Chapter 19: The Legendary Tonpa, Master of Beverage Factories
Though Mord's eating pace seemed leisurely, it was anything but slow.
By the time the floor indicator settled at B100, he had polished off the entire lavish spread of grilled meat.
Boom!
The elevator doors slid open.
Mord wiped his mouth with a napkin, stood up, and stepped outside.
His gaze swept over the crowd—fellow Hunter Exam participants, each exuding an aura distinctly different from those he'd encountered at Dolle Harbour.
Only one in ten thousand applicants made it to the official exam venue, meaning every person here was a rare talent.
Mord had assumed he'd be among the earliest arrivals, but he'd overlooked the fact that everyone started from different locations.
Thus, the order of arrival didn't necessarily reflect one's true strength.
A quick glance revealed around 300 people—men and women, young and old, tall and short, dressed in all manner of attire and wielding bizarre weapons.
Such was the fascinating world of Hunters.
Modern technology clashed and merged with ancient civilizations, Eastern and Western cultures intertwining.
Hostility and wariness simmered in everyone's eyes, the tension palpable to Mord.
In a competitive exam like this, anyone could be an opponent.
Mord surveyed his surroundings—a massive underground tunnel, roughly twenty meters wide. The area they stood in was well-lit, but further ahead, the light dimmed, swallowed by darkness.
No one knew how long the tunnel was or where it led.
...
"Hello."
A voice sounded beside him. Mord turned to see a short, well-dressed man with a bean-shaped face, lacking a nose and ears, approaching.
Mamen Beans.
Mord recognized him instantly—Chairman Netero's personal secretary. Though his appearances in the original story were few, each was pivotal.
"Please take your number tag," said the Beanman, handing Mord a round tag.
321!
Mord reached out and took it, glancing at the number.
"Make sure to wear the tag on your chest and don't lose it," the Beanman added before turning away to approach another examinee.
Mord casually pinned it to his clothes.
"Hey there, friend, want some juice?"
No sooner had the Beanman left than a short, stout middle-aged man approached Mord, holding a can of juice with a friendly smile on his face.
"My name is Tonpa. This is your first time taking the Hunter Exam, isn't it? You seem a little nervous. How about a drink to calm your nerves?"
Tonpa, the "Rookie Crusher."
There was no denying that he looked every bit the honest, good-natured uncle, his smile radiating sincerity.
Someone naive and lacking real-world experience might easily fall for it.
Mord took the can and began scrutinizing it carefully.
"Is something wrong?" Tonpa asked, his eyes brimming with sincerity as he made a show of reaching into his satchel for another drink. "Don't like this flavor? I have others."
"The can is intact," Mord muttered, ignoring Tonpa. "No issues with the base or the cap."
"Not even the tiniest puncture."
"Tell me, Mr. Tonpa, do you own a beverage factory?"
"Huh?" Tonpa looked utterly bewildered.
Mord continued, "Otherwise, how did you manage to lace this juice with such a potent laxative?"
"W-what are you talking about? I have no idea what you mean!" Tonpa waved his hands frantically. "We just met, and I was just trying to be nice by offering you a drink. Why would I put a laxative in it?"
"Besides, didn't you just say the can was completely sealed—"
Before he could finish, Mord cut him off. "So it must be a family business, then. Or maybe you had it specially made at the factory. With your skills, that wouldn't be hard."
With that, Mord tossed the juice back to him and added, "Tonpa, you've taken the Hunter Exam 35 times, 30 of which you made it to the main exam. You're not here for the Hunter License—you're here for the thrill."
"The thrill of watching hopeful young rookies plummet from heaven to hell, crushed beyond recovery, never daring to take the exam again."
"Am I right, Rookie Crusher Tonpa?"
"...H-how did you—" Tonpa stared at Mord, too stunned to speak.
Just as Mord had said, Tonpa had taken the exam 35 times. After the first few years, he'd consistently reached the main exam, so he was certain Mord was a first-timer.
How could a rookie know his identity?
And even deduce that his family owned a beverage factory?
Could this guy read minds?!
A cold sweat broke out on Tonpa's forehead. In his mind, Mord's danger level was now second only to that man.
Since his underwear had been stripped bare, Dongba naturally had no face to stay any longer and could only slink away in disgrace.
Just then.
The elevator doors opened once more.
Several groups had already descended earlier, and by the countdown, this should be the final batch.
The elevator doors parted.
Three figures stepped out.
Standing in the center was a black-haired boy around eleven or twelve years old, dressed in bright green summer shorts, with a sturdy-looking fishing rod strapped to his back. His pure, curious eyes swept over everyone present.
Gon Freecss.
The absolute protagonist of the early Hunter x Hunter series.
Mord glanced at him, then shifted his gaze to the two figures flanking Gon.
One was a tall, lanky "uncle" in navy-blue business attire, casually carrying a briefcase with one hand, sporting a pair of oversized sunglasses, his appearance somewhat unkempt.
The other presented a stark contrast—a beautiful youth with golden hair, fair skin, and features more delicate than most girls, wearing an exotic-style long coat. He appeared to be about fifteen or sixteen.
Compared to Gon, these two were far more cautious, carefully observing the others in the room.
Leorio and Kurapika.
The main trio had finally arrived.