Chapter 5: Bad Luck x Pervert Hisoka
The Visca Wetlands!
A large number of candidates followed closely behind the examiner, Satotsu, as they entered the wetlands.
However, as everyone proceeded, the previously dispersed fog began to rise again, and visibility was rapidly decreasing.
By all logic, Luo Lin, who was well aware of this, should have been sticking closely behind Satotsu to avoid getting lost.
But he didn't.
Compared to the not-so-difficult Hunter Exam, Luo Lin was more interested in testing whether fighting monsters could yield experience.
It was also a chance to test his current abilities.
"They're coming!"
Luo Lin suddenly pushed off the ground and leaped into the air.
From within the dense fog, a large head emerged, aiming for him.
After Luo Lin dodged it, the head swiftly turned and bit into another candidate.
"What a flexible neck!"
Luo Lin tightened his grip on the long knife in his hand.
Even though he wasn't skilled in any particular sword techniques, at a time like this, he figured that raw strength and speed would suffice.
Luo Lin licked his lips, then took a sudden step forward and swung his knife down with force.
Although his posture wasn't ideal, the speed of his strike was frightening.
The flexible head, which had emerged from the fog, didn't even have time to react before the blade slashed through it.
As soon as the blow landed, Luo Lin jumped back, avoiding the spray of blood that followed.
"It feels…"
"Not much, really."
Luo Lin swung the knife a few times to shake off the blood.
Perhaps it was due to his naturally calm temperament, but despite this being his first time killing such a large wild animal—and even decapitating it—Luo Lin felt no discomfort.
In fact, he was slightly excited.
However…
When Luo Lin glanced at his system panel and saw no reaction, his expression faltered slightly.
"Maybe I haven't killed enough yet.
Experience points must be valuable, after all.
It took me ten kilometers of running just to earn one point of experience."
Luo Lin consoled himself with this thought.
Ten minutes later…
Luo Lin casually discarded the blood-stained knife.
"What am I wasting time for?"
"Forget it!"
Luo Lin sighed softly.
"If I can't level up by fighting monsters, that's fine too.
Gaining strength through training feels more reliable anyway."
Luo Lin comforted himself.
Yes, using training-earned experience to level up still meant that his strength came from hard work!
In the dense fog, Luo Lin listened to the distant footsteps of the main group and started moving toward them.
Although he had been fighting in the Visca Wetlands, Luo Lin had deliberately kept himself from straying too far from the main group.
After all, if he got lost in this forest, he might be able to survive, but finding the venue for the second exam would be nearly impossible.
Just as Luo Lin was regaining his composure and moving closer to the group, he heard a loud commotion coming from the nearby woods.
Thinking it might be a monster, Luo Lin cautiously turned his gaze toward the source of the noise.
However, the sight in the fog-filled woods made Luo Lin's pupils contract sharply.
"Hisoka!"
Luo Lin's heart skipped a beat.
In the foggy woods, Hisoka was engaging in his twisted examiner's game.
And it seemed the game had reached its final stage.
Hisoka was holding Gon by the neck, his face filled with sadistic pleasure.
But wasn't Hisoka's game supposed to happen later in the test?
Luo Lin recalled that this part of the story should take place near the end of the exam!
Perhaps Gon had triggered Hisoka's "fruit farmer" instincts, as the current Hisoka was filled with murderous intent.
Luo Lin had barely made a sound, but in the next instant, a playing card came flying toward him.
"Damn it!"
Luo Lin's heart raced as he dodged the card without hesitation.
"Hmm?"
Hisoka tilted his head slightly, surprise flashing in his eyes, but it quickly turned to delight.
"How wonderful! Another promising seedling."
Hisoka licked his lips, his gaze growing more intense.
As an excellent "farmer," the more ripe fruits he could cultivate, the better!
Casually tossing Gon aside, Hisoka smiled warmly at both Gon and the not-too-distant Luo Lin.
"Don't worry, I didn't kill your friend.
He's passed.
And so have all of you—you've all passed!"
Hisoka gave an eerily kind smile.
However, neither Luo Lin, who knew Hisoka's nature, nor Gon, who had just been nearly killed by Hisoka, felt any sense of relief.
"Bad luck, bad luck, bad luck!"
Luo Lin watched as Hisoka slung Leorio over his shoulder and walked away, his face full of helplessness.
He'd watched the Hunter Exam three or four times, but never once had he noticed that this scene took place so early.
They had only been in the fog for about ten minutes.
"What a pain," Luo Lin sighed.
Of course, it was only a minor inconvenience.
After all, Hisoka was infamous for being a "fruit farmer" who wouldn't kill his "fruits" until they were fully matured.
And by the time Luo Lin had grown stronger, he doubted he would fear Hisoka.
"Hey, you alright, kid?" freewebnovel.cσ๓
Luo Lin approached Gon, who was still in a daze, and asked.
"I-I'm fine!"
Gon snapped out of it, quickly shaking his head, but as he turned, his hand instinctively reached for his neck.
He seemed lost in thought—or rather, deep in…
recollection.
Luo Lin couldn't help but feel speechless.
Recollection? Seriously?
Are all those with Hunter potential this twisted?
"Gon!"
Kurapika's voice came from the distant fog as he rushed over.
"Gon, are you okay?"
With the return of his friend, Gon finally snapped out of it and gave a simple-minded smile.
"I'm fine."
Kurapika scanned Gon's condition and, seeing that he was indeed unharmed, sighed in relief.
"Where's Leorio?"
"He was taken by Hisoka,"
Gon answered truthfully.
"Taken by Hisoka?"
Kurapika was startled, and then panic filled his face.
Though they had only known each other for a few days, he and Leorio had already become friends.
Not to mention, since that "incident," Leorio was the first friend he had made.
"Don't worry! Hisoka won't kill him."
Luo Lin said from the side.
"To Hisoka, it would be too much of a waste right now."
"Who are you?"
Kurapika finally turned to look at Luo Lin.
"Luo Lin, just an unlucky guy caught in the crossfire,"
Luo Lin said with a shrug.
"Luo Lin, what did you mean earlier when you said it would be a waste?"
Gon suddenly asked.
Since the encounter with Hisoka, he had been thinking—or rather, recalling—why Hisoka had spared him and Leorio.
"It's exactly as it sounds.
To Hisoka, it would be a waste to kill you now.
You have the potential to grow stronger, more impressive.
Killing you when you're at your peak will bring him more pleasure."
Luo Lin explained briefly.
"…"
"Is he a pervert?"
Kurapika was momentarily stunned, then made a comment that perfectly captured Hisoka's nature.
"You got that right!"
Luo Lin nodded in agreement.
"Potential to grow stronger and more impressive…"
Meanwhile, Gon was once again staring at his hands, lost in thought—or rather…
recollection.
…
On the road to the second exam site, the fog had gradually cleared.
Or more accurately, they had exited the fog-covered Visca Wetlands and entered another area.
At this point, at a fork in the forest trail…
"This way!"
Gon sniffed the air lightly, then suddenly took off in one direction.
Behind him, Luo Lin and Kurapika followed closely, both wearing puzzled expressions.
According to Gon, Leorio's cologne had a unique scent, so even from several kilometers away, Gon could smell it and follow the trail.
Kurapika looked at Gon with a puzzled expression, as if asking, Are you a dog?
Although Luo Lin already knew the answer, he couldn't help but feel exasperated.
Sure, Gon said Leorio's cologne had a distinctive scent, but he never mentioned that it was particularly strong.
In fact, the cologne on Leorio was just a typical men's fragrance, detectable only within about a meter or so.
Even with Luo Lin's enhanced senses after leveling up, he could only catch Leorio's scent within a 20-meter radius.
But Gon, sniffing it from several kilometers away…
That was seriously pushing it!
However…
When they arrived at a crowded park with over a hundred people gathered, both Luo Lin and Kurapika had to admit…
Gon's nose really was like a dog's.