A Glimpse x Of x Shadows

Thank to QueLeo and DomikPonchiKa for donating power stones.

I planned for the novel to be long I mean over 200 chapters long at least, but since I have a job and a life outside of writing its hard to find time to write new chapters. Maybe one day I can live as an author but that is probably fantasy.

By just liking leaving a Review or voting power stones I get motivation that my story is liked and some people maybe are even checking daily for a new chapter.

I hope you like the novel and continue to support it.

Now resuming the story

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The stars twinkled brightly in the night sky. A cat caught a mouse, while a little dog curled up beside his owner, embodying the serenity of the city that never slept.

An airship, emblazoned with the Hunter Association symbol, drifted high above the city.

Inside, most of the Hunter Exam participants had eaten and were now fast asleep.

"Wow, awesome! Look, Gon!" Killua exclaimed, pointing out the window. His blue eyes glittered like jewels.

"Hmm? What is it? Whoa! It's like the ground is covered in jewels!" Gon's eyes also sparkled for a brief moment.

"Yeah! Hey, I was wondering, Killua....." Gon hesitated, glancing down nervously. "Hmm?" "Where are your mom and dad?" Killua was caught off guard by the unexpected question.

"Hmm... They're alive. Probably." "What do they do?" "They're assassins."

"Huh? Both of them?" Gon was astonished.

Killua burst into laughter. "That's your first reaction? Hahaha, you really are a riot!"

"Huh?" Gon looked puzzled. "You're the first person who's ever responded seriously." Killua continued to laugh heartily.

"Well, you're telling the truth, right?" "What makes you think that?" Killua asked, intrigued. "It's just a hunch."

"That's weird... People only like me because they can't ever tell whether I'm serious." The mood shifted with Killua's remark.

"I'm from a family of assassins. So, they're all assassins. My family has high hopes for me... But I can't stand it. Who wants their life planned out for them?" The tone shifted from serious to lighter.

"When I told them I wanted to decide my own future, they all snapped! My mother had tears streaming down her face as she told me I had the potential to be a top assassin." Gon snickered.

"Horrible parents, right? Naturally, their kid would go bad. We ended up fighting. So I stabbed my mother in the face, and my brother in the side, and ran away from home. I'm sure they're out for blood now. But if they find me, I'll send them packing."

"Hehe."

"When I become a Hunter, I'll start by capturing my family. I'm sure they're worth some hefty bounties..." Killua and Gon laughed, their conversation taking on a light-hearted tone as if discussing something trivial.

Chairman Netero rounded the corner and saw Gon and Killua sitting on a bench by the window, deep in conversation.

Netero smiled before directing a subtle fighting intent at them. Killua and Gon quickly turned to look at the corner where Netero had been.

"Something wrong?" The voice from the opposite direction startled Gon and Killua. They turned to see Netero approaching them with his old wooden shoes softly tapping against the floor.

"Ah, Netero-san... Did you see anyone coming from that side?" Gon asked, pointing to the corner opposite Netero's appearance.

"No." Netero replied casually. 'When did he...?' Killua wondered about the old man's sudden appearance. "You're pretty fast for an old man."

"That little trick? I barely moved." Chuckled Netero stroking his long beard.

Killua released his fighting intent, making his feelings clear. "What do you want? You don't have to do anything until the last phase, right?"

"No need to be so unkind. I got bored and was looking for some companions. By the way, I meant to ask the two of you... Any thoughts on your first attempt at the Hunter Exam?"

Gon answered enthusiasticly "Uh-huh! It's fun! And there haven't been any of the written exams I was dreading." Gon beamed, clearly delighted.

"I'm disappointed... I expected the exam to be far more difficult. I assume the next phase will be more entertaining?" Killua's provocation was evident.

"Well, now... I wouldn't know about that." Netero toyed with his beard, unfazed by Killua's comments.

"Let's go, Gon!" Killua, clearly annoyed, turned to leave. "Now wait just a moment. Would you care to play a game with me? Your friends are also playing."

"A game?" Gon asked with curiosity. "If you're able to defeat me, I shall let you be Hunters!" Netero's smile was confident.

"Really? I'll play!" Gon agreed eagerly. "How about it, eh?" Killua remained silent but glared at Netero with a fierce look.

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When they entered the room, Gon, Killua, and Netero found two boys drenched in sweat, leaving a puddle on the floor.

"Hey... Huff-huff... Guys..." Togiri wiped the sweat from his forehead, trying to catch his breath.

"Yo!" Fang, though sweating, was barely winded. "Togiri! Fang!" Gon called out while rushing over. "Hey!" Killua greeted them, reluctant and annoyed.

'Seems like Killua is jealous, but I never planned to become best friends with a kid who kills out of annoyance.'

@Yeah, you'd rather plan to become best friends with a kid you met under a bridge. Lol@ 'Saying Lol is very outdated and cringe, you digital piece of shit'

@ I'm technically not digital, but what would a an idito like you know@ 'Wait, what! Does that mean that yo-' Togiri and Seven's conversation was interrupted.

"Did you guys fight? Who won?" Gon asked eagerly. "I did! Hehe," Fang said with a wide grin, reveling in his victory.

"Yeah, but ONLY because we were in an empty room." The room where they fought was simple: wooden floor, soft walls.

The lamps were built into the ceiling, not hanging down. The walls were blue, round, and soft, resembling the walls of a mental hospital where people in straitjackets might be kept.

The room was otherwise empty, except for a regular clock mounted high on the wall.

"Sore loser, bhwa," Fang teased, making a silly face and sticking out his tongue. 'I should have thrown my shoes at least.' @Sore loser@

Gon, Killua, and Netero observed the aftermath with amusement. The room's atmosphere was a mix of lighthearted banter and the residue of intense competition.

Netero chuckled as he looked at the clock. "Looks like you two had quite the match."

"Yeah," Togiri panted, wiping more sweat from his brow. "It was pretty intense. We've been pushing each other hard enough to almost break the airship."

Fang nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, Togiri's been on a winning streak, but I'm getting better. Next time, I'll definitely beat him and win both matches!"

Killua raised an eyebrow. "So you guys really enjoy this kind of fighting?"

"Absolutely," Fang replied, grinning. "It's all about pushing our limits and getting stronger. Plus, it's a good way to blow off steam."

Gon looked impressed. "That sounds pretty cool. I've never really done anything like that before."

Netero, observing the interaction, seemed pleased. "Good to see you all taking the exam seriously and finding your own ways to challenge yourselves."

"Thanks, Netero-san," Fang said smiling. "So, what kind of game do you have in mind?"

Netero's eyes twinkled with mischief. "A simple one. I'll test your reflexes and strategy. If you win, you'll get a special prize."

Killua, his earlier irritation fading, looked intrigued. "What kind of prize?"

"You'll see....."