Click-clack. Done. That's my application for the 287th Hunter Exam all wrapped up. Ah, the notification's already here. Let's see… the exam site is in Zaban City, huh? That's all it says. Guess I'm supposed to figure out the rest on my own. Well, makes sense. Every year, millions take this exam. If you can't even manage that much research, you've got no business calling yourself a Hunter.
I decided to take the 1999 Hunter Exam for one reason: confirmation. Confirmation of what, you ask? Whether there are others—like me—who came to this world. Honestly, I hadn't thought too hard about it before. But after traveling around and reflecting, I realized it's a real possibility.
And the best place to confirm that is… the Hunter Exam.
…Not that I want to go back to my old world. I died there, and was reborn here. But to say I'm not curious would be a lie. If there are others, I'd like to meet them.
Anyway—time to look up Zaban City. Hmm… from here, the fastest way would be an airship. Let's get a ticket sorted out.
[The direct flight to Zaban City Hunter Exam Venue, exclusively for Hunter Exam applicants, is now preparing for departure. Passengers please—]
That announcement rang out while I was waiting at the airport with my reserved ticket.
Huh? There's a direct flight to the exam venue? That sounds way too convenient. Looking around, I see some very shady-looking types heading toward the airship in a line. …Really? That easy?
I hesitated. Sure enough, a few people stayed behind, whispering. I strained my ears.
"Rookie, huh. Falling for such a simple trap."
"No kidding. If there really was a direct flight to the exam, nobody'd struggle."
"Eh, let 'em go. Fewer rivals is better for us."
…Naturally, I wasn't fooled. Of course not. That's me. If I couldn't spot such an obvious trap, I'd have no right to call myself a Kazama-ryu master!
…It's not a lie, okay? I didn't fall for it!
Ten minutes after the airship left, another announcement came.
[Hunter Exam applicants, please assemble at the airport entrance within five minutes. I repeat—]
Ah, this one sounds legit. The group who stayed behind are heading there too. …This isn't a second trap, right?
...I waited at the entrance three minutes before a bus rolled up, and a guide stepped out.
"Thank you for waiting. This bus will now head for Toneri Port. From there, a ship will depart for Dore Port, the harbor nearest the exam venue. Applicants, please hand over your airport tickets and board the bus."
Good. Looks like I made the right call. …Though, given the earlier trick, I can't help but be suspicious. What if this bus doesn't even go to Toneri Port?
…Could happen. Toneri Port is about 10 km away. I could run there in time. If the port itself doesn't exist, then taking the bus or running would both fail. But if the bus is a trap, running would let me dodge it.
Better confirm.
"Excuse me. When exactly does the ship leave Toneri Port?"
"…Around 12:30."
For just an instant, his aura stiffened. Bingo.
"I see. Well then, I'll excuse myself."
I turned and left. If the ship sails at 12:30, I can easily make it by running. Ten kilometers is nothing. If I'm wrong, then so be it.
Arrived. The time is… 12:15. Maybe I ran too leisurely. Still made it. The ship… there it is. Only one vessel in port—must be it. As I approached, I saw a man with a white beard and red nose—looked every inch the captain.
"You. Applicant? If so, show your ticket."
"This one's fine, right?"
I handed him my airship ticket. It's all I had. If it's no good, I guess that means disqualification.
"Good. You pass. Seems you're the only one who cleared that test."
"So it was a trap after all…"
"Aye. After the first snare, I set a second. Those who relax, thinking they'd made it, fail there."
…Guess it pays to be suspicious sometimes.
"Well then—"
"Aye, I'll take responsibility and get you to the port nearest the exam. Get on board, we depart soon."
"Understood."
And so, the ship set sail. I was the only applicant aboard. Those three who mocked the rookies weren't here. Thanks to them, I caught on. I won't forget your sacrifice… probably.
"One thing I haven't asked yet: your name, and your reason for taking the Hunter Exam."
"Name's Aisha. As for my reason… to get an ID."
No point mentioning transmigrators. They'd just call me a fool.
"…That's honest, at least. Better than spouting flowery nonsense."
"I don't like lying."
(Not that I never lie.)
"Heh. Fine. It's about a day to Dore Port. Rest easy till then."
"Understood. …Oh, by the way. Since we'll have to find the venue ourselves, could you give me a hint?"
I vaguely remember the exam site being behind a diner or something, but the route escapes me. Still, asking isn't against the rules. Networking is a kind of strength too.
"…Bwahahaha! Honest girl, you are! Fine, I'll give you a hint—once we reach Dore Port."
"Oh! Asking pays off after all. Thank you, uncle."
"…Uncle!?"
"A term of gratitude. Not acceptable?"
"Call me captain! And don't you dare say that in front of the crew!"
"Understood, uncle."
"You—! One more word and you fail!!"
"What!? I didn't call you that in front of the crew!"
"Don't split hairs! Get to your cabin already!"
"Yeees, understood."
I'd better not tease him too much, or he might really get angry. Still… it's been a while since I had a fun conversation with anyone.
If there's time, maybe I'll talk with him again.
"Thank you for everything, uncle. Thanks to you, this was a fun voyage."
"I don't ever want to sail with you again…"
"How rude, making it sound like I was a burden."
"You were a burden!"
"And yet you had the company of such a beautiful girl. What nerve."
"If you say so yourself, it doesn't count… Well, whatever. I'll pray you pass, so I don't have to escort you again."
"…(Did he just tsundere?) Thank you."
"See that lone cedar tree on the mountain? Head there—it's the shortcut to the exam site."
"Got it. Truly, thank you. Please take care of yourself."
"Hmph. Off with you."
And with that, I parted from the "uncle" and set my sights on the cedar. Though at this hour, it'll be nightfall by the time I'm in the mountains. Better to spend the night in town.
What a pleasant voyage. If I fail and get another shot at the exam, I'd like to meet that uncle again.
◆
Whew, she's gone. Half a day chatting my ear off… She really enjoyed talking to me, huh? Always smiling.
Uncle, huh. …Didn't feel bad.
Tch! What am I thinking? Time to head to the next destination. After two more ports, I'll make for Whale Island. Whale Island… that's where Ging used to live. Wonder how his boy's doing now…
◆
Heading for the lone cedar, I found myself in what looked like ruins. …Well, looked like. In truth, I could feel eyes on me. Breathing, the rustle of clothing—plain as day. No need to extend En to confirm. Whoever's here isn't even trying to hide.
Sure enough, a group shuffled out, led by an old lady, with strange mask-wearing followers blocking the path. …Like bargain-bin Meteor City residents.
"Doki-doki…"
"…Excuse me?"
"Doki-doki Two-Choice Quiiiiz!!"
Whoa! Going straight for my heart, huh? This granny's got some moves.
"You're aiming for that lone cedar, aren't you? But to reach it, you must pass through this town. The other mountain paths are like mazes, crawling with vicious beasts."
…Vicious beasts, huh. Doesn't sound like I'd lose. And a maze? If I just leap from treetop to treetop, shouldn't be a problem…
"Now then, just one question. You'll have five seconds to answer. Get it right, you pass. Get it wrong, you fail. Forget this year's Hunter Exam."
Well… if I refuse, that might be instant failure too. Guess I'll play along.
"You must answer with either option one or option two. Any vague reply counts as wrong."
A multiple choice? That means no matter how tough the question, there's still a fifty percent chance. …But isn't that a bit too generous? This is supposed to weed out applicants, not hand out freebies. Then again, they say luck is part of ability.
"Your father and your mother are about to fall from a cliff. You can only save one.
① Your father.
② Your mother.
Who do you choose?"
"②. My mother."
…That was instant. But I couldn't answer otherwise. The moment I heard the question, I understood what this test was really about. Even so… if it were truly one or the other, I'd save my mother. Always.
"Why is that your choice?"
"It's not that I resent my father. I understand why he abandoned me, and I've made peace with it. But compared to my mother—the one who protected me even if it killed her—there's no contest."
Yes. If such a situation ever came, I'd unhesitatingly save Mother.
…Of course, if it were my foster father, Ryūzen, that'd be different. Then I'd save both, no matter what.
"Even if I knew this was the wrong answer, I'd still say I'd save my mother. Always."
"…Why assume it's wrong?"
"A two-choice question with no universal answer. Meaning the real solution is silence. To refuse to answer—that would be the correct response, wouldn't it?"
"…So you saw the trick… Yet you still answered. Why?"
"As I said. Because for me, silence wasn't an option. Even if it cost me the exam."
Nothing more to say. Shame to fail, but if my goal is to confirm the existence of transmigrants or drifters, the Hunter Exam isn't my only chance. I turned to walk back.
"…Wait."
"What is it?"
"That's the real path. Straight trail. Two hours and you'll reach the summit."
"…But I failed, didn't I?"
"You figured out the answer. The problem was in the problem, not in you. Consider it a provisional pass."
A provisional pass, huh… Well, better than nothing.
"Is that really allowed?"
"If I say it is, it is."
"…Then I'll gratefully accept."
Honestly, if it means I pass, that's good enough. Turns out this granny's actually a good person. Hope she lives long.
Walking along the mountain path, I soon spotted a solitary house. Granny had mentioned a couple of navigators lived here… but I sense three presences. None moving. One far off, one standing right next to the last. …Pretty weird tableau.
They're clearly waiting for me. Must be another test. …Can't keep them waiting forever. Knock-knock—hellooo?
"I'm coming in!"
"Kikikikikikikil—!"
A foxlike beast leapt at me, clutching a woman. …Ah, so it was an ambush. Thanks for waiting. Time to deal with it. A straight charge? Perfect for Kazama-ryū. Eat your own momentum! …Though I'll hold back. And rescue the woman while I'm at it.
"Hah!"
"Ghh!?"
I blasted the beast back and caught the woman midair.
"You okay?"
"Y-Yes. P-Please, save my husband too…!"
"…Do I really need to?"
"…Eh?"
"Come on. You two were clearly lying in wait for me. This is all a setup, right?"
"…You saw through that?"
"I'm good at sensing presences."
"I see. Your reaction to our attack, and how you handled the collateral damage—yes. You pass. We'll guide you to the exam venue."
The fox-beast—slammed against the wall—said that, standing up.
"Much obliged."
And so, I grabbed onto the legs of the winged beast—apparently called a Kiriko—and enjoyed an aerial ride straight to the exam-town. Not bad. I should learn to fly myself someday.
◆
"This building is the exam entrance."
The Kiriko, now in human disguise, led me not to some grand hall, but to a small diner beside it. Ah, yes. This. I remember now—give the password here, and you'll be shown the way.
"Let's head in."
"Ah, wait a sec."
"What's wrong? Don't tell me you've lost your nerve?"
"No, just curious. The exam starts January 7th. What happens to those who arrive early?"
"They wait until then, of course. The Association will cover food and lodging."
…Hmm. In that case, I might as well kill time in town. Besides, a long exam calls for preparation—water, rations. Mother's rule: no filthy food. Can't rely on gourmet meals once the test starts.
"I'll stay in town until the exam."
"…Fair enough. Though getting in early, scouting rivals, and studying exam patterns is part of the game too."
"I'll be fine."
"…If that's your choice. Then remember this: inside 'Meshi-dokoro Gohan,' when they ask for your order, say 'steak set meal.'"
Got it. I'll jot that down.
"Then when they ask how you want it cooked, raise one finger and say, 'slowly on low heat.' That's the password."
"Understood. Thanks for everything."
"Just don't miss the deadline. Good luck."
He's gone. Okay, what to do until the exam starts… Plenty of time. First, food.
"Excuse me, one steak set meal please."
"…How would you like it cooked?"
"Medium rare. Oh, and rice large, please."
Heh. Gave them a fake password for fun. I'm a bad customer, sorry.
Oh—delicious! Steak should always be medium rare. And with rice, even better!
"Excuse me, another bowl of rice please!"
Can't fight on an empty stomach. Once the exam starts, I doubt I'll eat like this again. Time to stock up.
"Excuse me, two plates of stir-fried offal and vegetables, and two ginger pork sets. Also, more rice."
Mmm. Meat this good makes the rice vanish.
…The other customers are giving me weird looks. Did I do something strange? Never mind. Focus on food. Leave no grain behind. Eating is life itself!
"And two more yakiniku sets, extra rice."
Seems like I eat more these days than I used to. I can hold back if I must, but if I can eat, I should.
…But I don't want to get fat. I'll do my town sightseeing while jogging.