DISCLAIMER: I do not own Hunter X Hunter

Chapter Two: Chaos in the Ship and NO, the main characters are not on it

Less than two days later, Morgan found herself waiting in line near the docks in Lone Pier. The ship heading to Dole Harbor still wasn't accepting passengers.

As she glanced around, frustration building with each passing moment, Morgan couldn't help but wonder what was causing the delay. "Nobody knows what's taking them so long," she muttered under her breath, her impatience palpable.

The busy Lone Pier made her feel even more anxious. There was lots of noise from cars and people, making it hard to think. Cars honked loudly as they tried to squeeze through the crowds. Morgan just wanted to get on the ship and escape all this chaos.

Then, just as frustration threatened to overwhelm her, a commanding voice cut through the commotion. "The only passengers allowed here are the hunter exam participants! Come aboard, now! I repeat, hunter exam participants only!"

Relief flooded through Morgan as she realized the source of the disruption. Without hesitation, she joined the stream of eager participants making their way towards the waiting vessel, grateful to finally be moving forward.

As Morgan walked towards the gangplank, she felt a mix of excitement and irritation when she noticed the crew's surprised looks. "A girl? What's a-" one of them started.

Morgan interrupted him with a tired reply. "Yes, I'm a girl and I'm taking the Hunter Exam. I'm doing it to reunite with my old friend, the grim reaper," she said, sounding weary of the usual reactions. "Well, I'll just go on the boat," she added, brushing past the crew and heading up the gangplank determinedly.

Ignoring the raucous chatter of some particularly loud passengers, Morgan navigated her way through the bustling deck, skillfully dodging the crew members doing their work. She found a quiet place below the deck and felt relieved to escape the hot weather outside.

Taking a moment to survey her surroundings, Morgan noted the aging appearance of the ship. The wood decks, though sturdy, bore the marks of years of use, lacking the polish and gleam of newer vessels. A pang of skepticism crossed her mind as she wondered whether the captain had any plans for maintenance or upgrades.

Shrugging off her thoughts, Morgan decided to focus on more immediate concerns. "Whatever... I need a rest," she muttered to herself, closing her eyes in an attempt to steal a few moments of sleep while seated.

As the ship started moving, Morgan could feel the gentle rocking of the ocean beneath her. Even though the ship looked old, it continued smoothly through the shiny water.

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A considerable amount of time had elapsed, shrouding the ship in darkness. Suddenly, a boisterous group of ship crew members approached the area where Morgan was seated.

"Well, if it isn't the young aspiring lady hunter," one of them remarked with a smirk.

Morgan resisted the urge to roll her eyes. It was the same guy from earlier, and she was growing weary of his presence. With a nonchalant snort, she remained seated on the floor, one knee raised with an arm resting atop it. "You need something?" she replied curtly, her tone brimming with indifference.

Despite herself, Morgan couldn't help but notice the ruggedly handsome appearance of the crew member. He looked to be in his mid-twenties, with long blond hair, crinkly blue eyes, and a physique that strained against the confines of his crisp white shirt. Any snide remarks she had intended to make vanished from her mind as she found herself momentarily distracted by his charm.

A flicker of uncertainty crossed Morgan's thoughts as she pondered the crew member's intentions. 'Doesn't it look like he's... flirting?' she mused inwardly, her guard instinctively rising.

"We'll play cards, you want?" the man offered, his tone light and inviting. "I'll teach you how to play!"

"I know how to play, old man, I just don't want to," Morgan retorted sharply, a hint of defensiveness creeping into her voice as she maintained her guarded demeanor.

As some of his crewmates laughed at the exchange, the man in question playfully feigned offense.

"He called you old!" they chimed in, their laughter echoing through the dimly lit space.

"Hey, do I actually seem old?" he joked, pretending to be hurt as he looked for reassurance from those nearby. "Missy seems upset about earlier. You left in a hurry before I could say sorry," he added mischievously.

Morgan's suspicions were confirmed as the man persisted in his flirtatious banter. "Hey, mister. Are you flirting? If you are, you're giving me goosebumps,"

Amused, he laughed in response. "Oh, does it look like that? I'm not that low, you know," he replied, feigning hurt feelings. "Well, I'm just plain insulted. I just found you interesting," he added with a playful grin.

Unimpressed, Morgan swiftly gathered her belongings and made her escape, retreating to a quieter part of the boat. "Thanks... But I'm not interested," she declared firmly.

"Shame. I was going to give some pointers. Oh, well," the man called out, his tone tinged with disappointment as Morgan retreated.

Morgan looked back at him, feeling even more puzzled. His casual comment made her wonder about his previous actions and the sudden shift in his attitude. As the man and his crewmates turned their backs and walked away, a sense of unease settled over Morgan.

"Give it your all, missy," he called out, his final words sounding somewhat ominous, sending a chill down her spine.

Before she could think too much about the unsettling talk, chaos broke out on the upper deck. The air filled with loud bangs and terrified cries, making Morgan feel a rush of fear. The boat rocked violently, making it hard for her to stay steady. She let out a surprised cry as she almost fell over from the sudden jolt.

"Fantastic," Morgan grumbled quietly to herself, feeling more and more frustrated as the chaos continued. "Just the cherry on top of a wonderful day," she added sarcastically.

In the midst of all the loud noise and chaos, the passengers' panic became overwhelming. Morgan could hear screams of terror, along with the clashing of weapons, as people moved about frantically, adding to the commotion.

Morgan found it difficult to understand what was happening. Although she knew about the risks of traveling by sea, like pirate attacks, such events were uncommon, especially with naval forces guarding the waters. She couldn't help but feel ironic that the ship she was on would be the one to face trouble, she thought to herself with a hint of bitterness.

Feeling the weight of her bad luck, Morgan pushed down her growing fear. Instead, she concentrated on getting ready for whatever danger was coming. She quickly grabbed her sword, loading it with skill. With her cinch bag securely on her back, she got ready for action, her eyes full of determination as she stood ready in the dim hallway.

As she ascended, the smell of smoke grew stronger, thick and bitter. The sound of flames crackling reached her ears, and the overwhelming stench of smoke surrounded her.

"Fantastic," Morgan grumbled to herself, feeling frustrated. "Now there's a fire. I'll either burn alive or drown in the ocean before the exam even begins!"

Just as she was about to turn the corner, a person wearing white, smelling strongly of bourbon, rushed past her in a blur. It was another passenger. She started to follow him, but then heard him scream like a frightened child only a few seconds later.

She jumped. Concerned, she took off at a sprint down the narrow corridor towards the smoke. Scorching heat knocked her back as she crossed the threshold, threatening to topple her over. Another room was completely ablaze.

"Hey!" Morgan shouted, her voice filled with urgency as she searched the fiery room for the man she had seen earlier.

Suddenly, he appeared right in front of her, his panicked screams echoing loudly. Startled, Morgan let out a scream of her own and stumbled backward, crashing into the wall behind her.

"S-save me!" the man pleaded, his voice filled with terror. "Something's attacking the ship!"

Morgan's eyes widened in disbelief as chaos unfolded before her. She was about to reach for the man she wanted to save when a loud roar shattered the air, startling her. Spinning around, she found herself confronted by a person dressed in black, charging at her with a menacing hooked knife, unaffected by the surrounding flames.

"Damn!" Morgan exclaimed, her mind racing as she tried to make sense of the danger unfolding before her. Fueled by adrenaline, she acted quickly on instinct, pushing the assailant aside and dropping to the floor. She narrowly avoided the flaming blade as she rolled away from the attacker's reach.

Undeterred by her dodge, the attacker came at her again, driven by unwavering determination. Thinking fast and moving swiftly, Morgan hurled herself toward his legs, using her weight to trip him. He crashed to the ground in a tangled mess.

Morgan struggled to regain her bearings as she stumbled to her feet, her head swimming from the smoke and her body shaking with adrenaline. With urgency in her voice, she yelled at the man she had saved, her words sharp and commanding. "Why are you still here?" she demanded, pushing him forcefully toward safety. "Go! Run!"

Without a moment's delay, the man complied, dashing away from the raging fire as fast as he could. Morgan trailed closely behind, her heart racing in her chest as they maneuvered through the thickening smoke and the increasing crackle of flames, which seemed to intensify with each step.

The thick smoke and the roaring fire suggested a disaster of immense scale. The realization hit Morgan like a punch to the gut – the entire ship must be engulfed in flames.

"Take the girl!" the ungrateful man shouted, hiding behind Morgan as the new attacker approached them with aggressive intent.

Without a moment's hesitation, Morgan reacted, her instincts sharpened by survival and fueled by a growing frustration at the lack of gratitude from those she had assisted. As the attacker rushed toward them, yelling fiercely and swinging his scimitar, Morgan met his assault directly, expertly deflecting his strikes with practiced precision.

Morgan wasted no time in dealing with her attacker. She delivered a strong punch to his stomach, followed by a swift strike with the hilt of her sword to the back of his neck. The assailant collapsed to the ground, incapacitated by the force of her blows.

Morgan looked down at her defeated opponent, a smug grin appearing on her lips. "Sometimes, helping people doesn't amount to much," she remarked calmly, her words carrying a bitter undertone of irony.

The entire ship was in chaos. The fire was spreading all over the boat. More of the black-clad figures were swarming the deck, attacking without discretion.

"Are they truly pirates?" Morgan pondered aloud, addressing no one in particular.

The deck was filled with smoke and chaos, flames crackling on all sides. Bright orange sparks flew up into the dark night sky. Morgan hurriedly jogged, ducking her head to avoid the smoke as she moved forward.

The sprint to the railing was more of an obstacle course, and Morgan dodged skirmishes between the attacking men and a few passengers as she ran. Morgan could see some passengers jumping over.

Morgan's heart raced as she reached for the railing, planning to pull herself over and escape. But before she could, her movement was abruptly stopped by the swift whoosh of a long, jagged sword slicing through the air. It missed her ear by mere inches before lodging deeply into the wooden railing.

Reacting swiftly, Morgan turned to her left, wielding her katana to face the threat. The scimitar withdrew from the railing with incredible speed, creating a sharp sound as it swung dangerously close to her face. Acting on instinct, Morgan ducked and moved backward to avoid the incoming strike. The scimitar descended again, aimed at her face, forcing Morgan to block it with her own weapon.

The collision nearly caused Morgan to lose her grip on the katana. She crouched lower, smoothly sidestepping as the assailant swung the scimitar once more. This time, the blade missed her head entirely. Rising back up, Morgan cursed quietly as she realized her opponent had effectively blocked her retreat to the railing. With fire and combat surrounding her and a solid wall behind her, she found herself trapped in a dangerous situation.

Morgan uttered another curse under her breath.

With a snarl, he charged forward as she braced herself to strike with her sword. Once again, he swung his weapon forcefully toward her head. Reacting instinctively, Morgan raised her hand, using her katana to block the potentially deadly blow. The clash of their swords caused both of their arms to shake from the effort of pushing against each other. They both panted heavily, their breaths coming in short, labored bursts.

Struggling to keep up her defense, Morgan barely held off her opponent's relentless assault as he snarled and exerted pressure, trying to overpower her with his blade. Amidst their intense struggle, the scarf around his face slipped, revealing his identity.

Their eyes locked, and Morgan's expression shifted to one of recognition, her eyes widening in disbelief. "You!" she exclaimed, her voice laced with a mix of shock and realization as she finally got a clear look at the person she was confronting.

The figure in the black clothing revealed himself to be the same crew member Morgan had encountered earlier. "Well, looks like I've been discovered. I dressed up for a bit of excitement," he remarked casually.

Morgan's expression shifted from surprise to anger. "What twisted game are you playing?" she demanded.

He grinned, "It's my ship. I have the authority to do as I please."

His ship. It dawned on Morgan that the man was the captain all along. No wonder he seemed to be goofing around. "Are you out of your mind? Planning to set your ship and crew ablaze?" she retorted incredulously.

"Of course not. My crew is cooperating willingly," he began, his tone tinged with amusement. "After all, the Hunter Exam Committee assured us they would cover any damages. Besides, this ship is already old," he added dismissively.

Morgan's expression turned into one of confusion.

"The exam commenced the moment you boarded my ship. The Hunter Exam Committee lacks the time to evaluate every participant, so individuals like us are hired to weed out the unworthy by any means necessary," he explained. "Therefore, give it your all, missy."

Despite her trembling arm, Morgan continued to press her blade against his, while he kept his weapon poised threateningly above her head. However, he remained motionless, his gaze fixed intently on her face, as if anticipating her next move.

With a mighty push, and enough effort to strain the hell off her shoulder, she managed to knock the man's sword away.

Anticipating his next move, Morgan swiftly leaped to her feet, her own sword aimed directly at the man. With her blade pressed against his chest, she held her ground defiantly, even as he countered by resting the razor-sharp edge of his sword against her throat.

They found themselves in a stalemate. Regardless of the perspective Morgan took, they're going to die. She suspected her opponent had reached the same conclusion, as he remained equally still. His blade, chillingly sharp, hovered dangerously close to her neck, and Morgan dared not even breathe.

They stared at one another again, neither moving nor speaking, their combined heavy breathing ringing in her ears. Her stomach was hollow and aching; her throat felt oddly swollen.

For a while, neither of them moved. Then, a loud crash followed by a small explosion broke the silence, and the sudden sound of flames crackling nearby grabbed their attention. They looked towards the disturbance with panic and saw that the fire had spread quickly. The masts collapsed, and smokestacks sent sparks into the air. It was clear the ship was doomed. Passengers and crew scrambled to escape, jumping into the icy waters one by one.

"Listen, old man," Morgan started, but halted abruptly as the swordsman fixed his gaze on her. She licked her lips nervously before continuing, "I believe this ship is about to explode."

"Obviously," he replied, his tone tinged with a hint of playful sarcasm.

Morgan rolled her eyes in exasperation. "I'm sure you're aware that I won't lower my sword. And I suspect you're of the same mind."

"Hmm, I agree," he responded.

After a moment of contemplation, Morgan locked eyes with him once more, noticing his unwavering gaze. "How about we call a truce for now and save the judgment for later?" she proposed.

"Ah, yes," he chuckled in agreement.

"Good," Morgan replied, slowly lowering her katana. In response, he withdrew his sword with equal deliberation, bringing it down to his side.

"Make sure to evacuate first," he quipped in that irritatingly playful tone.

"Sure thing," Morgan retorted nonchalantly. "I'll settle the score with you later."

Then she raced to the side of the ship, eager to escape the sinking vessel before it blew up… or before the captain change his mind about their ceasefire and kill her anyway. The captain followed closely behind her as they reached the railing. Without hesitation, they both vaulted overboard, plunging into the water mere moments before the ship erupted in a violent explosion.

She heard the final blow, but it was muffled by the water. Kicking her legs frantically, Morgan propelled herself away from the boat before the suction of the sinking vessel could drag her further underwater.

Moments later, Morgan emerged from the swirling surface of the ocean, gasping for air as she struggled to regain her bearings. Shouts of panic filled the night air, blending with the tumultuous sounds of the river.

"Defeat him, and then what?" she exclaimed, her voice barely audible above the agitated waters. "The ocean will claim me before the Hunter Exam even begins!" Her words were tinged with frustration and desperation as she grappled with the daunting challenges that lay ahead.

She could have gone into a full-blown tirade, really, berating herself for what happened. She had such back luck.

But Morgan didn't have more than a moment to marvel at her own stupidity, not when she was treading water in the middle of the ocean. With sudden speed and energy, she looked for sturdy floating objects to grab on.

Out of the corner of her eye, Morgan noticed small boats approaching her location, their occupants a mix of black-robed figures and crew members. At the center was where the captain stood.

One of the crew members reached out a hand, offering assistance to help Morgan climb into the boat. Grateful for the aid, Morgan accepted without hesitation, though she briefly pondered whether she should express her gratitude before deciding against it.

Will they continue to fight in the boat?

Noticing Morgan's apprehensive expression, the captain chuckled. "Relax, missy. You've passed," he reassured her.

"But... what about our fight?" Morgan queried, her confusion evident.

"Let's put that behind us. You've caught my interest, so you passed," the captain affirmed once more. "It's rare to find someone who can keep up with me in a fight."

His crew erupted into cheers, celebrating Morgan's unexpected success.

"Congratulations, little miss. You passed! And only you!"

Should Morgan feel happy about that? She was almost killed or burned to death!

Morgan glanced around. She could still hear noise from a distance. She found her fellow passengers. What will happen to them? Left alone to die?

The captain noticed this and spoke up. "Don't worry. Someone will help them. I don't really want to be responsible for a number of deaths."

Morgan could only nod in response.

The captain summoned his crew and requested any available blankets or cloth. He instructed them to provide it to Morgan to shield herself from the chilly night air.

"We will arrive at Dolle Harbor tomorrow. As a bonus, I'll accompany you to the exam site tomorrow," he declared proudly.

If this isn't part of a big scam or prank, he could simply provide directions to the exam location instead of accompanying her, right?

And it appears she'd only grow irritated being in his company.

"Just give me directions to Zaban City," Morgan suggested.

His crew chuckled at her reaction.

"That's a clever way of saying 'I don't want you here' without outright saying it!"

"Captain, she really doesn't like you!"

Morgan became irritated by their loud laughter. She was the only one who didn't find their amusement enjoyable.

"Hey, listen, there's a trap set up on the way to Zaban City. People like us will do whatever it takes to ensure that fools don't make it to the final exam," the crew member on the left explained.

"But there are navigators who can lead you to the exam site."

That's a possibility. They're conducting a comprehensive pre-evaluation for the candidates. However...

"Okay, let's assume that's the case. But how can I verify that you're actually part of the group sent by the Hunter Exam Committee?"

At that moment, the young captain stepped forward, revealing a card bearing an X symbol. "It's not a hunter's license but here's the evidence. Or do you want to inquire further to confirm its legitimacy?" He grinned. "You see, missy, with so many of us here on this small boat, it's likely that we would have already done something to you."

The crew eventually handed her a thick piece of cloth. Morgan took it with a nod of appreciation. Standing up, she wrapped the cloth around her body. The cold air pierced through her flesh.

Based on her understanding, there are designated navigators stationed near the harbor to lead candidates to the exam site.

And what's that? Bonus point? For what? Because she almost died in the fire?

For him to guide her even if it's not his job, would you blame her if she questioned his intentions?

But anyway... "Understood."

The captain's grin widened. "Alright, folks! Let's ensure to accompany little missy to the exam site, and she'll become a Hunter!" he announced, his crew cheered.

Their cheer seemed like Morgan was their favorite cockfighting rooster.

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In Zaban City, the day appeared to be typical: partly cloudy skies, a wind slightly more forceful than a breeze, the air dry and just warm enough to discourage leisurely walks. It was perfectly deceptive, considering the day was anything but normal.

The streets were calm as a wooden open-air carriage pulled by a horse moved smoothly along the road. The horse, a spotted grey mare, didn't pay attention to the cars or people nearby. Its owner held the reins tightly from behind.

Of course, the mare's master is the captain of the ship. He's the one who literally escorted Morgan to Zaban.

True to their words, the buses from Dolle Harbor heading to Zaban City were indeed a trap. The bus would just go around in circles and never reach Zaban. So, they need to find the navigators to take them to the exam center.

Upon arrival of the boat in Dolle, Morgan was immediately put on a carriage. After several hours of travel, they finally arrived in Zaban City.

The captain was quite talkative and became an instant tour guide. He always had something to say or ask. Morgan could only respond with two or three words. He seemed to be amiable and carefree.

As they traveled, the captain pointed out a few beautiful fountains, but he drove them directly to their destination. He stopped in front of a majestic office building and hopped down from the front.

Morgan stepped down and looked at the towering building. "Is this it?"

The captain chuckled. "Nope."

Morgan looked at him in confusion.

He simply guided her to a modest, unremarkable restaurant next to it. Pushing open the door, they stepped inside. A stout man was busy behind the counter, serving two bowls of something hot to a couple of customers. Upon hearing the door, he offered a standard greeting, "Welcome."

Morgan understood it immediately. The Hunter Exam, with its vast number of candidates, would never be expected to be located here. The Hunter Exam Committee deliberately made it difficult for candidates to locate the exam site.

"Are there any empty rooms?"

At this, the man eyed the coachman, returning to a simmering bowl. "May I take your order?"

"I'll have the Steak Combo. Just for one, please."

The chef squinted. "How would you like it cooked?"

"Grilled slowly over a low flame," the captain smirked.

The chef nodded. "Got it. You can sit at the back."

The two moved toward the rear, attracting the attention of many restaurant patrons, with whispers circulating around. They could have been gossiping about various topics.

They arrived at a room in the back. He gestured for her to enter. The girl paused, as usual, to assess the situation before stepping inside.

"Missy."

She turned around.

"Good luck. Most rookies don't make it on their first try, but you will, won't you?"

"I will," Morgan responded. 'I have to.'

"Yeah, well, I hope you survive to do so. My crew and I were really impressed by you. We'll be rooting for you!"

She nodded. "Thank you for your assistance, captain."

"...I can't say I'd love to see you again, but if it happens, I'm willing to be your escort."

She nodded again, and he closed the door. Morgan took a seat at the table. A minute after Morgan had taken her seat, the elevator began to move.