How did i end up like this?

Click-clack. There, done. That completes my application for the 287th Hunter Exam. Oh, I already got a notification. Let's see… The exam venue is in Zaban City… That's all it says. Guess I'm supposed to figure out the rest on my own. With hundreds of thousands of applicants every year, I suppose they expect only those who can handle this much to deserve becoming Hunters.

The reason I decided to participate in the 1999 Hunter Exam is to confirm something. What, you ask? Whether there are others like me who came to this world. I hadn't thought much about it before, but as I traveled the world, it occurred to me that it's a real possibility.

The Hunter Exam is the easiest place to confirm that.

…Not that I want to return to my original world... I died there and was reborn here, after all. But it'd be a lie to say I'm not curious. If there are others, I'd like to meet them and talk.

First, I'll look up Zaban City. Let's see… The fastest way from here would be by airship, right? I'll go ahead and book a ticket.

"The direct flight to Zaban City's Hunter Exam venue, exclusively for Hunter Exam applicants, will depart shortly. Passengers, please…"

Huh? A direct flight to the exam venue? Since when was it this convenient? Looking around, I see a line of people who clearly don't look like ordinary folks boarding the airship. …Is this really okay? It feels way too easy.

As I hesitate, I notice a few people staying behind and whispering… I'll eavesdrop a bit.

"…Rookies, huh? Falling for such an obvious trap."

"Totally. If there were a direct flight to the exam venue, we wouldn't have to go through all this trouble."

"Come on, don't be like that. Fewer competitors is always better, right?"

…Well, of course, I wouldn't fall for something like that. As expected of me. What kind of Kazama Style practitioner would I be if I couldn't see through such a basic trap?

…I'm not lying. I didn't fall for it…..

About ten minutes after the airship departed, another announcement came through.

"All Hunter Exam applicants, please gather at the airport entrance within five minutes. I repeat…"

Ah, this sounds like the real deal. The people from earlier are also heading to the entrance. …This isn't another trap, is it?

I waited at the entrance for about three minutes when a bus pulled up, and a guide stepped out.

"Thank you for waiting. This bus will now head to Toneri Port. At Toneri Port, there is a ship departing for Dore Port, the closest port to the exam venue. Hunter Exam applicants, please hand over your airport tickets and board the bus."

Good. Staying behind was the right call. …But what if this is also a trap? After the first trap, I can't help but be suspicious. What if this bus doesn't actually go to Toneri Port?

…It's possible. Toneri Port is about 10 kilometers from here. Could I make it on foot? If the ship at Toneri Port is a lie, then it doesn't matter either way. But if I run there and the bus is a trap, I'll avoid it.

Let's check first.

"Excuse me, what time does the ship depart from Toneri Port?"

"…Around 12:30."

…His aura stiffened for a moment. Did I hit the mark?

"Got it. I'll be on my way, then."

With that, I left. If the ship departs at 12:30, I can easily make it by running, and 10 kilometers won't tire me out. If this turns out to be a mistake, so be it. I'll accept it.

I arrived. The time is… 12:15. Maybe I ran a bit too leisurely. But I made it, so it's fine. The ship… is here. There's only one ship at the port. Is that it? Let's get closer.

There's a man standing in front of the ship. He looks like a captain, with a white beard and a red nose.

"You there. Are you an applicant? If so, show me your ticket."

"Will this do?"

I handed over my airship ticket. …It's the only ticket I have. If this isn't enough, I guess I'm disqualified.

"Good. You pass. You're the only one who made it through that test."

"So that was a trap…"

"Yep. We set up a second trap after the first one. Those who thought they'd outsmarted the first trap let their guard down and got caught."

…Good thing I stayed cautious. Sometimes, being overly suspicious pays off.

"Then, I'll…"

"Yeah, I'll take responsibility and get you to the port closest to the exam venue. Get on the ship. We're about to depart."

"Understood."

The ship set sail. In the end, I'm the only applicant on board… The three guys who mocked the rookies at the airport aren't here. Thanks to you, I was able to spot the trap. I won't forget your sacrifice… probably.

"You there. I haven't asked yet. What's your name, and why are you taking the Hunter Exam?"

"My name is Aisha. I'm taking the exam to get proper identification."

Well, if I said I was a reincarnated person, they'd probably just think I'm crazy.

"...You're honest, huh? Well, that's better than spouting some polished, made-up reason."

"I don't like lying."

Not that I never lie, though.

"Hmph, fine. It'll take about a day to reach Dore Port. Rest up until then."

"Understood. …Oh, right. I'll have to find the exam venue on my own, won't I? Can't you give me a hint or something?"

I'm starting to remember a bit. I think the exam venue entrance was at a diner or something, but I don't know how to get there… Figuring that out is probably part of the test, but it doesn't mean I can't ask for help. Connections are a form of strength, after all.

"...Bwahahaha!! You're really an honest one, aren't ya? Fine, I'll give you a hint. But only after we reach Dore Port."

"Oh? It pays to ask. Thank you, old man."

"Old man…!?"

"I said it with gratitude. Is that not okay?"

"Call me Captain! And don't you dare call me that in front of the crew!"

"Understood....., old man."

"You little…! If you keep this up, I'll disqualify you!!"

"What…!? I'm following your orders and not saying it in front of the crew!"

"Don't get smart with me! Get to your cabin already!"

"Yes sir, Understood."

If I tease him any more, he might really get mad. I'll behave for now. …Still, it's been a while since I had a fun conversation with someone.

…If there's time, I'll talk to him again.

...

"Old man, thank you for everything. Thanks to you, it was a fun trip."

"I never wanna share a ship with you again…"

"How rude. You make it sound like I caused you trouble."

"You did cause trouble, damn it!"

"And here I thought you enjoyed the company of a beautiful girl like me…"

"You're hopeless… Anyway, I'm not guiding you twice. I'll pray you pass this exam."

"... (Is he being nice?) Thank you..."

"Head for that cedar tree on the mountain… It's the shortcut to the exam venue."

"Got it. Well then, thank you again for everything. Take care of yourself."

"Hmph. Get going already."

After parting ways with the old man, I set my sights on the cedar tree. Though, starting now, it'll probably be night by the time I reach the mountain. I'll stay in town for the night and head out tomorrow.

It was a fun trip. If I fail the exam and have to take it again, I'd love to have the old man guide me once more.

...

Sigh She's finally gone, huh? That girl stuck around talking to me for half a day… Was it really that fun talking to someone like me? She kept smiling and chatting away…

"Old man," huh? …Doesn't feel bad.

Tch, what am I even thinking…? I should get moving to the next destination. After hitting those two ports, I'm supposed to head to Whale Island. Whale Island, huh? That's where Ging used to live. Wonder how his kid's doing now.

◆

As I walked toward the cedar tree, I arrived at what looked like a ruined area. …Well, it looks like ruins, but I can feel eyes on me, hear breathing, and the rustling of clothes. I don't even need to use En to confirm. They're not even trying to hide.

Sure enough, people started gathering. An old lady led the group, followed by people wearing strange masks, blocking the path ahead. …They give off the vibe of a downgraded Meteor City.

"Doki doki…"

"Huh?"

"Doki doki two-choice quiiiiiiiiiz!!"

Whoa! Are they trying to attack my heart first!? This old lady's got some skills.

"You're aiming for that cedar tree, right? You'll never reach it unless you pass through this town. The mountain paths from other directions are like mazes, and they're the territory of ferocious magical beasts."

…Ferocious magical beasts, huh? I don't think I'd lose to them. Even if it's a maze, couldn't I just jump through the trees and make it…?

"I'll give you one question. You have five seconds to think. If you answer correctly, I'll let you pass. If you get it wrong, you're disqualified. Give up on this year's Hunter Exam."

Well, ignoring the question might get me disqualified too, so I'll play along.

"Answer with either ① or ②. Any vague responses will be considered incorrect."

A multiple-choice question, huh? No matter how hard it is, I've got a 50% chance of passing. …Wait, is that really okay? This is probably another test to weed out applicants, but is it fair to let someone pass just by luck? I guess luck is part of one's strength, huh?

"Your father and mother are about to fall off a cliff. You can only save one. ① Father ② Mother. Which do you save?"

"②. Mother."

…I answered instantly… but I had no choice. That question left me no other option. I understood the meaning behind the test as soon as I heard the question. But… even so, if I really had to choose, I'd save my mom.

"Why do you think that?"

"It's not that I hate my father. I understand why he abandoned me, and I've accepted it. But I can't compare him to my mom, who protected me even after her death."

That's right. If that situation ever happened, I'd definitely save my mom.

…Though, if it were my adoptive father (Ryūzen) instead of my biological father, that'd be a different story. In that case, I'd find a way to save both.

"Even if I knew this was the wrong answer..., I'd still choose to save my mom. That's just how I am."

"…Why do you think it's the wrong answer?"

"A two-choice question where the answer changes depending on the person. There's no way to pick a 'correct' answer. Therefore, the true answer is silence. Not answering the question is the correct choice, isn't it?"

"…You understood the meaning of the question… If you knew, why did you answer?"

"I already told you. That's the reason. Even if I knew I'd fail the Hunter Exam, I couldn't choose silence in response to that question. That's all."

There's nothing more to say. It's a shame to be disqualified, but I can confirm the existence of reincarnators or drifters through means other than the Hunter Exam. I turn my back and start walking the way I came.

…

"...Wait."

"What is it?"

"This is the real path. It's a straight road. You'll reach the top in about two hours."

"...But didn't I fail?"

"You knew the answer. It seems the problem itself was a bit flawed for someone like you. Consider it a provisional pass."

A provisional pass, huh… Well, passing is better than failing.

"Is that really okay?"

"If I say it's okay, then it's okay."

"...Understood.... I'll take you up on your offer."

If I can pass, that's all that matters. This old lady's surprisingly nice. I hope she lives a long life.

As I walked up the mountain path, I saw a small house. The old lady mentioned that a couple of navigators live here, but… I can clearly sense three presences. They're not moving… One is standing at a distance, while the other two are close together, completely still. It's surreal.

They're obviously waiting for me. There's no doubt this is another part of the exam. …I shouldn't keep them waiting too long, so I'll head inside. Knock knock~!

"I'm coming in~"

"Kill kill kill~!"

Some fox-like magical beast came flying at me, clutching a woman. Thanks for waiting for me, I guess. I'll deal with it first. The Kazama Style works well against charging opponents. Take your own force head-on! …I'll hold back a bit, though. I'll save the woman too.

"Hmph!"

"Gah!?"

I sent the beast flying and caught the woman mid-air.

"Are you okay?"

"Y-yes. My, my husband… please save him too…"

"Sigh… Do I really need to save him?"

"Huh…?"

"Well, you were all waiting for me to show up, right? You're in on this together, aren't you?"

"...You figured it out, huh?"

"Well, I'm good at sensing presences."

"I see. From the way you handled the attack and your response to the 'victim,' you pass. I'll guide you to the exam venue."

The beast I sent flying into the wall said that.

"Thank you. I'll leave it to you."

After that, I enjoyed an aerial ride to the town where the exam venue was, held by the winged beast (apparently called a Kiriko). This is nice. I'd love to fly on my own someday.

"This building is the entrance to the exam venue."

The Kiriko, now in human form, led me to a large, impressive building… and then pointed to the small diner next to it. Yep, yep, this is it. I'm starting to remember now. If I say the passphrase here, they'll guide me to the exam venue.

"Well, let's head inside."

"Ah, wait a second."

"What's wrong? You're not getting cold feet now, are you?"

"Um, I just wanted to ask something. The exam starts on January 7th, but what happens to the people who arrive at the venue early?"

"They'll just have to wait until the exam starts. Of course, the Hunter Association will provide food and lodging during that time."

Hmm. In that case, I might as well kill some time until the exam starts. Plus, the exam is likely to be a long one. I should stock up on water and portable rations. After all, my mom's orders are clear: I can't eat anything dirty. I can't guarantee I'll always have clean meals during a long exam.

"I'll spend the time until the exam starts in this town."

"...Well, that's fine. But don't you think it's important to enter the venue early, gather information about other applicants, and prepare for the exam's tendencies…?"

"It's fine. No problem."

"If you're okay with that, then it's up to you. Oh, and let me tell you the passphrase. Listen carefully. When you enter this diner, 'Meshidokoro Gohan,' and they ask for your order, request the steak set meal."

Hmm, hmm, I'll make a note so I don't forget.

"After that, they'll ask how you want it cooked. Hold up your index finger and say, 'Low and slow.' That'll get you guided to the exam venue."

"Got it. Thank you for guiding me."

"Yeah, make sure you don't miss the exam deadline. Good luck with the exam."

They're gone. Now, what should I do until the exam starts? I've got plenty of time. Alright, first, let's get some food.

"Excuse me~! One steak set meal, please."

"...How would you like it cooked?"

"Medium rare. Oh, and a large portion of rice, please."

Hehehe, I teased them a little. I might be a bad customer. Sorry, staff.

Oh, this is delicious! Medium rare is definitely the way to go with steak! And it's even better with rice!

"Excuse me~! Another bowl of rice, please~"

You can't fight on an empty stomach. Once the exam starts, I might not get the chance to eat anything tasty, so I'll stock up here.

"Excuse me~! I'll also have the stir-fried offal and vegetables, and two servings of ginger pork. Oh, and another bowl of rice."

Yep. Good meat makes the rice go down easy.

...I'm getting some weird looks, but is there something strange about me? Oh well. Right now, I'm focused on the food. I won't leave a single grain. Eating is consuming life, after all. Just kidding.

"And two more grilled meat set meals. Of course, with a large portion of rice."

I feel like I've been eating more per meal compared to before. I can hold back if I need to, but it's better to eat when I can.

...I don't want to gain weight, so I'll go for a run while exploring the town.