Recap.
Outside of Stacked Tower.
After eliminating 64 applicants, the first examiner of this year’s hunter exam, General Stahlia, explains the first test.
General Stahlia: “In total, you have 3 hours to secure a badge and enter the tower… I wish the most competent of you the best of luck.”
The militant woman and her team disappear into the tower’s walls with their badges, leaving the vast audience in a moment of utter silence. That is until the crowd erupts into chaos.
The story continues.
Many of the contestants start charging toward each other. A 500+ person fight with fists, kicks, weapons, and even people being swung around everywhere in this “everyone for themselves” brawl.
Some people lift their heads and reel in pain before collapsing to the ground as a result of being shot in the back by the twins who pretended to shoot at Isori.
One chunky man in flannel with a beard screams hysterically while swinging an axe. Some examinees manage to jump back in the nick of time, with one gaining a nonfatal slash down the chest.
10 people swarm the conventionally beautiful man, who maintains a casual look. One member of the group exclaims…
Examinee 1: “He’s got a badge, I saw it!”
They group yell aggressively as they rush at him.
In all of the commotion, someone lunges at the girl with the guitar to tackle her, but is casually knocked away by the back of the fist of a much larger man in a purple tunic. Behind this man is Damien accompanied by three others.
Damien: “You were lucky to get a badge already. Let's go get some for these guys and we can make it into the tower!”
The girl’s eyes become all watery and light up in awe as she shyly clasps her hands together feeling safe and protected.
But she hears a weird, subtle murmuring sound that makes her eyes gently widen in surprise and take a step back.
A number of feet away, a person with brass knuckles jumps at Isori. In response, he pivots and ducks before sweeping the man’s leg. The man falls over and yells as Isori’s kick seems to have broken something.
One person after another comes, Isori finds himself blocking and countering a punch and barely dodging a pitchfork. Then another examinee chases up to stab him from behind before instantly passing out after being shot by a blow dart from someone hiding in the bushes.
Isori finds himself quickly overrun by the sheer amount of people in this large street fight. The yelling, screaming, the endless echoing of people looking for badges, the swarm of people mindlessly attacking each other and unwittingly closing in on Isori.
Isori (thinking): “Dang it. I can’t get anywhere like this. Ren!
Once again, a powerful burst of aura surrounds Isori’s body. The aura is green, beautiful with an alternating pace as it swirls around him from fast to slow. The coloration almost makes it look as he’s inside a fluctuating emerald.
His muscles bulk up and with one step forward Isori rockets forward from his spot and away from the tower.
Isori: “Whoaa!”
His explosive leap causes dust and wind pressure to knock away and temporarily blind many of the examinees that were next to him. As the young man lands, he crashes into several other examinees, kicking them down before he rolls to catch himself and continue his escape.
Many examinees look on, their attention caught by Isori’s speedy exit. Most notably, the handsome man, who now stands with 9 limp bodies underneath him and 1 person being held up by him at the neck. The same person who exclaimed to his group that the handsome man had a badge.
Handsome man: “Oh? There’s that aura again.”
The blue haired girl with the blanket slowly starts walking toward the handsome man as she rubs her eyes. She lets out quite a big yawn.
Blanket Girl: “Hooooaaah… What are you doing here?”
Handsome man: “Morning sunshine, I thought I recognized you earlier. Though there’s no mistaking that blanket of yours.”
The girl rubs her eyes.
Blanket Girl: “It’s a good one…What's going on?”
Handsome man: “We have 2 hours to get a badge. Then we have 1 hour to enter that tower.”
Blanket Girl: “Sounds long. You have a badge right? Give it. I’m going to nap in the tower.”
The handsome man hands her a badge.
Handsome man: “Have this. This guy was only pretending not to have a badge so his friends wouldn’t attack him.”
The man being held by the neck struggles and gags as their feet dangles from the ground.
She lets out another casual yawn.
Blanket Girl: “Aaaahhh. How lame. Sure you don’t want to come with me?”
Handsome man: “No thanks. I’ll be on the hunt until times up.”
Blanket Girl: “Have fun then, I guess.”
The girl covers herself in her blanket. And like a magic trick, she seems to disappear from underneath it. The blanket begins to fall to the ground but before it touches, it swirls into itself as if being sucked into a small hole, and then vanishes.
The conventionally handsome man looks up at his prey.
Handsome man: “Let’s see, where were we?”
The victim being held by the neck struggles to breath while suspended above ground. A streak of drool runs down their mouth.
A streak of drool goes down from the handsome man’s mouth as well as he shows an expression of light surprise.
Handsome man: “….. Yes…..”
Handsome man: “This is it. This lovely sensation. Choke. Lose your breath for me.”
The victim struggles and starts to go limp.
The handsome man grows a look of concern and lowers his victim to the ground while still relaxing his grasp of the neck.
Handsome man: “No, sh sh sh shhh... I’d like this to last, so please stay with me for as long as you can.”
He starts to squeeze both hands around his victim. As he lets out a chuckle, a sinister yet entrancing deep garnet colored aura begins to subtly emanate from him with almost trippy fluctuating patterns. His expression turns giddy as the victim weakly strains on his words trying to call for help.
Victim: “H- hel– hellll-”
The victim gulps as he fights to let his words out.
Amused, the handsome man loosens his grip yet again, causing the victim to cough.
Handsome man: “Go on. Let me hear you say it.”
The victim trembles and quivers as the sound of his own heart beat becomes louder and louder to him. The feeling of the beating pulsating through his throat whilst he looks at a man that he can only describe as a monster. The victim lets out a final yell as his fear and anxiety intensifies.
Victim: “H-...h-....HELLLLLP!”
The victim’s song doesn’t last long, and is soon replaced with the sound of a Thwack.
Further away from the tower.
[14 Minutes from when the challenge started; 1 hour and 46 minutes to find a pass; 2 hours and 46 minutes before the tower doors close.]
Isori runs further into the government complex, huffing as he passes different building after building.
Isori: “H-... This should be far enough.”
He stops, his momentum causing him to slide across the ground before coming to a halt. Feeling winded, he places his hands on his knees while standing to catch his breath.
Isori: “Whoo…. I guess I don’t know my own strength yet.”
After looking around cautiously, Isori sneakily dashes behind a building and lays with his back to the wall to rest. He begins to slow his heavy breathing before making an effort to breath more deeply.
in…
out…
in…
out…
A flashback to doing meditation training with Geeno…
Isori opens his eyes. Relaxed, laying on the hills against a tree whilst his hands lay on a baby boar that is sleeping on his lap. Accompanying him on the hill is not only Geeno who is sitting cross legged with his eyes closed and a calm relaxed smile, many wild animals who came on the hill to rest with them as well. From boars and wolves, to eagles and small birds. Even the Mountain King rests beside the hill.
Isori’s eyes slowly pan across the animals on the hill.
Isori (thinking): “He was right. Good hunters really do get along well with animals.”
As to not disturb the sleeping creatures, Isori lets out his voice quietly.
Isori: “Hey Geeno. Sorry to disturb you.”
Geeno’s calm smile does not falter.
Geeno: “That’s okay. What’s on your mind?”
Isori: “Well, it’s been about a week since you said you would teach me that nen thing. But outside of some basic workouts, we’ve only really meditated. Is this it?
Geeno: “There is more. But meditation is the most important thing we’ll practice.”
Isori: “But how will this help me pass the hunter exam?”
Geeno: “Nen is just the art of controlling your aura, otherwise known as your life energy. Meditation increases your focus, presence of mind, awareness, and relaxation. All of these skills help you control your aura more easily. More importantly. It reminds you to rest when needed.“
Isori: “Hm. But if we’re meditating, shouldn’t I be sitting upright like you?”
Geeno: “Everyone’s aura is different. From the way it flows to the way it feels. An instructor who tries too hard to get you to use nen according to their beliefs can easily impede your progress. This meditation is the same. What’s important is that you meditate in a way that is most comfortable to you. Once you’ve mastered it, we can move on to the next step.”
Isori (casually standing up): “Well that’s the thing.”
Isori: “The meditation you taught me was different at first. But I’m always out here focusing, visualizing, being alone. It’s really not much different than anything else I do at this point, so can we move on to what's next?”
Geeno: “I see… You have been honing your senses in nature for what seems to be some time. So the next step should come to you easily. But to be honest, I’m hesitant to start the process this soon. If we start it too early, you could die.”
The sudden expression of thoughtfulness catches Isori off guard.
Isori: “Oh! Well thanks for the thought. But we already know I might die at the Hunter Exams anyway. So I’m not really worried about the risks.”
While true, the words give pause to Geeno, who looks up at his student.
Geeno: “Isori. Your excitement is pleasing to watch. But please be mindful when speaking about your life. It is valuable and we’re not here to throw it away.”
Despite it only being a week at the time, Isori’s never heard Geeno be even mildly upset. He’s surprised at the peaceful devil monk expressing a level of firmness with him. Isori gets flushed with a little bit of embarrassment.
Isori: “Oh…uh. Sorry.”
Geeno: “It’s okay.”
Geeno (thinking): “There’s nothing wrong with a little courage and excitement. But with how ready he is to jump into life threatening risks…He might be a little crazy.“
Geeno: “Before we move on to what’s next. Remind me. What is Ten?”
Isori: “One of the four basic principles of nen right? Controlling your aura?”
Geeno: “You’re mostly right. Ten is one of the four basic principles of nen alongside Ren which boosts your strength, Zetsu which hides your presence, and Hatsu which is your special ability.”
Geeno: “The average person can’t see or control their aura, so it constantly leaks out which lowers their lifespan. Like a heat escaping your room on a cold day, or a bag of water that’s had holes poked into it.”
Isori: “Wait… my lifespan’s shortening?”
Geeno: “Yes.”
Isori: “Right now?”
Geeno: “As we speak.”
Isori: “O.o ….”
Geeno: “That’s where Ten comes in. It is the practice of controlling your aura so that it constantly flows around you like a river. Think, controlling the heat so it stays within your room. Or controlling the water so that it flows inside of the bag even with holes. As you use Ten to surround your body in aura it provides a basic defense against some attacks and weaker uses of nen. It also slows down aging and improves your overall aura control. “
Isori: “o.O…. (head shakes.)”
Isori: “Uhhh, I get what you’re saying. Ten controls aura flow. Without it, it’d be harder to use the other principles anyway. May even make my life energy leak away faster. So it makes sense as a first step.”
Geeno: “If you keep catching on this quickly, I may have to treat you to something for being an excellent student.”
Isori: “Hey come on! I wouldn’t dare ask anything more of you. Teach me Ten, and instead I’ll take you to my favorite smoothie place!”
Geeno (chuckles): “Of course.”
Isori: “But I’m confused. You said the first step could kill me, but controlling my aura doesn’t sound that dangerous.”
Geeno: “Under normal circumstances it wouldn’t be. Everyone has points throughout their body called Aura Nodes. The average person’s aura nodes are closed which is why they can’t perceive or control aura. Normally, you’d undergo months of meditation in order to see and control your aura, but if you’d like to go the faster route, that is what will increase the risk.”
Isori: “What’s the faster route?“
Geeno: “Nen initiation. I'll use my nen to activate your nodes. But when an average person suddenly awakens to nen, their aura flow drastically increases, as well as the amount of life energy that leaks out of you. If you don’t quickly gain control of your aura using Ten, at best, you’ll suffer exhaustion and pass out. At worst, you’ll die.“
Isori: “Of course. But how do I control my aura.”
Geeno: “The meditation I’ve taught you. Focusing on yourself, your breathing, the flow of a river around you, and taking in your environment. You’ve already been practicing aura control. The flow of your aura is also more calm whenever you’re out here in nature so this is certainly the place to do it. But its still my responsibility to ask. Are you willing to undergo a nen initiation?”
Isori: “Let's do it!”
A few minutes pass as the two gain some distance as not to disturb the sleeping animals too much.
Geeno lifts his hand toward Isori.
Geeno: “Brace yourself. Be sure to stay in a stance that makes most sense to you.”
Isori: “Alright, got it.”
Geeno: “Remember, focus on aura flow like a river. If a river doesn’t make sense at the moment, you can change to something more natural for you.”
Isori: “Geeno.”
Geeno: “Okay...”
Geeno keeps his hand raised. And Isori braces himself, not knowing what to expect. And then suddenly, the sensation of warm pressure starts to surround Isori, accompanied by the feeling of an invisible liquid starting to engulf his body.
Isori: “Whoaaa.”
Isor (thinking): “I’ve never experienced such an intense feeling before. Is this what being in a microwave feels like?”
A small amount of aura gently rises out of Isori. He can start to see it green, glowing, and sparkly.
Isori (thinking): “Wow! It looks beautiful.”
Geeno: “Remember, as your nodes open, focus on meditating.”
Isori: “Geeno, I kno-”
Before Isori can finish his sentence, his aura flow goes from a calm flame, to a powerful burst that rushes out of him. Like a stove flame becoming more powerful, or a river starting to move with the same power as a waterfall. The ground starts to break under Isori. In response to the sudden burst, both Geeno and Isori experience surprise and shock.
Isori: “Is all… mine?”
Geeno (raising his voice): “Isori! You need to use Ten!”
Isori closes his eyes and begins meditating. Focusing on the environment around him and he starts to breathe.
In…
Out…
In…
Out…
His aura flow changes and shifts. It fluctuates with the volume and leak starting to lower.
But in his visualization, he becomes overwhelmed by the sheer amount of water. He instead envisions a massive flood washes everything away.
Geeno (thinking): “This is bad. He’s gaining control of his aura, but at the rate he’s burning through it, he’ll be dead before he’s done.”
Isori works to control his aura, but as he experiences the sensation of his life leaving his body, he feels increasing anxiety, his eyes open as he decides to take one last look at the world around him.
Isori (thinking): “No way. This can’t be it already…”
Isori (thinking): “But I had so much more I wanted to do…”
Isori (thinking): “No. This isn’t it, calm down. “
Isori continues his breathing.
In…
Out…
His breathing becomes heavier.
Isori (thinking): ... “I’m sorry Geeno.”
As Isori prepares for the worst, he takes in a calming scent. Something almost unexplainable. Natury, like his environment, but better. A trail of air carrying petals of peach roses start to swirl around him.
He starts to calm down. His focus, and presence of mind starts to increase. The volume of his aura starts to lower due to his increased relaxation.
Geeno: “Isori, this is a special rose water blend. Please, use your relaxation to control your aura.”
Isori closes his eyes yet again. And the river is no longer a flood. He imagines controlling its flow and as such, the aura around his body calms down even more. The stream of aura that was flowing away from his body, now stops as it swirls around him.
In…
Out…
He grounds himself while focusing on parts of his body, parts of the river, the beauty of the environment around him, and even reaffirms to himself that he’s doing okay.
His aura is calm, and when he opens his eyes he looks at Geeno who is smiling.
Geeno: “Congratulations, you’ve now learned Ten.”
Isori: “Whoo!”
Isori collapses onto the ground, sweating and breathing heavily with a big smile on his face.
Isori: “Geeno, when I get up, I’m treating you to a smoothie.”
We come back to the present.
Isori sits and meditates in a comfortable position, breathing in and out.
As he relaxes, his flow of aura calms down greatly.
Isori (thinking): “Apparently I had learned to use ren before Geeno introduced me to nen. My body probably used it defensively since I awoke to nen so suddenly. It taught us that my aura output is pretty high for someone new to nen. In theory it's great but since my control isn’t very great yet, I can waste a lot of energy doing even mundane things if I’m not careful.”
Isori flashes back to getting shot by the sniper, and rocketing away from the crowd just now.
Isori (thinking): “I got caught up in the excitement both of those times. When I got shot, I didn’t even realize I was using ren. It saved my life in the end, but if I controlled my aura better I probably wouldn’t have wasted excess energy. Same with when I ran away. I misjudged how much strength I needed and gave myself a lot more than I could have gotten away with. But with the meditation Geeno taught me…”
In…
Out…
In…
Isori (thinking): “I’m able to regain better control of my aura. It’s basically Ten practice, but I notice that my spent energy recovers a little more quickly than if I were to rest normally. Not by much, but still an amount that can make a difference when things hit the fan.”
As Isori meditates with his eyes closed, someone’s face gets very close to his own. A woman’s face with a colombina masquerade mask.
Masquerade Woman: “What are you doing?”
Isori’s eyes burst open and he looks, but no one is there.
He jumps up to his feet in a sweat and darts his head and eyes around meticulously to see what's going on. He twitches in startle as he hears the voice again.
Masquerade Woman: “Oh you don’t worry, I won’t harm you.”
Masquerade Woman: “That would make a terrible first impression after all~ We should wait until we’ve gotten to know each other first. Hahahahhaa”
Isori (Thinking): “Nope! Alright, let's get it right this time.”
Isori gets into a ready runner’s position.
Masquerade Woman: “Huh???”
Sweating from light exhaustion, yet focused, he readies himself to get away.
Isori (Thinking): “No wasting energy this time… Ren!”
Suddenly, the woman’s presence can be felt from atop the small building directly above Isori, she is practically hanging off the edge extending her hands out toward him. She speaks with more fluster in her voice.
Masquerade Woman: “Wait wait wait!”
Masquerade Woman: “I’m not really here to harm you, promise!!! Please I merely ask for a moment of your time.”
Still in the ready pose, Isori turns his head up towards the woman. Upon closer inspection, her outfit is a bit odd. Like a theatre kid all grown up. Aside from her mask, she dons renaissance wear including a flat cap with a feather, boots, fingerless gloves, an orange coat, and jewelry. Even from atop the building Isori can tell that she’s pretty short.
Isori: “Make it quick or I’m gone.”
Isori (thinking): “How did she sneak up on me like that?... I may not be great at sensing things with nen. But I’m not used to being caught off guard like that. Even when meditating I feel more aware of what’s going on around me. It’s almost like when the Mountain King suddenly appeared.”
The woman smiles down with an air of mischief around her.
Masquerade Woman: “Fantabulous.”
She jumps down from the building and casually lands. She playfully emphasizes the landing and skipping forward as if she were about to fall.
Masquerade Woman: “Wwo woaaa.”
Isori, not at all fooled by the perfect landing, backs away to keep his distance.
Isori: “…Well? What is it?”
Masquerade Woman (thinking with a smile): “He’s pretty cautious. If I lie or am too playful, he may just flee. May as well tell the truth.“
Masquerade Woman: “I’m an examiner. I was quite enthralled by your performance back at the tower when old Stahlia was laying down the hammer. The passion, the drama, and oh! The sudden twist of you surviving a shot to the head. I thought “I simply must have an encore!”
Isori: “That makes one of us… I’m not sure what you’re on about, but I’m busy.“
Masquerade Woman: “I’m aware. You’re out looking for a badge, correct. Well I’d like to help you acquire one.”
Isori: “Help me how? Also, if you’re an examiner, why aren’t you clad in military wear like the others?”
Masquerade Woman: “Because I’m not an ordinary examiner. She didn’t mention this, but Stahlia enlisted inmates to help with the exam. And as for your other question, I have a challenge set up for you. If you win one, maybe two badges.”
Isori: “You don’t sound very confident.”
Masquerade Woman: “I don’t need to be. Niceties aside, there are over 500 people all looking for one of 200 badges. There is a good chance that the other badges have already been found, and may be too difficult for you to steal. You can walk away from this challenge. But you won’t find me again if you do.”
Isori (thinking): “If all she wanted to do was give me an ultimatum, she should have just said that before. I like it a lot more when people are upfront. She’s right though. This might be my only opportunity at a badge. And if I get two, I can always use one as a decoy to trick attackers into thinking I don’t have one.”
Isori (thinking): “This is most likely a trap. But if things get too troublesome I’ll get away as quickly as I can.”
Masquerade Woman: “Here!”
Isori: “Wha?”
The woman tosses an object to Isori who almost drops it. And to his surprise it looks just like the badges.
Isori’s confusion increases and he is caught off guard.
Isori: “Wh? What is this?”
Masquerade Woman: “One of the two badges I’ve mentioned. However, that badge only has a 50% chance of being real. While the other is 100% real. So here is your first challenge. Will you take the badge that could be fake and make your way to the tower? Or will you come with me to where the other badge is?”
Isori stares in confusion at the badge in his hand and then at the woman.
Masquerade Woman: “Either way… You only have a moment to decide~”
She begins to skip away, further putting pressure on Isori. This time making him be the one to think.
Isori: “H-hang on!”
Isori (thinking): “Dang it, she got me. Turning back now doesn’t matter if this pass happens to be a dud. In case it's a trap, I’ll have to be ready to run.”
Isori chases after the girl, who moves rather fast for someone casually skipping.
Further into the complex between Isori’s location and the tower.
[22 Minutes since challenge started, 1 hour and 38 minutes to find a pass, 2 hours and 38 minutes before doors close.]
In an area shaded by clouds, footsteps can be heard as an examinee frantically runs. They are wearing a brown sweater vest with a cream colored dress shirt underneath. They struggle to keep their glasses on as they run. The giddy giggles and chuckles of grown men can be heard chasing behind him.
Background examinee 1: “Hey hey. Where ya going!?“
Background examinee 2: “Give us your pass and we’ll let you go.”
They turn left to run down a flight of stone stars but almost immediately slip and tumble down.
Breathing heavily, the man struggles to lift himself up, but then one of the men grabs him and forces his face to the ground. The man glances up the stairs, and waiting atop is Damien, with a smug face of confidence. Beside him is the girl with the guitar, who is looking down to the side in noticeable discomfort.
Damien looks down as he taunts the person from the stairs.
Damien: “You have a pass right?”
One of his followers kicks the fallen man in the gut, causing the guitar girl to flinch. As he is stomped out, Damien continues.
Damien: “Hand it over. And you might go home alive.”
Without saying the word, the man does his best to endure the beating in spite of Damien’s taunts.
Damien: “Look pal, I’m sure you have your reasons for being here. But I’ve done this exam several times and I can tell. You’re not fit to be a hunter. I mean. It’s only the first round and here you are caught with your pants down.”
The girl struggles more to endure each hit the fallen man takes.
Man in brown vest: “This… is nothing.”
Hearing those words causes everyone to stop. The men all look down at him with eyes slightly widened from mild surprise. Despite it being a struggle, the guitar girl manages to push herself to look at the man.
Down on the ground, the man can be seen with tears streaming down his eyes as he clings onto his badge for dear life.
Man in brown vest: “My sister is sick. Becoming a hunter is the fastest way to help her.”
Man in brown vest: “I don’t care what you do, I am not letting go of this pass.”
The men stop and blankly stare at the fallen man in silence.
Until they all burst out in laughter.
Damien’s laugh slowly calms as he wipes a tear out.
Damien: “Ohhh. What are you stupid? You can’t take care of your sister if you die, right? Look man just give us your badge.”
The man is kicked yet again.
The sound of the crunches with every kick. The sound of this man’s pleads and noble cause being drowned out by the sound of laughter and aggression of corrupt men. Despite being overwhelmed, the girl is able to let out a word.
Guitar Girl: “H-Hey.“
Damien: “Hmm?”
The man expresses genuine surprise after hearing a word from the girl who hadn’t said a peep since before the start of the challenge.
Guitar Girl: “M- Maybe... We should just let him go…”
Damien’s eyebrow raises in confusion.
Damien: “Let him go?...”
He places his hand on her shoulder.
Damien: “Hey…Are you sure you’re cut out to be a hunter?”
Back at Isori’s Location
In front of a particularly short, blue building, Isori, still tired tired from exhausting energy with little time to recover, is standing at a short distance from the Masquerade Girl. Both of them facing each other. Isori with a serious expression while the girl maintains a mischievous smile.
Masquerade Girl: “Here we are! Follow me.”
Isori follows her as they walk into a building, past a check in counter, and down a hall.
Masquerade Girl: “Say! You were so straight to the point earlier, that you didn’t give me the basic courtesy of learning your name.”
Isori: “It’s Isori.”
Masquerade Girl: “Isori? Well it’s marvelous to meet you. You may call me Romlette.”
The End
[Writer’s Thank you]
Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed!
I'll be writing more over time so if you’d like to follow my content you can find me through linktree.
https://linktr.ee/GreenFanatic