Third Person POV: Gon

Zaban City, Hunter Association 287th Exam.

Underground Tunnel Marathon, Time Remaining: -25 minutes

Somewhere in the sewers,

Panic spread among a crowd of people in a dark underground passage.

“What’s going on?!”

“Why do I feel so cold suddenly?!”

“Gittarackur...Or should I say Illumi?” Gon thought while smirking as he looked at a participant’s direction. His Ren wasn’t on full display since Killua was nearby. However, he was protecting him from his opponent’s ill-intentioned En as he probed his features.

To be honest, after he arrived at Zaban City, he had entirely forgotten that this guy was also taking part in the exam that year as well.

Months before his journey here, he had remembered this detail.

One of the reasons why he had developed his Shadow Limbs skill was so he could face off against manipulators and long-rangers like Illumi. As he arrived here, however, the nearing gathering with his friends had already clouded his mind and the things he had reckoned to think seriously on:

X Close

Name: Illumi Zoldyck

Strength: 25

Fitness: 20

Wisdom: 74

Dexterity: 94

Perception: 32

Versatility: 20

Composure: 92

Charisma: 47

Physical Potential: 171

Mental Potential: 233

Total Battle Potential: 404

Classes and Aptitudes:

Hitman, Necromancer, Enchanter, Scout, Pain Resistance, Needle Master, Nen, Manipulation Nen, Body Alteration, Hypnotic Spell, Corpse Control, Needle People

Compatibilities:

Dark Priest

“He’s a lot stronger than I thought…” Gon pondered not feeling threatened one bit even after seeing the level 10 Manipulation Nen. Hisoka’s specialization Nen was at level 12, but he didn’t cower. His higher battle potential and varied nen natures would probably compensate for his level 7 Nen.

He was already able to handle Illumi somewhat a year and a half ago, so there was no reason the pattern would change now. Illumi probably made progress, but he didn't slack either.

He didn’t intend to kill any of the two, so using his Bluster Darts would only be a last resort. Things would go fine as long as they kept their distances.

Given Illumi's prudent nature, things would probably be okay. But as for Hisoka...That man was an unpredictable murderer, after all. He even had that rare bloodlust skill at level 21.

“How many people did he have to kill to raise it to such a high level?” Gon shivered as he thought of this.

At that specific moment, when the air had been filled with killing intent.

When the examinees were shaking from fear, cold, and incomprehension, time froze.

Yes, time appeared to freeze for a second as a very playful, eerie and yet gentle voice sounded for everyone to hear:

“Will you two mind if I join in the fun?”

When Gon and his opponent recognized this voice, they both turned to look at him somewhat obnoxiously, clearly aware of that person’s character and its dangerous tendencies. As the individual advanced, however, shuffling a deck of cards, he didn’t seem to notice or care for the awkwardness.

It was only when he reached a reasonable distance away from each of them, in the middle of that no man’s land that he stopped abruptly. He put his hand on his chin and examined the newcomer very oddly, even going as far as reclining his head.

“That aura...Illu…” His eyes shone for a brief instant as he realized something. However, Gittarackur reacted faster than him. To the utter shock of the people present, he flashed and appeared in front of him.

The next moment, he had shut the man’s mouth with his hands. He whispered something in the latter’s ear and grabbed him, then proceeded to pull him away from the mass.

Oddly enough, as he was dragged forcefully, that fellow didn’t put up any resistance. He only whined charmingly and teased the needle guy as they disappeared in the darkness.

“Don’t tell me these two knew each other.” Gon frowned as he watched Hisoka getting dragged like a doll. They acted a little too familiar for it not to be the case. There was no way the clown would behave so meekly unless they were on familiar terms.

As the boy remembered Greed Island, he shook his head, though. Friendship probably was a foreign concept for that oddball. He only valued people according to the level of entertainment they could procure. But those two were most likely acquainted…

“There couldn’t have been a worse association imaginable. Now I have to deal with not one, but two psychos. One is unemotional, and the other is a maniac."

Gon winced as he remembered some strange things about the clown. That guy had long since silently and furtively hidden something in his body.

“I finally have clues as for how he interfered in my fight with Pitou, but as for why…”

“Gon?”

A voice from behind finally snapped him out of his daze.

…………………………….

“What was that?” Killua asked the boy with extreme curiosity. Previously, he was shielded from the aura, but knowing him, Gon figured that he probably sensed the unusuality of nen. Sure enough, before the teen could respond, his next words confirmed the suspicions he had:

“That guy's feel was familiar somehow…”

“That…” Gon was a bit stumped for words at that moment. He wasn’t sure if he should tell him about his brother spying on him. That could ultimately compromise his plans to befriend Killua.

“What?” The latter eyes changed and turned sharp at that moment. Gon, who knew his best friend like the back of his hand, recognized that expression. If he lost Killua’s trust from the beginning, it would become troublesome later.

He could deflect to something else, even though it might have been a bit early:

“Do you know about Nen?”

“Nen?” Killua asked, confused.

“Do you see anything?” Gon used his aura to write some words in the air.

*GON FREECS*

“I can feel something, but I don’t see anything.” He replied honestly. “Are you making fun of me?”

“No, I’ll explain to you later, I promise. We don’t have time for this now.” Gon, who was laughing nervously, held the back of his head, ready to sweat any second. Lying wasn't one of his fortes.

“Hum.” Killua snorted and shrugged. He then added as he ruffled Gon’s hair:

“You’re stronger than you look, shortie. That thing you did was similar to my brother’s.

You better explain it to me later!” He teased and continued to say.

“Promise!” Gon laughed and held his finger in the air.

His friend blushed shyly. He hesitated for a few seconds before imitating the gesture and saying:

“Lame!”

……………………………………..

Ten minutes later,

“You want some?” Killua proposed the chocolates the former gave him as they waited for the examiner to arrive. They had both also received their badge numbers from that small humanoid that looked like a bean.

“No, thanks. I have a lot more where it comes from. Ask if you want more.” Gon said as he looked in his inventory with amusement. Chocolate was the right gift.

Killua was shocked when he saw the chocolates appear out of nowhere, though. Gon merely explained that it was one of the benefits of Nen.

It wasn’t that he didn’t want to explain to Killua about the status box, but they weren’t on that kind of level at the moment.

Telling him that he had died and reincarnated would only happen when their bond had reached the same strength as in his last life. Killua also didn’t have the power yet to fight against that clown if the latter ever noticed something.

Illumi and Hisoka had come back from their little stroll. Their eyes were both fixated on Gon for different reasons.

By that time, the examinees had finally calmed down when the elevator doors opened once more. The noise coming out from it was like a breath of fresh air.

The tension in the air could be felt with a spoon, the participants who were previously speechless intuitively turned to the light at that moment:

They all looked at the two new participants for several seconds before they avoided their gaze. This time, however, no one smirked.

Even Tonpa, who liked rookie-crushing to the point of madness, didn’t advance to welcome them with drinks.

There was only one reason. One of the eccentrics had gotten up.

Gon, who had just spotted the last two people he had been waiting for, strolled towards them. Before he could present himself and reach for a handshake, he scanned their info with curiosity:

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Name: Leorio Paradinight

Strength: 18

Fitness: 9

Wisdom: 6

Dexterity: 5

Perception: 9

Versatility: 4

Composure: 6

Charisma: 15

Physical Potential: 41

Mental Potential: 31

Total Battle Potential: 72

Classes and Aptitudes:

Medic, Brawling

Compatibilities:

N/A

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Name: Kurapika

Strength: 9

Fitness: 12

Wisdom: 30

Dexterity: 20

Perception: 19

Versatility: 16

Composure: 2

Charisma: 2

Physical Potential: 60

Mental Potential: 50

Total Battle Potential: 110

Classes and Aptitudes:

Scarlet eyes, Bookworm

Compatibilities:

Dark Priest