After passing through the passage, they arrived in an even larger cavern.
An enormous, bottomless chasm stretched across their path.
The only way across was a bewilderingly complex aerial obstacle course made up of precarious platforms, enormous swinging iron balls, and single-log bridges only wide enough for one person.
On the opposite side of the chasm, two exits were clearly visible.
One was a wide, brightly lit doorway.
The other was a narrow crevice barely wide enough for one person to squeeze through.
The iron sign at the entrance was once again inscribed in blood-red letters.
[The majority shall take the easy path.]
[The minority shall pass through the narrow gate.]
"This..."
Leorio looked at the two starkly different routes, unsure which to choose.
"Another choice."
Kurapika frowned.
"Is the easy path really easy?"
"Who cares?"
Killua loosened up his arms and legs, excitement gleaming in his catlike eyes.
"Games like this are what I do best."
He glanced at the nearly straight route leading to the narrow gate and dashed out without hesitation.
Like a nimble cat, he leaped, twisted, and darted between the obstacles with effortless ease.
"That's amazing!"
Gon's eyes shone as he watched, and he charged after him.
His movements were less graceful than Killua's, but his beastlike instincts and astonishing sense of balance allowed him to keep up steadily.
Seeing this, Kurapika immediately made his choice and followed them.
Only Leorio swallowed at the sight of that perilous route and chose the seemingly "safer" path leading to the wide doorway.
"Tsk, time to pick sides again."
Luo Ye stayed where he was, watching everything with interest.
"Isn't this just a physical version of 'the minority obeys the majority'? The examiner really has wrung every last variation out of that theme."
"Let's see what fun this easy path has to offer."
The moment Leorio stepped onto the seemingly broad stone bridge, disaster struck.
The bridge could not even support one person's weight and instantly snapped in the middle.
"Waaaah!"
Leorio screamed, barely managing to grab a rock at the broken edge, leaving his entire body dangling in midair.
Meanwhile, Killua and Gon had already cleared the most dangerous section with ease.
"What a pain."
Luo Ye sighed.
If I'd known it would be this easy, I wouldn't have wasted so long watching this monkey show.
He took a few steps back, then burst forward into a running start.
To everyone's astonishment, he did not even bother with the platforms or single-log bridges.
He planted one foot on an iron ball swinging toward him and used it to launch himself high into the air, executing a beautiful flip before landing firmly on another iron ball.
His movements flowed seamlessly, brimming with brutal beauty.
This was no longer a matter of technique. He was simply overwhelming the course with the absurd physical abilities of his evolved body.
In the space of a few breaths, he had crossed most of the chasm and reached the spot above Leorio.
"Hold tight, genius."
He grabbed Leorio by the collar and lifted him away from danger as though picking up a chick.
Then he lightly pushed off the wall with both feet, launching himself again with Leorio in tow and landing firmly on the far side, in front of the narrow crevice where Killua and Gon stood.
The entire process took less than ten seconds.
"You... you bastard..."
Leorio slumped on the ground, gasping for breath and staring at Luo Ye as though he were a monster.
Shock was written all over Killua's and Kurapika's faces as well.
Only Gon was still buzzing with excitement over Luo Ye's impressive moves.
"All right, no cannon fodder left. Everyone's happy."
Luo Ye dusted off his hands, looking completely at ease.
"Let's go."
A faint light shone from deep within the narrow stone crevice.
The third trial finally seemed to be nearing its end.
Before you continue