The interviews ended, and the roar of the Airship's engines gradually softened to a low hum. They had arrived at the venue for the final test.
To everyone's surprise, it was neither some treacherous death trap nor a tower riddled with mechanical traps, but a top-class luxury hotel booked entirely by the Hunter Association.
An opulent lobby, soft, comfortable carpets, impeccably polite attendants.
And... a huge fighting ring, erected for the occasion.
"What the hell?" Leorio stared at the luxurious furnishings around him and rubbed his face hard, as though trying to scrub away the scene before his eyes. "Are we still dreaming? They're holding the final test in a place like this?"
"The final test is often the simplest, and the cruelest."
Kurapika looked grave, his gaze fixed on the ring as his fingers unconsciously stroked the hilt of his blade.
The examinees were led to the ring, where Chairman Netero and his secretary, Beans, had long been waiting.
"Examinees, congratulations on reaching the final stage."
Netero spoke with a chuckle, his voice echoing through the spacious lobby. "The rules of the final test are actually very simple."
He raised a finger and pointed to the enormous screen behind him, which covered almost half the wall.
"See that? It's a match bracket. You'll compete in a series of one-on-one elimination matches.
The rule is-
Anyone who wins passes immediately, receives a Hunter License, and can leave to enjoy fine food and a vacation."
"Oh? It's that easy?" one examinee asked in delighted surprise.
"Very simple, isn't it?" Netero's smile suddenly deepened, revealing the cunning of an old fox. "But anyone who loses must go on to fight their next opponent. The matches will continue until... only one person remains. That last person will be the only examinee eliminated from