MTLNOVEL Chapter 157: Guarding (V)
Someone is deliberately hunting the Hunter Exam candidates!
Satotz had just received word from the Association—the guards in Zaban City had discovered it.
They had spotted an enemy prowling downtown, clearly picking out targets on purpose.
Normally, Hunters from the Association have no authority to meddle in the internal affairs of a city or nation. Even if they want to intervene, the Association must first obtain an official request and dispatch a licensed Hunter or investigator.
In short, the Association is a civilian organization that may be hired, but only its designated Hunters may step in. For the first phase of the Exam, Satotz's only duty was to observe the candidates.
Right now, however, in addition to calming the chaos in Zaban City, his primary role as examiner was to carry out Phase One of the test.
But now… he had no choice but to set aside his examiner role and act.
Other Hunters from the Association were already on their way.
To prevent further candidate deaths, the situation had to be contained.
Because the fallen candidates had died for reasons unrelated to the test, and the exam itself was being disrupted, Satotz was justified in intervening.
He arrived at the scene quickly.
And found the criminals.
On a main thoroughfare, two people who looked no different from ordinary citizens were chatting idly, completely at ease.
At their feet lay candidates in pools of blood. Satotz recognized them at a glance: the Amori Brothers, candidate No. 187 Nicholas—the slick‑haired, laptop‑toting fat man—and No. 76, the martial artist Cherry.
Satotz knew them all. As chief examiner, he had reviewed the dossiers of every candidate who had reached the venue.
As for the two murderers before him… he had taken note of them as well.
After all, it was the first time he had seen anyone brazenly flying through the sky on a broom.
"Tsk… We take out a few extras and a 'big fish' shows up already."
The intruders were a duo. One of them was very familiar with the Hunter × Hunter world; both were players from some magic‑themed universe.
When one of them noticed the gentlemanly Satotz approaching, he raised an eyebrow in surprise and even sounded pleased.
They hadn't hunted other intruders because they were convinced they could survive to the end. With forces from the main world entering and the intruders slaughtering one another, the baseline objective would be cleared soon enough; they just needed patience.
In the meantime, it was the perfect chance to kill some story characters.
Hunter Exam candidates were already fair game.
But so far, they hadn't located the main cast.
The man recognized Satotz instantly.
"A one‑star Hunter, a Nen user… also the Phase One examiner in this year's Hunter Exam. In the manga he doesn't get much panel time, but he's memorable enough. Taking him down should give us a hefty progress bonus… Though honestly these extras gave less than I expected; the Amori Brothers were worth hardly anything," the player who knew the canon explained to his partner with a sigh.
"A Nen user, huh…"
His red‑haired teammate grew cautious.
"Watch out for his Nen. The canon says little about him, but earning a star means he's accomplished in some field. Even if the star doesn't prove combat strength, he's surely far above an average Hunter."
"I warned you about how Nen users fight, right?"
The first man's expression turned serious as well.
"Keep your distance—don't let him close in, correct?"
"And finish it fast. If things go south, fly up at once. Don't drag it out or give him time to analyze us."
"Got it."
They discussed all this right in front of Satotz.
Hearing them, Satotz did not strike immediately.
Instead, once he stepped closer, he bowed courteously, one hand over his chest. "May I ask where you two hail from, and why you are wreaking havoc in Zaban City? Are you Nen users? Are you here for the Hunter Association?"
While speaking, he noticed the odd floating book hovering at their hands.
Conjuration? Specialist?
He could not sense the slightest Nen aura.
Nor could he detect any trained flow of aura around them—they felt like ordinary people.
"Not telling," one player said with a mocking grin.
"You seem to know who I am, but if memory serves, this is our first meeting," Satotz replied calmly.
"Mm‑hm."
"I have a suggestion. Why not turn yourselves in and accept the judgment of the local authorities?" Satotz raised one finger.
The player shook his head.
"Then there's no helping it. Though I'm only a Ruins Hunter and not a specialist in apprehending criminals, it seems I have no choice but to fight." Satotz smoothed his small mustache.
The moment he finished, he vanished.
The two intruders had been ready.
As Satotz moved, they split apart.
At the same time, the grimoire floating before them flared with light.
Satotz's expression shifted; without warning, countless spear‑shaped chains burst from the surrounding space like venomous serpents, sealing him in.
"Chain Magic: Grand Pattern!" one player intoned.
Clang!
The web of chains stabbed toward Satotz.
Yet with a flicker he slipped from the cage.
But as soon as he landed, the other foe opened his palm toward him.
"Light Magic: Prism Domain."
In an instant Satotz's pupils contracted. The environment warped into a shimmering haze; everything vanished except dancing lights of every color.
What is this?
He could not fathom their ability… but the two seemed able to sense his position and track him keenly.
They must have excellent senses.
Satotz shut his eyes at once.
The next second, he flashed away.
A chain crashed into the ground behind him, blasting a crater.
"Tsk tsk… Weird, right? It's magic, not Nen!"
The intruder taunted.
Within the rainbow‑lit space Satotz darted and weaved, but chains sprouted from the void and pursued relentlessly, their appearance too uncanny to predict. His footwork was being hemmed in; escaping the kaleidoscopic zone quickly was impossible.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The street thundered like bombardment as chains struck with explosive force.
"This is absurd… their ability's logic is invisible," Satotz thought while dodging, at a disadvantage yet still keeping Hunter‑level composure as he analyzed.
First, the dazzling space only disrupted vision; the real threat was the omnipresent chains—fast and destructive.
Second, the foes had extraordinary perception, tracking his every move. Unless he broke his limits, his speed would stay suppressed.
After a brief calculation, Satotz flared his aura.
His speed spiked; he shot toward the sound source like lightning, ripping through the prismatic veil and reaching the chain user.
The instant he closed in, he opened his eyes and struck.
His target shattered like glass—an illusion, though it had felt solid.
Swish!
In that split‑second, a shadow thrust in and skewered him, inflicting a grave wound.
Satotz leapt back, clutching his waist. Blood dripped between his fingers.
"Hmph!"
Not far away, the light‑magic player snorted. The magic field expanded, swallowing Satotz again.
"I know Hunter combat styles very well… Don't struggle, haha."
The chain wielder gloated.
A familiar barrage resumed. Hearing chains whistle, Satotz could only dodge.
Then something stranger happened—his judgment failed.
He had assumed the rainbow lights could not harm him directly, only confuse. But the chromatic space suddenly fractured into countless shard‑like blades that whirled up during a gap in his evasion.
"What… sort of ability is this?" Satotz's heart pounded.
…
A few minutes later, Pigeon and Orban meet up and dashed toward the sounds of battle.
They sprinted side by side down the street.
"How's your end?"
"Took out two squads. The east main streets are nearly secure—no more players found."
"I've culled a bunch, too."
"Headcount's dropping; the battlefield restrictions should be lifted now…"
"Yeah."
"Interesting… They know we're suppressing them, yet at this point someone still dares show themselves instead of fleeing." Orban glanced at the distant clash and sneered.
For an intruder, hiding is clearly the best way to finish the mission. For a player to make such a commotion now—they must be overconfident.
Whoosh, whoosh—
Moments later they streaked around a corner and arrived.
But as they stopped and saw the scene before them, Orban and Pigeon both blanched.
"Hey… nailed up like a kebab, huh? You two sure took your time—is that because you were chasing other rats?" one intruder remarked mockingly, turning to face them.
In the tableau, the chief examiner Satotz was suspended mid‑air, pierced by countless chains. Blood streamed from his corpse.
Clearly, he was… dead.
"…"
Orban and Pigeon were struck speechless.
~~~
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