Chapter 36: For an Ordinary Person, You're Not Bad
"Rock-paper-scissors!"
"I win." Mord took a step forward.
"This one seems a bit troublesome. Need my help?" Hisoka looked at Mord, the corner of his mouth curling upward. "If you ask me."
"Tatatatata—" The nail-covered Killua turned his head, also staring at Mord while making strange noises.
The luck was indeed somewhat unfortunate.
Among all the examinees on the entire ferry, Hanzo and Killua were the strongest.
Everyone was watching Mord's group, wondering what scheme they were brewing.
Hanzo approached cautiously, slowly closing in on Mord's group while staying prepared to react.
Just as he was about to pass them, Mord stepped sideways to block his path:
"Robbery. Hand over your number plate if you want to leave."
Upon hearing Mord's words, the other examinees on the ferry were both shocked and furious.
They finally understood the real reason why Mord's group had been lingering instead of entering the island.
But in their eyes, this was utterly absurd and insane.
"What? Did I hear that correctly?"
"Has this guy lost his mind? Is he feverish?"
"Who gave them the courage to think three people could take on our entire ferry?"
...
Compared to the shock, anger, and curses from the examinees behind him on the ferry, Hanzo's expression remained exceptionally serious and focused.
He could tell that Mord and the others weren't joking, though Hanzo also possessed absolute confidence in his own abilities.
"Time is a bit tight, and you're somewhat strong, so sorry about this—I'll be using my real power." Mord looked at Hanzo, his eyes deep as still ponds, speaking calmly.
The next moment.
Hanzo made his move.
"Although he appears to be the easiest to handle among the three, he still shouldn't be underestimated. Plus, I need to watch out for whether the other two will intervene."
Hanzo's mind raced.
"First, create distance, then make a plan."
With that, Hanzo instantly vanished from his spot, moving so fast he left an afterimage behind.
Boom!
Thunder rumbled.
Hanzo suddenly saw a flash of lightning before his eyes.
"As a ninja, you're quite confident in your speed. I'll acknowledge that."
As the lightning faded, Mord had somehow appeared behind Hanzo. His right hand formed into a knife-hand strike, cutting down with precision and speed, the edge of his palm striking the left side of Hanzo's neck.
"For an ordinary person, you're not bad."
These were the last words Hanzo heard before losing consciousness.
Hanzo's head snapped back from the heavy blow, giving him no time to react before his eyes rolled back and he collapsed on the spot.
This was Mord utilizing the lightning power of Gonryōmaru to stimulate his own cells, dramatically increasing his speed. Combined with his Ren-enhanced hand chop, Hanzo stood no chance of resisting.
Even though Hanzo was considered the strongest among this year's Hunter examinees.
In this world, those with Nen and those without exist in completely different realms.
Mord bent down and took Hanzo's number plate.
The battle had lasted merely an instant from start to finish. Many examinees couldn't even follow Hanzo's movements, let alone Mord's.
They only witnessed the final outcome.
That outcome was Hanzo being instantly defeated.
Tick, tick...
The time on the stopwatch in the female guide's hand continued counting.
Only when the bell rang did it snap her back to reality.
"Time's up. The fifth examinee, please disembark."
Geretta's forehead was already drenched in sweat. He kept thinking how his signature blowdarts couldn't possibly match the speed Mord had just demonstrated. Against such an enemy, he probably couldn't even touch the hem of their clothing.
Given his characteristics, this exam should have been tailor-made for him.
Lurking hidden in the shadows, then finishing enemies with poisoned blowdarts.
Earlier on the boat, he had even been fantasizing about various plans after landing on the island.
No!
Having come this far, my path to becoming a Hunter cannot end here.
"My target isn't any of you." Geretta pulled out the card from his draw, showing the number 406. "There's no conflict of interest between us."
Geretta was still making a final desperate effort.
"Rock-paper-scissors!"
"Rock-paper-scissors!"
"Rock-paper-scissors!"
...
But the three monsters opposite paid him no attention at all.
Even a clay figure has three parts of fire—this feeling of complete disregard finally enraged Geretta.
Having always considered himself strong, he decided to teach these arrogant bastards a proper lesson.
He raised his blowgun and fired at one of the targets.
Meanwhile, the rock-paper-scissors game finally produced its winner.
"Oh ho, I win this time."
Hisoka smiled, turning elegantly to face Geretta while flipping open a playing card—6a blowdart was precisely embedded in it.
A blowdart that could easily penetrate solid rock couldn't pierce through a thin playing card.
"Unfortunately, your latent aura is too low. You're not worth keeping."
As the words fell.
Geretta's head went flying.
His sunglasses fell to the ground, shattering into pieces, allowing everyone to see his terrified eyes behind them.
H-he killed him?!
On the ferry, all examinees instinctively stepped back from Hisoka.
Who's next?! Who's next?!
Pokkle suddenly realized everyone's eyes were focused on him.
Back in Trick Tower, he and examinee 371 Goz had arrived at the first floor simultaneously. Protected by the rules and boasting an earlier number, he had smugly taken the sixth position.
Now this had become his death warrant.
Tick, tick, tick...
The time on the female guide's stopwatch kept counting, each tick hammering heavily against Pokkle's chest.
His mind was filled with images of Geretta's flying head, terrified eyes, and finally Hisoka's frightening smile.
Under the gaze of countless examinees around him...
Pokkle finally broke down.
"I... I forfeit!"
The moment time ran out, he shouted loudly.
Pokkle didn't even have the courage to disembark. He pulled his number tag from his pocket and threw it toward the shore.
The number 53 tag representing his identity drew a beautiful parabola in the air before landing in front of Mord and the others.
Losing his qualification for the Hunter Exam might not be a bad thing for him, Mord thought as he looked at the bow-carrying youth on the distant ferry.
At least he wouldn't become ant food a year later.
But as for the future...
Who could say for sure?
"The sixth examinee has forfeited." The beautiful guide paused before continuing. "Now please invite the seventh examinee to disembark."
----------
For advance chapters join my Patreon.
[email protected]/Aarvan