Hisoka stopped right in front of Ryker.
"Ryker!!" Gon, Kurapika, and Leorio tensed up, ready to fight.
The entire tunnel fell silent. Every eye was glued to the confrontation.
If these two monsters fought now, it would be a spectacle. And if they crippled each other? Even better. That would mean two less competitors for the rest of them.
"The exam is dangerous," Hisoka purred, his golden eyes narrowing. "Make sure you take care of yourself, little fruit."
He brushed past Ryker, his shoulder grazing Ryker's arm.
"Thanks for the tip," Ryker replied coolly, not flinching. "You too."
Threatening me? Ryker laughed internally. I'm a transmigrator with a System. You're just a creepy clown.
Sure, killing is prohibited here. But if it came down to a fight in the later stages? Ryker wasn't afraid.
No Nen? No problem. He had [Gold] traits stacking to the moon. He had the physical stats of Might Guy. And he had [Scarlet Eyes] (Red) as his ace in the hole.
Plus, as long as the exam continued, he could farm infinite traits. By the time they reached the final phase, he'd be stacking so many buffs that Hisoka's Bungee Gum would look like a party trick.
"Hnnngh~ Such a ripe, delicious fruit..."
Hisoka walked away, a disturbing, ecstatic smile playing on his lips. His bloodlust was spiking. He had found a new toy.
Rrrring! Rrrring! Rrrring!
A shrill alarm cut through the tension.
At the far end of the tunnel, a steel shutter groaned open.
A man stepped out. He was tall, thin as a rail, and wore a lavender suit. His mustache curled up at the ends like a cartoon villain's. In his hand, he held a strange alarm clock shaped like a creature's head.
Satotz. The First Examiner.
"I apologize for the wait," Satotz said, his voice devoid of emotion. "The entry period for the Hunter Exam has officially ended. We will now begin the First Phase."
"A final warning: The exam ahead is fraught with danger. Luck alone will not save you. Severe injury and death are common outcomes. If you wish to withdraw, please use the elevator behind you now."
Silence. Nobody moved.
"Very well. There are 392 applicants."
Satotz glanced at the crowd. He noticed that the group of thugs from earlier—Tonpa and his victims—were missing. They had been beaten so badly by Ryker that they had quit before the exam even started.
Interesting, Satotz thought, his eyes lingering on Ryker for a fraction of a second.
"Follow me."
Satotz turned and began to walk. His stride was peculiar—stiff, robotic, yet impossibly fast.
The crowd followed.
At first, it was a brisk walk. Then a jog. Then a run.
The tunnel stretched on endlessly, a grey concrete purgatory with no end in sight.
Four and a half hours later.
The herd was thinning.
Fat Nick (#187), the guy with the laptop who bragged about his data analysis, was the first to drop. Turns out, knowing the stats doesn't help when your lungs are collapsing.
More followed. Gasping, wheezing, clutching their chests. Some foamed at the mouth. Others simply collapsed mid-stride, their dreams ending on the cold concrete.
This was the filter.
Hunters were the elite. If you couldn't run a double marathon without prep time, you didn't belong here.
But the front of the pack was unfazed.
Hanzo the Ninja. Hisoka the Magician. Illumi (disguised as Gittarackur). Bodoro the Martial Artist.
And, of course, Ryker's team.
Gon and Killua had bonded instantly, running side by side and chatting like they were on a playground. Kurapika maintained a steady pace.
But Leorio...
"Hhh... hhh... damn it..."
Leorio was drenched in sweat. His suit was soaked through. He was lagging behind, his breath coming in ragged gasps. But he refused to drop his heavy briefcase.
Hundreds of candidates passed him.
I trained for this! Leorio screamed internally. I did sprints! I did cardio! Why is everyone else a monster?!
"Give it here."
A hand grabbed the handle of his briefcase.
"Huh?!" Leorio looked up, vision blurry.
It was Ryker. He wasn't even sweating.
"I don't know what's in here, but it's slowing you down. I'll carry it. Keep moving, Leorio! You're not the kind of man who fails here!"
Ryker snatched the case effortlessly, slinging it over his shoulder as if it weighed nothing.
"Ryker...!" Tears mixed with sweat on Leorio's face. "My dream... I have to become a Hunter! I won't lose to anyone! RAAAAH!"
Leorio let out a primal roar and sprinted forward, fueled by pure adrenaline and gratitude.
"Hey! Easy there!" Ryker laughed, matching his pace. "It's a marathon, not a sprint! Watch your breathing rhythm!"
Distance: Unknown (Estimated 80km+)
The distance was absurd. In Ryker's old world, this would have killed Olympic athletes. But here? It was just the warm-up.
Gon, Killua, and Ryker were running as if they were taking a stroll in the park.
Ryker checked his status.
[Endless Stamina] (Gold).
[Athleticism] (Blue).
[Godspeed] (Gold).
His stamina bar wasn't even dipping. In fact, he was regenerating energy faster than he was spending it.
"You're really strong, Ryker-aniki!" Killua chirped, looking at him with newfound respect. After the "Illumi incident," Killua had decided Ryker was cool.
" naturally," Gon grinned. "Ryker is the strongest man on Whale Island!"
"We're here! Finally! I see the light!" Leorio sobbed.
The endless grey tunnel finally opened up. A massive staircase loomed ahead, leading up towards daylight.
They had survived the Run. Now came the Stairs.