Chapter 31: All Candidates Assembled
Just as Tonpa was feeling uncertain and alarmed, Ray suddenly looked up at him with an enigmatic smile.
"Mr. Tonpa, why aren't you drinking?"
Tonpa's throat bobbed. He let out a dry laugh, braced himself, and pulled the tab on the can in his hand. He tilted his head back and chugged a few mouthfuls to mask his guilty conscience.
The cold beverage slid down his throat, but it did nothing to suppress the panic in his heart.
"Well... I have some things to do and need to greet the other candidates. Let's chat another day."
Tonpa made an excuse, ready to make a quick getaway.
Although he wasn't sure if Ray had tasted anything off, he figured it was best to retreat while he still could.
"Sure, let's chat when you're free."
Ray smiled and waved, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes. He had no intention of stopping him.
Watching Tonpa's retreating back, Ray casually tossed his empty can into a trash bin. He then pulled out a piece of dried jerky and began to chew it methodically.
He looked back at the crowd of candidates, silently memorizing everyone's badge numbers and faces.
Number 99, Killua. Sporting short silver-white hair and an indifferent expression, he was absentmindedly drinking a can of juice provided by Tonpa.
Ray took one look and then paid him no further mind.
A short while later, a figure with numerous pins stuck in his face walked in. The badge on his chest read number 301.
It was Gittarackur, or rather, Illumi Zoldyck.
Ray's gaze lingered on Illumi Zoldyck for a fraction of a second before he discreetly looked away.
Illumi Zoldyck was just as troublesome a guy as Hisoka.
Fortunately, as long as one didn't actively approach him, the danger he posed was significantly lower than Hisoka's.
Time slowly ticked by.
The elevator doors opened once more, and Gon, Kurapika, and Leorio walked out together.
With that, all the candidates were present.
Ray glanced at the trio and continued chewing his jerky.
He had no desire to get too close to Gon and his friends.
For one thing, it would make it far too easy to be targeted by Hisoka, that 'fruit farmer.'
After all, Hisoka was extremely interested in Gon, his 'unripe little apple.'
On the other hand, he simply wanted to avoid trouble and felt their personalities would clash.
Gon was a pure Enhancer; while straightforward, his stubbornness was headache-inducing.
Kurapika carried the blood feud of his annihilated clan, and his Nen abilities were tailor-made specifically for the Phantom Troupe.
Yet, when actually facing the Phantom Troupe, his indecisiveness caused him to miss crucial opportunities.
In the end, although he killed Uvogin, he fell into deep torment. Ray truly could not agree with such a disposition.
As for Killua and Leorio, Ray had no plans to form deep bonds with them either.
Killua valued loyalty, but in Ray's eyes, probably only Gon could be considered Killua's true friend. Kurapika and Leorio were companions at best.
Moreover, getting close to Killua was an easy way to draw the ire of Illumi, an obsessively controlling older brother.
Leorio's personality was actually quite decent—he valued friendship and had a clear head—but he just looked far too old for his age.
However, since he had already decided to keep a respectful distance from Gon's group, there was naturally no need to get involved with Leorio.
While Ray was happy to enjoy the peace and quiet, Tonpa could no longer hold himself back.
Seeing the three obvious fresh faces, the 'Rookie Crusher's' eyes instantly lit up. His smile grew increasingly amiable as he quickly hurried over to strike up a familiar conversation.
Just as Tonpa was spitting everywhere while 'educating' the trio on what to watch out for during the Hunter Exam, a bloodcurdling scream suddenly shattered the tranquility of the hall.
Everyone looked toward the sound, only to see a candidate kneeling on the ground in agony. His arms were turning into delicate flower petals at a visible rate, fluttering and scattering into the air in an incredibly bizarre sight.
The surrounding candidates retreated in terror, afraid of getting caught in the crossfire.
Eventually, the only people left in that area were the screaming candidate and Hisoka, who stood to the side looking perfectly composed.
Ray narrowed his eyes, carefully observing the drifting petals.
They looked real, but in reality, it was just an illusion fabricated by Hisoka's Texture Surprise.
Hisoka looked down at the screaming candidate and licked his lips. Wearing his signature, slightly crazed smile, he spoke in an exaggerated tone.
"Oh my, how truly incredible. Your arms have turned into flower petals and disappeared!"
He then spread his hands, looking completely innocent.
"I didn't do a thing, you know."
Even though he said that, none of the surrounding candidates believed him. They all looked at Hisoka with eyes full of dread.
However, Hisoka seemed to thoroughly enjoy the feeling of being watched. He leaned down, looking at the candidate writhing in agony on the floor, and offered a helpful reminder.
"Do be careful. When you bump into someone, you really should know to apologize."
Hearing this, the crowd became even more certain that Hisoka was absolutely the one behind this.
Gon and his two friends watched, dumbfounded. Their faces were filled with shock, and the pressure they felt suddenly doubled.
Seeing this, Tonpa immediately leaned in. Lowering his voice, he began to educate the trio on Hisoka's 'glorious deeds' and the various dangers of the Hunter Exam, attempting to use this to draw closer to them.
After chatting for a bit longer, Tonpa repeated his old trick. He pulled a few cans of juice from his bag and eagerly handed them out to Gon's group. He opened one himself and took a few sips right in front of them.
Sure enough, Gon and Leorio had their guards completely down. They pulled the tabs and prepared to chug the drinks.
Kurapika was initially a bit hesitant, but seeing Tonpa drink so casually, he lowered his guard and opened his can as well.
Tonpa watched this unfold, secretly feeling smug, only to see Gon suddenly frown after taking a sip.
Then, with a *pfft*, he spat the juice right out of his mouth.
"Mr. Tonpa, is this juice expired? It tastes really weird!"
Hearing this, Leorio panicked and quickly spat out the juice in his mouth, patting his chest in lingering fear.
"Are you serious? That's too dangerous! I almost swallowed it!"
Kurapika, who had been just about to drink, paused. He looked thoughtfully at Tonpa, a hint of scrutiny entering his gaze.
Tonpa's smile froze on his face. He scratched his head awkwardly, but internally, he was utterly baffled.
'How did someone taste it again?!'
"Huh? Really? I might have kept them for too long and didn't notice..."
Saying that, he simply dropped to his knees, apologizing with a look of utmost sincerity.
"I'm so sorry! I really didn't realize the juice had expired!"
"It's fine, it's fine. You don't need to apologize like that."
Gon quickly waved his hands, instead looking at Tonpa with concern.
"But Mr. Tonpa, you drank so much of it. Is your stomach okay?"
"Ah? I'm fine, I'm fine! I have a very strong constitution!"
Tonpa hastily waved his hands, but right at that moment, a sudden bout of abdominal pain hit him.
This left Tonpa looking completely bewildered.
"..."
Just as Tonpa was about to say something, the stomach cramps intensified.
"...Excuse me, I need to go."
With that, Tonpa quickly squeezed his buttocks together and ran frantically toward the bathroom.
"?"
Kurapika looked at Tonpa's retreating back in confusion.
'Did I misunderstand Tonpa just now? Maybe he didn't actually tamper with the drinks.'
Not far away, Ray watched the scene unfold, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
'It seems Tonpa's powerful laxative is quite effective after all!'