Disclaimer: I do Not own Hunter x Hunter

Slowly but surely applicants were beginning to drop out unable to handle the mental and physical strain of the First Phase.

However, a select few were keeping up with the pack some going as far as keeping up with the examiner Satotz.

Number 62 had been tailing applicant 99 since the exam began and has been keeping a short distance from him since.

Said applicant was riding his skateboard through the crowd of applicants upsetting a particular tall youth with turtle sunglasses that rested on the bridge of his nose and spiky short brown hair.

He looked to be in his twenties but in reality, he was in his late teens. He wore a blue business suit with his Exam badge on his left lapel which read 403, he had a white button up shirt and black tie on under his suit, he had on matching blue pants, while in his right hand he carried a red and black diamond checkered briefcase, and on his feet he wore simple brown dress shoes.

As applicant 62 was running he was able to overhear the conversation 403 was having with 99 with them saying "Hey, wait up, kid!" Number 403 yelled "How about you show a little respect for the Exam."

Number 99 simply replied "What do you mean?"

number 403 angrily replied "I mean quit using a damn skateboard that's cheating."

again number 99 simply replied "How's that?"

Number 403 replied with frustration "How? This is an Endurance test that's how!"

suddenly a third voice chipped in, this one also belonging to a youth who looked to be about twelve if number 62 was guessing right.

He had green eyes that shined with enthusiasm, he had Black hair spiked long and upwards, he had on a green jacket with a red zipper and pockets with the jacket being fully zipped up and the badge number 405 on it, he had a green backpack with a sliver fishing rod that had a wrapped handle with a red weighted lure, lastly he had green shorts and green boots with black and yellow laces.

"No, it's not!" said number 405 while Number 403 then yelled in frustration "What are babbling about now, Gon?"

The now named Gon had a simple look on his face as he looked at number 403 and said "The examiner guy said we had to follow him that's all."

Number 403 getting more frustrated angrily replied "Hey, whose side are you on, anyway?"

Number 99 then skated over to Gon on his skateboard and asked "Hey, how old are you?"

Gon replied with "Twelve years old."

"So he's the same age as me" number 99 thought before he suddenly kicked off his skateboard and caught it midair "I think I'll run for a little while." said number 99 as the two youths began to run in tandem.

number 99 looked at Gon and suddenly said "My names Killua."

Gon then replied with an introduction of his own saying "Hi, I'm Gon"

with that said and done Gon and the now named Killua continued to press on with number 62 hot on their trail.

Four hours had passed since the beginning of the Exam and everyone except a certain few were beginning to feel the effects of the exam.

One in particular was Number 403 as he was beginning to lag behind with his breath ragged and uneven while his body moved sluggishly.

Soon however, he finally stopped and dropped his briefcase while beginning to breath heavy and lean on his knees.

Gon then stopped running as well while looking at number 403 followed by Killua and lastly applicant 62 who also stopped to see what's happening.

He overheard Killua say "Hey, forget about him. You've got to keep moving."

Number 62 confused on why they would stop in the middle of an exam thought "what are they doing?"

A couple minutes had passed when suddenly Number 403 yelled with a burst of speed "I'M BECOMING A HUNTER NO MATTER WHAT!" he then moved so fast he flew right by number 62 and made his coat flutter.

number 62's eyes widened in surprise and thought to himself "Did he unconsciously use Ten?" he quickly shook himself off and ran after the tall youth as well as the other two.

The crowd of Applicants soon began to approach a large staircase and they all began climbing.

Number 62 was keeping a steady pace behind Killua and Gon and while they were running, he heard Killua talk to Gon saying "Hey, I've got an Idea. Let's race to the finish, see who's faster."

Gon replied with "Sure, okay but the loser has to buy dinner"

Killua then said "Yeah, you're on!"

both Killua and Gon quickly took off towards the top of the stairs with number 62 close behind them.

As the three Applicants were running, they began to pass number 403 and another applicant.

The other applicant appeared to be another youth only he seemed to be in his mid-teens he had medium length bright blond hair and brown eyes, he had a single drop earring in his left year ornamented with a ruby, he wore a white long-sleeved silk shirt with his Exam badge number on his left side which read 404, he had a grey satchel on his shoulder which held his supplies and his blue tabard he normally would wear, lastly he had on white karate Gi pants and blue slipper shoes.

Number 62 however, did notice one more thing about number 404 that most didn't, he had two hidden wooden short swords on his lower back.

Number 62 narrowed his eyes before thinking "I'll need to keep an eye out for him, out of these four he's the most dangerous right now"

Suddenly Gon looked at number 403 and 404 while saying "see you guy's at the finish line."

while Killua said "yeah, catch you later old man."

Number 403 got a tick mark and yelled "Hey, I'm not old. Can't you tell I'm a teenager just like you!"

suddenly it seemed as if time had stopped for the group as Gon said in shock "Huh? No way!"

Number 62 himself was crying anime tears while thinking to himself "I feel your pain dude I'm only 27 but because of my training, women think I'm in my early 40's." Number 62 just shook himself off and continued to run after Killua and Gon.

A few kilometers later the remaining applicants could finally see the light at the end of the tunnel and with that Killua and Gon picked up the pace with number 62 following suit.

Satotz finally reached the top of the stairs and said to himself "Now Then. Let's see how many applicants have made it this far." He then began to turn around to view the applicants when suddenly Killua and Gon crossed the finish line at the same time.

The two soon began to argue over who was faster when Gon asked Satotz "Hey, which one of us was fastest?"

Satotz simply replied "You crossed the Finish line simultaneously."

after he said that, number 62 crossed the finish line as well then slowly the remaining applicants began to gather at the finish line.

xxLine Breakxx

Number 62 was leaning against the wall next to the gate of the staircase while Gon and Killua were sitting down in front of it.

soon the final remaining applicants began to arrive, two of them being numbers 403 and 404.

number 403 having forgone his top half of his suit due to his running and having his badge held on his left pectoral.

Number 404 who stopped right beside him was breathing heavy and catching his breath when Gon noticed them and said "Hey, Kurapika!"

the now named Kurapika turned and looked down to his right where Gon was sitting and said "Hey. Is this our destination?"

Gon simply replied "Nope, Not yet."

Kurapika replied with "hmm, I see. It seems like the fog is lifting" and like Kurapika said the fog that was surrounding the area was beginning to lift revealing a large swamp.

Suddenly Satotz spoke up and began explaining the second part of the First Phase saying "The Milsy Wetlands, also known as Swindler's Swamp. We must cross it to reach Phase Two of the Exam. This place is home to a variety of truly bizarre animals, many of which are crafty, voracious creatures who deceive and feast on human prey. So please, be very careful. If you're deceived, you'll surely die."

the crowd began to clamor and worry when suddenly a loud and metallic creaking was heard and the gate to the finish line was closing and one unfortunate applicant who had just made it to the top was too little too late to make it to the gate in time before it closed.

Satotz spoke up once again saying "These wetland creatures are not to be underestimated, for they will use every trick in the book to fool their prey."

everyone gasped save a select few while Satotz continued his explanation saying "This is an ecosystem in which all creatures hunt by the art of deception. And that is why it's also known as Swindlers Swamp. Now then, please follow me closely so you won't be deceived."

Number 403 just scoffed loudly and said while smirking arrogantly "is he messing with us? If we know they'll try to deceive us, who's gonna fall for it?"

Suddenly a loud voice spoke up yelling "Don't fall for it!"

a man with disheveled dirty blond hair, his face covered in wounds a red long-sleeved shirt with a tear down the center, a grey scarf, silver bracers with brown pants and shoes suddenly appeared from behind the finish line

"Don't let them fool you" he continued saying "he's lying. That man is lying to you."

he then pointed an accusatory finger at the Examiner Satotz.

The injured man continued his rant saying "He's an impostor! A total fraud. I'm the real Examiner, you got it?" he then pointed at himself with his thumb.

Number 403 believing what the injured man was saying said "Imposter? What's going on here?"

The so-called ninja Hanzo also spoke up "But then, who is he, really?"

Hanzo was a somewhat tall young man standing at about six foot, his head was completely bald, he had feather eyebrows with black eyes, he wore a black shirt with thick round shoulder pads, he had grey pants and shoes with bandages wrapped around his ankles and wrists, to finish his look he wore a red bandana around his neck.

The injured man then reached behind him while saying "I'll prove it, look at this!" he then dragged out what looked like a dead monkey but with Satotz hair and mustache as well as razor sharp fangs.

"Oh wow, he looks like Mr. Satotz!" Gon exclaimed in surprise.

The injured man continued with his explanation saying "This is a man-faced ape from the Milsy Wetlands. The man faced ape loves the taste of human flesh. But their limbs are really long and thin, so they're actually quite weak."

As the man continued explaining more and more applicants began to believe the injured man's tale as he said "That's why they disguise themselves as humans. They trick us into following them into the wetlands, where they work together with other creatures to kill and eat us. That's what he wants! To deceive the entire hunter applicant pool and feast on every one of you!" the injured man finished while once again pointing accusingly at Satotz with a small smirk.

Number 403 was glaring at Satotz and said "Bastard."

The ninja Hanzo also spoke up while smirking confidently saying "oh yeah? Well, that would explain why he doesn't walk like a normal human."

however, before anyone could do anything playing cards sharp as any dagger flew through the air at both the injured man and Satotz.

Satotz caught the cards easily between his fingers while the injured man however was struck in the middle of his forehead, in his chest twice, and both of his arms while falling down dead instantly.

Suddenly the sound of cards shuffling could be heard and attention was drawn to number 44 "Hisoka The Magician" who was chuckling amusingly.

Hisoka was a uniquely dressed individual, he had on heeled boots with curved toes, white puffy pants tied off with blue tape at the ankles, he wore a red shirt under a white vest that had a red club card suit and a red spade suit on the back while a red heart and diamond was etched on the front, he had white face paint on as well as a painted tear and star on his respective cheeks, His eyes were yellow like a predator while his nails were pointed almost to the point of being claws, and his hair was red but combed back and upwards.

"I see, I see. That settles it, then. So, you are the real one." Hisoka said while facing Satotz

"Hold on, he's the real Examiner?" Hanzo thought to himself.

The once thought dead monkey suddenly sprang up and started running away realizing its ruse was up.

"The Examiners are Hunters. Each is hand-picked by the Exam Committee to do this job without pay. Anyone who holds the title we're vying for ourselves could have deflected that attack. And quite easily, I might add." Hisoka explained without missing a beat.

Satotz closed his eyes and bowed his head slightly while saying "I shall take that as a compliment. Thank you." he then raised his head while opening eyes and continued speaking saying "Still, should you choose to attack me again, for any reason, I will have no choice but to report you for attacking an examiner, and have you immediately disqualified. Is that clear?"

Hisoka's short reply was "Of course."

Buzzards could soon be heard and everyone looked to the corpse of the injured man where a flock of buzzards began to feast on the carcass.

"Nature can be so brutal. It's hard to watch." number 403 said with slight disgust.

Killua and Gon just looked more determined with Killua saying "We can't let our guard down."

Gon replied with a simple "Right!"

Satotz began walking to the corpse of the injured man while saying "I must assume that a number of you were fooled into suspecting my true identity."

Number 403 and the so-called ninja Hanzo had the gall to act bashful while laughing nervously

"Please be aware that you will encounter such deceptions on a regular basis. Understand, I want to make it abundantly clear that if any of you lose sight of me once we enter the fog of the Milsy Wetlands, you have no hope whatsoever of reaching the Second Phase of the Exam. You've been warned." Satotz finished

Satotz then began marching into the swamp with the applicants following suit.

The large group of applicants were keeping a steady pace with Satotz through the marshy swamp and so far, nothing had seemed out of the ordinary.

There was fog that was getting thicker the more the applicant's moved in, when suddenly number 62 heard Gon's voice pierce through the fog saying "HEY, LEORIO! KURAPIKA! Killua says we should move up to the front of the pack."

Number 62 heard number 403 or the now named Leorio reply "You Idiot! If I could reach the front I'd already be there."

Kurapika then said "Go ahead, we'll meet you there."

The group then continued to run through the fog but as they continued to run something strange happened.

It appeared as if the applicants in front of Leorio and Kurapika as well as Number 62 had their heads cut off.

Then suddenly something even stranger happened, what appeared to be floating strawberries appeared in the fog.

One applicant walked towards them thinking about how delicious such a treat would be after running for so long.

However, suddenly the applicant was dragged under the fog "ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh grrrggglll" was all that left the man before a horrifying sight was beheld to Kurapika and Leorio.

The fog lifted revealing the floating strawberries to be a lure on a giant man-eating turtle known as a Noggin Lugging Tortoise with the applicant in its mouth.

However, before Kurapika and Leorio had time to react two more tortoises appeared and just as they were about to strike gunshots were heard echoing in the swamp.

"raaawwwwwwwwrrrrr" the tortoises roared in pain as all three of them fell dead in front of Kurapika and Leorio bullet holes filling their foreheads.

Kurapika and Leorio looked behind them sweat dripping down their faces as they saw applicant 62 with his revolvers held out.

The guns were black in color with red lining along the revolving chambers and barrels, the handles were brown and curved, while the barrels themselves were at least a foot in length with black stabilizers under them.

Applicant 62 saw them staring and simply yelled "What are you waiting for? RUN!"

Kurapika and Leorio quickly responded with a "Right!" and turned towards the forest and started running hoping to catch up with the main group.

Back with applicant 62 he was surrounded by six more tortoises but he simply glared at them and said "So, you wanna Play? Then let's Play!"

the tortoises then all charged him and all that was heard after that was the sound of gunfire echoing through the swamp.

Foggy Plains Area near the edge of Swindlers Swamp

Leorio and Kurapika had been running for a while when Kurapika suddenly spoke up "It looks like we've lost sight of the front runners."

Leorio replied with "Damn it. Which way should we go?"

Suddenly Leorio stopped while Kurapika followed suit as Leorio said "Look over there." while pointing to a clearing.

Kurapika followed his gaze and saw Hisoka surrounded by six other applicants and one more who was standing back behind the others.

The applicant standing in the back with his arms crossed spoke up saying "you're not Hunter material. I've been thinking that ever since we met last year."

another applicant chose to speak up saying "we'll spare your life if you promise you'll never take the Hunter Exam again."

Hisoka just replied smoothly saying "Sure, why not."

the men around him gasped in surprise not thinking it would be that easy.

However, they were proven wrong when Hisoka continued speaking saying "I intend to pass, so there's no need to retake it"

The applicant who appeared to be leading the group said "Oh, Yeah. You idiot, just look at this fog. Do you really think you can figure out which way the main pack went in all this?"

another applicant chimed in with "he's right. We all failed this year."

Hisoka just chuckled amusingly and said "That's it, then? You failed so now you want to play Examiner? Hunters require prey, so why don't I play the Examiner? All of you gentlemen claim to be Hunter material. But I'll be the judge." Hisoka finished menacingly as he drew a single playing card in his right hand and held it in front of him.

The group of six men quickly made their move all moving in at the same time trying not give Hisoka any leeway.

However, Hisoka just raised his right hand and in one swift motion he cut the jugulars of all six applicants.

The six men were dead before they even hit the ground.

The man who was leading the group was now panicking with his mouth agape as he gasped in fear.

Hisoka then said "Now then..." the man quickly fell on his behind terrified and began to crawl away while moaning in fear.

Hisoka then began walking after him ever so slowly while the man was so terrified all he could do was crawl away while pleading with anybody who could hear "Help! Help me. Help..." but his pleas fell on deaf ears as a playing card imbued itself in the back of his head, the same card that killed all his men.

The man fell face down in the dirt never to get up again as Hisoka stood there with his left arm stretched out from his throw.

Kurapika and Leorio were in complete shock at what they had wittnessed while Hisoka went to retrieve the card he threw and pulled it from the corpse head.

With Hisoka's back to Kurapika and Leorio his eyes glanced at them from behind while saying "Well? How about you two?"

the two gasped in shock at being noticed but Hisoka continued with his back still turned to them "Care to play Examiner?"

He then turned around and began to slowly walk towards Kurapika and Leorio.

Kurapika being able to remain calm came up with a plan and spoke it to Leorio saying "Okay, Leorio. Wait for my signal, then we run in opposite directions."

Leorio responded in surprise saying "We what?"

Kurapika then began to explain his reasoning to Leorio saying "The fact of the matter is, He's far more experienced in actual combat situations. The two of us won't stand a chance against him. We're short on time, and we can't afford to waste more on a fight we can't even win."

Leorio growled in frustration and while Kurapika had been talking Hisoka had continued to walk closer and closer to the two while drawing a playing card between his fingers.

Kurapika and Leorio were breathing heavy, adrenaline pumping through them preparing them for their next move.

Suddenly the sounds of birds cawing and flying out of tree branches could be heard and Kurapika took that chance to shout "Now! Run!"

Kurapika and Leorio then Took off in opposite diagonal directions as fast as they could while Hisoka just stared at their retreating forms until they disappeared into the fog while saying "Hmm, I see. A wise decision."

Hisoka began laughing scaring some of the small scavenger animals that had come to feast on the corpses of the dead applicants.

Hisoka was about to continue with the exam when he noticed something in the fog "Hm?" he pondered.

It seemed what appeared to be a tall shadow was approaching Hisoka and footsteps could be heard scraping against the ground.

A voice suddenly broke the silence saying "I just couldn't do it. This may not be my fight, but I can't sit back and pretend nothing happened. That's not my style."

The shadow was now revealed to be Leorio and in his right hand he held a large stick he must have grabbed while running. "See, the thing is..." Leorio paused briefly before glaring at Hisoka while shouting "I can't run away!" he then charged at Hisoka with his stick raised.

Kurapika who was still was running away quickly noticed what Leorio was doing and yelled "Leorio!"

Hisoka just stood still awaiting Leorios strike before he said "Hm. I adore that look" as he stared at Leorios determined face.

Leorio then made to swing at Hisoka but as soon as he was about to hit him, he vanished into a plume of smoke.

Leorio surprised by the illusion could only say "what?" as he struck nothing but air.

Hisoka then appeared behind Leorio as if he teleported but in reality, he simply moved to the side and got behind Leorio.

Leorio who was completely unaware of the danger he was in didn't notice Hisoka start to move in for the kill.

Hisoka's right hand was stretched out towards Leorios neck ready to end his life, but before he could finish off Leorio, a fishing hook with a large red weight attached flew through the air and struck Hisoka in the face on his left cheek.

Leorio quickly got a few steps away from Hisoka and crouched down while looking at where the fishing hook had come from. As the fog was clearing a little a figure could be seen holding what looked like a silver fishing pole.

Soon the fog cleared and Leorio could see who it was and couldn't help but shout his name "Gon!"

indeed it was Gon standing at the edge of the clearing glaring at Hisoka while holding his fishing rod tightly in both hands. "Did I make it?" Gon said hoping he got to his friend in time.

Hisoka's head which was still turned to side from when Gon had hit him before he sighed in slight annoyance saying "Not bad, little boy." he then turned towards Gon and noticed his weapon saying "Is that a fishing pole? How original." Hisoka then began walking towards Gon saying "I'd like to see it. Do you mind?" Hisoka continued walking while holding out his right hand.

Gon's grip on his fishing rod just Intensified as he watched the strange man approach him.

Leorio not wanting Gon to be Hisoka's next victim spoke up while standing "Leave him alone. Your fights with me!" he finished with a yell as he charged Hisoka his stick once again raised high.

Hisoka just stood still an amused smile on his face but before Leorio or Gon could react Hisoka Punched Leorio in the right side of his face his sunglasses being thrown off and his stick was sent flying out of his hand as he was launched several feet in the air, his body twisting before landing on the ground in a heap.

Gon furious at what Hisoka did to his friend cried out "yahhhhhhh" as he jumped high in the air behind Hisoka his fishing rod raised to strike him.

Once again though, Hisoka disappeared in a plume of smoke.

Gon landed on the ground in a crouch but Hisoka was right behind him and spoke up "Did you come here to help your friend?"

Gon jumped back to gain some distance but Hisoka just appeared right behind him again teasingly saying "such a good boy."

Gon tried to hit him with a horizontal swing with his fishing rod but once again Hisoka turned into a plume of smoke.

Gon was looking around everywhere but even with his advanced senses he still couldn't keep track of Hisoka.

Hisoka, then appeared a few feet away from Gon's right and said "Hm. I adore that look."

Gon jumped back and cast his line trying to hit Hisoka with the weight on the hook but no matter how many swings Gon cast he just couldn't even touch Hisoka.

Hisoka himself was just simply walking towards Gon with his arms crossed barley moving his head a fraction of an inch, just enough to dodge Gon's Fishing rod.

"Well done. Very nice. I'm beginning to get excited." Hisoka said while taunting Gon

"Right!" Gon said as he jumped back to gain some distance again. He then cast his fishing rod again with the weight heading straight for Hisoka but with flick of Gon's wrist the weight changed direction on the fly and hit the sand in front of Hisoka creating a make shift smoke screen.

Hisoka was slightly surprised as he raised an eyebrow at the attack.

Gon suddenly appeared behind Hisoka His fishing rod raised once again to strike as he yelled "yaahhhhhhhh"

However, Hisoka saw the attack coming a mile away and reached out with his left hand and grabbed Gon by the throat.

Gon had dropped his fishing rod after being grabbed and was now pounding on Hisokas arm to try and loosen his grip but his arm seemed to be made of steel.

All Gon could do was gasp for air and as he could feel the black tendrils of unconsciousness creeping up on him he heard Hisoka chuckle saying "It's so delightful. I adore that look."

However, before Hisoka could continue a voice echoed through the clearing "That's enough!"

Hisoka glanced to the edge of the clearing while saying "hmmm?"

there standing a few feet away from Hisoka was applicant 62 as he glared at Hisoka while saying "Why don't you pick on someone your own size?" applicant 62 started to walk forward then with his hands in his coat pockets.

Hisoka finally let Gon go and dropped him as if he was a sack of potatoes.

Gon just coughed trying to get his breathing back to normal as well as watch what this new stranger was going to do.

Hisoka turned towards applicant 62 and took notice of his sword and guns as well as the Aura that surrounded him.

Hisoka couldn't help but lick his lips as if he found a three-course meal before saying in excitment "Are you Volunteering?"

Applicant 62 just stopped walking and crossed his arms while saying "If it were any other day I would, but listen to this." He then pointed at the fog filled swamp saying "We have already fallen behind to the back of the pack and if we stay here any longer none us are going to pass the Exam and I'm pretty confident that we all don't want that."

There was a long pause after that, and the tension in the air was so thick you could cut it with a knife.

Until finally Hisoka closed his eyes and sighed while shrugging his shoulders "very well, I see your point." he then turned around and began walking towards the forest while pointing at Leorio saying "I'm sure you can clean that mess up, bye-bye now." Hisoka then left waving his right hand from behind.

Applicant 62 watched Hisoka walk away and soon as he knew he was gone he went to approach Gon and Leorio.

Gon who was still shaken from his encounter with Hisoka was on all fours and was breathing heavy. he was so out of it in fact he didn't even notice applicant 62 walk up to him until he crouched down and touched his shoulder while saying "Are you okay?"

Gon quickly snapped out of his stupor and looked towards applicant 62 and replied "Yeah, I'll be fine."

applicant 62 nodded hid head and went over to Leorio.

Gon seeing Leorio made him suddenly remember what happened. "Leorio! Is he ok he's not..." Gons words died in his throat to scared of the possibility.

Applicant 62 put his index and middle finger against Leorio's neck and checked for a pulse. After a few seconds he stood up and said "he's gonna be fine. He's just out cold, but he will have a huge headache" applicant 62 finished with a small chuckle.

Gon sighed in relief and was about to ask the strangers name when suddenly Kurapika's voice echoed through the clearing "Gon, are you all right?"

Kurapika could be seen running towards Gon and applicant 62 from the direction he ran off to and when he finally got there, he noticed Leorios unconscious body as well as the newcomer and he didn't waste any time asking who the newcomer was. Kurapika quickly reached behind himself to grab his wooden swords while saying with a glare "Who are you? What's your purpose for being here?"

applicant 62 simply raised his hands in surrender saying "Look, I mean you guys no harm I saw this kid was in trouble and I stepped in. that's all."

Kurapika was still apprehensive until Gon spoke up saying "It's true Kurapika, if he hadn't shown up when he did Hisoka might have done a lot worse."

Kurapika looked at Gon for a second before he sighed and put his swords away while saying apologetically "I'm sorry if I offended you. After this Exam and then Hisoka I'm just really on edge, please forgive my rudeness. My name is Kurapika" Kurapika finished with a slight bow.

"And, my name's Gon" Gon added in

Applicant 62 took a slight step back in surprise saying "No, it's fine really. I would have done the same thing." he then smiled awkwardly before getting serious and saying "Anyway, if introductions are in order, my names Ferev and I've spent the last 17 years training to become a Hunter."

Gon and Kurapika eyes widened in surprise while Gon replied excitedly "Wow! 17 years? you must have really wanted to pass, Ferev."

Ferev had the gall to look sheepish as he rubbed the back of his head with his right arm.

Kurapika had his own opinion to add saying "Then that would mean you've been training since you were eight or nine years old."

Gon just looked at Ferev even more excited while Ferev just simply replied "Yeah, that's right." he then walked over to Leorio and picked him up as if he weighed nothing and placed him over his left shoulder before looking at the other two while saying "Alright you two if we wanna pass this Exam we better get moving. follow me, I know which way the group went." Ferev started to run into the forest then as Gon and Kurapika looked at each other for a moment before following Ferev out of the fog and into the forest.

Later Ferev, Gon, Kurapika, and the unconscious Leorio could be seen running along a dirt road surrounded by trees.

The group of four had been running for 20 minutes now and they had been following Ferev's lead but Kurapika was beginning to worry they might have lost the main group and voiced his opinion "Ferev, are you sure you know where you're going?"

Ferev glanced back at Kurapika before looking forward again and pointing with his right hand at the ground saying logically "You see those crushed twigs and leaves all across the road. That could only happen when large group or herd has passed through here. So, it stands to reason that the odds of the main group coming this way are about 80%." He then thought to himself "Well there's that, and the fact that I'm using my EN to see the remaining applicants up ahead"

Kurapika still wasn't convinced and said "But how can you be sure?"

Gon decided to speak up saying assuredly "No, he's right. We're going in the right direction."

Kurapika then asked Gon "How do you know that Gon?"

Gon just smiled and said "when we were waiting for the second part of the first phase to start, I was able to get a good whiff of Mr. Satotz. He wears this really unique cologne that smells a little musky. I can smell him a few kilometers away easy."

Kurapika decided to accept their answers and trust them but as they continued running Gon suddenly spoke up "Hey, I've been thinking. Why do you think Hisoka was so adamant about fighting us? I mean there really was no point to it."

Kurapika continued to look forward as he spoke "I'm not sure but I think he might have been playing judge. He must have his own benchmarks for evaluating a person's power. It's possible that he was measuring the strength of each applicant. Apparently, you, Leorio, and Ferev met his standards. Whatever those happen to be."

Gon replied with "Ok, right. That make sense. But I was powerless to do anything to stop him."

Kurapika added his two-cents "You landed your first hit on him. That's something right?"

suddenly Ferev's voice chimed in as well saying with narrowed eyes "No, it's not."

Kurapika looked at Ferev and asked "what do you mean?"

Ferev just stared forward while saying "The only reason Gon was able to hit Hisoka in the first place, was because he caught him off guard, and now that he knows about Gon, that won't happen again anytime soon." Ferev finished with finality.

Kurapika looked down slightly as he began to ponder "Hm, I wonder. He could have sensed that the three of you were sort of kindred spirts." he paused briefly before saying "It's possible that Hisoka could qualify as a Hunter, but I sincerely doubt it. However, I must admit I'm impressed by his superhuman agility and the gracefulness of his technique. Those who are blessed with unique talents are often drawn to others with unique gifts of their own. It's likely that based on his intuition and experience Hisoka could tell that the three of you had the skill and potential to become hunters. So, killing the three of you now would have been a waste." Kurapika finished.

Ferev couldn't help but let out a loud laugh saying "If Hisoka thinks he can Kill me so easily that he thinks he needs to spare me; he is dead wrong, literally and figuratively." Ferev finished while adjusting Leorio on his shoulder.

Gon this whole time had been silent and Kurapika noticed this thinking he overdid it with his explanation so he apologized saying "oh no. Sorry. That must sound horrible."

Gon just shook his head saying "mm-mm. But I've got to say, it was actually pretty exciting back there."

Ferev glanced at Gon from the corner of his eye As Gon said "I was so scared that all I wanted to do was run away. But I couldn't. Because I was excited at the same time. Isn't that weird." Gon finished while looking back at Kurapika.

Kurapika himself had a look of surprise on his face before he cooled his features and continued to run behind Ferev.

Ferev was doing his own thinking as he thought "This kid, he has amazing potential Not just as a Hunter but as a future Nen user as well. I think I'll keep an eye on him, same with number 99 but for different reasons of course."

the group then continued towards the Second Phase of the Exam.

xxLine Breakxx

At the site for the Second Phase all the applicants that had made it through the swamp were either bent over or collapsed on the ground trying to catch their breath.

This is the site Ferev, Kurapika, and Gon came upon and as the group of four reached the rest of the pack. Ferev found a nearby tree with shade and set Leorio down under it with his back towards the bark.

Ferev took a look at Leorio and noticed the entire right side of his face was swollen but that was about the extent of the damage Hisoka dealt.

So, Ferev reached into his coat and pulled out Leorio's sunglasses and put them on him, next he pulled out what looked like a solid blue block. He then squeezed it till a cracking sound was heard and placed it on Leorio's face.

As soon as the blue block touched Leorio, he woke up screaming "yoowwwww, that's cold!"

Ferev then grabbed Leorios hand and placed it on the Now identified ice pack while he said "that should make most of the swelling go down" he then stood up and said "Well, Gon. Kurapika. I leave the rest to you. Good luck with the rest of the Exam." Ferev walked away after that to stand by the large metal gate that lead to the Second Phase.

Leorio just held his ice pack and watched the stranger leave before looking at Kurapika saying "Hey, Kurapika I'm a little lost. What happened to me and Who was that?"

before he could answer Gon answered for him saying "Oh him? he's our new friend." Gon finished with a smile

before Leorio could ask any more questions Satotz suddenly spoke up so everyone could hear him saying "Excellent work, everyone!" Satotz could then be seen standing in front of a large metal gate that was a least 20 feet tall.

"The Second Phase will take place here, in the Visca Forest Park. So, I shall now take my leave. I wish you all the very best of luck." Satotz finished while marching away in the weird fashion that he does.

Suddenly the gates closing off the Second Phase began to slide open revealing a huge courtyard with rows upon rows of rotisserie grills and various other cooking appliances and utensils.

In back of the court yard there was a large mansion but it was what was in front of the mansion that drew everyone's attention there sitting on a brown leather couch with her legs crossed and arms stretched out was an incredibly attractive yet athletic woman.

She had silver hair tied into four top knots behind her head while the rest of her hair framed the sides of her face and parted down the middle of her forehead, she also had amber colored eyes that were open with anticipation, She wore a see-through mesh shirt and under that she wore a black bikini top, she also wore what looked like daisy duke denim short shorts that only went to her inner thigh, to finish her ensemble she wore shin length high heeled boots that showed the top of her feet and was tied with red bows instead of laces along the front of the boots.

However, the person who sat behind her had everyone wary, mainly because the Person was huge, so huge in fact he couldn't even sit on the couch with the woman,

he was at least as tall as the gate the applicants walked through and also just as wide.

The large Person was male, he had short black hair that was slightly disheveled on top, he had black eyes, he wore a yellow long-sleeved shirt that somehow fit him, he also wore a pair of brown pants, he opted to be barefoot since no shoe size could fit him.

The woman on the couch shouted so the applicant's could hear her saying "Will all the applicants who passed the First Phase Please enter."

Once the applicants were in froint of her she gave them all a wide smirk before saying "Welcome, All! I'm Menchi, your examiner for the Second Phase." the now named Menchi glanced up at her large companion signaling him to speak as he said "And likewise, I'm Buhara"

With that said and done the Second Phase was underway.