Chapter 21: Fourth
21 Fourth Phase
After two and a half days of waiting, the third phase was announced to be ended.
Soon, a door was opened from the wall and the contestants were told to exit the hall.
Outside of the door a judge with several staffs were waiting for them.
He then announced the results for the third phase
"A total of 35 contestants of you had passed the third Phase of the Exam. Unfortunately, one had died during the process and three are seriously injured and can't continue in the Exam. In conclusion 31 contestants are available for the next phase."
"Congratulations to reach this far. There are two more phases ahead of you." Lippo smiled.
"Two more..." The contestants muttered as they heard the news.
"See the island behind me? That was Zebiru island and the venue for the fourth phase. So let's not waste time." Lippo snapped his finger.
Receiving the signal, a staff pushed out a lottery box in front of them.
"A lottery? What for?" Asked one of the contestants.
"To determine the hunter and prey." Lippo answered with a grinned.
"Hunter and prey?" Everyone was confused with the incomplete information.
"Exactly. Now everyone. Please draw your cards." Lippo gave an order.
The contestants frowned as they queue for their turn to draw the card.
Although Lippo didn't tell them details about the fourth phase, the word prey and hunter had already pretty much told them the direction of the next phase was going to be.
After everyone got their cards, Lippo came out and told them the format for the next phase.
"In that box, there are 31 cards with numbers which were assigned to you during the beginning of the exam. The cards in your hands are your target for the next phase. Now.."
As Lippo was about to continue, he was interrupted.
"Wait a minute, Lippo san. What happens if I draw my own number." Gon suddenly raised his hand and asked.
"Worry not kiddo. It won't happen. Every time you draw, it will scan your badge and automatically exclude your number so you won't pick yourself as prey. Now, you can open the seal to see your target number." Lippo gave an instruction.
After they opened the seals, Lippo continued.
"Listen up. The number written on the card is your target number which worth 3 points. Your own badge number also worth 3 points. The other badge other than that, worth 1 point.
The condition to pass the fourth phase is 6 point. You may use any method to get your points. Whether to steal, knock your target out or kill and collect from his or her copse.
In short, no restrictions will be given as soon as hunt started." Lippo grinned with evil smile.
Marcus on the other hand was distracted with the number in his hand.
"What a bad luck. Out of thirty people, why its him." Looking at the '44' number in his hand, Marcus had a headache.
Having a small fight with Hisoka before, Marcus felt that he didn't want to do it again. He rather avoided him, if he could.
It was not that he was afraid to fight him, but the price to be paid to defeat him was not worth the effort to get the points.
As for his challenge, he rather do it after he is a stronger.
While Marcus was in his own thoughts, Lippo called everyone to board the boat to their next exam venue.
*************
Being informed that they would arrive after two hours, everyone sat down separately and waited.
Standing on the deck, Marcus could feel the tension as he watched everyone were sitting on their own.
Suddenly Marcus grinned as he walked to a wall of that everyone could see him.
Standing in front of everyone, he took out a marker pen and started to draw boxes and numbers at their bottoms
Seeing Marcus action, a contestants suddenly had a dark face.
"You! What are you trying to do?" He shouted.
When the other contestants heard him, they looked towards Marcus.
Ignoring the crowd, Marcus took out several pictures and stick them to wall.
After Marcus finished, he turned around and met with contestants angry gazes.
"No wonder you kept taking our photos as soon as we boarded this boat. I thought it was for yourself but it seems not huh." An old man spoke with an angry gaze.
"Hihihi. Don't be like that oldman. You see, there are some of us that already knew their target and some are not. It's unfair don't you think so?
Fortunately all of you are lucky. I remember everyone's tag number, so everyone here can know their target. I can assure everyone that these numbers and their owners are authentic.
Let us start this hunt fairly okay? Hehehe." Marcus spoke with a wide smile on his face.
The tensions on the boat were immediately intensified after hearing Marcus words
As annoyed as they felt, everyone eyes didn't left the wall as they search for their targets.
Now their numbers had been exposed, it's too late do anything about it. Instead they immediately locked on their target and planned their hunts.
Seeing everyone's actions Marcus grinned with satisfaction. "This is so fun. Hehehe."
In the monitoring room, Lippo rubbed his forehead. "This madlad. Is he has nothing else to do?"
The staffs behind him were giggling seeing Lippo's reaction.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone