Zaban, one of the world's most thriving cities, pulsed with boundless energy. Day and night, its streets buzzed with relentless activity—traffic, commerce, life. Tonight was no exception; Zaban hummed as always.
On a bustling square, a group of four men wove through the crowded streets. "I've never seen so many people out at night. It's incredible," Gon said, awestruck.
"This place really earns its nickname, 'the city that never sleeps,'" Leorio added.
"Don't be fooled by its charm," Vish interjected. "Zaban's also infamous for housing most of the country's crooks."
"Natural. Light always draws the bugs," Kurapika remarked.
The quartet walked on until Vish, leading the way, halted. "We're here," he announced.
Before them loomed a massive building. Gon and Leorio buzzed with excitement at the thought of entering and starting the exam. "Don't get carried away," Kurapika said. He and Vish approached a dingy little restaurant next to the towering structure. "The exam's actually here," Kurapika added, pointing at the rundown place.
Gon and Leorio were stunned, clearly not expecting a prestigious event like the Hunter Exam to take place in such a shabby spot. "Your friend's right," Vish confirmed. "This is the place."
He turned to Kurapika. "I'm curious—what tipped you off?"
"After all we went through to get here, it makes sense the examiners would pick an odd location to throw candidates off," Kurapika said casually. In truth, he was leaning on his knowledge of this world's plot, but Vish would never know that.
The group entered the restaurant. Its interior matched its grimy exterior—cramped and uninviting. A few patrons, clearly working-class, dotted the space. An old man dressed as a chef greeted them from behind the counter, doubling as receptionist and cook.
"Three Deluxe Steak menus, please," Vish ordered.
To a keen observer, the chef's expression flickered briefly before returning to normal. "Three Deluxe Steaks. How would you like the meat cooked?" he asked.
"Medium," Vish replied.
"Please take a seat in the back," the chef said.
Led by Vish, the group followed his instructions, walking down a long hallway to a small room with a round table and place settings. "Wait here," Vish told the trio.
"What? Where are the other candidates?" Leorio asked, confused.
"Hey, is that Deluxe Steak you mentioned any good?" Gon piped up.
Kurapika, already seated, pulled out a book and started reading. At Gon's question, Vish chuckled. "Sorry to disappoint, kid, but there's no steak. That was the code to get you into this room," he explained, amused by Gon's innocence.
"Oh, bummer. I was curious about the taste," Gon said, disappointed.
"You're among the one in 10,000 who make it this far each year. That's a huge feat. It's been a pleasure guiding you," Vish said solemnly.
"And this is just the start! I'm gonna ace this exam, you'll see!" Leorio bragged, striking a cool pose.
"First-timers rarely pass, but who knows? You might be the exception," Vish said. He sensed something special in the trio—a spark, like facing prodigies. He couldn't quite explain it, but these three stood out.
"Well, this is where we part ways, kids. Good luck," Vish said.
"Thanks, mister!" Gon replied, bowing in gratitude.
"Later," Leorio said, plopping into a chair.
"Thanks again," Kurapika added, raising his right hand in farewell while his eyes stayed on his book.
Vish smiled, left the room, and closed the door. Moments later, the room began to tremble slightly. "What's happening?!" Leorio yelped, gripping his chair.
Kurapika pointed with his left thumb to a second door at the room's far end, specifically at the panel above it displaying "B" and a number ticking upward. "Oh, an elevator. Got it," Leorio said, relaxing against his seat.
"Is that the same novel?" Gon asked Kurapika, peeking over his shoulder.
"It's the sequel to the one I gave you. Finish yours, and I'll pass this to you," Kurapika replied.
"Sweet, thanks!" Gon said, thrilled, before taking a seat.
Minutes passed. After about three, the descent stopped, the panel reading "B100." "Looks like we're here," Leorio said, standing.
Gon and Kurapika followed, and the trio stood before the door. It slid open, revealing an underground bunker lit by lamps along its walls. Despite the grim atmosphere, hundreds of people filled the space.
As the trio appeared, all eyes briefly turned to them before everyone resumed their business. "Talk about a cold welcome," Leorio muttered, scanning the crowd.
"Why do they seem so tense?" Gon added.
A man in a black suit approached. "Greetings," he said, handing them circular badges. "Here are your badges. Wear them at all times and keep them safe."
The badges were white plastic discs with numbers on one side. Leorio got 767 (A/N: Yes, not 403—butterfly effect), Gon 768, and Kurapika 769. 'Interesting,' Kurapika thought, taking his.
After distributing the badges, the man vanished into the crowd. "Now what?" Gon asked.
"First time, huh?" a voice called out. Near the elevator door sat a man with tanned skin, brown hair, a plump build, and a short stature that belied his apparent age. His badge, pinned to his left chest, read "29."
"Whoa, how'd you know?" Gon asked, impressed by the man's spot-on guess.
The man stood, brushed dust off his pants, and approached. "Hey, I'm Tompa," he said, his tone and face radiating cheer. "This is my 35th try at the exam, so I can spot newbies a mile away."
"35th?!" Gon and Leorio gasped in unison.
"Pretty impressive, right? I'm kind of a veteran here," Tompa boasted.
"Not exactly something to brag about," Leorio mumbled.
"Nice to meet you, Tompa," Kurapika said, stepping forward. "I'm Kurapika, that's Gon, and the other's Leorio." He offered his right hand.
"Pleasure's mine," Tompa said, shaking Kurapika's hand.
"No offense, but why keep trying so many times?" Kurapika asked, still holding Tompa's hand.
"Uh, well, let's just say I'm stubborn. Plenty of folks come back year after year," Tompa said with a nervous chuckle.
Kurapika smiled and released his hand. "Is being a Hunter that tempting?" Gon wondered, puzzled by such persistence.
"You bet!" Leorio jumped in, fired up. "Becoming a Hunter is like grabbing the Holy Grail. Free services, tons of perks. Of the world's top 100 fortunes each year, 60 are Hunters. That's how much money this gig rakes in."
"Got it," Gon said.
"What's everyone waiting for?" Kurapika asked Tompa.
"Far as I know, the exam starts at midnight sharp," Tompa replied.
"It's 10:47 p.m. So, about an hour," Leorio said, checking his watch.
"I've got some sodas. Want one?" Kurapika offered suddenly.
"For real?" Leorio said, surprised. "Why didn't you say so earlier?"
"Sorry, with everything we've been through, it slipped my mind," Kurapika said, opening his satchel and pulling out cans of soda, handing one to each.
Tompa, looking a bit awkward, took one. The group settled in a corner to sip their drinks and wait. As time passed, more candidates emerged from the elevator. Tompa excused himself for a sudden "urgent need" and left.
Kurapika resumed reading, Gon started stretching, and Leorio fiddled with his empty can. Time ticked on.
A deafening bell rang, grabbing everyone's attention. A door on the bunker's east wall opened, revealing a man with curly hair, a lanky frame, and a thin, curled mustache, holding a bell. He stepped forward, facing the crowd. The trio, like the others, drew closer.
"Greetings, all. It's midnight. I'm Satotsu, your examiner for the first test," he announced. The wall behind him rose, exposing a long, dark tunnel. "The preliminaries are over. I hereby declare the Hunter Exam officially open."
He scanned the crowd. "A word of warning: during the exam, if luck fails you or you're not up to par, you risk severe injury or death. The Association bears no responsibility for what happens. If you're still willing to proceed, follow me. Otherwise, you have one minute to take the elevator back home."
A minute later, no one had left. "Very well," Satotsu said. "Let's go. All 780 of you are in."
He turned to the tunnel and strode forward with an exaggerated gait, the candidates trailing behind. "Here we go!" Leorio said, voice brimming with excitement.
"I don't see Tompa. He'll miss the exam," Gon said, scanning the crowd.
"I'm sure he'll manage. He's a veteran, after all," Kurapika replied.
Gon nodded, reassured, and the trio joined the march. The 287th Hunter Exam had officially begun. Of the 781 pre-selected candidates, 780 crossed the starting line.
Schedule: 2 chaps/Monday
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