The three brothers—Amori, Imori, and Umori—along with Ponzu, Sommy, and other examinees exchanged uneasy glances.
Killua stood among the crowd, his silver hair catching the dim light, an expression of indifference and boredom on his face as he stared at the iron door. Slowly, it creaked open, revealing a tall figure.
The man stepped through the doorway with a commanding presence, clad in a black coat that seemed to billow despite the still air. His sharp features and confident demeanor exuded an unspoken pressure, silencing the room.
"Is this the examiner for the Hunter Exam?" one of the freshmen whispered, their voice tinged with disbelief.
Many of the newcomers shared the sentiment.
He's too young, they thought. His youthful appearance seemed at odds with the gravity of his role.
But for the returning examinees, it was a different story entirely.
"Why him? Could it be this man?!"
Ponzu and Sommy froze the moment they saw him, their faces drained of color. Their minds raced as they rubbed their eyes, desperate to confirm they weren't hallucinating.
Goosebumps prickled their skin, and cold sweat dampened their backs as memories flooded in—memories of their last Hunter Exam and the terrifying figure who had left an indelible mark on them.
They recalled the marathon, where Ronnel and Hisoka had squared off, and the second round, where Ronnel effortlessly dispatched seven horned boars with a single flick of a pebble. His sheer strength and precision had been both awe-inspiring and utterly demoralizing.
Although they hadn't witnessed his full potential in the later rounds, his reputation alone was enough to send shivers down their spines. That man was now standing before them, not as a fellow examinee, but as their examiner.
It's only been a year!
Sommy and Ponzu screamed internally, their thoughts a chaotic blend of shock and despair.
What can you even accomplish in a year? They had spent that time training relentlessly, determined to pass the Hunter Exam. And yet, here stood the man who had already achieved their dream—and surpassed it.
The Amori brothers were in even worse shape.
"Why?! Why is he here again?!" Imori hissed through clenched teeth, his expression twisted with fear.
Umori clutched his head, clawing at his hair in a fit of panic. "This isn't fair! How is this happening?!"
Their minds flashed back to two years prior, when Ronnel had effortlessly eliminated them in the first round. The humiliation and helplessness they had felt then resurfaced, stronger than ever.
"There are quite a few familiar faces," Ronnel remarked, his lips curving into a faint smile as his gaze swept over the crowd. His tone was casual, almost amused.
He raised a hand and pointedly met Ponzu's wide-eyed stare.
"Long time no see."
The group of returning examinees froze, their internal turmoil threatening to boil over. They forced strained smiles onto their faces, but their thoughts betrayed them.
The devil himself is greeting us!
Meanwhile, the freshmen exchanged puzzled glances. The strange tension between the examiner and some of the candidates didn't go unnoticed. Whispers rippled through the crowd, fueling speculation.
"Does he know them?" one asked.
"Are they in on this?" another muttered.
The more experienced examinees, however, kept quiet, their wariness palpable. The tension in the room was almost suffocating, broken only by the faint shuffling of nervous feet.
Among the crowd, Killua lingered near the back, his usual relaxed demeanor absent. His sharp eyes darted away from Ronnel's gaze, and he subtly adjusted his position to avoid notice.
Ronnel's eyes narrowed slightly.
Why is Killua avoiding me? he wondered. This isn't like him.
Shaking the thought away, he clapped his hands sharply, commanding everyone's attention.
"Alright, everyone. Welcome to the official examination site for the Hunter Exam," he began, his voice calm but firm.
The freshmen straightened, puffing out their chests with pride.
"But," Ronnel continued, his tone hardening, "the challenges you've faced to get here are nothing compared to what lies ahead. The tests will be dangerous, and many of you won't make it through. Some of you may not make it out alive."
A ripple of unease passed through the crowd, but no one spoke.
"This is your final chance to back out," Ronnel said, his gaze sweeping over the room. "Does anyone want to quit?"
The silence was deafening.
After a long pause, Ronnel nodded.
"Very well. I officially declare the 288th Hunter Exam underway. The total number of examinees is 1,489."
His voice, laced with aura, carried clearly to every corner of the room, silencing even the faintest whisper.
"I am your examiner for the first round," he concluded, his gaze sharp. "Are there any questions before we begin?"
The room remained silent, tension crackling in the air like static.
And with that, the Hunter Exam began.
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