Chapter Summaries

Allen overwhelmed Hisoka with his superior speed and countered his card trap with Shadow Energy, then healed Hisoka’s broken arm during a temporary truce. He ended by warning Hisoka that the next exam would be hell, revealing his intent to take revenge on him.

• Hisoka’s attack missed as Allen dodged and explained that his neural reflexes were far faster than Hisoka’s.
• Hisoka threw a deck of cards and attacked from above, but Allen caught his wrist and destroyed the cards with Shadow Energy after Lupos spotted the trap with Gyo.
• Allen and Hisoka agreed to a temporary truce so they could assess each other’s abilities.
• Allen healed Hisoka’s broken arm with a Heavy Runecloth Bandage, restoring it within seconds.
• Allen released his resentment toward Hisoka and warned him to enjoy his final moments before the next exam.

Allen denied to Hisoka that he had known the Hunter Exam’s events in advance, then reassured Killua that he was not targeting him or his friends. On the fourth exam island, Allen took Pokkle’s number plate and headed into the forest to find Hisoka for their promised fight.

• Hisoka questioned Allen about whether he had known the exam’s contents, but Allen dismissed the idea as a coincidence.
• Hisoka left to find Illumi, while Killua emerged from hiding and asked Allen about his target.
• Allen told Killua that he was not targeting Killua, Gon, Kurapika, or Leorio, and Killua relaxed.
• Allen landed first on the fourth exam island with Lupos and waited openly for his target, Pokkle.
• Allen’s malicious Nen overwhelmed Pokkle, who handed over his number plate.
• After securing six points’ worth of number plates, Allen entered the forest to find Hisoka.

Allen and Hisoka began their long-awaited fight on the island, each secretly setting up a deception while trading attacks. Allen believed he had gained the advantage by planting Nen-infused air inside Hisoka, but Hisoka’s own trick remained undiscovered as the battle continued.

• Allen found Hisoka waiting by the lake, and the two prepared to fight while Lupos stayed alert.
• Hisoka attacked with playing cards as Allen used Lupos’s Shadow Energy to deflect them and secretly manipulated Nen-infused air into Hisoka’s lungs and throat.
• Hisoka used False Swipe and Stretchable Love to create a lifelike puppet, planning to hide his real body with Zetsu for an ambush.
• Hisoka speculated that Allen’s Shadow Nen bullets could not travel far from him, but Allen formed one into an arrow with a sinister bone bow and destroyed a nearby tree.
• Allen concealed the danger of his Nen and believed the air inside Hisoka gave him the key to victory, intending to trigger it after Hisoka thought he had won.

Allen defeated Hisoka by triggering a hidden freezing ability, then healed him enough to keep him alive. He left Hisoka with Illumi after the Life Red Dragon drained Hisoka’s aura, leaving him unable to use Nen for three months.

• Hisoka advanced while distracting Allen and Lupos with his twisted beliefs about teachers and students.
• Allen said he and Hisoka shared a taste for deception but that he sought the satisfaction and rewards of defeating powerful opponents.
• Hisoka obscured the area with an attack on the ground, used a decoy, and tried to kill Allen from behind with playing cards.
• Allen activated a hidden ability that froze Hisoka’s lungs, evaded the attack, and beat him unconscious over ten minutes.
• Allen gave Hisoka a healing potion and entrusted him to Illumi, then warned that he welcomed another challenge at a price.
• The Life Red Dragon drained Hisoka’s aura, putting him in Zetsu for three months and growing to about 1.6 meters long.

After defeating Hisoka, Allen discovered that fighting powerful Nen users earned him rank, Talent Points, and a chance to buy honor gear. He tested his strength in Molten Core, where he defeated two Magma Giants but decided to avoid bosses until he found ways to heal and remove negative effects.

• Allen realized his victory over Hisoka had raised his rank and earned him a Talent Point, and he considered farming honor by fighting Nen users.
• Allen watched the Red Dragon of Life react eagerly and noted that it could materialize by consuming aura, though doing so used a great deal of energy.
• Allen teleported to Molten Core and ordered Lupos and its Phantom Wolves to attack the two Magma Giants guarding the entrance.
• Allen used enhanced arrows to weaken the giants, and Lupos's Phantom Wolves destroyed one with a coordinated explosion before Allen killed the other.
• Allen found only a Lava Core and worthless junk, then chose to hunt ordinary enemies until he gained healing and status-removal abilities strong enough to challenge bosses.

After waking from his defeat, Hisoka learned Illumi’s analysis of Allen and resolved to grow stronger before challenging him again. Above the island, Netero and the examiners discussed Allen’s abilities and character, and Netero decided to speak with him after the exam.

• Hisoka woke after a day and night unconscious, and Illumi told him Allen had nearly killed him before pulling him back from the brink.
• Illumi analyzed Allen’s coordination with his wolf and the Nen abilities he had observed, while Hisoka revealed Allen had also shattered his Ken with Enhancement.
• Hisoka vowed to use his three-month Nen restriction to plan a rematch, and Illumi left to hunt for target badges.
• Netero and the examiners watched the recording of Allen’s battle with Hisoka and debated Allen’s danger, character, and strength.
• Netero decided to speak with Allen personally after the exam.

After the fourth exam, Allen told Killua that he had defeated Hisoka and discussed his preference for pursuing strength alone with Chairman Netero. Netero gave Allen his Hunter License and agreed to arrange a controlled fight between him and Illumi during the final trial.

• Allen reached the starting point before time ran out and found nine other examinees waiting, including Pokkle, who had barely passed despite fearing Allen.
• Killua asked Allen about his fight with Hisoka, and Allen confirmed that he had won and that Hisoka no longer carried his terrifying Nen aura.
• Chairman Netero appeared and suggested that Allen join Gon, Killua, Leorio, and Kurapika, but Allen said he preferred acting alone and planned to challenge Netero someday.
• Netero gave Allen his Hunter License, and Allen asked to fight Illumi, whom he recognized beneath Kalluto's disguise.
• Netero agreed to arrange the fight on the condition that Allen control his strength and avoid seriously harming anyone.

Allen defeated Illumi in the first match of the final test after Illumi’s disguise was revealed and their Nen abilities clashed. Illumi surrendered, deciding that the circumstances made victory impossible, while Allen accepted his assassin’s reasoning.

• Illumi removed the Nen needles disguising him as Kalluto, and Killua recognized his eldest brother.
• Allen and Illumi began their match, with Allen defending against Illumi’s Nen needles and Illumi charging in close.
• Allen’s destruction-enhanced punch left a huge crater and badly injured Illumi’s arm, though Illumi blocked the blow with Ko.
• Illumi temporarily restored his arm’s movement with needles and surrendered, saying the outcome had already been decided.
• Allen questioned Illumi’s decision, then accepted that withdrawing when defeat seemed certain was typical assassin thinking.

After Killua killed Bodrō and was disqualified from the Hunter Exam, Allen used the Red Dragon of Life to resurrect and rejuvenate Bodrō, revealing an ability that could restore life at the cost of lifespan and Health Points. Netero declared the remaining candidates passed, while Illumi became fixated on Allen’s ability.

• Allen checked his rewards for defeating Illumi and planned to earn Talent Points at Sky Arena to unlock Attack Aura.
• Killua, provoked by Illumi, pierced Bodrō’s heart, and the review committee disqualified Killua as he left the exam hall.
• Allen moved Leorio aside, gave Bodrō a healing potion, and used the Red Dragon of Life’s Gift of Life to heal and rejuvenate him.
• Bodrō awoke alive and young, and Netero recognized that Allen’s ability transferred lifespan and life force to others.
• Netero announced that all remaining candidates had passed the Hunter Exam, while Illumi watched Allen’s Red Dragon with greed and longing.

After the Hunter Exam, Allen parted ways with Gon, Kurapika, and Leorio, declining to join them in rescuing Killua from the Zoldyck Family. Bodrō caught up with Allen and insisted on following him, so Allen began training him in Nen.

• The rookie Hunters finished learning about Hunter rules and privileges, while Gon argued with Illumi and vowed to rescue Killua.
• Allen told Gon he would not join the rescue, and Kurapika explained that the Zoldyck Family might treat Allen's presence as a provocation.
• Allen said goodbye to Gon, Kurapika, and Leorio, then set off with Lupos.
• Bodrō approached Allen and offered his life in repayment for being saved, but Allen told him he had expected nothing in return.
• Bodrō insisted on following Allen and learning Nen so he could become useful, and Allen warned him that the training would be harsh.
• Allen opened Bodrō's aura nodes and taught him Ten, which Bodrō learned within a few minutes.

Allen and Bodrō climbed Sky Arena, where Allen fought and defeated Zushi after recognizing him as Wing’s young student. Allen discovered the match yielded few Honor Points and no Talent Points, and he planned to seek stronger opponents, including the Phantom Troupe.

• Allen and Bodrō registered at Sky Arena and easily advanced to the 180th floor by defeating ordinary contestants.
• Allen spotted his name on the notice board and found Zushi, with Wing watching from the stands, waiting as his opponent.
• Allen released his aura and invited Zushi to fight at full strength, and Wing gave Zushi permission to use his Nen.
• Zushi attacked Allen and tried to gather his aura into Ko, but Allen dodged his strikes and knocked him unconscious with one punch.
• Allen received fewer than fifty Honor Points and no Talent Points, then considered hunting stronger opponents such as Hisoka and the Phantom Troupe.

Allen explained Nen techniques to Bodrō on the way to the 200th floor, then challenged three predatory fighters to matches under a vow that wagered all their Nen. The three accepted and were bound to the contract, with Goz set to fight Allen first the next day.

• Bodrō asked Allen about Zushi’s unfinished move, and Allen explained Ko and the advanced Nen techniques.
• Allen encouraged Bodrō to keep training and hoped he would master more Nen before they left Sky Arena.
• Goz, Rikudō, and Teuchi approached Allen on the 200th floor, mistaking him for an inexperienced newcomer.
• Allen challenged the three to matches wagering all their Nen, and his Red Dragon bound them to the contract.
• Goz accepted the first match for the following day and planned to discover Allen’s ability, while Rikudō and Teuchi prepared to observe.

Allen fought Goz in the Sky Arena, exposing the weakness of his Invisible Left Wrist and provoking him into strengthening it with a life-risking vow. Allen fatally stabbed Goz and activated Life's Plunder, calling on the Red Dragon to devour him.

• Allen challenged Goz over his reluctance to face stronger opponents, and the referee started their match.
• Goz used Invisible Left Wrist to attack Allen, but Allen dodged and criticized the ability's limits.
• Allen broke Goz's mask, revealing his burned face, and Goz's rage drove him to use a vow that greatly strengthened his ability and gave it teleportation.
• Goz's enhanced Nen hand tried to seize Allen, but Allen evaded it and pierced Goz's chest with the Sword of Ravenholdt.
• Allen fulfilled Life's Plunder's conditions and activated the ability, calling out, "Red Dragon! Devour him!"

Allen defeated Goz in the Sky Arena, and his Red Dragon devoured Goz to form a cocoon that could provide aura and preserve his Nen abilities. Allen planned to use the arena as a hunting ground and later pursue dangerous criminals, while Rikudō and Rikudō feared facing him.

• The Red Dragon swallowed Goz after Allen dealt him a fatal wound, and the referee declared Allen the winner.
• Allen received eight thousand Honor Points and one Talent Point, while Goz’s cocoon gave the Red Dragon a lasting source of aura and potential access to Goz’s abilities.
• Bodrō congratulated Allen, who expressed hope that Rikudō and Rikudō would not forfeit their upcoming matches.
• Rikudō and Rikudō watched from the shadows and feared fighting Allen after seeing Goz defeated.
• Allen took Bodrō back to their room for a training game and considered using the Sky Arena to hunt strong opponents before pursuing wanted criminals.

Wing taught Zushi that concealment and deception were crucial to battle after Allen’s match with Goz. Allen brought Bodrō into the Scarlet Monastery dungeon for training while developing Goz’s Nen ability, and Bodrō cleared the dungeon while beginning to use Ken and Ko.

• Wing questioned Zushi about Allen’s abilities and explained that Allen had hidden how he summoned his sword.
• Wing taught Zushi to conceal his trump cards, and Zushi vowed to train harder as Wing doubled his training.
• Allen used the Red Dragon to bind Bodrō to a contract and teleported him to the Scarlet Monastery - Library.
• Allen warned Bodrō to keep the dungeon secret, then began developing Goz’s Invisible Left Wrist ability.
• Bodrō fought through groups of enemies, began using Ken and Ko under pressure from the boss, and cleared the dungeon.

Bodrō pushed beyond his limits in the Armory Dungeon, developed his own Nen ability, and became a stronger ally for Allen. At Sky Arena, Rikudō returned with enhanced abilities and fought Allen, who gained the upper hand and offered him a chance to surrender.

• Bodrō burned his Blood Qi through Restraints and Vows, broke through his limits, and developed a powerful punching technique.
• Allen finished training with Bodrō and explained that he was preparing allies for future battles against powerful enemies.
• Rikudō faced Allen at Sky Arena, revealed his strengthened aura, and attacked with serrated tops using his Battle Waltz ability.
• Allen used Goz's Invisible Left Wrist to destroy Rikudō's support and seize him, then advised him to surrender.
• Rikudō refused to give up the power he had gained, and Allen prepared to kill him.

Allen defeated Rikudō in the arena and took his Nen ability with Life's Plunder, bringing his winning streak to two matches. He then offered to help the wheelchair-bound Rikudō develop his propulsion ability before their fight the next day, and the two headed to the suburbs to train.

• Allen crushed Rikudō with a massive golden hand, and the Life Red Dragon swallowed Rikudō's body as a cocoon.
• The announcer declared Allen the winner, and he spent his rewards to max out Scattering Shot and Barrage.
• Rikudō confronted Allen about stealing other people's Nen abilities, and Allen confirmed that this was his power.
• Allen offered to help Rikudō strengthen his aura-propulsion ability, explaining that he wanted a more challenging opponent.
• Rikudō accepted the offer and vowed to defeat Allen in the next day's match, so Allen took him to an empty suburban area for intensive training.

Allen watched Rikudō’s newly developed high-speed combat ability and faced him in a Sky Arena match. Rikudō’s attacks forced Allen to dodge, while Allen’s counterattack narrowly missed him and gouged a deep crater in the arena floor.

• Allen left Rikudō a note about using Vow and Restriction to strengthen Nen abilities, then departed.
• Allen told Bodrō he could fight other competitors after clearing all three places within the allotted time.
• Rikudō thanked Allen for his guidance before their Sky Arena match began.
• Rikudō raced around the arena and fired a powerful Nen bullet at Allen, who dodged it.
• Rikudō fired two more Nen bullets to restrict Allen’s movement, but Allen sent a streak of cold light toward him.
• Rikudō narrowly dodged Allen’s attack, which blasted a funnel-shaped crater through the arena floor and the pillar beneath it.

Allen defeated Rikudō in the arena and used Life's Plunder to take the high-speed movement ability he had wanted most. After testing it, Allen decided to hunt Nen users and grow strong enough to surpass Chairman Netero.

• Allen explained how he had adapted Rikudō's ability to fire supersonic Mithril Arrowheads and described how Rikudō could have developed his powers.
• Rikudō charged Allen in a desperate attempt to collide with him, but Allen froze him with Freezing Trap.
• Allen killed Rikudō with a Mithril Arrowhead and ordered the Red Dragon to devour him.
• Allen obtained Rikudō's high-speed movement ability and tested it by breaking the sound barrier across the arena.
• Allen assessed the ability and resolved to hunt Nen users to strengthen himself and surpass Chairman Netero.

After returning to the Sky Arena's 200th floor, Allen became its most feared newcomer, while Killua and Gon arrived and quickly climbed the ranks. Killua defeated Zushi in a match but sensed Nen in him, leaving him curious about what he had encountered.

• Allen repeatedly defeated challengers, then forfeited and returned to the first floor rather than pursue the Floor Master title.
• Bodrō began competing after his training and easily defeated another Enhancement-type Nen user.
• Killua and Gon arrived at the Sky Arena and reached the 190th floor in three days.
• Killua and Gon heard that Allen would fight a Floor Master and decided to watch after finishing their matches.
• Killua's first strike failed to keep Zushi down, and Zushi began gathering aura for a Nen attack.
• Wing stopped Zushi before he could use his attack, and Killua won by reaching the required knockdown count.