With the Face Fruit controlling his body, Lu ou felt much more relaxed mentally. He could even think about other things while running now.
The Hunter world was not like other worlds—this wasn't a place where as long as you don't seek death, you won't die. Take Hisoka, the clown orchard owner, or people from Meteor City—killing didn't even require a reason. Simply put, even if you don't seek death in the Hunter world, the chances of dying are still very high.
So if the Face Fruit could be used on himself, then he needed to properly organize a training plan—break through his body's limits and grow stronger.
Thinking of other transmigrators, most of them had some kind of cheat related to cultivation. He, on the other hand, could only grind things out slowly on his own. But on second thought, having the Face Fruit as a Nen ability was already pretty good. What's more, abilities trained step by step by oneself felt more reliable—and easier to control.
He didn't expect to break his limits and become like Saitama.
But at the very least, he needed to be able to protect himself.
Another half hour passed. According to Lu ou's understanding of the plot, they should have arrived by now. He had never run for this long before—every step he took now felt like needles stabbing into his calves and thighs.
"Huff… huff…"
His breathing was just as bad. Luou felt as if his chest were being compressed by an invisible force—he was close to his limit again. Of course, he was careful to observe the bottom line of this body. Otherwise, dying from exhaustion while rushing through a transmigration would be a real joke.
Anyone with eyes could tell Lu ou's condition. In this state, being able to last even three more minutes would be optimistic.
Yet more than forty minutes had passed—and Lu ou was still moving forward at a slow, steady pace. Kurapika was growing increasingly puzzled.
"Disordered breathing… heavy chest movement… leg muscles fully tensed… clothes completely soaked with sweat… veins bulging at the neck and temples…"
"He's already at his limit."
"Can human willpower really achieve something like this?"
Kurapika had always admired Lu ou's mysterious nature and abilities—but now, the look in his eyes held genuine respect.
Gon, meanwhile, kept walking ahead but frequently turned back to check on Lu ou.
Tap, tap, tap.
Their footsteps—light and heavy—echoed through the vast underground passage, bouncing back like drumbeats. With that rhythm, the darkness felt a little less lonely.
Second by second, time passed. Even though Lu ou was panting heavily and looked utterly exhausted, his steps remained steady. He moved forward one step at a time, completely unaffected by his breathing.
Though he couldn't feel it directly, Lu ou knew that during this period, his body's upper limit had improved significantly.
At first, Leorio had wanted to help Luou. But as time went on, Lu ou—the one who looked like he was about to collapse—kept going. Meanwhile, Leorio himself was clearly reaching his limit. His breathing grew unstable, his clothes disheveled, completely losing that earlier "well-dressed beast" look.
Dragging his briefcase loosely, he ran at the very back. His breathing grew louder and louder, as if he were about to collapse under the strain.
"Why haven't we reached the exit yet? They said it'd be a two-hour walk—two hours have already passed! I'm not a freak like Lu ou who can keep going forever! I'm exhausted and starving!"
Leorio threw down his briefcase and squatted on the ground, completely unable to move.
After struggling on for another ten-plus minutes, Leorio finally gave up. The earlier exertion had been too much, and his stamina was poor to begin with (mostly because he was lazy). He truly couldn't hold on anymore.
Even being short-tempered required stamina.
"Leorio's endurance early on is better than mine—but like me, it's also a major weakness. During the first phase of the Hunter Exam, if I get the chance, I should help him."
Lu ou looked like he was exhausted to death, but inwardly he was still thinking about helping others. Good-guy Lu ou really lived up to his reputation.
"We won't wait for you—we're moving on. The exit is just ahead," Luou called out to Gon and Kurapika as they continued forward.
The pitch-black tunnel ahead began to glow faintly. As they ran closer, the light grew brighter and brighter—clear proof that the exit was near.
Hope always gave people strength.
"Why didn't you say so earlier?! I'm coming!"
Leorio sprang up from the ground with a carp flip, grabbed his briefcase, and sprinted toward the light.
Instant full-health revival on the spot.
In just a few steps, he caught up to Lu ou and the others. Together, they ran toward the exit—the long underground passage finally coming to an end.
"At first, his steps were chaotic—according to common sense, they should have grown worse and worse."
"They were chaotic at first… but later, he maintained a constant pace. And in the final stretch, his speed barely changed."
"Even in that state, he could calmly control his body."
"Lu ou's willpower and composure… those are exactly what I need to learn for my revenge."
Kurapika thought silently.
Splash—
The night breeze brushed across the lake's surface, stirring gentle ripples. The sound of water was exceptionally clear in the stillness of the night.
A vast, star-filled sky reflected on the shimmering lake, sparkling beautifully.
As Lu ou and the others emerged from the tunnel, this was the scene that greeted them.
"So there's a lake behind the cave," Leorio exclaimed.
Having heard they were near the exit, Leorio—now more energetic than Popeye after spinach—had overtaken everyone and rushed out first.
Bright moonlight. A star-dotted lake. An empty, silent shore.
But scenery like this was completely wasted on Leorio.
"Why is there no one here? Where are the cedar trees? Where's the guide couple? I'm starving…"
Seeing nothing outside, Leorio immediately deflated, collapsing onto the ground and refusing to move.
"Since Leorio is this hungry, let's rest here for ten minutes and replenish some energy before moving on," Lu ou said.
Kurapika frowned. "Lu ou, don't spoil Leorio."
"It's fine. I'm hungry too. There are still trials ahead—let's fill our stomachs first," Lu ou replied. "Gon, take out some food."
Lu ou sat down on the ground as well. Leorio, meanwhile, sat sprawled out with zero dignity.
Lu ou knew that soon they'd have to cross the lake—and then face the foxbear family in a battle of wits and courage. Being exhausted and weak right now wouldn't do. It was better to eat first and adjust their condition.
They'd already arrived more than an hour ahead of schedule anyway—plenty of time to prepare the plan he was brewing.
"Okay," Gon said obediently, smoothly pulling out a red oil-paper bundle from his large backpack and handing it to Lu ou.
Lu ou opened it. Inside were more than a dozen fist-sized white rice balls. He gently placed them on the grass and called everyone over to eat.
These rice balls had been prepared together with Gon when Aunt Mito was packing supplies for their journey.
Times were tough. Face—of course—was something you could never have too much of. In the world of travelers, you never knew when you'd need to use it.
Especially Leorio and Kurapika—during the Hunter Exam, Lu ou planned to make sure they built up enough "face" to last.