Illumi's mushroom soup~

After Killua, Gon, and the others landed on the island.

The fourth phase of the exam officially began.

Cordis immediately staked out the spot closest to where he had started.

He kept tailing his target.

Cordis was fairly familiar with this sort of tracking.

He silently followed behind his target.

Then he struck the back of his target's neck with a chopping blow.

His target collapsed on the spot.

When the monkey he had brought along saw its master fall.

It hopped around a couple of times, then screeched twice at Cordis when its master failed to respond.

Then it scurried off into the depths of the forest.

After rummaging through his target's clothes.

Cordis successfully found the number badge tucked against his chest.

He moved his target somewhere safe.

He was doing him a favor, really.

After all, this year's Hunter Exam was full of monsters. For his own safety, he was better off unconscious.

If he woke up, he would definitely thank Cordis properly.

Cordis toyed with the number badge for a moment.

Then tucked it into his pocket.

"What should I do next~?"

Cordis now had several options before him.

He could stay quietly on the island until the exam ended.

Or he could go find Gon and Killua.

Helping Kurapika and the others was another good option.

After giving it some thought.

He finally decided to check what Gon was doing first.

As for how to find him...

I don't have Gon's tracker-equipped nose.

I'll just wander around, then.

Leave it up to luck.

Besides, no one on this island can threaten me except Hisoka and Illumi.

And how bad could my luck possibly be for me to run into those two?

He casually snapped a branch off a tree.

Then placed it on the ground.

He held it upright with one hand.

"Branch, oh branch, please tell me where Gon is right now."

Then he let go.

Without any support, the branch fell straight to the ground.

Cordis looked at the branch pointing east and burst out laughing.

"Seriously, I'm too old to believe in this stuff."

"All right! South it is!"

Then he stepped on the fallen branch, snapping it in two.

And set off south.

He walked for an entire day.

Evening gradually began to fall.

And Cordis still hadn't found Gon.

By now, he was absolutely starving.

After all, he was still just an ordinary person who happened to be somewhat strong.

Suddenly, an enticing aroma drifted over from somewhere.

Cordis was completely drawn in by it.

He followed the scent to a patch of bushes.

He pushed the bushes aside and found Illumi, the man who filled his thoughts day and night, right there!

Making mushroom soup?

So Nen users need to eat too?

Cordis had thought those guys had already trained their bodies to never feel hunger.

Illumi had noticed Cordis as he approached.

Based on his observations over the past two days.

He could more or less rule out this guy being an enemy.

Judging by the way he acted.

He was probably some voyeur with peculiar tastes.

"Gittarackur!"

"What a coincidence! I never thought I'd run into you here~"

As he spoke, he sat down beside Illumi as naturally as could be.

Then he pointed at Illumi's mushroom soup with an innocent look and asked.

"Wow! That smells amazing! Is that mushroom soup?"

Illumi ignored him.

He simply ladled himself a bowl of mushroom soup and drank it.

Cordis could tell that he didn't seem particularly interested in talking to him.

But he wasn't upset.

He kept staring at him with the same lovestruck expression.

Back at the bottom of the tower, Illumi had already endured Cordis's ardent gaze.

For three whole days.

By now, he was completely immune.

Grrrrumble.

In the end, Cordis lost to his hunger.

His stomach kept rumbling like thunder.

It was like suddenly letting out a loud, stinking fart in front of the person you liked.

Cordis clutched his stomach, trying to muffle the noise.

It was unbearably embarrassing.

With hearts in his eyes, he gazed at the fragrant half-pot of mushroom soup still sitting before Illumi and asked.

"Gittarackur, could you share a little of your soup with me?"

Illumi didn't hesitate for even a second.

"No."

Those words instantly ruined Cordis's mood, which had been so bright after seeing his idol.

Illumi saw Cordis lower his head, his face filled with dejection.

After thinking for a moment, he explained.

"If you eat any, there won't be enough."

Not enough?

Illumi already ate half the pot by himself.

Did I underestimate how much he eats?

He needs a whole pot to himself before he's full!

"Oh my~ Pai Pai, I never thought we'd have such a connection."

Hisoka emerged from the darkness, swaying his hips.

As Cordis watched Hisoka approach.

He finally understood what Illumi had meant.

The remaining half-pot was for Hisoka.

Cordis roared inwardly.

Damn it! I want to eat Illumi's mushroom soup too! Hisoka, you deserve to die!

Back in reality.

Cordis turned his head straight to the side.

As the saying went, out of sight, out of mind.

Hisoka casually tossed the mushrooms he had just picked into the boiling soup.

The sight pained Cordis.

Those mushrooms still have dirt on them!

And besides.

Who throws whole mushrooms into soup like that?!

He didn't even cut them up!

He just ruined Illumi's whole pot of delicious soup!

When he looked at Hisoka again.

Cordis's eyes held both anger and sadness.

Hisoka had no idea why he was angry.

He only felt more excited the angrier Cordis became~

His eyes narrowed dangerously.

He pressed his tongue against his teeth and bit it lightly twice.

As though he were using the pain to suppress his desire.

Another grrrrumble.

Broke the stillness of the night.

Hisoka enthusiastically invited him to stay and join him for dinner.

Cordis glanced at the soup, which seemed to have dirt floating on top.

And lost his appetite.

After saying goodbye to Illumi.

He left the bushes behind.

By moonlight, Cordis finally found some small, unfamiliar fruit growing on a tree.

He had no idea what it was.

He grabbed one and popped it into his mouth.

It tasted pleasantly sweet and tart.

Without hesitation, he ate his fill beneath the tree, then took out a small bag and packed several more.

The next morning.

Cordis hadn't forgotten his goal.

Find Gon.

After quickly gathering his things, he continued in the same direction.

He had no idea how long he had walked.

Just as Cordis was wondering whether he should change direction.

The sharp swish of a rod being swung reached his ears.

Oh yeah!

All finished.

One more thing!

Illumi, I want to be your dog!