Five minutes later.
Up in a tree whose trunk would take two people to encircle.
A scrawny examinee clung desperately to the trunk with both arms and legs.
His face was filled with terror.
Below him, seven or eight Great Stamps were furiously ramming the trunk with the iron-hard heads they were so proud of.
The tree shook violently, threatening to snap in half at any moment.
This unlucky examinee was none other than Killua's target, Sommy.
He had survived Trick Tower by sheer luck and had planned to find somewhere to hide until the fourth trial ended.
Who could have guessed his rotten luck would send him straight into a Great Stamp nest?
"Help! Is anyone there?!"
Sommy shouted in despair, his voice choked with tears.
Just then, four figures appeared before him like ghosts.
The black-haired boy in the lead had a human-shaped sack slung over his shoulder, its occupant either dead or alive.
He gave Sommy a friendly smile.
"Hey, friend."
"Looks like you're in trouble."
"Need a hand?"
Sommy was startled by their sudden appearance, then overwhelmed with joy.
He had found his saviors.
"Yes! Absolutely! Please, save me! I'll do anything if you get me out of this!"
"Oh?"
Luo Ye's eyes lit up.
"You said it."
He cleared his throat, his smile turning professional, making him look just like a salesman on a street corner trying to sell gym memberships.
"Hello, sir. Congratulations on becoming the VIP Victory-Farming Studio's last lucky customer during this Hunter Exam."
Sommy said, "Huh?"
"Our studio is dedicated to providing examinees with the most professional, attentive, and safe sparring and point-farming services."
Luo Ye introduced their business with complete sincerity.
"Since today is our studio's last day of operation, we've decided to offer you an unprecedented package at rock-bottom clearance prices."
He pointed at the Great Stamps below, still hard at work.
"Our services include dealing with these not-so-bright-looking boars and guaranteeing your personal safety."
Then he held up one finger.
"Our fee is just that number badge you're carrying, which is completely useless to you and might even get you killed."
"What do you say? One lousy badge for your life. That's a hell of a bargain for you."
Sommy listened, utterly bewildered.
He began to wonder whether his fright had made him hallucinate.
Was this really the time?
Why was someone making a sales pitch here?
And why were they all so calm? Those were Great Stamps!
"What do you say, sir? Care to consider it?"
Luo Ye urged him, "This offer is valid today only. Miss it, and you'll have to wait another year."
"I-I agree! I agree to everything!"
Without a second thought, Sommy nodded frantically.
Forget a number badge; he would have handed over his underwear right now if they asked.
"Excellent."
Luo Ye snapped his fingers in satisfaction.
"The customer has placed his order. Service begins now."
He turned toward Killua, who was already growing impatient beside him.
"Killua, he's your customer. Go show him our studio's professionalism."
"Tch. What a pain."
Killua complained, but his body readily went along.
He took a few steps forward and stood before the Great Stamps, which were still diligently ramming the tree.
The boars finally noticed the uninvited guest. They stopped one after another, glaring at Killua with bloodshot eyes and snorting angrily through their nostrils.
"A bunch of beasts."
Killua's gaze turned icy in an instant.
He unleashed the terrifying killing intent innate to the Zoldyck Family without restraint.
There was no earth-shaking Nen aura, nor any flashy technique.
Just a look.
A single movement.
The Great Stamps, frenzied just a second earlier, froze in place the instant they met Killua's gaze, as though a spell had immobilized them all.
Their powerful bodies began trembling uncontrollably.
It was pure, instinctive fear of a superior predator.
"Awooo!"
The lead boar let out a pitiful whine like a puppy, tucked its tail between its legs, and was the first to turn and flee.
The remaining boars snapped out of their stupor and scrambled over one another, disappearing into the dark forest in a flash.
They ran more than twice as fast as they had coming in.
The whole thing took less than three seconds.
Up in the tree, Sommy's mouth hung open wide enough to fit an egg.
That was it?
"All right, service complete."
Luo Ye clapped his hands, wearing a look that said, "See how professional we are?"
"Dear customer, it's time to pay."
Sommy snapped out of his daze and hurried down the tree, his legs still weak.
He walked up to Killua and was about to take out his number badge.
But Killua moved first.
His figure became a blur in front of Sommy.
Sommy felt only a faint breeze brush past him.
By the time he blinked, Killua was back in his original spot, holding badge [91].
"I'll be taking your badge."
Killua's voice was cold and professional.
Sommy instinctively felt his pocket. It was empty.
He had not even seen how Killua had done it.
"All right, transaction complete."
Luo Ye glanced at the badge in Killua's hand and smiled with satisfaction.
"With that, every order our studio received during the fourth trial is complete. I hereby declare that we're officially off the clock."
He casually tossed Leorio, whom he had carried over his shoulder the whole way, onto the ground.
"Finally, we can take a break."
"Hey! Did you seriously just dump me on the ground?!"
Leorio slowly came around and rubbed his aching backside, offering a feeble protest.
"Shut up. You're the culprit who nearly made all of us work overtime."
Luo Ye shot back without mercy.
And with that, all five members of the main group had reached their required scores.
Despite a few scares, the fourth trial had ended successfully.
"That's a wrap."
Luo Ye stretched luxuriously, basking in the first rays of morning sunlight.
"Everyone, head for the finish line. We're clocking out."
Before you continue