(Y/n) Zoldyck

3

A hysterical laugh reaches at the top of the stairs, and out pops Leorio's exhausted figure as he clumsily hauls himself over the last steps and towards the finished applicants. Inhaling deeply, Leorio notices a thick fog ahead of him creating shadows of the examinees and thickening the dread and tension in the area

After catching his breath, Kurapika trotted past him in a steady rhythm and made his way to the pavement, which made Leorio glare at the blonde boy for having a well developed stamina.

Sniffing the air like a dog, Gon notices the blonde boy approaching "Hey, Kurapika!"

He nodded and went over to you three "is this our destination?"

"I hope not." You said, wanting to enjoy more if this exam as you say next to Killua

"Nope, not yet" Gon answered with a apologetic smile

Scanning the foggy area, Kurapika clicked his tongue "I see. Looks like the fog is lifting."

"Really?" Gon got up from his spot to observe his surroundings, as the fog progressively lifts, the boy looks on in wonder "Woah!"

A sudden cough draws everyone's attention admist the reveal of the murky wetlands and wild animals, now the center of attention. Satotz steps forward and usher you all closer so he began his lecture, often riddled with warning.

"The Numere Wetlands, also known as the Swindlers Swamp. We must cross this wetland to reach the the second phase of the the exam." Satotz began now that most of the examinees have arrived

"This place is home to many bizarre animals, many are cunning, insatiable creatures who deceive humans and prey on them. Be cautious. If you let them fool you, you're dead."

You yanwed, wiping a tear from your eyes, as Satotz wrapped up announcing the possibility of a gruesome end, most of the examinees blached, apprehensive about the whole exam.

A loud SCREECH made you choke on your yawn, as your eyes dart behind you, at the tunnel you exited from was beginning to close as a metal garage  style door screeched and eased down

About halfway down, you all noticed a stranger fumbling up the remaining steps desperately, a troubled look on his face as he realises he might be locked out. You felt bad and instinctively move your hand out to help him but you couldn't. You look back to see Killua holding your arm to stop you from helping the man which made you sigh.

And unfortunately for him, he was too late his last attempt was futile as the door closed with prominent rattle. Killua then let go of your arm, whispering "You can't just keep going and helping everyone out, (N/n)."

"Yea, I know Kil." You whispered back to him

"These wetland creatures will use every trick in the book to fool their prey, an ecosystem in which creatures obtain food through deceit. Hence the name, Swindlers Swamp. I'd advise you to stay close to me so you won't be deceived." Satotz composedly uttered

Gasps, whispers and intrigued faces filled the crowd as Satotz allowed his weighty words to engrave in people mind's. At your left, Leorio huffed a snort. His reaction was all you needed to realise because he still very much deluded and exhausted from the run, he's definitely going to say something unwise

"Is he messing with us?" Leorio said, waving off Satotz's advice "If we know they'll try to deceive us, who's going to fall for it?"

'He's crazy..'

"Don't fall for it!" A random voice cried, making the examinees turn on their heel and search for the source of the voice

A mysterious man poked out from behind of the tunnel's exit, obviously shaken up from whatever has happened to him. He had dirty blonde hair, and with a face full of scratches, grime with dirt too alongside his tattered clothes that put almost everyone on edge.