Chapter 23: Against the Rules?

A ringing sounds in the cave. The wall that I was sitting on starts to move up. I jump forwards, not gonna let myself fall. Turning back, I see a man without a mouth. Wait, maybe his moustache is his mouth?

"I apologize for the wait."

He speaks.

"The entry period for hunter applicants has ended. The hunter exam will now begin!"

I can feel the air shift, everyone seems pumped.

"A final caution. If you are short on luck or ability, you could very well end up seriously injured or even dead. Those who accept the risks, please follow me. Otherwise, please exit via the elevator behind you."

Hahaha, Heck No! I'd rather run then get motion sickness again! No-one leaves, guess that means they are fine with it.

"Very well. All 405 applicants will participate in Phase One."

405? Guess handles guy doesn't count anymore. He turns around and puts his foot on the ground. He starts walking forwards. We begin to follow. I walk to where Gon and the others are, Killua follows. The moustache guy starts picking up the pace, we start running.

"I neglected to introduce myself. I am Satotz, the Phase One examiner. I shall lead you to the exams 2nd phase."

"2nd phase? What about phase 1?"

"It has already commenced."

The applicants talk amongst themselves. They seem surprised.

Killua: "Guess we just gotta follow him."

"You must follow me to phase 2."

Esther: "Yeap."

" I cannot tell you where or when you must arrive. You need only to follow me."

Esther: "This must be some sort of endurance test. He must be testing for our physical and mental fortitude. Ah, just how devastating is the exam going to be?!"

I hear the sound of wheels rolling along the ground. I turn to Killua and see him riding on a skateboard.

Esther: "Oh, you can do that?"

Killua: "Didn't he say we only need to follow him?"

Esther: "You're right."

I put my hand in my sleeve and 'conveniently' pull out a skateboard. Killua looks surprised that I can fit that in there.

Killua: "How did you stuff in that skateboard in your sleeve?"

Esther: "Just can."

I put the skateboard on the ground and jump onto it. Now both of us are skating. After skating for two hours, I hear Leorio shout.

Leorio: "You should show the hunter exam some respect!"

Killua: "What do you mean?"

Leorio: "Why are you using a skateboard? That's cheating!"

Esther: "Why?"

Leorio: "Why? This is an endurance test!"

Gon: "No it isn't."

Leorio: "Gon! What are you saying?"

Gon: "The examiner only said to follow him."

Leorio: "Who's side are you on?!"

Killua and I lessen our pace to meet up with Gon.

Killua: "Hey, how old are you?"

Gon: "I'm 12 years old."

Esther: "Same here."

Killua jumps off his skateboard.

Killua: "Guess I'll run too."