章節 120: 120: Why Gon? What Is Going On Here?!
Netero's distinctive, quirky laughter echoed through the room.
That laugh... it always feels like someone is about to have a really bad day.
Soon after, the final battle bracket was revealed, freshly printed for all to see.
When the group of examiners gathered around the battle board, their eyes widened in disbelief.
"Chairman, are you serious?!" one of them exclaimed.
"Of course~~~," Netero replied with a mischievous smile, pointing to the board.
The tournament format was a classic promotion system, but the arrangement of the battles was, well... it could drive anyone with obsessive-compulsive tendencies crazy at first glance.
As for the rules, the winner would receive their Hunter license, while the loser would advance to the next round. The one who fought their way to the top but failed to secure victory would be the only candidate left without a Hunter license. All the others would pass.
In other words, in this final round, Netero was feeling particularly generous—nine licenses were up for grabs.
To put that in perspective, in previous years, two or three people getting their Hunter licenses in one session was considered remarkable. Four or five was a bounty. But this year? Nine! It was certainly a bountiful harvest.
After explaining the rules to the examiners, they nodded in understanding. No one complained about the unprecedented number of licenses being issued.
While the rules themselves were fair, the actual battle arrangements left a lot to be desired. But since Chairman Netero himself had orchestrated the whole thing, no one was willing to challenge his decision. His playful, impulsive nature was well-known, after all.
In the end, the examiners exchanged silent glances, resigning themselves to Netero's whims.
The examinees were given a three-day break to rest and gather their strength before the final phase. When the time came, the airship landed at a luxurious hotel in a desert oasis—the site of the last stage, owned by the Hunter Association.
As the examinees filed into the hotel ballroom, following the instructions broadcast over the intercom, they found Netero and a group of examiners already waiting for them. Along with them were numerous men in black—familiar figures who had been tracking the candidates since the third phase of the exam—posted as guards around the arena.
Then, just as Netero announced that the final phase would be combat-based rather than a written exam, Ronnel felt a few glares directed his way. He brushed them off and continued listening.
When Netero unveiled the final battle table and reiterated the rules, the candidates slowly emerged from their shock over the revelation that only one would fail.
With nine out of ten guaranteed to pass, the odds seemed far more favorable than in previous rounds. But instead of relaxing, the tension in the room only grew. No one wanted to be that one person who failed, so the stakes felt higher than ever. It was so close—the closest they'd come to their Hunter licenses—and losing now would mean a lifetime of regret.
Netero's system was truly cruel. Failing here wouldn't just wound the body, it would scar the spirit.
After Netero explained that the only way to lose was for their opponent to admit defeat by saying
"I give up," the examinees nodded, signaling their understanding.
Then, with Netero's signature smile, they turned their attention to the battle arrangements.
The moment Ronnel saw the bracket, he froze. His eye twitched.
The ten examinees were split into two groups—left and right.
On the left, the first match was Hisoka versus Kurapika. The second match was Ronnel versus Hanzo. The losers of these two fights would face each other in the third match, and the loser of that would advance to the fifth match.
In the middle, Gittarackur was pitted against Killua. The loser would also go to the fifth match.
The loser of that match would be the final loser from the left group.
On the right side, the first match was Leorio versus Gon, followed by Bodoro versus Pokkle. The losers would then face off in the third match, determining who would be eliminated from the right group. Finally, the two group losers would face each other for the last available spot.
The arrangement had clearly been based on the success of the examinees throughout the exam. Those who had performed better had to fight more skilled opponents.
Killua had some complaints about the setup, but knowing that he'd likely face Gon eventually kept him calm. Of the four competitors on the left—Ronnel, Kurapika, Hisoka, and himself—Kurapika might be the weakest physically, but his intelligence and strategic mind could be an advantage. Killua had no strong objections.
Unlike previous formats, where each examinees had only two opportunities to fight, this time, they had three. Netero had given them more chances to win but also more chances to fall into despair.
Reactions of the examinees to the battle board varied. Some wore stoic expressions, while others looked visibly shaken.
"Why am I fighting that guy?!" Hanzo grumbled, his brow furrowed in frustration.
He had thought he performed well during Netero's questioning, expecting some kind of reward. Instead, he was handed this brutal matchup!
But the most distressed among them wasn't Hanzo—it was Leorio.
"Why Gon?! What the hell is going on?!"
Leorio ran his hands through his hair in disbelief.
"Was my answer not good enough? It couldn't be!!"
He glanced at Gon, who stood next to him looking just as troubled. This phase felt like the ultimate nightmare for them both.
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