Playing Cards X Whip X Guide

At that moment, the atmosphere among the applicants was decidedly strange, with the crowd broadly divided into several groups.

The main cast gathered around Kaya got along harmoniously, chatting about everyday life and funny stories as though none of this had anything to do with them.

Some applicants with poor observation and judgment were questioning Satotz, making their allegiance clear.

The old hands led by Tonpa chose to wait and see.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

Like a flash of lightning streaking through the air, six playing cards flew toward Satotz and the injured "examiner" at the same time.

By the time everyone looked again, three cards were already embedded in the injured man's head. He had said goodbye to the world before he could even react.

Satotz, meanwhile, had caught Hisoka's cards with ease.

"Hehehehe... I see, I see."

No matter how many times anyone heard Hisoka's laughter, it still sent chills down their spine.

"The answer is clear. Mr. Satotz is the real examiner. As a Hunter, he couldn't possibly fail to evade an attack of this level."

Satotz loosened his fingers, letting the playing cards drift down.

"I'll take that as a compliment. But if you attack me again, under any pretext or for any reason, it will be treated as insubordination, and the Hunter Association will immediately disqualify you."

"Yes, yes, yes."

Hisoka shuffled his cards as he answered casually, then drew one and sent it whistling toward the Man-Faced Ape playing dead.

Though this attack was less sudden than the last, Hisoka's control still made it difficult to predict.

Whoosh-crack!

A long whip intercepted the playing card with precision in midair, changing its course and sending it deep into the trunk of a nearby tree.

What incredible force! Kaya was secretly shocked. That casual strike alone had left the web of his hand numb.

Hisoka was surprised too. His expression froze for a moment as he looked toward Kaya.

It had only been a casual strike, but even an ordinary expert would have struggled to react.

More importantly, the boy before him had actually intercepted the card in midair with a weapon.

That required more than quick reactions. It demanded even greater hand speed!

At the thought, excitement surged through Hisoka's entire body again, and his hand began to tremble uncontrollably.

It seemed Kaya had once again unwittingly stoked Hisoka's bloodlust.

As before, if Kaya had read even a little of the original story, he would never have shown off his skills in front of Hisoka, the Fruit Farmer.

Unfortunately, he hadn't. And with his wounds healed, he had completely forgotten the pain-and the despair he had felt when he encountered Hisoka in the alley yesterday.

Besides, with his companions beside him, Kaya's decision to intervene seemed perfectly reasonable.

Of course, the Man-Faced Ape also sensed that its life was in danger. While Hisoka was caught up in his excitement, it turned to flee.

Kaya caught the movement too. He leaped up and lashed out with his whip, binding the Man-Faced Ape tightly in an instant.

After landing, he pulled back and dragged the Man-Faced Ape over to the group.

Throughout this, Killua quietly studied Kaya's footwork and movements, assessing his combat strength.

His conclusion was that Kaya really was strong. Even the ever-confident Killua wasn't sure he could beat him if he went all out.

Tonpa was also watching Kaya. The scenes of Hisoka hunting down applicants and beating an examiner last year were still vivid in his mind, and the strength Kaya had demonstrated made him afraid to act for now.

When the Man-Faced Ape hit the ground, the other applicants scattered with looks of disgust. None of them wanted anything to do with this ill-omened creature.

Only Gon and his companions gathered around it.

"Do you think this thing can talk like Mr. Guide?" Gon crouched down curiously to take a closer look at the Man-Faced Ape.

As though he had a natural affinity with wild beasts, Gon's voice actually calmed the frightened Man-Faced Ape.

"Who's Mr. Guide?" Killua asked, his hands behind his head.

"What are you talking about?" Leorio pinched Gon's cheek.

Kaya turned to Kurapika. "Since it can take human form, that means it's a magical beast. You said magical beasts can imitate human speech, Kurapika, so this Man-Faced Ape should understand us too, right?"

Kurapika nodded. "That's right. I think I've figured out what you're planning."

"Planning what?" Gon, Killua, Leorio, and Pokkle asked curiously.

"Kaya probably wants the Man-Faced Ape to help us avoid the traps in the Wetlands and reach the second exam site," Kurapika explained.

Kaya nodded and took some ropes woven from vines out of his bag, looping them around the Man-Faced Ape's neck like a leash.

"If you don't want to die, lead us past all the traps in the Wetlands. Once we reach the second exam site, I'll let you go. Otherwise, you're dead."

Kaya spoke lightly, wearing a harmless smile.

Yet the Man-Faced Ape trembled all over in fright and nodded obediently. "As long as you don't hurt me, I can take you to the second exam site."

Satotz watched the scene quietly, taking a keen interest in Kaya.

The boy's approach to the exam might have involved cutting corners, but it was also full of creativity.

Strength certainly mattered in this world. Yet with perceptiveness applied flexibly and sound tactics, overcoming a superior opponent or defeating the strong as the weak was by no means impossible.

That was precisely the allure and essence of combat.

A flock of vultures suddenly swooped down, their sharp beaks tearing into the lifeless fake examiner.

The sight was horrifying. Only then did the applicants truly feel the danger of these Wetlands.

"All right, it's time to go."

Seeing that everyone was ready, Satotz turned and hurried into the depths of the forest with exaggerated strides.

The other applicants followed close behind, setting off along the muddy path.

Hisoka glanced back at Kaya in the distance with a sinister smile, then turned and vanished.

Kaya was chatting with his companions and missed Hisoka's "caring" smile. He merely felt an inexplicable chill coming from behind him.

Only the sound of hurried footsteps remained in the forest.

Squish, squish.

Unlike in the tunnel, every step through the Wetlands felt unusually heavy. The muddy path was not only slippery and difficult to navigate, but also drained the applicants' stamina.

Kaya led the Man-Faced Ape along at his leisure, looking so effortlessly cool that no one could compare.

Envy shone in Gon's eyes as he pleaded, "Kaya, let me hold the leash for a bit. Please!"

Kaya didn't mind. He handed Gon the rope, took a box of chocolate balls he had bought at the market yesterday out of his bag, and started eating.

"Want one?" Kaya turned to Pokkle and offered him the chocolate balls.

"No, thanks. Eating while running isn't good for you," Pokkle reminded him.

Kaya then looked toward Kurapika, who also shook his head politely.

Food?

Killua looked back curiously, his eyes immediately drawn to the chocolate balls. His pace slowed involuntarily until he fell back from Gon and moved alongside Kaya.

Noticing Killua's hesitant expression, Kaya understood. He took another box of chocolate balls out of his pocket and handed it over.

"Here, take these. It's my last box."

"Huh? I don't really want any," Killua said, blushing. "But turning down someone's kindness seems kind of rude, so..."

So, before he even finished speaking, Killua snatched the chocolate balls. They were his favorite brand, and he eagerly tore open the packaging and began eating with delight.

At the sight, Leorio finally exploded. "Hey! Why didn't you ask if I wanted any? What do you take me for? Thin air?"

"No, I don't think of you as anything," Kaya answered innocently.

"Hahahahaha!"

The moment he said it, everyone except Leorio burst out laughing.

Even the usually aloof Killua was amused by Kaya's answer.

The entire group brimmed with laughter and good cheer.