We weren't as nervous about passing the Hunter Exam anymore.
After discovering the world of Nen, the Hunter License didn't seem as necessary to them.
During that time, I wasn't just explaining things — I was answering their endless questions too.
Ponzu dreamed of exploring the world, especially of meeting various creatures and undiscovered unknown species.
In response, I told her that there were plenty of professional Hunters who formed their own exploration teams.
I even mentioned about one reliable Pro Hunter, who was currently working with his team in the Kakin Empire, searching for new species.
As for Bodoro… since childhood, he had dreamed of being a hero and fighting for justice.
He was so embarrassed when he told us that.
So I explained that a license wasn't required to fight crime — all he needed was to register as a mercenary in the international database, optionally choosing a specialization similar to that of a Blacklist Hunter.
The only difference from professional Hunters would be a longer registration process and taxes.
I didn't blame Bodoro for not knowing that.
After all, that kind of information isn't available to the general public — not something you can just find by searching in browser.
Still, watching the old man blush that deeply was kind of fun.
As for me… I was just happy to be part of this exam.
My reward wasn't some fancy credit card full of perks, but the friends I made along the way.
***
Two days later.
The penultimate day of the third phase.
Thud!
Togari knocked out one of the participants, confirming his elimination by turning his bracelet to red.
Not bad, these guys aren't so bad. I've managed to catch only twelve, including this one.
Well, I guess it's time to step it up. I need to cut their numbers at least in half, or the others will laugh at me—huh?
He turned around and saw one of the contestants.
What startled him wasn't the man's appearance, but the fact that he couldn't sense him at all — despite being so close.
Zetsu? So he's been a Nen user all along?
For safety Togari changed from Zetsu to Ten
"What's wrong, buddy? Giving up already? You don't look so good."
This participant was nothing like the man he remembered from the first day.
His clothes were crumpled and dirty, his messy crimson hair unkempt.
But the most disturbing thing was his face.
Unblinking, hollow black eyes as if he hadn't slept in days, a slack jaw drooling down his chin.
Combined with his clown makeup, his skin looked almost ghostly pale.
"Ah… ah…"
"What?"
Keeping calm and confident, Togari stepped closer.
"Aaakh… aaaakh…"
"Speak up, I can't understand a word you're saying."
He raised his right hand slightly, ready to knock him out in one strike—
"Kyaaaargh!"
Suddenly, a shrill, distorted scream tore through the air.
The man lunged forward like a phantom, mouth wide open, eyes bulging as if they might pop out any second.
In a flash, two playing cards materialized in his hands — slashing across Togari's face in a cross-shaped motion, leaving deep wounds.
Togari had been in a state of Zetsu during the trial to better sense others' auras.
Had he not instinctively switched to Ren the moment he sensed that killing intent…
Had his step back been just a fraction slower…
Those cuts could've easily reached the back of his head, slicing it into four pieces.
Pain shot across his face — and before he could react, a brutal kick smashed into his side, sending him flying through several trees.
His last thought before blacking out was:
Monster…
"Ahh… more… I want more…"
The newly dubbed monster crouched over his fallen prey and retrieved the examiner's twin axes.
His grin widened, and an insatiable hunger burned in his eyes.
"The real exam begins now. Examiner Hisoka announces the trial theme: Massacre!A free-for-all to the death!"
"Bui-kya-ha-ha-ha!"
***
The next day…
"The exam is almost over. The sun will touch the horizon any minute now."
"Don't jinx it, Mousse." (Ponzu)
"What's there to worry about? Sure, the examiner's got his quirks, but he seemed like a decent guy."
"And what gives you that confidence?" (Ponzu)
"Heh, I don't really know."
Though lately, besides this bad premonition, I've had this faint feeling… like I've forgotten something.
But what?
As the sun turned warm orange, our bracelets began to flash green and beep softly.
"It's time, guys. Let's move out."
***
Meanwhile, on the other side of the forest—
"Oh, it's time already. About damn time — I was getting bored of smoking them out of their hiding spots."
Licking the blood from his playing card, Hisoka stared blankly at a severed head just inches from its body, eyes still wide in terror.
The bracelet on the corpse's wrist blinked faintly.
"Zero points… Let's hope the others perform better."
Soon, reason gave way to hunger, and he began trudging toward the center — killing anyone he found along the way.
***
"Strange… Where's the examiner?" (Bodoro)
"He's probably hunting someone or dealing with rulebreakers." (Ponzu)
I stayed silent.
I'd already told them how dangerous Hisoka was, so it wasn't surprising that Ponzu was wary about his possible antics.
Speaking of Hisoka…
He took the exam before the one with the main cast…
So logically, that means he failed that time — and the reason was…!!!
"Ponzu! Which selection Hunter Exam is this?!"
"Eh? Why do you ask?.. Sorry, I don't know."
Seeing the serious look on my face, she quickly answered, then I turned to Bodoro — but he shook his head too.
"Never mind. Just tell me — what year is it now?"
"Seriously? It's 1998. How could you forget that?"
But I barely heard her — realization hit me like a truck.
We're screwed!
We're so screwed!
We're completely, utterly screwed!
This was the perfect setup for Hisoka to become an uncontrollable killing machine.
In the original timeline, he only restrained himself because of Illumi and Gon — both of whom piqued his interest.
Here, he had neither.
Spent the last three days in absolute solitude, drowning in boredom.
This was that incident — the one where countless participants died, and the examiner was brutally injured by Hisoka.
"Run! Everyone into the forest!"
But as we turned—
"Khrrgkh!"
"Mmmghk!"
The air thickened — suffocating, murderous intent enveloped all the barren clearing.
Damn it… too late!
Even with partial Nen awakening, I could barely keep composure under this pressure.
My back of the head… it's burning!
Screams echoed through the forest as the survivors fled into the open.
Only eight made it out before we saw him — Hisoka, rabid and bloodthirsty, howling like a beast.
Eight…
Seven…
Six…
Five…
Four…
Three…
Two…
One…
"Help me—!"
The youngest Amori brother screamed before a card struck him in the back of his head.
"Run! I'll hold him off!"
Bodoro charged straight at Hisoka.
They exchanged only two blows before Hisoka sliced off Bodoro's arm, then cleaved him from shoulder to hip.
Ponzu, wasting no time, released her bees and sent them swarming toward him.
He effortlessly shredded them with a flick of his cards, then threw one at me.
Ponzu stepped in front of me — catching the card with crossed arms.
And then—
Shkk!
Something warm splashed across my cheek.
My trembling eyes looked down — a bloodied hand with long, sharp nails was jutting from Ponzu's chest.
Guilt and despair flooded me.
Even now, I still couldn't move — my mind refused to accept what was happening.
Huh? What…?