After all, this exam's criteria don't simply revolve around direct combat.
The Zevil Island test lasts seven days.
Zevil Island isn't large, and all the candidates who've made it here are quite capable.
Over such a long period, a lot can happen.
It's bound to be intense.
Ron glanced at Gon, hesitating briefly.
"Gon, believe in yourself and give it your all."
"After all, you're Ging's son."
Gon's eyes went wide. In the next moment, excitement lit up his face.
"Ron, you know my dad?"
"You could say that."
"Can you tell me about him?"
"After this exam's over."
With that, Ron waved goodbye to Gon.
Ron knew that Ging and the Hunter Association had arrangements regarding Gon's presence in this exam.
He simply gave a small hint or two.
Regardless, Gon and the others were valuable in Ron's view. Their presence heightened the quality of this year's Hunter Exam.
Because of them, Ron's Observational Technique could absorb even more from what transpired.
And Gon's group had always been friendly toward him.
Ron wouldn't offer help just because they were key characters, but returning kindness with kindness was in his nature.
Soon, Ron's figure disappeared into the forest.
Gon watched Ron's retreating back for a while before looking away.
Where before he had felt one-third excitement, one-third doubt, and one-third fear, he now found himself growing calmer.
Gon turned to face the sea.
"I'm going to do my best."
"I'll follow in your footsteps, chase after your shadow, and become a Hunter like you."
Meanwhile, Kurapika was replaying Ron's words in his mind.
"Ron and Hisoka… both of them are far beyond what I can do now."
"But Hisoka did say something about 'after the Hunter Exam, it might be different.'"
"Does that mean that once we pass the Hunter Exam and become Hunters, something changes?"
"Is there some special power involved?"
"Is that what allowed the Phantom Troupe to wipe out the Kurta Clan?"
Kurapika recalled the people of his clan.
He knew some of them had been very strong. Even now, he felt he couldn't match their strength.
The Phantom Troupe was outnumbered by the Kurta, yet they annihilated the entire clan. If they were just ordinary people, it would have been impossible.
"What secret does the Hunter Exam hold?"
"Forget it; no point thinking about it."
"If I haven't passed yet, I won't figure anything out."
"Once I pass the exam, I'll know. For now, I just need to focus on passing."
"Concentrate. Don't get distracted."
Ron glanced in Gittarackur's direction. Upon arriving at Zevil Island, Gittarackur had buried himself underground in a secluded spot, digging a hole for cover.
Clearly, this was Illumi's command.
Illumi hadn't returned yet.
During these early days on Zevil Island, Illumi didn't want Gittarackur to participate. He intended to handle his own affairs and only appear in person at the final stage.
Even if he arrived on the very last day, it wouldn't matter.
He was certain he could complete the exam.
Ron turned to look at the crystal ball before him.
Its progress finally surpassed forty percent.
"Hopefully, by the time we're finished on Zevil Island, it'll be around sixty percent. That way, by combining it with the Hunter Association's commission, I can bring it to one hundred percent."
He did some rough calculations.
With a shift of his thoughts, the beast he'd had following Gittarackur vanished.
Ron disappeared in a flash, heading in a different direction.
He wasn't worried about the tag.
Scoring points posed no problem for him.
He was more concerned about the Trait Absorption process.
"The essence of observation lies in actual observation."
Time passed quickly for some and dragged on for others.
Geretta was one of those feeling the time crawl by.
His target was Gittarackur—Illumi in disguise.
But he never found a trace of him.
Gittarackur was underground without stirring, so there was nothing to track. Geretta grew increasingly anxious.
"Where on earth is that guy hiding?"
"It's like he vanished into thin air. Does he even plan on passing the exam? Does he not care about becoming a Hunter?"
"Why did my target have to be someone ?"
The more time passed, the more anxious Geretta became.
A target's tag is worth three points.
Any unrelated tag is worth only one.
Securing the target's tag was a lot easier than rounding up three other tags.
In the beginning, Geretta felt confident. He believed his skills were very well-suited to this environment.
Capable at both long-range and close combat, he also had strong info-gathering abilities, better than most examinees.
He could attack from a great distance. By the time an opponent noticed, it would be too late.
On Battleship Island, he'd been pleased with his performance and had sized up the others in his own mind.
He didn't think anyone was significantly stronger than him. As long as their level wasn't far above his, they'd lose to his sneak attack.
That was the sniper's confidence.
Ron noted Geretta's predicament but didn't move in right away.
He was waiting for an opportunity.
He glanced again at Geretta in the distance, then at a nearby spot.
A small bee landed on a leaf.
Not far off, a petite figure crouched in some bushes, watching Ron in secret.
"You've been following me for quite a while without showing yourself?"
Ron had already noticed Ponzu's tailing and had even left openings on purpose.
Yet Ponzu didn't move in.
Either she hadn't seen the openings or lacked the nerve to act.
In a flash, Ron vanished.
He reappeared atop higher ground.
A young man with short red hair came into view.
He had a red nose, an ordinary face, and wore a purple jacket on his upper body.
He carried a shoulder bag.
Not far behind him, someone was concealed in the undergrowth like a stalking predator preparing to pounce.
A bow was in the stalker's hands.
An arrow was nocked on the bowstring.
It was aimed at the red-haired youth.
The stalker's breathing steadied.
Pokkle suddenly released the bowstring.
The arrow zipped toward the red-haired youth at tremendous speed.