MTLNOVEL Chapter 149: Madman
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The underground only shook once before settling down.
Satotz lowered his head and looked at the confused group of examinees, then calmly said, "Alright, everyone, stay close to me and don't fall behind."
With that, he prepared to proceed with the first stage of the exam.
Just then, Xiang Nan received a message from Beishi on his phone.
Only two words: "It's here!"
"Wait a moment!"
A voice suddenly called out from the crowd.
Satotz turned around and spotted Xiang Nan.
"Zaban City has just been attacked and invaded by unknown individuals. Civilians are dying in large numbers… As Hunters, we may not be an official organization, and we examinees aren't certified yet, but if we just walk away like this, isn't that a bit too heartless?"
Xiang Nan looked directly at Satotz.
His words left everyone around him stunned.
Zaban City under attack? Was it the Mafia?
Or some other underground force?
Whispers and murmurs began to spread through the crowd.
Satotz, however, silently stared at Xiang Nan.
"I've received verified intel that confirms what I said… Regardless of who the enemy is, the destruction and persecution in Zaban City are far worse than expected. If we just leave now, the entire city could fall. Tens of thousands—maybe even hundreds of thousands—of civilians could die, even if the authorities respond quickly with force. Right now, every second counts. Acting fast could save lives and reduce casualties."
Xiang Nan waved his phone slightly.
"My job is only to evaluate you for the exam… As for other matters, that's not my concern. Even if what you say is true and Zaban City is indeed facing disaster, whether to help or not is a personal choice. The exam will not be paused because of it. You are free to withdraw if you choose."
Satotz finished his sentence and turned away again, signaling the examinees to follow.
"…"
Xiang Nan narrowed his eyes.
BOOM!
The ceiling above them trembled once more.
Clatter…
Seeing Satotz rushing ahead, the examinees—though still bewildered by the situation—began to follow him in a massive group.
Hundreds of people surged toward the final destination.
Xiang Nan and Manman stayed behind.
"Is it true?" Gon and the others didn't move either.
Gon squinted at Xiang Nan, visibly tense.
"Yes," Xiang Nan nodded.
"Then what are we waiting for?! Let's go save people!" Gon immediately headed for the elevator they had taken to enter earlier.
"Gon… You're not taking the exam?" Kurapika hesitated.
"Mm… Saving lives is more important."
Gon's eyes wavered, then became resolute.
Seeing Gon unmoving, several players among the examinees—who were watching Satotz and the group move further away—paused as well.
Many of them came to the Hunter Exam just to meet the protagonist group. Some weren't even planning to seriously participate this time, knowing that Hisoka would begin his killing spree at the Wetlands of Despair. Even those with Nen abilities dared not face that lunatic.
There would be plenty of chances to become Hunters in the future.
Besides, Gon and the others weren't going either.
"You guys…"
Xiang Nan suddenly turned to the surrounding players and shouted.
"The intruders in Zaban City… they're from another world. You get what I'm saying, right?"
He said this calmly.
Some players were stunned, while others' expressions shifted.
They realized Xiang Nan wasn't a native of this world either—he was one of them, a player.
"The enemies likely target plot characters. So your task is simple—protect them." Xiang Nan glanced at Gon and his friends, his tone serious.
A high-level player!
Some of the players finally understood and were shocked by the information Xiang Nan revealed.
"Got it!"
One player with Nen ability stepped forward and nodded.
Though they didn't fully understand the situation, Xiang Nan's serious demeanor made it clear that things were urgent—this was no joke.
While Xiang Nan was hinting at Gon and the others' identities, Gon and his friends didn't know what "plot characters" were or what it meant for them.
"Gon, you should continue with the exam. Don't worry about Zaban City—I'll handle it," Xiang Nan told Gon.
"Just the two of you?" Before Gon could respond, Leorio yanked his tie loose and said with a pout, "Forget it. If it's really as bad as you say, the two of you can't possibly do much. In this kind of crisis, the more people the better. Even if it delays my dream of becoming a Hunter—what can I say? I'm handsome and kindhearted. Quit wasting time—let's go!"
BOOM!
The ceiling shook again, scattering more dust.
Thud, thud, thud!
Suddenly, Xiang Nan struck.
With three precise hand chops to the backs of their necks, he knocked Gon, Kurapika, and Leorio unconscious.
He knew he didn't have the time to explain everything to the protagonist group.
No point wasting his breath.
"Don't let them appear again. Protect them well," Xiang Nan instructed the group of players.
"Leave it to me."
The player who had responded earlier stepped forward, picking up Gon and Kurapika.
Another player carried Leorio on his back.
They were going to continue with the exam.
"Hisoka."
Then, Xiang Nan turned his eyes to the man leaning casually against a wall, observing the scene with amusement—Hisoka, who hadn't moved the entire time.
Hisoka found it amusing because Xiang Nan was involved.
"What's this?" Hisoka grinned wickedly, eyes gleaming. "Ah… but we're not really close, are we?"
It was obvious he already understood what Xiang Nan wanted, but he feigned ignorance.
"I'm going to continue the exam… As for saving people? Not really my thing."
He blew on a playing card in his hand and flicked it away before turning and walking off.
Transformation-type Nen users—always mischievous, always troublemakers.
The other players shivered at his words.
As long as Hisoka was around, passing this Hunter Exam would be extremely dangerous.
Killua and Illumi had already left, clearly uninterested in the Zaban City incident.
The players, now carrying Gon and the others, began pursuing the main group.
"You don't like apples?"
Xiang Nan called out to Hisoka's deliberately slowed-back figure.
That line made Hisoka abruptly stop and half-turn his head, his eyes narrowing into a red mist, lips curling into a grin.
"I knew I wasn't wrong about you… This empty arena is perfect for our stage."
He never intended to walk away.
With that, Hisoka activated his Nen.
Battle intent surged.
"I have no plans to fight you right now… If I don't go all out, you won't enjoy it either. Right?"
Xiang Nan said calmly.
Hisoka licked the corner of his mouth, delighted.
He wasn't the type to listen to reason.
Whether or not to fight seriously—in Hisoka's eyes, that was up to instinct, not intention. Faced with real danger, who could hold back?
Whoosh!
Ignited by "passion," Hisoka suddenly charged at Xiang Nan.
Xiang Nan had previously threatened to kill him, and now brought up "cutting the fruit"—this was no different from a challenge.
To Hisoka, becoming a Hunter didn't matter.
He came for fun—and to find "promising seeds."
Meeting Xiang Nan was a pleasant surprise—and the best reward from this Hunter Exam!
He had long set his sights on Xiang Nan.
"Step back,"
Xiang Nan pushed Manman away.
A surgical knife appeared in his palm.
"Hahahahahahaha!"
Seeing Xiang Nan take a battle stance, Hisoka became completely aroused.
His maniacal laughter echoed through the entire underground space.
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