Hunter x Hunter : Cautious Hunter

The dense forest swallowed them quickly as the participants spread out, each on their own mission. The wind rustled through the leaves, and the air felt thick with anticipation. Finn, Lyra, and Greg found themselves standing together, trying to figure out their next move. Finn and Lyra have equipment with them.

"We should stick together," Lyra suggested, her tone decisive as she scanned their surroundings. "This is the kind of test where isolation could mean death. We're better off as a team."

Finn scratched his head, glancing at the trees around them. "I don't know, Lyra. What if we're not the only ones with that idea? The more people know about us, the bigger the target we become."

"We'll keep a low profile," Lyra replied, her eyes narrowing as she looked at Finn. "But we need to make it through the first phase. And that means working together, at least for now."

Greg, who had been silently listening, finally spoke. "We might not have the luxury of time. We need to figure out our strategy now. The clock's ticking."

Lyra nodded in agreement, then looked at her teammates. "Alright, let's get to know each other a little better. It'll help us understand how we can work together."

The trio moved to a nearby clearing and sat on a fallen log. Lyra was the first to speak, her voice steady but with a hint of something darker lurking beneath it.

"I'm 23 years old," she began, eyes distant for a moment. "My father was a mercenary. He trained me to be a soldier, to survive in environments like this." She paused, taking a breath. "I'm here because I want revenge. The people who killed my father—they're the reason I'm in this exam. Becoming a Hunter might give me the resources I need to track them down and end them. I knew this part of the exam as it comes up quite often. Right now in my bag is a .9mm handgun with some bullets, some supplies etc. Hunter association allows you to bring equipment so I brought anything that was deemed necessary. Lastly, This long thing covered in cloth is a rifle with a scope for sniping. I am actually shocked that Lucan went without anything in hand."

Her words hung in the air, heavy with purpose. Finn and Greg didn't speak for a moment, giving her space to let the silence settle.

"Revenge is... a heavy burden," Greg said at last, his voice softer than usual. "But we all have our reasons. Mine is a bit more personal. I used to be a youth athlete, focused on a few sports. I even reached the national level in some of them. But things have changed. My mom, she needs surgery. It's expensive, and I don't have the money to cover it. That's why I'm here." He looked down, his jaw tightening. "Being a Hunter can give me the money I need to help her. This is my shot."

Lyra looked at him, her expression unreadable, but there was something in her gaze that spoke of understanding. "Money can be a good motivator," she murmured.

Greg glanced at Finn. "What about you?"

Finn chuckled softly, leaning back against a tree. "I'm 16. My story's a little different." He looked at the others, a playful smirk on his face, but there was a certain sharpness in his eyes. "I'm a thief. A con artist. I've done a few heists in my time, but no kills. I've learned how to use a knife, maybe a gun if I need to. I'm taking the Hunter exam because I need to broaden my network. If I pass, I'll have access to resources and connections that I can use for future jobs. The identity of a Hunter might help me infiltrate places where I could pull off even bigger heists. I've got a plan, and this exam could be the ticket to it. Same as you in my shoulder bag, I have a handgun with some bullets."

The group sat in silence for a while, taking in each other's stories. It was clear that while their motives were different, they all had something they were fighting for, something they were willing to risk it all for.

Lyra broke the silence, her voice steady. "So, now that we know where we stand, let's figure out what to do. The rules are simple—get your target's badge and protect your own. But we need to think ahead. This is a game of survival, and only one team can win."

She looked at each of them in turn, her gaze sharp. "Here's the plan: First, we stay in a group. We'll keep moving and lay low, watching for anyone who might come after us. The second we spot someone trying to take our badges, we'll be ready. We can't afford to be caught off guard."

Finn raised an eyebrow. "And how exactly do you suggest we handle it? We're not exactly armed to the teeth."

Lyra smiled, a cold edge to it. "That's where our skills come in. Greg, you've got the strength. You can take someone down if it comes to that. Finn, you're the sneaky one. You'll be our eyes and ears—watching for anyone who might be following us. And I'll take the lead when it comes to strategy. We stick together, and we strike when we need to."

Greg gave a slow nod. "Sounds like a solid plan. And if we find someone who's an easy target…"

"We take their badge and use it to get ahead," Lyra finished. "But only if we're sure we can do it without getting caught."

Finn smirked. "Sounds fun."

"Good. Now, let's move," Lyra said, standing up and brushing the dirt off her pants. "We've got a lot of ground to cover."

As the trio stood and made their way into the forest, their movements synchronized, the weight of the task ahead settled over them. There were no guarantees, no promises of safety. But for the first time since they'd met, there was an unspoken bond between them. They were in this together, for better or worse.

And as they moved deeper into the jungle, the sound of the forest came alive around them—rustling leaves, distant animal calls, and the eerie silence that seemed to stretch forever. Every step was a reminder that the real test was only just beginning.

…

Meanwhile, deeper into the jungle…

The quiet was broken by the sudden rustling of leaves. A tall, thin figure, dressed in camouflage gear and carrying a pack, moved with calculated precision through the undergrowth. His eyes scanned the surroundings methodically, like a predator on the hunt. His name was Kael, a renowned tracker, widely regarded as one of the best in the world. However, he wasn't here for fame or fortune. He was here for the challenge—to test his skills in an unfamiliar environment and prove that his talents could survive even the harshest conditions.

Beside him, an imposing figure trudged along, his muscles rippling under his tight shirt. This was Rex, a man who carried the air of a seasoned hitman. His stone-cold demeanor was only softened by the occasional flicker of amusement in his eyes, as if he was excited about the prospect of taking on a new challenge. Unlike Kael, Rex didn't enter this exam out of personal ambition. He was here because his organization required him to get his Hunter license—his position depended on it.

As they moved through the forest, Kael glanced over at Rex. "I've got my eye on a target. A person who might make for a good challenge."

Rex raised an eyebrow. "Who?"

"A woman. I don't know anything about her but the way she moves tells me that she might be a soldier," Kael replied, his tone cool but filled with respect for his target's skill. "But I'll handle it. she won't escape me."

Rex smirked. "Good luck."

Far away from the first two, another pair moved with a similar purpose. Hiro, a quiet martial artist, walked alongside his partner, a young woman named Sera. Hiro was calm, collected, and his mastery of martial arts made him an imposing figure. He was here for the challenge, to push himself to his limits and see how far he could go. He didn't care about fame or fortune—only the thrill of testing his own strength.

Sera, however, had a different drive. She had been trained in martial arts from a young age, but it was the weight of family expectations that had driven her to take the Hunter exam. She needed to prove herself, not just to herself, but to her family, who had always demanded excellence.

"Are you sure about this?" Sera asked, her voice low, as she kept her eyes peeled. "Why do you want to go after someone just because they seemed strong?"

Hiro's expression remained serene. "The harder the fight, the more worthwhile it becomes. I'll handle it."

Sera nodded, her gaze scanning the trees around them. They were ready. But even as they moved deeper into the forest, the tension between the two pairs who are far from each other, their goals, and the darkness surrounding the exam, began to weigh heavily in the air.

But the real danger was elsewhere. Deep in the shadows of the forest, another figure moved with a spring in his step. Tristan, the serial killer, had already taken four lives in this exam. He was a 29 year old slim, handsome man in a suit. To him, the Hunter exam wasn't a challenge—it was a playground. He was here for the thrill of it, relishing every kill, every moment of fear and pain. He was giddy with excitement, already thinking of his next target, his eyes dancing with a twisted kind of joy.

Tristan's current target was Rex. Of course, his real target based on the hunter exam might be someone else but he wants to fight and kill Rex. He sensed that both of them might be a good match for each other. So, he wants to kill Rex and relish in the process of it.

Each pair had their own objectives, their own motives, and now their paths were bound to cross. The forest seemed alive with the thrill of the hunt, and only time would reveal who would survive the brutal test ahead.