This Monstrous Wealth Has Finally Fallen to Me

A thick fog rushed right into their faces.

It carried a damp, cold smell mixed with mud and rotting vegetation.

Visibility instantly dropped to within three meters.

Before, behind, left, and right were all an unbroken expanse of white; they could only vaguely make out the shadows of a few people ahead and hear their own heavy breathing.

"Everyone! Make sure you don't get left behind!"

Leorio's voice muffled and drifted through the fog, carrying a hint of tension.

"Kurapika and Gon are right in front of me. Luo Ye, are you and Killua in the back?"

"We're here, we're here. Mister, stop shouting and save your breath."

Killua's voice carried a lazy, mocking smile.

"With this kind of fog, it won't be fun if we get separated."

Luo Ye followed at the very end, running unhurriedly.

He actually quite liked this feeling.

It felt like playing some large-scale battle royale game in real life.

This heavy fog was simply a prime cover.

He even had the mood to assign inner monologues to the surrounding examinees in his mind.

Friends up front, step aside and stop blocking the way!

Damn it, water got into my shoes!

Mom, I want to go home...

Just as he was amusing himself, a shrill, miserable scream suddenly came from the thick fog not far away.

That sound was short and sharp, like someone had been violently strangled by the throat.

Then everything returned to peace.

"What... what's going on?"

Leorio's voice trembled slightly.

"What was that sound just now?"

Kurapika's voice came through calmly.

"An examinee must have fallen behind and been attacked by the creatures in the wetland."

"Everyone, watch your step and keep close to the examiner."

A few more screams followed.

They rose and fell, coming from different directions.

Fear spread rapidly among the examinees like this thick fog.

Some people began to run around wildly without looking where they were going, quickly disappearing into the ranks.

Others were seized by fear, their feet rooted to the spot as they trembled violently.

Luo Ye frowned.

Something was wrong.

No matter how powerful the creatures in the wetland were, it was impossible for them to silently finish off so many examinees in such a short time.

Unless...

It was human.

A tall figure wearing a clown costume walked out from the nearby fog without warning.

It was Hisoka.

He stopped in his tracks, no longer following the main group.

He looked around, a creepy, pleasurable smile hanging on his face.

"Hn~ this year's examinees don't seem to have very good quality."

He spoke as if talking to himself.

"The examiner's pace is too fast, it's no fun at all."

"Why don't I act as an examiner for once."

His voice wasn't loud, but in the silent mist, it clearly reached the ears of several surrounding examinees.

A sturdy man holding a long staff saw Hisoka stop and assumed he lacked stamina, a savage grin appearing on his face.

"Hey, kid up front, get lost if you don't want to run and stop blocking the way!"

While shouting, he raised the long staff and smashed it toward Hisoka's back.

He wanted to knock Hisoka down.

Hisoka didn't even turn his head.

He just raised his hand casually.

A playing card flew out from his fingertips.

Fast as lightning.

The sturdy man's movements stopped.

His eyes widened, his face still maintaining a ferocious expression.

A thin line of blood slowly emerged from his neck.

The next second, his head soared into the air, and his body crashed heavily to the ground.

The surrounding examinees were all scared out of their wits.

"He... he killed someone!"

"A monster! He's a monster!"

Panic completely erupted.

The remaining examinees screamed and fled in all directions as if they had seen a ghost.

Hisoka didn't give chase.

He just stood in place, enjoying the atmosphere of fear as if tasting a delicious dessert.

His gaze pierced through the thick fog and landed on Leorio not far away.

Because of the earlier chaos, Leorio had become separated from Kurapika and the others.

He was anxiously spinning around in the fog, trying to find his companions.

Then he saw Hisoka.

And the headless corpse at Hisoka's feet.

Leorio's face turned pale in an instant.

He wanted to run.

But his legs felt like they were filled with lead, unable to move.

That was a fear of an absolute powerhouse originating from the depths of the soul.

"Oh?"

Hisoka spotted him, took an elegant cat-walk, and slowly walked over.

"Another lost little fruit."

"Your gaze is quite nice."

He stuck out his tongue and licked his lips, the killing intent in his eyes completely undisguised.

Leorio's mind went blank.

He knew he was going to die.

Right at that moment.

A lazy voice came from behind Leorio.

"Hey, the clown up front, step aside."

Luo Ye had already arrived at Leorio's side at some point.

With one hand in his pocket, his other hand rested on Leorio's stiff shoulder.

On his face was a purely excited expression of someone waiting to watch a good show.

He looked at Hisoka, his eyes shining brightly.

This monstrous wealth has finally fallen to me.