"The rules are explained. The Hunter Exam begins! Stay close, don't fall behind!"
In a dark tunnel, lights flicker above. A dense crowd stands within, each person wearing a number tag. This is the Hunter Exam's first phase.
Satotz, a Clown-like examiner with two handlebar mustaches, explains the rules and heads deeper into the tunnel. The crowd follows.
Among them, twelve-year-old Loki hides his excitement. He's been in this world for two years, realizing it's the Hunter x Hunter anime. After two years of hard work, he narrowly made it to the exam.
Loki desperately wanted to take the Hunter Exam, not to become a Hunter, but because of the Multiverse Character Extraction System he brought with him from his original world. His first mission was to participate in the exam. He received the mission at age ten and waited two years. Today, he completes the mission and gets his reward.
Ding! "Mission complete." "Reward: One B-rank character lottery!" Ding! "First mission bonus: Reward upgraded to S-rank." "S-rank character extraction…" "Congratulations! You've drawn the S-rank character Yō Asakura from the "Shaman King" world." "Extraction… complete. You've gained all of Yō Asakura's abilities." "New mission: Complete the Hunter Exam."
After the system's messages, Loki feels boundless energy. Two years of training only brought him to normal adult fitness. Now, with Yō's abilities—talent, physique, and skills—he feels reborn. While he didn't get Yō's shamanic powers, an S-rank character's base physical stats are unparalleled.
"This is Yō Asakura's power!" He clenches his fist, feeling he could kill an elephant with one punch, maybe more.
Suddenly, a hand pats his shoulder.
"Mr. Loki, the exam's started. Will you join us?"
Loki knows who it is without turning around: Gon, and his companions Kurapika and Leorio.
Loki initially avoided them; the danger from Hisoka's attention was too high. Even though Hisoka hasn't noticed Gon, Kurapika, and the others yet, he will soon.
Should he join them? First, Loki doesn't need a father figure. Second, it's too dangerous; following the examiner is safer.
But now, with Yō's power, he could escape Hisoka even if he couldn't defeat him. Plus, joining them might trigger a mission.
Gon likes Loki, perhaps because they're the same age. He looks at Loki expectantly. Loki smiles and agrees.
Gon asks where Loki is from. After greeting Kurapika and Leorio, Loki says he's from a small, soon-to-be-annexed nation. Kurapika stares intently.
Leorio asks why he's taking the exam. Loki says he just wants to see. Leorio talks about the wealth of being a Hunter. Loki, Gon, and Kurapika look at him with disdain. Leorio says they'll understand when they're older. Kurapika and Gon disagree. Loki smiles.
Looking at Leorio, he catches sight of Hisoka. A wave of danger washes over him. It's not a conscious thought, but instinct. He quickly looks away.
"That guy… just a glance is so terrifying! I need to stick with the examiner."
Meanwhile, Hisoka smiles, eyes wide, staring at Loki's back.
"Amazing… Ah… The Hunter Exam was the right choice. That kid is like the sun in the night… so dazzling it's almost unbearable… such a brilliant kid… amazing."
Hisoka, excited, tries to control himself, his eyes constantly scanning Loki. Loki is trying to avoid Hisoka's notice.
"Hey, kid, you're underestimating this. It's an endurance test; you're cheating," Leorio says.
Loki sees Killua. He prefers Killua to Gon and briefly thinks about making them enemies, but dismisses the thought.
"How old are you?" Killua asks.
"Twelve," Loki replies.
"Oh," Killua says, studying Loki. "Same age!"
"I'm Killua," Killua says.
"Loki," Loki replies.
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