At the port of Morey, a heavily scarred ship was docked. The tipsy-nosed captain and Kazuo, among others, personally came down to see them off.
"This is the next test location, Mr. Li Ke. You've shown me what true righteousness is, and I sincerely hope you pass the Hunter Exam. The human world needs upright and powerful people like you to protect it!" The captain spoke with deep respect, addressing Li Ke as "Mr. Li Ke," using honorifics.
The events of the previous night, where Li Ke saved Kurapika, had shaken the entire crew. It was the first time they had witnessed someone surviving such a fierce storm.
"We'll pass it, Captain. I wish you all a safe voyage," Li Ke replied with a smile. He felt a deep sense of goodwill toward this world, which he had entered alone, and it was the people of Whale Island who had given him a life full of meaning.
"Let me give you some important news. See that huge cedar tree? Just head in that direction, and you'll find a shortcut to the venue!" The captain pointed in the direction of the tree.
"Thank you, Captain! That's great! Thanks, Ke Ge!" Xiao Jie exclaimed excitedly.
The four bid farewell and began their journey.
Morey Port was a bustling port city, far more lively than Whale Island. Since it was the time of the Hunter Exam, candidates from all over the country had been brought here, making the area even more crowded.
"Yesterday... thank you. I owe you a huge favor! If there's anything you need, I can help you, but only after I've completed my revenge," Kurapika said seriously, pausing his steps.
Leorio and Xiao Jie also stopped, as they had also grown close through the events of saving Kazuo, making them friends.
"There's no need to thank me. I do know a bit about your people, but it's only rumors from the black market about the bounty on your eyes. I have no ill intentions," Li Ke explained.
Kurapika could sense that Li Ke harbored no ill will. In fact, after acquiring the red word tag, Li Ke now possessed the very Fire-red Eyes that Kurapika had, which removed any potential for hostility.
"It was my fault for being too rash. I almost caused a big misunderstanding. This is not your fault," Kurapika said, taking responsibility.
"You two keep apologizing. Let's not waste time! Isn't the test venue in Saba City? There's a bus nearby that goes to Saba City. Why are we going the opposite way? Did the Captain get it wrong?" Leorio interrupted, pointing at the sign in the square.
The location for the Hunter Exam had been announced as Saba City, yet the path toward the giant cedar tree was in the opposite direction.
"Ke Ge, how should we go? I don't think the Captain would lie to us," Xiao Jie asked, looking at Li Ke.
Though Leorio was older, after seeing Li Ke's performance last night, everyone had implicitly accepted Li Ke as the leader of the group.
All eyes turned to Li Ke.
"The Saba City bus is just a scam for newbies. Those buses can't take us to the real test location. The Captain didn't lie. We need to head toward the mountain. Let's go," Li Ke said with a smile.
The Hunter License was important to him. With it, not only could he enjoy the national benefits, but it also opened up restricted areas across the world. Moreover, his word tag-reading system needed to grow, and the Dark Continent would likely be the ultimate goal.
In the distant future, if his strength were sufficient, he could hunt the terrifying creatures in the Dark Continent, gaining unimaginable word tags.
For now, though, gaining a Hunter License was a wise choice.
"Yay! Let's go up the mountain!" Xiao Jie cheered and excitedly ran ahead with his luggage and fishing rod.
Kurapika, too, was physically enduring.
Li Ke, however, was a freak of nature when it came to stamina.
An hour later, Leorio was exhausted, sweating heavily, while Xiao Jie and Kurapika were also feeling the strain.
As for Li Ke, he didn't even seem out of breath. His stamina seemed almost limitless. It was as if this level of exertion was trivial to him.
The group had reached the halfway point of the mountain.
Before them appeared a desolate district, empty and eerie, with only crows cawing in the distance. The atmosphere felt unnerving.
"This place gives me the creeps. It's so empty," Leorio complained, his spine tingling as he glanced around.
"No, there are people here," Xiao Jie and Kurapika both replied cautiously.
Li Ke's gaze narrowed as he scanned the area.
"Not really? What's going on? Where are they? Why can't I see anyone?" Leorio asked, confused and somewhat unnerved by the empty street.
"I hear breathing... and the rustling of clothes. They're hiding," Xiao Jie and Kurapika both noticed.
Li Ke also clearly sensed the presence of others.
Suddenly, a long wooden cart was pushed into view, carrying a group of masked figures in white robes. They were playing music, and an elderly woman, clutching prayer beads, sat at the front, looking serious.
Li Ke's eyes glowed with understanding.
He could clearly see the word tags for the people in front of him.
Name: Chief Examiner – Ikeda Emi
Word Tags: [Divination](Blue), [Momentum](Blue), [Mesmerize](Green), [Heart Disease](Blue)
Name: Vice Examiner 1
Word Tags: [Martial Arts](Blue), [Endurance](Blue)
Name: Vice Examiner 2
Word Tags: [Swordsmanship](Blue), [Sharp Reflexes](Green)
Li Ke was excited. Blue word tags! This was an incredible discovery.
Behind them were more masked subordinates, their abilities clearly far beyond ordinary people. Many of their word tags were ones Li Ke needed. This was such a lucky turn of events.
"Enemy attack! Be careful!" Li Ke suddenly shouted, charging toward the examiners like a leopard.
[Ding! You've entered battle with the Chief Examiner. Defeating her may yield a 10% chance to copy her word tags.]
[Ding! You've entered battle with Vice Examiner 1. Defeating him may yield...]
The system notifications sounded.
Li Ke was ready for the fight.