Everyone that had passed the first test was now on the outside for the first time for what seemed to be hours. Most people were super tired while some were still very chilled. Yusuke and his friends were all looking the swamp that they were in and felt some weird vibe.
''This place is totally new.'' Said Yusuke.
'I agree. Its foggy and has a horrible odor.'' Said Gon.
''Yes, it smell worse than Leorio body.'' Said Kurapika.
''What!'' Scream Leorio smelling his armpits.
''Ever heard of deodorant pops?'' Asked Killua
''Shut up!'' Scream Leorio all pissed.
The hunters were all looking around this new place and wondering what it was the next step of the exam. Soon the door of the entrance was shut and Saotz started to talk.
''This is called the Swindler Swamp. Is a dangerous place with many crafty and voracious creatures. Unique to these wetlands, they will trick you in a blink and eat you with relish. Follow me and stay focus. If you are deceived you are dead.'' Said him all calm.
Everyone was shocked by this. The first part was just an endurance test to see if they all could sustain a huge race, but now it was a test of surviving.
''what! So right now, we are going to play with our life's?'' Asked Yusuke all pissed.
''Wait! Is this legal?'' Asked Kuwabara.
''Of course, the actions of the Hunter exam are all approved by the laws of each country. Besides if you are so eager to become a hunter facing the unknown and risking your life will be a daily part of your life.'' Said Satotz.
''And wont this be a burden for the association? I would believe that you examiners are all eager to see which of us will die.'' Said hiei all cold.
''My dear number 409 this isn't what we eager. It depends on the examiners of the year. Sometimes is a test of survival, while other years the hunter exam might as well just be like a high school exam.'' Said Satotz.
Yusuke was now pissed off. He didn't imagine do something of this level, Koenma said that being a hunter was tough but nothing of this magnitude.
''If I am dying here, I am irritating Koenma until I am mute.'' Thought Yusuke.
''Hey guys I know this might be scary but if we stay together, we can make it out.'' Said Gon.
''Agreed, the objective is working together. Something we all been doing perfectly fine so far.'' Said Kurapika.
''You are right Kurapika. If we keep it up the work that we been doing, we have nothing to be worried about.'' Said Kurama.
''Wait!'' Scream a new voice.
Soon everyone turns their heads and see a man all injured and all bloody.
''he is an imposter! He´s not the examiner. I am the real examiner.'' Scream him.
The hunter's applicant all had a shock look upon hearing that.
''What!'' Scream Yusuke.
''An imposter?'' Said Kuwabara.
''here is the proof.'' Said the man.
The man tossed what looked like an ape, a very ugly looking and skinny ape to the ground.
''This is one of the swamp creatures. Is called the man faced ape! They lust after fresh human flesh. But they are too weak to climb to capture their prey on their own. So, they disguise themselves and lead a crowd of humans into the swamps. In cooperation with the other creatures to capture as many humans as they can. This time they plan out bigger to capture all the applicants come with me and I…'' Said the man that couldn't finish his sentence because Hiei decapitated him.
SLASH
Everyone was shocked to see Hiei doing that with his sword and the man falls to his death while everyone just watched.
''What that…'' Said Killua amazed by such speed.
''Stupid creature.'' Said Hiei all cold.
The demon just stood there all cold of the man that turned out to be another man faced ape and soon looked at the other creature that appeared to be not dead.
''You have 3 seconds to escape, or I will burn you right now.'' Said him all cold
The man faced ape didnt waste much time and try to make a run but before that he was hit by a card.
''Huh?" Said everyone in shock over what just happened.
The creature fall to hid death and everyone saw Hisoka smiling while preparing his deck of cards.
''Nice throw.'' Said Hiei.
''thanks.'' Said Hisoka.
''Now what about him?" Asked Hiei referring to Satotz
Hisoka didn't waste any time and throw some cards at Satotz direction but the man easily grabbed those.
''Well, it appears he is real.'' Said Hisoka.
''Agreed.'' Said Hiei.
''Well number 44 and 409 I have to say I am impressed but how did you know he wasn't a real person.'' Said Satotz.
Hiei just looked disgusted at the man faced ape and answered.
''It was very easy. A smart creature would just blend in and try to attack when we entered in the jungle, but this morron just shout out revealing his identity. I would have killed him even if he was a human for shouting something so idiot and pointless.'' Said Hiei.
''I had also this hunch, but I just wanted to silence him.'' Said Hisoka
Satotz understood the situation but knew that both applicants were extremely dangerous.
''Very good, but this is the last time I will let you two do something like this behind my view. Next time any of you do something of this caliber is immediately disqualification. Understood?'' Asked Satotz.
Both applicants just nod silent saying that they understood.
''Hey look.'' Said Gon.
They looked at what Gon was pointing, and it appears that some skeletal birds appeared at the body at the man faced ape and starting to peak its corpse until it was nothing but bones.
''As you all see, losing isn't petty. The law of the jungle are savage. Even if 44 and 409 had done their exhibition I´m pretty sure most of you would have a hunch and think that I wasn't the real examinator. This sort of life-or-death deception is what makes this swamp such a perfect place for the second phase.'' Said Satotz.
''Disgusting.'' Said Kurapika.
''Well talk about hungry.'' Said Killua.
''That monster was going to lure to a death trap. That's what he deserved it.'' Said Kuwabara.
''Yes, besides we all could just take him down very easily.'' Said Leorio with a smirk.
''Nice observation there pops.'' Said Killua.
''Oh, shut up kid.'' Said Leorio
''Name is Killua by the way.''
''Whatever.'' Said Leorio.
Satoz only laughs a little bit of that. Truly this year brought some unique players.
''Nice chatting, but resting time is over. Let's move.'' Said him.
The hunters' applicants all start to run and following Satoz, but this time they would follow him to a teeth. If they don't follow is instant death on arrival.
''Hey, lets all keep a close eye on the mustache guy. This would be the safest route.'' Said Kuwabara.
''I don't know man something say its not going to be this easy.'' Said Yusuke.
''In my opinion we should all be together while we run so we don't separate.'' Said Kurama.
''I won't let any of you get in harms. Stay near me guys!'' Scream Kuwabara.
''Can't you all see the real situation right in front of you all?" Asked Hiei
They all soon looked at Hiei and wondered what the demon was talking about.
''That tunnel was just a warmup. This is where the real danger will start. For those who couldn't keep up in a simple marathon, I have nothing but hatred for them. Bunch of weaklings.'' Said Hiei all cold.
Kurama first looked confused and then had a smile on his face.
''He is right. At first all we would receive is some cheap talk but someone from the association would help us after that. This…is not a game is life or death.'' Said Kurama.
''What are you guys saying?" Asked someone and they all saw Gon, Killua, Kurapika and Leorio running near them.
The group only looks amused to see the group that they made friendship being able to keep it up with their speed.
Killua was actually surprised to see the others three that weren't Hiei actually managed to keep it together while running.
''Are you all ok?'' Asked Killua.
''yes, we are. This is just our little team formation.'' Said Yusuke.
''So, this is how you all plan to survive this swamp?'' Asked Kurapika.
''precises less.'' Said Kurama.
''Well, it looks neat.'' Said Gon with a smile.
''Oh yeah, with the four of us like that there is nothing that can stop us.'' Said Kuwabara.
''He is going to boast about that again?'' Asked Yusuke with a deep sigh.
''Why can't you stay silent for one day?" Asked Hiei.
''Hey since you guys have plan already how about telling us some tips?" Asked Leorio.
Hiei looked at the others applicants' team and thought of something.
''Let me guess you all also plan to stay together. But most of you have some idea of what might be waiting in the swamp and if any case wants to separate to face whatever is lurking.'' Said him much to the others shock
''Wow. How did you know that?'' Asked Gon
''Because I can identify what is in front of us. I won't tell how just saying I can.'' Said Hie and not wanting to reveal about his Jagan eye.
Killua was impressed by this. Nobody outside of his brother could have such deep sense of danger.
''I like your style mister Hiei. Could you show me how to do those cool tricks.'' Said Gon.
''Trust me kid, you don't wanna learn that.'' Said Hiei.
''Yeah, Hiei isn't the best when it comes to teaching.'' Said Yusuke.
''Exactly, he is a jerk to every race and person that he ever come across.'' Said Kuwabara.
''Shut up you idiots.'' Said Hiei.
''Oh come on Hiei don't listen to those old man.'' Said Killua.
''Old man!'' Scream Yusuke and Kuwabara pissed.
''Guy's focus.'' Said Kurapika.
Kurapika words were the right ones. They should stop the chat and keep eyes focus on the marathon, if something happens, they are all dead.
''Man was hard enough on that tunnel and now we have to deal with mud and this hot wheatear.'' Said Yusuke.
''Yeah, this exam keeps getting worst by the minute.'' Said Leorio.
''Talk about a beginner chat.'' Said Killua with a smirk
Soon the group keeps going until they have their view blocked by some heavy fog that was getting thicker by the minute while they were running.
''The fog is getting thicker.'' Said Yusuke.
''Wait I can't see the others.'' Said Kuwabra.
''I also don't see it.'' Said Kurama.
Soon they all enter in the fog, and despite the team plan of stay together they soon find themselves separated. But unlike some poor fools that end up as dinner for various magical beasts, they all decided to keep a clam position.
''Where am I?'' Asked Yusuke
Yusuke was now all alone and with no direction of where to go. He couldn't just fire a Spirit gun out of the blue it could kill anyone there, so he need it to be sure what path to follow.
''Hey! Is someone here.'' Scream him.
''Yusuke!'' Scream Gon but he was out of sight.
''Gon is that you?'' Asked Yusuke.
''I´m right here and Killua is with me.'' Said the boy.
Yusuke then remind himself of what Satotz said about the magical creatures and wonders if this was the real Gon.
''Wait a minute! Are you a creature?" Asked Yusuke.
''No, I swear Yusuke. It's me Gon.'' Said the kid
''Tell me what happen on the first night on the ship.'' Said Yusuke.
''A storm hit and you and I team up to save that man from falling in the ocean.'' Said Gon.
''Yeah, that is Gon.'' Said Yusuke with a smile.
Yusuke soon follow the voice and finds Gon with Killua.
''Hey Gon and weird pale kid.'' Said Yusuke.
''Its killua you morron.''
''So, you got separated from your awesome group?" Asked Gon
''Yes, it appears nothing is perfect.'' Said Yusuke with a smile
''Where do you think they are now?'' Asked Killua.
''I don't know.'' Said Yusuke looking at the foggy view.
''Maybe they are nearby.'' Said Gon.
''I just have a feeling that they are ok.'' Said Yusuke.
In the high trees.
Hiei was looking down at everyone, seeing a bunch of people getting eaten by the magical creatures and following into the most obvious traps.
''These idiots are going to get themselves killed if they aren't smart.'' Said him.
While he looked for his team he was wondering where the most dangerous applicant were. Specifically, one in mind.
''Where is the clown?'' Thought him
In another area.
''Dammit we all got separated.'' Said Kuwabara with Kurama, Kurapika and Leorio.
'Let's stay together and head back to find the others.'' Said Leorio.
''What if we don't find them?" Asked Kurapika.
''We can't give up.'' Said Kurama.
''Yes, we still have time. I guess we should use everything we have.'' Said Kuwabara and that made Kurapika smile.
''Good, so let's split and soon…'' Said him.
However, some others applicant that were running them were starting to fall down out of nowhere and they soon felt a dangerous aura coming.
''Look out!'' Scream Kurapika.
Soon the group saw something flying towards their direction like if they were bullets. But it wasn't bullets…it was cards.
''Wow!'' Said Kurapika blocking the cards.
''Argh.'' Said Leorio getting hit in the shoulder.
''Spirit Sword.'' Scream Kuwabara blasting the cards towards him.
''Rose whip!'' Scream Kurama bashing the cards.
Kurapika and Leorio were astouned to see Kuwabara with that magic sword and Kurama with a long rose vibe that appear out of nowhere.
''What are those things?'' Asked Kurapika.
''This is my rose whip. It comes from a special rose that is planted in my native home.'' Said Kurama giving a fake origin for his weapon.
''And what about you Kuwabara.?" Asked Leorio.
''Oh this…is my special sword. Yeah, it was given to me after some hard training. Pretty cool huh?" Asked Kuwabara.
The two people from the Hunter world were amazed by those weapons and were wondering if they could have things like those too.
''How did you two find weapons like theses?'' Asked Kurapika.
''Uh…is a secret. I won't tell you.'' Said Kuwabara with a cheap smile.
''Can we stop with the chat and find whoever did this.'' Said Leorio all pissed.
''Look.'' Said Kurama pointing towards the culprit.
Soon Hisoka appeared out of the fog with his usual devil grim and horrifying vibe all together.
''Hi.'' Said Hisoka with a smile.
''It's you bastard!'' Scream Kuwabara.
''What in gods name are you doing?'' Asked Kurama all confused.
''Playing examiner.'' Said Hisoka.
Hisoka only shuffle his deck back while Kuwabra, Kurama, Leorio and Kurapika had only one though in mind in relation to the magician showing up.
''Bastard.'' Thought the four all together.