Chapter 26: Last Test
After hearing Alexandre's demand, William looked up at the ceiling, deep in thought. Then looked back down and held out his hand. "Give me your phone."
Alexandre handed it over, and William spent the next several minutes thinking carefully and writing down names. Finally, he handed the phone back to Alexandre. "Here you are. I think I've remembered everyone who should be of interest to you. But you should know that most of the people on this list have already disappeared. If you have any ideas of revenge, you're a bit late."
Alexandre smiled coldly. "Don't worry about me. I'll find them. Well, as agreed, here's what I know about the final exam: It's not only intended for us candidates. It's also a test for the first-year Hunters who failed their own last exams. This is a catch-up opportunity for them."
William gave him a quizzical look. "I don't understand. What exactly does the test consist of? Are we fighting each other?"
Alexandre replied, "No. All these other students have received the modified Z-Virus. All of you candidates would die in moments if it were a clean fight. My information says that the examiners will give watches to us candidates. Then the Hunter students will have to 'collect' them from us. I don't know any more than that."
William grimaced. "That's not much information. Well, I guess knowing what's coming still gives me an advantage. It sounds like they're testing our ability to adapt to danger when someone's actively coming for us... We'll each have to choose fight or flight."
Alexandre replied, "Only a fool would choose to fight someone with Hunter powers. It'd be suicide to do anything but run."
William shrugged. "True. Though if these are students who've already failed, they're probably some mixture of stupid and undisciplined. People I can outsmart and outmaneuver, in other words. We've already been tested for our endurance and willpower, so it seems that all that's left is a test of our strategic thinking."