Oliver x Reader || tpn fanfiction

Chapter 12 - direct attack?

Y/N pov

Through the dense foliage, Oliver and Paula emerged, looking somewhat worse for wear. Oliver's clothes bore faint stains of dirt, his hair was in disarray, and a slender cut adorned his forehead.

Concern mixed with amusement, Sonya inquired, "What happened?" She couldn't help but notice the state Oliver was in.

Looking at Sonya with calm eyes, Oliver replied, "I might have miscommunicated."

Nigel's curiosity got the better of him as he asked, "How so?"

Clearing my throat, I recounted the incident, "He said and I quote, 'It's allowed to hide, to run, but not to attack directly.' However, to be fair, Oliver ran into that tree on his own."

With raised eyebrows, Oliver retorted, "So, I tripped myself up?"

Attempting to keep a straight face, I continued, "Technically, it was an indirect attack." But with Nigel's laughter next to me, it was challenging not to crack a smile.

Trying not to laugh, I added, "I have never broken the rules. It was, if anything, a creative interpretation." I covered my mouth with one hand to hide my grin. Nigel couldn't contain his laughter and rolled on the floor laughing. Sonya looks off into the distance with a big grin, about to burst out laughing, Sandy and Pepe stifle laughter, and I could swear Paula has a grin under her mask too.

Zack even chimed in with a smile. Oliver, however, maintained a composed expression, his lips pressed into a thin line.

"Good thinking," he finally said, giving credit where it was due. "I deliberately added that to the rules. During these hunts, you can gather valuable information. Of course, outsmarting me won't be as easy as tricking them, and the demons are quick on their feet, but it's a helpful skill to develop." Oliver's sheepish smile softened his critique.

"Both of you have unknowingly grasped and put into practice the second lesson," Zack remarked, a hint of pride in his voice. "By taking turns, you forced the hunter to focus on two targets simultaneously. It's a clever tactic, but be cautious not to provoke the hunter excessively."

Oliver chimed in, building on Zack's explanation, "In addition, this game demands that you utilize all your senses, not just what's immediately visible or audible. The design mimics the challenges of a 'real' hunt, which, unfortunately, reflects the reality of our situation here. We do our best to prepare you for the dangers and sharpen your instincts." He turned to me and added, "And I believe Y/N has already grasped that concept."

Confused, I raised my head towards Oliver. "What do you mean?"

"Didn't you hear what we just said?" Oliver asked with a playful smirk.

Feigning nonchalance, I replied, "Oh, of course, I was just contemplating the meaning of life." Then, with a sarcastic grin, I added, "But how did you know that I had already figured it out?"

"You had this look on your face, like someone who just heard something they already knew," he responded, and I couldn't help but sheepishly grin in acknowledgment.

"Alright, let's continue," Oliver said, steering the conversation back on track.

.

.

.

We lay sprawled on the ground, panting heavily, utterly drained from the grueling training we endured. The training had been relentless, and the highlight, or perhaps the only amusing part, was a little game we played earlier.

Flashback

As Oliver announced a five-minute break, we felt both relieved and disappointed. Why only five minutes? Nigel stood next to me, gasping for breath, and I took a moment to gulp down some much-needed water.

"I've had enough. I'm heading back," Nigel muttered with a hint of passive-aggression, clearly frustrated by the intensity of the training.

Feeling a sense of camaraderie, I whispered to Nigel, "If you manage to slip away unnoticed, I'll cover for you." Surprised but appreciative, Nigel looked at me gratefully.

Just as Nigel turned to leave, I spotted a slight movement and instinctively reached out to stop him. Time seemed to slow as I managed to intervene just in time.

Unexpectedly, Zack appeared before Nigel, crossing his arms with a stern expression. Nigel's face registered fear as he looked up at the towering figure of Zack.

"Oh, hey... I didn't even see you... not that you are small. Like I didn't mean it in that way. You are so tall and-" Nigel's words stumbled nervously.

Zack interrupted, asking, "Where were you going?"

Flustered, Nigel tried to backtrack, "Me? Oh, n-nowhere. I don't know how you got that idea. Oh, and I think the training is really great. I just thought it would be boring if I'd only stand in the same place... haha," he laughed nervously.

"Sit down. Oh, and good reflexes, Y/N," Zack commented before turning away.

Nigel plopped down next to me, muttering, "Such crap." I couldn't help but nod in agreement as I too settled back down, realizing that trying to escape unnoticed in this intense training session was wishful thinking.

End of Flashback

The training session had taken a toll on all of us, and I dreaded the thought of tomorrow with sore muscles looming ahead.

I mustered the energy to inquire from Nigel, "Tell me, Nigel, how long have you been here?"

He responded in a hushed tone, "Maybe a week or two, but not longer." His weariness was evident in his voice.

The exhaustion was palpable among the group, except for Oliver and Zack, who seemed like they could endure twice the training we had just gone through.

Struggling to stand, Nigel reached out his hand to me, and I took it with my trembling grip. However, before we knew it, we found ourselves back on the ground, unsure of how it happened. The fatigue had overwhelmed us, and I couldn't even remember the sequence of events.

"Damn, I don't think I'll manage to get back on my feet a second time," Nigel laughed, rolling off me.

Chuckling through my weariness, I replied, "Oh man, I really should have exercised more back then."

Sandy offered his assistance with a smile, and we gratefully accepted, allowing him to pull us back up.

"Don't worry. The training was tougher than usual, and you both held up surprisingly well," Sonya complimented.

Paula chimed in, explaining, "The training follows a specific pattern throughout the week. As we approach the next hunt, the intensity decreases. On hunt days, we have no training at all."

As I was catching my breath, Zack mentioned, "Oliver wanted to see you, Y/N."

"Thanks," I replied with a smile, making my way over to Oliver. He was engrossed in a notebook, his brow slightly furrowed. When he heard my footsteps, he looked up and greeted me with a kind smile.

"Exhausted?" he asked, to which I simply nodded in response before attempting to speak further.

"But that wasn't the only reason you wanted to see me, was it?"

"As much as I enjoy talking to you, there is another reason. Come on," he said, leading the way, and I followed, feeling like a lost chick running after mama Oliver.