Tusk in HXH

The faint beeping sound echoes softly from the west, it isn't just one beep, I hear an entire road of traffic in that direction.

Damn, it sounds far away. Those cars must be loud, maybe it's trucks who are beeping and not cars. Or maybe it is cars and its closer then I think.

Curiosity gets the better of me. I close my eyes, steadying my breath. And i visualise the spin, its instinctive, like I've known how to use it my whole life. I feel it, energy humming in my chest like a infinitely coiled spring waiting to be released. I focus, placing my hands on the wheels very lightly.

Just close enough to where I'm making the slightest contact. And with just the right amount of force to where if the wheel shakes my hand wont lose contact.

Imagining that energy flowing into the wheels of my chair, making them turn, not by force but by momentum. It's like tuning an old radio to a frequency, just a small adjustment, and suddenly, it clicks.

The wheelchair surges forward, smooth and effortless. The vibrations of the forest floor barely register as the Spin carries me over roots, rocks, and uneven ground with a grace I've never known. It's exhilarating, like flying, almost. The wheels hum softly as they turn, guided by that endless force.

That's the reason my wheelchair looks so wierd, its designed to hold spin, and it's material is a perfect conductor for spin, the wheel material is made so the spin flows perfectly into the center of the wheel, making it spin faster and faster.

The sound grows louder as I press onward, the beeping becoming clearer with each push of my hands. Then the trees begin to thin, the dense forest gives way to open space, its a trail. The trail climbs upward, and I push harder, using the Spin amplify my speed, going uphill is much easier then i expected.

When I reach the top of the hill, the sight of the city takes my breath away. It sprawls below me, chaotic and alive. Buildings rise in uneven clusters, smoke curling from chimneys. The streets are packed with people, vendors shouting over one another, carts creaking as they're pushed through the crowd. The noise is overwhelming, but there's a vibrancy to it that makes my chest tighten. I've never seen anything like this.

---

Rolling into the city is like stepping into another world. The air smells different, spices, grilled meat, and something sour I can't quite place. The sounds are sharp and constant, a mix of clinking coins, haggling voices, and laughter.

I keep to the edges of the market, trying not to attract attention, but it's impossible. People glance at me, their eyes lingering on the wheelchair. Some look curious, others judgmental. A few look away entirely, like they're uncomfortable even acknowledging me.

It stings, but I push forward. I pass stalls selling everything from exotic fruits to handmade jewelry. One vendor has an entire table stacked with glittering knives. Another is shouting about a miracle cure in tiny glass vials.

Near the center of the market, I spot a fry stand. The smell of oil and salt wafts through the air, making my stomach growl. As I approach, I overhear a conversation.

"You know, where I come from, we call fries 'potato Jeremies,'" a man says to the vendor, his tone overly casual.

The vendor looks up with a deadpan expression. "Where the fuck are you from?"

I chuckle a bit, but my laughter is interrupted.

Out of the corner of my eye, I catch movement. A shadow darts past the stand, a thief. His hand snaps out, grabbing the vendor's money jar before bolting into the crowd.

The vendor shouts, but no one reacts quickly enough. I don't think. I just move.

The Spin hums to life in my wheels as I launch forward, weaving through the crowd. The thief is fast, but the momentum in my wheelchair is faster. The wheels glide smoothly over the uneven cobblestones, their Spin carrying me forward with precision.

He cuts into an alley, but it's narrow, and his movements are frantic. My chair takes the turn easily, the Spin giving me the control to adjust without losing speed. The alley is tight, walls closing in, but I keep my focus, my breath steady.

He glances back, panic flashing in his eyes when he sees me gaining. He skids to a stop, turning to face me. His fist comes up, swinging toward my face, but I react instinctively.

I catch his wrist, letting the Spin flow from my hands into his arm. The effect is immediate. His wrist twists unnaturally, the force spiraling through his body. His shoulder jerks back, his torso twisting painfully as he cries out.

"What the hell?! Stop!" he screams in pain.

The Spin doesn't stop, it's relentless, mawing through him like an invisible drill. He collapses to the ground, writhing, before finally passing out.

That's creepy, although his muscles are gonna be torn, and he's bent like a pretzel. He should revert back in a hour or so, even if he's not gonna be able to walk for a month or so after. I did hold back after all.

I pick up the money jar from where it rolled on the ground and head back to the vendor. He looks surprised when I return it.

"Kid," he says, shaking his head in disbelief. "You're something else."

He pulls out a 500 Jenny bill, pressing it into my hand. "Here. Take this. It's the least I can do."

I hesitate, but he insists, and I finally pocket the money.

---

The market is still bustling, but I've had enough of the noise and stares.

Judging by the prices of the stalls around me, 500 Jenny should be enough for a meal at a resturant. So I should probably find a good place to eat instead of these stalls. Just to treat myself this once.

I head up the market until I see a alley leading to the city's center. And I go through it.

It's much different from the market, it's all buildings, houses and clothing shops. But I see it. A small beef restaurant down the street. I can smell it from a mile away and it smells amazing. I'm definitely trying the food there.

Inside, the atmosphere is warm and inviting, the chatter more subdued than outside. I roll up to the counter, but my attention is drawn to a group near the front.

There's a green-haired kid, a yellow haired ... girl? boy? I cant tell from afar. And a black haired dude in a suit. Seemingly a businessman. Being led by a black haired man in weird clothing.

They're ordering food, but their words catch my attention.

"We would like the steak combo that opens your eyes to the light for three." the strangely dressed man says

The cooks expression goes from relaxed to intensely focused in an instant.

"How would you like that cooked?" The chef asks.

"Under a low flame until fully cooked." The strangely dressed man replies.

"You may have an open room in the back" the chef responds.

The group then goes to the backroom.

I don't understand the meaning behind it, but the sign on the front of the store said steak combo for 300 jenny, so i assume this is that combo.

And a 300 steak combo with a private room sounds good enough to me. When it's my turn, I order the same thing, trying not to sound out of place. The cashier gives me a long look before nodding and motioning for me to go to the backroom.

I go down a narrow hallway to 2 doors. And I see the strangely dressed man leave the second room and he looks at me for a moment.

"Your an applicant too? Strange for your navigator to make you enter by yourself. Anyways the path i just left from is taken. Go through the other door." He says before walking past me.

That's weird. Wait a minute, the chef didn't ask me to pay beforehand. That's str- actually maybe it's one of those restaurants where you pay afterwards. Yeah that must be it.

I roll towards the door and open it, entering a small room. As soon as I roll inside, the door closes behind me. I glance around, confused, until I feel the floor shift beneath me.

The room is moving. No- it's dropping.

I grip the armrests of my chair as the elevator descends rapidly. My stomach flips, a mix of fear and excitement surging through me.

A green haired kid and blonde haired person along with a business man in a- ...

Did I just see the main cast? I didn't expect to see them so soon because I was under the assumption I'd have a year or so to prepare for the Hunter exam.

And that weirdly dressed man ... that was the kiriko that lead them to the exam site! It's all coming back to me.

Did I really just accidently stumble upon the Hunter exam!