Jack's arrival in HxH world - Chapter 18

Chapter 18: The Battle Against Illumi Zoldyck

The forest was eerily silent, the only sound being the faint rustle of leaves as the wind whispered through the trees. Jack stood in a small clearing, his body tense and his senses on high alert. His En skill had detected Illumi’s approach, and now the assassin was here, his cold, emotionless eyes locked onto Jack like a predator sizing up its prey.

Illumi stepped into the clearing, his movements smooth and deliberate. His aura was overwhelming, a suffocating presence that made the air feel heavy. Jack’s heart pounded in his chest, but he forced himself to remain calm. He had a plan, and he needed to stick to it.

—

The battle started without warning. One moment, Illumi was standing still, and the next, he was a blur of motion, his needles glinting in the dim light as they shot toward Jack. Jack activated his Dash skill, his body moving with blinding speed as he dodged the needles. The projectiles embedded themselves into the trees behind him, their tips dripping with a faint, ominous liquid.

Jack didn’t have time to think. He lunged forward, his fist aimed at Illumi’s chest. His Strength attribute, now at 100 (50 tons), made the punch devastating, but Illumi was faster. The assassin sidestepped the attack with ease, his movements fluid and precise. Jack’s fist struck the ground, the impact sending a shockwave through the clearing and leaving a small crater in its wake.

Illumi’s expression didn’t change. He countered with a swift kick, his foot aimed at Jack’s ribs. Jack barely managed to block the attack, the force of the blow sending him skidding backward. His arms throbbed with pain, but he didn’t have time to recover. Illumi was already closing in, his needles poised to strike.

—

Jack activated his Shu skill, reinforcing his clothing with aura to create a makeshift armor. He knew that a single needle was all it would take for Illumi to gain control, and he couldn’t afford to let that happen. He dodged and weaved, his Dash skill allowing him to move faster than the eye could follow. But Illumi was relentless, his attacks coming in a flurry of precision and speed.

The needles flew through the air like deadly rain, each one aimed with lethal accuracy. Jack’s En skill allowed him to detect the projectiles before they hit, but the sheer volume of attacks was overwhelming. He dodged most of them, but a few grazed his skin, leaving shallow cuts that burned with a strange, numbing sensation.

—

Despite his speed and strength, Jack was at a disadvantage. Illumi’s aura was 70,000 units, far surpassing Jack’s 46,000 units. This difference in power meant that Illumi’s attacks were not only faster but also more potent. Every time their auras clashed, Jack felt the strain, his body struggling to keep up with the relentless assault.

Jack tried to counterattack, his fists moving like lightning as he aimed for Illumi’s vital points. But the assassin’s Rhythm Echo technique made it nearly impossible to land a hit. Illumi anticipated every move, his body flowing like water as he dodged and countered with deadly precision.

—

The fight had only been going on for a minute, but Jack was already exhausted. His stamina was draining rapidly, and he knew he couldn’t keep this up for much longer. Illumi, on the other hand, showed no signs of fatigue. His expression remained blank, his movements as precise as ever.

Jack’s mind raced as he tried to think of a way out. He knew that winning this fight was impossible—Illumi was simply too strong, too fast, and too skilled. But Jack wasn’t ready to give up. He had one last card to play.

—

As Illumi closed in for the kill, Jack activated his Dash skill to its fullest potential. His Agility stat was 25, meaning he could run at 25 meters per second without using aura. But with Dash active, his speed increased to a staggering 75 meters per second—faster than even Killua’s Speed of Lightning technique.

The world blurred around him as he shot forward, his body moving like a bullet. Illumi’s needles missed him by inches, the assassin’s eyes widening in surprise. Jack didn’t look back. He ran, his legs pumping as he weaved through the trees, his En skill guiding him through the forest.

—

Illumi gave chase, his Dark Step technique allowing him to move silently and swiftly. But even with his aura-enhanced speed, he couldn’t match Jack’s Dash skill. The distance between them grew with every second, and soon, Illumi was left far behind.

Jack didn’t stop until he was sure he had lost Illumi. He found a hidden cave deep within the forest, its entrance concealed by thick foliage. He collapsed inside, his body trembling with exhaustion. His heart was still racing, his mind replaying the fight over and over.

—

Jack knew he couldn’t face Illumi again—not like this. The assassin was too powerful, too skilled. But he also knew that he couldn’t afford to be caught. The fourth phase of the Hunter Exam would last for five more days, and Jack needed to survive.

He activated his En skill, extending his aura to monitor his surroundings. He would stay hidden, moving only when necessary. He would avoid confrontation, conserve his strength, and wait for the right moment to strike.