Gon stared at Hisoka.
The clown's smile widened, baring his teeth. A card—an ace of hearts—spun between his fingers.
'This guy…' Gon's heart pounded in his chest. 'He's creepy.'
Hisoka tilted his head, golden eyes glinting like embers. "Oh, little one… ♦️" His voice slid out, smooth as syrup but cold as a blade. "Are you trembling? Or is it the urge to play? ♦️" He took a step forward. The card vanished, then reappeared. "Show me what you've got. ♣️"
'He's so raw. So… appetizing. I want to see how far he'll break.'
Gon swallowed, throat dry. 'Gotta stay smart. Find a way.' He studied Hisoka, noting his fluid movements, the card dancing as if alive. "I'm not trembling!" he shouted, voice clear but slightly high. He bent his knees, muscles taut like cords. "Come on, if you're so tough!"
'He's strong. But I'm fast. I can get him.'
Hisoka chuckled, a low sound that sent a shiver through Gon. "I love that fire. ♥️" He raised a hand, the card vanishing in a puff of light. "Let's go, then. ♣️"
He lunged, so fast the air whistled. Gon dodged, feet sliding, but a card grazed his cheek, leaving a red line. "Agh!" He touched his face, fingers sticky with blood. 'What? He didn't even move his arm!'
"Too slow, little one. ♦️" Hisoka stood five meters away, another card between his fingers. He spun it, lips stretching. "You've gotta be… sharper. ♠️"
'He dodges well. But he's still so green.'
He tilted his head, eyes piercing Gon like an arrow. "Come on, surprise me. ♥️"
Gon gritted his teeth.
'He's mocking me.'
He charged, fists aiming for Hisoka's chest. The clown sidestepped, a dancing step, and a card embedded in the ground where Gon had been. Gon spun, but a hand seized his wrist—crack—twisting it. "Agh!" Gon groaned, knees buckling under the pain.
"Such a pretty scream. ❤️" Hisoka leaned in, his breath grazing Gon's ear. "You're so fragile, little one. ♦️" He released the wrist, and Gon stumbled back onto the dirt. Hisoka advanced, a new card glinting. "How long will you last? ♠️"
'Is that it?'
Gon staggered to his feet, panting, wrist hanging like a broken doll's. "It's not over!" He spat a thread of blood, lips trembling into a smile.
---
At the clearing's edge, Killua hid behind a tree, fingers clawing the bark. His wide eyes locked on Gon and Hisoka. 'Gon…' His heart thundered, a mix of rage and fear. His lips quivered, fists clenched.
'I gotta go. I gotta…'
But Illumi's face flashed—black, empty eyes, icy voice: 'Never face someone stronger than you.' Killua blinked, breath catching. 'No… not now.' His legs felt like lead.
'I can't let Gon get crushed!'
But his feet wouldn't move, eyes glued to Hisoka.
'He's gonna break him.'
Sweat trickled down his neck. 'Come on, Killua, move!' Illumi's image returned: 'Never face someone stronger.' He bowed his head, white hair falling over his eyes.
---
In the clearing, Gon staggered to his feet, clutching his wrist to his chest.
He charged, feinting left, then right, aiming for Hisoka's side. A card whistled, grazing his shoulder.
"Agh!" His green jacket tore, blood dripping. He ignored the pain, fist slamming into Hisoka's arm. The clown didn't flinch, his smile widening.
"Not bad, little one. ♥️" Hisoka caught his fist, twisting until a *pop* sounded in the bone.
"Agh!" Gon dropped to his knees, tears stinging his eyes.
'What a perfect sound.' Hisoka leaned close, lips nearly brushing Gon's forehead. "You're a fun toy, but so… raw. ♣️" He released Gon, who collapsed, gasping.
---
Killua, behind the tree, felt his chest burn. His fists clenched, blood seeping from his palms.
Illumi's image returned, black eyes piercing. 'Never challenge someone stronger.'
Killua punched the tree, bark splintering. 'I'm not like you!' But his legs still refused, eyes fixed on Gon trembling under Hisoka's assault. 'I'm pathetic.' A tear rolled down his cheek. 'Sorry, Gon.'
---
Hisoka crouched before Gon, eyes glinting. "You bleed so well. ❤️" He reached out, fingers smearing blood across Gon's cheek. "But you're not ripe yet. ♣️"
'He's so close to breaking. Just a bit more…'
Gon shoved his hand away, eyes blazing. "Don't touch me!" he shouted, voice cracked. He staggered up, clutching his wrist.
Hisoka chuckled, standing. "So stubborn. ♦️" He spun a card—a joker now. "But that's not enough. ♠️" He flicked it, aiming for Gon's shoulder. Gon dodged, but too slowly; the card sliced his arm.
"Agh!" Blood splattered the dirt.
Gon gasped, legs shaking. 'Am I gonna die?'
He charged again, desperate, fist aiming for Hisoka's face.
But…
A card whistled, and Gon collapsed, a new gash on his thigh.
---
Killua's body trembled. 'I can't just stand here.' He took a step, then froze, Illumi's image pinning him. 'Damn it!' He punched the tree. 'I'm not a coward!' But his feet stayed rooted, eyes locked on Gon, bloodied and down. Another tear mixed with sweat.
---
Hisoka approached, steps slow. "Still want to keep going, little one? ♣️" His voice was soft, but his eyes gleamed with cruel delight.
'I could finish him. But it's too soon.' He spun another card. "Show me more. ♥️"
Gon, on his knees, lifted his head, eyes burning despite the blood and pain. A look of rage, yet tinged with fear.
'It's all… so real.' Hisoka's lips stretched, a sharp smile carving his cheeks. 'No illusion. No trick from that schemer.'
He tilted his head, eyes narrowing. Nothing. Just birdsong, creaking branches, Gon's ragged breathing at his feet. 'He's really letting me do this, huh?'
He looked down at Gon, slumped in the dirt, one hand clutching his twisted wrist, the other pressed against the bleeding gash on his thigh.
He crouched slowly. The card vanished between his fingers. "Oh, little one… ♥️" His voice slid out. He reached out, fingers grazing Gon's cheek, smearing a streak of blood across dusty skin. "You're trembling. But that look…" His eyes lit up, sparkling with restrained excitement. "That fire. That rage. Delicious. ❤️"
Gon jerked his hand away, teeth gritted. His eyes didn't waver. They burned, glaring at Hisoka as if they could pierce him. His breath was short, shoulders shaking, but he lifted his chin, a bead of sweat rolling down his temple.
Hisoka tilted his head, smile widening. "Such tenacity. ♥️" He licked his lips, savoring the moment.
He half-stood, eyes drifting briefly. '"If he survives, I'll train him. Make him someone who can stand up to you."' A silent laugh shook his shoulders. 'A rough diamond to polish, huh? Interesting.'
He looked back at Gon, gasping, hand clenched on his thigh, blood seeping between his fingers.
'Kill him now?' Hisoka spun a new card—an ace of hearts—between his knuckles. 'Too easy. Too… dull.' His eyes narrowed, a predatory smile stretching his lips. 'No, I want to see the lion he'll become.'
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