"Leorio!!!"
Kurapika immediately recognized the trap in the old woman's test and was about to warn Leorio when she swiftly raised her hand to stop him.
"Wait…"
Her cloudy eyes gleamed with sharpness as she issued a stern warning.
"From this moment forward, no talking. Anyone who speaks out of turn will be eliminated immediately."
Leorio clenched his fists, visibly frustrated, while Gon exchanged a glance with Lan Fei. Both had begun to suspect the true nature of this test.
The old woman continued, her voice unwavering.
"Listen carefully to the next question. If your son and daughter were both kidnapped, and you could only save one, would you choose: 1. your son, or 2. your daughter?"
Leorio's face turned red with anger.
"Damn it, this kind of question again?!"
He ground his teeth and glared at the old woman, unable to grasp the hidden meaning behind her test.
"Five… four… three…"
The old woman ignored Leorio's outburst and started the countdown.
Leorio, enraged, grabbed a wooden log from the ground.
"She's even starting a countdown—!"
"One. Time's up."
She remained calm, watching Leorio closely.
Unable to contain his frustration, Leorio lunged forward, raising the wooden log.
"Enough! I'll teach this old woman a lesson myself!"
But before he could strike, a golden light flashed in front of him—Lan Fei had moved in an instant, intercepting his attack.
"Tch! You again?!"
Leorio glared at Lan Fei, his body still tense with frustration.
"If you strike her, you'll be disqualified immediately."
Lan Fei's tone was icy, his gaze sharp.
"Then tell me, how the hell do we pass this ridiculous test?!"
Leorio was breathing heavily, struggling to control his temper.
"With that attitude, how do you expect to become a Hunter?"
Lan Fei shook his head in disappointment.
"You…!"
Leorio clenched his fists but was interrupted by Kurapika.
"We've already passed."
Leorio froze, blinking in confusion.
"What?!"
Kurapika crossed his arms and explained calmly.
"The correct answer to this test… was silence."
Leorio scratched his head, still not understanding.
"There was no right answer. The question itself was a trap. If you had chosen 1 or 2, you would have fallen for it."
Lan Fei smirked.
"That's why I signaled Gon earlier to stay quiet."
Gon's eyes widened as he finally understood.
"Wait, then what about that guy from earlier? The one who answered '1'—didn't he pass?"
Lan Fei chuckled.
"Did you see the examiner actually say he passed?"
Gon thought for a moment and realized—no, the old woman had never confirmed the man's success. She had merely told him to go ahead.
"This test wasn't about choosing the 'right' answer. It was about understanding that there is no right answer… only the ability to see through the trick."
Lan Fei turned to the old woman, meeting her gaze.
"Am I wrong?"
The old woman's lips curled into a small smile.
"No. You're absolutely correct."
She slowly stood up and gestured behind her.
"This is the correct path. Simply follow it to reach the top of the mountain."
Keng!
A hidden passageway rumbled open, revealing a dimly lit tunnel. At the end, a faint light flickered—the path to the next stage of the exam.
Leorio exhaled, lowering his head in realization.
"I see… Thanks, Lan Fei. If you hadn't stopped me, I would have failed right here."
Gon grinned.
"Lan Fei, you're amazing! With you around, this Hunter Exam seems a lot easier!"
The old woman nodded in approval.
"At the top of this mountain, you'll find a couple living in a cabin beneath the tallest cedar tree. They are pilots. If you pass their test, they will take you to the official exam venue."
Leorio hesitated before stepping forward.
"Old lady, I… I'm sorry for acting reckless earlier."
The old woman waved her hand dismissively.
"No need to apologize. This was a test of your character as much as your intellect. You'll need both to survive as a Hunter."
Gon bowed in gratitude.
"Thank you, ma'am."
Just as they were about to leave, Lan Fei suddenly turned back and asked the old woman a question.
"If you had to choose… if this question was real… who would you save?"
The old woman's expression shifted. For the first time, she hesitated.
She had no answer.
Lan Fei smiled knowingly and bowed.
"Thank you for your time."
Without waiting for a response, he turned and stepped into the passageway.
"Lan Fei, wait for me!"
Gon immediately followed.
Kurapika patted Leorio on the shoulder.
"Next time, try not to let your emotions control you."
Leorio sighed, nodding.
"Yeah… I get it now. Thanks."
With that, he chased after his companions.
The four of them disappeared into the tunnel, leaving the old woman behind as the light of the next stage awaited them.