A mechanical sound rang out.
The gate began to lower, clearly indicating that the deadline was almost up.
Gon and Kurapika both kept their eyes trained on the entrance.
A series of rapid footsteps echoed.
Someone rushed out at high speed.
Leorio burst through the exit, gasping for breath, unable to say a word.
Tonpa wore a disappointed expression.
But if the first test is already so tough for him, I doubt he'll last much longer in the remaining exams. I can't wait to see the look on his face when he's finally eliminated."
Right then, a figure emerged from the side, dragging a monkey along and pointing angrily at Satotz.
"Everyone, don't be fooled by this guy! He's not the real examiner.
He's actually a Man-Faced Ape from the Swindler's Swamp.
Look—this is what they really are."
He pointed at the monkey in his grip.
"They ambushed me, disguised themselves as an examiner to trick you and lead you into a trap, planning to turn you into their food. We should kill him right now!"
Satotz made no effort to explain, merely looking on calmly.
Some examinees wavered, but in truth, the accusation didn't hold up.
Would the genuine Hunter Exam examiner be so weak as to fall to a few Man-Faced Apes from the Swindler's Swamp?
And if Satotz truly meant to harm the candidates, he could have led them straight into the swamp to be attacked once everyone was tired out.
Moreover, to those with Nen, it was even clearer: by focusing their aura on their eyes, they could see Satotz possessed a distinct Nen aura, while the person making accusations did not.
Ron quietly noted the reactions of several participants.
Illumi's face betrayed no emotion.
Gon and Killua, who had been following Satotz closely, trusted him more.
Veterans like Tonpa also weren't swayed by this newcomer.
Kurapika was deep in thought.
Only Leorio and a few other fresh candidates seemed to buy into the man's words—or perhaps they simply resented Satotz for forcing them to run so far without explanation.
Satotz glanced at the Man-Faced Ape.
This wasn't originally part of the exam, but if it appeared, adding it as a challenge was fine. As the proctor of the first stage, Satotz had some freedom.
"Anyone who can't discern the truth and chooses to follow the Man-Faced Ape will simply be deemed unqualified."
A pair of cards whirred through the air at high speed.
One flew toward the Man-Faced Ape, the other toward Satotz. They were charged with aura—Hisoka had used Shu on them.
Satotz narrowed his eyes, focused aura into his hand, and caught the card aimed at him.
As for the Man-Faced Ape, it had no such ability.
The card stabbed straight into its skull, piercing deep. The Man-Faced Ape's eyes showed confusion before it collapsed, revealing its true form.
Ron noticed one detail: right before attacking, Hisoka had glanced at Gon and Killua.
A strange thought crossed Ron's mind:
"Could this guy be worried that Gon and Killua might be tricked by the Man-Faced Apes? Not wanting the potential foes he's 'cultivating'—the ones who might bring him excitement in the future—to die here before he can fight them himself?"
"That does make sense. In Heaven's Arena, Hisoka once protected Gon. He wouldn't let Gon step onto the 200th floor before learning Nen. There aren't many people who excite him, so he treasures them. Even if they die, it should be by his hand, not someone else's. That's how he thinks.
Then again, he might also be testing Satotz."
Hisoka's move just now was only a probe—too weak to be fatal to any capable Nen user. The Ape was simply too feeble.
"Looks like the real examiner's shown himself."
Satotz stared hard at Hisoka.
"Don't let it happen again."
He paused, then continued.
"First, congratulations on clearing the earlier stage. But the first test isn't fully over—this was only half.
Now I'll lead you onward.
Stay close behind me. I'll guide you to the site of the second exam.
But unlike before, we're heading into the Swindler's Swamp—also called the Deceiver's Den. Countless magical beasts live here, and if you're careless, you'll end up as their prey.
With that, Satotz turned and entered the Swindler's Swamp.
Everyone exchanged glances, then hurried after him.
Ron noticed Hisoka constantly watching his movements. "Planning to force a fight with me in the swamp? Too bad. You won't get your wish."
Ron didn't fear Hisoka—they were both A-level in overall strength. Plus, Ron knew plenty about Hisoka, while Hisoka knew almost nothing of Ron. It wouldn't be easy for Hisoka to threaten him. And Ron disliked pointless battles.
Once the group stepped into the Swindler's Swamp, a heavy mist descended. Soon they could no longer see Satotz,
Nor even the contestants in front of them. They had to rely on sound to gauge their positions and figure out whether they were going the right way.
"Man-Faced Apes, Deathtrap Turtles, Lurking Frogs, Hypnosis Moths, Landmine Mushrooms, Trickster Crows…"
"This swamp teems with magical beasts."
Suddenly, Ron had an idea.
Back when the Kurta clan used Sumas, they'd kept a lot of magical beasts inside it—withered tree stumps, giant earthworms, crows, scorpions…
But after Sumas changed from a fixed to a mobile form, most of those creatures vanished, leaving only the crows.
"Maybe I could capture some of the magical beasts here and store them in Sumas."
With that thought in mind, Ron began making plans.