Kurapika turned to the two who'd sailed with him. "So, guys, how about we keep traveling together?" he asked, a smile on his face.
"Count me in!" Gon cheered.
"What kind of nonsense is that?" Leorio grumbled, as usual. (A/N: Leolio, Leorio, same deal, but Leorio's cooler, so we're sticking with that.) "We're headed to the same place, so obviously we're gonna stick together for a bit."
Just as he finished pointing out the obvious, Leorio realized the other two had already started walking, leaving him standing there like a lost puppy. "Hey, you brats!" he yelled.
He'd meant to check the town map to locate Zaban, the site of this year's Hunter Exam, but scrapped the idea and hurried after his companions. 'Damn it, I hope that old man was right,' he cursed to himself.
Catching up, the trio pressed on toward the great cedar, as the captain had advised. After some time, they reached a grim, lifeless town.
"What's this place?" Leorio muttered.
"It's the last stop before the forest that leads to the great cedar," Kurapika replied calmly.
"I know, I know," Leorio snapped, annoyed.
Throughout their journey, the angelic-faced blond boy had countered every one of Leorio's remarks, making him feel like a fool. As the oldest, Leorio saw it as a blatant disrespect. But Kurapika's responses carried no trace of insolence, which only irked Leorio more.
They'd covered some distance through the deserted town when a procession emerged from a side street. It was a troupe of charlatan-like figures in white robes and masks. At the center, an old woman sat on a platform carried by a masked figure on each side.
The convoy halted, blocking the trio's path. Masked figures began beating drums and playing flutes, performing a carnival-like show for the trio. Gon watched with the wide-eyed wonder of his youth, completely captivated. Leorio, at a loss for words, stood baffled. Kurapika, meanwhile, wore a faint smile.
After a few minutes, the old woman raised a frail arm, silencing her troupe. The town's eerie quiet returned.
"Who the hell are you people?" Leorio finally asked, snapping out of it.
"Thrilling, thrilling," the old woman croaked.
"Huh?" Leorio said, thrown off.
"Thrilling, thrilling," she repeated.
"For crying out loud!" Leorio snapped. "You're blocking our way!"
He turned to his group. "Let's find a way around these nutjobs."
"Thrilling, thrilling! Behold the Thrilling Quiz!" the old woman suddenly shouted.
Her loud tone drew the trio's attention back to the troupe. "To continue your journey, you must answer my quiz correctly," she continued, still bellowing.
Though irritated by her voice and already mentally labeling her a "crazy old hag," Leorio realized they were facing another examiner. "A quiz?" Gon echoed, intrigued.
"Indeed," the woman confirmed, her voice quieter now.
"Do we take it together or solo?" Gon asked, looking worried.
"You seem like companions, arriving here together, so you'll take the quiz as a team," she replied.
"What?!" Leorio protested. "That's unfair! If one of us screws up, we all go down with him."
"Easy, Leorio," Kurapika interjected.
"What's that, kid?" Leorio shot back, annoyed.
"Taking it together also boosts our chances of passing," Kurapika said.
'Damn it,' Leorio thought. He knew Kurapika was right, but there was no guarantee they'd get to discuss answers. If they couldn't, they'd be screwed. He sighed.
The old examiner had made her call, though. Complaining wouldn't change it. Leorio just hoped his companions weren't idiots.
Seeing the trio settle down, the old woman spoke again. "Good. The quiz has one question. Answer correctly, and you move on. Answer wrong, and your Hunter Exam ends here."
She studied them briefly before continuing. Gon looked stressed; quizzes weren't his thing, especially if math was involved—he was doomed. He was glad to be in a group. Leorio's face was serious, a contrast to his usual brash demeanor. He had a secret goal and took the exam seriously, even if he didn't show it. Kurapika's expression hadn't changed. The more things unfolded as he expected, the better it suited him. Sure, some details might shift, but the core remained intact. Soon, he'd have to shake things up, so he'd enjoy the control while it lasted.
"Here's the quiz," the old woman began. "Your mother and your beloved are kidnapped by bandits. You can only save one. Who do you save? One, your mother? Or two, your beloved?"
Gon and Leorio were stunned. "What kind of question is that?" Leorio barked. "Are you serious?"
"You have ten seconds. From now on, any word you say counts as an answer," the woman stated, ignoring their reactions.
Gon started panicking, racking his brain. Leorio wanted to yell again but remembered her warning, which only fueled his rage. What could they say? Neither choice was right! 'This kind of quiz never has a right or wrong answer. What are we supposed to do?' he thought.
He glanced at Kurapika, who seemed utterly unfazed. 'Does he not care about failing? No, he said he has a goal. He must know what to do.' Though it pained him to admit, Leorio sensed the younger guy was sharper than him.
Their eyes met, as if Kurapika had anticipated Leorio's glance. Kurapika gave a slight smile and a nod, and that was enough for Leorio to catch on. As he'd suspected, Kurapika had a plan. 'My future's in your hands, kid,' Leorio prayed silently.
The ten-second countdown ended. They hadn't answered. Leorio clenched his fists and shut his eyes in frustration, avoiding the "crazy hag's" gaze. He knew he'd want to strangle her otherwise. It was over before it even really began. 'Damn it.' He could try again next year, but the thought of failing now infuriated him.
But then… "Ma'am, are you going to stay silent for long?" Kurapika's voice made Leorio's eyes snap open.
Seeing Kurapika's calm demeanor, a spark of hope flickered in Leorio. The old woman's lips curled into a subtle smile. She stood, and with a few troupe members, moved to a large door that opened into a dark tunnel.
Confused, Leorio looked between her and Kurapika. "We passed, Leorio. Our approach was right," Kurapika said.
"How?" Leorio asked, still lost.
"The quiz was about recognizing the world's duality. Choosing either the mother or the beloved, based on saving only one, would've been unfair no matter what. The right move was silence, because the quiz was objective, but the choices were subjective," Kurapika explained.
He turned to the old woman. "Is that correct?"
Her smile widened. "I'm impressed you saw that far. Yes, you answered correctly."
Leorio let out a long breath. He hadn't failed; the adventure continued. "Good," the woman said, pointing into the tunnel. "This path will safely lead you to the great cedar. Follow it for two hours, and you'll reach a cabin. If the occupants deem you worthy, they'll escort you to the exam site."
As the trio prepared to move on, Gon plopped onto the ground, looking defeated. "No matter how hard I think, I can't find an answer," he said.
"Haha," Leorio laughed. "Still stuck on the quiz? It's over, and we won, you know."
"I know," Gon said, "but imagine you're really in that situation. What would you do?"
Leorio fell silent, unsure how to respond. Kurapika crouched beside Gon. "Want my take, Gon?" he asked.
Gon nodded eagerly. Kurapika smiled faintly. "I'd save both."
"But—" Gon started.
"Doesn't matter if reality says I can only save one. I'd break that reality and create one where I save both," Kurapika cut in. He stood. "Sure, it takes strength and resolve, but those never run dry when it's about the people you love, right?"
He offered Gon his hand. Gon stared, awestruck, then grinned, took Kurapika's hand, and stood. Leorio walked over and patted Kurapika's back. "Didn't know you were such a philosopher," he teased. Kurapika just smiled.
The old woman watched the trio intently.
'These are some intriguing candidates.'
The trio bid farewell to the troupe and entered the tunnel, heading for the great cedar. The real challenge was about to begin.
Schedule: 2 chaps/Monday
Follow me on P@treon for more chapters! +10 chaps available with more other fics
p@treon.com/Hemlet (Remplace @ to a)