Chapter 29 – Pulling Off Something Big (Part Two)
"This is what the Hunter Exam is all about—unpredictable surprises," said the Kiriko, standing at the doorway instead of entering the private room. His tone was solemn. "Every year, millions apply, yet only one in ten thousand even reaches the official venue. You've done remarkably well for newcomers. If it were you, I'd be glad to guide you again next year."
Next year? Osren thought wryly. Forget that. We're passing this year for sure.
"Swish, swish, swish."
The Kiriko pulled four small metal badges from his coat and flicked them neatly to each of the four candidates. Some things, it seemed, couldn't be changed no matter how much the timeline shifted.
Even though Osren's interference back on Dolle Island had altered several events—causing more participants to arrive early—their badge numbers remained exactly as in the original storyline.
Leorio got #403, Kurapika #404, Gon #405…
"No," Osren murmured, glancing down at the tag in his hand, #406. "Something has changed."
The Kiriko smiled faintly. "Work hard, rookies." He waved, turning to leave.
Osren and Gon exchanged a look, then stepped forward together and extended their hands. "Thank you, Mister," they said in unison.
He blinked, taken aback for a second, before chuckling softly and shaking each of their hands. "You're welcome. I hope fate lets us meet again."
For a moment, something gentle flickered in the magical beast's eyes. After all, not being recognized for so long… was a lonely thing.
"Being thanked… not bad," he murmured to himself as he stepped out of the restaurant. He stared at his hand for a long while before smiling contentedly.
---
"Ssszz… ssszz…"
"Your steak sets are ready!" The waitress's voice, bright and melodious, sounded like a songbird echoing through the small hall.
Together with the jolly, round-bellied owner, she carried in several plates, setting one in front of each of them.
"You're early this year," the owner said with a hearty laugh. "If it's not enough, just say the word—eat as much as you like."
"Thank you, boss. We really appreciate the hospitality," Osren replied politely.
The others quickly followed his lead, nodding and expressing their gratitude.
"Gon, hand me that orange bundle," Osren said after a moment.
"Sure thing." Gon didn't even turn around—just reached into his backpack and pulled out a small orange pouch about the size of two fists, passing it over.
Osren took it, untied the string, and revealed a handful of pale-pink fruits inside—each one small and glossy, about the size of a plum, their color almost glowing under the light. They looked irresistibly appetizing.
He didn't know exactly what they were, only that he'd snagged them while the Kiriko scared away a few wild beasts earlier. Judging by the way those creatures had guarded them, they were definitely valuable.
"Boss," Osren said with a polite smile, offering the pouch forward, "thank you for your generosity. Consider this a little token of appreciation. Please, try some. And of course, our lovely waitress too—you've worked hard."
"Haha! Well, thank you! I won't say no to that!" The waitress laughed sweetly, picking out one of the fruits and popping it into her mouth. Her eyes immediately lit up, half-lidded in delight. "It's delicious!"
The flavor was indescribable—far beyond mere sweet or sour. Layers of richness and fragrance unfolded with every bite, deep and mesmerizing.
"Of course it's good!" the owner bellowed cheerfully. "That's a Dawnsweet Fruit. Grows only in the harshest of climates—extremely rare and valuable!"
Clapping Osren on the shoulder, he took the pouch himself and laughed heartily. "You've got good taste, kid. Most would hoard these, not hand them out!"
Osren smiled modestly, though inwardly he made sure to memorize the name: Dawnsweet Fruit.
He'd asked the Kirikoes before—this world didn't have any proper food or plant encyclopedias. Traders might carry random notes, but there was no unified record.
That was fine by him. In his travel notebook, he was already compiling everything he'd learned firsthand—fruits, herbs, ingredients. Someday, when he became a full-fledged Gourmet Hunter, he'd publish it: A Complete Culinary Field Guide for Hunters.
The owner quickly tossed a fruit into his mouth as well. The taste was even better than he'd expected—sweeter, smoother, with a lingering aftertaste that made him grin from ear to ear. His mood lifted instantly.
"You know what?" he said, laughing. "I'll bring you some extra dishes—on the house! Eat to your heart's content, kids!"
Still chuckling, he waved the waitress along and disappeared into the kitchen.
The sizzling steak in front of them was still steaming, the juicy fat crackling on the hot iron plate. The air was thick with its rich aroma—so mouthwatering that it was almost impossible to resist.
"Smells amazing…" Leorio muttered, already captivated.
No wonder he hadn't paid much attention to the Dawnsweet Fruit earlier—this was steak, his true weakness. As a self-proclaimed carnivore, the scent alone had his stomach growling. He was the first to dig in, and surprisingly, his knife and fork skills were impressive—each precise slice and flick carried the same confidence as a practiced surgeon. It wasn't hard to imagine that, one day, his surgical career would be formidable.
"Itadakimasu!" Gon cheered brightly, before eagerly starting on his own plate.
Osren, however, had his mind elsewhere. He had a plan—something big—and food was the last thing holding his attention. He cut through his steak with machine-like efficiency, polished his plate clean in a few quick bites, and set down his utensils.
Watching his friends still halfway through their meals, he made a quiet decision.
"Gon, you guys keep eating," he said, standing up. "I'm going to ask the boss for a small favor. I'll be right back."
"You need help?" Gon asked immediately, dropping his fork, his eyes serious.
Kurapika and Leorio both looked up from their plates as well, the same question written all over their faces.
Osren paused, then smiled warmly. "Don't worry. If I need help, you'll be the first to know. We're teammates, right?"
It was a simple line, but a genuine one.
Ever since arriving in this world, Osren had never truly felt safe. He'd been constantly preparing—gathering tools, refining techniques, and developing his Nen abilities—just to create some sense of security. But moments like this, with comrades beside him, made him realize the Hunter world wasn't all danger. It had passion, courage, and a strange kind of warmth too.
Once he saw them return to eating, Osren quietly stepped out of the private room and headed toward the counter.
---
"Boss, do you have a moment?" he asked, spotting the owner sitting comfortably at the bar.
Since it wasn't yet time for the official exam to begin, the man was free and relaxed, sipping from a steaming cup. A faint, refreshing aroma wafted through the air—something like tea, though Osren didn't recognize it. Perhaps it was a blend unique to the Hunter world.
"What's on your mind?" the owner asked lazily, not refusing. After all, he'd just been gifted a pouch of rare Dawnsweet Fruit—he could at least hear the boy out.
"Nothing major," Osren said with a disarming smile, leaning closer. "I just want to… build a bit of goodwill with the other candidates. You know, first impressions and all. So I was wondering if you could…"
He lowered his voice and began whispering the rest of his plan in the owner's ear, step by step.
To survive the Hunter Exam, Osren knew he had to think beyond combat—he had to plan. And this particular idea… was brilliant.
As Osren laid out his scheme, the owner's brows lifted slightly, then slowly turned into an amused grin.
While Osren was plotting his little "project," the others back in the private room were… not quite as unified.
Because while Gon happily ate, Kurapika and Leorio had already started arguing—over steak, over strategy, and over who'd probably fail first.
And so, while one corner of the restaurant buzzed with sizzling meat and bickering voices, another corner quietly began the first stage of a plan that would soon shake the Hunter Exam itself.