Chapter 12: The Hidden Path
Reinhart, Gon, Kurapika, and Leorio stood at the docks of Dolle Harbor, the salty air crisp around them. The first test was behind them, and though it wasn't officially part of the Hunter Exam, Reinhart knew they had just passed a crucial moment. Now, the real journey was about to begin.
As they walked through the bustling streets of the harbor town, Reinhart's mind was elsewhere. He remembered what the captain had told him privately before they disembarked.
"We don't always tell the rookies the whole truth," the captain had said. "If you want to take the Hunter Exam, don't follow the others to the main path. Head to the cedar tree on the hilltop. It's the real way to the exam."
Reinhart glanced at Gon, Kurapika, and Leorio. It was time to tell them.
"The captain told me something before we left the ship," Reinhart said, his tone serious. "We're not supposed to follow the main path like the others. There's a cedar tree on the hilltop. That's where we need to go."
Gon's eyes widened in excitement, and he instantly believed his friend. "Really? Let's go then!"
Kurapika, ever cautious, narrowed his eyes. "Why would he tell you that? Are we sure this isn't a trick?"
Reinhart shook his head. "I don't think so. The captain's been testing us since we boarded the ship. This is part of the exam."
Leorio scratched the back of his head, visibly annoyed. "You're telling me there's a secret path and we could've missed it? Figures…"
Without further argument, they turned toward the outskirts of the town, where the hill rose in the distance, the cedar tree looming faintly on the horizon. But as they made their way through the quiet streets, Reinhart felt something. A presence.
Someone was following them.
His instincts, sharpened by years of training, kicked in immediately. He glanced over his shoulder but saw nothing. Whoever was trailing them was good, but Reinhart was better.
"Someone's following us," Reinhart said quietly, his eyes scanning the surroundings.
Kurapika and Leorio both tensed, ready for action, but Gon was calm. He trusted Reinhart's judgment.
Reinhart stopped abruptly and called out, his voice firm. "I know you're there. Show yourself."
For a moment, there was silence, only the distant sound of seagulls and the soft rustling of the wind. Then, a figure stepped out from behind a building. He was a tall man with a cold, calculating expression, his eyes fixed on Reinhart with clear intent.
"You're sharp," the man said, his voice low. "But it won't help you."
"Stop following us," Reinhart demanded, his stance unwavering.
The man didn't respond. Instead, he rushed forward, his speed impressive but predictable to Reinhart. With years of training behind him, Reinhart sidestepped the first strike with ease, his body moving fluidly. The man's attack was precise, but Reinhart could tell it was nothing compared to what he had faced during his training.
Kurapika and Leorio made a move to intervene, but Gon held them back. "Wait," Gon said, his voice calm but firm. "Reinhart can handle this."
Kurapika hesitated, but he trusted Gon's judgment. Leorio grumbled under his breath, but he, too, stayed back.
Reinhart engaged the man in combat, their movements quick and sharp. The man's strikes were fast, but Reinhart was faster, dodging and blocking with precision. As the fight continued, Reinhart felt the surge of energy within him. The system had given him a new skill recently—Empowered Strike—and now was the time to test it.
He focused, channeling his energy into his next punch. His body hummed with power, and when he swung his fist, it connected with the man's chest with a force that surprised even Reinhart.
The impact was devastating. The man was thrown back, crashing into the ground with a heavy thud. He lay there, dazed and groaning, completely incapacitated.
Reinhart stood over him, breathing steadily as the energy faded. It had worked. Empowered Strike had worked.
Kurapika, Leorio, and Gon approached cautiously, their eyes wide with amazement. Leorio, ever the loud one, spoke first. "What the hell was that, Reinhart?!"
Reinhart shrugged, still catching his breath. "Just a new trick I picked up."
Gon smiled, not surprised at all. "I knew you could handle it."
Kurapika glanced down at the man, who was still unconscious. "We should leave him here. The examiners will deal with him."
Reinhart nodded in agreement. They turned away, leaving the man behind, and continued toward the hilltop where the cedar tree waited.
---
The climb to the cedar tree was steep, but they made it without further interruptions. The landscape changed as they ascended, the harbor town disappearing behind them as the path became rougher, the trees denser. As they reached the top, they found themselves overlooking a vast stretch of land, but something else caught their attention.
A small town lay ahead, eerily quiet and empty. The buildings were old and worn, and the streets were completely devoid of life. There was no sign of movement, no people walking about. It was as if the town had been abandoned long ago.
"Is this the right way?" Leorio asked, looking around with suspicion.
Kurapika frowned, his hand resting on the hilt of his weapon. "It feels strange. We should be cautious."
As they entered the town, the silence weighed heavily on them. It was unsettling, like they had walked into a place forgotten by time. But soon, they spotted movement—a lone figure standing at the center of the street.
An old woman, hunched over and frail, watched them approach. She was surrounded by several others, all wearing strange, expressionless masks. The masked figures stood silently behind her, their presence ominous.
"Welcome, travelers," the old woman said, her voice raspy but strong. "You've come to the right place, but the next step will not be so easy."
Gon, always eager, stepped forward. "We're here for the Hunter Exam."
The old woman smiled faintly, her eyes narrowing. "I know. But before you can continue, you must answer my question. Answer correctly, and you may pass. Answer incorrectly, and you will be sent back."
Reinhart exchanged a glance with his companions, remembering this part from the story. This was another test, one meant to challenge not their physical strength, but their judgment.
"What's the question?" Kurapika asked, his tone guarded.
The old woman's smile widened. "What do you value more: the life of a person you love, or the lives of ten strangers?"
The group fell silent. It was a question that had no easy answer, one meant to test their morals and their resolve. Reinhart felt the weight of the question, but he already knew how this would go. He had seen this challenge before.
But now, it was his turn to face it in reality.
The air around them grew tense as the masked figures waited for their response.