AN: Hey I saw this fic broke 500 collections! That's… crazy to me! This was just a small side project to get out of a writer's block I was having due to all the college essays I was writing at the time so I wanted to say thank you to everyone who has been reading to this point. As for this chapter I decided to go further in-depth into the interview, I thought it was a bit lacking for a minute-long interview to be used to determine a contestant's potential or character. Even if Netero is a wise and experienced old man I think a more through conversation would make more sense to me… so please enjoy the chapter!
Walking into the Japanese-styled room that was in stark contrast to the rest of the manor my eyes immediately focused on the man who was sitting behind a low table on a floor pillow.
'If I remember properly those are called Zabuton? Though that's the last thing I should be thinking about…' moving closer towards the "strongest human in the world" I sat across from him on the provided cushion, afterwards was a short moment of silence as he seemed to appraise me.
"Welcome!" suddenly breaking the silence Isaac Netero with a large goofy smile on his face.
"Ah, thank you for having me…" out of surprise from the sudden tonal shift I subconsciously replied in an awkward manner.
"As you already know, I wish to ask each of the contestants a few questions before the final exam. Nothing too hard though, I hope you don't mind humoring me?" pausing for a moment he looked at me waiting for some sort of response, seeing as there was no real issue with doing so I nodded.
"I see, thank you for your corporation young man, first I would like to ask what inspired you to become a Hunter? You must certainly have a lot of motivation to get this far during your first attempt at the exam." with his first question being asked I began to ponder how I would formulate my answer, while I already did some good old reincarnation/transmigration staple soul searching but to put it in words was a bit tricky.
"Hmm… I guess it would be a good way to kickstart things?" unsure of how to word it I decided to be vaguer and later clarify if there was any issue with such an answer.
"Could you please be more elaborate? If not that is fine as well." looking somewhat interested by my response Netero began to push for more details
'I mean even I would be unsatisfied with my answer…' inwardly sighing I began to ponder a more detailed response before I looked back at the Chairman and began to speak once again.
"No it's fine, what I mean was that I felt like I haven't really done all that much with my life… It was repetitious and quite boring and it never really clicked with me? After realizing that I found myself catching word of the upcoming hunter exam and mostly by luck I made my way to the opening part of the exam…"
"Hoh? So you decided to approach the exam on a whim and got here by luck? *chuckle* well it is a good thing to be adventurous but it is best not to rely on luck as you never know when it will run out." looking out of the window it seemed he was remembering something, in particular something unpleasant as his lips curled into a small frown whilst he was thinking.
"Yeah… there were many close calls here and there but I did make my way through the exam using anything I had at hand… though it was probably just luck once again that got me here. I didn't really prepare or train for anything I knew some rumors about the exams and their difficulty but I just decided to opt-in. Though, whether I pass or fail I think this whole experience has been a great eye-opener for all the great and fantastical sights the world has to offer. Hopefully, after this I will find something out there that fits me, that is why I called this exam a great way to start things…" having gotten all my thoughts out I look towards Netero to guide the conversation further.
"Very well, moving on: among the other nine candidates which one, in particular, holds your interest or attention?" seeing that I was done speaking Netero moved on to the next question in our interview.
"Umm… if there is one person who I am the most interested in then it's probably 404? But that's probably because he is the person I have gotten to know the most during this exam. He seems to be a very driven person with large ambition and I wonder what and how he will do to accomplish it…" all things considered Kurapika was the most notable person remaining in the exam, at least to me anyway. This was mostly due to me knowing Gon's entire story arc, from what I heard from some online friends in my past life the focus of the story shifts from Gon to Kurapika at the end of the election arc, and most of his character development was done. Not only that but Leorio was apparently outside of the picture later on but that makes sense…
'I mean he wants to be a doctor so personal power doesn't matter to him. Leaving only Kurapika, Killua, Hisoka, and Illumi as people of interest… and only Hisoka and Kurapika are unknowns to me that I have any actual curiosity about because I never read the manga so I have no clue where he will end up and as a friend, I am both interested and concerned.' getting out of my thoughts I look at the Chairman and wait to see if he had any further inquiries regarding this topic or if we would move onto the next question.
"Hmm, final question: who do you wish to fight the least?" picking up the pace compared to his last two questions Netero asked most likely the easiest question yet…
"Oh well, probably number forty-four and three hundred and one… I would probably die if I ever got into any sort of confrontation with them." with an immediate reply I easily answered the question. I mean I have no chance against trained and experienced fighters with mastery in nen.
"Oh? That was quite fast any reason for that? Additionally, I thought you wouldn't have wanted to fight your friends yet you didn't say anything about them?" having caught his attention again with my answer Netero decided to question me more about my answer concerning who I would not like to fight.
"Well I had a run-in with Hisoka in the first exam and I know for a fact that I would have no chance against him… well it's more instinctively like I can feel that he is really strong? As for Gittarackur… he also has an unsettling presence I suppose. And concerning my friends, I think it would be quite fun to have a friendly spar or something and I wouldn't mind a good fight." easily explaining myself I spoke a mixture of half-truths, which is what I have been doing this whole time really. When we "fought" Hisoka it felt oppressing with how powerful he was when we encountered him. And something similar could be said about Illumi, while his power was most likely completely concealed the atmosphere he gave off was much too unsettling for me…