Unauthorized teaming

"That guy hiding up in the tree, watching the show."

The moment Luo Ye finished speaking.

Gon and Killua tensed up again.

Someone else was here?

They followed his gaze.

A hundred meters away.

A shadow flickered in the moonlight atop a large tree.

The man had hidden himself well, his presence blending into his surroundings.

If Luo Ye hadn't pointed him out, even Killua wouldn't have noticed.

"Who's there?"

Killua shouted and took a fighting stance.

Gon nervously tightened his grip on his fishing rod, too.

Hisoka had just left, and now there was someone else?

This damn island was crawling with hidden monsters.

The shadow in the treetop remained silent for a moment.

Then he emerged from the foliage.

He leaped lightly from the tree and landed steadily.

The moonlight illuminated his face.

Short blond hair, a handsome, composed face, and a distinctive set of traditional clothes.

"Kurapika!"

Gon and Killua cried out together.

The newcomer was actually their companion, Kurapika.

Kurapika looked at them, conflicting emotions crossing his face.

His gaze swept over the devastated battlefield before finally settling on Luo Ye.

Luo Ye was stretching lazily, looking as though nothing had happened.

Kurapika's hand unconsciously tightened around his weapon.

He had arrived some time ago.

He had been hiding in the shadows when Luo Ye provoked Hisoka, and had watched the whole thing.

He had watched Hisoka batter Luo Ye like a punching bag.

He had watched Luo Ye emerge unscathed and even drive Hisoka back with a single punch.

That hadn't been a fight. It had been two monsters having a wild time.

He had also seen Gon's miraculous "theft" at the end.

He no longer recognized these companions of his at all.

Especially Luo Ye.

When they first met aboard the ship, the boy had seemed lazy and harmless, interested only in watching the fun.

Who could have guessed he was hiding so much strength?

Kurapika had thought his resolve to avenge his people was strong enough.

But compared with these genuine monsters, he still had a long way to go.

"Yo, Kurapika."

Luo Ye spoke first, waving at Kurapika with the same punchable grin as ever.

"After watching that whole show for free, aren't you going to come out and leave a tip?"

Kurapika opened his mouth, unsure what to say.

A tip?

He called that a show?

They'd been risking their fucking lives.

"What are you doing here?"

Killua asked warily.

"My target is nearby."

Kurapika answered without taking his eyes off Luo Ye.

"Really? What a coincidence."

Luo Ye walked over with a smile and stopped in front of Kurapika.

He took his own number badge, No. 104, out of his pocket.

Then he pointed at the badge on Kurapika's chest, No. 404.

"You're my target."

His tone was light and cheerful.

But his words instantly froze the atmosphere.

Gon and Killua both stared.

Luo Ye's target was Kurapika?

Didn't that mean they'd have to fight each other?

Kurapika stepped back half a pace and tightened his grip on his twin blades.

He knew full well that his chances against Luo Ye were slim.

But as a hunter, he couldn't just sit there and wait to be taken down.

"Come on, then."

Kurapika took a fighting stance.

Luo Ye merely waved a hand.

"Why fight? What a hassle."

He spoke with a look of disgust.

"I just finished playing with one pervert. I'm exhausted. I don't have the energy to act out some tragic drama with you."

Luo Ye yawned.

Then he offered a proposal none of them had expected.

"Let's make a deal."

He looked at Kurapika with the expression of a crooked merchant.

"Give me your No. 404 badge. That'll get me the six points I need, so I can clock out early and find somewhere to sleep."

"In exchange..."

Luo Ye paused.

"The three of us will help you get your points. How about it? One badge for three helpers. Top-tier VIP support to max out your score. Is that a bargain or what?"

Silence fell again.

Gon and Killua exchanged a look.

They could do that?

Kurapika was stunned, too.

He had considered a desperate fight, a battle of wits, and using the rules to outmaneuver his opponent.

The one thing he hadn't considered was Luo Ye proposing such a blunt, straightforward, and tantalizing deal.

He glanced at Luo Ye, then at Gon and Killua beside him.

One could see through everything and had monstrous abilities.

One had instincts to rival a wild beast and downright uncanny fishing skills.

And the last came from an elite family of assassins, coolheaded and professional.

A "point-farming squad" made up of these three would probably be the most efficient team on the island.

"Well? Going to think it over?"

Luo Ye urged him.

"An offer like this won't come around twice. Hunting on your own is dangerous and a hassle. Leave it to us-a professional team offering full service from start to finish. Satisfaction guaranteed."

Kurapika fell silent.

He didn't trust people easily.

Yet looking at the three boys before him, he found his wariness crumbling.

Perhaps it was because they had just worked together to accomplish something impossible.

Perhaps it was because Luo Ye complained about everything being a hassle, yet had been willing to take on a monster like Hisoka for Gon.

Kurapika had never experienced a bond between companions that was so contradictory, yet so pure.

"My target is No. 198."

Kurapika finally spoke.

Those words amounted to accepting the deal.

"Done."

Luo Ye snapped his fingers briskly.

Without further hesitation, Kurapika removed the No. 404 badge from his chest and handed it to Luo Ye.

"A pleasure doing business."

Luo Ye took the badge and casually slipped it into his pocket.

No. 104 was worth three points, No. 191 one point, and No. 404 three points.

Seven points in total.

Mission accomplished, with points to spare.

"All right, that takes care of me."

Luo Ye clapped his hands.

"Now it's your turn."

He looked at Killua.

"What about you? How many points do you still need?"

"One more."

Killua answered coolly.

"My target's a rookie. I can deal with him anytime. Let's help Kurapika first."

"Sure."

Luo Ye turned to Kurapika.

"Got any intel on No. 198?"

"I've been observing him for a few days. No. 198 operates in a group of three."

Kurapika explained his predicament.

"They're three brothers who specialize in coordinated attacks. They always move together, so it's hard to find a chance to catch him alone."

"A group of three?"

Luo Ye's eyes lit up.

He had expected some dull point farming, but it turned out there might be a little fun involved.

"Isn't that perfect?"

Killua grinned excitedly, too.

"There are four of us now, aren't there?"

Gon, Killua, Kurapika, and Luo Ye, who had just announced he was "clocking out" only to get dragged back in.

"Hey, hey. I've already finished my assignment. I should be enjoying paid leave."

Luo Ye protested.

"Quit whining. The deal was for 'the three of us' to help him."

Killua hooked an arm around Luo Ye's neck.

"You're part of 'us,' too."

"Exactly! We're a team!"

Gon nodded emphatically.

Watching the three of them fool around, Kurapika's tense expression softened.

Without even realizing it, he smiled.

A team, huh?

This didn't feel bad.

"All right, all right. I can't help being a good guy who keeps his promises."

Luo Ye broke free of Killua's arm and straightened his collar, looking thoroughly reluctant.

"Now then, our esteemed client, Mr. Kurapika."

He spoke in an exceptionally professional tone.

"Your VIP point-farming service officially begins now."

"Four-man squad, target: No. 198 and his two brothers. Move out!"