Chapter 17 : Waiting for the Exam in the Cemetery
Germain had his hands on the steering wheel, teaching like a veteran guiding a rookie.
Keep the wheel straight, brake lightly, and stop… Do I really need to teach you that?
The driver trembled as he obeyed, the barrel of Germain's musket resting on his shoulder, pressing coldly against his temple.
By the time Yun Gu caught up, Germain and the driver were already out of the car.
The driver crouched on the ground, hands clasped together.
I asked around, Germain said flatly, he's just an ordinary killer can't even read.
With the Hunter Exam coming up, I'd rather not make a scene. What do we do with him?
He didn't kill him outright…
Yun Gu glanced at Germain and replied:
Leave him here. This area is surrounded by Hunters from the Association.
They're responsible for keeping the exam secure they'll come to detain him.
Germain turned to the gathering crowd of onlookers.
Indeed. Let your people handle it.
With that, Germain and Yun Gu left the scene and continued toward the church.
Aren't you surprised someone tried to assassinate you? Yun Gu finally asked after a while.
I've gotten used to it, Germain said calmly. If no one tries to kill me for two or three days, I start to feel uneasy.
I is that so…?
So this was what kind of man lived in the dark world…
Yun Gu fell silent, pondering why Master Biscuit had allowed him to meet Germain.
Out of respect for his teacher, he trusted there was purpose behind it.
The Master always said I was too upright, he thought. Maybe she wanted me to learn something from this man…
He never imagined Biscuit had simply been too busy to come herself and had sent her nearest disciple to handle it.
Inside the quaint, quiet church, Yun Gu slipped into a shadowed confessional, exchanged a few coded phrases, then emerged.
All right, Mr. Germain, follow this path someone will lead you to the examination site.
This is as far as I can go.
Understood. Thank you.
Yun Gu paused for a moment, then smiled faintly.
You're welcome.
Germain walked around the confessional, took a few steps, then suddenly stopped and turned back.
Yun Gu, hands behind his back, asked uncertainly:
Did you forget something?
Germain shook his head, pulled a stone the size of a human head from his backpack, and handed it to Yun Gu.
This is what Biscuit specifically asked for.
Remembering his master's instructions, Yun Gu took it carefully with both hands.
In seconds, the stone changed color matching his own skin tone.
So it really is a magical gem, Yun Gu thought. I figured Biscuit just made it up as an excuse to make me meet this man…
Could it be she just didn't have time, and sent me instead?
The corners of Yun Gu's mouth twitched at the thought.
After a long pause, he looked up to thank Germain but the man was already gone, his back vanishing into the fog.
Germain…
At first, he hadn't understood why his master wanted to help this man.
But now, after meeting him, he began to see it.
Germain wasn't entirely evil but he wasn't good either.
He was something in between.
A man like that didn't fully submit to order, nor did he embrace chaos.
He simply walked the line between both a gray hunter, guided by his own purpose.
He already had a target he needed to hunt.
He had the makings of a true Hunter.
Elsewhere, a priest in a pitch-black robe opened the back door of the church for Germain.
The old man crossed himself and whispered a silent prayer.
Germain studied the priest's wrinkled, aged face surprised that in this new world, there were still those who believed in something like God.
Behind the church, a thick mist shrouded the distance.
A narrow path of red bricks stretched from his feet, leading into the fog.
He followed the brick path downward.
As he descended, white-gray stone slabs emerged on both sides carved with strange patterns and markings.
Tombstones…
So this was a quiet cemetery.
Germain continued his slow, steady walk.
Soon, dark silhouettes flickered in the haze ahead.
As he got closer, he saw a group of men and women dressed in all sorts of ways.
They stood not far away, watching Germain cautiously before turning to speak quietly among themselves.
They were likely Hunter Exam candidates.
As Germain surveyed his surroundings, a short figure approached him.
The man wore a black suit and white gloves but his face was green, almost bean-like.
It was Beans, the secretary of the Hunter Association one of the few people Chairman Netero trusted.
Or perhaps, one of his favorite targets for teasing.
Unlike the eccentric chairman, Beans was steady, kind, and perfectly suited for administrative work.
Hello, Beans said politely, reaching into the small basket he carried.
He pulled out a white, circular badge with a number printed on it and handed it to Germain.
Please keep this with you you're candidate number 233.
It's best to wear it on your chest during the exam.
Germain took the badge, spinning it lightly between his fingers like a pen.
Finding nothing unusual, he pinned it to his chest.
Just then, another candidate emerged from the fog.
Beans waddled over on his short legs, repeating the same routine word for word.
But before he disappeared into the mist again, another figure approached.
Hey there,
A plump man with a friendly smile waved.
Name's Tonpa. I'm a fellow Hunter Exam candidate like you.
You look unfamiliar first time taking the exam?
Tonpa didn't recognize Germain which made sense.
Though Germain's name was already spreading through the Dark World, it wasn't common knowledge.
Of the current Phantom Troupe, all members except the newcomer Germain including Hisoka were Class-A wanted criminals.
They were labeled thieves, though most were killers and robbers.
Likewise, the Zoldyck Clan called themselves assassins but killed openly, rarely hiding their identity.
Both groups sought fame within the Dark World.
But neither was easily recognized on the street.
Tonpa had no idea who Germain really was.
Yet after hearing his name and watching his expression, Germain instantly remembered him not from reputation, but from his twisted personality.
Tonpa, the man who had failed the Hunter Exam over thirty times
a predator who preyed on rookies.
Also known as The Rookie Crusher.
And Germain immediately understood his intent in approaching him.
(End of Chapter)