Two Realms: Hunters and Pirates

"Me too," Killua chuckled.

interesting.

This person, who is my age, must have some talent. After all this time, I've finally met someone interesting.

With that thought, Killua pushed off with his feet and stylishly lifted the skateboard, tucking it between his arms.

"Wow, that's so cool!"

Killua's actions caught Gon's eye. Gon exclaimed in admiration and quickened his pace to run alongside Killua.

"I am Killua."

"My name is Xiao Jie."

The two children running side by side exchanged a glance and immediately gave each other their names, then started chatting enthusiastically.

"Zane, this Killua seems to be quite formidable."

As the two children gradually accelerated, Kurapika, who had been silently watching, ran to Zane's side.

Zane nodded slightly: "I know. Just look at Xiao Jie. It's no wonder he's so capable to be at the testing venue at this age."

He knew Kurapika was trying to remind him.

After what happened with Tonpa, it's normal for Kurapika to be more careful in this regard.

Considering that Illumi was still present, Zane did not directly explain Killua's origins to Kurapika.

Seeing that Zane understood, Kurapika didn't say anything more and returned to Leorio's side.

Like Zain.

Of the four, Leorio is the most dangerous in the current test.

Given Kurapika's personality, he naturally couldn't ignore Leorio's situation.

Heavy breathing filled the tunnel.

Once one person starts to fall behind, the number of candidates in the queue begins to decrease at a visible rate.

I don't know how much time has passed.

The seemingly endless tunnel finally brought about change.

A staircase began to appear ahead, and a faint light could be seen at the top of the staircase.

"It's an export, it must be an export!!"

"Is it finally going to end? I thought it would never end."

"There are far fewer people here. Honestly, if you don't have the skills, don't come to the test."

"......"

The appearance of light invigorated many exhausted people, but some who were already in control disregarded it.

"Xiao Jie, do you want to have a race with me to see who gets to the finish line faster?"

"Okay, then the loser has to treat everyone to dinner."

"Let's gamble!"

"Alright, get ready, go!!!"

Ahead, Gon and Killua, who were chatting animatedly, suddenly started racing, sprinting up the stairs.

"Leorio, why did you become a Hunter?"

"Of course it's for the money!"

Why?

"Nonsense! Money can buy anything. If I hadn't been poor, my best friend wouldn't have died!"

"......"

Later, seemingly because they had seen the finish line, Kurapika and Leorio started chatting.

Using the reasons for becoming hunters as the theme, the two unknowingly open their hearts to each other and reveal their inner sorrows.

I feel a bit superfluous.

The events that had transpired made Zain mutter to himself.

Ok.

This is just his personality; while he wouldn't call himself aloof, he really finds it difficult to connect with others on a deeper level.

Well... it's impossible, at least in the short term.

Sprint, sprint, sprint!

Finally, starting with Gon and Killua, the examinees rushed out of the tunnel one after another, welcoming the long-awaited sunshine.

Zane, who had run out of the tunnel one after the other with Leorio and Kurapika, stopped.

Stepping onto the grass outside the tunnel exit.

Despite the long run, Zain's breathing barely changed, and there was hardly any sweat on his face.

It was as if I had just casually moved my body.

In contrast, Zain was observing his surroundings with great interest.

The tunnel's exit is far from the city, nestled amidst dense forests and ever-present thick fog.

Rumble~~~

A short while later, the tunnel exit door was lowered, cruelly blocking the remaining candidates who hadn't had time to escape.

"This is the Shimeile Wetland, also known as the den of fraudsters, and is the only way to the second test venue."

The Shimeile Wetlands are home to many strange animals, mostly cunning and greedy creatures that will even deceive humans in their search for food. Please follow carefully behind me.

As the gate closed, Saci, who was at the front, turned to look at the group of examinees and gave a brief explanation of the situation of the Shimeile Wetland.

Some candidates were surprised that the first test was not over yet, while others pondered the situation of the lost Meile Wetland.

Some even expressed disdain.

"Tch, that's ridiculous. How could they fall for it if they knew it was a scam?" Leorio, who was panting with his hands on his knees, scoffed.

Zane glanced at the other person sideways, thinking, "The easiest people to deceive here are simple-minded creatures like you."

Don't be fooled!

Suddenly, just as Leorio finished speaking, a loud shout came from not far away.

The test takers instinctively turned their heads to look.

A heavily wounded man emerged from one of the walls at the tunnel exit.

Enraged, the man stood before the crowd and shouted, "Don't be fooled! This guy is lying. He's not an examiner at all; he's an imposter. I am the real examiner!"

"A counterfeit?"

"What exactly is going on?"

"......"

The examinees stirred, and some were even more shocked, constantly glancing at Saci and the wounded man.

Noticing the candidates' reactions, the scarred man immediately made his next move, pulling a strange monkey from behind.

"Look, this is a human-faced ape that lives in the Shimeile Wetland."

Seeing the strange appearance of the monkey, many candidates who were originally indifferent became surprised and uncertain.

"Wow, this monkey looks just like Mr. Satsu!" Xiao Jie exclaimed.

That's right.

The strange monkey that the injured man pulled out had a face that looked eight or nine parts like Saci's.

"The human-faced apes love to eat fresh human flesh, but their limbs are thin and their strength is quite weak. So they often disguise themselves as humans, using words to lure humans to this wetland, where they team up with other creatures to eat them!"

The wounded man pointed at Saji again, his voice filled with righteous indignation, and shouted angrily, "This guy is planning to wipe out all the candidates taking the Hunter Exam!"

"I see. I was wondering why this guy looked so strange. Turns out he's not human."

"I was wondering about the way this person walks; how could a normal person walk in such a strange way?"

"Damn it, how dare they deceive us!"

"......."

Led by Leorio and a certain bald ninja, many examinees showed hostility towards Sasatsu.

Whoosh whoosh whoosh~~~

One after another, flying cards appeared.

While the test takers hesitated, some had already taken the initiative.

The man glaring angrily at Saci's wounded face had three playing cards deeply embedded in his skin.

At the same time, Saci also had three more cards in his hand.