Road X Begins

Dole Port

The port is unusually bustling today.

"Wow, so many people!"

Melusina shielded her eyes from the sun with her hand, observing her surroundings.

Kurapika took a look.

"They're probably all test takers; the Hunter Exam attracts countless test takers."

"These candidates should already be among the first to be screened," Pairo said from the side.

There are so many Hunter x Hunter in the Nosra Manor, many of whom have taken the test multiple times.

You can gain a lot of experience from their words.

For example, the Hunter x Hunter's exam begins the moment one sets off on the journey to the exam venue.

The Hunter Association has various peripheral members all over the world.

Captain at sea, bus drivers, train attendants, and Airship observers—those on means of transportation—have already begun weeding out unqualified candidates.

"The transportation to Saba City is overcrowded."

After a brief observation, Melusina clearly understood the current situation.

Dole Port is the closest port to the Saba City.

Therefore, a large number of candidates who came from afar gathered here. Although the local authorities had anticipated this and prepared a large number of transportation options, the demand still exceeded the supply.

It's important to know that there's a time limit for attending the Hunter Exam; latecomers will not be accepted.

"Do you want to squeeze in?"

Shalnark suddenly asked.

Hearing this, Pairo glanced at her and said, "Idiot, of course not. This is an obvious trap. We're not some candidates who don't know anything about the Hunter Exam."

Although it was their first time taking the exam, their understanding of the exam was greater than that of Ninety-Nine of the other test takers.

At the start of the event, the number of candidates always hovered around five hundred.

Therefore, normal means of transportation can be a trap.

Several people approached the map board and looked at it. They weren't the only four people standing there looking at the map.

A tall, thin man, who looked to be in his twenties or thirties, wore glasses, carried a briefcase, and was dressed in a suit. He looked very serious. Beside him was a boy who looked to be about eleven or twelve years old, wearing green clothes, with a conspicuous spiky hairstyle, and carrying a small schoolbag.

"Looks like the only way to get to Saba City is by bus."

That's what the successful-looking man said.

The child next to him didn't say anything and walked straight in one direction.

"Gon, you're going the wrong way."

The boy, nicknamed "Gon," pointed towards a huge Cedar Tree on the mountaintop and said, "The Captain said to go this way."

As he spoke, he headed off in that direction on his own.

"Maybe that old man was lying to you; it might just be part of the test."

Clearly, the child wouldn't listen to such advice.

Kurapika and the others who overheard this exchanged glances and followed the child without hesitation.

Melusina, who had followed, reminded the hesitant man beside her, "Taking transportation is a mistake; it's just a trap."

Upon hearing this, the man wanted to argue, but after thinking for a moment, he followed after them.

We arrived at a Small Town.

The entire Small Town was silent.

Is there no one here?

The man named Leorio asked curiously.

"There are people everywhere here, Leorio," Gon retorted.

Upon hearing Gon's words, Kurapika and the other three looked at the child.

They certainly knew that, but the question is, how old is Gon?

"All around were the sounds of breathing and clothes rustling."

"But I can't hear anything, you guys noticed too?"

Leorio looked at Kurapika and the others beside him.

Pairo merely glanced at him. "You're too weak."

"What?! You bastard!"

Just then, a large group of people appeared in front of them, blocking their way.

The one leading them was an old woman.

"Quick multiple choice questions begin!"

She roared.

"To reach the Cedar Tree at the summit, one must pass a test. Only by answering correctly can one proceed along this single, safe path; all other paths are deadly."

As she spoke, the old woman began to explain the rules to herself. After she finished explaining the rules...

She didn't let them answer immediately, but instead pointed to Kurapika and the other three.

You don't need to answer, please wait a moment.

"Thank you, Grandma," Melusina said with a smile, expressing her gratitude politely.

"Hey! Why should I?!"

Leorio asked, quite displeased.

"Because I am the censor."

Upon hearing this, Leorio rolled up his sleeves, ready to attack, but Gon held him back.

"That's so stupid."

Pairo felt his aversion to stupidity was acting up and couldn't help but complain.

"Hey! Don't think I don't know you're talking about me!"

"At least you have some self-awareness."

"What! You bastard!"

Just then, one of the examinees who had been secretly following them jumped out.

Let me answer first!

As he spoke, he chose the answer based on his own judgment, and then saw the person blocking his way make way for him.

"Now it's your turn, both of you."

Leorio started yelling again.

"Can't you use your brain? What's the point of having a head on your head?"

Finally, Pairo couldn't hold back any longer and voiced his doubts.

Before Leorio react, Pairo calmly said, "The Hunter Exam is not an easy thing. Just finding the exam venue can eliminate Ninety-Nine of the people."

This isn't a place you can reach by brute force. Every action has a purpose, and you should know that, so why are you acting so recklessly like a fool?

Or are you just playing around with the Hunter Exam and don't actually want to get Hunter License, or have you never even thought you could get Hunter License?

These words made Leorio in anger.

But Kurapika suddenly said, "No, I think he's just too eager to get his Hunter License and has completely lost his composure."

Clearly, Leorio was someone who responded better to gentle persuasion than force; under the combined barrage of their words, he was momentarily at a loss for words.

I inexplicably calmed down.

Then came silence.

I can't answer that question!

Gon, who had been deep in thought, suddenly spoke up loudly.

The old woman looked at Leorio, seemingly waiting for his answer.

Who wants to answer such a stupid question?

Leorio replied without hesitation.

"Hehe, congratulations, you answered correctly."

As he spoke, the door next to him opened.

The old woman explained why they were going to the area under the Cedar Tree: there, Guide could lead them to the venue.

"So, why don't they have to answer?"

Leorio still couldn't figure it out and asked.

The old woman didn't explain further, simply saying, "If you become Hunter x Hunter, you'll understand."

"Let's go, Leorio!"

Gon was walking in front, shouted loudly.

Leorio had no choice but to keep up.

"So why?"

Shalnark suddenly asked a question.

"Because the old woman knew that whether we answered the questions or not, whether we answered correctly or incorrectly, they couldn't stop us from going to the Cedar Tree."

That's how Pairo answered.

Shalnark thought about it for a moment, then nodded, and it seemed that was indeed the case.

Brute force can also be a problem-solving approach.

Pairo seemed quite interested and offered a few more explanations.

"If it were just the two of them going to the Cedar Tree to find the Guide, they would definitely have to go through another test."

"But if they're with us, then the Guide will obediently lead us to the examination hall."

Leorio chuckled beside him, clearly disagreeing.

Night fell as they continued their journey.

They arrived under the Cedar Tree.

Tree House, four humanoid Demonic Beast stood there.

"Demonic Beast? Fierce Fox."

Melusina directly stated the races of the four Demonic Beasts.

"Oh, a new applicant."

"It was a Fierce Fox," said one of the foxes.

"It spoke!" Gon exclaimed in surprise and excitement.

Kurapika, standing nearby, chuckled and explained, "Only those that can talk are Demonic Beast."

Demonic Beast is a collective term for non-human beings that possess high intelligence and can speak human language.

"You must be our Guide. Please lead us to the examination hall."

Kurapika looked at them and said gently.

The largest and Fierce Fox in the lead simply nodded its head.

"No problem, shall we go now?"

"So direct? Is this some kind of trap? Shouldn't you have given us some kind of test?"

Leorio couldn't hold back any longer and asked.

The journey has been full of trials ever since he left his hometown, and now that things are so direct, he finds it hard to take.

The Fierce Fox shook its head and pointed at Leorio and Gon.

"If it's just the two of you, then of course you need it, but if you're together, then it doesn't really make sense."

Whether you're Guide or an inspector, the most important thing is to have a keen eye.

Leorio frowned but didn't say anything.

He glanced at the four calm-looking people around him.

Even he, with his recklessness, could see that these four people seemed to be very different from ordinary people.

Spreading their wings, the four Fierce Fox carried the group with great difficulty to Saba City.

After entering the underground at the agreed-upon secluded location, we finally arrived at the actual examination hall.

.

Silence, stillness.

Even Leorio could tell that everyone here was no ordinary person.

"Wow, so many people!" Melusina said with a smile.

A bunch of people were crammed into this place that looked like Underground Tunnel.

A tiny person, about the size of a mung bean, began handing out Number Plate to them.

When the Number Plate was handed to Melusina stared intently at the Green Bean Person and even tapped his shiny head.

The Green Bean Person broke out in a cold sweat at Melusina's gaze. After handing out the Number Plate, he quickly left.

"What's wrong, Melusina?" Kurapika asked from the side.

Melusina simply watched the Green Bean Person's retreating figure and sighed silently.

"That must be a fairly high-grade material."

I've gotten used to spending time with Kevin.

"Forehead-"

"That should also be a Demonic Beast, but there's no information about it. There should only be one. It's said to be the secretary of the Hunter Association's Chairman, and he's in charge of issuing the Number Plate every year."

A short man with a crossbody bag walked over and started talking to the group.

He has a very distinctive large nose.

Are you Donpa priest?

"That's what Pairo said suddenly."

This person is very distinctive.

Donpa froze on the spot, then burst into laughter.

You actually know me?

Without hesitation, Pairo nodded and said, "Yes, Gowen asked me to give you his regards. You were wrong about what happened back then, but he feels he went too far and asked me to apologize to you on his behalf."

Upon hearing the name Gowen...

Donpa's face immediately darkened, becoming extremely gloomy. He silently turned and left.

"Did Gowen say that?" Melusina asked doubtfully.

Pairo shook his head, a somewhat wicked smile appearing on his face.

"Of course not, but those kinds of guys are annoying, aren't they?"

They all knew about Gowen 'Initiation story, so they naturally knew who Donpa was.

After all, at the Nosra Manor, the only two people who could independently Initiation were Nion Gowen.

Screams erupted from the crowd.

The group looked over.

Hisoka?

Both Pairo and Kurapika were stunned; they never expected to see this guy here.

Hisoka severed the hands of the person in front of him, then, as if noticing Kurapika and the others, raised an eyebrow and walked over with a smile.

"What a coincidence, everyone! How did we end up meeting here?"

"Are you really that relaxed?" Pairo asked.

Hisoka glanced at him, then helplessly shrugged. "After all, I have nothing to do."

He waved goodbye and said before leaving, "I'm really looking forward to this year's exams, and I look forward to seeing everyone."

Where no one could see, Hisoka licked his lips, his expression becoming dazed.

Taking the Hunter Exam was fantastic; it was the best decision he'd made in years.

This year's Hunter Exam was like a bountiful harvest for him.

He had a premonition.

Both the mature and the immature were present in this exam.

Ah~ I couldn't resist anymore.

People around him were keeping their distance from this pervert; you could tell from his expressions that he was starting to go insane.

Pairo looked at the candidates present.

He saw an extraordinary person.

Even if this person's face is covered in needles.

"Why is he here?" Pairo, puzzled.

"Who?" Kurapika asked from the side.

Pairo pointed in a direction.

Everyone looked over.

A tall, thin, oddly-looking man walked slowly through the crowd, his face covered in round balls, trembling and jamming as if some parts were rusted.

"That's Illumi, the eldest son of the Zoldyck Family."

Pairo explained that he knew Kurapika and Shalnark had never met each other.

Melusina's eyes were darting around the room, searching for a child, and then she saw her.

"As expected."

As he spoke, he simply reached out and waved.

"Strange!"

Qi, who was idly wandering in the crowd, heard someone calling him. His eyes lit up, and he looked in the direction of the voice, whereupon he saw Melusina and Pairo.

With a look of surprise and delight, she ran through the crowd.

"Sister Melusina! Pairo!"

He was overjoyed; he never expected to run into a friend while participating in the Hunter Exam.

After seeing Qi Pairo, who was still confused, was no longer confused.

Oh, I see.

"You didn't run away from home, did you?"

Qi's face flushed red, a rare occurrence, and he turned his head away.

"I knew it, "Pairo, slapping his forehead in exasperation.

Just then, the examiner appeared on the scene.

It was Satotz.

"The Hunter Exam is officially beginning. This way, please."

As he spoke, he walked forward on his own, and the others followed.

"Let me state in advance that the Hunter Exam is extremely rigorous, and injuries or deaths are very common due to poor skill or bad luck."

"If you're scared, then stay where you are."

"Those who aren't afraid to die, come with me."

He then walked straight ahead.

Clearly, no one stayed.

"A total of 408 candidates? I understand."

"Follow me to the testing ground for the second exam. Those who can follow me there will pass the first test."

The run begins.

Outside the passage.

The scene of the second exam.

"Hey, why aren't you in your own exam room? What are you doing here?"

Men Qi asked Kevin, who was idling beside her.

"I'm all ready, so I'm here. I'll just go with the other test takers."

Anyway, the examiner has unlimited power, and there's no rule that he has to stay in the testing area.

"We are the two examiners for the second exam, so don't interfere."

Kevin glanced at her from the side, arms crossed.

"I'm not that tasteless. I'm just looking forward to my wife's cooking."

"Spray!"

Men Qi snorted in dissatisfaction and ignored him.

Kevin's purpose as an examiner this time was very clear: he wanted to take a good look at the candidates.

The reason I didn't watch the first exam was simply because it was just basic physical training.

We should be able to see something starting from the second exam, since hunting is a prerequisite for cooking.