Chapter Text
Ding.
Ding.
Ding.
B100.
The elevator panel blinked the floor number in bold red letters. With a soft mechanical hiss, the heavy doors slid open.
I stepped out, my boots clicking lightly against the cold, tiled floor. The tunnel was wide, dimly lit, and unsettlingly quiet.
I looked around.
'No one is here yet?' I thought, taking a few steps forward.
My voice echoed only in my head— there was no one to respond. The air felt stale, as if it had been waiting just as long as the room had.
Then I noticed something moving.
A small, round figure approached with a bounce in its step— a squat, lime-green creature with stubby legs, wide eyes, and an expression frozen somewhere between cheerful and blank. Like a walking bean sprout in uniform.
"Hello!" it chirped in a high, cheerful tone. "Please take your badge number! Be sure to wear this on your chest at all times! Make sure not to lose it!"
Without waiting for a reply, it extended a small hand holding a badge: 00.
I took it.
"Thanks," I said dryly.
The green bean turned around on a dime and waddled away without another word, disappearing into a side corridor like it had done this hundreds of times before.
"Well... that was interesting." I turned the badge over in my hand. "I definitely like the green bean. Doesn't talk much. 'Make sure not to lose it'— that probably means we'll need it during the exam." I clipped it onto the outside of my cloak, showing off the number.
The silence crept back in.
I scanned the ceiling and spotted a network of thick, steel pipes running along the far wall. Between them was just enough space to wedge myself in.
"That's a good hiding spot… I can rest up there and keep watch. See who else shows up."
I took a breath, crouched low, then jumped— body weight controlled, landing silently among the pipes.
I didn't need Nen.
Not yet.
Now all I had to do was wait... and watch. As I take my time settling between the thick pipes above, I glance back down at the red elevator doors, eyes fixed— waiting for more applicants to arrive.
Time Skip.
Over a hundred applicants have arrived now.
Most blend into the crowd— average, forgettable.
But a few caught my eye.
Number 16. Tonpa.
A short, tan man with greasy brown hair and an oversized red nose. Not impressive.
Word around the applicants is that they call him the Rookie Crusher. Lame nickname for a guy who reeks of bad intentions.
He gives off the vibe of a washed-up pervert who only shows up to mess with rookies and relive his own pathetic glory days.
Number 44. Hisoka.
They call him The Magician. I can see why.
He’s tall, lean, and moves with twisted grace. Red hair swept back, golden eyes that seem to peer through people, not at them.
A teal teardrop is painted under his left eye; a pink star marks his right cheek.
His outfit is loud— a sleeveless bodysuit with card suits decorating the fabric. But what really stands out is his Nen.
Judging by the texture of his aura, he's a Transmuter.
It feels stretchy and sticky— like rubber gum. Dangerous.
He reminds me of my old friend Star. Might talk to him later... if he doesn't talk too much.
Number 99. Killua Zoldyck.
Short. White hair. Dark blue eyes. Looks like a kid, but the name? I remember him.
She used to tell me about him all the time. A little rebel, even back then.
I wonder if he's still the same kid. I'll talk to him later— hope he isn't an asshole like his father.
The first phase doesn't seem like it's starting anytime soon… I sigh and shift on the pipe, lying back and letting my eyes close.
Might as well sleep. No use wasting energy watching people stretch.
————————————————————————
"Oi! You!"
A ginger-haired boy flinched at the voice behind him— only to be slammed in the face with a punch.
He stumbled backward, clutching his nose.
"What do you think you’re doing?!" a teenage girl shouted, standing between the boy and his target. "Hitting someone younger than you?!"
The ginger sneered. "What's it to you?! Mind your business!"
The girl stuck her tongue out. "Whatever," she muttered, turning her attention to the trembling boy behind her.
He looked barely older than six— bruised and teary-eyed.
She crouched beside him, offering her hand.
"You okay? My name's Sunny."
"I-I'm... #$%£¿?$..."
"Nice to meet you!" she grinned.
————————————————————————
I woke with a slow breath, the image of Sunny still lingering in my thoughts. I looked down.
'402... Not bad. Slept a good four or five hours.'
My body felt rested. The dull ache in my limbs had faded.
I scanned the crowd again, eyes landing on another strange figure.
Number 301. Gittarackur.
Weird guy. Needles in his face and limbs.
Green bodysuit covered in yellow orbs— probably to hide more needles.
His skin's a pale purple. Hair: dark blue, almost black. And that smile… unsettling.
The needles aren't just for disguise...
He'd manipulating them.
His aura is faint, but I can tell— he's a Manipulator.
Clever use of appearance-shifting...
He reminds me of… Illumi.
Wouldn't that be something?
Number 294. Hanzo.
A bald ninja.
Probably from some secluded village. Goofy face, but his movements are sharp.
He might surprise people.
The rest? Average. I'd bet half of them will drop during the first phase alone.
————————————————————————
Just as I finish scanning the room, a ding echoes from the elevator again.
Three new applicants arrive.
The first is a tall guy in a dark blue suit, spiky black hair, sunglasses, and a briefcase. Older than the rest, but still a teenager.
Next, a boy with shoulder-length blond hair and soft gray-brown eyes. He’s wearing a familiar traditional outfit— a kurta.
Probably here for revenge.
Blacklist Hunter in the making. I guess.
But taking down the Phantom Troupe?
Huh....good luck, kid.
And finally... a small boy. Couldn't be older than twelve.
Backpack. Fishing rod. Spiky black and green hair. Yellow-brown eyes.
Wait… No way.
That's Ging's kid.
Yeah. I remember now.
Ging told me years ago he had a son— left him to be raised on Whale Island by a cousin.
So... he came all this way…
For the Hunter Exam?
Maybe to find his dad?
Brave.
Or stupid.
Maybe both.
Like his dad.
I remain quiet, unmoving, watching the trio settle into the crowd.
The boy in the suit argues with a few people.
The blond keeps his gaze sharp, scanning the room like he's memorizing faces.
Ging's kid? He's bouncing on his toes, full of reckless energy.
I don't speak. Not yet.
Just observe.
I shift slightly on the pipes, hidden above, watching them from the shadows.
We'll cross paths eventually..
But for now... I wait.
—————
Suddenly,
A mechanical whirr echoed across the hall.
A section of the wall rumbled open, revealing a tall, thin man with light purple hair and a curled, bushy mustache covering his upper lip.
Cold blue eyes scanned the room.
"I apologize for the delay. Thank you for waiting," he said calmly. "The entry period for hunter applicants is officially closed. So with no further ado— the Hunter Exam will now begin."
He paused.
"One final word of caution, if you’re short on luck or ability, keep in mind that there's a very real chance, you can end up seriously injured, death is another distinct possibility."
A heavy silence followed.
"If your willing to accept the risks involved, I'll ask you to follow me now, but for the rest of you, kindly exit through the elevator located behind you."
No one moved.
Figures.
These people really do have a death wish. Ninety percent won’t make it past the first phase.
From my perch above, I noticed a man in the crowd.
He was missing both hands. Blood had dried on the floor around him.
Huh...
Must've happened while I was asleep.
Probably the jester's work.
Then—
"Right then. Very well. All 404 applicants will now participate in Phase One."
"You mean 405."
Every head turned upward.
Gasps. Whispers. Some applicants jumped back, startled. Others scanned the ceiling.
There I was— sitting cross-legged on the pipes, chin resting in my hand.
"You forgot me."
I stood and leapt down, landing silently in front of the examiner.
"Took you long enough."
He stared at me with calm curiosity.
"And who might you be? I don’t see your badge." His eyes narrowed. "If you have one, you may participate. If not, I will have to kindly ask you to leave."
He slipped a strange purple creature into his pocket— probably the one causing all the earlier noise.
"Relax," I said, brushing my cloak aside. "I’m applicant number 00. My badge is right here."
I gently tap the badge that laid on the outside of my cloak.
"Happy now?"
He gave a small nod and turned without another word, walking toward the long hallway ahead.
Seriously... does he need glasses?
So that's it...
Either this is the first phase, or we're heading toward it.
I followed— first at a stroll, then matching his pace.
The man finally spoke.
"How rude of me, I neglected to introduce myself, I am Satotz, your examiner for the first phase of the exam, It's my responsibility to lead all of you to the second phase"
"Second? Whatever happened to the first?" Hanzo asked.
"The first phase is already underway" Satotz replied.
Murmurs rippled through the applicants.
Are they really this slow?
All you had to do was follow him.
That is the first test.
"The first phase is quite simple, all you have to do is follow me to the second phase, so try to keep up"
"Follow you? So that's it? There's nothing else?"
"That's right, I cannot tell you where or when you must arrive, you only need to follow me"
I smirk slightly, keeping my distance.
Let them chase the rules.
I'm already two steps ahead.
With quiet steps, I move closer to the front of the crowd— not beside Satotz, not behind him either. Just far enough to keep him in view… and far enough to keep the others guessing.
Somewhere behind me, I hear the suit guy complaining again.
The blond says nothing.
Ging's kid? He's grinning, like this is a game.
I don't speak to any of them.
Not yet.
But soon.