A Ticket to the Third Test

Steam rose beside the cliff.

Most of the candidates who had passed could hardly wait to toss their Spider Vulture eggs into the pots and savor their hard-earned delicacy.

The aroma of eggs mingled with the joy of having survived, filling the air.

Leorio wolfed down his food, almost moved to tears.

"It's so good!"

"I've never eaten an egg this delicious!"

Kurapika ate politely, but no less quickly. He was clearly starving too.

Gon and Killua ate while watching Luo Ye curiously.

Because Luo Ye wasn't eating.

He was crouched on the ground, holding his Spider Vulture egg in one hand and poking his captive Spider Vulture with the other.

The poor bird had regained consciousness and was now huddled in a corner, trembling as it stared at Luo Ye as though he were a demon.

"Hey, what's your name?"

Luo Ye asked.

The Spider Vulture: "..."

"No answer? Then I'll take that as agreement. Your name's Little Black."

Luo Ye went ahead and named it himself.

"Little Black, look. This is your kid, right? How about laying another one for me? Ever heard of sustainable development?"

As he spoke, he waved the egg in front of the Spider Vulture.

The Spider Vulture trembled even harder.

Killua watched from nearby, the corner of his mouth twitching.

This guy wasn't just a monster in combat. He was also an animal-abusing freak.

Menchi walked over, her expression icy.

Her gaze swept over everyone enjoying their food before finally settling on Luo Ye.

"Where's your boiled egg?"

She demanded.

"I didn't boil it."

Luo Ye answered without a trace of shame.

"This is a trophy I earned fair and square. I'm taking it home as a souvenir."

A vein throbbed at Menchi's temple.

"So you haven't completed the test."

Her voice carried a hint of suppressed anger and barely perceptible... glee at his misfortune.

"Says who?"

Luo Ye pointed at the boiling pot beside him.

"The assignment was 'boiled eggs,' and the ingredient was 'Spider Vulture eggs.'"

"I got an egg, and I'm here where they're being boiled. That counts as participating in the whole process."

"Whether I eat it is my own business."

He paused, then flashed a smile that practically begged to be punched.

"What, Madam Examiner? You telling me what to do?"

Menchi's clenched fists creaked.

She really, really wanted to smash that smiling face with a punch.

But she couldn't.

Because Chairman Netero was watching them with a cheerful smile.

Menchi took a deep breath, then slowly let it out.

She forced the words through gritted teeth.

"You... pass."

"Now get out of my sight. Immediately!"

"You got it."

Having achieved his goal, Luo Ye stood up in high spirits.

He picked up the Spider Vulture named Little Black as though it were a shopping bag and swaggered toward the airship.

In the end, with Menchi announcing the results most reluctantly, a total of forty-two candidates passed the second test, including the five members of the main cast.

The airship slowly rose into the sky and headed toward the next test site.

Inside the cabin, the mood was much more relaxed than on the trip there.

The successful candidates gathered in small groups, discussing the heart-stopping bungee jump they had just experienced.

Luo Ye, meanwhile, became the center of attention.

Of course, no one dared approach him.

He sat in a corner, attempting a warm, friendly exchange with his new pet, Little Black.

"Little Black, what do you like to eat? Want some chocolate drops?"

"Don't be so nervous. Look at me. Don't I look friendly and approachable?"

"Lay me another egg, and I'll let you go. How's that?"

Little Black buried its head beneath its wing and played dead.

"Tch. You're no fun."

Luo Ye was getting a little bored.

Just then, Little Black's body gave a sudden, violent twitch.

Then came a soft plop.

Under everyone's astonished gazes, a fresh Spider Vulture egg, still steaming, rolled out from beneath it.

It... it had been scared into laying an egg.

An uncanny silence fell over the cabin once more.

Even Luo Ye froze for a moment.

He picked up the egg and hefted it in his hand.

Then he looked at Little Black with approval in his eyes.

"Not bad. You're a sensible bird."

"Stick with me from now on. I'll make sure you live the good life."

Little Black: "..."

It had lost all will to live.

Chairman Netero appeared beside them at some point and spoke with a chuckle.

"Young man, what's your name?"

"Luo Ye."

"Hmm, Luo Ye."

Netero's gaze moved back and forth between Luo Ye and the Spider Vulture beside him, which was questioning its entire existence.

"A very interesting Nen Ability, and a very interesting personality."

"I have high hopes for you."

With that, he turned and left.

Killua edged closer and asked quietly.

"Hey, what did the old man say to you?"

"Nothing much."

Luo Ye toyed with the new egg in his hand.

"He was just giving me a ticket to the third test."

Outside the window, clouds churned.

The outline of a strangely shaped tower that soared into the clouds gradually came into view.

The site of the third test: Trick Tower.

The next round of fun was about to begin.