Into The Unknown.

Chapter 14: Into the Unknown

Morning broke over the Kiriko's cabin, and Reinhart woke to the sounds of Gon already stretching, preparing for the journey ahead. The Kiriko family had seen them off with respectful bows the night before, their role as navigators fulfilled. Reinhart and the others were now ready for the next phase of the exam.

The group left early, walking through the misty forest path that led to Zaban City. Reinhart walked at the back, keeping an eye on their surroundings, his senses sharp. The looming challenge of the Hunter Exam hung heavy in the air, and he could feel the tension building.

After a few hours of walking, they arrived at Zaban City's bustling streets. Ruha, the Kiriko navigator, led them through the crowded avenues, winding through alleyways until they reached an inconspicuous restaurant. Its weathered exterior made it look like any other place in the city, but Reinhart knew better. He remembered from Hunter x Hunter that this was no ordinary restaurant.

Ruha stepped inside first, motioning for the group to follow. They sat down at a table, looking out of place among the regular patrons. The restaurant owner approached with a smile, and Ruha leaned in, whispering a code phrase that Reinhart barely caught. Moments later, the owner nodded and led them to the back of the restaurant where a secret elevator waited.

"This is where we part ways," Ruha said softly. "Good luck with the exam. You've made it this far. Now it's up to you."

The group nodded in thanks, and with a final glance at their guide, they stepped into the elevator. The doors closed, and the small space descended in silence, the tension rising as they neared the true start of the exam.

---

The elevator doors slid open to reveal a massive underground hall, filled with hundreds of applicants. Reinhart's eyes immediately scanned the crowd. His heart quickened as he recognized a few familiar faces—Killua, Hisoka, and, standing farther back, Illumi. The room was a mix of eager energy and silent tension, each applicant sizing up their competition.

"This is it," Gon whispered, his eyes wide with excitement. "The real exam is about to start."

As they moved further into the hall, they were handed numbered badges by an examiner. Leorio's was 403, followed by Kurapika's 404, Gon's 405, and Reinhart's 406. Reinhart stared down at the number in his hand, feeling the weight of what was to come. He knew exactly what lay ahead for them.

Before long, a man approached them. Reinhart recognized him as Topa, another applicant. His friendly smile seemed harmless enough, but Reinhart knew better than to trust appearances.

"Hey there!" Topa greeted, his tone casual. "You guys first-timers? I'm Topa. Nice to meet you."

Leorio greeted him with his usual energy, while Kurapika gave a polite nod. Gon smiled, ever friendly, but Reinhart stayed silent, keeping his guard up. He remembered this encounter well.

As Topa continued chatting with the group, their conversation was interrupted by a blood-curdling scream. Reinhart turned his head just in time to see a man clutching his severed arm, blood pooling on the floor. Hisoka stood nearby, his usual eerie smile on his face.

"That's Hisoka," Topa said quietly, his voice now more serious. "One of the most dangerous applicants here. I wouldn't get too close."

Leorio, wide-eyed with shock, muttered, "What the hell? They just let people like that into the exam?"

Kurapika, calm as ever, crossed his arms. "This exam isn't for the faint of heart. We'll see worse than this."

Gon, though more cautious now, couldn't help but be fascinated by Hisoka. His gaze lingered on the magician, but Reinhart's attention was already back on Topa, who was still a little too close for comfort.

"Want a drink?" Topa offered casually, holding out a bottle. "Might help calm the nerves."

Reinhart's eyes narrowed slightly, a dangerous glint in them. "No thanks."

Topa hesitated, caught off guard by Reinhart's cold tone and sharp gaze. With a nervous laugh, he quickly backed off. "Suit yourself," he muttered, walking away from the group, clearly unnerved.

Reinhart's instincts had kicked in. He knew Topa wasn't a threat, but in a place like this, everyone was a competitor. And some, like Hisoka, were predators in their own right.

A few moments later, the sound of footsteps echoed across the hall. A tall man in a green suit appeared, walking toward the center of the room. This was Satotz, the examiner for the first phase of the Hunter Exam.

"Welcome, applicants," Satotz said, his voice calm but commanding. "I am Satotz, your examiner for the first phase of the Hunter Exam. This phase will test your endurance. Follow me, and try not to fall behind."

Reinhart's pulse quickened. Here we go—the real test begins.

Satotz turned and began walking, his long legs carrying him forward with ease. The hundreds of applicants quickly followed, initially at a brisk pace. But as they moved deeper into the underground tunnels, Satotz began to increase his speed.

At first, the group kept up easily, but it didn't take long for them to realize that Satotz was walking faster than expected. Before long, the entire crowd was jogging, and soon they were running, their footsteps echoing through the dark, damp tunnels.

Leorio, never one to stay quiet, was the first to voice his frustration. "Is this guy trying to run us to death?!"

Kurapika, as calm as ever, smirked. "If you can't handle this, you won't make it far in the exam."

Leorio grumbled but pushed himself harder, refusing to fall behind. Gon, on the other hand, seemed to be enjoying the challenge, his natural athleticism keeping him light on his feet. Reinhart stayed close to Gon, pacing himself while keeping his senses sharp.

He had prepared for this. His training on Whale Island had pushed his endurance to new heights. Still, the exam was just beginning, and Reinhart knew that the real tests were still ahead. This was only the first phase, and already, the weaker applicants were beginning to fall back.

Reinhart's mind focused on the task ahead, but he couldn't help but glance at some of the other contestants. Hisoka was still running smoothly, his face calm, his eyes scanning the crowd like a predator waiting for the right moment to strike. Killua, too, was moving effortlessly, his speed impressive even in this setting.

As the group continued running deeper into the tunnel, Reinhart's pulse steadied. He had worked hard to be ready for this moment, and he wasn't about to fall behind now. His goal was clear—become strong enough to protect the people he cared about.

And for that, he needed to pass this exam.