Gladiator [K.Zoldyck X fem!Reader] (HxH)

26-You can do this, Gon

Hello, everyone!

How are you liking this story so far?

I absolutely adore the way it's turning out, so I want to get your guys' opinion on it, too :D

Anyways, enjoy this double-update!

-Shuzuku Higami

↜♡❖♡↝

↜(Y/N) Pov↝

I stepped into the room, looking at Chairman Netero. He smiled at me, saying: "It's nice to see that you've made it this far." I grinned, saying: "Hi, Gramps! It's been fun!" I then sat down opposite of him, asking: "So? What questions do I have to answer?"

"First, why do you want to become a Hunter?" asked Netero, to which I thought for a moment. Why do I want to become a Hunter? Clapping my hands together, I finally found an answer.

"I wanted to get away from bad people. I wanted to change my life. But now, I found a new reason. I want to travel and spend time with my friends. I want to go on many adventures with them!" I answered honestly, smiling as the images of my four friends flashed through my mind.

Netero smiled, saying: "That's an answer fitting to your character. Next question. Which of the other eight applicants are you keeping an eye on?" "Oh, that's easy. Hisoka and Gittarackur. They're scary." I answered immediately, not even having to think about it.

Nodding, Netero said: "The last question. Which of the other eight applicants would you least want to fight?" I smiled, scratching the back of my head as I answered: "If I can list more than one person, then definitely Killua and Gon. Aside from them, I'll fight anyone, really. I just can't bring myself to hurt my friends. Well, it would be hard to bring myself to fight Kurapika and Leorio..."

↜3rd Person Pov↝

"Which of the other eight applicants are you keeping an eye on?" asked Netero, looking at the young, white haired boy. He immediately answered: "Has to be (Y/N) and Gon. Since we're the same age."

"Which of the other eight applicants would you least want to fight?" Hearing this question, Killua paused. He thought about it for a bit, even though a very clear image of a smiling girl was already present in his mind.

So, he answered: "I don't want to fight (Y/N). Her and my fighting styles are very different. It would be weird." While what he said wasn't a lie, he had another reason he didn't want to fight her. He knew that, even if he tried, he couldn't bring himself to hurt her.

Her bright smile, her beautiful, (e/c) eyes, her kind personality... Lately, he often found himself thinking about her. He also noticed that he got that strange, warm feeling in his body more often. Even though it was so unfamiliar to him, he wanted more of it. He wanted more of her. He wanted to be close to her. But if he were to fight her... "I can't fight her." he said out loud, looking at the Chairman.

↜Time skip: later↝

↜3rd Person Pov↝

"Did you get plenty of rest? This hotel is owned by the Hunter Exam Selection Committee. The place is all yours until the battles have concluded." explained Netero, standing in front of the remaining nine applicants.

Someone brought a chalkboard on wheels over. "For the Final Phase, we will be holding a one-on-one tournament." said the Chairman, quickly removing the cloth on the board.

"So only the last person standing passes?" asked Leorio, a bit taken back. Netero immediately answered: "No. One win is all you need to pass." "One win?" repeated Gon, with Leorio saying: "Then, in this tournament..."

Netero said: "The winners are removed from the competition, while the losers continue up the bracket. In other words, the person who finishes at the top will not pass. Does everyone understand now?"

"I've taken part in those kinds of tournaments before." noted (Y/N), eyeing the chart closely. "Only one person fails, right?" asked Killua, to which she nodded her head, saying: "Yeah. It's simple."

"And here is the bracket." said Netero, reviling who would be fighting who. They each eyed the chart, with (Y/N) frowning almost immediately. Gon was first, and he would fight Hanzo. If Gon lost, then she would have to fight him. And if she were to lose to Gon, then she would have to fight Killua.

The Chairman looked at his work, asking: "Impressive, right? After all, everyone has at least two chances to win." Some applicants began to protest, saying that the bracket wasn't balanced, as some had five chances, and others had only two.

"This bracket was assembled based on your performances throughout the entire Exam. Those who performed better received more chances." stated Netero calmly. Killua asked: "That doesn't sound right. Can you explain how you scored our performances?"

Netero looked at the boy, then said: "No!" "Why not?!" Laughing, the Chairman said: "Your scores are classified information. So I can't tell you everything. But I can explain our methods."

"Is it important?" asked (Y/N), looking over at Killua, who said: "I wanna know why I placed below you two." She shrugged, continuing to listen to the Chairman.

He said: "First, we consider three major criteria: physical strength, mental strength, and overall impression. For physical strength, we use an aggregate of agility, flexibility, endurance, and perception."

"For mental strength, we use an aggregate of resilience, adaptability, judgement, and creativity. However, this information is only used as a reference point. After all, you were strong enough to advance to the Final Phase." he said.

Looking at each of the applicants, Netero said: "However, we are most concerned with your overall impression. This refers to any intangible factors not previously mentioned. You could consider this an evaluation of your potential as a Hunter. And we also incorporate the opinions of your peers. That was our process."

Killua stared at the chart, knowing that if it was based on performance alone, then he should be ranked higher. He glanced at his friends, wondering if he really had less potential than the two of them.

He came face to face with the young Gladiator. She smiled reassuringly at him, patting his shoulder gently. "Don't worry too much about it, Killua. You're amazing just the way you are." Her soft tone and the sincere glint in her eyes caused his heartbeat to elevate. "(Y/N)..." he trailed off, not sure what to say.

Netero said: "The battle rules are quite simple. Weapons are allowed. No cheating. If your opponent admits defeat, you win. However! If you kill your opponent, you will be immediately disqualified. All remaining applicants will pass, and the Exam will end. Are we clear?" He paused for a moment, not hearing a response. So, he continued. "Then, we shall begin the Exam's Final Phase."

"The first match is Hanzo vs Gon. Please step forward." called a man out, looking at the applicants. Gon started to walk towards the middle of the room. "Ah, Gon!" called (Y/N) out, reaching out towards him.

She got a hold on his wrist, pulling him back slightly, causing him to look at her. She smiled at him, then trapped him in a hug, saying: "You can do this, Gon." Gon returned her hug, saying: "Thank you, (Y/N). I'll do my best." "And you'll win." she noted, to which they both shared a quick laugh. Then, Gon went to start his fight.