"Ahhh!!!"
With ti ticking away and only about ten seconds left, Zane's ears suddenly twitched. He looked up at a stone door sliding open nearby.
A familiar scream echoed from the passage beyond the door.
A second later, Leorio, Kurapika, Gon, Killua, and Tonpa—all piled onto a single skateboard—crashed into the base of the tower in a disorganized heap.
At this sight, Zane's furrowed brow relaxed, and a smile touched his eyes.
"You're way too slow. I almost thought I'd have to finish the rest of the exam on my own," Zane said, rising and walking toward them with a chuckle.
As for Tonpa...
He was quite sensible.
The mont he saw Zane approaching, he expertly scrambled away to a distant corner on all fours.
"Don't even get started. It's a long, long story."
"Zane, you left way too early. We could have stuck together otherwise."
"Exactly! Because you ditched us, we ended up stuck with that walking disaster, Tonpa!"
"..."
The four of them, including Kurapika, looked at Zane's pristine appearance and then at their own disheveled states, breaking into a chorus of complaints.
Clearly, the group had encountered the five-person route from the original story, and Tonpa had managed to wedge himself in.
Amidst the banter, the tower base began to change once again.
A section of the wall slowly rose, letting in brilliant sunlight from the outside world.
At the sight of the light, Zane and the others stopped their chatter and walked out with the other candidates, savoring the long-awaited fresh air.
Outside the tower base was a platform overlooking a cliff.
As the candidates erged, soone was already waiting for them.
It was Frie... no, it was the examiner for the third phase, Lippo!
Lippo was a man with glasses and a distinctive punk hairstyle.
"Congratulations on making it out of Trick Tower. There are only two tests left: the fourth phase and the final test," Lippo said, eyeing the candidates with interest.
"So there are only two tests left!"
Hearing this, many candidates felt a surge of energy.
Just like the first phase, knowing the destination helped their morale significantly compared to wandering aimlessly.
Lippo continued, "The fourth phase will take place on Zevil Island, right behind . Now, if you would all cooperate..."
With that, soone rolled over a cart carrying a box.
"For the next phase, you will each need to draw a lot," Lippo signaled.
Though confused, the candidates followed the instructions.
The drawing order was determined by the sequence in which they had reached the tower base.
Zane and Hisoka stepped forward, each drawing a card from the box.
There was a sticker on each card.
Zane didn't peel his off yet; he simply took his card and returned to his spot.
The rest of the candidates, including Leorio and his group, drew their lots one by one.
Once the drawing was finished...
"The fourth phase is a hunt between predators and prey. Now, please peel off the stickers. The number on your card is your hunting target," Lippo explained, spreading his hands and enjoying the candidates' shocked expressions.
Upon hearing the rules, almost every candidate instinctively covered their own number tags.
Their expressions darkened as they looked at the numbers they had drawn.
Zane looked down at his number and casually slipped the card into his pocket.
As for the number tag pinned to his chest...
There was no point in hiding it now, so he didn't bother covering it up.
"Listen carefully. Your own tag and your target's tag are each worth 3 points. Any other tag is worth 1 point."
"To advance to the final test, you must collect a total of 6 points before the phase ends."
"There are no limits on how you obtain the tags—even killing is allowed. So, use every ans necessary during the next week to take them!"
After explaining all the rules, Lippo arranged for the candidates to head to the shore, where they boarded a Hunter Association ship bound for Zevil Island.
"Uh, assuming my target is one of you guys... I won't be going easy on you."
On the deck, Zane found a corner to sit in. A mont later, Leorio and Kurapika joined him.
After a brief silence, Leorio hesitated before finally speaking up, looking cautiously at Zane and Kurapika.
He looked particularly at Zane, terrified that he might reveal an expression indicating Zane was hunting him.
"Relax, you're not my target. Look."
Zane glanced at the sweating Leorio and found it amusing, generously showing him his card.
"Oh, it really isn't... Cough, that's good. Looks like I don't have to worry about fighting you," Leorio cheered with delight.
Halfway through his celebration, he realized how embarrassing he was being and quickly faked a cough, trying to look cool.
But it was all an act; he imdiately started peeking over at Kurapika.
"You're not my target either!" Kurapika said, having watched Leorio's performance with a weary sigh.
Hearing this, Leorio felt as if a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders.
"Good, good. My target isn't either of you, either. Now we can all focus on finding our targets in peace."
"Not necessarily. Other candidates' tags are still worth 1 point each," Zane added teasingly.
Leorio's body stiffened.
"Of course, I'm planning to just snatch my target's tag directly!" Zane pivoted.
Leorio's tense body relaxed again.
"But..."
The mont Zane uttered that single word, Leorio couldn't take it anymore and dropped to his knees before him.
"Zane! Big brother! Please, give a break!" Leorio looked up at him piteously.
"Call Godfather!" Zane said with a smirk.
Leorio clenched his fists, swallowing his pride as he forced the words out.
He had no choice.
The situation was out of his hands; a man must bow when he's under a low roof.
Even if the chance was low, if Zane really intended to ss with him, he knew he'd be dood.
Having relieved his godson's tension with a bit of teasing, Zane finally let him be.
...
"Sorry to keep you waiting. We have arrived at the fourth phase site, Zevil Island."
"We will disembark one by one according to the order in which you cleared the tower, with a two-minute interval between each person."
"Additionally, the test will last for one week. When the ti is up, you must return here with your six points. Those who are late will be disqualified."
The ship docked, and the guide finished her explanation to the candidates.
"You first," Hisoka said with a smile, gesturing toward Zane.
Zane didn't stand on ceremony. He was the first to step off the boat and head into the thick forest.
Two minutes later, Hisoka followed.
Then, every two minutes, the other candidates landed, ending with Leorio and the rest.
Once everyone was on the island, the Hunter Association ship imdiately sailed away.
""
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