President Netero's eyes crinkled with amusement at Wa Hachi's complaint. "Oh my, the strong ones choosing cooperation over conflict? How terribly dull for you, little frog."
Wa Hachi pouted. "It's not dull! It's just... unexpected. Usually the strong ones want to prove themselves by defeating each other."
"Usually, yes." The Captain spoke up, his pipe puffing smoke. "But these four are different. They arrived first, worked together from the beginning, and never turned on each other even when the rules changed." He glanced at the surveillance footage still playing on nearby monitors. "Watch them. They don't just cooperate—they trust. That's rarer than strength in these exams."
Netero leaned forward, interest sparking in his ancient eyes. "Show me."
The Captain gestured, and a screen shifted to show footage of the four—Kevin, Kate, Bajiao, and Goreinu—working together during the ship phase. Their coordination was seamless, their trust evident in every shared glance and unspoken decision.
"Interesting," Netero murmured. "Very interesting." He pointed at Kevin. "This one—the center. What's his story?"
"He's the one I mentioned," Wa Hachi said. "Number 49. Kevin. He and number 8, Kate, are both Nen users. Strong ones. The other two are ordinary applicants, but they've stuck with them through everything."
Netero nodded slowly, his expression thoughtful. "And the others? The drone user and the earnest young man?"
"Number 105, Rock—Nen user, materialization type. Lost to Kevin in direct combat, then joined him. Number 351, Gawain—awakened during the ship phase. Wants to be Kevin's student now, apparently." The Captain's lips twitched. "The kid's got a knight complex."
"A knight complex!" Netero laughed, a surprisingly hearty sound for such an ancient frame. "This exam gets better every year."
Zakaru, silent until now, finally spoke. His voice was like rocks grinding together. "The four who passed together—they're not just strong. They're pack. Pack hunts better than lone wolves. Pack survives."
Netero glanced at the wild examiner with something like respect. "You'd know about pack, old friend."
Zakaru grunted. "Watch them in the final phase. They'll either break records or break each other. Either way, it'll be worth watching."
The examiners fell into discussion, sharing observations and predictions about the eight survivors. Netero listened more than he spoke, his ancient eyes occasionally drifting to the screens showing the applicants resting in their lounges.
When the discussion wound down, he stood, his movements belying his age. "Well then. I should go meet our finalists properly. Give this old man a chance to see what tomorrow's Hunters are made of."
He walked to the door, then paused, turning back with a mischievous grin. "And little frog—don't worry. If they're boring in the final phase, I'll make sure to add some excitement myself."
He left chuckling, leaving the examiners to exchange glances of mingled anticipation and dread. When the Chairman decided to "add excitement," things tended to get... interesting.
In the lounge, Kevin felt a sudden chill run down his spine. He looked up from his conversation with Kate, frowning.
"What is it?" Kate asked.
"I'm not sure. Just felt like someone was... thinking about us." Kevin shook his head. "Probably nothing."
But in the back of his mind, a small voice whispered that "nothing" was rarely the case in the Hunter Exam.
The airship hummed onward, carrying eight survivors toward their final trial—and toward whatever surprises the ancient Chairman had in store.
President Netero's announcement hung in the air, met with a mixture of reactions. Wa Hachi's face fell with obvious disappointment—she'd been hoping for one of the Chairman's famously creative exams. The Captain merely nodded, having expected something practical. Zakaru grunted his approval—duels suited his straightforward nature.
"Simple and direct," Netero repeated, tapping his chin with the pen. "Eight finalists. We need four to advance to full Hunter status. So—single elimination bracket. Winners become Hunters. Losers try again next year, if they wish."
"That's it?" Wa Hachi asked, still hoping for more.
"That's it." Netero's eyes twinkled mischievously. "But I'll be watching each match personally. And if anyone catches my interest..." He let the implication hang.
The examiners exchanged glances. When the Chairman took a personal interest, opportunities arose—special missions, unique training, sometimes even direct mentorship. The eight finalists had no idea what awaited them.
"When do we start?" the Captain asked.
"Dawn tomorrow. Give them one night to rest, recover, and prepare." Netero stood, stretching with a series of pops that sounded like small explosions. "I'll announce the format tonight. Let them stew on it overnight."
He shuffled toward the door, then paused. "Oh, and little frog—if you want excitement, watch number 49's match. Something tells me he won't be boring."
That evening, the eight finalists gathered in the airship's main cabin. Netero stood before them, looking more like a cheerful grandfather than the most powerful Nen user in the world.
"Congratulations on making it this far," he began. "Thirty-two started the exam. Two hundred entered the first phase. One hundred five survived to the second. Twenty-six made it to the third. And now—eight of you stand here."
He let the numbers sink in. The weight of their achievement was palpable.
"Tomorrow at dawn, you'll face the final test. It's simple: single elimination duels. Winners become Hunters. Losers go home and try again." He smiled benignly. "Any questions?"
Gawain's hand shot up immediately. "Chairman! Are there any rules regarding honor and conduct during the duels?"
Netero's eyebrows rose. "Honor? Conduct?" He chuckled. "Young man, the only rule is that you don't kill your opponent. Everything else is fair game. This isn't a knight's tournament—it's a Hunter exam."
Gawain's expression flickered—disappointment mixed with determination. He nodded solemnly.
Bajiao leaned toward Kevin. "That kid's going to have a rough time if he keeps that attitude."
Kevin nodded slightly. The exam wasn't about honor. It was about survival, adaptability, and results.
Rock spoke next. "How are opponents determined? Random draw?"
"Points," Netero said. "Highest scorer faces lowest. Second highest faces second lowest. And so on." He glanced at Kevin. "Looks like you'll have your choice of opponent, number 49."
Kevin's mind immediately began calculating. The matchups would be:
Kevin (585) vs. Goreinu (250)
Rock (510) vs. Bajiao (270)
Kate (500) vs. Astrand (300)
Gawain (340) vs. Iquel (335)
The numbers were stark. The top four scorers—all Nen users—would face the bottom four. On paper, it was a slaughter.
But Kevin knew better than to trust paper. Goreinu was resourceful, clever, and had survived this far through wits as much as strength. Bajiao's spear gun and unpredictable nature could cause problems. Astrand's sheer size and Iquel's wiry speed were unknowns.
And Gawain—newly awakened, untrained, but burning with conviction—might surprise everyone.
"When do we learn our opponents?" Kate asked.
"Now. I just told you." Netero grinned. "Use the night to prepare. Rest, strategize, or make peace with your gods. Tomorrow at dawn, we begin."
He turned to leave, then paused. "Oh, and one more thing. I'll be watching each match personally. Impress me, and there might be... opportunities. Disappoint me, and..." He shrugged. "Well, you'll still be Hunters if you win. Just ordinary ones."
With that, he shuffled out, leaving the eight finalists to digest their fates.
The lounge was quiet for a long moment after Netero's departure. Then, slowly, the eight began to react.
Goreinu's face had gone pale. "I'm fighting Kevin." His voice was barely a whisper.
Bajiao clapped him on the shoulder, though his own expression was grim. "And I'm fighting Rock. At least you know Kevin won't hurt you too badly."
"That's not the point! He's—he's—" Goreinu gestured helplessly at Kevin, who sat calmly nearby. "He's him."
Kevin met Goreinu's eyes across the room. "We'll talk later," he said quietly. "Privately."
Across the lounge, Astrand and Iquel were already in quiet conversation, strategizing about their matches against Kate and Gawain respectively. Gawain sat alone, his expression a mixture of excitement and nervousness, occasionally glancing at Iquel—his opponent—with something like respect.
Rock approached Kevin. "This is... convenient. The four of us in the top spots."
"Convenient, but not guaranteed." Kevin glanced at him. "Bajiao's unpredictable. Goreinu's clever. Don't underestimate them just because they're not Nen users."
"I won't." Rock paused. "What about you? Going to take it easy on your friend?"
Kevin was quiet for a moment. "I'm going to give him a choice."
Later that night, Goreinu found Kevin on the observation deck, staring out at the stars. The air hummed softly around them, the only sound the distant thrum of the airship's engines.
"You wanted to talk," Goreinu said, moving to stand beside him.
"I did." Kevin didn't turn. "Tomorrow, we fight. I won't hold back—that would insult you. But I want you to know: whatever happens, you've earned my respect. You survived this far on your own merits, not riding anyone's coattails."
Goreinu's throat tightened. "Kevin..."
"When the match starts, come at me with everything. Don't hesitate, don't pull punches. Show me what you've got." Finally, Kevin turned to face him. "And if you lose—and you probably will—don't be discouraged. Take what you've learned and come back next year stronger. The Hunter license isn't going anywhere."
Goreinu nodded slowly. "You're... you're really something, you know that?"
"So I've been told." Kevin smiled faintly. "Get some rest. Tomorrow's going to be a long day."
They stood together for a moment longer, two friends on the eve of becoming opponents, before Goreinu turned and walked back inside.
Kevin remained on the deck, watching the stars wheel overhead. Somewhere in the darkness, the final exam waited.
He was ready.
President Netero's eyes sparkled with recognition. "Ah, Biscuit Krueger. That girl has good taste when she chooses students. Rare, but good." He chuckled. "How is she these days? Still obsessing over her muscle training videos?"
Kevin couldn't help but smile. "She's... exactly the same. Training constantly, complaining about her appearance, and terrifying anyone who underestimates her."
"That sounds like Biscuit." Netero leaned back, his expression warm with memory. "I taught her when she was just a little girl, you know. Fierce as a tiger even then. Couldn't keep her out of fights."
"I can believe that."
They sat in comfortable silence for a moment. Then Netero's expression shifted—still friendly, but with something sharper beneath.
"First question: Why do you want to become a Hunter?"
Kevin had expected this. He'd thought about his answer carefully.
"Because the license opens doors. Access to restricted areas, information networks, resources I can't get otherwise." He paused. "But more than that—because Hunters are free. They choose their own paths, pursue their own goals. I have things I need to do, people I need to protect, and a future I'm building. Being a Hunter gives me the tools and the freedom to do all of that."
Netero nodded slowly. "Practical AND idealistic. A good combination." He tapped his pen. "Second question: Among the candidates in this exam, who do you think is the strongest?"
Kevin didn't hesitate. "Me."
"Oh?" Netero's eyebrows rose. "Confident. What about your friend Kate? He seems quite capable."
"Kate is strong. Very strong. But we've trained together, fought together, and I know where our limits are." Kevin met Netero's gaze steadily. "Right now, I'm stronger. That might change in the future—he's still growing, still developing his own path. But today, in this exam, I'm the strongest."
Netero studied him for a long moment, his ancient eyes unreadable. Then he laughed—a genuine, delighted sound.
"Biscuit taught you well! Confidence without arrogance, strength without cruelty." He leaned forward. "One more question, unofficial. Just between us."
Kevin nodded.
"That ability of yours—the potions. I've heard whispers about it from the examiners. Biscuit mentioned it too, in passing." Netero's voice dropped slightly. "What's your long-term plan with it? Sell to the highest bidder? Build an empire? Or something else?"
Kevin considered his answer carefully. Netero wasn't just asking out of curiosity—he was assessing, evaluating, perhaps even warning.
"I'm building something," Kevin said slowly. "A network. A forge, if you will. People with skills and talents who can work together, support each other. The potions are part of that—a resource I can provide, a reason for people to want to work with me." He met Netero's eyes. "But I'm not interested in controlling anyone. Just... creating something lasting. Something that outlasts me."
Netero was silent for a long moment. Then he smiled—not his mischievous old man grin, but something deeper, more genuine.
"Good answer." He stood, extending his hand. "Welcome to the Hunter Association, Kevin. Assuming you win your match tomorrow—which I'm sure you will—I look forward to seeing what you build."
Kevin shook his hand, feeling the incredible power coiled beneath that frail-looking frame. "Thank you, Chairman."
"Oh, call me Isaac. Or Old Man. Everyone does." Netero waved dismissively. "Now go. Send in the next poor soul."
Kevin left the room, his mind buzzing with implications. The Chairman knew about his abilities. Knew about his plans. And hadn't objected—had actually seemed approving.
That was either very good or very dangerous. Time would tell which.
One by one, the candidates filed through the interview. Gawain spoke passionately about honor and justice. Rock talked about exploration and discovery. Iquel mentioned her family's legacy of Hunters. Astrand grunted something about "getting stronger" that made Netero chuckle.
Bajiao, when his turn came, spent five minutes explaining the spiritual connection between haiku and hunting before Netero gently steered him back to the questions.
Goreinu answered simply: "I want to prove I'm more than just lucky."
By the time the interviews ended, night had fallen. The eight candidates gathered one last time before dawn—some nervous, some confident, all aware that tomorrow would change their lives forever.
In the observation deck, Kevin stood alone, watching the stars. Tomorrow he would fight Goreinu. A friend, now an opponent.
But that was the nature of the exam. The nature of the life he'd chosen.
Behind him, footsteps approached. Kate.
"Can't sleep?"
"Just thinking." Kevin didn't turn. "About tomorrow. About after. About everything."
Kate moved to stand beside him. "Nervous?"
"Surprisingly, no." Kevin smiled faintly. "Ready, I think. For whatever comes."
They stood together in silence, two hunters on the eve of their final trial, watching the stars wheel overhead.
Dawn would come soon enough.
The five-day journey gave the eight finalists time to rest, reflect, and prepare. For Kevin, it was a chance to check his supplies, meditate on his Nen, and think about the future. The interviews had been revealing—not just about the other candidates, but about the Chairman himself.
Netero was exactly as Bisky had described: unpredictable, playful, but with depths that no one could fully fathom. His questions seemed simple, but Kevin suspected they revealed more than the candidates realized.
On the fifth day, the airship descended through clouds to reveal a sprawling landscape below—the Kakin Empire, a nation of gleaming cities and vast rural stretches, its power evident in every carefully cultivated field and prosperous town.
"Kakin," Kate said, standing beside Kevin at the observation window. "I've heard of it. Never visited."
"Any particular reason?"
"Too... organized for my taste." Kate smiled faintly. "I prefer places with more chaos. More room to move."
Kevin understood. Kate was a hunter in the truest sense—not just of beasts or bounties, but of information, of secrets, of the unknown. Ordered societies had fewer secrets to uncover.
The airship landed at a military airfield on the empire's eastern coast. Waiting for them was a convoy of sleek black vehicles, escorted by soldiers in crisp uniforms.
"An official reception," Rock observed, hovering nearby with his ever-present drones retracted for now. "The Kakin Empire takes the Hunter Exam seriously."
"They take everything seriously," Astrand rumbled. The massive man had spoken little during the journey, but when he did, his words carried weight. "Kakin wants to be recognized as a great power. Hosting the final exam is part of that."
The eight candidates were loaded into the vehicles and driven through the city. Kevin watched the streets pass—modern architecture mixed with traditional, people of all classes going about their daily lives, occasional glimpses of military patrols.
Organized, he thought, echoing Kate's word. But not oppressive. They've found a balance.
The convoy eventually arrived at a massive arena on the city's outskirts. It looked like a cross between a coliseum and a fortress—towering walls, multiple levels of seating, and at its center, a flat expanse of packed earth that could serve any number of purposes.
"The Kakin Imperial Arena," their escort announced. "Built three centuries ago for the annual Games of Strength. Now, it hosts only the most significant competitions. Like the Hunter Exam final."
They were led inside, through corridors lined with ancient stone and modern security systems, until they emerged into a private viewing box high above the arena floor. President Netero was already there, along with the examiners and several unfamiliar faces—Kakin officials, by their ornate clothing.
"Welcome, welcome!" Netero waved cheerfully. "Come, see your battleground. Tomorrow at dawn, the first match begins. Tonight, you rest. Eat well. Sleep well. Leave your worries for tomorrow."
The candidates gathered at the railing, looking down at the arena floor. It was vast—easily two hundred meters across, with high walls that would prevent escape and multiple entry points for dramatic entrances.
"A duel on that stage," Bajiao murmured. "With all those seats filled with spectators."
"Kakin loves its spectacles," Kate said. "They'll probably broadcast it across the empire."
Kevin said nothing. He was studying the arena, noting sightlines, potential cover (minimal), escape routes (none), and the composition of the earth (packed hard, but could be broken with sufficient force).
His mind was already running scenarios.
Goreinu, standing beside him, was pale but determined. "I'm going to lose," he said quietly. "But I'm not going to make it easy."
Kevin glanced at him. "That's all anyone can ask."
They returned to their quarters—luxurious suites prepared by the Kakin government, complete with baths, comfortable beds, and more food than any of them could eat. Kevin spent the evening in quiet contemplation, reviewing his Nen, checking his potion supplies, and thinking about the fight to come.
At midnight, a knock came at his door.
It was Gawain, looking nervous but determined.
"Kevin-san," he began. "I know tomorrow we all face our own battles. But I wanted to ask... if I win, and you win, and we meet in the next round..."
"You want to fight me?"
Gawain nodded solemnly. "I need to test myself against the strongest. To see if my knight's path is true."
Kevin studied him for a long moment. The kid was earnest, almost painfully so. But there was something admirable in his dedication.
"If we meet, I won't hold back."
"I would expect nothing less." Gawain bowed formally. "Thank you, Kevin-san. Win tomorrow."
He left before Kevin could respond.
Kevin stood in the doorway for a moment, then shook his head with a faint smile. This exam keeps getting stranger.
He returned to his room and slept deeply, without dreams.
Dawn came quickly.