Chapter 70: First Impressions
With Haze's help, Tonpa easily passed the second exam.
Nanji's original plan had been a one-day task… but now, after two full days, only thirty people had managed to complete it.
If the time limit had stayed at a single day, the number of successful candidates would have dropped sharply.
With so few remaining, there might not even be a need for further exams…
For the third exam, the thirty candidates were divided randomly into three teams.
Each team had to travel from the starting point to the endpoint along the same route, navigating checkpoints filled with traps and they could attack other teams along the way.
It was a classic team battle.
Only fifteen slots were available.
Naturally, everyone wanted to be assigned to Haze's team.
It was obvious to anyone with half a brain that he was the strongest candidate in this exam.
However, the teams were assigned by lottery though that didn't bother Haze.
He used a few tricks and easily got himself placed on Tonpa's team, helping him advance to the fourth round.
But Haze couldn't help him with what came next.
The fourth exam involved a cruel twist the Association released several detained criminals into a designated area.
Candidates had to capture them within a set time limit.
If the criminals survived 12 hours, they would be pardoned and released immediately.
During that time, they could use any means necessary to hide, disguise, or even attack candidates.
Killing a candidate still counted as a victory.
Upon hearing the rules, Tonpa surrendered immediately, without even trying.
After being eliminated, he even went out of his way to thank Haze,
attempting to get his contact information but was firmly rejected.
The exam was brutally difficult, and the criminals chosen by the Association were frighteningly skilled.
In the end, only three people, including Haze, passed and earned their Hunter Licenses.
Even Haze could tell that the Association had noticed how weak the candidate pool was that year.
So, they shortened the process otherwise, there would have been more stages and staff.
After several days of grueling trials,
the Hunter Exam ended abruptly.
Haze and the other two boarded a spacecraft bound for the Hunter Association headquarters.
Chairman Netero did not appear again.
The Hunter Exam wasn't something that would normally trouble the old man.
His earlier appearance had been only because of Haze…
Later, when Gon's class took the exam, he showed up again only because Menchi had been too strict, rejecting everyone forcing him to intervene.
In truth, Haze's batch wasn't weak at all.
With him and another Nen user, and if Shizuku and Phinks had still been around,
their overall strength would have easily surpassed the 287th class.
In that year's exam, only Hisoka and Illumi had awakened Nen.
Still, it was inevitable the Association had clearly restructured its procedures.
This time, there was only one examiner.
In past years, the examiner would have had several assistants, additional proctors, or at least a few test officials.
"Wow… finally here."
The next day, at the Hunter Association Headquarters,
Netero stood by his office window, gazing at the blue sky and drifting clouds.
He sipped a cup of tea and chuckled softly.
He had just learned that Haze had officially joined the Association
and that a superior was briefing him on internal rules and regulations.
Behind the old man stood his secretary Beans, the bean-faced man.
Dressed neatly in a suit, Beans looked distinctly non-human:
no visible nose or ears, greenish skin, and a round, bean-shaped face.
Short and plump, he somehow managed to appear both adorable and comical.
"President, why are you so interested in that Haze fellow?"
Beans asked curiously, looking up.
"Because he's interesting,"
Netero replied, stroking his beard.
"The same old faces get boring… New blood keeps things lively."
Beans sighed, slapping his forehead.
"As I expected… you're interested in too many people, aren't you?"
In a conference room within the headquarters, Biscuit Krueger stood at the podium with her hands on her hips.
Her expression twisted with annoyance the instant she saw Haze.
So he really had come back!
The large hall was almost empty only three new Hunters were present, Haze among them.
All three had just received their Hunter Licenses.
While the other two sat upright and attentive,
Haze slouched against the table, head tilted to the side.
Even though his sunglasses hid his eyes, Bisky could tell —
he wasn't listening at all.
He was asleep.
They had already been briefed on the license procedures during the trip,
and now they were learning the internal Association rules.
"What I'm about to explain is very important,"
Bisky said sharply, raising her voice for emphasis.
"It includes the Association's regulations, as well as guidance for your future careers.
Of course, the Association won't interfere with your personal freedom or missions…"
Haze remained motionless, as if dead.
Bisky's bright eyes began to gleam with fury.
"First of all, congratulations to all three of you for passing the Hunter Exam."
"Th-thank you… thank you…"
The other two exchanged nervous glances,
feeling the killing intent radiating from the beautiful woman on stage.
They had no idea what they'd done to offend their "senpai"…
But soon, they realized —
the beautiful woman's glare was fixed squarely on Haze.
The three of them had briefly talked on the spaceship,
so they were at least acquaintances by now.
"Hey… Haze, wake up. Don't fall asleep,"
one whispered, nudging him gently with his foot.
To their horror, Haze merely shifted positions.
"Hehehe…"
Up on stage, Bisky's smile froze.
She pinched the edge of her frilly skirt with both hands,
stood on tiptoe, and beamed radiantly.
"Excuse me, boys," she said sweetly.
"Could you step outside for a moment? I'll call you back in shortly."
"…Alright."
The two exchanged glances and wisely left the room.
The moment the door closed, Bisky leapt off the stage and landed in front of Haze.
Thud!
Her foot slammed against the table,
and she grabbed Haze by the collar with both hands, shaking him violently.
Her face was dark with rage, eyes glowing red.
"You little brat… Get serious! You wanna die?!"
Haze's head spun from the shaking, his sunglasses flying off.
Seeing Bisky's fury, he replied lazily,
"Alright, alright, calm down… I'm listening! By the way, are you… going through menopause?"
"…"
Bisky's face went completely dark.
"I'll kill you—"
"Sorry, sorry! Wrong thing to say! Oh, long time no see you're looking… prettier than ever!"
Haze quickly changed tone, realizing he'd gone too far.
But it was clear he was teasing her.
Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced toward the audience corner of the room.
Bisky and the three new Hunters weren't the only ones there.
Another figure sat quietly —
a blond man in an orange pinstripe suit, smiling warmly.
He radiated a charm that made everyone feel at ease.
The moment Haze entered the room, he recognized the man.
Pariston.
He didn't know what Pariston's purpose was…
but instinctively, he felt wary.
He deliberately masked his personality,
not greeting Bisky or acknowledging her,
crafting a specific "first impression" for Pariston.
In both his previous life and this one…
Haze had always disliked him.
Becoming Pariston's target…
was never a good thing.
Though Haze's gaze was subtle,
Pariston seemed to sense it.
With a hand on his chin, he turned and waved cheerfully.
(End of Chapter)