Chapter 2: Navigating the Not-So-Subtle Hunter Exam Pre-Game
Adam spent the rest of the day post-mortem (pun absolutely intended, because, hey, gotta embrace the new normal) wandering around Dolle Harbor. His "Basic Knife Proficiency" didn't immediately turn him into a ninja chef, but he did notice a weird, almost instinctive understanding of how knives worked. The balance, the edge, the optimal angle for… well, for stabbing things. Not that he planned on stabbing anything just yet. Maybe. Unless it was particularly annoying.
" Okay, so the system isn't just a voice in my head, it's also a skill-injector. Good to know. Next time, I'll aim for something a little more flashy than 'can-cut-a-carrot-straight'. Maybe 'super-fast-carrot-cutting-with-flair'? A man can dream. "
He ate a surprisingly delicious plate of seafood pasta at a bustling market stall, using the few Jenny he'd found in his newfound, apparently infinite-supply pockets. The money felt… light. Like it was just enough for a meal, a cheap room, and nothing else. This reinforced his growing suspicion that wealth was going to be a problem. A big one.
As he walked, he kept an eye out for familiar faces. Leorio was easy to spot, his loud complaints echoing through the streets. Adam saw him trying to barter for something with an old woman, his usual frustrated charm in full display. Kurapika, ever the stoic, was less obvious, probably lurking in the shadows, radiating "I'm here for revenge, not small talk" vibes. Gon and Killua, the dynamic duo, would likely appear closer to the exam itself. Adam suppressed a grin. He couldn't wait to mess with them. In a loving, protective, slightly annoying way, of course.
The sun began to dip below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple. The harbor lights flickered on, casting long, dancing shadows. Adam found himself drawn towards a more secluded part of the docks, where larger, less reputable-looking ships were moored. He had a vague memory of some shady dealings happening here during the pre-exam phase. Maybe a chance encounter? A minor scuffle? Another convenient death?
He spotted a group of rough-looking sailors gathered around a crate, gambling. They were loud, obnoxious, and precisely the kind of low-level threat he was looking for. He decided to play the clueless, naive tourist. His current youthful appearance certainly helped.
"Excuse me, sirs?" Adam piped up, trying to sound genuinely innocent, which was a Herculean effort given his internal monologue. "Could you tell me which way is the… uh… the really fancy, super important Hunter Exam boat?"
The sailors looked up, their eyes narrowing. One, a burly man with a scarred face and a wicked-looking hook attached to his belt, sneered. "Hunter Exam, eh, kid? You look a little soft for that. Why don't you hand over whatever valuables you got, and we'll point you in the right direction?" He took a step forward, his hand hovering over the hook.
" Oh, excellent! Straight to the point. No philosophical detours this time. I appreciate efficiency, truly. Though I was hoping for something a little more creative than just 'rob the kid'. Where's the flair? The dramatic monologue? The villainous backstory? Amateur hour, clearly. "
Adam put on his best confused puppy dog face. "Valuables? Oh, you mean like… my dreams? My hopes? The crushing weight of existential dread that comes with realizing you're a fictional character in a world full of murderous clowns and talking pigs?" He tilted his head. "Are those transferable assets?"
The burly sailor's face contorted in confusion, then anger. "What in the hell are you talking about, brat?! You mocking me?" He lunged, not with the hook, but with a surprisingly quick, heavy fist aimed straight for Adam's face.
" Well, that's not ideal for a skill transfer. A good old-fashioned punch to the face rarely imparts anything useful, unless it's 'how to get a concussion really fast'. Still, it's a start. "
Adam swayed slightly, letting the punch connect with his jaw. It hurt, sending stars dancing before his eyes. He stumbled back, clutching his face dramatically. "Ooh! Right to the kisser! My dentist is going to have a field day with this one, assuming I still have teeth when this is over!"
The sailor, clearly taken aback by Adam's bizarre reaction, paused. "What's wrong with this kid?" he grumbled to his companions.
Another sailor, leaner and quicker, decided to take advantage of the distraction. He rushed forward, pulling out a switchblade. "Forget the talk, just take his stuff!" He aimed a quick, precise jab at Adam's chest.
" Ah, a blade! Much better! See, now that's what I call progress. Direct, to the point, and potentially skill-bearing! Though, I do hope it's not 'Basic Switchblade Fiddling'. I already got the knife thing down, mostly. "
Adam, still rubbing his jaw, shifted subtly. He didn't actively try to avoid the blade this time. He knew what he was doing. The switchblade buried itself in his left shoulder. It wasn't immediately lethal, but it was deep enough. He gasped, a little more genuinely this time, as blood welled up.
[ ** SYSTEM MESSAGE: UNIQUE DEATH DETECTED. SKILL ACQUISITION INITIATED. ** ]
[ ** SYSTEM MESSAGE: ACQUIRED SKILL: [E-RANK SKILL] BASIC SAILING KNOWLEDGE. ** ]
" Seriously? Sailing knowledge? From a guy who just stabbed me? Did he, like, whisper nautical terms into the wound? This system's 'random' setting is going to be the death of me. Figuratively, of course. Because, you know, already did that. "
Darkness consumed him again. And then, the familiar jolt.
He was back in his inn room. The sun was still setting, but the shadows were a little longer. He checked his shoulder. Perfectly fine. Not a scratch. He even felt a vague, almost instinctual awareness of wind currents and knot-tying. This was going to be weird.
"Basic Sailing Knowledge," Adam muttered to himself, shaking his head. "So, if I ever need to commandeer a pirate ship, I'm set. Excellent. Truly invaluable for a Hunter Exam candidate."
He decided to call it a night. Two deaths in one day was probably enough for his system to chew on. He flopped onto the bed, staring at the ceiling. The sounds of the port were still there, but now, mixed in, he could almost distinguish the creak of ship ropes and the slap of waves against hulls. His new skill was already integrating.
" Alright, System, lay it on me. What's the grand plan for the next five deaths? Do I get a 'how to annoy Hisoka' skill? Because I'm going to need that one. Or perhaps 'expert-level dodging of illumi's needles'? Priority skills, people! Priorities! "
He closed his eyes, a strange sense of calm settling over him. He was in Hunter x Hunter. He had a bizarre, dangerous, but potentially incredibly powerful ability. And he was going to use it to protect his new favorite problematic children, Gon and Killua, while simultaneously causing as much delightful chaos as possible. The Hunter Exam was just the beginning.