𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐘𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝐏𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐔𝐑𝐄𝐒

𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝟕 | 𝐇𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐄𝐗𝐀𝐌

Everyday Pleasures

"HERE are the results for the Third Phase," a man's voice proclaimed as all applicants stepped through an open doorway outside, immediately all able to feel the crisp air cool breeze that had been absent when locked inside the tower. "Twenty-six applicants have passed and one has died. Congratulations on your escape from Trick Tower."

Reaper stopped short.

For there, in front of her, stood a short, sharply dressed man donning large glasses in front of slit eyes with a mohawk of purple hair flourishing out from his otherwise bald head.

Well...

I've seen more interesting appearances.

She glanced towards Gittarackur who instantaneously caught her gaze even under the shadow of her hood.

It made her eyes narrow.

"Now, you only need to take the Fourth and Final Phase of the Exam," the short man continued, pointing directly behind him. "The Fourth Phase will be held on Zevil Island over there. Please cooperate." Snapping his fingers, a large man dressed in yellow rolled in a cart, a small box resting atop the surface, as he then announced, "For the next Phase, we will need to draw lots."

Many began murmuring in skepticism, finally one of the applicants asking, "What for?"

At this, he gave a wicked smile.

Reaper's frown only grew.

"It's to decide who will hunt and who will be hunted," he uttered without hesitation, enjoying the way the applicants seemed unnerved with such a proclamation. "There are twenty-six number cards in this box. In other words, these numbers represent all the current candidates. Now, I need you to come here and draw your number cards in the order you escaped from the tower. The first place, please."

Reaper watched as Hisoka confidently walked to grab a card, she following suite, until every single applicant had their card.

"Are we done?" The man hummed. "Then, please peel the stickers off your number cards."

Removing the white sticker, she sighed when seeing the bold 301 printed along the surface.

Gittarackur's number...

"They are your targets," the man continued.

Reaper wasn't surprised, nor was she intimidated, instead knowing that all she really needed to do was immobilize Gittarackur long enough to snatch up his pin, an easy enough feat for her. Walking onto the waiting boat with the rest of the participants, she stood for the remainder of the trip before all were let loose onto Zevil Island. Soon enough, she found Gittaracker, standing opposite of him in what could only be seen as a silent face off. The leaves of the trees rustled around them in the open clearing they stood in, the air chilling due to the ill intent obvious to anyone passing by.

"So, I am your target," Gittarackur clacked in confirmation, staring at Reaper intensely as if ripping her apart with just his eyes.

"Yes," Reaper replied bluntly.

Hm...

He's trained.

He's likely an assassin or mercenary.

From the way he stands, I can tell he is used to being the strongest opponent.

In what seemed like only a second, she grabbing her scythe from behind her to quickly deflect the deadly needles flying towards her, the pins falling to the ground without her having to exude any effort.

"Oh?" Gittarackur's smile seemed to widen. "So you can dodge my pins."

In a single blink, Reaper appeared behind him so she could swing her scythe down towards him. Using the small blades in between his knuckles, he was barely able to stop her attack in time, surprise seeming to flash in his eyes from how much he was straining against her. The two then flew away from each other, there being a moment of tense silence where they just stared at one another before the clashing of blades could be heard again, sparks from their weapons flying as the twos' fighting became more intense, their bodies almost a blur when they attacked each other again and again.

Gittarackur found himself confused.

It wasn't often that there was an opponent who could last so long against him.

It almost made him excited.

His gaze suddenly flicked toward the bush lined clearing, giving Reaper the time she needed to jump behind him and press the sharp edge of her blade against his neck. Time seemed to stand still in that moment as the breeze ruffled their clothing, a shiny glint being observable from the bushes that had distracted Gittarackur earlier.

"Go ahead," Reaper proclaimed softly. "I don't like people aiming guns at me either."

Gittarackur smiled as he pulled a pin from his face before flinging the small needle at the person whom had distracted him. A thud was then audible to the two when whoever the person was fell over, likely dead considering Gittarackur's precise aim.

"Let's have trade," Reaper suggested as she stepped away from Gittarackur whilst pulling out two badges she had already snagged prior to encountering him. "These two plus the one over there for yours."

"Ah," he mused as his ruby eyes flickered down to the badges in her bandaged hand, specifically the one with a bold 51 on the front. "This was my target."

"Then you haven't lost anything," Reaper let out a breath as she took Gittarackur's badge from his outstretched hand before tucking it deep within her cloak. "I enjoyed our fight, though it would do you well to brush up on your reflexes. Goodbye for now, Gittarackur."

With that, she stalked away.

Gittarackur's eyes followed her, something sparking in his once dead gaze.

Something dangerous.

As Reaper made her way through the forest, the sun's rays flitting through the branches lined with bright green, the leaves gently swaying in the breeze, she enjoyed the peaceful aspect of it all. Before long, she stopped at a secluded stream. After confirming no one else was weighing the vicinity, she removed her cloak that she wore everyday. Underneath said cloak, she donned a short-sleeved uwagi and loose fitting black pants that fell to her ankles. From the bandages peeking underneath her uwagi, it was clear her entire upper torso was covered in bandages. Staring at the tight bindings that hid her cleavage, she didn't find it odd that when covered with a thick cloak, she really did come off as a man.

I don't know why people assume...

Though, I'd rather people think of me as a male since it makes things easier for me in the long run.

After slipping off her clothing and bandages, she stepped into the water, almost immediately her scar-lined skin erupting in goosebumps from the freezing temperature. Looking down at her reflection, she fiddled with the ends of her (H/C) hair, wide (E/C eyes staring back at her. Her lips downturned into a scowl, and she turned away in disgust.

She didn't always hate her appearance.

However, after everything she had been subjected to, she avoided looking at herself the best she could since her appearance only served as a reminder of her sordid past, and neither were welcoming.

Reaper let out a slow sigh.

It's not as if I could've changed anything even if I wanted to.

Life just isn't fair that way.

__________________________________

To be continued...