Chapter 26 – Where Did Osren Go?
The Kiriko's long snout twitched several times before finally going still. What's with these candidates these days? Not dodging, not flinching… the nerve on this one is enormous.
"You're not the one I fought earlier. So why are you coming after me for revenge? But if you insist on standing in my way, then I'll fight you to the end," Gon said firmly, gripping his fishing rod like a weapon.
"How can you be so sure we're not the same?" the Kiriko asked with genuine curiosity.
"Isn't it obvious? You look completely different." Gon tilted his head, more confused than the beast himself. "And your voice is higher and thinner. If you pay attention, you can definitely tell. Compared to distinguishing the footsteps of animals in the forest, telling you two apart is way easier. Honestly, something this simple—anyone could figure it out."
The Kiriko's eyes narrowed into crescents. First a low chuckle escaped, then it grew into full-throated laughter.
"Dear, are you here? I've found something interesting."
As soon as his words fell, another beast appeared in the clearing—identical in appearance to him in every detail.
The pair of Kiriko's circled Gon like curious collectors examining a rare specimen.
"It's been so many years since a human was able to tell us apart. How refreshing."
"It's not just me," Gon quickly added, seeing how sentimental they had grown. "Osren could definitely tell you two apart as well. He knows everything. Don't worry—soon you'll have another human who can recognize you."
Both the beasts exchanged glances, their expressions softening with emotion. Then, without warning, they extended their wings and seized Gon.
"Come with us. We'll take you to meet the others."
With a powerful beat of their wings, the two Kiriko's rose into the night sky, carrying Gon with them toward the place where Leorio was climbing.
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Clatter, clatter.
Pebbles and loose stones tumbled down the cliffside as Leorio, a basket of herbs strapped to his back, carefully climbed upward. "Never thought my life would end up like this," he muttered under his breath.
Just as he neared the cliff's edge, a massive shadow swooped past him from behind. In an instant, it clamped down on the rope he was using to climb.
The air turned tense.
"This is bad… really bad. To run into a magical beast in a situation like this… my chances of survival are slim to none." Leorio's face hardened, his wide eyes blazing with grim determination.
The beast said nothing. Instead, it slowly loosened its grip on the rope.
"It wants me to fall to my death… of course. Just looking at it, you can tell how savage magical beasts are." Sweat beaded on Leorio's forehead and rolled down in heavy drops as he clenched his teeth, staring at the creature before him.
Then his sharp eyes caught something.
"Wait… I see now."
His gaze landed on the beast's arm—where clear red pinprick marks, the kind left by needles, were visible. In that moment, everything clicked into place.
"Those wounds… you inflicted them yourself to trick us, didn't you? Damn it, as a doctor-in-training, I can't believe I was deceived so easily. How careless of me," Leorio muttered, frustration heavy in his voice.
"What did you just say?" the Kiriko sounded taken aback.
"You're the one from that house, aren't you? The owner!" Leorio shouted with conviction. "Anyone could tell just by looking at the puncture marks and scars on your right arm!"
The instant the Kiriko instinctively glanced down at the needle marks on his arm, Leorio seized his chance. He whipped out the short blade hidden in his jacket, hurled his basket of herbs straight at the beast's face, and in the same motion leapt forward. One sharp kick toppled the beast, and in a heartbeat Leorio was straddling its massive body. The tip of his knife pressed against its throat.
"One strike settles it—GAME OVER."
"Now tell me—what happened to my companions?!" Leorio's voice thundered. Seeing the man he thought was injured in the cabin reveal himself here as a magical beast was unnerving. And though he trusted Osren's ability, he couldn't suppress the rising tide of worry.
After all, Osren had supported him countless times along the way. Leorio had come to rely on him without realizing it. Just thinking that something might have happened to him set his nerves on edge.
"They're fine!" the beast blurted out quickly, eyes darting nervously to the glinting blade at its throat.
Fortunately, the beast reacted fast—any slower and it might have lost its life, and the Hunter Association certainly wouldn't hand out a medal for "dedication to duty." That would have been far too great a loss.
Leorio stayed crouched on the creature's chest, knife unwavering at its vulnerable throat. The blade had already pierced its fur, showing no hint of compromise.
"I'm an examiner. I would never lie," the beast added hurriedly.
At that moment, two much larger Kiriko's descended from the sky, both carrying Gon. They landed beside Leorio and spoke together, "We are the guide couple."
A smaller beast also swooped down with Kurapika in its grasp, setting him safely on the ground. Seeing both Gon and Kurapika unharmed, Leorio finally exhaled, sheathed his knife, and jumped down.
"I'm the daughter," said the beast who had carried Kurapika, her form shimmering and shifting into that of a beautiful young woman with tribal markings across her face.
"And I'm the son," added the beast Leorio had subdued.
The three boys exchanged sheepish waves—a strange camaraderie born of their clash.
"Our children disguise themselves as a married couple beneath the cedars, while we act as the magical beasts to test the candidates of the Hunter Exam," the Kiriko couple explained.
"As Kurapika observed, this tattoo was once a maiden's vow of service to the gods. Its original meaning has long been lost to time. Yet with keen knowledge and sharp observation, he deduced that I could not truly be a wife. Remarkable," the daughter said, pointing to the tattoo on her wrist. All four beasts bowed deeply to Kurapika in recognition.
"Next, there is Gon. For decades, not a single candidate has been able to distinguish between us husband and wife. To combine such perceptiveness with extraordinary physical ability—it's simply outstanding," the beast couple said with pride.
"Sorry… if I'd known the truth earlier, I wouldn't have fought so hard," Gon admitted, scratching his head with a sheepish grin.
"And Leorio," continued the son. "Though you never uncovered my identity, your first-aid skills surpass those of an average doctor. More than that, your constant reassurance eased my supposed fears for my wife's safety. That compassion left a deep impression."
Leorio, uncharacteristically red-faced and sweating, muttered, "Cut it out… you're embarrassing me here."
"Furthermore, you identified my needle marks at a glance—another show of impressive observation," the son added, rolling up his sleeve for the group to see.
"So," all four beasts declared in unison, "the three of you have passed."
"Hahaha! That's amazing!" Gon cheered, throwing his arms up. "Osren! Did you hear that? We all passed!"
"Wait—huh?" His words hung in the air, and the three of them suddenly realized something was off.
All three pairs of eyes turned at once toward the four magical beasts. "Hold on… where's Osren? Of course he passed too—but where is he?" Their voices blended into one, brimming with certainty. None of them doubted for a moment that Osren had cleared the test.
Being pinned by six blazing stares at once, even the thick-skinned Kiriko's shifted uneasily.
"Ahem… he already passed," the son said quickly.
"But he's not here," Gon countered, wide-eyed as he glanced around. Osren was nowhere in sight. His gaze locked on the son, full of questions.