Chapter 31 – The Hunter Exam Begins
"To achieve everything we talked about earlier, I've already spoken with the boss," Osren announced confidently. "Tomorrow, we'll be in charge of running the entire restaurant."
He exhaled softly, part nerves, part excitement. He'd been working tirelessly to secure his survival, but just thinking about what tomorrow would look like—it felt like eating ice cream in the middle of summer. Refreshing. Satisfying. Perfect.
"In charge…?" the others repeated in confusion, exchanging puzzled glances.
"Leorio," Osren said sharply.
"Here!" Leorio responded automatically, straightening his back like a soldier on roll call.
"Starting now, you'll be in charge of procuring ingredients. The boss has already given us access to most of the stock, but I'll need you to buy the rest. I'll hand you a list later—your job is to get everything fresh and cheap."
Then Osren's lips curled into a sly grin. "Of course, the budget is fixed. As long as you bring back what's on the list… no one's going to ask how much you actually spent."
Leorio's eyes lit up immediately. His blood practically boiled with excitement. Finally—an opportunity to make money.
He cracked his knuckles with a grin. "Leave it to me!"
"Kurapika," Osren continued, "you'll handle tomorrow's candidate reception. Go find that friendly waitress and learn how the place operates. You've got a sharp mind and good manners—perfect for talking to people without starting trouble. Remember, in this world, killing someone isn't exactly… rare."
"No problem," Kurapika replied calmly. He'd already learned to expect the unexpected from Osren. Somehow, every one of his strange ideas ended up working out. If Osren said this would help them, Kurapika believed it.
"Gon," Osren said next, "help Leorio carry supplies today. Tomorrow, assist Kurapika with welcoming the examinees."
"Got it, Osren!" Gon said brightly, nodding with full enthusiasm.
Watching his companions spring into action, Osren couldn't help but feel a flicker of gratitude. Maybe luck really was on his side. To think that his first encounter in this dangerous world had been with Gon—pure-hearted, trusting Gon—and not some lunatic from Meteor City or an ant-infested hellhole.
Still, tomorrow would bring special guests—individuals who needed particular attention. Best to prepare now.
"Gon, leave your backpack here for a bit. I'll need it soon," Osren said.
"Sure thing!" Gon obediently set his pack down.
"Leorio," Osren said, holding out a small metallic card, "this is the Jenny Card the boss gave me. It's loaded with funds for today's shopping. Whatever's left after buying ingredients… is yours."
Leorio's grin widened instantly. "You got it! Consider it done!"
Money—now that was motivation he understood. Nothing lit a fire under Leorio like the promise of extra cash.
Originally, Osren had planned to pay for the ingredients out of his own pocket, thinking the effort might enhance the effect of what he was planning. But after some experimentation, he'd discovered a useful truth: anything personally handled or prepared by him worked just as well.
So if the results were the same, why not choose the option that benefited him most?
After all, in this world, he was practically a peasant with his measly hundred thousand Jenny savings—while someone like Illumi Zoldyck could earn ten billion from a single kill.
There really was no comparison. And no justice, either.
Still… tomorrow, things would change.
Osren's lips curved into a knowing smile.
The first phase of the Hunter Exam was about to begin—and he was going to make sure the entire room remembered his name.
The team's efficiency was impressive.
As soon as Leorio got the budget, he and Gon bolted out the door for the market. Kurapika headed in the opposite direction, gathering data about the area—because whatever task he took on, he did it with perfection in mind.
Osren, meanwhile, had his own mission. He'd already asked the boss where the best candy shop in town was, and now it was time to put that information to use.
After a long search, he finally found the quaint little confectionery the boss had mentioned. With a pained expression and a silently bleeding heart, he spent several tens of thousands of Jenny on a selection of limited-edition sweets. For the sake of surviving the Hunter Exam, he told himself, no sacrifice is too great.
And so, as Osren and his friends busied themselves with their respective preparations, time quietly slipped away.
A new day dawned—the day the Hunter Exam would officially begin.
---
A white bird fluttered into the sky as the first sliver of sun peeked over the horizon, its rays turning the pale grey heavens into a soft, deep blue.
A new morning had arrived.
"Hah…"
Osren exhaled slowly in the golden light of dawn, stretching his arms and rolling his shoulders. His eyes sharpened. Today's going to be interesting, he thought. And I need to stay sharp—my plan depends on it.
After checking every last detail of his setup, Osren changed into the chef's outfit the boss had kindly lent him, standing behind the stove like a seasoned professional.
He'd wisely decided to keep Leorio away from the kitchen—someone that hot-headed around sharp knives was a recipe for disaster. Instead, Leorio stayed out front with the boss and the waitress, where his energy might do less damage.
Gon and Kurapika were already in their positions. Everything was ready.
---
Ding-a-ling!
The doorbell chimed. The first wave of examinees entered.
Osren looked up briefly. None of them were familiar faces—just some random hopefuls, ordinary cannon fodder for the exam's opening rounds.
"Boss, steak set," one of them said quietly, giving the prearranged passphrase.
Osren had to suppress a grin. Honestly, these coded exchanges are so dull. Would it kill them to use something cool like 'The tiger roars, the dragon answers' instead?
Time ticked by. More people came and went, until finally, the one he'd been waiting for arrived.
---
He wore a mustard-yellow shirt and a green vest over it. His short brown hair was slicked back, revealing a shiny forehead lined with three distinct wrinkles. His expression radiated fake friendliness—the sort that came from years of deceiving rookies.
Tonpa.
The infamous "Rookie Crusher."
Osren's lips curved into a knowing smile. Perfect. The good-luck charm I prepared for Leorio just walked in.
From a side table, Osren picked up a small glass bottle filled with deep amber jam. This wasn't ordinary jam—it was a special concoction he'd made last night, using two rare fruits with… interesting properties.
"Gon," Osren said, sliding a plate across the counter, "take this steak to that gentleman."
The steak looked ordinary—same plating, same sides—but the sauce shimmered faintly under the light, carrying a subtle, irresistible aroma.
Gon nodded cheerfully and carried it over to Tonpa's table.
"Kurapika," Osren continued, "bring the regular ones out to everyone else."
Kurapika nodded and moved quickly, serving the others in neat, practiced motions.
Every candidate would eat something before the exam began—it was part of the association's hospitality. But for Osren, this was the perfect opportunity to… make adjustments.
After all, who would accept food from a stranger in the middle of such a tense exam? Only an idiot—or Gon, bless his trusting soul.
So instead, Osren had found a loophole. Official catering. Everyone would eat, and no one would suspect a thing.
The trap was already dug. All that was left was to wait for the prey to step in.
---
And sure enough… the next one arrived.
A man in a flamboyant jester's outfit, his face painted with vibrant makeup, flipping a deck of cards in one hand as if the world itself were his stage.
Hisoka.
The "apple orchard's head gardener." The clown. The killer.
Osren's pulse spiked instantly. His entire body went rigid—a primal reaction to danger he couldn't suppress.
He reached for a thicker cut of top-grade steak—the one he'd bought specially for this guest—and hesitated. Then, steeling himself, he pulled out his trump card: a basilisk egg.
Well, he thought, if I'm going to play host to a monster, I might as well serve him something worthy.
Crack—
He cracked the eggshell, poured the thick golden yolk into a bowl, and began marinating two steaks in it. The result would be a dish both rich and potent—fit for someone like Hisoka… or Illumi.
He seared one of them to perfection, brushed on his secret fruit glaze, and nodded to Gon. "Take this to the man with the cards. And be careful."
Even the fruit juice he sent along looked identical to everyone else's—but of course, it wasn't.
As Hisoka's eyes followed the boy approaching with a smile, Osren forced himself to relax.
Good. As long as I don't draw his attention, I'll live to see tomorrow.
He exhaled quietly, wiping his hands on his apron. "At least I didn't volunteer for the code phrase job…"
A small shiver ran down his spine. Facing Hisoka now would be suicide. He needed to get stronger—fast.
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