AN: I originally wanted to get this chapter out to you guys on Sunday as I am pretty consistent with uploads making it a triple upload that week. Unfortunately, I forgot I had plans that day that disrupted my workflow. It also did not help that I had stuff on Monday, so here it is!
'...the damn brat is fucking with me, there is no other explanation!' after having finally returned to my makeshift camp I found all my supplies and items missing even though the leaves and ground surrounding the tree looked perfectly undisturbed.
*sigh* ' I probably should not have tempted him by speaking my thoughts aloud…' looking around for any signs of another person present with me led to a dead end, though I never really expected to find him
*grumble* "well I probably won't get my stuff back… fucker even stole my wallet, not just the cash for whatever reason." While my current situation was annoying it wasn't horrible, I still had the items on my person and badge which was enough to finish the exam. Hopefully, Killua will get bored soon enough and stop messing with me as it would be rather annoying trying to get my target's badge with his interference.
'I guess I would rather move up my plans and take out my target tonight as I would otherwise have to go around collecting resources again before I try attempting to take my targets tag.' seeing as how it was already beginning to get dark out I still had a long while to wait before moving out for my target.
"So are you just going to sit here?" coming from right behind me was a familiar voice, though initially startled by the sudden noise I wasn't all that surprised he started talking to me.
"Well I already have tracked down my target and studied his habits… the only thing left is to wait for him to lower his guard and ill take him out." deciding to humor him I began talking about my plans for the early morning
'Might as well, even I have to agree with his sentiment this exam has been pretty boring so far… it's been essentially a camping trip the whole time.' turning around and looking to see Killua sprawled out on one of the limbs of the tree making him look like a lazy house cat.
"Neat, by the way, have you seen the others?" seemingly bored of the current topic he abruptly transitioned to another topic of discussion
"I don't know have you seen my stuff?" I mockingly said while looking him dead in the eye
"... what did you lose something? Maybe you forgot where you put it? I know you're getting on in the years may be getting dementia!" surprised by the question he was a bit too stunned to answer right away, though he did answer by deflecting the question and taunting me in an attempt to shift my attention away from the issue
"...sure. Anyways, I have not seen the others, for whatever reason not many people have hung around this area of the island, well there's actually like seven people over here which is about a ¼ of the contestants…" turning back around to look at my target once again I wait for Killua to continue our conversation.
"..." yet no reply came after I spoke
"Hmm? Turning around again I noticed that he was gone with the only trace of him being there previously was a small pile of my stuff that he supposedly had never seen.
'Well that's nice… looks like almost everything is here except the cash in my wallet and food…' *sigh* leaning back into the trunk of the tree with a defeated look on my face I began the long stakeout of my target.
{time skip}
'Well judging by the position of the moon it will soon be morning…' *yawn* slowly stretching my body before descending the tree I recheck my equipment for what must've been the thousandth time.
"Well, let's get this show on the road" slowly moving through the forest with practiced steps I began to creep closer to my target. With each passing second the tension in my body increases, while I may have the skills to take a life and the equipment to do so, putting those skills into practical use will be much harder especially for my first ever time. And while I could just take the tag or injure him I decided to stell myself and learn to be able to take a life in this comparatively controlled environment with good conditions then out on the field when I become a Hunter.
'His camp is up ahead… I need to be more careful of my footing now. There have been many previous cases of him waking up over broken twigs or shuffling of leaves so I need to make as quiet of an approach as possible.' raising my already high focus to another level I begin the last stretch of this hunt.
'There he is… ' eventually the woods began to clear and revealed a small area devoid of too much greenery was revealed to me. In the center of the clearing was the sleeping body of my target next to the smoldering remains of what used to be a small fire alongside a few other personal items.
'Well here we are… the last step' unholstering my revolver and slowly cocking the gun I aimer for his head to finish the job quickly
'Count of three? Yeah let's go with that…' mentally motivating myself I steeled my will to pull the trigger
"Three" *bang* with barely a whisper I just ended another man's life. Following the deed, I went through his personal belongings and took his badge, number 89, and tucked it inside my waistband next to my tag.
'Well it's nearly morning meaning there are two days left until the exam ends… though I don't think I will be sleeping any time soon.' looking down at the body of my target whose name I don't even know I begin think8ing of what I should do to his body
"The least he deserves is something resembling a proper burial…" moving back to my camp to retrieve my tools I begin reflecting on the first kill of both my lives.