So we ran, and ran, and kept running. For two hours so far. TWO HOURS!
I mostly spaced out my surroundings these past two hours. I had to keep my pace, and that Hisoka guy had my thoughts. What is with that guy? Dressed so oddly, not even to begin to mention that other bobblehead guy who dressed just as weird as him. I wonder what all those little yellow things are?
I decided to look around me and realized our group is a decent size smaller. I wonder how many already had to give up? This is a pretty intense test, who knows how long this is going to continue. I look up past Hisoka to the examiner, he is still just as easy going as when we started. I didn't realize i was in fact closer to the front.
The young guy with a laptop strapped to his chest ran up near me, he looked pretty confident. He started passing me and closer to the examiner, clearly huffing and puffing. That's when i heard a familiar voice echoing in the tunnel, i glance back behind me and sure enough, Leorio is yelling at a young boy in white hair. He appeared to be skateboarding. Man why didn't I think of that! I turned back forward facing and back to staring at the very dangerous vibed Hisoka, who was smirking all the way through this run so far. He is.. weird. The computer guy started really huffing and puffing and slowing down and quickly ended up behind.
A little time passed and i noticed i was staring at Hisoka still, but I had spaced out thinking back to all the running Grandfather had me do. I noticed his face appeared to have turned more into a subtle look. His buddy was still right beside him. Okay, now I am giving a stalker like vibe. I shake my head and focus on the examiner.
2 Hours later:
I started to feel the effects of running this long, I guess the good news is I am good at running, despite my appearance.
The examiner tilted his head back at the group and smiled and I realized there were stairs now, we started running up the stairs. This cant be good.. This will really test our will. Just like that the examiner started picking up his pace. This guy is amazing! I had to watch my steps a lot more closely now. I pushed myself harder, more people started dropping out. I looked at my steps so i wont trip and decided to push even faster. Then, My head collided with something, looking up my eyes grew big in both fear and embarrassment, I just bumped into Hisoka!
He looked back toward me keeping his pace with ease. I quickly spoke, "I'm so sorry, I was staring at my feet.." I looked down in hopes he isnt going to use his nen on me too. "It's alright dear, just watch yourself next time" He replied and went back to acting like it didn't even happen. I nodded though I knew he couldn't see me now. Wait did he just call me, dear?! Okay, not good, this cannot be good. I letted myself fall back a bit to get away from him.
As time still continued, even more people dropped out.
I didn't see Gon, Leorio or Kurapika near me. I wonder if they made it? I looked up to see Light from what looked like an opening. Finally we are almost there... maybe I mean. The examiner made it to the top and that's when I felt a whoosh go right by me. Gon and the kid from before both yelled "Goal!" As they both passed the examiner at the same time. I couldn't help but let out a little laugh.
Those we managed this far in made it to the top and we all gathered at the entrance. Most huffing and puffing and falling down to catch their breaths. I then caught eyes of Leorio and Kurapika. Good they did make it too. The fog started lifting and we could see the land better. The examiner explained that this place was called The Milsy Wetlands (Also known as Numere Wetlands or Swindler's Swamp), and that we must cross it to reach the second phase. He also explained it's home to truly bizarre animals who are very crafty and feast on human prey. "So Please, be very careful." The examiner turned to us pointing a finger up to make his point more. " If you are deceived, you will surely die". This had everyone gasping and the fear started forming on faces.
There was a sound and we all looked back to see the door we came out of start to close, and a poor guy who wasn't going to make it in time. That had to suck. " These wetland creatures are not to be underestimated, they will use every trick in the book to fool their prey. This is an echo system in which all creatures hunt by the art of deception, and that is why it is also known as Swindler's Swamp. Now then, please follow me closely so you wont be decieved."
Just then a guy appeared around the door saying "Don't fall for it!" We all turned to look at him." Don't let them fool you, he's lying. That man is lying to you!" He points to the examiner. The guy looks pretty beat up. The examiner just stares back." He's an imposter! A total fraud! I'm the real examiner got it!" This had most of them gasping. People started to question everything.
The Examiner had just stated they will use any means to trick us. So is this, the trick? Is this random guy the trick? Or is it the man whom we have been believed to be the examiner this far? We had just got to the wetlands, we were under the city before. So how could the examiner not be the examiner, right?
"I'll prove it, look at this" The guy pulled out what looked like a monkey like version of the examiner, with sharp teeth and looking very dead. This had a lot of people gasping again. " 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 their actually quite weak."
This doesn't make sense, but it looks like almost everyone thinks it does.. Maybe i'm wrong. "That's why they disguise themselves as humans, they trick us into following them into the wetlands and they work together with other creatures to kill and eat us. That's what he wants! To deceive the entire applicant pool and feast on every one of you!" He was pointing hard at the examiner in question. I took a second and glanced around and i noticed Hisoka and his friend are still smiling as usual. They don't seem to be buying this either.. but everyone else seems to be, and starts even more questioning and starting to threaten the examiner. The next second took a huge turn though, I seen it with my eyes but barely understood it. Next thing we knew, the guy accusing the examiner was stabbed by multiple cards, and the examiner, had caught them. The guy fell to the ground, and eyes were then on the examiner. We then hear Hisoka shuffle cards between his hands.
Hisoka continues to shuffle his cards and laughs. " I see, I see" He paused his shuffling "That settles it then" He opened his eyes darting them at the examiner. "So you are the real one." All eyes went to the examiner, who tossed the cards aside. Everyone looked to be in shock. The monkey like creature got up and ran away. " The Examiners are hunters, each is hand picked by the exam committee. To do this job without pay, anyone who holds the title were vying for ourselves could have deflected that attack, and quite easily i might add." Hisoka was pretty proud looking. " I shall take that as a compliment, thank you. 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?" The examiner was very clear. " Ofcourse" Hisoka said, still smiling. Vultures began to pick at the now dead body.
" He was trying to confuse the applicants and lure some of you away, these attempts are to be expected." The examiner started to move through the crowd. " Please be aware that you will encounter such deceptions on a regular basis." He stopped at the edge of the group closest to the body. "I must assume that a number of you were fooled into suspecting my true identity." People were embarrassed now. The examiner turned to face us again. " Understand, I want to make it abundantly clear if any of you are to lose site of me once we enter the fog of the Milsy Wetlands, you have no hope whatsoever of reaching the phase of the second exam. You've been warned. Now lets begin, please follow me."
And just like that, we were running once again.
