The landing went off without a hitch.
Kurapika touched down on the crest of a hill. He'd deliberately steered his parachute to this spot, the darkness posing little challenge to his senses. "Where to begin?"
According to the examiner, they had to wait for the countdown to start. Scanning was forbidden until then, so the test was in a latent phase. Kurapika smiled. "This Rippo's a sly one."
During the drop, candidates were released in ascending order of their badge numbers—and announced by those numbers. It seemed trivial, but considering the ways to earn points, it clicked. The third method involved scanning your prey's badge. With so many candidates eliminated and little time to memorize badge numbers, the announced drop was a "gift" to level the playing field.
Kurapika checked his watch and pressed the red button. The number displayed: 451. He knew who it was. "Do I hunt them?"
It wasn't a standout candidate, so Kurapika had no qualms about targeting his prey. Delaying could lower his chances of scanning their badge. If his calculations were right, most candidates' badges would have only one scan left once the test began. The second method—scanning your own badge for 500 points—would be the go-to move. Few would pass it up.
Kurapika sat cross-legged on the ground. "First things first, let's eat. An empty stomach accomplishes nothing."
He opened his bag, revealing a stash of food he'd taken from the dirigible. Though he'd expected the test to start with a tower like in the canon, he hadn't anticipated hours without a proper meal. 'Funny they let me take so much. Did others think the same?'
With a self-directed "bon appétit," he dug in. It was a bold move. Though the test hadn't officially started, lowering his guard so much was unwise. While scanning was inactive, nothing stopped candidates from hunting early. There was also the possibility that, unlike candidates, the criminals faced no countdown, making candidates the prey for now.
Kurapika was fully aware of this. His relaxed demeanor stemmed from his confidence that the criminals on the island were likely B-rank at most, possibly C. B would be daring, even for the Hunter Exam, but Kurapika factored in Netero's unpredictability. The old man was capable of anything.
As for the criminals, Kurapika had little to fear. His current level made him untouchable against non-Nen users, and even then, it would take significant skill or a potent ability to challenge him. His only real hurdle was passing the test.
'I wonder if he'll behave.' Kurapika's thoughts drifted to Hisoka as he tore into a chicken thigh. In their last clash, he'd ensured a clear power ranking, but having read the manga's scans, he knew better than to underestimate the clown.
'And then there's him.' Illumi Zoldyck. Though disguised, Kurapika knew his identity. 'If they teamed up… no, unlikely.' Hisoka wasn't the type to share prey, even with a "friend."
Still, Kurapika considered the scenario. Having read the manga and lived in this world, he knew to always anticipate the worst.
Time passed as he sipped a fruit juice, his hearty meal done. He'd planned to save some food but got carried away. Gazing at the starry sky, he reflected. Five years had passed since he'd taken over Kurapika's body in this world—five years since he was abruptly thrust into it.
His memories of his original world, Earth, and his family were fading. Yet some faces lingered: his mother's. Her memory was his deepest pain. Unlike reincarnators who easily embraced their new fate, Kurapika had attachments—friends, a girlfriend, a family. Early on, he'd clung to the hope that this was a dream he'd wake from. Five years had crushed that illusion. He was far from his world, with slim to no chance of returning.
Still, he nurtured a mad hope of going back, if only to say goodbye to his mother. After lingering on near-forgotten memories, Kurapika sighed and fixed his gaze on the horizon.
His watch vibrated. The countdown had begun.
He stood. "Let's hunt before regrouping with the others." With that, Kurapika vanished like a mirage.
---
Elsewhere on the island, a young boy trudged through a dense, humid forest. Finding a boulder, Gon sat down. "Okay, I need to recall the rules."
Barely five minutes after landing, he'd already forgotten the test's details. "Ugh! Okay, I know it's about scanning badges, criminals, prey… Oh, right!" He suddenly remembered the moments before the drop.
---
"Gon, you forgot the rules, didn't you?" Kurapika asked. Embarrassed, Gon scratched the back of his head.
"What?!" Leorio exclaimed. "For real, Gon?"
"Haha, I'm not the sharpest, you know…" Gon managed.
Leorio clapped a hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry, Uncle Leorio's got you! Here's the deal: we need 1000 points to pass. There are three ways to do it. One, scan the tattoos of criminals on the island for 10 points each. Two, scan your own badge for 500 points, or other candidates' badges for 100 points. Three, hunt the candidate with your prey's badge number for 1000 points. Plus, there are key rules: badges can only be scanned twice, and a watch can only scan a badge once. If—"
"Leorio, he's fried," Kurapika interrupted, pointing to steam rising from Gon's head.
"Damn it, Gon, it's simple!" Leorio huffed. "Fine, I'll explain again."
As he started, Kurapika clamped a hand over his mouth. "Enough, Leorio. I'll handle it."
Leorio shoved his hand away. "Did you wash your hands, you idiot?!" he snapped, wiping his mouth.
Ignoring him, Kurapika placed both hands on Gon's shoulders, crouching to meet his eyes. "It's good you forgot everything."
"Huh?!" Gon blinked, startled.
"Listen, here's the foolproof way to pass this test," Kurapika continued. "Follow these three steps, nothing else. Good news: it's just three things."
"Really?" Gon's face lit up. "What are they, Kurapika? Tell me!"
Leorio, pretending disinterest, leaned in to listen.
Kurapika smiled. "One, scan your badge. Two, scan five other candidates' badges. Three, don't let your badge get scanned—keep it on you. Simple, right?"
"Yeah, that's way easier! Thanks, Kurapika!" Gon beamed.
Kurapika smiled again and glanced at Leorio. "That goes for you too."
"Who do you take me for?" Leorio scoffed. "I'll ace this test, just watch!"
Kurapika shook his head and turned back to Gon. "Don't forget those three things, okay? I'm counting on you."
"Got it!"
---
Back in the present, Gon grinned. *I almost forgot even that.* He laughed at himself, then stood, dusting off his shorts. His expression turned serious as he stared into a corner of the woods. "It's rude to stare like that."
Silence followed, then a chuckle. "Looks like I've been spotted," a voice said.
A tall man emerged from the trees, stepping into view. "I was planning to knock you out and scan your badge quietly," he sighed, then flashed a perverse smile. "You just made things complicated, kid."
Enjoying the story?
☕ You can support me with a one-time tip on Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/hemlet
📚 Want to read 30+ chapters ahead and get exclusive content?Join me on Patreon: patreon.com/Hemlet
Your support means the world — thank you! ❤️