After a few minutes of waiting, the tunnel door suddenly slammed shut, preventing any more candidates from entering.
As the examiner announced that the next phase would involve crossing the swamp, he was suddenly interrupted by a heavily injured man who accused him of being an impostor trying to kill the candidates.
Nicolas observed the scene with a distant look, the examiner wasn't hiding his Nen, making it obvious who the real impostor was in this situation.
Despite that, Nicolas saw three cards fly rapidly toward the examiner, thrown by Hisoka. Clearly aware of the truth, he was simply looking for fun.
Better avoid any contact with that clown.
With the issue resolved, the now slightly over 300 remaining candidates resumed the race toward the swamp.
Thirty minutes after the restart, Nicolas had a thought: Tompa made the old me fail during the first trial, it's only fair I return the favor, right?
Quickly spotting the man in the crowd, he discreetly split from Gon and Killua, using the fog as cover.
Thanks to Zetsu, even a Nen master would struggle to detect him, Tompa didn't stand a chance. Still, Nicolas kept a safe distance and acted cautiously, waiting for the perfect opportunity.
An hour passed. During that time, Tompa had already made two more rookies give up.
Suddenly, Nicolas noticed a sleeping beast about a hundred meters away. He sped toward it. The creature looked like a giant lion, with a blade-like fang on its front paw.
Taking advantage of its sleep, Nicolas delivered a powerful kick to wake it up, then quickly hid in a tree.
Awakened and furious, the lion roared and rose, searching for the one who had disturbed its slumber. Drawn by the sounds of the candidates, it began rampaging in their direction, smashing trees as it advanced.
Hidden with Zetsu, Nicolas watched as the lion stopped the group, including Tompa. Tompa, seemingly used to such situations, immediately turned and fled without hesitation, abandoning the others.
You're not getting away that easily!
From his perch, Nicolas jumped onto the lion's back, hiding in its mane. He released some of his Ren, forcing the lion, frightened by the aura, to charge straight toward Tompa.
Tompa's eyes widened as he saw the beast chasing him. He picked up speed, but no matter how fast he ran, he was no match. Soon, the lion opened its jaws, ready to swallow him whole.
As Tompa prepared to dodge, four objects suddenly flew toward him. He didn't have time to react before being struck and sent flying, just in time to be swallowed whole. Before being engulfed, he caught a glimpse of the objects: "Training weights?!"
Hidden a few meters away, Nicolas watched Tompa get swallowed. He had timed the throw so Tompa would fly straight into the creature's throat, avoiding its crushing jaws.
Let's leave him in there for about ten minutes before letting him out.
Nicolas casually climbed back onto the lion's back and used the fear he had instilled to control it, letting it run in his place.
Ten minutes later, judging that it was enough, Nicolas delivered a powerful kick to the lion's stomach, strong enough to make it vomit without knocking it out.
Slightly disgusted, Nicolas finally saw Tompa unconscious, drenched in bile and half-digested food. From a distance, he confirmed the man was still breathing, then jumped back onto the lion's back, urging it to keep running despite its tired expression.
That should be punishment enough for all the rookies he crushed. As for this lion... too bad I can't keep it, it's actually quite useful.
About thirty minutes later, he arrived at a hangar in the middle of the swamp. A hundred candidates were already there, staring at the lion in fear.
In the crowd, Nicolas spotted Killua and waved. The latter approached with curiosity.
"Where'd you find that lion? Did you tame it during the trial? Is that why you disappeared?"
Nicolas nodded. "Yeah, that's it. I honestly didn't think it'd work, but I guess I've got a knack for taming. You just have to show him who's boss."
That was true, he'd only intended to sic the lion on Tompa. He hadn't expected to ride it like a mount.
Maybe it has something to do with my Nen type, manipulation. I guess it's easier to transmit intentions with Nen if it fits your nature.
Satisfied with his theory, Nicolas motioned for the lion to leave. Without hesitation, the exhausted beast ran back into the forest.
Killua watched the lion disappear, tail between its legs, then turned to Nicolas. "You're really a strange guy. You should work at a circus with that kind of talent."
A mental image of him and Hisoka putting on a show crossed Nicolas' mind before he replied coldly, "Don't be ridiculous. Anyway, where are the others? There's only 5 minutes left before this trial ends."
Killua also looked toward the clock above the hangar. "You're right. I don't think they'll make it back. But the old man is over there, Hisoka brought him back earlier."
Leorio was slumped under a tree, his face swollen. "Wow... looks like he got hit by a bus."
Killua nodded. "Yeah. Whatever happened in the forest, it looked intense."
Suddenly, two figures emerged from the trees, Gon and Kurapika. Without delay, they rushed toward the unconscious Leorio.
Breathing a sigh of relief, Nicolas pointed at them. "Let's join them before the second phase starts."
Over the next five minutes, the growling noises coming from inside the hangar worried many candidates. But knowing it was just stomach growls, Nicolas calmly leaned against a tree, unconcerned.
Finally, the hands of the clock stopped at noon. The hangar's steel door slowly rose, revealing the two new examiners.
Menchi explained the next test, cooking, and minutes later, all the candidates ran off into the forest to hunt boar.
In the forest, Gon quickly found the boars' weak point, allowing many candidates to capture them easily.
Nicolas swiftly caught and roasted one. He didn't waste time making a sauce or sides, he simply grilled the boar, set it on a large plate, and sliced it for the examiner.
The giant examiner eyed the plate hungrily and devoured it in seconds. "You pass!"
Satisfied, Nicolas returned to his workstation. He had saved himself a whole boar leg to snack on while waiting.
Seeing the examiner had finished his boar, the other candidates picked up the pace, worried he might be full soon.
But the examiner's appetite seemed limitless. Fifty boars later, he was still eating.
At last, after an impressive feat in the eyes of the candidates, he declared the end of the trial's first round.