Chapter 137: Killing Intent
That night the thief who had stolen the ancient book of the Kurta Clan… before leaving, had secretly slipped his wallet into young Kurapika's hand!
Kurapika could never forget that.
Now that his entire clan had been annihilated, and with the blood-red vengeance burning within him, Kurapika swore to reclaim everything his people had lost.
Still, fearing he might mistake someone else, he watched Haze carefully for a long time, confirming his face beyond doubt.
Kurapika's heartbeat quickened. His expression darkened.
He stepped forward, each stride heavier than the last.
From a short distance away, Hisoka noticed and smirked slyly.
Does that kid… know Haze?
"Kurapika?"
Gon, standing beside him, also saw Haze. But before he could call out, he noticed something strange about his friend.
Moments later, Kurapika was standing in front of Haze, radiating an icy aura so intense that all the examinees serving the examiner instinctively backed away.
Rage… though not yet blind fury.
What Haze had done wasn't unforgivable compared to the Spider's crimes but to Kurapika, it was still a deep wound.
That ancient book meant everything to the Kurta Clan.
He had to get it back.
A faint red glow flickered beneath the blond boy's glasses his Scarlet Eyes awakening.
"You… it's you!" Kurapika shouted, gripping his twin blades tightly.
"Alright, everyone, you can leave now."
Haze waved his hand, dismissing the other examinees.
They reluctantly backed off, disappointment in their eyes.
After all this time, only Hanzo had passed.
And now this blond kid suddenly appeared and clearly knew the examiner.
Could this be… another case of favoritism?
Their gazes toward Kurapika grew sharp and resentful.
"What a coincidence," Haze said casually, crossing one leg over the other as he sat back in his chair. "I didn't expect to meet you here."
"Hey, Gon!" he called out again.
"Mr. Haze, it really is you! You're the examiner this round?!" Gon exclaimed in surprise.
"Mm."
"So Mr. Haze's a Hunter… I knew it," Gon said, dressed in green and holding his fishing rod.
"When we went to Whale Island, wasn't he ... ?"
"That's right," Haze replied.
Gon looked between Kurapika whose expression was grim and Haze.
"Mr. Haze, do you know Kurapika?"
Haze nodded lightly.
"And that book?" Kurapika asked coldly.
"I told you I was only borrowing it that I'd return it after reading," Haze said smoothly.
"I went back to your camp, but… well, things got complicated. I'm sorry for what happened."
The Scarlet Eyes of the Kurta were famous as black-market treasures known for their beauty and price alike.
"Give it back to me!" Kurapika's knuckles turned white as he tightened his grip.
"No problem. It's yours. How about after the exam?" Haze spread his hands calmly.
The truth was, the Kurta Clan's book had been extremely valuable to Haze.
It had helped him decipher an ancient stone tablet and earned him recognition across the human world achievements that propelled him to become a Three-Star Hunter.
Without that knowledge, such a feat would have been nearly impossible.
But now, the book no longer held any use.
It rightfully belonged back in Kurapika's hands.
Of the four main characters, Kurapika was undoubtedly the most tragic the pressure, pain, and inner torment he endured were beyond what any of the others could truly grasp.
Haze sympathized with him deeply.
Yet without that suffering and loss, Kurapika's future growth wouldn't have been possible.
For that reason, Haze hadn't interfered in the Kurta Clan's fate.
He had been too busy… and unwilling to alter what was destined.
After a few moments of silence, Kurapika and Haze exchanged one last glance.
Then Kurapika turned and left without a word.
Now that he knew Haze was an official Hunter, Kurapika no longer feared he would break his promise.
"Um… Mr. Haze, is there some kind of misunderstanding between you and Kurapika?" Gon asked quietly, watching his friend's retreating back.
"I borrowed a book and haven't returned it yet," Haze said lightly.
"Don't worry! I'll explain it to him," Gon replied, thumping his chest confidently.
"I'll count on you, then," Haze said with a grin, giving him a thumbs-up.
"Hey, Gon, stay away from that guy he's bad news!"
A sharp voice cut in. Killua approached, hands in his pockets, his tone cold.
He had originally planned to ignore Haze completely…
But seeing Haze chatting so casually with Gon and the others forced Killua to step in.
Normally, Killua wouldn't care but Gon was different. He actually liked this new friend.
And seeing Gon's innocent smile, completely oblivious to Haze's power, made Killua uneasy.
"Wait, Killua, you know Mr. Haze too?" Gon asked, wide-eyed.
Haze smiled faintly without answering.
Killua tugged Gon aside, leaning close to whisper in his ear his eyes fixed warily on Haze.
After a while, Gon blinked in surprise.
"Really? Mr. Haze is that strong?!"
"You idiot!" Killua hissed. "You didn't listen at all! He's dangerous a hundred, no, ten thousand times more dangerous than you think! He's a ruthless demon!"
Killua felt like cracking Gon's head open to see what was inside.
He jabbed Gon's elbow, pointing discreetly at Hisoka nearby.
"He might even be scarier than that guy."
"No way! I've known Mr. Haze for a long time," Gon protested, shaking his head.
Killua sighed, realizing persuasion was useless.
"Hmph. Fine. Don't blame me when something happens," he muttered, turning away in frustration.
"What is this supposed to be?" someone shouted suddenly.
"A Hunter Exam or a reunion party?"
The tension in the air spiked again.
One person with connections was already frustrating enough now there were three.
If Haze could just let these kids pass with a word, what was even the point of an exam?
Clap clap clap…
A crisp applause echoed through the crowd.
It was Satotzki, the first-phase examiner, stepping forward from among the examinees.
He had no choice but to intervene.
"As you can all see," Satotzki announced, "this man before you is Haze, the examiner for the second phase. He is one of the few Three-Star Hunters in the Association among the strongest Hunters in the entire world. To be personally examined by him is, in itself, an honor!"
The crowd murmured in awe.
Satotzki deliberately emphasized Haze's power partly to calm their anger.
"Hiss…"
Gasps spread through the field as soon as he spoke.
Before, many hadn't thought much of Haze just a lazy, eccentric examiner.
But now ...
Three-Star Hunter!
Even those unfamiliar with the Association felt their hearts tremble.
"There aren't even ten Three-Star Hunters in the entire world!" Kurapika muttered, eyes narrowing, staring coldly at Haze.
Leorio, now awake, froze as well.
Kurapika had done extensive research for this year's exam.
He never imagined he'd meet Haze here ...
much less learn just how powerful he really was.
If Haze refused to return the book… he would be powerless to resist.
"Wow…" Gon said softly, eyes wide with admiration.
To him, Haze had always seemed mysterious now he was more incredible than ever.
Killua's face grew dark, Hisoka's grin widened slightly.
"You flatter me," Haze said finally, rising from his chair.
"I'm not nearly as strong as he says."
He knew Satotzki's warning was clear: the examinees were to treat him with respect… or face consequences.
"Well then," Satotzki concluded, turning back to the crowd, "good luck with your exam."
He gave Haze a polite bow before leaving.
"Tch… So what if you're a Three-Star Hunter?" someone grumbled quietly.
"We deserve a fair challenge, not favoritism!"
"Yeah! At least give us a proper test something we can compete in!" another shouted.
Haze raised an eyebrow, meeting their eyes.
The field went silent immediately.
Then, with a faint smile, he bent down, picked up a small branch, and said:
"Since everyone's so eager, let's begin the second phase."
He drew a line in the dirt before him less than thirty meters away from the crowd.
"If you can cross this line within one hour," Haze said, tossing the branch aside and clapping his hands, "you pass."
"Eh?!"
"So easy?" people gasped.
Even the slowest among them wouldn't need a minute.
They relaxed, thinking it was pure luck and charged forward in a rush.
Haze stood still, hands in his pockets, smiling softly as they approached.
Then, one thought echoed through his mind:
Die.
In that instant, a crushing, unseen force burst forth pure killing intent, flooding the air like a storm.
A sharp gust swept through the field.
The examinees froze their limbs turned cold, their blood thickened, their vision drained of color.
Before their eyes, the world became black and white.
The man before them the examiner was no longer human.
He had become a monstrous shadow with gaping jaws, ready to devour anything in its path.
Those glowing red eyes like lanterns scanned the crowd as if choosing prey.
It was merely Haze's killing intent, a spiritual projection of his will without a single drop of Nen.
Had he infused it with Nen, everyone except Hisoka and Illumi would have died on the spot.
Even so, Haze had already weakened it on purpose.
It was fair meant only to test willpower.
Anyone with a strong enough mind could endure.
Killing intent is transmitted through the mind, triggering sensory hallucinations and mental collapse one of the most primal expressions of Nen's essence.
Ordinary Nen users amplify killing intent through their aura…
But Haze no longer needed that.
Before him, the grass rippled in waves, bending under the unseen pressure.
He had underestimated just how devastating the psychological shock would be.
Thud. Thud.
One by one, examinees collapsed.
Some lay gasping, eyes bloodshot; others twitched uncontrollably.
Most simply fainted, pale and trembling.
Haze watched silently, expression unreadable.
"You can't even withstand this level of pressure, let alone stay conscious…" he said coldly.
... End of Chapter ...