After clearing the Second Phase of the exam, Max and the other participants soared through the starry sky aboard the airship, heading toward the site of the Third Phase.
Netero: "Allow me to introduce myself to the forty-three remaining applicants. I am Netero, Chairman of this year's Hunter Exam Selection Committee."
Beans: "And I am his secretary, Beans."
Max (thought): His name is Beans? From now on, I'm calling him Mr. Beans.
Netero: "Originally, I planned to appear during the final phase, but since I'm already here... I'm loving this tension in the air! So I think I'll stick around for the rest of the trip."
Beans: "We are scheduled to arrive at our destination tomorrow morning at 8 AM. Dinner will be served in the dining hall. You're free to eat, rest, or do as you please until you are contacted."
Killua: "Okay, Gon! Let's explore the airship!"
Gon: "Yeah!"
The two raced off with childish excitement.
Leorio: "How do they have so much energy?"
Max: "What do you expect? Kids are always full of energy. It's just a fact."
Leorio: "They're not normal, I swear... Whatever. I'm hitting the sack. I'm still full from all that food, man. Seriously, your cooking was top-notch, Max."
Kurapika: "You can say that again."
Max: "Thanks."
Kurapika: "However, I do have one concern..."
Leorio: "Hmm? What's up?"
Kurapika: "How many more phases are there?"
Leorio: "Oh... They never mentioned that, have they?"
Max: "On average, there are five to six phases."
Leorio: "Which means we still have three or four more to go..."
Kurapika: "All the more reason to rest now. But by the way... where did you get that information?"
Max: "During the party, that fat, square-nosed bastard tried to pull something with the food—or something to cause a scene. I caught him, threatened him, and demanded information in exchange for sparing him. He spilled everything."
Leorio: "Tch. Figures. I saw you punch him in the gut till he threw up."
Kurapika: "Are you sure we can trust his information?"
Max: "Yeah. He's taken the exam thirty-five times already. Plus, I can tell when someone's lying. He was telling the truth."
Kurapika: "Good to know. Thanks for sharing. We're gonna get some rest. What about you?"
Max: "I'll explore the airship a bit first... then maybe train."
Leorio: "Man, you're seriously gonna train even now? Aren't you exhausted?"
Max: "Meditation counts as rest too, so it's fine."
Kurapika: "Well, suit yourself. Goodnight."
Max: "Oh, by the way, can you guys keep an eye on my stuff too?"
Leorio: "Sure, but we're not gonna carry it. Just leave it close to us, and we'll keep an eye on your giant bag. Honestly, I don't think anyone's gonna steal it."
Max: "I know, but it's always better to be cautious."
Kurapika: "Alright then."
(Max placed his bag near Kurapika and Leorio.)
Max: "Have fun on your sleep date."
Leorio: "Do you want me to toss your bag out of the airship instead?"
(Kurapika gave Max a look too.)
Max: "I'm sorry! I'm joking, I swear. Please don't take it seriously."
(They both sighed, too tired to argue, and headed off to get some rest.)
Meanwhile, Max wandered around the airship for a bit, eventually stumbling across Gon and Killua sitting by a large window, gnawing on meat and staring out at the stars.
Max: "So, how's the exploring? Having fun?"
Gon: "It's fun! This airship is huge!"
Max: "What were you guys talking about?"
Gon: "I was asking Killua about his family. I want to know more about them."
Max: "Mind if I listen in?"
Killua: "Sure, why not? It's not like it's a big secret."
Max: "Thanks."
Gon: "So where are your mom and dad?"
Killua: "Hmm... They're alive. Probably."
Max: "What do they do?"
Killua: "They're assassins."
Gon: "Huh? Both of them?"
Killua (laughing): "Gon, that's your first reaction? You really are a riot."
Gon: "Huh?"
Killua: "You're the first person who actually responded seriously."
Gon: "Well, you're telling the truth, right?"
Killua: "What makes you think that?"
Gon: "Just a hunch."
Killua (smiling): "That's weird. People usually like me because they can't tell when I'm lying."
Gon: "Ooooh."
Killua: "Yeah, I'm from a family of assassins. Every single one of them. They have really high hopes for me... but I hate it. Who wants their life decided for them? When I said I wanted to choose my own path, they lost it. My mother cried, saying I had the potential to be a top assassin."
Gon laughed innocently, while Max remained deep in thought.
Killua: "Horrible parents, right? It's no wonder I turned out bad. We fought. I stabbed my mother in the face, stabbed my brother in the side, and ran away from home. They're probably out looking for me. But if they find me, I'll just send them packing. When I become a Hunter, I'll start by capturing my family. I bet they have some hefty bounties."
Gon just smiled like an idiot, while Max stayed silent, still thinking.
Killua: "Hey, Max! What do you think?"
Max snapped out of it.
Max: "Sorry, I was thinking... Honestly, I thought your family were ninjas at first. Like that bald dude we saw before."
Killua (laughing): "Ninjas? Well, assassins and ninjas are kinda similar, but they're still different. What made you think that?"
Max: "It's because of your footsteps. When we were running during the first phase, I couldn't hear a sound from you. You have the quietest steps I've ever seen."
Gon: "Now that you mention it, you're right!"
Killua: "Oh, I'm used to moving silently. But now that I think about it... You're pretty quiet yourself. I didn't hear your footsteps either. Are you an assassin too?"
Max: "Me? Nah. I'm just a genius. I copied your technique on the spot."
Killua: "No way! You copied me that fast?! I don't believe it."
Max: "Seriously. If you show me another technique, I can probably copy that too."
Killua: "Hah, maybe if I have time."
Max: "By the way, what's your family name?"
Killua: "Zoldyck."
Gon: "Zoldyck... Huh. Never heard of it before."
Max: "Zol-Dick? That's a weird name."
Killua (irritated): "My family's famous! How have you guys never heard of us? Also, are you seriously making fun of my family name right now?"
Max: "No? Maybe?"
Killua (sighing): "You're lucky it's me. If it was my father or grandfather, they'd kick your ass... or maybe even kill you. Don't joke about them."
Max: "Fine, fine. But come on, there's no way professionals would get mad over a dumb joke... right?"
Killua: "I... wouldn't bet on it. Do you always make fun of people's family names?"
Max: "Well, if I find them weird, yeah."
Killua: "Then what's your family name?"
Max: "Smith."
Killua: "Well, that's pretty common."
Gon: "I think I've heard it before too."
Max: "At least it's not weird."
They continued talking and laughing. Unbeknownst to them, Netero, watching from a distance, sent out a sudden burst of killing intent.
All three of them sensed it instantly.
Max calmly picked up a leftover meat bone after Gon and Killua finished eating and hurled it toward the source of the pressure. Two bones flew through the air, embedding themselves deep into the wall. Max immediately rushed over—only to find no one there.
Max: "Man, that scared the hell out of me... I hope there wasn't a person behind the wall."
(He pulled the bone out of the wall and checked it — no blood.)
Max: "Thank god."
(Max thought to himself.)
Max (thought): I can't believe I ended up using Nen without meaning to... Does that count as breaking my promise? No... That killing intent was real. It had to be Ren. It makes sense I instinctively countered it with Nen too. But who was it? They were moving toward that side... Judging by the pressure and aura— Oh, come on... Why is the Chairman here? Oh right, it's his airship. His rules. I should've known.
(Meanwhile, Killua noticed the bone stuck deep in the wall and thought to himself.)
Killua (thought): He reacted instantly... grabbing a bone right after we finished eating and throwing it straight at the source. And how did the bone even stick into the wall like that? The bones aren't that strong... He must have insane physical strength to make it pierce like that.
Netero came from the other side and said,
Netero: "Something wrong?"
Gon: "Ah, Netero-san... Did you see anyone coming from that side?"
Netero: "No. All I saw was a hole in the wall caused by someone throwing something."
Max: "Please forgive me... I hope you're not gonna make me pay for it."
Netero:Hohoho "It's fine, it's fine."
Killua(thought):When did he even move...?
Max(thought):As expected of a master. He's just playing around with us. Should I kneel and beg him to teach me? Nah, I'd probably just get embarrassed... or slapped.
Killua: "You're pretty fast for an old man."
Netero: "That little trick? I barely even moved."
Killua: "What do you want? You're not supposed to do anything until the last phase, right?"
Netero: "No need to be so unfriendly. I just got bored and was looking for some company.By the way, I meant to ask you three... Any thoughts on your first Hunter Exam?"
Gon: "Uh-huh! It's fun! And there haven't been any written tests, which I was dreading."
Max: "No problem so far. Same as Gon — I just hope there's no written exam. I like things simple, direct, and physical."
Killua: "I'm disappointed. I expected the exam to be much harder.I assume the next phase will be more entertaining?"
Max: "Do you want it to be harder? What if the next test was fighting your dad?"
Killua: "Not a chance."
Max: "Yeah, you probably shouldn't ask for it. There's always a small chance it could happen."
Killua: "....It won't."
Netero: "Well, now... I wouldn't be so sure."
Killua: "Tch. Let's just go, Gon, Max."
Netero: "Now wait just a moment. How about playing a game with me?"
Gon: "A game?"
Netero: "If you can defeat me, I'll let you all pass and become Hunters."
Gon: "Really?! I'll play!"
Killua stared at Netero with a suspicious look.
Netero: "So, what do you say?"
Max: "If the game involves fighting you seriously, I'd rather jump off this airship right now."
Netero:Hohoho "Are you really that scared of this old man?"
Max: "Of course I am."
Netero: "Ho, you're very direct."
Gon: "Max, is he really that strong?"
Max: "Trust me. You guys wouldn't even last a second against him. Same goes for me... Maybe I'd last a minute if I got lucky."
Killua: "You're kidding. I know he's stronger than me, but It can't be that hopeless."
Max: "You really don't want to find out."
Netero: "Don't worry. It won't be a serious fight. Just a little game."
Then Netero suddenly leaned in close to Max's ear and whispered:
Netero (whispering): "And don't worry, I won't attack you kids at all. I won't even use Nen. Judging by your face, you like playing fair, huh? You won't use it either, right? Of course, if you do decide to use it... well, things might change. Hohoho. Feel free to choose whether you want to participate or not—I won't force you."
Hearing that sent a chill down Max's spine, but he agreed to join.
Max: "Fine... If you're not being serious, maybe I have a sliver of a chance...Never mind. I still don't, but I'll go along for the experience."
Gon: "Max, why are you acting like you've already lost? You won't know unless you try! He even said he's giving us a handicap!"
Max: "I'm just being realistic, sorry."
Killua: "Coward."
Max: "Realist."
Netero: "Let me explain the rules. Follow me to the training room."
Netero turned and began walking toward the training room.
Killua: "Hey, Max... What did that old man whisper to you?"
Max: "He just said he won't use his full power, and that he won't attack us at all during the game."
Killua: "Hmph. That old man's underestimating us."
Max: "No... it's better this way."
Killua: "Why are you so scared of him?"
Max: "Like I said—I'm just being realistic."
Max (thought): Kid... once you learn Nen, you'll understand what I mean. Sorry, but I'm not gonna tell you guys about it—it's better this way. If you two start asking me to teach you, it's just gonna be a pain. Besides, teaching Nen the wrong way can be deadly. I'm not a teacher type anyway. Gon's supposed to have a different teacher, and by the looks of it, Killua's gonna stick with him for a long time. So yeah... better to just leave it at that.
Max didn't say another word and quietly followed after Netero. Gon and Killua exchanged a glance before trailing behind him toward the training room.