We finally arrived in Zaban City. The Kiriko family left us, except for their son, who stayed to guide us to the Hunter Exam site.
Before heading there, I made a quick stop at a grocery store to buy food and some cooking ingredients. Leorio, Kurapika, and Gon only bought bread—just enough to fill their stomachs.
The Navigators warned me to hurry or I'd miss the exam application deadline, so I quickly grabbed everything I needed, stuffed it into my bag, and finished up.
Kiriko Son: As Navigators, our job is to identify worthy Hunter applicants and guide them to the exam site. In other words, reaching the site without our help is nearly impossible.
While he explained, Gon wandered off, curiously checking out what the nearby merchants were selling. I saw something interesting too, but too bad—I'd already spent all my money at the grocery store. I hope I've got some left when I return home.
Leorio: You know, Zaban City's kind of shady.
Kurapika: Prosperous cities tend to attract all sorts of unsavory characters.
Gon kept moving from stall to stall, distracted by his curiosity, until Leorio called out to him.
Leorio: What are you doing, Gon? We're leaving!
Gon: Yeah!
Kiriko Son: I believe that's the building.
Leorio: Huh?
We all looked up and saw a tall, impressive building.
Gon: Whoa, it's so tall! That's a really nice building.
Leorio: So this is the exam site… This is what draws—
Kurapika: Hunter applicants from across the world.
Max: Not a bad place.
Gon (thinking): My first shot at the Hunter Exam... Was this how Dad felt when he first arrived?
Kiriko Son: Hey, guys!
All: Hmm?
Kiriko Son: Over here.
Leorio: What?
He pointed at what looked like an ordinary steak restaurant.
Max: Are you buying us steak before the exam? That's kind of you.
Kiriko Son: No, no. This is the Hunter Exam site. And besides, you all know you're running out of time, right?
Max: Oh...
Leorio: Wait, this isn't funny. That's just a regular restaurant. You can't seriously mean Hunter applicants from all over the world are supposed to gather here?
Kiriko Son: I do.
All except Max: Huh?
Kiriko Son: No one would ever expect the Hunter Exam, with its millions of candidates, to be hidden in plain sight like this.
Leorio: ...That's actually a good point.
Max: I bet it's underground—like in those movies where a small building hides a giant facility.
Kurapika: You may have a point.
We entered and saw the store owner frying up some steak.
Store Owner: Welcome!
Kiriko Son: Is the back room open?
Store Owner: What'll you have?
Kiriko Son: The steak combo that opens your eyes to the light. For four.
Store Owner: For four... And how would you like them?
Kiriko Son: Grilled over a low flame, until fully cooked.
Store Owner: Got it. You can head into the back room.
Before following them, I couldn't help but compliment the chef.
Max: You've got great control over that frying—looks crispy on the outside, juicy inside. You're a good cook. Wish I had time to try your food, but I probably won't be back here after the exam.
Store Owner: Thanks for the compliment. You must know your way around a kitchen, huh? Good for you. Now go on.
I followed the others into the back room. Surprisingly, there were only three seats inside.
Kiriko Son: Wait here.
Leorio: Wait? Where are the others?
Gon: I can't wait for the steak combo!
Kurapika: Gon, that was just the password to get us in.
Gon: Oh… So we don't get to eat?
Max: Yeah, too bad. I was really looking forward to that steak too.
Kiriko Son: "One in every ten thousand..."
Gon: "Hm?"
Max: "Is the steak really that rare?"
Kiriko Son: "No, that's not what I mean. What I meant is, that's the odds of an applicant making it this far. You've done exceptionally well for first-timers. Good luck."
Max: Oh
Gon: Thanks!
Gon offered his hand. Kiriko's son looked surprised but smiled and shook it.
Kiriko Son: I'd be happy to serve as your Navigator again next year.
With that, he left. A moment later, the back room started to shake...
Leorio: What?
Kurapika: It appears this room is an elevator.
Max: I knew it. Underground, just like in those secret-agent movies.
Gon: Wow, you guessed it before we even got here. That's amazing.
Max: Eh, it's nothing. I'm sure someone else figured it out too once they realized the Hunter Exam was inside a damn restaurant.
Leorio: That bastard Navigator... He said he'd guide us next year. That means he expects us to fail this year!
Kurapika: Once every three years.
Leorio: Huh?
Kurapika: That's how often a rookie passes the exam.
Leorio: Seriously?
Kurapika: Many can't endure the physical and mental strain. And it's not uncommon for veterans to break rookies, leaving them too crushed to ever try again.
Gon: So people are really risking everything to become Hunters...
Max: If anyone dares try shit with me, I'll crush one of their balls. Not even kidding.
Leorio:laughs You're joking, right?
Max: Do I look like I'm joking?
Leorio: …You're serious?
Max: Damn right.
Gon: Don't do that...
Max: Hey, at least I'm not killing them.
Leorio: I mean... Some people might prefer dying over losing their balls.
Max: Not my damn problem. They start something? I finish it.
(Max takes out his MP3 player and starts playing music, humming softly.)
Max (low voice):There was such a man in Russia long ago… He was big and strong, in his eyes a flaming glow…
(Everyone turns to look at Max, but he just vibes with the music, ignoring them as he softly sings "Rasputin.")
Leorio: Is… is he serious? That's not one of his dumb jokes?
Gon: I don't think so. He's not the type to joke about that kind of stuff.
Kurapika: Let's just hope no one provokes him.
Leorio: If someone does, there's no stopping him. At least I won't feel guilty if the idiot isn't innocent.
Gon: Still... why do people take such crazy risks just to become Hunters?
Leorio: Wait, you came to take the exam without knowing anything about it?
Gon: Not really...
Kurapika: Look, a Hunter is—
Leorio: —In this world—
Kurapika & Leorio (simultaneously):
Kurapika: —The most noble occupation.
Leorio: —The most well-paid occupation!
Leorio: Not this again! You damn goody-goody!
Kurapika: Greedy bastard.
(They start bickering again, debating about the meaning of being a Hunter. Gon gets confused and looks to Max for help, but Max is still jamming to music.)
Max (low voice):Ra-ra-Rasputin, lover of the Russian queen...
Then, Leorio and Kurapika turned to Gon and asked simultaneously
Leorio & Kurapika (simultaneously): Gon! What dp you think? What kind of Hunter do you want to become?
Gon: Uhhh… well, when you put it that way…
(Suddenly, a soft ding echoes. The elevator stops.)
Kurapika: I think we've arrived.
Leorio: We'll finish this later.
(Leorio and Kurapika step out. Max pulls off his headphones.)
Max: Huh, we here already? Perfect timing. My song just ended. What were you guys arguing about?
Gon: Uh… it was complicated.
Max: Well I don't need to hear it. I don't like complicated things anyway. Let's go.
[Scene: The group exits the elevator, entering a large chamber filled with Hunter Exam participants. All eyes are on them.]
Leorio: Strange atmosphere down here...
Kurapika: They clearly differ from the applicants we saw at the port and in the city. Each of them is a master in their own right.
Max: Why the hell are they all staring at us? It's annoying.
Gon: Uh... Excuse me...
The stares continue for a while. Eventually, the other participants lose interest and look away.
Gon: Everyone's really tense...
Suddenly, a short, green-skinned being walks up to them.
Bean: Hello. Please take a number.
Each of them receives a number badge.
Bean: Be sure to wear it on your chest at all times. Be careful not to lose it.
Max: A green bean alien, huh? First time seeing one... I guess anything's possible in this Hunter world, especially after meeting that rare magical beast.
Gon: I don't think he's an alien...
A chubby man strolls toward the group with a casual wave.
Fat Guy: Haven't seen you guys around before. Yo.
Gon: You can tell we're new?
Fat Guy: More or less. After all, this'll be my thirty-fifth attempt.
Gon & Leorio: Thirty-five times?!
Tonpa: You could say I'm a bit of an exam veteran.
Leorio (under his breath): That's not something to brag about...
Kurapika (quietly): Indeed.
Max: Honestly, surviving thirty-five attempts is kinda impressive. Not many can fail that many times and still come back alive.
Leorio: Huh... When you put it like that... Still, I wouldn't be proud of it.
Tonpa: If you have any questions, feel free to ask me.
Gon: Thank you.
Tonpa: Name's Tonpa.
Gon: I'm Gon. These are Kurapika, Leorio, and Max. Hey, are there others who've taken the exam a bunch of times too?
Tonpa: Well, I've got the most experience, but yeah, a few. For instance—him. Number 255, Todo. A wrestler. Unmatched in strength, and smarter than he looks.
Max: Damn, that food he's eating looks delicious... I'm starving right now, but I'll hold it in.
Gon: Yeah...
Tonpa: Then there's Number 103, Bourbon, the snake charmer. He holds grudges. Definitely don't get on his bad side.
Max: That dude's crawling with snakes. You like snakes, Gon?
Gon: I like one. I had a pet snake once.
Max: I mean as food.
Gon: Oh... I dunno. Never tried it before.
Tonpa: Next up, Number 191—Bodoro. A kung fu master. He's old, but still one of the best martial artists around.
Max: I'm good at martial arts too, but sometimes I prefer to rely on brute force or just do things my own way.
Gon: Really? What styles?
Max: A bunch. CQC, boxing, taekwondo, karate... monkey-steals-the-peach style. You name it.
Gon: I've heard of all of those—except that last one. Monkey steals what? I like the name though. Sounds fun.
Max: It's—
Kurapika (cutting in): Ahem Tonpa, you were saying?
Max: Fine, I won't explain it. You'll find out later—if I get even a chance to use it.
Gon: Sounds good to me. Now I'm curious.
Tonpa: Then you've got the three brothers—Amori, Imori, and Umori. Strong teamwork. That's what keeps them going.
Max: Do we have good teamwork?
Gon: I think we do?
Tonpa: And finally, Number 384—Gerreta, the huntsman. Specializes in killing all sorts of creatures with blow darts and clubs.
Max: Yo... A Black guy with an afro? That's a rare species.
Everyone turns to stare at Max.
Max: What? I didn't mean that in a bad way. I'm not racist or anything. I've just... never seen a Black guy with an afro up close before.
Max thought to himself: "Well... in this world."
Kurapika: "Species" isn't the best word to use. It makes it sound like you're talking about animals.
Max: Oh, right. I meant rare human. My bad.
Kurapika: Just drop the "rare" too... gah, never mind.
Tonpa (clearing throat): Anyway, those are just the ones who've taken the test the most times...
Gon: Ah...
Suddenly, screams erupt. A man's arms appear to bloom into flower petals as he collapses in pain. A strange man in jester attire walks away from him casually.
Hisoka: Oh, how peculiar... His arms seem to have become flower petals. No smoke and mirrors here. Do take care—when you bump into someone, you really should apologize.
Max: More like he's been disarmed. Get it? 'Cause he lost an arm?
Silence. Everyone stares at him.
Max: ...I'm just joking.
Tonpa: That psychopath's back again.
Gon: Again?
Kurapika: He's taken the exam before?
Tonpa: Number 44. Hisoka, the magician. He was almost guaranteed to pass the test last year... until he killed an examiner he didn't like.
Max: You sure he's a magician? He looks more like a jester... or a clown.
Kurapika: That's basically the same thing. They can all perform tricks or illusions.
Max: I knew jesters could, but clowns? I thought they just threw pies and made balloon animals.
Max (thinking):Wait... isn't Batman's mortal enemy a clown too?
Leorio: A-And they're still letting him take the exam?
Tonpa: Yep. The exam changes every year. The examiners choose everything. If the devil himself showed up and passed the test, it'd count. That's just how it works. No one likes Hisoka. You'd best avoid him.
Leorio: He definitely looks dangerous...
Max: Yeah, and from the looks of it, I think we're either equals or he's stronger than me.
Kurapika: You're ranking him that high?
Max: Yup. I'd rather not find out the hard way... unless he starts something first. But honestly? I'd still try not to fight him.
Gon: If Max is rating him that high... then yeah, he must be really strong.
Tonpa: Oh, right... A little something to mark our acquaintance. How about it?
Leorio: Oh, appreciated.
Then Tonpa gives them all orange juice.
Leorio: As it happens, I was thirsty...
Gon: Thanks!
Kurapika: Thank you.
The crowd watches them silently.
Crowd: There he goes.
Max hears the crowd muttering.
Crowd: He always plays the nice guy, despite being nastier than anyone else here. Tonpa, the rookie crusher...
Max narrows his eyes at Tonpa, his expression hardening with anger, but he calms himself.
Tonpa: Then, best of luck to all of us!
Tonpa (thought): The juice I gave you contains an extremely strong laxative. One sip, and for three days, your guts will be a non-stop roller coaster. You'll need diapers to take the exam.
Max (thought, still glaring at him): That evil grin is so obvious. Can you at least hide it, idiot?
Max: Wait, don't drink it.
Tonpa looks surprised for a moment.
Leorio: What is it?
Gon: What's wrong?
Kurapika: Are you suspecting there's poison in this drink?
Max: Yes, that's right. You drink first.
Tonpa: Hahaha, being cautious? Fine, I'll drink it.
Tonpa grabbed his own can and took a sip, appearing perfectly fine—because, of course, he drank the one without poison.
Tonpa: See? Nothing happened.
Max: Then... Drink the one I'm holding.
Tonpa freezes and doesn't move.
Max: What's wrong? Is it really poison?
Leorio: What, there's really poison in it?
Gon: It has poison? I thought this juice was expired.
Kurapika: Gon, you already drank it?
Gon: Don't worry, I didn't swallow it.
Max: There's no way it was expired; the date is still long on the can. Yup, this proves it's poison.
Leorio: You bastard, how dare you try to poison us...
Max grabs Tonpa's sleeve, not letting him escape, despite his struggles.
Max: So, do you have any last words? I'll make sure you feel pain like you've never experienced before.
Leorio: Wait... you mean...
Tonpa: Please forgive me... I didn't mean any ill intent. It's not poison that kills.
Max: Even so, this poison will make any of them drop from the Hunter Exam, right?
Tonpa: Them? Why didn't you include yourself?
Max: Wanna see?
Without waiting for a response, Max opens the can and drinks it fully.
Leorio: Hey, Max, what are you doing?!
Max: The taste is not bad. Don't worry, I have poison resistance. I've trained with poisons before.
Kurapika: What kind of childhood did you have?
Max: Trust me, my childhood was much more normal and happier than yours. My parents were normal, but I just thrived to become stronger. That's all. Now, let's move on.
Gon: Can you just let it slide this time? It's not a poison that can kill.
Max: Not if you drink more then one can, but fine, I'll forgive him.
They all breathe a sigh of relief.
Tonpa: Really?
Max: Yeah. Since you gave us some useful information, I won't break your balls.
Tonpa shudders slightly at Max's words.
Max: But that doesn't mean I fully let you go... If you try something this stupid again, I won't give you a second chance.
Max punches Tonpa in the stomach, causing him to stagger back, gasping for air.
Max: Don't worry. If I hit you with full power, you'd either be dead or knocked out. Now go on. Get out.
Tonpa, still clutching his stomach in pain, quickly stumbles away, not daring to protest.
Gon: Thank you for forgiving him.
Leorio: For a moment, I thought you were really going to do it.
Max: Trust me, I was going to. But I changed my mind since he gave us good information. He won't make this mistake again.
Kurapika: I take back what I said about his title. He's truly lucky. If he's been taking the exam 35 times, just to pulling stunts like this, and still alive, that's really impressive.
Leorio: Now that you mention it, you were right.
After a short time, an alarm sounds, and a wall rises, revealing a man with a gentlemanly aura.
Max: Is that guy Italian or French?
Kurapika: I'm not sure, but one thing's for sure—that guy's either the examiner or the guide.
Gentleman: I apologize for the wait. The entry period for Hunter applicants has ended. The Hunter Exam will now begin! A final caution: If you are short on luck or ability, you could very well end up seriously injured or even dead. Those who accept the risks, please follow me. Otherwise, please exit via the elevator behind you.
Max: Ok, I'll be going then. Byeeee.
Gon: Wait, you're leaving?
Max: Of course not. It's a joke, you know?
Gon: Not funny at all.
Leorio and Kurapika (thought): We already saw that coming.
Gentleman: Very well. All 405 applicants will participate in Phase One.
Max: Wait, can I ask something?
The crowd stares at him, but Max doesn't care.
Gentleman: Go on.
Max: Why are there only 405? I have badge number 406, you know.
Kurapika: Max, did you already forget about the guy whose arm got cut off by that magician?
Max: Come to think of it, where is he?
Max looks around and spots the man lying motionless on the ground.
Max: Ooooh.
Gentleman: Is there more?
Max: Can we attack each other while following you?
The crowd reacts, murmuring at the question.
Gentleman: No, that's not allowed. If someone does that, they will be disqualified.
Max: Then how about that jester over there?
Hisoka looks at Max with a creepy smile.
Max: Hey, I didn't ask this to get on your bad side. I'm just curious.
Hisoka: I know ♥
Max: If that makes you upset, I'm sorry.
Hisoka: You did nothing wrong, I'm just interested in you ♥
Max couldn't help but feel creeped out by the response, the gentleman answered his question.
Gentleman: Since the exam has not started yet and the guy did make the first contact with him, the attack is justified. So, he is pardoned. Any more questions?
Max: ...Ok, fair enough. I'm done with my questions.
Gentleman: Very well, then. We will continue. Follow me.
And with that, they begin to follow the examiner, the first phase of the Hunter Exam beginning.
To be continued...