"Final exam, fourth match."
"Gon versus Gittarackur."
Beans's announcement ended.
The entire hall fell deathly silent.
Everyone's eyes were fixed on the corner.
On the silver-haired boy who radiated an ominous aura.
"Gon."
Killua's voice was hoarse and dry, barely audible.
He rose slowly and shuffled toward Gon, one step at a time.
There wasn't a trace of color in his face.
"Give up."
He spoke.
"You can't beat that guy."
"Why?"
Gon looked up, his clear eyes full of confusion as he stared at his best friend.
"We haven't even fought yet. How can you say I can't beat him?"
"You don't understand!"
Killua suddenly lost control of his emotions.
"He's different from us. He has no feelings, no limits. He's nothing but a killing monster."
"If you go out there, you really will die."
"Killua."
Gon gazed at him without fear, only heartache.
"I don't want to give up."
"Because I want to be your friend."
"I want to see what you're so afraid of."
"I want to see what kind of person could scare you this much."
"That's the only way I can enter your world, right?"
Those words struck Killua hard in the chest.
He froze.
His mouth hung open, but he couldn't get a single word out.
Tsk, the protagonist's plot armor has kicked in.
Luo Ye watched from the sidelines, thoroughly enjoying the show.
It's practically blinding.
Still, it's working pretty well.
Seeing that Gon was about to get through to Killua, Luo Ye decided to add a little catalyst.
He sauntered over and draped a hand lazily over Killua's shoulder.
"All right, all right. Enough of the sob story."
He winked at Killua.
"Relax. Your brother-cough, that pincushion guy-is actually pretty nice. He wouldn't have the heart to hurt Gon."
"My brother?"
Killua's