Between Two Worlds: Nen and Haki

With Zane's visual prowess—even though his third eye was obscured by his headband—it was more than enough to capture the moment Hisoka used a knife-hand strike to sever the man's arms and then used Bungee Gum to stick them to the tunnel ceiling in the blink of an eye.

Though it was only a small display of his ability, the speed and efficiency Hisoka demonstrated still left Zane impressed.

The man's physical skills were indeed remarkable; even without Nen, one would have to take a fight against him very seriously.

"That dangerous guy is back again this year," Tonpa muttered to himself.

His words immediately caught the attention of Gon and the other two.

"Back again?"

"Do you mean he participated in the Hunter Exam last year too?"

Gon and Kurapika couldn't help but ask.

Tonpa said with lingering fear, "Number 44, Hisoka the Magician. He was practically guaranteed to pass last year, but he nearly beat an examiner to death just because he didn't like him..."

"What? Someone like that can just show up for the Hunter Exam again this year like it's nothing?" Leorio said in disbelief.

Tonpa nodded. "Of course. The examiners and the trials change every year, and the trials are decided by the examiners themselves. As long as this year's examiner deems them qualified, even a demon can pass. That's the Hunter Exam!"

Finally, as if trying to ease the tension Hisoka had created, Tonpa said enthusiastically, "Anyway, let's be friends. You guys want a drink?"

"Sure, I'm actually a bit thirsty."

"Thank you!"

"Then I won't stand on ceremony."

It had to be said that Tonpa wasn't called the Rookie Crusher for nothing. After their brief chat, Gon and the others naturally took the drinks Tonpa pulled from his bag.

"Here, this one's for you." Seeing the trio take the drinks spiked with strong laxatives, Tonpa felt a secret surge of joy. He then turned enthusiastically toward Zane.

Zane hadn't said a word since Tonpa approached, simply watching the group interact in silence.

Now, looking at the drink Tonpa was offering and the trio about to open theirs, Zane couldn't help but sigh.

"Are you three idiots? I could overlook it from Gon and Leorio, but for you to fall for such a low-level trick..."

Zane couldn't help but complain, especially when he looked at Kurapika with an expression of pure disappointment.

'And you call yourself an avenger? You usually act so smart, yet this is it?'

Gon, Leorio, and Kurapika, who were already raising the drinks to their mouths, froze instantly.

Especially Kurapika; glancing at the drink in his hand and then at Zane's disappointed face, his fair complexion immediately flushed a deep red.

"You...!" Tonpa gasped. He opened his mouth to speak, but before he could get out more than a single word, Zane's hand clamped over his entire face.

"Mmph!!!"

Zane tightened his grip on Tonpa's face slightly. His immense strength began to contort the man's features, and the words Tonpa was about to say turned into muffled groans of pain.

"Zane, do you mean there's something wrong with this guy?" Kurapika asked, his face burning with shame as he endured the embarrassment.

"Isn't that obvious? Don't forget why we're here. Do you really think someone would be kind enough to explain the competition to you in the middle of the cutthroat Hunter Exam? Not to mention drinking something a stranger gives you," Zane retorted.

"This drink does smell a bit funny." Gon sniffed the opened can, his extraordinary sense of smell immediately picking up something unusual.

"There really is a problem? Bastard! And here I thought you were a good guy, but you tried to screw us over!" Leorio roared in anger upon hearing this, stepping forward to deliver a kick to Tonpa's body.

With his face still in Zane's grasp, Tonpa's feet were already off the ground. After taking the kick, he swung back and forth like a paper doll in the air.

"Cough, I was just careless a moment ago... Anyway, Zane, thanks for the warning." Kurapika tossed the drink into a corner and gave Zane a stiff nod, feigning composure.

This was beyond embarrassing.

He knew he was here for the brutal Hunter Exam, yet he had been led around by the nose with just a few words.

If there weren't so many people around, Kurapika would have wanted to dive into a pond to cool his burning face.

"Wait, Zane, what did you mean by 'I could overlook it from Gon and Leorio'?" After kicking Tonpa, Leorio finally processed the comment and looked at Zane indignantly.

"Yeah, yeah! Zane, what did you mean by that!?"

Gon, having also caught on, puffed out his cheeks and looked at Zane with equal indignation.

Zane said calmly, "A person should have some self-awareness. It's fine to fool others, but don't fool yourself. When it comes to using your brains, I never had high hopes for either of you."

'Using our brains? No hope?'

Zane's words were like two arrows piercing directly through Leorio and Gon's hearts, leaving them petrified on the spot.

Ignoring the devastated Leorio and Gon, as well as the still-ashamed Kurapika...

Zane flicked his arm, tossing aside Tonpa, who was so terrified he was nearly pissing himself.

Thud!

Landing flat on his back, Tonpa completely ignored the pain and his bruised face, immediately performing a swift and practiced dogeza before Zane.

"I'm sorry! Please spare this lowly dog's life!" Without a moment's hesitation, Tonpa slammed his forehead against the ground. His tone was a mix of solemnity and sycophancy, as if he had rehearsed this countless times.

Zane glanced at him.

There was a reason this man had managed to survive over thirty Hunter Exams without dying.

Thinking about it, the man was something of a talent in certain respects.

"Get lost," Zane said, waving him away.

Even a piece of toilet paper has its uses.

After all, Zane hadn't been in this world long; there might be a chance he'd need this guy in the future.

"Thank you, sir!!" Tonpa was overjoyed. He jerked his head up, flashed a fawning smile at Zane, and then scurried away to the other end of the tunnel.

He hadn't knelt so quickly for no reason.

From the moment Zane grabbed him before he could even react, to the realization that he couldn't break free at all, Tonpa's wealth of experience told him that Zane, like Hisoka, was someone he absolutely could not afford to provoke.

If it meant staying alive, he wouldn't just kneel and kowtow—he'd even sell his own soul.

....

After that brief interlude came a long wait.

Because they had arrived a day early, Zane and the other three, like the other candidates, had to spend a night in the tunnel.

Fortunately, the Hunter Association's logistics were thorough, so food wasn't a concern.

The next day.

After many more candidates arrived one after another, finally...

Ring! Ring! Ring!

Rumble! Rumble!

A sharp ringing suddenly echoed through the tunnel. As the candidates hurriedly looked toward the sound, they saw the once-sealed stone wall at the other end of the tunnel slowly rising.

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