Fantasy Realm [One Piece] [Harry Potter] [Naruto] - [Progression] [LitRPG]

Chapter 106: Travel x Reward - A New Examiner and a New Task!

Alex examines his new earring carefully.

[Sacred Emerald Copper Earring]
World: Hunter x Hunter
Quality: Purple
Type: Earring
Required Stats: PHY - 12, SNS - 10, SPR - 10
Required Skills: Basic Endurance lvl 3, Basic Meditation lvl 3
Effect 1: Increases HP Regeneration by 20% (Flat boost, not increased by other skills)
Effect 2: Minor Poison Aptitude - Increases Poison Resistance and the Potency of all poison-related abilities by 10%
Effect 3: Begins to glow if Poisonous substances are nearby - Focusing on the earring can turn this function off temporarily
Note: A mysterious earring using copper and a sacred emerald to increase the wearer's healing functions and poison affinity. It also signals to the wearer when poisonous substances are nearby.

"YES!" Alex exclaims, barely caring if anyone thinks he's crazy.

This is amazing—a full purple item, and every effect is super useful, he thinks, thrilled. With that extra 10% poison resistance, I'm nearly immune to poisons now. Plus, my Toxic Breakthrough lvl 3 will be even more powerful! The HP regeneration boost is great too, scaling with my PHY stat. And now, the glow isn't just for warning me about nearby poisons; it'll notify me if there's something valuable to collect! Five rare poisons was definitely worth it. I'm really starting to feel like a budget Killua with my claws and poison resistance!

Alex makes his way back to Shalnark, who is already grinning, clearly having pieced together Gel's scheme. With a chuckle, Shalnark says, "You should've seen your face when you got caught. You looked like you were about to die."

"..." Alex feels momentarily speechless. Of course I looked like that—I really would've died if she'd failed me!

A few hours later, Gel summons all remaining participants to a designated room on the airship to assess their collected poisons.

After what feels like a long wait, Gel's voice rings through the ship's speakers: "285th Hunter Exam: 132 candidates have passed the second exam! We allowed some of you to pass with even the most common of poisons, to make up for these unusual circumstances, so you better don't complain. We will arrive at our next destination in approximately 30 hours. You may relax until then. As for the candidates who failed, you'll be dropped off in the capital—consider it a generous gesture."

Looking around, Alex notes, with mild annoyance, that Tonpa somehow passed, at least judging from his smug expression. Don't worry, I'll get my revenge soon enough. He also spots Eirini, Patricia, Emma, and the other player beaming—clear indicators that they made it through this round as well. Of course he also assumes that Palm, Shalnark, and Melody passed without a hitch.

[Main Quest Updated:
Mission: Pass the hunter exam
First Phase: 1/1 Second Phase: 1/1 Third Phase: 0/1 Fourth Phase: 0/1 Fifth Phase: 0/1
...]

After passing the second phase, Alex now feels assured of at least an E- rating, and given his two special rewards in the first two phases, he's realistically looking at an E+ rating already. He finally breathes a sigh of relief, thinking, At last, I can enjoy this world a little... Sure, there's still danger, but at least now I won't die just for failing a damn exam!

When the airship lands in the capital to discharge the examinees who didn't pass, it's clear how empty the vessel has become. Over a thousand candidates have been culled down to just 132 after only two exams.

Alex takes a moment to reflect on the exam structure as he gazes out over the city from the airship. The first task was focused on decision-making and individual skills, while the second seemed to be about... what, exactly? Hunting, survival? I have a feeling what's missing is an exam that tests combat and physical abilities directly. The examiners hinted more than once that we'd get a chance to fight each other.