"Sorry for the wait."
"The registration period for this year's Hunter Exam has officially ended. Now, we will begin the first phase of the exam."
The silver-haired middle-aged man, standing in front of the assembled candidates, surveyed the group with an indifferent expression. His authoritative voice immediately sparked murmurs among the crowd.
"It's finally starting," Killua, wearing his usual blue turtleneck under a short-sleeved shirt, held onto his skateboard, his expression calm and uninterested.
"Jie jie… This year's exam looks like it'll be even more fun than last year," Hisoka whispered to himself, licking the corner of his lips as his golden eyes scanned the crowd. "I wonder… who will be the first to fall by my hand?"
His bloodthirsty aura sent shivers down the spines of several candidates nearby.
"The first phase of the exam will immediately eliminate those lacking either strength or luck," the silver-haired examiner declared. "Those who wish to forfeit, please take the elevator at the back and leave now."
Despite the warning, no one moved. Every candidate stood firm, their eyes burning with determination.
"Very well. The 404 participants who have registered will proceed."
Hearing this number, Lan Fei raised an eyebrow.
"Only 404? Out of the millions who applied?"
Gon also seemed surprised but remained silent.
"Follow me," the examiner continued.
Without further explanation, he turned around and began walking at a steady pace into the dimly lit tunnel behind him. His gait seemed slow but had an unnatural rhythm to it, as if he could go on forever.
"My name is Satotz. I am the examiner for the first phase. I will now lead you to the location of the second phase."
"The second phase?" someone in the crowd asked.
"What about the first?"
Satotz didn't look back. "The first phase has already begun."
At his words, murmurs erupted among the candidates.
"What? Just walking?"
"Seems too easy…"
"Easy? You think so?"
"We don't even know where we're going or how long we have to keep this up. This is just the beginning!"
The dimly lit tunnel echoed with the sound of over 400 feet moving in unison.
Lan Fei smirked. He glanced at Gon. "Stay close to me, don't get lost."
"Got it!" Gon grinned, keeping pace beside him.
Kurapika, on the other hand, frowned. "No set time, no set distance… This must be an endurance test."
Leorio wiped sweat from his forehead, already feeling winded. "This is ridiculous! If I'd known, I would've trained harder for this!"
The march continued for over an hour. Many candidates had already begun to drop out, their stamina giving out under the unrelenting pace.
"Still keeping up?" Lan Fei glanced at Gon, then at Leorio, who was visibly struggling.
"I'm fine!" Gon replied, though his breathing was growing heavier. His years of physical training on Whale Island helped, but even so, this was a grueling test.
Leorio, however, was gasping for air. "Damn it…! I underestimated this exam…"
Kurapika, jogging beside him, commented, "Your stamina is your weakness. Long legs won't help if you don't have the endurance."
"Yeah, yeah, thanks for the reminder!"
Suddenly, a blur of motion passed them.
Killua, standing effortlessly on his skateboard, slid past with ease.
The sight made Leorio's veins bulge in frustration. "Hey, kid! That's cheating!"
Killua tilted his head. "Huh? Why?"
"This test is about stamina! You're taking a shortcut!"
Killua blinked, then smirked. "The examiner only said to follow him. He never said how we had to do it."
Lan Fei chuckled. "He's right, Leorio. The rules never said alternative methods weren't allowed."
Kurapika nodded. "Leorio, you need to start thinking like a Hunter."
"You guys are killing me here," Leorio groaned.
Killua, intrigued, slowed his pace and hopped off his skateboard. "By the way, how old are you guys?"
"I'm twelve!" Gon beamed.
"I'm thirteen," Lan Fei added nonchalantly.
Killua's eyes widened slightly. "One's my age, and the other is just a year older than me?"
He had assumed he was the youngest here. To find others his age—especially competitors—was unexpected.
"Forget the skateboard," Killua muttered, tucking it under his arm. "I'll run with you guys."
"My name is Gon!" Gon introduced himself enthusiastically.
"Killua."
Lan Fei smirked. "Killua… from the Zoldyck family?"
Killua's expression didn't change, but there was a flicker of sharpness in his eyes.
Kurapika, who had been running nearby, stiffened at the name. "Zoldyck?" He immediately shot a wary glance at Killua.
The Zoldyck name carried weight. It was synonymous with death.
Gon, however, remained blissfully unaware of its significance.
Killua ignored Kurapika's gaze, instead focusing on Lan Fei. "You know about my family?"
"Of course," Lan Fei replied with a knowing smile. "After all, your family is famous."
Killua narrowed his eyes slightly. This thirteen-year-old was interesting.
Lan Fei didn't seem intimidated by him at all.
"Let's pick up the pace," Lan Fei suddenly said. "The examiner is getting farther ahead, and a lot of people behind us are starting to fall out."
Without another word, the four of them surged forward, blending into the sea of candidates as the long and grueling first phase continued.