Chapter 4: The Ordeal

A slim youth stood by the roadside. He had soft blonde hair that fell past his ears, brown eyes, and a ruby earring in his left ear. He wore unique, loose-fitting ethnic clothing, his androgynous, delicate appearance imbued with a sense of heroic spirit.

At this moment, the young man was studying a map, a small suitcase resting by his feet, completely unaware that two observers were watching him from a restaurant not far behind.

"So that’s him, the newly minted Hunter?" Hesser threw his fork, which was tangled with a few loops of tomato spaghetti, back onto his plate and asked with great interest.

Izunabi nodded, his gaze lingering on Kurapika with a hint of scrutiny. "That’s right. Kurapika, one of the seven who passed the 287th Hunter Exam."

*So it really is Kurapika?* Hesser thought. *To think that you, Izunabi, are the legendary master from the manga who trained a Zodiac-level Nen master in just half a year.*

Hesser called the waiter over for a glass of iced orange juice, then asked his cheapskate master, "By the way, does the Hunter Association always assign a veteran Hunter to conduct a final assessment for new recruits?"

"Yes, but not every new Hunter is capable of learning Nen. It depends on one's innate aptitude." Izunabi rubbed his stubbled chin, his expression filled with nostalgia.

"And if they lack the aptitude?"

"Then that person will likely never learn Nen in their lifetime. Nen is not like a poem or an essay that you can simply memorize with enough effort and time. Even though everyone possesses 'aura' within their bodies, the vast majority of people are unable to tap into or utilize it."

Hearing Izunabi’s explanation, Hesser looked slightly smug. "Does that mean I’m one step closer to the finish line than the others? I guess I really am gifted."

"Don't get cocky, kid. Even if you are a natural Nen user, without a qualified master to guide you in opening all the nodes in your body, you still won't be able to learn true Nen." Izunabi immediately crushed his apprentice’s pride without mercy.

Hesser waved his hand helplessly. "What a master, always needing to assert his presence... Back to Mr. Kurapika here, how do you plan to test him?"

"Hmm... How about I pretend to be a drunkard causing a scene in town to draw his attention, and while I'm at it, use Nen to toy with the local thugs? How does that script sound?"

Clearly, this was a masterpiece Izunabi had spent a long time dreaming up. "If this Kurapika has the aptitude for Nen, he will definitely notice the anomalies when I manifest it. Then I’ll test his patience and perseverance for a few days before deciding whether or not to teach him."

Hesser clapped his hands blankly.

Aptitude? Kurapika certainly had talent; after all, he was the undisputed second protagonist of the *Hunter x Hunter* manga, a super-genius whose popularity rivaled the lead. He had learned Nen in only six months before being invited to join the Zodiacs—the group just below the Hunter Association Chairman—and had utterly crushed Uvogin, the strongest physical fighter of the Phantom Troupe, even coming close to killing the Troupe’s leader. In some respects, Izunabi really was an incredible teacher.

"To be honest, that script of yours is really low-tier, Master." Hesser chuckled. "How about... you let me go and meet my prospective junior brother?"

"You? You don't know how to pull your punches. I don't want to see my new student get arrested for beating a new Hunter to death." Izunabi looked at him with disdain. "Just say what you have in mind."

"Trust me, it'll be fun, hehe... Waiter, a pen, please. Thank you."

***

Kurapika folded the map and tucked it away, his gaze toward the distance filled with confusion.

Three days ago, he had finally found that hidden employment agency after much difficulty, hoping to find a job—one that would help him track down the location of his people’s "Scarlet Eyes."

But that strange woman had dismissed him with a flimsy excuse: *[You can't even see what’s standing next to me, can you? It seems you can't truly call yourself a Hunter yet. Come back when you’ve figured it out!]*

*Damn it, is the Hunter Exam still not over? What key piece am I missing?*

Lost in thought, Kurapika walked down the street and unintentionally brushed shoulders with Hesser, who was walking toward him.

Suddenly, Kurapika looked up, alert, casting a glance around. He felt a strong sense of killing intent directed at him.

*I can't fight in this crowded street, or innocent people will get hurt!* Kurapika made up his mind instantly. He tightened his grip on his suitcase, pushed off the ground, and wove quickly through the crowd, heading toward the distant mountains.

***

As expected, the killing intent locked onto him firmly, following close behind.

The wind carried the smell of damp earth, and the evening sun was obscured by gathering dark clouds; it looked like rain. Pedestrians on the road were rushing home, but the beautiful blonde youth ran against the tide of people toward the forest.

About 20 minutes later, a slightly perspiring Kurapika stood in the dense woods at the foot of the mountain. The dim light made it difficult to see what was lurking in the surrounding shadows.

"You've been following me for a long time. Come out!"

He pulled two short blades from behind his wide ethnic robes, gripping them tightly. His beautiful brown eyes narrowed, staring fixedly into the darkness of the woods.

Suddenly, a flash of silver lightning streaked across the sky. Seconds later, a rolling peal of thunder followed, and a fine, dense rain began to fall.

By the momentary light of the lightning, Kurapika saw a figure crouching on a towering tree branch not far away.

Slightly wavy, medium-length black hair covered his forehead and brows completely. Large black-rimmed glasses perched on his nose, making his face hard to distinguish. The intense killing intent that had been hounding him undoubtedly emanated from this person. His somewhat worn-out worker’s uniform, rather than making him less conspicuous, only made him appear more dangerous.

As the lightning faded, darkness swallowed the woods once again.

"Oh my, is the standard for Hunters these days this low? You can't even protect the most important 'proof' for a Hunter?"

A gloomy voice drifted out from the darkness, dripping with malice:

"If you're really this weak, then you've done me a huge favor."

*Proof?* Kurapika instinctively reached for his inner pocket. His Hunter license was gone! *When?*

"I don't care who you are, give back my Hunter license immediately! Otherwise, I will be forced to use violence to resolve this!"

Kurapika lowered his stance, holding his blades in a defensive posture. Even as the intensifying rain blurred his vision, he did not dare let his guard down, keeping his eyes locked on the darkness.

*I’ve been maintaining my sharp senses the whole time, yet he stole my license without me noticing. This guy is no amateur!*

In the pouring rain, the strange man in the worker’s uniform walked out of the darkness, tossing the Hunter license up and down casually.

"Professional Hunters' heads and licenses are worth a lot on the black market. Looks like the Troupe has another side job to make some extra cash."

Kurapika’s eyes suddenly froze, and then his brown irises turned a fiery, vivid red!

He saw the strange man had rolled his sleeves up to his elbows; his right forearm was wrapped in bandages. Between the loosely wrapped strips, a spider-shaped tattoo was visible! Despite the light and the rain, he was certain—the number in the center of the spider was "6"!

"I will only ask you once..."

*Clang!* With his eyes burning red, Kurapika raised his blades, his voice cold and emotionless. "Are you a member of the Phantom Troupe?"

Hesser looked down and smiled dismissively. "Oh, the tattoo gave it away? I thought I had it wrapped pretty tight. By the way, what business do you have with our Phantom Troupe..."

Before he could finish, Hesser tilted his head, narrowly dodging two flashes of steel crossing each other!

He kicked precisely at the blade descending again, the sharp steel feeling as if it had struck thick, slippery, and tough leather! Using the recoil, both of them leaped back several meters, squaring off in the downpour.

"Does this count as a failed negotiation?"

Hesser took off his black-rimmed glasses, tucked them carefully into his pocket, and wiped his soaked, wavy black hair back, revealing his true face.

He looked like a peerless, beautiful youth stepped out of a maiden’s dream. On his stunningly handsome face, there was not a trace of feminine softness, only the blazing, masculine fervor of a man. His features were clearly Asian, but their deep, three-dimensional structure made it impossible to look away. His eyebrows were like straight swords, and his eyes were as brilliant as a galaxy—the perfect definition of "sword-like brows and starry eyes."

Even in the heat of battle, Kurapika was momentarily stunned. Don't misunderstand; Kurapika didn't have any issues with his sexual orientation, but even as a man who was accustomed to his own beauty in the mirror, he couldn't help but sigh—*Does he have to make other men look so bad?*

"What are you staring at, you blonde sissy? Fight or shut up, or do you plan on staring me to death?"

*Tsk, he ruined it the moment he opened his mouth!* Such a waste of a perfect face. *Too bad he isn't a mute.*

Kurapika regained his focus, his tone icy. "Once I capture you, I will make you spill every piece of information about the Phantom Troupe!"

Splashes of water and mud erupted under his feet. The blue-clad figure charged at Hesser with two flashes of steel, aiming for Hesser's elbow joints. Hesser’s fists, appearing to be covered in invisible armor, grinned as he slammed them toward the incoming Kurapika.

***

Izunabi, dressed in a white martial arts uniform, walked toward the forest at the pre-arranged time.

The rain was pouring, and for a moment, the entire mountain forest seemed covered by a curtain of water.

He hadn't walked far before a scene of chaotic destruction met his eyes.

Trees all around were snapped or toppled, and the trunks and ground were riddled with blade marks and small craters. Kurapika was kneeling on the ground, his face blank, while Hesser sat on a fallen tree trunk with his legs crossed, humming a tune no one could understand.

"How... how could the gap be so large..."

Kurapika looked disbelieving. He didn't have any obvious wounds, but both of his short blades were snapped in two and scattered on the ground. The damage to his spirit seemed far worse than any physical injury.

Izunabi raised an eyebrow. *Good job, Hesser.* He turned to look at Hesser, about to say a few words, but he froze.

*What the hell? Who are you, handsome?*

"Yo! Boss!"

Seeing his cheapskate master arrive, Hesser waved at Izunabi with a grin, then said sarcastically to Kurapika, "Your lucky day, kid. The boss of our Phantom Troupe has come to deal with you personally. Better start begging!"

*That's right, that foul mouth... it's definitely Hesser!* Izunabi breathed a sigh of relief. At least his apprentice hadn't been replaced.

*The boss?* Kurapika turned to look at Izunabi, his clenched fists looking pale and powerless in the rain. *I can't even beat a member, how could I ever defeat the boss... Damn it, I'm still too weak.*

Looking at Kurapika’s dimmed eyes, Izunabi scratched his head. *Hesser, you went a bit too far. I told you to suppress him, not crush him.*

Izunabi gestured to Hesser, who reluctantly tossed the Hunter license to him.

"Don't worry, this was just a prank by Hesser."

Izunabi walked up to the kneeling Kurapika and squatted down to look at the beautiful blonde youth. "However, you still haven't realized what it is that you're missing."

Kurapika’s gaze gradually sharpened. "You... you aren't with the Phantom Troupe?"

He had been afraid that they were Troupe members intentionally humiliating him, but as he looked, he noticed the bandages on Hesser's arm had been stained black by ink, and the spider tattoo had washed away in the rain.

"You are... Hunters?"

Kurapika finally realized he had been toyed with. But he had neither the energy nor the time to be angry. Instead, he seized the opportunity and asked quickly, "When I fought him, it was as if he were wrapped in something unknown. That must be the essential thing needed to become a true Hunter! Please, tell me!"

Izunabi glanced at Hesser, who shrugged. "Don't look at me. I didn't say anything. He figured it all out on his own."

"You realized the existence of 'Nen.' That proves you have the aptitude—the aptitude to learn Nen." Izunabi stood up and extended a hand to Kurapika, who was still kneeling.

"Nen?"

Kurapika took Izunabi’s hand and pulled himself up, his eyes burning as he looked at the man.

"Please teach me this technique called 'Nen'! Whatever the conditions or requirements, I will fulfill them!"

"Very well. That is the kind of unwavering resolve you need. To be honest, your meeting with me was no coincidence."

Izunabi didn't waste any time. He picked up his pack and led the way into the depths of the mountain forest. "I can teach you how to develop and use Nen, but the process will be arduous. You need to be mentally prepared. I forgot to introduce myself; I am Izunabi, and like you, I am a Hunter."

"My name is Kurapika. Please, teach me!"

Kurapika didn't bother collecting the broken shards of his blades; he grabbed his suitcase and followed Izunabi, with Hesser trailing behind. "And who are you?"

"Hesser. Just call me Senior Brother, and that'll do." Hesser smiled brilliantly. "Nice to meet you, little Kurapika!"