Chapter 11: The Island Trial
The airship hummed gently as it cruised through the night sky. Lucas leaned against a railing in the observation deck, his sharp eyes scanning the horizon. The quiet murmur of participants chatting and the faint clink of cups from the dining area blended into the background. Lucas wasn't there for relaxation—he had a goal.
He approached one of the Hunter Association staff members stationed near the deck's exit. The staff member, a middle-aged man in a pristine white uniform, noticed him and raised an eyebrow.
"Excuse me," Lucas began, keeping his tone polite but inquisitive. "Can I ask which Hunter Exam this is?"
The man seemed momentarily surprised by the question but answered, "This is the 277th Hunter Exam."
Lucas's mind raced. The 277th... That means I'm ten years in the past. The exam Gon and the others take is the 287th. He managed to keep his expression neutral, thanking the staff member before walking back toward his seat.
…
Lucas spent the remainder of the evening subtly observing the other participants. Groups formed and dissolved in the lounge, their interactions revealing fragments of their personalities.
None of them seem to know Nen, he thought, his senses scanning for the faint aura that would indicate its use. Despite the occasional boastful sparring and strategy discussions, there was no sign of advanced combatants.
This revelation put Lucas at ease. I won't have to fight anyone who's mastered Nen. That simplifies things. But I shouldn't get overconfident. Some of them might still be dangerous even without Nen.
As the hours dragged on, the participants gradually retired to their quarters, preparing for the trial ahead. Lucas sat quietly, reviewing his options. His knowledge of the Hunter Exam's future trials might give him an advantage, but he couldn't rely on that alone.
…
The next morning, the announcement came.
"Attention, participants. We have arrived at the next test location. Please gather your belongings and prepare to disembark."
Lucas joined the procession as the participants exited the airship. The cool breeze of the island hit his face, carrying the salty tang of the ocean and the earthy scent of the forest.
Ahead of them stood a large platform, where Hunter Association staff and Netero awaited. The president of the Hunter Association wore his usual mischievous grin, his eyes twinkling as he regarded the participants.
"Welcome to the next phase of the Hunter Exam!" Netero declared, his voice full of energy. "You've done well to make it this far, but now we'll see how well you fare in a real-world scenario—stealth, survival, and strategy."
…
Netero continued, gesturing to an attendant holding a box.
"This trial is simple," he began. "Inside this box are cards with numbers corresponding to the badges you all wear. You'll each draw a card, and the number on it will be your target. Your goal is to retrieve your target's badge while keeping your own badge safe."
He paused, allowing the participants to absorb the information.
"Stealing your target's badge will earn you three points. Keeping your own badge gives you another three points. If you want to make up the difference, you can steal additional badges, each worth one point. You need six points in total to pass."
Murmurs spread through the crowd as everyone realized the challenge ahead.
"You'll have 2 weeks to complete this trial," Netero continued, his smile widening. "And remember, this is a competition. Success comes at the expense of others. Use whatever methods you see fit, as long as you stay alive."
…
When Lucas's turn came, he stepped up to the box and reached in, his hand brushing against the cards before pulling one out. He glanced at the number: 117.
He didn't react outwardly, slipping the card into his pocket and stepping aside. The tension in the air was palpable as each participant drew their target.
…
After the draw, the participants were given one final opportunity to gather their belongings. Lucas turned to his team—Finn, Lyra, and Greg.
"Well, this is where we split up," he said, his voice steady. "Good luck out there. Watch your backs."
Lyra gave him a small smirk. "You too, Lucas. Don't get yourself killed."
Finn clapped him on the shoulder. "Let's meet up at the end of this, all of us."
Greg simply nodded, his usual stoic expression unchanged.
With that, Lucas turned and walked into the forest.
…
The dense trees quickly swallowed the clearing behind him. Lucas moved carefully, his senses on high alert. Every rustle of leaves and snap of a twig could mean someone nearby.
His first task was to find a place to live. He never did this before but his body is moving as if he knows what he is doing.
Looks like me being an assassin means I have muscle memory of things. Good to know. It means even if I have to fight bare handed right now I can win. I have to find a place to stay and kill some animal or magical beast to see whether I can level up from killing or not. Even though I don't know my target, I can just steal the badges of 3 other people and I will be done. Lucas thinks to himself as he moves from one tree branch to another like a ninja.