The tunnel air was thick with anticipation. Pale lamps stretched ahead in perfect intervals, their glow swallowed by distance. Hundreds of applicants shifted, bounced on their heels, stretched their limbs.
Renzo stood near the edge of the crowd, his eyes half-lidded, breathing even. The tension around him pressed in like fog, but his aura didn't ripple. Jack's words lived in his bones now: "Stillness before the strike. Always."
At the far end, a tall man stepped forward. Coat trailing, mustache sharp, posture unwavering.
"I am Satotz," he announced. "I will be your examiner for the First Phase of the Hunter Exam."
His voice cut clean through the murmurs.
"The test is simple: follow me. Until I stop, the trial continues."
And just like that, he turned and began walking.
For a moment, no one moved.
Then the thunder of footsteps filled the tunnel.
Gon grinned wide and took off beside Kurapika. Leorio groaned and followed, arms pumping awkwardly.
Renzo fell into stride with quiet ease, letting his breath guide his pace. He didn't run fast. He didn't need to. His body moved like it had done this a thousand times before.
He didn't notice the eyes on him at first. But they were there.
Killua, hands in his pockets, skated easily at the edge of the group. He watched Renzo from the side, brows faintly furrowed.
"This guy's not normal," he murmured to himself.
Further back, Tonpa watched too, but with narrowed eyes. "What's with that calm? He's not like the other rookies…"
Satotz glanced over his shoulder. His pace didn't change. But he'd already marked Renzo. Efficient breathing. Minimal movement. No wasted energy. One to watch.
A full hour passed. Then two. The tunnel seemed endless. Already, weaker runners began to fall behind.
Leorio was drenched in sweat. "How… is this… still going?"
Renzo moved to his side. "Four in. Six out. Step with the exhale."
Leorio tried it. His eyes widened as his body steadied. "Huh… not bad…"
Gon, further up, called back, "Renzo, you've done this before, haven't you?"
"Feels like it," Renzo said with a faint smile.
The tunnel grew darker. The air heavier.
Then—
A pressure shifted.
It wasn't the tunnel. It was a presence.
Hisoka.
Renzo felt it in his spine before he even saw him. The air changed. Sound dulled. Even his heartbeat slowed.
Hisoka walked without rush, hands in his pockets, a thin smile curling his lips.
Applicants gave him wide space instinctively. One man brushed Hisoka's shoulder. A moment later, he was on the ground. No arms.
The blood splattered across the wall.
No one screamed. They were too afraid to.
Renzo's body reacted before his mind did. His stance shifted, hands relaxed at his sides, weight on the balls of his feet. Ten wrapped tight around him.
Hisoka's gaze flicked across the runners—then stopped.
On him.
Their eyes met.
And Renzo saw it. Not power. Not madness. But hunger. A hunter recognizing another.
Hisoka tilted his head, amused. His smile widened.
Renzo held the stare for a breath too long. Then looked forward again.
Don't feed it, he told himself. Don't provoke it.
But the damage was done.
Hisoka had noticed him.
And in that moment, the First Phase changed.