076: I Don't Want To Lose A Partner I Can Talk To

Ronnel watched as Hisoka stuck out his tongue and licked the playing cards, then turned away with an eerie laugh.

Ronnel understood Hisoka's meaning, or at least the word "Hunter" that Hisoka had just spelled out with the cards.

"Don't be in such a rush. Why not enjoy the test while it lasts?" Hisoka grinned.

Ronnel dissipated the aura enveloping his arms, smirking. "I'm afraid you won't have the luxury of enjoying yourself by the time this is over."

Although Ronnel wasn't involved in the recent duel, he had an inkling that Hisoka might not fully understand the situation.

Ronnel could feel the moment he deflected Hisoka's attack. With strength rivaling Uvogin's, Hisoka must have felt some impact.

Ronnel didn't mind Hisoka's provocative antics. In fact, he welcomed them.

Though Hisoka plays a significant role and is certainly one of the more bizarre characters in the Hunter world, if he continues provoking Ronnel during the next test, Ronnel won't hesitate to end Hisoka's game early.

Watching both combatants back down, Satotz let out a sigh of relief, realizing his back was drenched in cold sweat.

"This year's applicants are something else. The champion of the Battle Olympia, and that lunatic who killed the examiner last time…" Satotz thought, glancing between Hisoka and Ronnel, as Gon and the others approached Ronnel.

"Ronnel! I didn't know you were this strong!" Gon exclaimed, his eyes sparkling with admiration.

Kurapika and Leorio stepped forward, a hint of newfound respect in their eyes. It was the instinctive awe one feels in the presence of true power.

The confrontation between Ronnel and Hisoka had only lasted a moment, and most candidates hadn't fully grasped what happened. But for those nearby, the pressure from their clash was paralyzing.

Kurapika and Leorio could sense that power too, and now they were unusually quiet. Their thoughts clouded with doubts—could they truly pass this test when faced with so many powerful candidates?

While Kurapika and Leorio worried about the future, someone else in the crowd had similar thoughts.

"No wonder the elders warned me to be careful during the Hunter Exam. With people like them around, this won't be easy," Hanzo muttered, wiping sweat from his shiny bald head.

"That power... it doesn't feel human...!"

Across the room, a silver-haired boy shared the same sentiment.

Killua stared at Ronnel and Hisoka, horror etched across his face. Pressing himself against the wall, as if doing so would shield him from their presence, Killua made a decision.

"From now on... I'll stay as far away from them as possible!"

Despite their outward calm, both Hanzo and Killua were shaken. Inwardly, their hearts were filled with fear.

Meanwhile, one of the main players in the confrontation was struggling to suppress the turbulent energy coursing through his body.

"That kind of power... terrifying. It's almost on par with Uvogin, and his speed might even surpass Feitan's. How exciting!" Hisoka thought, smiling his trademark grin, though standing apart from the others.

As Hisoka shuffled his playing cards, a faint voice reached his ears.

"I'd be careful with him if I were you. You wouldn't want to lose a partner who can hold a conversation."

Hisoka didn't bother turning to see who spoke. He knew. Gittarackur had passed him by, offering the warning, though whether Hisoka would heed it was his own decision.

With the tension from the battle dissipated, Satotz addressed the group of candidates.

"Thank you for your patience. The entry period for the Hunter Exam has officially closed," he announced.

As his words hung in the air, the atmosphere in the tunnel shifted, and every candidate's expression turned serious.

Satotz raised a finger.

"A reminder: the Hunter Exam is extremely dangerous. Those lacking the necessary skills or luck often end up seriously injured or worse."

He looked around the group, his eyes lingering briefly on Ronnel and Hisoka before continuing. "Some candidates will be eliminated early due to infighting. If anyone wishes to quit now, take the elevator back. For the rest of you, follow me."

Not a single candidate backed down. They had all worked too hard to find the first exam's location to give up so easily now.

Seeing no one retreat, Satotz began walking. "Then, the exam officially begins. We have 405 participants in total."

Satotz moved forward with a strange, effortless gait that drew no small amount of curiosity from the candidates. All 405 followed closely behind him.

"I'm Satotz, the examiner for the first phase of the Hunter Exam. Your task is simple: follow me to the second test venue. Only those who make it will pass this phase."

"But there's a catch—I won't disclose where we're headed or how long it will take. Your only job is to keep up."

Ronnel nodded to Gon and the others before following Satotz, carefully observing the examiner's movements.

"It's interesting," Ronnel thought. "That walking posture of his… it must conserve energy compared to normal running."

And so, the long-distance marathon, leading the applicants deeper into the dark underground passage, had begun.

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