Chapter 25 – Passing the Test
Facing Mr. Kiriko's sharp question, Osren remained calm, explaining at his own steady pace.
"If this were a real infiltration, spending so much effort would only mean aiming for a one-hit kill—or at least something decisive. But I didn't see any of that. What's more, the Kiriko is a highly dangerous magical beast, yet at that time your wife was completely unharmed. Doesn't that strike you as a flaw in the setup?" Osren smiled faintly as he spoke.
Mr. Kiriko fell silent. Under Osren's careful reasoning, there was nothing left to refute.
"So, based on all that, the idea that the Kiriko actually captured the guide's family doesn't hold up," Osren continued. "Looking at it from the other angle—if it's fake—then everything falls neatly into place. This whole 'incident' was just a test prepared by the guide couple."
He fixed his eyes on Mr. Kiriko and pressed further, "And I dare say, that guide couple… was you and Mrs. Kiriko all along."
The room fell into a heavy silence.
"In a moment of panic or under sudden danger, most people can't think straight. But you—" Mr. Kiriko's voice deepened, "—you surpassed my expectations. You not only stayed alert at all times, but also divided responsibilities among your companions, and even turned seemingly useless details into the key to solving the riddle."
As he spoke, Mr. Kiriko rose slowly to his feet. The bandages wrapped around him loosened and slipped to the floor, revealing uninjured skin beneath.
"You've passed."
Osren couldn't help marveling. The regenerative powers of magical beasts were simply monstrous. Such resilience—no wonder hunters considered it essential to study them.
"Kurapika and the others only acted out of urgency to save people," Osren said with a shrug. "They have kinder hearts, so they didn't have time to think. My heart's a little tougher, so I could spare a thought for the bigger picture."
"Soft-hearted, hard-hearted… an interesting way to put it," Mr. Kiriko mused.
Osren smirked. "But tell me, Mr. Kiriko—are you sure you still have time to chat with me?"
Realizing the hour, Mr. Kiriko jolted. He still had Leorio's test to run. Without another word, he rushed for the door.
"Rooaaar!"
With a thunderous roar, the man's figure twisted, expanding into a towering beast—three to four meters tall. The Kiriko in his true form.
He unfurled a pair of massive fleshy wings and launched himself straight into the air.
"No doubt about it, what an enormous form…" Osren muttered to himself, watching him ascend. "But honestly, I always wondered—even back when I first saw this in the anime. His wings are basically underarm wings, fine for gliding. But taking off from flat ground like that? Totally unscientific."
Then his expression stiffened.
"…Wait. You left. What am I supposed to do now?"
Osren recalled that in the original storyline, the group's rendezvous point after passing was near the cliff where Leorio went to gather herbs. That made sense. But now, he himself was stranded here among the cedar trees. Relying only on his own two legs to get there? He couldn't even imagine it.
"Wait here, I still have business to attend to," Mr. Kiriko tossed over his shoulder before taking off.
He flew away.
Just like that.
"…Seriously? Just flew off?"
Osren muttered to himself, "Big deal, you can fly. Anyway, I've already passed. Gon and the others won't have to worry about me. I'll just stay here and wait. Though… I am kind of hungry."
The place was too far. Even if he started walking now, by the time he reached the cliff it would be morning, and he'd never catch up to Mr. Kiriko escorting the others to Zaban City. Might as well save his strength and wait for someone to pick him up. After all, he'd already cleared the test.
For now, it was better to see if he could catch some small animals for a meal, maybe gather a few rare ingredients. Having something to show off later would give him some face. After all, once they reached Zaban City, he would have to stay on guard constantly. Just the apple orchard caretaker there was already enough of a headache—if that guy mistook him for "a good apple," his future would be ruined.
While Osren schemed about his next meal, Gon and Kurapika had already caught up to the Kiriko.
Gon's dynamic vision was extraordinary, especially in the forest where he was in his element. He tracked the beast without losing its trail even once—something even the analytical Kurapika couldn't match.
Leaping agilely from branch to branch, Gon was faster than a monkey, and before long he was running side by side with the Kiriko.
"Put that person down!" Gon shouted.
"Hmph. If you want them, then come take them with your own strength!" the Kiriko sneered.
"Incredible—he can talk?" Gon was wide-eyed with surprise.
"Any beast that can speak is considered a magical beast," Kurapika reminded quickly as he finally caught up. "That one is the shapeshifting Kiriko. He can take on human form, so be careful!"
"If he can understand me, then this is easier." Gon cupped his hands around his mouth and yelled, "Hey, you stupid Kiriko up ahead!"
The insult made the Kiriko falter for just an instant. Seizing the chance, Gon flicked his fishing rod, striking the beast. Startled, the Kiriko loosened his grip, and the hostage slipped from his hands, plummeting through the air.
Kurapika moved in perfect sync. He leapt, caught the hostage, and landed safely—then looked up to see Gon charging after the Kiriko into the depths of the forest.
This scene matched the original story. There, too, Kurapika saved a female hostage. When she anxiously begged him to return her to her "husband," he noticed the tattoo on her hand.
Without Osren, Kurapika was the most knowledgeable of the four—his reserves of learning were vast. With one glance, he knew something was wrong.
"Now, will you answer a question for me?" Kurapika asked, drawing his twin batons and falling into a guarded stance. "Who are you, really?"
"You're right. I am a magical beast," the woman admitted without hesitation.
"It was your tattoo," Kurapika explained gently. "That mark belongs to the ancient Sumi tribe. It is the vow of a maiden who swore lifelong service to the gods. How could such a woman possibly have a husband? That contradiction gave you away." His voice was full of certainty.
Not long after, the Kiriko disguised as Leorio was also struck down by Kurapika's baton.
Kurapika's side progressed smoothly. Gon's hunt was equally swift. After crossing a mountain stream, he cornered a Kiriko out on a plain.
"Kid, I didn't expect you to chase me all the way here," the beast snarled. His claws lengthened, sharpened, and gleamed dangerously. "I'll repay you properly for that strike just now. Die!"
His eyes flared red, and with blistering speed he lunged, claws aimed straight at Gon.
But instead of fear, Gon's face filled with surprise—and confusion.
"That strike?" he thought. "What's he talking about? I never hit this Kiriko…"
Since he hadn't done it, Gon felt no guilt. Even as the beast's claws came within a hair's breadth of his forehead, he didn't dodge. What's wrong was wrong, what's right was right—there was no need to flinch.
The beast froze mid-swipe, the glow fading from his eyes. "Why didn't you dodge?" he asked, baffled. Could the boy truly be unafraid of death?
"Because I never hit you," Gon said matter-of-factly, staring up at him. "So who are you, really?"