THE NAVIGATOR BROUGHT the four of us to the Hunter Exam Site at Zaban City.
We were currently walking through the marketplace. All around us you could see people selling all types of things from pottery to food. I could smell the delicious food from restaurants flowing through the air.
Looking to my left, Gon could be seen with an expression of curiosity and amazement. I chuckled at that. 'He probably hasn't seen anything like this, since he lived on an island his entire life,' I thought to myself. While walking to the site the Navigator explained to us that their job is to identify worthy Hunter applicants and guide them to the Exam Site, otherwise they wouldn't have a chance at finding it themselves.
"Hey! Wanna try one!" yelled a man holding up a barbequed frog on a stick. Gon ran up to the stand full of curiosity. But before he could grab it, I pulled him along, saying we weren't there to eat food. He pouted at me, which I honestly found quite adorable.
"I believe that is the building," said the Navigator, closely inspecting a piece of paper, whilst pointing towards a tall building. We all look up in wonder at the building, amazed that Hunter applicants from all around the world gather here to have a shot at passing the Hunter Exam.
"Hey, guys!" yelled the Navigator, grabbing our attention. We all looked to the right and instead saw the Navigator pointing at a small run-down restaurant. The trio slightly cringed at the sight, thinking it's a joke. "Isn't that an ordinary restaurant? You can't possibly mean that Hunter Applicants from around the world are mean to assemble here?!" exclaimed Leorio furiously. "It's actually pretty clever, no one would expect the Hunter Exam to be held here," I stated, smirking at Leorio. "That's true..." mumbled Leorio, embarrassed to not have thought of that.
Once we entered the restaurant, I immediately started drooling along with Gon, since I haven't eaten since the day before. A chef could be seen frying some type of meat in a pan, oil flying everywhere. You can probably see stars in both of our eyes. "Welcome!" greeted the chef, not glancing up at us. "Is the back room open?" questioned the Navigator. The Chef looked up at the five of us while asking, "What will you have?" "The steak combo that opens your eyes to the light... for four," stated the Navigator calmly. "How would you like them?" questions the Chef, narrowing his eyes at us suspiciously. "Grilled over a low flame until cooked," smirked the Navigator. "Got it, let yourself into the backroom," the Chef told us.
Once entering the backroom, a round table with four chairs could be seen. "I can't wait for the steak combo!" stated Gon excitedly. "Gon, that was simply a password to get us inside, there is no steak combo," I said snickering slightly at his disappointed face. Once the Navigator closed the door, the room began shaking. 'So this is an elevator?' I thought while looking at the inclining numbers. The four of us sat down in the chairs, waiting to arrive at the Exam Site.
Once the door opened, immediately tension could be felt. Some Applicants observed us cautiously, while looked at us like we were trash at the bottom of their feet. 'Oh how I want to prove them wrong,' I thought. Just by the putrid smell, I could already tell that we were in the sewers. Glancing around, I noticed it was dim and metal pipes could be seen all over the walls.
"Excuse me?" called out Gon, all he got in response were glares from the nearby applicants. "Hello, please take this number." We looked to the side and saw a weird green, bean-like creature holding out a badge with a number on it. He gave each of us our own and when I looked down at mine, I saw I got number 406. While Gon got number 405, Leorio got number 403 and Kurapika got number 404. "Be sure to wear this on your chest at all times," clarified the bean-like creature. After placing it on my chest, I told the group that I was going to walk around a bit and observe the other applicants. They all agreed.
As I walked off a short dude with a double chin named Tonpa, came up to me and offered me a can of soda. I narrowed my eyes at the can, already knowing it contained a laxative just from the smell emitting from it. I politely declined his offer, making sure to act innocent. But when he kept insisting that I take it, I quickly became irritated and as a result, accidentally released a bit of bloodlust. Just from that Tonpa began sweating and shaking then a fell onto the floor. He then quickly gathered his belongings and scampered off. After he left, I let out a quiet sigh of relief.
All of a sudden a scream could be heard. Looking across the crowd a bunch of pink flower petals could be seen floating out of an applicant's arms. "Oh, how peculiar... His arms seem to have become flower petals. No smoke and mirrors here. Do take care. When you bump into someone, you really should apologize," said the Applicant responsible for what has happened. Closely observing him, I notice he has gravity-defying fuchsia-coloured hair and a jester-like outfit on. 'I should probably stay away from him,' I thought to myself.
While sitting on one of the pipes connected to the walls, waiting for the Exam to start, I noticed a head full of silver hair passing through the crowd. Taking a closer look, I noticed it was a boy with blue cat-like eyes and one of Tonpa's soda cans in his hand. Just looking at him I could already tell he was the famous Killua Zoldyck, his hair, eyes and poison resistance being clear indicators. 'Maybe I can befriend him?'
A couple of hours later, while I was sitting on the pipes relaxing, at the same time being aware of my surroundings, an annoyingly loud alarm rang out. I internally groaned. Suddenly rumbling could be felt. I looked to the front and saw the huge door opening revealing a tunnel that looked like it could go on for miles. Looking to the front, I saw a tall man with purple hair and a moustache – but with no mouth. He stood holding the weird-looking alarm.
"I apologize for the wait. The entry period for Hunter applicants has ended. The Hunter Exam will now begin!" the Examiner called out to all of us. "A final caution. If you are short on luck or ability, you could very well end up seriously injured or dead. Those who accept the risks, please follow me. Otherwise, please exit via the elevator behind you!" exclaimed the Examiner. Not a single person moved. Therefore the Examiner continued. "Very well. All 405 applicants will participate in Phase 1."
