They continued their journey, but at one point, they ended up on the wrong path—it looked exactly like the one they'd taken before. The challenges they faced only grew more intense as they pressed forward. After retracing their steps, they boarded a rail cart and sped along the tracks. Things escalated quickly as the ground behind them began collapsing with each step, forcing them to run for their lives. But that was just one of many trials they had to face. With each new obstacle, they had to think fast and rely on their skills to survive. The journey was testing their limits, and it seemed like danger was never far behind. And Just when they thought it was over, a massive boulder came crashing after them, and they had to sprint even faster to escape.
After everything they'd just been through, they took a short breather—but only for a minute.
Killua: Man, I'm covered in dust… That shower was for nothing.
Max: At least it refreshed us.
Leorio: We still have time left, but there's nothing wrong with hurrying.
Soon, they arrived at a large door.
Leorio: Are we supposed to vote on whether to open the door?
Leorio: We need to move on, so obviously, we want to open it.
They cast their votes. The screen displayed: O - 4 | X - 1
Leorio: Who voted for X?
Gon: Sorry, Leorio! I accidentally pressed the wrong button.
Leorio: Ah, I see. No worries, I just wanted to know. Let's move on—I bet we're almost done.
Gon: Yeah!
They opened the door and entered a room with two more doors, marked with the symbols "O" and "X." In the center was a sign.
Killua: Let's see… "This will be the last decision made by majority rule. Are you ready? Choose O or X." …That's all it says.
Leorio: Am I ready? You bet.
They all voted again. This time, the screen showed: O - 5 | X - 0
Suddenly, a voice echoed from a speaker hidden in a statue—it was Lippo.
Lippo (Speaker): Please select a path. There are two choices. One path allows five people to pass, but is long and difficult. The other path allows only three to pass, but is short and easy.
Everyone was surprised at first, but calmed down once they remembered how much time they had left.
Lippo (Speaker): Incidentally, the long and difficult path requires a minimum of 45 hours. The short and easy path leads to the goal in approximately three minutes. Press O for the long and difficult path, or X for the short and easy path.If X is selected, two people must be restrained to the wall with handcuffs before the door will open. The two chained members will be unable to move until the time limit expires.
Killua: These examiners came prepared… I think they've got every kind of psychological weapon here.
Kurapika: Two out of five… but looks like we don't need to go that route.
Leorio: You're right—we've still got over 50 hours left. Even if the O path takes 45 hours, we'll make it in time.
Gon: Yeah! I'm gonna press O then. Everyone agree?
Everyone nodded in agreement. But then, Max grabbed a large axe from one of the weapon racks.
Leorio: Max, what are you doing?
Without saying a word, Max swung the axe with full force at the X door. The impact shattered the axe handle, and the blade flew off—embedding itself deep into the wall just inches from Leorio's head. The door didn't even have a scratch.
Max (thought):Tch. The weapon's too weak… This wouldn't have happened if I'd infused it with Nen. Oh well.
Everyone froze for a moment. Gon stared at the axe blade embedded in the wall, eyes widening as if a lightbulb had gone off in his head.
Leorio: Hey! That was dangerous—what the hell were you thinking?
Max: Let's just say I tried. I wanted the shorter path, figured I could brute-force my way through. Too bad the weapon broke before the door did.
Leorio: Would the examiner even allow that?
Max: He didn't say we couldn't, so I'd assume yes. But like I said, the weapons here are way too weak for that door.
Gon: No... actually, thanks to you, I think I have an idea now! If we do this right, we might make it in under two hours. Or maybe you already figured it out before me. We've already voted once—should we vote again?
Leorio: Seriously, you two?
Max: Sounds like a plan. I guess you could say i already figured it out, but I'll give you the credit this time. Let's vote.
They all voted again. The result: O - 5, X - 0.As the door began to open, Gon rushed over to a shelf and grabbed a weapon.
Gon: We use these, right?
Max: Yes.
Leorio looked lost, but Kurapika immediately understood. He grabbed a weapon as well, then picked up another and tossed it to Leorio.
Kurapika: Leorio! Take that axe and follow Gon's lead!
Leorio: Huh!? Why?
Kurapika removed his cloak and grinned.
Kurapika: If that path is so difficult... then we'll just make our own shortcut to the easy one.
The statue's speaker stayed silent—no objections.
They all got to work. Max watched for a moment, then thought to himself:
Max (thought):Should I just use my fists instead...? Nah, no need. Leorio and Kurapika looked pretty down back in that rest room—like they felt useless or like they were being carried. Let them have this. They finally get to feel helpful.
With everyone smashing away at the wall with weapons on the shelf, they eventually broke through. The team pushed forward, following the newly carved path until they reached the end.
A voice echoed through the speaker, announcing their arrival.
Max (thought):Looks like we're the fifth team to make it. The first must've been that jester-looking guy—Hisoka. Second was that needle-faced guy... don't know who he is, but he feels strong he is the same level as Hisoka. Third was the bald ninja. He's tough, but not on the same tier as those two. Fourth was the black guy with afro hair and the sunglasses. Not weak, but not a top threat either... still, I won't underestimate him.
Judging by the fact they all arrived alone, there must've been a solo path too. And it seems we're the only ones who took the team path. Interesting.
Leorio: My hands are covered in blisters... but at least all five of us cleared the tower together. And way faster than expected—all thanks to Gon and Max.
Kurapika: We entered the long and difficult path… then cut a hole in the wall to sneak into the short and easy one. Unconventional, but effective.
Leorio: Man, I still can't believe you two actually came up with that on the spot.
Kurapika: How did you come up with that idea?
Gon: Actually, I got the idea when I saw Max try to smash through the "X" door and fail. But when the axe blade hit the wall and got stuck, I realized... maybe the wall itself was breakable if we all worked together.
Kurapika: I see. Did you think the same thing, Max?
Max: Nah, I figured it out even earlier. Remember the last opponent Killua fought? What was his name again... uh, Jonathan?
Killua: The one I killed?
Leorio: You mean Johness?
Max: Yeah, that guy. Before he even stepped onto the stage, his hand brushed against the wall and cracked it. That's when I realized—if Johness could damage the wall like that, then it must be made from the same material he could crush. That gave me the idea.
Leorio: Now that you mention it, you're right. Thanks to that, we got through a lot faster. But it still feels like the exam's taking forever to finish. What are we supposed to do while we wait?
Max: Well, looks like there's food here for those who passed. Let's grab some, eat, and rest up. I'm starving.
They all agreed and moved to grab the food. But as Max reached out, he noticed Hisoka staring at him while silently eating—his gaze sharp and unsettling. Max quickly grabbed his food and walked far away from him.
Leorio: Whoa, Max, what's the rush? You snatching food like someone's gonna steal it.
Max: It's not that. That damn jester's staring at me—or maybe at all of us. He's creepy as hell.
The group glanced at Hisoka and immediately understood. They quietly shifted to a safer spot, then sat down and began eating. Eventually, conversation started to flow more easily.
Max: You know... I've never actually considered you guys as friends. I only see you as acquaintances.
They didn't seem surprised. All except Gon.
Gon: Eeeh? Why?
Max: Let me be clear—I'll help when I can, but if something puts my life at risk, I won't get involved. I only help when I feel like it, so don't blame me if I refuse. I'm telling you this now so that if the time comes when I choose to walk away to protect myself, you won't feel betrayed. Besides, we've only known each other for a week.
Gon: That's fine! I don't like it when people risk their lives for me anyway. I still consider you a friend. We even came from the same island!
Everyone else nodded in agreement.
Max: That doesn't really count, Gon. We never even talked back on the island.
Gon: Doesn't matter. I've already decided—you're my friend. That's all there is to it.
Leorio: Same here. You can be as cold as you want, but you're stuck with us now, buddy. You've already helped us so much in the Hunter Exam, and that's enough for me to consider you a friend.
Kurapika: I agree with Leorio. If I ever find myself in a tough spot and ask for your help, but you refuse, I'll accept it without holding it against you.
Killua: I haven't even known you guys for a full week, but... I agree with Gon. You're in the group now.
Max:sighs Well... if you say so. Just so you know I won't take back what I said.
Max (thought):If this were my past life... no—if this were real life, in a world without Nen or magic... I doubt it would've turned out like this.
Time crawled by as more applicants trickled in, one after another. Even so, hours passed with little change. When night finally fell, blankets and simple beds were provided. Killua mentioned he could go two or three days without sleep and decided to stay up, trying to prank Gon by tossing a pillow at him—only to find Gon was also awake. The two ended up having a quiet pillow fight, laughing softly in the dim light. The Needleman stared intently at Killua, but Killua didn't notice him at all.
Some participants slept soundly, while others stayed awake to keep watch. Max chose not to sleep either. Instead, he sat cross-legged in meditation. His unique technique allowed him to restore mental clarity and even recover some energy, similar to sleep. But despite his best efforts, focusing was nearly impossible—Hisoka hadn't taken his eyes off him, wearing that unsettling, ever-present grin, clearly intrigued.
Max (thought):Can you just stop already? You're messing up my zen...
The next day came, and they were still waiting. During the downtime, they trained for a while then after that they have fun in their free time. Gon tried out Killua's skateboard, while Killua gave Gon's fishing rod a go. Max, however, kept training alone, focused on improving his skills. Meanwhile, Leorio and Kurapika were reading books they had "borrowed" from the tower rooms earlier. Max had been the first to grab something to take it with him on journey, and seeing that the speaker didn't object, the others followed his lead. It seemed like taking the stuff from the room was allowed, as there were no announcements or restrictions against it.
Eventually, more participants trickled in. A pair of 3 brothers arrived—clearly a team.
Max (thought): Looks like we're not the only ones who took the team path.
Later, an injured man stumbled in... only to collapse at the entrance. Gon rushed to help, but it was too late—he was already dead. Gon was visibly shaken, but only for a moment. Then, after that, Tonpa, the square-nosed, fat person, arrived.
Max (thought):So even that fat bastard made it through... lucky him.
More waiting. One by one, participants continued to appear. Finally, a voice echoed from the speaker—it was Lippo.
Lippo (speaker): The third phase of the exam is over. Twenty-six applicants have passed. One has died.
Max (thought):Then just say twenty-five passed. Damn, that phrasing bugs me... whatever, small stuff.
The large door at the tower's exit slowly opened. Max and the others stood up along with the rest of the applicants, ready to face the next phase of the Hunter Exam.