After reaching the gathering point, we found ourselves standing on a barren clearing surrounded by a short wooden fence.
At the very center of the clearing stood an old, half-collapsed structure—just uneven, bare walls left of it.
Right atop one of the tallest walls stood a muscular man with swampy-turquoise hair shaped like a mane of a lion.
He wore a vest made from the pelt of some beast, had a manic grin on his face, and wielded two single-handed axes—those were what he'd been clashing together to make noise.
Only when all 36 participants had arrived did he stop, jumping down with effortless grace that still amazed me.
"Allow me to introduce myself. I am a Professional Hunter — Togari. My specialization is Blacklist Hunter, which means I hunt down criminals.
I'm sorry to disappoint you, but despite your fighting spirit, this stage will not be about combat.
The real theme of this trial… is hide-and-seek!"
Hearing the murmurs of surprise and discontent from below, the Third Phase Examiner grinned wickedly.
"Let me clarify in advance: you won't be divided into teams. Everyone will play the role of the one hiding — in other words, it's every man for himself.
I'll be the one hunting you. You're free to resist or run even after I find you.
Don't worry, I won't kill or seriously injure you… but don't blame me if you get hurt while resisting.
You won't be considered disqualified until I actually catch you. You're also free to mess with each other — reveal others' hiding spots if you like."
"Fighting isn't forbidden, but killing is strictly prohibited.
If anyone dies, the killer will be immediately marked by the bracelet I'm about to hand out and disqualified on the spot
In that case, you'd better run beyond the test zone before my judgment finds you.
Since all of you signed the agreement waiving the Hunter Association's liability in case of death, your lives are technically outside the law. I can't punish your killers by legal means — but I promise I won't let them go easily. They'll suffer for it."
"The test zone covers the entire forest. You'll recognize its boundaries by the fencing; naturally, crossing it means giving up and being removed from the exam.
Duration: until sunset of the third day, starting today.
I won't leave this fenced clearing until midnight. You can consider the test begun."
Taking out a box of bracelets, he began distributing them.
At that point, people split into two types.
The first group — as soon as they got their bracelets — ran straight for the forest to find hiding spots.
The second group stayed behind on the clearing, since the sun was still high and there was plenty of time.
My team and I were among the second group.
Thankfully, Hisoka — the most dangerous participant — was among the first.
I wasn't in a hurry, nor was I afraid of this stage, since my ability fit the task perfectly.
Togari, our examiner, kept a sharp eye on those who stayed behind, clearly analyzing behavior patterns — studying character, unconscious habits, anything that might help him predict our movements later.
He was a professional Hunter and quite skilled in Nen, but I knew he would hold back.
Using En would be enough for him to eventually locate everyone.
But I doubted he'd use it.
From what I remembered — and judging by my own analysis — he was a proud and righteous type. To him, using En here would be like bullying children.
At most, he'd likely enhance his perception slightly with Nen, relying mostly on his professional skills as a tracker of dangerous criminals.
Damn, my head's burning now!
Enhancement of the brain from Nen feels like using Ko — it's like concentrating all the aura in one place.
Even Zetsu doesn't help much, since aura flow in the brain is internal, and thoughts are so hard to control.
And the faster they race, the denser the aura becomes in the head.
Reciting in my mind one of the four mantras of the Burning Nen Flame from the Shingen-ryu school, I managed to calm myself down.
Regaining composure, I activated my ability:
[ Find a Suitable Hiding Spot
Cost: 50 Nen ]
"Follow me."
I set off after a glowing line with an arrow, which matched my speed as I ran toward the forest.
Ponzu and Bodoro followed behind, maintaining our old triangular formation.
Hmm… how interesting.
They're still maintaining team cohesion even now?
Either this guy's extremely charismatic… or his skill really is something else.
I'll have to remember his scent.
Grinning, Togari continued watching the remaining contestants.
This hunt is going to be fun!
***
"Not a bad spot."
"Agreed."
Bodoro and I sat inside a den-like burrow beneath the massive roots of a tree.
It was surprisingly roomy, not stuffy or damp.
"How do you even manage stuff like this? Did you somehow know what the trial would be?"
That was Ponzu's voice from outside, near the tree.
Her brows were slightly furrowed, but her tone stayed neutral — just curiosity, it seemed.
"Uh, not exactly. As for your first question, I guess…"
Should I tell them about Nen?
It's not like it would cost me anything.
And they're both good people — they wouldn't misuse it.
Hmm… alright, I'll tell them.
Maybe it'll even save them from their tragic fates someday.
"Ahem, guys… how much do you know about life energy?.."
***
"That's pretty much it."
I folded the last finger on my raised hand, finishing my explanation about the Personality Test.
"The world truly is vast… So, I'm a Conjurer then?"
"Seems I'm inclined toward Manipulation. That fits me."
Bodoro and Ponzu had both figured out their Nen categories based on their dominant personality traits.
"So you went through all the earlier stages using your own ability? I see. Don't worry, I won't pester you with questions." (Bodoro)
"Don't take it personally. It's not about distrust — there are just too many Nen abilities related to extracting information." (Mousse)
"Yeah, yeah, you mentioned that already — that thing about reading memories by touch. And come on, we barely even know each other." (Ponzu)
"Eh? I thought we were already friends, weren't we?"
They both stared at me in surprise — then Ponzu blushed slightly, huffed, and turned away, while Bodoro chuckled, covering his mouth with his hand.
"The world truly is vast, hahaha!"
By the time I finished my impromptu lecture, the sun was already setting.
After a short formal introduction between the three of us, we pressed our palms together in the center and raised them, sealing our little alliance.
"This is so stupid"
Ponzu muttered, clutching her jacket with her free hand.
"Bonds between people are formed by small things like this. Ah, if only we had a drink to toast with!"
Bodoro grinned openly now.
"I think it's great! Just like in adventure stories!"
"Of course you'd say that — you're the one who suggested it!"
"Hahaha!"