Dawn's Route

Boom!

The battleship had just broken free from the rocks when a huge wave slammed into it, nearly capsizing the entire ship. The examinees on deck staggered to keep their balance. Some slipped, while others clung desperately to the ropes.

Inside the wheelhouse, Kurapika gripped the helm, his arms trembling from the strain. He gritted his teeth as cold sweat slid down his temple. The needle before him swung wildly, and the steering mechanism clattered chaotically under the violent shaking.

"Damn it... Hurry, hurry—"

Another wave crashed into them. The entire ship lurched violently, throwing Kurapika off balance. He fell backward, smashing the back of his head against the iron wall inside the wheelhouse. His vision went black, and the world spun. In a daze, he saw someone slowly approach the helm.

—Gittarackur.

He stepped forward without a sound and seized the wildly spinning wheel with one slender hand. Calmly adjusting its angle, he looked as though he had not exerted the slightest effort. He stood there like a cold machine, perfectly steady. No matter how high the waves rose or how loudly the wind roared, his movements remained completely controlled.

Hisoka lazily leaned against the mast, slowly fiddling with a playing card. A signature smile curled at the corner of his lips. "It's about time we took action."

After the violent rocking just now, Leorio suddenly turned around and shouted into the speaking tube, "Kurapika!"

"Kurapika!"

"Kurapika!"

"Damn it..." Killua said, his expression changing.

Ryan narrowed his eyes and looked across the entire deck toward the wheelhouse, his brows slightly furrowed. At a time like this, Gittarackur—Illumi—should have taken over the controls.

Killua was just about to send someone to check the wheelhouse when—

The next moment, Hisoka's languid voice came through the ship's speaking tube. "There's no