Chapter 53: Reunion of Victory
Osren moved carefully through the swamp, deliberately avoiding every pitfall and hidden trap along the way.
As for the Human-Faced Ape — he wasn't worried. Unless he wanted to be found, that thing could search a lifetime and still never track him down.
He recalled how, in the original story, Kurapika and Gon had stepped on a Sloth Frog while chasing after Hisoka and Leorio — meaning they'd passed through the frog's territory.
If that path still held true, it meant he didn't need to waste energy charting a new route to the second testing site.
Better to conserve my strength and meet up with Gon and the others directly.
After all, Gon would eventually make it to the second test regardless.
"Good thing I've got this little cheat code called Nen," Osren muttered with a grin.
His newfound ability had dramatically sharpened his senses — his hearing, sight, smell, and even his reflexes. Combined with the endurance training from those two previous "exam marathons," his body could finally keep up with his mind.
He chuckled quietly.
Never thought I'd go from total weakling to borderline superhuman in just a few weeks. Nen really is the ultimate Hunter-world hack.
"Ribbit... ribbit..."
A few distant croaks broke through the mist. Osren's expression brightened — he was close.
Scanning his surroundings, he spotted a sturdy tree with thick, sprawling branches. Perfect.
Alright, Tarzan mode it is.
He climbed up swiftly, settling among the leaves to rest and wait for his friends.
---
"Rustle, rustle..."
"This way!" Gon's voice came through the fog, cheerful but focused. He pushed aside the tall grass and motioned for Kurapika to follow.
Kurapika frowned slightly. "Gon, are you sure this is the right direction?"
He was amazed at how Gon seemed to navigate purely by instinct — or more precisely, by scent. Even for someone as sharp as Kurapika, relying on smell to find someone in a swamp full of rot and decay seemed… optimistic.
"Leorio's cologne has a really distinct smell," Gon explained confidently, nose twitching like a bloodhound's. "It's kind of weird, but it works."
Kurapika sighed, both impressed and exasperated. "You really are like a dog."
The comparison wasn't meant as an insult — just the only way he could describe it.
Because truly, in this swamp where even breathing was difficult and every step was muffled by mud, it was almost impossible to pick out a single faint scent... unless you had Gon's absurd instincts.
Gon, however, paid no mind to the remark. He was completely focused.
"And look around us," he added, pointing toward the trail ahead. "There are tons of beast carcasses. They probably tried to attack Hisoka and got killed instantly."
Kurapika followed his gaze — the path ahead was indeed littered with bodies, twisted and broken.
"Maybe," he murmured. "But I don't think Hisoka's goal is just to reach the second exam site. That man's a monster. He's toying with us — hunting us for sport."
The memory of Hisoka's cold smile as he slaughtered examinees made Kurapika's skin crawl.
"Even so," Gon said firmly, "we can't just leave Leorio behind."
No matter how dangerous Hisoka was, Gon's resolve didn't waver.
Kurapika nodded slowly. "You're right."
They both knew the risk — but turning back wasn't an option.
Their footsteps quickened, splashing through mud.
---
"Ribbit... ribbit..."
The ground trembled slightly beneath Gon's foot just as he was about to take another step.
"Careful!"
The warning came from above — Osren's voice, calm but urgent.
Startled, Gon froze mid-step — and in that instant, the earth ahead bulged and split open.
A massive, moss-green Sloth Frog surged out from the ground, its jaw unhinging wide enough to swallow a man whole.
Gon jumped back instinctively, landing just short of becoming its next meal.
"Osren?!" His eyes lit up in surprise. "You're here!"
He'd been planning to find Leorio and then look for Osren — never expecting Osren to find them first.
"My business is done," Osren said easily, leaping down from his perch with fluid grace. He tossed a bulging cloth bag toward Gon. "Here. Hold onto this for me."
"Okay!" Gon caught it without hesitation, stuffing it into his backpack without even checking the contents.
Far away, somewhere in the swamp, the Human-Faced Ape sneezed — and grumbled to itself in misery.
Those were my neatly sorted ingredients, you ungrateful little human.
Naturally, Gon had no idea about the ape's unseen contribution.
---
Kurapika approached, studying Osren with a mix of relief and curiosity. "How did you even find us? This swamp stretches for miles. You walked in here like you had a built-in map."
It was true — the place was vast and labyrinthine, and yet Osren looked spotless, composed, not a speck of mud or sweat on him.
Kurapika had considered a dozen theories but found none convincing. Finally, he decided to just ask.
Osren smiled slightly. "Before heading this way, I studied the terrain. The Milsy Wetlands form a double-ring pattern with seven intersecting routes. Judging by Satotz's pace and trajectory, this spot is where two major paths overlap. So no matter which route you took, you'd eventually pass through here. I just waited."
Kurapika blinked. "A... double-ring what now?"
"Double-ring seven-knot formation," Osren said casually, as if that explained everything.
"Observation-based mapping," Kurapika murmured under his breath, impressed despite himself. "Through fog this thick...?" He stopped himself from asking more. Everyone was entitled to their secrets.
"Wow! That's awesome!" Gon grinned. "Osren, are you gonna become a geography-type Hunter someday?"
Osren chuckled. "Maybe. Though survivalist sounds cooler."
"But first, we have to find Leorio," Gon said, his smile fading. "He's in trouble — I think it's Hisoka."
The air seemed to chill at that name.
Osren's expression sharpened ever so slightly, but he stayed composed. "I see... Hisoka, huh?"
The swamp seemed to fall silent at that name.
He said nothing more. In a world like this, information — even knowledge — could get you killed.
So instead, he adjusted the strap on his pack and nodded toward the mist ahead.
"Let's move. We'll find him before Hisoka does."
Because in the Hunter world, courage wasn't enough — you needed cunning, timing, and above all... the will to stay alive.