The candidates stumbled out of Trick Tower, finally reaching the grassy field beyond.
Exhausted, bruised, but alive.
A group of professional Hunters stood waiting outside —
one of them, a calm man in a suit, stepped forward.
His name was Lippo.
He smiled warmly.
> "Congratulations.
You have cleared the Third Phase of the Hunter Exam."
Relief washed over everyone.
Gon dropped to the ground, laughing tiredly.
Killua sprawled beside him.
Leorio slumped over Kurapika's shoulder.
Noah stayed standing, barely breathing hard —
his chakra circulation keeping him steady despite the trials.
He kept his hands calmly folded behind his back, observing everyone silently.
---
The Airship Descends
A loud hum vibrated through the air.
From the horizon, a massive airship appeared, slowly descending like a floating castle.
The wind whipped across the field as the enormous vessel lowered cables and a boarding ramp.
Gon's face lit up.
Killua grinned.
Noah narrowed his eyes slightly, sensing the subtle energy running through the ship.
> "This world's technology isn't as backward as it looks," Noah thought.
Lippo gestured them forward.
> "Rest aboard the airship.
Tomorrow, the Fourth Phase will begin."
Without hesitation, the candidates boarded.
---
Meeting the Chairman
Inside the luxurious airship, they were greeted by a small, frail-looking old man —
with twinkling eyes and an aura that felt anything but weak.
Chairman Isaac Netero.
> "Welcome, my young friends," he said with a bright smile.
"Enjoy your rest."
The candidates dispersed toward their assigned rooms, grateful for soft beds.
Gon, however, was too full of energy to sleep.
Killua felt the same.
Noah, ever the observer, watched them sneak out of the dormitory section...
and decided to follow silently from the shadows.
---
Midnight Challenge
In a quiet, open training hall inside the airship, Gon and Killua stumbled upon Netero again.
The old man chuckled warmly.
> "Looking for a little late-night fun, boys?"
The boys' eyes sparkled with excitement.
> "We'll do anything!" Gon said eagerly.
Netero grinned, holding up a simple ball.
> "Simple game.
Take this ball from me before midnight, and I'll let you pass the Hunter Exam early."
Noah, hidden above the rafters, smirked.
> "Bold offer. But how serious is he?"
---
Clash of Willpower
The match began.
Gon and Killua attacked with everything they had —
speed, trickery, teamwork — but Netero danced around them effortlessly.
He hopped, twisted, spun, and dodged without even looking serious.
Each time Gon lunged, Netero flicked the ball away.
Each time Killua tried a deadly angle, Netero spun out of reach.
Noah watched intently.
> "His aura flow is ridiculous. He's controlling power with zero wasted movement."
---
Gon's Reckless Charge
Gon kept pushing, refusing to quit.
Bruised and battered, he finally faked a dive one way —
then twisted at the last second, reaching for the ball.
This time, Netero let him get close —
then casually counterattacked, tapping Gon gently with enough force to send him flying.
Gon hit the ground...
and laughed.
His laughter was pure, fierce.
> "He's insane," Noah thought.
"But I like it."
---
Killua's Darkness Awakens
Killua's eyes darkened.
Old instincts flared up —
the assassin instincts buried deep inside him.
Without thinking, Killua tried to strike Netero not for the ball,
but for a lethal blow.
Netero caught Killua's wrist with two fingers, smiling gently.
> "That's a no-no, boy."
Killua froze.
Fear flooded him — not of death, but of how easily the old man crushed his killing intent.
Killua pulled back, trembling slightly.
Noah narrowed his eyes.
> "The Zoldyck heir still struggles with himself."
---
End of the Test
The night dragged on.
Neither Gon nor Killua succeeded in taking the ball.
Finally, Netero ended the game with a light-hearted laugh.
> "Good effort.
You'll be strong one day."
Gon collapsed into sleep on the spot, smiling.
Killua wandered off, hands stuffed in his pockets, hiding his frustration.
Noah slipped away from the shadows, unseen.
He didn't need to challenge Netero tonight.
He had already learned what he needed.
> "There are monsters walking this world," Noah thought.
"And one day, I'll walk among them too."