battle hasn't started yet, yet the tension already felt in the atmosphere. The fighters became serious and most of the applicants didn't dare to leave the room, didn't want to miss the fight, including us. My heart started to beat so fast because of this tension.

I wonder if Gon will be alright... Hanzo is a tough fighter based on his appearance. No! Gon will win this match, I knew he could! Maybe he has some strategies in his mind that will make him win.

"Begin!"

The referee shouted and Gon immediately made a quick step back but Hanzo is much faster than he is, catching up with his speed and already in front of him. Hanzo quickly strikes Gon's nape with great force, resulting in him to fell on the floor.

"Gon!", I yelled, worried.

"You can't win against me. Surrender now.", Hanzo told him.

"Never...", Gon came back to his senses and got up from falling.

Since Gon doesn't know how to give up, Hanzo landed some more strikes on him, making the former injured more. My both hands formed into fists as I couldn't take it.

"Surrender.", Hanzo convinced him again.

"No way!"

Hanzo is still convincing Gon to surrender while he refuses and still wanted to fight, resulting in the former continuing to strike him. This cycle of the fight continues, and Gon received more serious injuries than before.

I can't take it anymore. I feel like I wanted my bandaged arm to be awakened, to kill Hanzo, and Gon will win. But I know it only protects me and me alone.

I started to hear the other examiners inside the room blaming the chairman for making this decision. I leaned over to see the other applicants. Leorio and Kurapika started to get angry as I saw a hint of anger in Killua's face. The fight still continues, until Gon became exhausted and can barely move.

"Gon!", I shouted again as tears are started to fall on my cheeks. I can't help but to let them fall towards the floor. If only I can interrupt...

"That's it! I've had enough!", Leorio began to yell. "Hanzo, I swear I'll kill you! I'll take Gon's place instead!"

Leorio started to rush towards the fight to interrupt when some of the referees suddenly blocked his way towards them. But he still insisted on his self get away from the group of men.

My feet moved on their own and I also rushed towards the battlefield when the other referees also grab my hands, trying to keep me away from them.

"Let me go!", I shouted at them but they didn't obey me. I gave them my fiercest glares but to no avail.

"Stop it! If you will both interfere with the fight, Gon will be disqualified instead!", one of the referees shouted at us, resulting me to space out, looking at Gon. If I interfere, Gon's dreams of finding his father will be ruined... but I can't take him getting hurt like this!

"Don't worry, Leorio... Secco... I can still fight.", Gon said to us.

"You're not, you idiot!", I suddenly shouted at him. It's my first time giving him some insults. I just couldn't take it. What he was saying was really stupid!

Hanzo suddenly strikes at him again and took him down. "I'll break your arm if you refuse again. Surrender now!"

"I won't!", Gon shouted back, making Hanzo decided to break his arm.

He really broke his arm, making Gon cried in pain, louder than anything. I closed my eyes tightly and covered my ears with both hands, ignoring the sound and the sight of Gon getting hurt. If I witnessed this, this won't erase in my memory!

I can still Gon shouting at the end of my ear, so I covered it, even more, making my ear squeezed by my hands. I peeked at Leorio and Kurapika and they all have the same wrathful eyes to Gon's opponent.

Curious about what they were looking for, I leaned over to the battle and saw Gon's arm broken. Anger, wrath, and hatred had mixed all together in my heart.

Hanzo explained his past out of the blue, about being a ninja but I became uninterested and just watched Gon trying to get up. Then all of a sudden, Gon kicked Hanzo in his face with all his gathered strength. He's back on his feet and even though his arm was broken, he's still determined to fight again.

But his kick was nothing to Hanzo and he grabbed a sharp weapon from his sleeve. "I'm warning you. I'll cut your legs off if you still refuse. Surrender!"

"But I'll die and you'll be disqualified.", Gon tried to outsmart him.

"Then, I'll just have to apply again next year!", Hanzo answered as he also tried to outsmart him back.

"Is there a way for you to admit defeat without either of us getting hurt?", Gon asked, making him so stubborn. The other contestants started to laugh because of his decision, except for me, Kurapika, Leorio, and Killua who showed a confused face to them.

Hanzo is getting serious, realizing that Gon still doesn't give up. It surprises all of us when he stabbed Gon's forehead using the sharp weapon he was carrying. "I'll kill you... and I will just take the exam next year.", he said with his furious eyes.

Gon stayed quiet for a minute in his position, until he started to speak. "My father is a Hunter... and one day, I will find him. But if I give up now... I will never find him!", he shouted with his determining eyes and showed it towards Hanzo.

Some of us were surprised by what he said, including Hanzo. I feel my furious eyes started to sparkle, inspired by what Gon said.

"That...", I muttered. "... That was cool, Gon.", I said to myself with a warm smile on my face. Thanks to him, I finally calmed down.

Hanzo didn't say a word after some seconds and let out a sigh. "Okay, I surrender.", he said as he hides his weapon back, and was about to leave the field when...

"Wait a minute! I can't accept it! What kind of win is that?! Let's have another match, Hanzo!", Gon shouted at Hanzo, making the latter being annoyed. Is he really stupid? That's what he wanted Hanzo to say and he couldn't accept it?!

Because of annoyance, Hanzo delivered him a huge punch in the head, making Gon fell down the floor, unconscious.

"The winner is... Gon!", the referee declared and Hanzo left the scene. The medical team immediately carried Gon towards the medical room to treat his injuries.

The battle is still on.

"Next! Kurapika versus Hisoka!"