(The second fight played out just like in the original story. Max didn't comment on it—not that he even knew how it was supposed to go. But the third fight? That was different. With two points secured and zero losses, their next opponent was the biggest one yet—literally.)
Leorio: Good job, Gon! Just one more point and we're through. Thank god the opponents so far have been easy. We haven't even lost once. I bet the next guy will be the same.
Max glanced at the remaining cloaked prisoners. There were three left, but he already had a good idea who would step forward.
Max (thought): I wouldn't say that if I were you. If you or Kurapika had to fight that one... you'd lose. Me, Gon, and Killua have a shot. But since me and Gon already went, it's Killua's turn. If he steps up, we're good.
One of the cloaked figures had his handcuffs removed. Another cloaked man beside him smirked mockingly. Without hesitation, the larger man grabbed the mocking one by the face and slammed him into the wall.
The force of the blow ripped the victim's cloak away, revealing a pale, twisted face—like a zombie.
Max (thought): Frankenstein? Zombie? Doesn't matter—he looks weak.
Leorio: Did he just do that to his teammate?! He still had the cuffs on!
Max: Probably mocked him for something. And I doubt they're teammates—more like cellmates. Why do you think the examiner called them criminals?
Kurapika: That would explain it... The way the others react to him, he's clearly the most dangerous of the group.
The giant dragged his hand across the wall, effortlessly tearing through it. He stopped, grabbed a solid block of stone from the reinforced part, and ripped it out. Holding the rock in one hand, he removed his cloak.
Leorio's face went pale when he saw the man's face.
Leorio: That guy...
Gon: You know him?
Max: Friend of yours?
Leorio: Hell no. And he never will be... We should forfeit this match. Just take the loss—we're already in the lead.
Killua: Why?
Leorio: Johness the Dissector. The worst mass murderer in Zaban's history. Chose his victims at random. Men, women, children—it didn't matter. 146 people. All murdered with his bare hands. They say his grip strength is unreal. He crushed every single victim.
Johness walked onto the arena, still casually crumbling the stone block in his hand. A wide grin spread across his face.
Johness: It's been so long since I touched human flesh. I wonder if I still can… None of you wanna fight me? You're scared, huh? Aww... now I feel lonely.
Max (thought): Why does he act like Conquest from Invincible? And… wait, did he already touch human flesh? Oh, right—that zombie guy. But maybe he just wear a weird cosplay.
Leorio: Lonely?! Go to hell! They should've executed you already!
Leorio turned to the others, voice urgent.
Leorio: We don't have to fight him. We're still in the lead. There's no point risking it!
But then… someone stepped forward.
Killua.
Leorio: Hey! Killua, what are you doing?! You don't have to do anything! We already won this!
Killua ignored him, calmly walking toward the stage.
Leorio: Damn it! Was he even listening to me?!
Leorio tried to chase after him—but Max stepped in, grabbing him in a full nelson hold, just like before.
Leorio: Let go of me, Max! Are you trying to get him killed?
Kurapika: If that's what he wants, we should let him go. He might have a plan.
Killua had already stepped onto the arena. The bridge retracted behind him, sealing the match. Max let go of Leorio.
Leorio: Damn it! We're still in the lead—we haven't lost a single round! Why not just give up this one?! Even if he has a plan, it's still too dangerous to face that monster!
Max: Don't worry. He's stronger than you think. I can tell.
Leorio: Even so...
Max: If you don't believe me—if Killua loses or dies, I'll drop out of the Hunter Exam and never come back next year.
Leorio stared at Max. His face was calm. Confident. Steady. Leorio didn't want to believe it... but in the end, all he could do was trust Killua.
Leorio (thought): If you're not absolutely sure... then Killua, just say you give up—please.
In the arena, Johness and Killua faced each other.
Johness: So... they didn't surrender. Did they send you in as a sacrifice? Just because you're a kid, don't expect me to go easy. I treat all my victims the same—equally.
Killua: No one sent me. I walked in here on my own. And I'm not expecting mercy. So, how are we settling this contest?
Johness:Contest? You're confused. This won't be a fight—it'll be a one-sided massacre. I have no interest in passing this exam or any promise of amnesty. I just want to hear you scream.
Killua: Is that so? Alright then. So, the loser dies, right?
Johness flinched at Killua's calm demeanor—only for a second.
Johness: Yeah... that's right. The fight's already sta—
He never finished.
In a flash, Killua had already moved. He casually walked past Johness, as if nothing had happened. But then—
A hole had appeared in Johness' chest.
Gon and Max didn't even look surprised. Max, in fact, was quietly impressed. He'd seen what Killua had done—and he liked the technique. He mentally filed it away as something worth learning.
Leorio and Kurapika, on the other hand, were frozen in shock. So were the prisoners watching from the side. No one even saw what happened. One second Johness was fine—the next, his chest was torn open.
Johness: Wh-What...? I feel... so cold...
He turned slowly, and his eyes widened in horror. Killua was holding something—
His heart.
Johness: That's... mine...
He stumbled forward, clutching the gaping hole in his chest, pain etched on his face.
Johness: Give it... back...
He took one shaky step. Then another. But by the time he got close—
The heart had stopped beating.
Johness collapsed. Dead.
Killua calmly placed the heart in Johness' limp hand and turned away.
A point appeared on their scoreboard.
Killua: That's three wins, no losses. We pass, right? No penalties.
The cloaked prisoner, still handcuffed, stood trembling. Their voice was soft—clearly a girl's—and shaky with fear.
Cloaked Girl Prisoner: Y-Yeah... you win...
Killua: By the way, you didn't get to do anything yet. Must be itching for some action, huh? Want to play with me?
The cloaked girl's eyes welled up with tears. Her voice cracked.
Cloaked Girl Prisoner: I... I'll abstain...
Killua: Oh. Okay then.
A bridge extended back toward the group. Killua casually walked back across. The cloaked prisoner collapsed to her knees, sobbing in terror. Leorio and Kurapika watched in stunned silence.
Leorio: Who the hell is he and what did he do…?
Max: You know what they say—looks like he's been Dis-Hearted. Get it?
The others just stared at Max, deadpan.
Max: Sorry, but you can't change who I am. I joke around in every situation—serious, sad, happy, whatever. Well... except when my life's on the line. Then I shut up real quick.
The group went quiet, unsure how to respond.
Then Gon suddenly perks up, remembering something.
Gon: Oh, that's right. You guys don't know yet.
Leorio: Huh? Don't know what?
Gon: Killua comes from a famous family of elite assassins.
Leorio: E-Eh?! An elite family of... assassins?!
Max: Yeah, and wait till you hear the family name. It almost makes me laugh every time. His name is Zol-Dick—PFFFT—Hahahahahaha!
Killua: It's Zoldyck. And knock it off, Max. I won't tolerate anyone mocking my family name. I might hate the work they do, but I still love and respect them as family (except my brothers.)
Max: Sorry, sorry... I just... it's really hard not to laugh.
Max (thought):Pfft... Zol-Dick...
Killua shot Max a look, saw the smirk still tugging at his lips, and sighed. Meanwhile, Leorio and Kurapika seemed to recognize the name.
As Killua approached, Leorio instinctively backed up a step.
Killua: What?
Leorio: Uh... well... good work out there!
Max: Man, Killua... I still can't believe you made a girl cry. Shame on you.
Killua: Hey, she's a prisoner with decades—maybe centuries—on her sentence. Weren't you the one who said you'd never feel bad for a prisoner? Or do you make exceptions for girls?
Max: Huh... when you put it like that, you're right. I don't. I believe in gender equality. And she is a criminal. I take it back—I should not feel bad.
Leorio (thought): Psychopath...
Max: So, what did you really do to make that girl cry? Did you threaten to ask her out and say, "Date me or die"?Didn't know you were into older women, Killua.
Killua:Haha… not funny, Max.I just asked if she wanted to play with me—nothing more.
Max: That's literally the same thing.
Killua: Tch. Meaning I asked if she wanted to have a match or a fight with me.
Max:Ah. Now that makes sense.
Killua (thought): This guy's insufferable. Talking to him is more exhausting and annoying than fighting.
Suddenly, a hidden door slides open and a bridge extends across. A speaker crackles to life with Lippo's voice.
Lippo (Speaker): "Across the bridge, you'll find a small room with everything you need. Feel free to rest there before continuing your journey. Since you faced no penalties or losses, you're not required to stay long."
Max: So it's like a checkpoint, huh?
Killua: Well, let's go.
Gon: Yeah.
Leorio: R-Right...
They cross the bridge and arrive at the room.
Leorio:Not bad—this place is like a hotel. There's a fridge full of food, tons of entertainment like books and videos, air conditioning, and even a shower. Too bad there's no bed or pillow, but at least there's a soft sofa and a blanket! Let's rest for a maximum of 5 hours before moving on. We've still got plenty of time.
Everyone agrees and begins to settle in. As they unpack and get comfortable, Kurapika approaches Killua.
Kurapika: Killua.
Killua: Hm?
Kurapika: Can you explain how you removed his heart so quickly?
Killua: Oh, that? It wasn't really a technique. I just ripped it out.
Kurapika:Ripped it out...?
Max (thought): I'm pretty sure ripping out a heart counts as a technique.
Killua: To make it easier, I did manipulate my body a little.
Killua extends his hand and sharpens his nails until they resemble small blades.
Leorio: Y-Your nails...
Gon: Wow...
Max (thought): Knew it. I figured that's what he did. Time to give them a little surprise.
Killua: Mass murderers are just amateurs. I used to be a professional. But my old man? When he takes out a heart, there's not even a drop of blood left behind.
Leorio: …How reassuring.
Max: Well, I still think that counts as a technique. Thanks for the demonstration—so you used it like this, right?
Max sharpens his own nails just like Killua. The others watch in amazement.
Killua: Yeah, just like that. Still, I'm impressed. You managed to copy it after seeing it once? Manipulating your body like that isn't something normal people can do. But then again, calling you "normal" doesn't make much sense.
Max: Nah, I'm sure there are people out there stronger than me. Copying something doesn't mean mastering it. I doubt I could pull off what your old man can. I can't copy everything.
Gon: Still, that was amazing!
Leorio (thought): These two… they're monsters.
Kurapika (thought): As long as they're on our side…
Max: Thanks to you, I'm going to invent a new technique. I'll call it… Nut Stab.
Everyone turns to Max with horrified expressions.
Killua (thought): What have I done?
Leorio (thought): This guy's a madman...
Killua quickly shakes off the thought.
Killua: Anyway... We're only staying here for a maximum of five hours, right?
Gon: So what should we do, Killua?
Killua: First, let's check the room—maybe there's something fun to do.
Gon: Yeah!
The two immediately start rummaging around the room, opening drawers and cabinets.
Leorio: Man, you kids really don't have a care in the world. I'm gonna take a shower and get some rest. You two better do the same, alright?
Gon and Killua clearly hear him, but they're too focused on their search to reply.
Kurapika: Hurry up. I want to shower too.
Max: Why don't you just shower together? Like a couple?
Leorio & Kurapika:STOP IT!
Max: See? You're even in sync. Cute.
Leorio and Kurapika both glare at Max with cold, irritated expressions.
Max: Sorry, sorry. I just thought it was funny. Anyway, hurry it up. I want to shower and meditate too.
Leorio sighs and disappears into the bathroom. Kurapika finds a book to read while waiting. Max pops in his earbuds and relaxes with some music from his MP3 player.
Time passes. Their break ends, and it's time to continue their journey.