A simple run had already eliminated nearly half the participants. On the surface, it looked easy, but long-distance running wasn't just about stamina—it was also about enduring the hostility radiating from the other examinees.
Even though Aoyama had been hanging toward the back of the group, avoiding most direct conflict, he could still feel the sharp stares occasionally cutting into him. That undisguised killing intent—raw, naked, and sharp—was more blinding than blades flashing in the dark.
In terms of strength, aside from Hisoka and Imir, Aoyama was easily the strongest among the examinees. If anyone came after him, he had no intention of holding back.
After all, he was only passing through this world. He wouldn't be staying in the Hunter world for long. Even if he ended up a mass murderer who slaughtered thousands in a single day, the moment time was up, he'd safely return to the ninja world.
The long tunnel eventually ended, and sunlight poured in as the candidates emerged. But true danger was only just beginning. Ahead lay the Menchi Wetlands—a forbidden zone for ordinary humans, teeming with dangerous creatures and magical beasts.
As they crossed from the underground passage of Zaban City into the wetlands, they encountered their first trial: a troop of Man-faced Apes, disguised as humans, attempting to trick the examinees.
Aoyama found it amusing. The Hunter world was full of strange and wondrous creatures—not like the ninja world, where you only had summoning beasts and tailed beasts.
Whoosh!
A playing card flashed through the air.
Sharper than a steel blade, it effortlessly cut across the ape's forehead, killing it mid-sentence as it tried to deceive the examinees.
Even Examiner Satotz had a card lodged in his hand, courtesy of Hisoka's "test shot." Tossing the card aside, Satotz warned coldly:
"Very dangerous. Next time you attack an examiner, you'll be disqualified."
"My method was effective, wasn't it?" Hisoka replied with a smirk, utterly unconcerned. His overwhelming strength made him fearless of authority.
Aoyama was the first to follow Satotz deeper into the wetlands. The moment his feet touched the damp earth, a giant rainbow-colored spider lunged, aiming a sharp leg straight at him.
If it had been a person, Aoyama wouldn't have minded fighting. But a spider this huge—and glowing like a neon sign? He didn't feel like touching it.
So, he pulled out his Book of Monsters and flipped it open to the page of Godzilla. A thunderous roar shook the ground as the colossal beast appeared.
As Godzilla swiped away the spider's spear-leg, Aoyama called out casually, "Examiner, if you're not going to lead properly, why'd you stop?"
Godzilla tore through the spider with ease, leaping high into the air before crashing down like a living bomb, crushing the creature's body into pieces.
Seeing how easily the beast had dispatched the colorful spider, Satotz finally raised his head and muttered thoughtfully:
"A conjured beast? No… more like a powerful Conjured Nen Beast. I didn't expect to encounter such a strong Nen user here. You'd better keep up. If you fall behind, you won't earn your Hunter License."
"Not everyone's here just for a license. Just keep leading," Aoyama replied lazily, climbing onto Godzilla's neck in a relaxed pose. Pointing ahead dramatically, he shouted:
"Forward, Godzilla-maru!"
Other examinees soon caught up, staring in disbelief as Aoyama rode Godzilla like a mount. Some even tried attacking him, only to be bitten in half by the beast.
Watching from behind, Hisoka's eyes glimmered with hunger.
"So it's from that book of monsters, huh? And you can summon them… Doesn't look like ordinary Conjuration. Hm… must be something even rarer. A Specialist, perhaps."
Nen had six categories:
Enhancement – strongest offense and defense, simple.
Transmutation – for complex, subtle thinkers, their powers like intricate lies crafted into abilities.
Emission – letting aura be fired far from the body, often as bullets or beams.
Conjuration – creating physical objects from aura.
Manipulation – controlling objects, energy, or even living beings.
Specialization – mysterious, unique powers that defied the other five.
At first, Hisoka thought Aoyama was a Conjurer, since he had manifested a mysterious book. But now, he was convinced: this was the mark of a Specialist.
The realization only made Hisoka more… excited. His tongue slid across his lips, his movements fluid and sensual, like a dancer's. Then, with a flick of his wrist, he cut down another examinee with his card, unable to suppress his thrill.
"Marvelous! Truly marvelous! Such a perfect fruit… ahhh, I can barely hold myself back!"
The agonized screams and Hisoka's soft, ecstatic moans drifted from behind. Riding Godzilla through the wetlands, Aoyama wrinkled his nose, distinctly uncomfortable.
Focusing his eyes on Gyo, he saw the evil aura wrapping around Hisoka. The malicious intent was directed at him alone.
No wonder he'd felt uneasy. Hisoka was on the verge of losing control.
Still, with plenty of examinees left to kill, Hisoka would probably keep himself occupied for a while… probably. With his perverse nature, though, it was only a matter of time before he lost patience.
Quietly, Aoyama patted Godzilla's neck. The beast instantly picked up speed, carrying them away from the suffocating reach of Hisoka's aura.
But in focusing so much on Hisoka, Aoyama forgot just how deceptive the Menchi Wetlands were. Some creatures could mimic human forms. One had taken on the appearance of Satotz and lured Godzilla off course.
In an instant, Aoyama found himself surrounded by nearly two hundred bizarre monsters.
He sighed, flipping open the Book of Monsters again.
"All I wanted was to be a quiet examinee… Why am I the one being targeted? Shouldn't they be going after Hisoka instead?"
"RAAAAH!"
Godzilla bellowed, sparks flying from its claws as it clashed them together, eager to test the taste of these new creatures.
With a roar, Kong was summoned next, massive axe in hand. Aoyama flipped through the book seriously, studying it mid-battle. He got so engrossed that by the time he looked up, Godzilla and Kong had already annihilated the surrounding creatures.
Godzilla stood proudly atop a mountain of corpses, bellowing in triumph.
Not to be outdone, Kong hacked apart the remains with wild fury, reducing them to bloody chunks. Having killed fewer enemies than Godzilla by over a dozen, Kong vented his frustration by dismembering the carcasses until nothing remained intact.