Two hours had passed since the start of the exam, and the applicants had covered over thirty kilometers (19 miles).
Only the examiner and Togiri knew the total distance required. The leader's relentless pace forced the applicants to keep up or be left behind.
The path was monotonous and seemingly endless, causing many applicants to drop out. Meanwhile, thoughts raced through Togiri's mind, 'Gon and Killua will soon become friends. I hope Killua doesn't get jealous of Gon's other friends his age. Will Fang even like Killua?'
"It's boring~. Bored. Bored. board? bread? Beard?" Fang complained.
"Do you want to read a book?" Togiri asked, effortlessly dodging fallen applicants while reading.
"You're the only one who enjoys reading while running. Why are we at the back?" Fang asked.
"It's less noisy here. You could stay with the rest," Togiri replied.
"No, they're too focused on running. I didn't know the Hunter Exam was so boring. I have an idea. Hehe." Fang smiled mischievously.
Togiri looked puzzled. "What? What do you want to do?"
"How about we make this exam a little more difficult? You said it's about mental strength, but it's too easy. How about we run on our hands?"
"Hmmm... Good idea. Wait...And let's race to see who's faster. No Nen and let's also have mental simulated fights."
Togiri closed his book and put it away. "Mental fights?" asked Fsng confused.
"I read about an old grandmaster who didn't fight physically but used words. For example, I would say I'm throwing a punch at your jaw, and you'd counter and kick my calf. Sounds cool, right?"
Both Togiri and Fang were excited about their first mental word fight.
Meanwhile, Leorio was sweating profusely, irritated by a boy with white hair on a skateboard.
Gon and the white haired boy named Killua, had just started talking and seemed to get along well. Leorio ran alongside Kurapika, while Gon ran next to Killua.
A teenager who had previously called himself a genius wearing a suit and laptop strapped around him was struggling. "Ha... ha... Huff... huff. It's supposed... to be... 40 kilometers... My calculations... were... wrong..."
His laptop fell and broke. Three parcitpants who were brothers and slightly painted on their face like clown insulted him, pushing him beyond his mental limit, and he collapsed.
The brothers sped up to an older guy who paid them off. It was Tonpa. The boy, barely conscious, saw two boys running on their hands, laughing, and he fainted from shock.
"It's 10 - 0. I wish there was someone strong enough to keep up with me. Hahaha," Togiri boasted, doing a victory dance with his feet.
"I can't focus while running on my hands. I need to close my eyes to concentrate, but then I'll fall," Fang complained.
"That's why I said you should read while training. Split your attention. Your hands should work automatically, and your eyes should dodge obstacles. This is multitasking. In a fight, you'll be able to plan many steps ahead, just like me. The hardest part is the imaginary fight, but why is it so hard for you?"
"Because... imagining all the details is tough." Fang explaimed.
"Exactly. Simplify it to stickmen fighting, and it becomes easy. The less you focus on the details the easier it becomes.
"Thanks, Mr. Teacher." said Fang sarcastically.
"No problem, student. Hahaha."
Despite the banter, Togiri and Fang saw each other as equals, though Togiri often acted like an older brother.
"Okay! Let's go again. This time, I'll defeat you! I attack first," Fang declared, continuing their mental word fights.
Four hours had passed since they started running. 'We should have covered over 60 kilometers (37 miles),' Kurapika thought.
Leorio was drenched in sweat and fell behind. Suddenly, he stopped, took off his jacket and shirt, and put them in his suitcase.
"Screw that..." he muttered. "I'm gonna become A HUNTER! DAMN IT ALL!" Leorio sprinted full speed, passing Killua and Gon. Gon used his fishing rod to grab Leorio's suitcase and carried it with him.
"We have reached the 80-kilometer mark (50 miles). It's time to pick up the pace," the examiner announced.
The path turned into a seemingly endless staircase. The examiner sped up, leaping multiple stairs at a time as if he feet where metal springs.
"Gon, wanna race to see who finishes first?" Killua asked smiling. "Sure. The loser buys dinner!"
"Okay, you're on!" Gon and Killua sped up the stairs.
Leorio, now shirtless with only a tie around his neck, caught up to Kurapika. "Leorio, are you okay?"
"Yeah. I realized I can keep going if I don't worry about looking stupid." Leorio passed Kurapika easily.
'I should follow his example,' Kurapika thought, shedding his outer robe and catching up to Leorio. "Leorio, I have a question."
"What? Is it too easy for you, Kurapika? Talking wastes energy!"
"Are you really trying to become a Hunter for money? I've seen many live for money, but you're different. Was Togiri right about you?"
"....."
Leorio remained silent. Kurapika spoke again. "Scarlet eyes... that's why the Kurta were targeted. When our emotions heighten, our eyes turn scarlet,"
----
Meanwhile, Togiri and Fang were still running on their hands. "Fang, let's stop. The staircase will make it hard to balance. One slip and you or others could get seriously hurt with our heavy clothes.
"No, let's pick up the pace. If we're only as fast as the others, I won't be first." Fang accelerated.
"Okay, but no Nen unless absolutely necessary!" Togiri and Fang sped up significantly.
"Now, let's see how many made it this far," the examiner said, reaching the exit and turning around. Before he could fully turn, Gon and Killua yelled, "Goal!"
"Yay! I win," Gon said.
"What are you talking about? I was faster," Killua argued.
"I was!"
"No, I was!"
"You both are third, and I'm first," Togiri announced, standing farthest from the exit. Fang was beside him, wiping sweat from his forehead, while Togiri appeared unfazed.
"Yeah, because you cheated!" Fang accused.
"When did I ever say we were only running on the ground? Hahaha," .
Just before the examiner reached the exit, Togiri had pushed off the ground, using the walls and roof to propel himself out first. Fang copied him but was too late.
"Togiri, you're amazing! How did you even pass us?" Gon asked, eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Gon, you know them?" Killua asked.
"Yeah, they're my friends. This is Togiri, and this is Fang. Togiri, Fang, this is my best friend, Killua," Gon introduced them. Killua and Fang were surprised by Gon's words.
"Cool skateboard! Can you do tricks?" Togiri asked, pushing Fang aside to introduce himself properly. "Hello. I'm Togiri. I hope we can become good friends."
"Me too," Killua said, though he seemed suspicious since he hadn't seen them pass.
"Did you guys also race?" Fang asked.
"Yeah, we bet the loser would buy dinner," Killua replied. Killua and Fang started chatting, while Gon and Togiri did the same.
"Yeah, Togiri and I also raced. Did you guys know about mental fights? I always lose," Fang said, frustrated.
"Mental fights? What do you mean?" Killua asked. Fang explained the concept, and Gon interrupted their conversation.
"Killua! Togiri said we reached the exit at the same time. So, I'll buy you dinner, and you'll buy me dinner."
"Huh? I don't get it," Killua said, confused. The first Hunter Exam ended, with Togiri and Fang passing with ease. But will they succeed in the next Exam?