Chapter 19: Not Wanting Anything to Do With Hisoka
Surrounded by furious examinees, Izenabi remained completely unfazed. Instead, he smiled and spread his hands.
Yes, I did it on purpose, he said with a provocative grin. And what of it? Arguing with me counts as part of the exam.
I am the examiner, and these are my rules. If you don't like them, feel free to come back next year. Maybe you'll prefer that examiner better?
Or do you want to challenge me? I don't mind but I should mention that, under my rules, attacking an examiner results in immediate disqualification.
Izenabi stood amidst the crowd, his body full of imperfections, yet like a hedgehog no one dared approach.
Suddenly, someone shouted, Damn it! and turned to sprint out of the graveyard.
With one person leading, more and more examinees followed suit, rushing past the church and heading straight toward the city.
As Hisoka walked past Germain, he waved casually like greeting an old friend, then pointed toward the cemetery gate before leaving.
Soon, only Izenabi and Germain remained.
Izenabi watched Germain finish another cookie, wipe his fingers with a tissue, and stand up from the red-brick path. He couldn't help but frown.
You... he began, then waved dismissively. Never mind, it's fine.
Izenabi could sense that Germain was unusual, but he had no intention of lecturing him. First, it would be useless. Second, the Hunter Exam didn't exclude those from the darker side of the world.
It was open to anyone with talent, even the most dangerous kind.
Germain rose, while Izenabi sat cross-legged beside his small bag, closing his eyes to wait in silence.
Hmm?
Germain glanced at the rambling puzzle of a man and quickly lost interest. He turned and exited the graveyard only to see Hisoka leaning against the back wall of the church.
So that's what Hisoka's gesture had meant earlier.
How cruel... Hisoka's tone was playful, but with an edge of danger. We're comrades in the same troupe, and you didn't even say hello.
Is there something urgent? Germain asked seriously.
Hisoka smiled. Why are you taking the Hunter Exam?
It has nothing to do with you, Germain replied plainly. Please here, in front of everyone pretend you don't know me. I'll do the same. Thank you.
He was referring to the hidden Hunters who were watching from nearby, maintaining order during the exam.
Those observers stiffened. They had concealed their presence and tracks well, yet Germain still saw through them effortlessly.
Hisoka, of course, was aware of them too but he didn't care.
It doesn't matter, he said lightly. They've been watching us since we arrived, haven't they?
I still don't want anything to do with you, Germain replied flatly.
That hurts, Germain.
Ignoring him, Germain opened the church's back door, walked through the hall, and headed toward the plaza, making his way to the center of Yanesha City.
Hisoka watched his back as he left, his eyes trailing along the contours of Germain's body, and he couldn't help but let out a low, appreciative sigh.
Incredible... It's been over a month since I last saw you. You've gotten stronger your aura sharper, your awareness keener.
He looked down at his fingers, where a ball of aura clung faintly.
Hisoka had planned to use his Bungee Gum, his aura that had both the properties of rubber and gum, to secretly attach to Germain's body as a little surprise.
Unexpectedly, Germain had sensed it from the start.
Even without looking, the energy flowing through his body and aura made it impossible to fool him.
During their earlier exchange, both had been ready for battle two fully drawn bows with arrows nocked. But in the end, it was Hisoka who released first.
Interesting... Hisoka murmured, a cunning, sly smile forming under his white-powdered face. What happened to him this past month? Let's watch for a while.
With his backpack slung over one shoulder and his hands in his coat pockets, Germain strolled down the streets of Yanesha, casually searching for a target card hoping to find one, though it didn't really matter if he didn't.
He approached janitors, police officers maintaining order, and children running about, asking,
Hey, I lost a white card with a double X. Has anyone seen it?
These people, who roamed the city's corners daily, were more observant than office workers or merchants. Perhaps they might know something.
Indeed, a boy said he had seen such a card and led Germain to a bush where it lay hidden.
Germain picked it up, handed the boy 1,000 jhinni, and told him and his friends to buy some juice.
And just like that, the card was obtained easily and effortlessly.
The first Hunter Exam's report time was 5:00 p.m.
Germain didn't head straight back to the graveyard. Instead, he stopped for a quick lunch at a random fast-food restaurant.
Aside from a few city girls who tried to flirt with him, he actually enjoyed a quiet, decent lunch.
Pushing open the glass door afterward, Germain stepped back into the busy street and slowly walked toward the church, following the route he'd memorized.
His unhurried pace was perfect for digesting his meal.
Along the way, he saw several other examinees, all exhausted and drenched in sweat, still desperately searching for their target cards.
He didn't see Hisoka but for someone like him, finding a card should have been trivial.
Eventually, he returned to the large plaza in front of the church. White doves perched on the ground, cooing softly as they moved. Hearing footsteps, they tensed but, sensing no danger, stayed still.
The church stood silent beneath the evening light, its shadow stretching long across the square.
Hands still in the pockets of his black cloak, Germain walked straight ahead until someone suddenly blocked his path.
It was a round face he had seen not long ago.
Tonpa feigned surprise upon seeing him, stepped back a few paces, and said nervously,
I just ran into you really, I didn't mean to bother you. Pure coincidence!
He sounded sincere, but his eyes flicked nervously to Germain's right and rear, quick as lightning.
At that same moment, two people radiating clear malice stepped into Germain's awareness, entering his circle simultaneously.
Those who couldn't read aura needed talent and training to master the Absolute state to suppress killing intent.
These two, working with Tonpa , clearly lacked that ability.
(End of Chapter)