Swindlers Swamp

I'm bored. The tunnel is so quiet now that I've gone ahead of everyone. And now I'm just waiting at the end of the tunnel. I can see swindlers swamp from here but i wont enter, cuz then all of the beasts that inhabit here So, I summon Tusk Act 1, letting the little pink creature float in front of me.

"Hey, little guy," I say, tilting my head as I study it. Tusk blinks its big, soulful eyes at me, its tiny hands resting on its round body. It's adorable, honestly.

I flick my finger, shooting out a nail just to see how it moves. The nail spins mid-air, slicing through the faint light and embedding itself into the wall. Tusk bobs happily, as if pleased with its handiwork. I grin.

"You're cute," I say, poking at its stubby arm. It grabs my finger in response, giving it a soft squeeze. I can't help but laugh. It's really cute, I like it.

Still, there's only so much fun I can have alone. I lean back in my chair, Tusk disappearing with a flick of my wrist. I glance down the tunnel, wondering how far back the others are.

---

Kurapika and Leorios perspective

Far behind, the crowd of examinees is running, their footsteps echoing loudly in the tunnel. Leorio, huffing and puffing, adjusts his glasses and glances at Kurapika.

"That kid," Leorio says, his voice strained from the run, "the one in the wheelchair. Johnny or whatever. Did you see how he sped past everyone like it was nothing a few minutes ago?"

Kurapika nods, his expression thoughtful. "Yes. His abilities are… unusual, to say the least."

Leorio frowns, his tone dropping. "He gives me bad vibes. I don't know, man. Someone who can do that to anyone without even flinching? Bad news. We should steer clear of him."

Kurapika slows his pace slightly, his crimson eyes narrowing in contemplation. "Perhaps. But I don't think he's as sinister as you believe. Did you see his eyes?"

Leorio raises an eyebrow. "His eyes what you think hes some innocent child?"

"Yes," Kurapika replies. "There's a great deal of suffering in them. It's as though he's lost everything, his entire family, maybe even his purpose. And now, he's found a glimmer of hope. Something is driving him, something powerful. I don't think he's dangerous to us, Leorio. He's… determined."

Kurapika thinks for a bit. "And yes I do think he's some innocent kid, too innocent. As if there isn't a problem in the world with killing, like its a game. But he isn't evil ... or atleast i think."

Leorio huffs. "Whatever you say, but his abilities? Unnatural and terrifying. I'm keeping my distance."

Kurapika doesn't respond, but the faintest hint of a smile tugs at his lips. "I think he's trustworthy. Time will tell."

---

Hisokas perspective

At the back of the pack, Hisoka runs at a leisurely pace, his strides smooth and effortless. A sinister smile curls on his lips as he watches the other examinees push themselves to their limits.

"Hmm, we should be about halfway by now," he muses aloud, his voice soft and playful. His gaze flicks forward, where Johnny disappeared earlier.

"That boy," Hisoka murmurs, his grin widening. "Such potential. So much raw, untapped talent. And that bag…" His eyes narrow slightly. "It's not just a bag. Whatever's inside is radiating power, and he knows it."

Hisoka licks his lips, his excitement barely contained. "Oh, Johnny Joestar. I wonder how long it'll take for you to bloom."

---

Killua and Gon Perspective

Killua and Gon run side by side, their conversation light and easy despite the grueling running.

"Man," Killua says, glancing at Gon, "did you see what that guy in the wheelchair did to the poison soda guy?"

Gon nods, his expression a mix of awe and concern. "Yeah. It was… intense. He didn't even hesitate."

Killua smirks. "Deserved, sure, but that was brutal. He twisted the guy into… well, you saw."

Gon tilts his head. "I think it'd be cool to learn how to do that someday."

Killua raises an eyebrow. "Yeah, maybe. But did you notice the bag he has tied to his chair? There's something weird about it. Like, really weird."

Gon nods thoughtfully. "It felt… powerful. I wonder what's inside."

Their conversation trails off as they approach the staircase. Both boys stop in their tracks, their eyes widening.

"Is that…?" Killua begins, but his words fade as Gon steps forward, awe written across his face.

"Yeah ... we gotta run up stairs!" Gon says excitedly

Killua stares at him

...

"Gon ... why are you excited?!?"

---

Satotz The Examiners Perspective

At the front of the group, Satotz maintains his steady pace, his footsteps echoing in the tunnel. His thoughts, however, are far from calm.

"That boy," he mutters to himself, recalling the moment Johnny sped ahead. "Such potential. But there's something… dark about him."

Satotz's eyes narrow as he remembers the look in Johnny's eyes. "He reminds me of someone who's been locked away for a long time. Like a prisoner finally unleashed. It's unsettling."

He shakes his head, trying to focus. "For now, he seems contained. But if that changes…"

His thoughts are interrupted as the end of the tunnel comes into view. He straightens, his expression calm once more as he prepares to address the examinees.

The first phase is almost over.

---

Johnny's Perspective

The group eventually arrives, and the atmosphere grows heavier as the tunnel gives way to a misty expanse. The ground is damp, the air thick with humidity, and visibility is almost nonexistent due to the dense mist curling around everything. At the forefront stands Satotz, calm and poised as ever. His presence somehow radiates authority despite his peculiar appearance.

"This is the second phase of the Hunter Exam," Satotz begins, his deep voice cutting through the mist.

Before he can explain further, a figure emerges from the haze, dragging a limp, lifeless body. It's… some guy? My eyes widen as I glance between the two figures. The newcomer looks identical to Satotz, except this one is covered in bruises and scrapes and dragging the body of a monkey that looks like Satotz, his expression twisted in anger.

"I am the real examiner!" the newcomer declares, throwing the limp body forward. "That," he points a trembling finger at the first Satotz, "is no man. It's a creature from the Swindler's Swamp—a deceptive, man-eating monkey in disguise!"

Gasps ripple through the crowd. Even Hanzo, the ninja who had seemed so confident earlier, furrows his brow and mutters, "It… kind of makes sense. The way he walks is a little… off."

The fake examiner points at Satotz, almost shouting "Believe what you want," he says. "But only the real examiner can lead you to the second phase."

The tension is palpable. Most of the group starts murmuring in agreement with the fake Satotz. The idea of the examiner being some sort of monkey-thing feels plausible, absurd as it sounds. I glance at the others. A lot of them look convinced.

Hisoka, standing off to the side with a predatory smirk, suddenly steps forward.

Before anyone can react, Hisoka flicks his wrist, sending a razor-sharp playing card hurtling toward each Examiner. The card aimed at the fake Examiner slices clean through his throat, blood spraying as the imposter collapses to the ground, lifeless.

The "dead monkey" the fake examiner was dragging suddenly looks up afraid and scurrys off into the swamp.

The real Satotz, meanwhile, catches the card effortlessly, holding it between two fingers. Hisoka grins. "A true examiner would be able to catch an attack like that," he remarks.

Satotz raises an eyebrow but otherwise remains calm. "A clever test, I shall take it as a complimentary " he says, his tone even. "But if you attempt something like that again, I'll have you disqualified."

The group collectively exhales, and Satotz steps forward. "The Swindler's Swamp is a dangerous place," he warns. "Every creature here will try to deceive you, just like that imposter did. Some of you were convinced just now, weren't you?"

A few examinees glance away sheepishly, muttering denials.

"If you want to survive, follow closely behind me. Even if you lose sight of me in the mist, listen for my voice. I will guide you to the next phase."

With that, the group sets off into the swamp, Satotz leading the way.

---

I stick close to the side of the group at first, wheeling forward behind him but not with the main group as the mist thickens around us. The swamp is eerily quiet, save for the occasional croak of a distant frog or the squelching of mud beneath my wheels.

But it doesn't take long for the peace to shatter.

Out of nowhere, a blinding light floods my vision. I shield my eyes with one hand, squinting as a massive shape descends from above. It's a pterodactyl-like creature, its wings beating with deafening force, and atop its head is a glowing bulb that shines like a miniature sun.

The creature lets out an ear-splitting screech and dives straight for me. Instinct takes over, and I swing a punch as it nears. My fist connects with its leathery hide, and the force sends it reeling back a few feet. But the creature is smart. It recovers quickly and shifts tactics, using the blinding light on its head to disorient me.

I can barely see. My eyes water as the harsh glow sears my retinas, and the next thing I know, claws rake across my arm, drawing blood.

"Damn it!" I hiss, firing off a nail in the creature's direction.

The Spin hums through the air, but the pterodactyl is fast. It dodges my badly aimed nail bullet with ease, circling around for another attack. My heart pounds as I try to aim another shot, but the light is too overwhelming. I can't see a thing.

But wait... I have an idea. If i can use tusk act for to guide my hand then ...

"Hinc peto, Movero manum"

It's Tusk. The creature's Latin words resonate in my mind. It's weird, like i don't know what it says but I understand its meaning.

Its telling me to move my hand, but where? Oh wait i see what to do.

I let go of my doubt, trusting its guidance. Tusk descends from floating above me to grabbing my hand and I relax my arm, letting tusk drag it to adjust my aim, and with Tusk's help, I fire a nail that hits straight at the bulb on the pterodactyl's head.

The nail hits its mark. The bulb shatters, liquid spilling out as the creature lets out a pained shriek.

"You're not so tough now, are you?" I mutter, gripping the pterodactyl's head as it swoops low. "Can't hide behind that SHITTY light huh?"

Summoning all my strength, I punch it as hard as I can, crushing its skull into a red stain on the swamp floor.

The creatures body twitches once, then goes still.

Breathing heavily, I glance at the scratches and cuts on my arms and legs. They sting, but I don't have time to dwell on them. I tighten the straps of the bag tied to my wheelchair, muttering a quiet thanks to Tusk before pressing on.

But I'm pretty sure I used a little bit of ren. I could feel my aura extend to attack. Nen really is linked to my emotions. I don't know how i got that angry that fast though... strange.

Still, that dumb pterodactyl got me lost.

---

The mist grows thicker as I move forward, the sound of my wheels cutting through the muck the only thing keeping me grounded. Then, up ahead, I spot something unusual: a trail of oddly spaced footsteps, followed by several rushed imprints.

Satotz's footsteps, I realize. And the panicked ones of the other candidates.

I press on, following the trail, but my progress is interrupted yet again. Emerging from the mist are three massive creatures, turtle-like beasts with dinosaur heads and strawberry-shaped growths on their backs.

Along with a group of bodies and pools of blood underneath them.

Shit, in the anime the main group ran into them and most of them were lucky to avoid it, but the fact that there's already body's here means that they passed already. And the bloods already mixing with the wet ground ... I'm late.

Their beady eyes lock onto me, and they charge.

I grit my teeth, gripping the wheels of my chair. "Alright," I mutter. "Let's see what you've got."

One of the creatures lunges, snapping its jaws inches from my face. I push off the ground, using Spin energy to flow through the wheels and propel myself forward. The centrifugal force flings me straight at the creature's neck.

I grab onto its thick, scaly hide and channel the Spin into its body. The energy twists through its neck like an invisible drill, and the creature lets out a guttural roar as its muscles contort unnaturally.

But the other two turtles aren't idle. One of them swings its massive tail, nearly knocking me off my perch.

Thankfully it's only hit my wheelchair, and as my spin energy flows with the wheelchair freely, its center of gravity is actually attached to me. So when it was send flying I could remotely make it spin and come back like a boomerang towards its center, me.

And as the turtle turns its neck to bite me as its muscles resist the spin. The wheelchair hits its head hard, making it subconsciously relax it's neck muscles. A very bad move, giving me an opportunity to destory it.

I hang on, gritting my teeth as I direct more Spin into the first turtle's neck, without much resistance im able to make it spin.

Finally, with a sickening crack, the creature collapses, its head lolling to the side.

I don't have time to celebrate. The remaining two turtles charge, their fake strawberries bouncing with each step. I use the momentum of the first turtle's collapse to launch myself toward the next one, spinning the wheels of my chair to stabilize myself mid-air.

As I land on the second turtle's back, I. repeat the process by jabbing my finger in its eyes causing it to panic and relax its muscles, my ten thankfully protects my fingers from much harm and im able immideatly put Spin energy into its neck with the same hand. The creature struggles, but the Spin overtakes it, twisting its neck until it falls lifeless.

The third turtle hesitates, seemingly unsure of whether to attack. Taking the opportunity, I reverse the Spin on the second turtle's neck, re-activating its powerful muscles to fling myself toward Satotz's direction.

I fly through the air, soaring for a moment before I land with a jarring thud near the examiner, breathing heavily but alive. My cuts sting, my muscles ache, but I'm here.

Satotz glances at me briefly but says nothing, his calm demeanor unshaken. I straighten myself in my chair, gripping the wheels tightly as I prepare for whatever comes next.

The stage isn't finished yet. And I've already gone through hell. Man this is hard.