Alex notices a crowd forming inside a large, semi-open tent. Peering inside, he sees that several areas are set up for competitive games where candidates can challenge each other head-to-head.
"Tonpa, you liar! You cheated! You said we'd work together, but you teamed up with someone else! I lost everything because of you!" an angry candidate yells, struggling against a few attendants assigned to keep the peace.
"LET ME GO! HE CHEATED! YOU NEED TO GO AFTER HIM, NOT ME!" the candidate shouts, his voice desperate.
One of the attendants, clearly annoyed, replies, "Examinee No. 69, Tonpa, has broken no rules. I don't care what 'arrangements' you had with him in private. GUARDS—escort this man out. He's lost his last silver coin and is officially disqualified!"
"Good riddance!" Tonpa sneers with a grin, clearly enjoying the outcome. "Why are people such sore losers?"
Same old Tonpa… no surprises here. Boring, Alex thinks, dismissing the minor drama Tonpa's caused. Not interested in low-stakes antics, he leaves the tent and heads back to the carnival.
With so few examinees finished with the main task, most of the rides are empty. Alex takes full advantage, riding several attractions on his own, relishing the freedom while everyone else is still struggling to earn golden coins. The rollercoaster, in particular, thrills him. As it climbs, he gets a breathtaking view of the bright carnival lights illuminating the cavernous, dark underground bunker. This is insane. I'll never forget this view, he thinks, genuinely appreciating the moment. I'm actually starting to enjoy this world.
As he steps off the ride, he notices Shalnark waving at him. Guess I'm caught in the spider's web… again, Alex thinks with a hint of resignation. I'd better make myself look like a vegetable, not a tasty fly.
"Having fun, Alex? That rollercoaster looked like a blast," Shalnark says with a friendly smile.
"Yeah, I'd recommend it. This is a sight you probably won't see again in your life. It's surreal," Alex replies, attempting to keep things casual with his new "friend." "How's the exam going, Shalnark?"
"Call me Shal," Shalnark replies with an easy smile. "And yeah, the exam's going well. I'm done with the first task. Looks like you finished too, right? Let's relax a bit."
"Sure, Shal… sounds good." Alex agrees, nodding. "I'm still keeping an eye on a few other examinees, though. This exam's bound to get tougher."
"You're wrong," Shalnark says calmly. "Stay relaxed. You don't need to watch out for anyone. Besides me, only two others here truly matter. The rest? Just baby cubs still sleeping, not worth mentioning. And you… well, you're still half asleep yourself, but at least you've got one eye slightly open." Shalnark gives him a friendly smile.
"I see… I think I know who you mean—the small, weird-looking woman and that creepy one with the wild black hair, right? I can sense they're special, but they don't make me feel the same kind of threat I sense from you. They don't feel like fighters, do they?"
"I'd agree about the small one," Shalnark nods. "As for the creepy one, she's not entirely combat-focused either, but I'd avoid her if I were you. She likely has an ability that's dangerous in its own way. But if you steer clear of her, you can just focus on the tasks and passing the exam." Shalnark suddenly grins, tossing an arm around Alex and steering him toward the carnival. "Enough serious talk. Let's go grab some food!"
Over the next few hours, Alex and Shalnark roam the carnival, sampling nearly every snack and dish available. For a while, Alex almost forgets who he's with. I guess this is his usual character, Alex muses, watching Shalnark laugh easily. His darkness is buried deep beneath that charm. Without that incident all those years ago, maybe the entire troupe would have been different.
They try every treat the carnival offers, eventually settling in a cozy corner, hands full of drinks and snacks, savoring the surreal atmosphere of the brightly lit carnival set against the endless darkness of the bunker.
After a while, a voice crackles over the speakers—it's Tsezguerra: "Examinees, you have one hour left. If you have 100 golden coins in your possession, head toward the western exit. You'll spot it when the lights turn on!"
As soon as he's finished speaking, lights blink on in the distance, forming a massive number "100" made up of hundreds of bulbs, shining brightly through the darkness and marking the way to the exit.
Shalnark, entirely unhurried, finishes his food and glances at Alex. "Let's grab a few more chocolate strawberries before heading out. This carnival might just be one of the best I've ever been to."
Alex sighs but follows Shalnark's lead, grabbing some strawberries of his own. They munch on them as they slowly make their way toward the illuminated exit sign.
When they arrive, Alex sees hundreds of candidates already gathered near a small checkpoint, each waiting to turn in their coins and secure their spot in the next phase. He and Shalnark hand over their bags of coins and, after verification, are allowed to pass through.
Scanning the crowd, Alex spots Eirini, Patricia, Emma, and one other player. Damn, he thinks, with every phase, fewer of us make it through. Only five out of 28 left… that means 23 won't be coming back to the Realm.
Without much surprise, Alex spots the other notable candidates among the crowd: Tonpa, still wearing his sly grin; Linus, the military man he'd met earlier; the Amori Brothers standing together; and Sommy and Shishito. Despite hoping for her failure, Alex notices Palm made it through as well, standing alone with everyone else keeping their distance. In another isolated spot, he spots Melody, who appears to have passed without a hitch.
After another half hour, Tsezguerra and his team finally appear in front of the assembled examinees.
"Exam No. 1, Underground Carnival: 376 examinees out of 1,009 have passed!" he announces loudly.
"Before you go, let me leave you with a few words of advice. A Hunter does not simply follow a path; a Hunter strives to create his own path! A Hunter does not need to seek a goal—he instinctively knows his goal. Good luck!"
Tsezguerra, along with his team members, numerous attendants, and other Hunters in black suits, suddenly begin clapping in unison, producing an intense sound that echoes throughout the vast bunker. The examinees take one last look at the carnival as the lights abruptly go out, leaving only the golden "100" sign and a few red emergency lights illuminating the area.
Just as suddenly, the bunker is flooded with bright light! Huge lamps, each as large as a room, mounted on the ceiling illuminate every corner of the cavernous space.
Through the brightened exit, a striking woman enters and approaches the candidates. She has long, straight black hair—an elegant contrast to Palm's wild mane—large eyes, pale skin, and golden irises. Dressed not in uniform but in a form-fitting black dress that accentuates her ample cleavage, breasts and figure, she moves with a commanding presence.
Alex's eyes widen, his gaze briefly lingering on her figure with a rather perverted expression. Damn, she's sexy. What I wouldn't give to bury my face in that cleav… He stops mid-thought, realization dawning on him. Wait, that's Gel! What a shame—it'd be so exciting if she were just a normal woman. Better keep my distance from that poisonous snake freak for my own safety!
Shalnark, watching Alex's reaction, laughs brightly. "Your expressions are unique, Alex. I love hanging out with you," he says with a smile. "Let me guess, you know her too?"
"I think you ought to know her as well, Shal. That's Gel—the snake of the Zodiacs. She's famous as a Poison Hunter," Alex explains. As he finishes, a thought strikes him, making him grin inwardly. My LUK is unmatched today. Poisons? Do I really need to worry about poisons? Hahaha, not when I've got you by my side, right, Mustrano?
From his left wrist, Alex senses a faint response from Mustrano, a confirmation that the Claw holds no fear of poisons either. Alex quickly checks his anti-poison skill he acquired at the Tribaio village:
Mustrano's Malice Mauler lvl 3:
Effect2: Passively Increases Poison Resistance by 50% + 5% per level (even without conjuring the claw)
Suddenly, Gel begins to speak. Her voice is calm and almost whisper-soft, but with a microphone in front of her, it echoes powerfully throughout the bunker, clear to everyone's ears.
"My fellow Hunter, Tsezguerra… I find your selection methods lacking," she says coldly. "This isn't a place for fun. A carnival might entertain, but this is the Hunter Exam." Her eyes narrow as she surveys the crowd. "376 candidates remaining? After my second exam, I aim to see… fewer than 200."
She turns her full attention to the examinees, her gaze sharp and unyielding. "I am Gel. You don't need to speak to me—you only need to listen! You will all board the large airship that has landed above us, and I will take you to your next destination. But be warned—from now on, your lives are at risk. I expect numerous candidates to die this year, as always. If you're not confident in your abilities, I suggest you leave now." She pauses, her expression turning colder. "I'm tired of talking. That's all. Now, follow me in an orderly fashion to the surface."
Without another word, she turns, leading the way.
The group follows, their previous chatter silenced by her ominous words. As they reach the surface, the massive airship looms above them—likely even larger than the one used during Gon and the other main characters' exam. Its size is staggering, easily capable of holding hundreds of candidates.
Alex and Shalnark board the airship, Alex struggling to hide his excitement. An airship… this thing is huge, he thinks, soaking in every detail of the grand vessel. Inside, they find rows of plush seating, some arranged in cozy couches. The two each claim a large, luxurious couch to themselves, although it could easily accommodate ten to fifteen people. Guess there are perks to hanging out with this monster, Alex reflects, grateful for the space.
Shalnark, however, turns to him with a curious expression. "Tell me about yourself," he says, his eyes glinting with interest.
Alex sighs, instantly regretting his earlier thought. What the hell do I say? he wonders, feeling the weight of Shalnark's friendly but probing gaze.
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