Chapter 30 – Pulling Off Something Big (Part Three)
"Honestly, that guide was kind of rude," Leorio grumbled, stabbing at his steak with unnecessary force. "The way he talked made it sound like we're definitely going to fail this year."
No one could really blame him. For Leorio, becoming a Hunter—and later a doctor—wasn't just a dream; it was his life's purpose. So when the Kiriko said, 'I'd be happy to guide you again next year,' it felt like a slap in the face.
"The pass rate for newcomers is only once every three years," Kurapika said quietly but firmly. "Most rookies can't withstand the intensity of the tests and give up halfway. Some even end up too injured to ever try again."
"But… if it's that hard," Gon asked innocently, tilting his head, "why do so many people still want to become Hunters?"
That question hit like a stone dropped in a hornet's nest.
Leorio and Kurapika—so often at odds—suddenly stood united. They set down their utensils, turned in unison, and surrounded Gon.
"You mean to tell us," Leorio said seriously, "you came to take the Hunter Exam without even knowing what a Hunter is?"
"Uh… yeah," Gon said honestly. It didn't seem strange to him at all—but some small instinct told him to edge closer to the door, just in case.
Kurapika straightened his posture, eyes sharp. "Listen carefully, Gon. The profession of a Hunter is one of the greatest callings in the world."
Leorio crossed his arms. "And one of the most profitable."
The two of them finished speaking at the same time—then turned to glare at each other.
"Trying to sound noble," Leorio scoffed.
"Materialist," Kurapika countered coldly.
Their jaws clenched, eyes narrowing, the tension rising so fast they were one insult away from throwing punches.
Meanwhile, Gon sat there blinking, head full of question marks. Both sounded right… and both sounded wrong. Before he could make sense of it, the argument had already flared.
"Gon," Leorio said quickly, shifting his focus to the easiest target, "listen. Only licensed Hunters get an official certificate. With that, you can travel freely between countries, use most public facilities for free, and if you become a private Hunter for the rich—or a treasure hunter—you can earn a fortune and live comfortably for life."
"That's not it!" Kurapika shot back instantly. "A Hunter's true duty is to maintain balance between humanity and nature—to capture criminals, stop rogue Hunters, and protect rare species and ancient relics. It's a sacred job, one that demands both strength and will."
Despite his thirst for vengeance, Kurapika's words carried conviction. His ideals hadn't yet been consumed by hatred.
"So, Gon," Leorio pressed, leaning forward, "what do you think?"
"Which kind of Hunter do you want to be?" Kurapika asked at the same time, his eyes gleaming with quiet intensity.
"Uh… I don't really know," Gon admitted with an awkward laugh. "I don't even understand all the types."
Just then—
Click.
The door opened, and Osren strolled in leisurely, hands in his pockets.
Gon's eyes lit up instantly. "Osren! You're smart—you must know! What kind of Hunter do you want to be?"
"Huh? Hunter? What kind?" Osren blinked, clearly having missed the conversation. He didn't realize this was supposed to happen later—in the elevator scene of the original story.
Gon eagerly filled him in on the argument between Leorio and Kurapika, then looked up at him expectantly.
Even the other two stopped bickering and turned toward Osren, curious about his take.
Osren crossed his arms, thinking for a moment, then looked at Leorio. "You want to be a doctor, right?"
Leorio nodded. "That's right."
Then Osren turned to Kurapika. "And you—you want revenge?"
Kurapika's eyes darkened slightly. "Yes."
Finally, Osren looked back at Leorio. "And you don't want revenge, do you?"
Leorio frowned, confused. "No, of course not."
Osren smiled faintly. "See? You each have different goals—and so your definitions of what it means to be a Hunter are different too. A Hunter is whatever you make it. It depends on why you chose this path in the first place."
The room fell silent. Even Leorio and Kurapika froze for a moment, stunned by the simplicity of it.
Of course. Different dreams, different ideals—so naturally, their perspectives would never match. There was nothing to argue about.
"You're right…" Kurapika murmured, lowering his gaze.
Leorio sighed and gave a sheepish grin. "Yeah. Makes sense when you put it like that."
"That was… actually kind of profound," Gon said, eyes sparkling like stars. He looked at Osren with open admiration, the way a kid looks at his favorite hero.
Osren just shrugged, trying not to smile. "I only said what's obvious."
But deep down, he couldn't help feeling amused. In another life, this conversation had defined friendships, rivalries, and destinies. And now, thanks to him… it had started a little earlier—but maybe with a little more understanding this time.
If there was such a thing as a top-tier fan, Gon was definitely Osren's number one loyal follower—utterly devoted and absolutely unshakable.
"I need your help with something," Osren said finally, feeling just a bit overwhelmed by the sparkle in Gon's eyes. Apparently, his skin hadn't yet grown thick enough to handle that level of adoration.
"What kind of help?" Gon asked immediately, leaning forward with pure enthusiasm. "Just say the word!"
"Yeah, if you need something, we're in," Leorio added, dropping his usual bluster.
Kurapika simply nodded in quiet agreement, signaling the same.
Osren smiled faintly. "Good. As new candidates in the Hunter Exam, the fact that we've made it this far already proves our strength, right? So—do you have confidence that you can pass the next test?"
"Of course!" all three answered in unison.
Different temperaments, different goals—but when it came to confidence, they were cut from the same cloth. Birds of a feather, as the saying goes.
"Then," Osren continued smoothly, "since we're about to become Hunters, shouldn't we try to build good relationships with our future colleagues?"
His tone, his pacing, even his expression—it was flawless. If someone had walked in right then, they might've mistaken him for a motivational speaker at a startup seminar or, worse, a charismatic recruiter for a multi-level marketing scheme.
Was Osren secretly an IT guy and a part-time persuasion coach in his past life?
"Uh…" Leorio hesitated, brows knitting. "This isn't something that's gonna cost money, right?"
The man's instinct for financial danger was as sharp as ever. When it came to spending, Leorio made Scrooge look generous. Until his goals were achieved, thrift was law.
Kurapika and Gon exchanged puzzled looks. The conversation had taken such a sharp turn that even Kurapika—usually quick to connect the dots—was momentarily at a loss.
Osren kept smiling, his tone deceptively casual. "Think about it. The more people you know, the more connections you build, the more information you can share. Maybe someone else finds a clue or a rare item you've been searching for all along. If you're on good terms, you can trade knowledge—or favors."
Kurapika's eyes flickered with sudden realization. He's right. With broader connections, finding the Phantom Troupe would be far easier.
"And," Osren added with perfect timing, "the wider your network, the more opportunities you'll have to make money. Business, contracts, sponsorships—it all starts with who you know."
That did it. Leorio's eyes gleamed with interest. As someone who had clawed his way up through self-study and street smarts, he understood perfectly: connections were everything.
Now both of them—Kurapika and Leorio—were watching Osren with eager eyes, clearly hooked.
Gon, still not entirely following but trusting Osren wholeheartedly, piped up again. "So, Osren—what exactly do you want us to help with?"
Osren leaned back slightly, a faint grin curling his lips. "You'll see soon enough. But let's just say… we're about to make a strong first impression."
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