Chapter 23: Emergency Arrangements
"Don't worry, I doubt any magical beasts are around here," Gon said with confidence.
Osren nodded. For now, that was likely true—after all, the Fox Family was probably holed up in the house ahead, just waiting for them to walk right into their trap.
"Then why would there be a warning sign?" Leorio still felt uneasy.
"Better to stay cautious," Osren replied. He wasn't the type to let familiarity breed carelessness.
Moonlight filtered through the gaps in the trees, casting a gentle silver glow on the forest path. The road ahead was surprisingly clear—bright enough to see well, despite the late hour.
"The forest is pretty visible even at night," Kurapika commented.
"If this were Whale Island, you wouldn't be able to see your own hand in front of your face. The whole atmosphere there is completely different," Gon chimed in.
When it came to forests, Gon was the undisputed expert. He hadn't grown up in the woods for nothing. Add his innate talents on top of that, and his skills weren't just the result of experience—they were instinctive.
"We're here," Osren said, pointing ahead.
"Yeah! I see the cedar tree!" Gon exclaimed excitedly.
Up ahead stretched a grassy clearing, with a narrow trail leading directly to the base of a towering cedar. Lush green grass surrounded the area, and the massive tree stood tall and silent, exuding a tranquil presence.
"Let's hurry," Leorio said with relief, glad they had seemingly found the right place.
The group picked up their pace, drawing closer with each step.
It wasn't until they neared the base of the cedar that they spotted it—a large wooden house nestled beneath its branches. It was modest but elegant, blending naturally with the surroundings.
"Maybe the guide couple lives here," Leorio said, quickening his steps as the thought of reaching the exam venue finally took shape.
But Osren knew exactly what was coming.
The Fox Family was about to split them up and individually assess Gon, Kurapika, and Leorio. Their performance would determine whether or not they were deemed worthy to enter the venue.
In the original storyline, all three passed the Fox Family's tests without much trouble and continued on to the exam site. But this time, Osren was an added variable.
As usual, Togashi's Hunter Exam arc wasn't about raw strength. Just like this trial to determine eligibility for the exam, the real test was of character.
To pass, each person had to display a standout trait:
Kurapika's composure,
Gon's courage and extraordinary talent,
Leorio's attention to detail and kind heart.
Osren had also prepared a unique strength of his own—one that would help him pass whatever test lay ahead.
Knock, knock, knock—
Leorio, with his long legs and eager stride, reached the door first and gave it a few solid knocks.
But no one answered.
Leo turned back and shook his head at Osren and the others, signaling that it seemed like no one was around. He then stepped off the staircase to take a look around.
"How odd. Why is there no one here? What about that guide couple?" Kurapika scanned the area, puzzled not to see any other applicants or people nearby.
"Heh, looks like we're the first team to arrive," Leorio said smugly. He had noticed too that no one else was here yet.
"It's too quiet," Osren muttered as he walked up the steps and approached the door.
"Osren?" Gon also sensed something off about the forest atmosphere and sounded slightly concerned.
"It's fine. I'll open the door and check. We're here to be tested—running into unexpected situations is exactly the point." Osren tried turning the doorknob and found it wasn't locked. He gestured for the others to stay alert and prepared to open it.
After the group nodded seriously, Osren twisted the knob and pushed open the door.
"Excuse us. We're coming in."
The door swung open—and tension immediately filled the air.
A monstrous beast, over five meters tall, had a woman gripped tightly in its enormous claws. A man lay motionless on the floor nearby—his condition uncertain.
The moment the beast spotted them, its lantern-like yellow eyes gleamed with menace. But instead of attacking, it clutched the screaming woman tightly, smashed through the window, and leapt into the forest. Within seconds, it had vanished from view.
"Gon, Kurapika—you two have the stamina. Go after it and save her! Leorio, you know medicine. Treat the man on the ground. I'll stay here in the center to provide support and cover in case anything else shows up."
He pulled two small orbs from his pocket and tossed one each to Gon and Kurapika.
"Use this if you're in danger and need backup—just smash it on the ground."
"Got it."
Without even taking time to look at what they were handed, Gon and Kurapika grabbed the orbs mid-air and bolted. In a few strides, they leapt through the shattered window and vanished into the forest.
The orbs Osren handed out were something he'd made back on Whale Island. After stumbling upon some saltpeter, he'd crafted them in a moment of inspiration, mimicking crude bombs. They weren't particularly powerful—at most they could dirty someone's face with a puff of smoke—but they worked well as signal flares.
He called them "Signal Bomb – Osren Type 1." One of a kind.
Maybe he'd look for more of that material and experiment further—if he could manage to develop real explosives, they might come in handy. And don't ask how a former IT guy in his past life knows how to make things like this—if you truly understood the depths of an internet-addicted otaku obsessed with random trivia, you'd know anything's possible.
"My wife…" the man on the floor rasped in anguish. His voice was hoarse and raw, but his body couldn't move. Seriously injured, he could only scream in helpless rage as he watched the beast disappear with his wife, chased by two strangers.
Leorio, who had instinctively drawn a short blade when the beast appeared, now sheathed it. After scanning the room and confirming it was safe, he exhaled and relaxed a bit.
"Leorio, tend to the man's wounds. I'll stand guard at the door. Shout if anything happens," Osren instructed.
In the original plotline, no other beasts showed up—but things had clearly changed now. Better to be cautious.
"I got it," Leorio replied solemnly, his usually jovial face now serious. He carefully stepped over broken chairs and splintered tables to kneel beside the man.
"Don't worry," he said gently while cleaning the man's wounds. "My teammates will bring your wife back. Everything will be fine."
The man's injuries were extensive—deep gashes that exposed bone, skin peeled back, and the flesh edges already darkening. It didn't look good.
Calmly and methodically, Leorio opened his treasured medical kit and began pulling out supplies—gauze, salves, antiseptics, coagulants… the works. Despite its small size, the box was fully stocked, like a miniature field hospital.
The sheer completeness of the kit spoke volumes about Leorio's skill. He definitely had the presence of a seasoned professional.
"I remember in the original story, Leorio said commoners couldn't even read… So how did he learn? Self-taught? That's impressive," Osren mused silently while keeping watch.
In the world of Hunters, the social hierarchy was rigid. There was a wide gap between commoners and Hunters—not to mention nobles and elite families. Just as Leorio once said in the original work, even learning to read was a luxury for the poor.