The forest seemed to stretch endlessly as Noah, Gon, Kurapika, and Leorio followed the Navigator deeper into the unknown.
After crossing streams and climbing rocky hills, they finally stopped before a massive set of metal doors hidden in a cliffside.
The Navigator turned to them, expression serious.
"Beyond this gate lies the true starting point of the Hunter Exam."
With a deep groan of iron, the doors swung open —
revealing a steep stone staircase plunging into darkness.
The group exchanged glances.
Noah simply adjusted the black cloth around his forehead and stepped forward first.
One by one, they descended into the deep.
---
The Underground Hall
At the bottom,
a vast stone chamber opened up, lit by flickering torches.
Hundreds of applicants filled the hall — a sea of faces:
some excited, some grim, some already sizing each other up.
Noah's Sharingan activated faintly beneath his eyelids.
Predators. Prey. Wolves in sheep's clothing.
He recognized them immediately.
Gon looked around with bright, amazed eyes.
Kurapika stood calmly, analyzing threats.
Leorio fidgeted nervously, trying to act tough.
Noah just crossed his arms and leaned against a pillar, silent and watchful.
---
The Proctor Appears
A sudden gust of wind blew through the chamber.
From the darkness ahead,
a tall, stiff-moving man walked forward, holding a silver pocket watch.
He wore a sharp black suit and had a strange, mechanical grace.
His voice echoed across the hall:
"I am Satotz, the proctor of Phase One of the Hunter Exam."
Satotz flipped his pocket watch closed with a sharp snap.
"The first test is simple:
Follow me.
If you fall behind, you fail."
Before anyone could react,
he turned — and began jogging at a steady, fast pace toward a dark tunnel.
The applicants blinked in shock.
Then chaos.
Everyone scrambled forward.
---
The Endless Running
The tunnel stretched endlessly into the underground depths.
Dim lamps lined the walls every few meters, casting eerie shadows.
The air grew hotter, thicker with each step.
At first, the runners stayed in a tight group.
But after an hour...
bodies started to falter.
Footsteps slowed.
Breathing grew ragged.
Some collapsed against the walls, gasping for air.
Leorio gritted his teeth, sweat pouring down his face.
Kurapika kept steady, measured breathing.
Gon — insane as always — looked thrilled, smiling as he ran.
And Noah...
Noah ran with an ease that defied logic.
His breathing calm.
His footsteps silent.
Chakra circulated perfectly through his muscles, reducing fatigue.
In the dim tunnel light, he looked almost like a phantom, drifting forward.
---
Friends and Foes
Hours dragged on.
Some applicants started playing dirty — tripping others, throwing elbows, even slashing with hidden weapons.
Noah noticed them instantly.
Whenever danger approached Gon or Kurapika,
a sharp rock would mysteriously fly into the attacker's ankle,
or a sudden shove would push Gon just out of range.
No one even realized who was helping.
Noah kept his intervention subtle.
No need to reveal my strength yet.
---
Hisoka's Bloodlust
Suddenly —
a wave of pure killing intent washed over the tunnel.
The air itself seemed to freeze.
Applicants stumbled, clutching their chests in terror.
Noah's eyes narrowed.
Far ahead, a figure jogged lazily through the pack,
a twisted smile painted on his pale white face.
Hisoka.
Even surrounded by hundreds,
he felt utterly untouchable — like a wolf among rabbits.
Noah watched carefully as Hisoka "accidentally" bumped into a slow runner.
Without missing a beat,
Hisoka's hand blurred —
and the man collapsed, eyes blank, never to get up again.
The other applicants didn't even notice.
Gon shivered slightly but kept running.
Kurapika's jaw tightened.
Leorio muttered, "That guy's dangerous..."
Noah's Sharingan spun faster behind his eyelids.
He marked Hisoka carefully.
One day... our paths will cross properly.
But for now,
he simply ran — silent, steady, waiting for the right moment.
The first real battle was yet to come.