January, 1999.
The "Music Hunter," Melody, and the "Amateur Hunter," Kurapika, arrived at Dole Port—the town where this year's Hunter Exam would be held.
Melody was short and plump, with most of her long hair already balding, exposing a smooth scalp. Two prominent buck teeth, resembling a hamster's, stuck out from her lips.
She was certainly far from being considered "beautiful," but her voice was a different story—it was truly something that could be called "beautiful."
If you closed your eyes and only listened to her speak, you'd imagine a mature, charming, and elegant woman.
"Kurapika." Melody gently pointed to a nearby inn and said softly, "I'll stay here while you're taking the exam."
Kurapika was no longer wearing the traditional Kurta Clan attire. Instead, he wore a simple white shirt, making him look like just another tourist in Dole Port.
He glanced at the inn before looking back at Melody and nodding.
"I'm not sure how long the Hunter Exam will last… Sorry to trouble you by waiting here."
Melody shook her head with a small smile.
"It's no trouble at all… Besides, it might end sooner than you think. After all, you are Mr. Germain's student."
Last year, Germain had passed the Hunter Exam in just a few days—he was the only one who succeeded that time.
Melody was teasing Kurapika. As Germain's disciple, maybe he could pass just as quickly.
Previously, Germain had mentioned to Kurapika that Melody could be invited to Greed Island.
Since his teacher had said so, Kurapika decided to tell Melody about his connection to Germain and relay his teacher's invitation.
To be honest, Melody was surprised when she heard that Kurapika was the disciple of that famous Germain, who had made a name for himself over the past year.
That Germain had gained considerable recognition for his efforts in hunting the Chimera Ants and had risen to a prominent position within the Hunter Association, becoming one of the "Twelve Zodiacs."
A high-ranking, powerful individual—everything about him made Melody stand in awe.
And now, the blonde-haired, handsome young man standing before her, whom she had been partnering with for some time, was actually Germain's disciple. It was hard to believe!
However, Melody eventually believed Kurapika, as she had the ability to hear people's "heartbeats," which allowed her to confirm that Kurapika was not lying.
As for Germain's invitation, Melody hesitated for a moment before agreeing.
It seemed that Germain, perhaps seeing how she had been taking care of Kurapika, wanted to meet her and extend a gesture of goodwill.
For Melody, this was actually a good thing.
She was curious to meet the legendary Germain and hear his "heartbeat melody" to understand what made him so exceptional compared to other Hunters.
So, she accepted the invitation.
However, before that, Kurapika had to first take the Professional Hunter Exam, and Melody came along to accompany him, which led to their current conversation.
Since Melody was already a Professional Hunter, through her channels, Kurapika had learned about many things that had recently happened with Germain.
Therefore, when Melody teased him, Kurapika genuinely felt happy, though there was a slight sense of worry in him.
What if I fail the exam and embarrass Teacher Germain?
Whether Melody sensed it or heard it in his thoughts, she smiled and said, "Kurapika, you're just too cautious."
"Don't worry. Spending so much time doing tasks with me might give you the wrong impression, making you think that everyone around you is a terrifying Nen user."
"But in reality, there aren't that many Nen users in the world, and even fewer who haven't taken the Professional Hunter Exam."
"Taking the exam now is like a tiger from the mountains being tossed into a pen of sheep. Don't worry, you'll definitely pass."
"Go ahead and take the exam. I'll be waiting here for your good news."
"Okay." Kurapika felt that was true. "Then I'll head out."
"Go ahead." Melody smiled and waved her hand at him.
Kurapika, with a slight sense of unease, began his journey for the Hunter Exam and successfully passed the "Guide" test.
On the way, the "Guide" casually asked, as if by accident.
"Your name is Kurapika, right?"
Kurapika looked at him suspiciously and replied, "Do you know me?"
"No, I don't." The "Guide" smiled and pressed a button. He then walked out of the room and waved at the confused Kurapika. "Now I do."
Clank—
After the "Guide" pressed the button, the entire room began to descend. Kurapika then realized that the whole room was an elevator.
It wasn't until the elevator stopped that Kurapika was able to think more clearly about what the "Guide" meant.
Stepping out of the elevator, Kurapika was immediately met with the gazes of many eyes, which quickly shifted away.
These eyes belonged to other candidates who, like him, had come to take the exam.
Kurapika looked around, observing the group of diverse candidates. After a while, he quietly sighed in relief.
If I'm not mistaken, there seems to be only one powerful Nen user... unless there's another strong Nen user hiding their abilities well.
Melody was right. Most of my competitors don't seem strong... No, no, no, I can't think like that. I can't lower my guard.
Failing the Hunter Exam is one thing, but making Mr. Germain lose face would be a real problem. I cannot make any rookie mistakes.
At that moment, a green head suddenly popped up in front of him.
"Hey! Hey! It's me! I'm Beans, responsible for the logistics of this exam." He looked like a pea in a suit, extending a hand to Kurapika. "You must be Kurapika."
Kurapika didn't shake his hand but frowned and asked, "How do you know me too?"
"Ah..." Beans realized he let something slip, quickly covering his mouth with both hands. He hurriedly pulled out a number tag and handed it to Kurapika. "This is your exam number. You must keep it safe!"
After giving a brief reminder, Beans immediately turned and ran off, slipping into the crowd of exam candidates.
Hmm?
He just ran off like that?
This is getting stranger and stranger...
Later, Kurapika met a boy named Gon, with spiky hair, who casually came up to him and started chatting. He also met a man named Leorio, who was carrying a briefcase and looked like an older guy.
Gon and Leorio were both friendly and talkative, and they easily hit it off with Kurapika.
In addition to them, there was also a suspicious figure named Tonpa, who, like Gon and Leorio, actively approached Kurapika to get closer.
However, unlike Gon and Leorio, Tonpa offered them some drinks.
Kurapika immediately refused. Gon took a sip, found the taste odd, and spit it out. Leorio did the same.
So, none of them drank Tonpa's beverage.
Tonpa muttered a few words under his breath and left, looking displeased.
Soon after, Kurapika and the others met a white-haired boy named Killua, and the four of them began the first test: the Tunnel Marathon.
During the race, Kurapika chatted with Gon, Killua, and Leorio while carefully observing the road ahead.
Despite multitasking, Kurapika's breathing remained steady, which caught Killua's attention, making him glance at Kurapika a few more times.
Ahead of them was a tall man in green clothes, whom Kurapika had already identified as a "powerful nen user" and "dangerous individual." This man had needles sticking out of his face and moved like an unlubricated mechanical doll.
He's probably my biggest competition. Kurapika thought to himself.
Over the next few rounds, Kurapika's judgment proved correct—this man with needles on his face was indeed the most terrifying opponent.
However, since this was the professional Hunter Exam, Kurapika didn't have to face this man unless necessary.
He continued to pass the stages smoothly, though two unexpected events happened along the way.
The first thing was that Kurapika noticed that, no matter where he was, there were occasional eyes watching him. However, there was rarely any ill intent—more like... curiosity?
Since I started participating in this exam, I've been under excessive attention from the Hunter Exam officials... These people, it's like they all know me...
Kurapika thought deeply for a moment and slowly began to put things together. With all these strange occurrences, there was really only one possibility...
The second thing was that Gon, Killua, and Leorio, just like him, had all successfully passed every stage and reached the so-called "final stage."
He hadn't expected that the three people who had first approached him would all have impressive abilities.
As for that sneaky Toba, he had failed and gone home during one of the earlier rounds.
Kurapika had a good impression of Gon and the others and genuinely hoped they would pass this year's Professional Hunter Exam.
But before that, he needed to ensure his own success.
********
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