The silence following Killua's declaration was more than an absence of sound.
Every gaze—Gon's, wide with fear; Leorio's, poised to act but frozen in confusion; Hanzo's, tense; Hisoka's, glinting with perverse delight; Netero's, observant and faintly amused; Rippo's, disapproving; and finally, Kurapika's—was locked on the two Zoldyck brothers.
Illumi didn't move. Not a muscle twitched on his porcelain face. Not an eyelash fluttered. Only his large black eyes, bottomless voids where emotion seemed to have evaporated, remained fixed on Killua.
Killua felt that stare like an icy blade piercing his soul. Fear, that old, familiar companion, surged like a tsunami, threatening to overwhelm him, to force his eyes down, to wrench a cry or a flinch from him. His muscles quivered under the psychic pressure, cold sweat beading at his temples.
Memories of training sessions, exquisite pain inflicted, whispered threats in his ear—all flooded back with blinding clarity.
But amidst this storm of terror, something flickered. A tiny, fragile, yet stubbornly persistent spark. The feeling of Gon's hand in his just days ago. Leorio's hearty laugh. Kurapika's confident smile.
The simple fact of being here, with them, after surviving hell.
It was his choice. His decision.
Not one imposed by family, by his father, by Illumi.
For the first time in his life, Killua Zoldyck had said "no" to his older brother. And that act, despite the paralyzing fear, unleashed a strange gust of sharp, intoxicating air.
He clenched his fists so tightly his sharp nails cut into his palms. The sharp, familiar pain grounded him in the present. He lifted his chin slightly, facing the void in Illumi's eyes. He said nothing. He had nothing to add.
His "no" still echoed in the iron silence.
It was Hisoka who broke the vice-like quiet, his voice soft as poisoned velvet. "Oh my, little one… Looks like you've grown some claws." His stifled laugh rang out, jarring and sinister. "Illumi, darling… Your little bird's singing a new tune. Quite captivating, isn't it?"
Illumi's black eyes finally left Killua. Slowly, with unsettling fluidity, they shifted to Hisoka. The void lingered for a moment, then a tiny, cold, calculating glint flashed briefly. A silent warning. Hisoka's smile widened, meeting the gaze with relish.
Then Illumi's eyes moved to Kurapika. This wasn't the raw hatred from before.
It was worse. He sized him up from head to toe. He said nothing. Not a word. But the message was clear: You're responsible. You're marked. You're a variable to be eliminated.
Finally, his gaze returned to Killua.
"You've been contaminated, Killua," he said at last. "These… people." The word seemed alien in his mouth. "They've weakened you. Made you foolish."
Killua felt another wave of fear but pushed it back. He shook his head slightly, a tiny but fiercely determined gesture. "No." His voice wavered but carried. "I'm not weaker." *I'm stronger now.*
Another silence fell, briefer this time. Illumi tilted his head a barely perceptible degree.
"Very well," he said simply. The words dropped like a stone into a bottomless well.
He turned his gaze to Netero. The Hunter Association President watched the scene with his enigmatic little smile.
"President Netero," Illumi said, his voice regaining a neutral, almost professional tone. "The exam is over. My obligations as a candidate are fulfilled. I'm withdrawing."
Netero nodded slowly, a satisfied hum escaping him. "Indeed. Your results are validated. You're free to go."
Illumi moved to leave, then paused. Without turning his head, he directed his final words at Killua, a phrase thrown like a cold guillotine: "Father will be informed of your choice, Killua."
Killua paled slightly but didn't lower his eyes. He kept his chin up, even as his legs trembled.
Without a backward glance or a word to the others, Illumi turned and strode toward the hold's exit.
The tension in the hold plummeted. Gon let out the breath he'd been holding in a gasp, rushing to Killua.
"KILLUA!" He grabbed his shoulders, almost shaking him. His eyes shone with a mix of worry and pure admiration.
Leorio nearly collapsed, running a trembling hand through his hair. "Holy hell… I thought we were all done for. That guy… he's not human." His gaze fell on the dead assistant's body, still on the floor, and disgust and anger crossed his face. "And that poor guy… like it was nothing."
Hanzo relaxed slightly, his hand leaving his wakizashi's hilt. "Hmph." His eyes settled on Kurapika. "You're the real monster here."
Kurapika didn't respond. His eyes were still fixed where Illumi had vanished. He turned to Killua, now flanked by Gon bombarding him with anxious questions. "Killua. Are you sure?"
Killua gently pulled free from Gon's grip. He was still pale, his hands trembling slightly, but he met Kurapika's gaze. "Yeah," he said simply. Then a small, fragile, but genuine smile touched his lips. "For the first time… yeah."
Hisoka, who'd watched Illumi's exit with a slightly disappointed pout, as if hoping for a bloodier show, turned to Kurapika. His smile regained its full perversity.
"Such a shame," he sighed, exaggeratedly. "The show promised so much. But oh well…" His yellow eyes gleamed. "It's only postponed, right?" He licked his lips. "I hope I'm there to savor it."
Kurapika didn't bother looking at him. "Mind your own business, Hisoka."
Netero cleared his throat lightly, drawing everyone's attention. His smile remained, but his gaze had shifted from amusement to gravity.
"Congratulations again, young Hunters," he said. "Surviving the exam is a feat in itself." His eyes swept the hold, lingering on the body, then on Rippo, who wore a look of deep disgust. "Master Rippo, please handle… the incident. And summon a medical team for the two late arrivals." He gestured to the exhausted candidates, still on their knees and visibly shaken by what they'd walked into.
Rippo nodded, his face stern. "Understood, President." He shot a dark glance toward the door Illumi had exited. "An investigation will be opened into this killing. Hunter privileges aren't a license to murder."
Netero didn't comment. He turned to the main group. "As for you… The exam is over, but your Hunter journey begins. The official ceremonies and license presentation will take place back at Association HQ. For now…" He made a broad gesture. "Rest. Celebrate. You've earned it. The airship will land in a few hours."
With that, Netero turned and left the hold, Rippo close behind, already speaking into a transmitter. The two exhausted candidates were quickly tended to by medical assistants who arrived.
In the now calmer hold, despite the persistent engine hum, the group was left alone. The assistant's body was quietly removed, leaving a dark, accusing stain on the metal floor.
Gon turned to Killua with starry eyes. "So? SO? We're Hunters, Killua! And you're staying with us!" His enthusiasm was infectious.
Leorio straightened, trying to regain his usual swagger. "Yeah, well… Hardly had time to soak it in with all this drama! But still…" He slung an arm around Killua and Gon in a rough hug. "We did it, kids! Professional Hunters! Money and glory, here we come!"
Killua squirmed, grumbling, but without real effort, a true smile starting to light his face.
Hanzo nodded at them. "You're a weird bunch. I'm looking forward to getting back to the monastery." He moved to a quieter corner, clearly wanting to meditate or just stay out of it.
Hisoka watched the scene, smiling. He caught Kurapika's eye one last time. "You're keeping your promise, Kurapika," he murmured, loud enough for only him to hear. "I can't wait to see the result…" Then, with feline grace, he melted into the shadows of another corridor, vanishing.
Kurapika didn't react. He watched Gon, Leorio, and Killua. Seeing Killua smile, truly smile, even shyly, amid their clumsy cheers…
He approached. "Killua," he said, catching his attention. Those blue eyes, still a bit wide from Gon and Leorio's antics, turned to him. "What you did… That was brave. Incredibly brave." His voice was low, sincere. "But the threat is real. Your family won't let this go."
Killua's smile faded slightly, replaced by a dark resolve. "I know." He met the scarlet gaze. "But I'm not going back. Never again."
Gon squeezed his shoulder. "We'll be there, Killua! We'll protect you!"
Leorio grunted. "Yeah, well, against monsters like his brother, we'll see… But we'll do our best, kid. Don't worry."
Kurapika nodded. "Alright…" A rare, faint smile crossed his lips. "I think Leorio's right. We've earned a celebration. We're Hunters."
As the airship cut through a cloud layer, the four friends stood clustered in the empty hold.
Killua took a deep breath.
The real test—the life of a Hunter and the hard-won freedom—had only just begun.
On the horizon, the skyscrapers of a megalopolis glimmered.
END OF VOL 1 - NEXT CHAPTER ON 14 JULY
Enjoying the story?
☕ You can support me with a one-time tip on Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/hemlet
📚 Want to read 30+ chapters ahead and get exclusive content?Join me on Patreon: patreon.com/Hemlet
Your support means the world — thank you! ❤️