NOVEL FROG [26] : Exam Begins, Underground Trials, New Friends
[#]: Enjoy!!
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"Wow, is this really Zaban City?" Mika wondered aloud.
Mika and his five companions walked along the bustling streets, following the transformed beast-man known as the 'Kiriko'. Gon, Airmid, and Mellie, equally inexperienced, wandered about excitedly, taking in the lively atmosphere and diverse shops. Mika could only sigh as he pulled out his wallet to cover their various expenses.
"Things are going smoothly," Mika remarked, stowing away the trinkets Airmid and Mellie had purchased into his backpack. He gazed at the crowds around them, lost in thought.
By this point, all six of them had qualified for the Hunter Exam. After disembarking from the ship, they had followed the captain's instructions to Gon, heading towards the massive cedar tree on the local mountain. Having passed both the 'Trial of Choices' and the 'Beast Identification' tests, the group had earned their right to participate in the actual Hunter Exam. Now, led by the human-form Kiriko, they were making their way to the exam site.
"Of course, these were just appetizers. The real challenges are about to begin," Mika mused, recalling the two hidden bosses of this Hunter Exam: Hisoka from the Phantom Troupe and Illumi Zoldyck from the infamous assassin family. Both were undoubtedly top-tier fighters in human society.
Based on his memories and rough calculations, Mika had his own assessment of this world's power levels. The most legendary Hunters in this world were probably comparable to Level 6 adventurers in Orario. Top-class experts like the aging Hunter Association Chairman Netero were likely equivalent to Level 5. Most Phantom Troupe members would be around Level 4, while Nen users who had developed their abilities corresponded to Levels 2 or 3.
Of course, Mika acknowledged that this was just a rough estimate for reference. Unlike the all-around enhancement of adventurers, Nen users' strength depended on various factors: ability development, tactical use, combat experience, and information gathering. Their power assessment was comprehensive.
Mika used the Chimera Ant King as a benchmark, considering him comparable to Orario's Level 6 adventurers. This formed the basis of his evaluation.
"This gives me a general idea of where I stand," Mika thought, sensing the gap between himself and formidable opponents like Hisoka and Illumi. He decided it would be wise to avoid provoking them for now.
"We've arrived!" their guide announced from up ahead. Mika snapped out of his thoughts, as did Airmid, Mellie, and Gon, who had been browsing nearby shops. They rejoined Kurapika and Leorio, who were gesturing towards a tall building.
Mika, already aware that the building wasn't their actual destination, couldn't help but smile. Sure enough, when the guide pointed to a small shop next to the building, Kurapika and Leorio's expressions turned sheepish.
Following the guide's coded exchange, the six were ushered into the back room of the small shop.
"Looks like this year's exam site is underground," Mika commented casually, feeling the room descend.
"No wonder we couldn't find it," Mellie quipped. "Who would've thought the Hunter Association, with all their resources, would set up the entrance in such an ordinary little restaurant?"
Kurapika and Leorio nodded in agreement, clearly sharing the desire to comment on the unexpected location.
"By the way, Mika," Kurapika suddenly asked, "I remember you mentioning on the ship that you wanted to gain the abilities of a Hunter. Could you elaborate on what kind of abilities those are?"
"You mean 'Nen'?" Mika replied directly, piquing everyone's curiosity.
"Nen is an ability only accessible to those who become Hunters. It's a hidden power in this world, encompassing many aspects that are difficult to explain briefly," Mika continued. "However, Kurapika, I can say that for your goal, becoming a Hunter is indeed the correct path to gaining the power you seek for revenge."
"Are you saying the Phantom Troupe members all use Nen?" Kurapika's pupils constricted.
Mika nodded solemnly.
A grin spread across Kurapika's face, though it was more of a grimace. "So that's your true nature, Phantom Troupe!"
The killing intent radiating from Kurapika silenced everyone until their descending room came to a stop.
"I'm sorry for dampening the mood," Kurapika apologized.
"Don't worry about it," Gon reassured him with a smile. "You must have been through something terrible, Kurapika. We all understand."
Kurapika paused, then managed a genuine smile.
"The doors are opening" Mika announced as the wall-like doors began to slide apart.
Beyond the doors lay a spacious underground passage, its far end obscured by a wall. Mika's group had arrived at the other end of this corridor. Hundreds of exam participants, alerted by their arrival, eyed them warily, already viewing them as competition.
While Gon, Kurapika, and Leorio hesitated, overwhelmed by the atmosphere, Mika calmly stepped out with Airmid and Mellie.
"Here are your number badges," a diminutive staff member approached, handing them their tags. "Please wear them visibly and don't lose them."
Curious about the bean-shaped person, Mika, Airmid, and Mellie accepted their badges. Though they were familiar with demi-humans from the Dungeon, with Mellie herself having elven blood, they had never seen someone quite like this before.
"Thank you," Mika said, examining his badge numbered 403. He recalled that in the original story, this had been Leorio's number.
"I guess we got their numbers because we came out first," Mika thought, watching Leorio, Kurapika, and Gon receive badges 406, 407, and 408 respectively. Airmid and Mellie had been given 404 and 405.
"Mellie, let's swap," Mika suggested, exchanging his 403 for her 405. In the original story, 405 had been Gon's number, and Gon had faced Hisoka in the second-to-last phase.
"I hope that was just a coincidence," Mika thought to himself, fingering the badge.
---
Surveying the crowd before them, Mika, Airmid, and Mellie quietly retreated to a corner.
"So these are the elite hundred or so selected from millions?" Mellie whispered, leaning against the wall beside Mika. "Just looking at them, you can sense various dangerous auras."
Mika and Airmid nodded silently in agreement. In Mika's eyes, every candidate in this tunnel was undoubtedly an elite. Even with his physical abilities, he probably wouldn't rank in the top ten among these people, let alone Airmid and Mellie.
"The physical capabilities of people in this world are truly monstrous," even the usually calm Airmid was shocked by the candidates' physiques.
Typically, human physical abilities have limits. While residents of many worlds can enhance their bodies through special means, achieving extreme strength through mere training is nearly impossible. In Orario, even with the existence of gods, human physical limits remain normal. Further enhancement requires leveling up through divine blessing to expand the body's 'container' and raise its upper limit.
However, the people of this world seemed to defy reason when it came to physical limits. Among these normal, non-Nen-awakened elites, many had physical abilities comparable to Level 2 adventurers.
Mika knew that Killua, another protagonist among pro Hunters, possessed an arm strength of a terrifying 16 tons. Such strength in Orario might only be achievable by Level 1 dwarf adventurers specializing in power. Here, the physical prowess Mika's group prided themselves on wasn't particularly impressive.
"Mika, can we really pass this Hunter selection?" Mellie asked, her confidence wavering as she looked at the surrounding crowd.
"Don't worry," Mika reassured her, patting her shoulder calmly. "We'll definitely pass."
While Mika wouldn't have been so confident in other Hunter Exams, this particular one offered nearly 100% chance of becoming an official Hunter if they played their cards right. The only caveat was avoiding confrontation with "that man."
Leaning against the wall, Mika's gaze kept returning to Hisoka in his clown attire. Perhaps sensing Mika's attention, Hisoka turned to look at him but quickly turned away, disappointed. He hadn't sensed the aura of a strong opponent from Mika.
"A lucky one?" Hisoka muttered to himself. He had no time for weaklings unless they were part of a mission or deliberately provoked him. He was searching for the strong, or those with the potential for strength.
Mika wasn't surprised by Hisoka's disinterest. He was currently in a state of "En," making him appear as an ordinary passerby to others, his aura of strength hidden within.
"How perceptive," Mika thought, not bothered by Hisoka's attitude but impressed that Hisoka had noticed his gaze at all. In the En state, not only was Mika's "fighting spirit" concealed, but also other aspects of his presence, making him less noticeable - an excellent hiding ability. Yet Hisoka had still sensed his gaze. Mika's wariness of Hisoka intensified.
While Mika was quietly observing Hisoka, Gon, Kurapika, and Leorio encountered Tonpa, the "Rookie Crusher." It was then that Hisoka's danger became apparent to everyone. A man who bumped into him had his arms turn into flower petals and disappear before everyone's eyes. This bizarre incident put almost everyone on alert against Hisoka.
After briefly familiarizing himself with Gon, Kurapika, and Leorio, Tonpa offered them juice. However, Gon's keen sense of taste thwarted Tonpa's laxative-laced drink. Subsequently, Airmid shared some of their own beverages with the trio. Mika's group's backpacks were filled with all sorts of peculiar items.
As time passed, both Mika's group and Gon's fell silent, quietly observing their competitors and waiting for the examiner's appearance.
"Ding ding ding!"
With the sound of a bell, the massive wall blocking the candidates' path slowly rose.
"Sorry to have kept you waiting. The registration period for the Hunter Exam has now ended. We will now begin the Hunter Exam," announced a middle-aged man with a handlebar mustache.
His words excited the gathered candidates. The long-awaited Hunter Exam was finally starting.
"Final confirmation," the examiner continued. "This exam may result in severe injuries or even death if you're unlucky or lack ability. If you're still determined to participate, please follow me. Those who wish to withdraw, please exit via the elevator behind you."
After hearing the explanation, none of the candidates wavered. Those who had made it this far were undoubtedly confident in themselves and wouldn't give up their hard-earned qualification over mere words.
"Very well. The first phase will have 407 participants, everyone present."
With that, he turned and began to move forward. Following the middle-aged man's pace, all the candidates started walking. However, this slow rhythm lasted only a short while before the examiner's pace quickened, forcing the candidates to start running to keep up.
"What's going on?" Leorio asked, confused.
"The front is speeding up!" Kurapika explained loudly.
As the pace stabilized, the man leading at the front began his self-introduction.
"I forgot to mention, I'm Satotz, the Phase One examiner. I'm now leading you to the site of Phase Two."
"Phase Two? What about Phase One?" a small bald man running right behind Satotz asked, puzzled.
"Phase One has already begun. Following me to the Phase Two site is the first phase of the exam."
"Following you? Is that all we have to do?" the bald man inquired again, thinking it seemed too simple.
"That's right. I cannot tell you where or when you must arrive. You need only follow me."
After hearing the examiner's explanation, all the candidates understood the nature of the test.
"I see."
"What a strange exam."
"I think this is testing our endurance. That's perfect! I'll follow to the end, no matter where we go."
Compared to Leorio, Kurapika was clearly thinking more deeply about the situation.
"A course without a visible goal will become psychologically more taxing. This is a test of not just endurance, but willpower as well," Kurapika thought to himself.
Unlike Gon's group, who had pushed into the crowd as soon as the running started, Mika's trio stayed at the back of the pack.
"Maintain your breathing and pace. We only need to keep up with the back of the group," Mika advised.
"Understood!" Airmid and Mellie replied, determination evident on their faces.
Mika glanced at them briefly. Compared to these stamina monsters, Mika, Airmid, and Mellie were all weak in terms of endurance. Therefore, the trio decided to use some "cheat" methods, such as Airmid's magic or stamina recovery potions.
After all, as unscrupulous outsiders, Mika had plenty of tricks up his sleeve to pass this exam.
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