Chapter 17: A Kiriko!

Trees. Trees, far as the eye can see. An owl keeps hooting while I glance at anything and everything. I keep seeing old statues along the road and signs warning about magical beasts.

Leorio: "Another beware of magical animal sign? I'm starting to think we're never going to find this stupid exam site. Guys! I'm so hungry! And I need to take a dump!"

Gon: "Leorio! We'll leave you behind!"

Kurapika: "I see it!"

There's a cabin in front of us. We walk up to it. Leorio knocks on the door, nobody answers.

Kurapika: "It's strange that they're not here… She said that there was a couple living here."

Leorio: "Doesn't seem like other applicants have reached here yet. We're the first."

Kurapika: "What shall we do?"

Leorio: "I'm going in."

Opening the door, I get a bad feeling. Looking inside, we spot a beast holding a lady while a man is on the ground bleeding. We charge in for an attack. Then I remember, I don't have a weapon.

Gon: "What is that?"

Kurapika: " A transformation magical beast, the Kiriko! They can take human form! It's an extremely intelligent creature!"

The Kirkio pounces past us with the woman in hand. Gon and Kurapika chase after it.

Kurapika: "Leorio, take care of the wounded! Esther, make sure no magical beast enters the cabin!"

E and L: "Got it!"

They run off into the woods. I and Leorio stay inside the cabin. Leorio is currently treating the man. Something about him feels off.

Leorio: "This will do for now. But you need antibiotics for that wound. Isn't there any place where the Midoguda herb grows?"

"Yes, there is but… it's kind of far and there might be magical animals around."

Leorio: "How can I take the hunter exam if I'm afraid of magical animals?"

"But…my wife, my wife is…!"

I stare at them, unsure of what to do.

Leorio: "Don't worry. Gon and Kurapika went after her, she'll do fine. They'll return shortly. Anyways, where is the place the Midoguda herb grows?"

"Ah, that is…underneath a cliff side east of here."

Esther: "I'll go."

They turn to look at me.

Esther: "What? You can't leave here, you promised Kurapika you'd watch over the wounded."

Leorio: "Didn't you promise him you'd watch out so magical animals won't enter the cabin? Anyways, do you even know how the Midoguda herb looks like?"

Esther: "no…"

I pull out a notebook from my sleeve. Can't have Gon carrying all our stuff. I walk to Leorio, and pull out a pencil.

Esther: "Describe it."

Leorio: "Do you carry that everywhere?"

Esther: "Yeah. It's for…personal use. Now tell me how the herb looks like."