In the dim, endless tunnel of the first phase of the Hunter Exam, a young boy with unnervingly quiet eyes joins the crowd. His name is Kuro, age fourteen. He possesses a natural talent for observation and a hidden Nen ability he keeps locked away in his heart.
When he teams up with Gon, Killua, Kurapika, and Leorio, his deadpan humor clashes with Leorio while his precise advice impresses Kurapika. On Zevil Island, a split-second metallic gleam on his hands catches Killua's eye—a secret the youn
Hunter x Hunter: Liquid Steel - The Fangs of the Exam and the Hidden Light
The interior of Trick Tower was filled with a cool, crisp air. From the gaps in the stone walls, the distant sound of dripping water could be heard. Walking behind the four of them, Kuro was drilling into his head—as naturally as breathing—the way the stones were stacked in the walls, the faint shoe marks left at the branching points of the passageways, and the changes in ceiling height.
Kuro's black eyes gazed ahead with a depth that seemed to swallow light. His black hair was slicked back, and the short ponytail tied at the back swayed slightly with each step. His spine was straight as a wire, and from his left wrist to his elbow, faint silver lines occasionally shimmered and vanished.
"This place feels kinda weird, doesn't it!"
Gon turned around, his spiky deep-green hair swaying. His large brown eyes glinted with curiosity.
"Too many traps. This is no normal tower."
With his hands still in his pockets, Killua traced a small scratch carved into the wall with his fingertip. His almond-shaped blue eyes narrowed like a cat's. His silver hair glowed faintly in the dim passageway.
"Let's proceed with caution. I hear that even among those who pass the First Phase, half are eliminated here."
Kurapika spoke curtly. The beautiful blond youth, his indigo traditional garb swaying, glared down the passageway with vigilant eyes.
"Man, why do we gotta deal with all this troublesome crap..."
Leorio sighed. His tall figure in a suit was already worn out with sweat, and the eyes behind his sunglasses were utterly exhausted.
That was when it happened.
The passageway suddenly widened, and five doors appeared before them. Above each door, letters from A to E were carved. On a stone monument in the center, faded letters read:
*"All five must choose the same door. Those without consensus shall proceed no further."*
"So we all five have to agree on one..."
Leorio wiped the sweat from his forehead.
Kuro stood silently before the five doors. His gaze swept over them like a machine. The minute scuff marks on the floor in front of Door A. The looseness of the hinges on Door C. The direction of the airflow leaking from the gap in Door E. Everything was logged as data in his head within seconds.
"B. Choose B."
His voice was flat, devoid of warmth.
"Hah!? Wait just a minute, why B!? Explain yourself!"
Leorio raised his voice.
"The time spent explaining could result in the correct route closing. Choose."
Kuro didn't even turn around.
"Even so, why should we believe what some total stranger says without any reason! You're treating us like we're tools or something!"
Leorio stepped forward. His fists were clenched, veins bulging.
Kuro finally turned around. Leorio's anger was reflected in those black eyes. But there was no emotion there. He was simply processing it as information.
"The floor in front of Door B shows wear marks from multiple people passing through. The hinges on Door C have fresh oil. No sign of being stepped on. The airflow from A and E is backdrafting—they're closed-off sections. D has traces of traps. Process of elimination."
He spoke matter-of-factly, as if reading off numbers.
Leorio's mouth hung open, frozen.
"You... when did you even check all that..."
"This is no time for debate. Leorio, let's follow his lead. We're running out of time."
Kurapika interjected calmly.
"B-but...!"
"His judgment is accurate. Don't get emotional."
Leorio bit his lip, his fists trembling. His anger hadn't subsided. Even so, pushed by Kurapika's words, he silently stood before Door B.
"That's amazing, Kuro! You noticed all those tiny details!"
Gon gazed at Kuro with eyes of pure admiration.
Kuro didn't answer. He simply pushed open Door B and advanced.
Passing through the passageway, they emerged onto a small landing. A magic mirror was embedded in the wall, reflecting the figures of examinees who had chosen other routes. They were falling into pit traps in the floor, being impaled by spears shooting out from the walls, dropping out one after another.
"Whoa...!"
Leorio's face paled.
The correctness of Kuro's judgment was being proven, silently and cruelly.
Killua smiled with just the corner of his mouth.
*(I knew it. This guy's that kind of person.)*
Midway through the tower.
They emerged into a wide-open space. It was a circular area, almost like an arena. And in the center stood three prisoners.
One was a giant of a man. His entire body was covered in scars, and his arms were as thick as Kuro's waist.
"The Hunter Exam? Don't make me laugh. You think brats like you can beat us!"
The prisoner roared.
"Rules are simple. Beat even one of us three, and we'll let you pass. However—lose, and you die."
"Who will fight?"
"I'll do it!"
"Well then, I'll just watch."
Gon readied his fishing rod and was about to leap forward. That was when—
Leorio moved first.
"I'll do it! You guys stay back!"
His anger towards Kuro from earlier was probably still smoldering. Leorio charged straight at the giant prisoner.
But.
"Too slow!"
The prisoner's fist sank deep into Leorio's stomach.
*Thud.*
A dull sound.
Leorio's body was slammed against the wall like a ragdoll. He hit the wall back-first and crumpled to the floor.
"Guh... agh...!"
Blood dripped from his mouth. His ribs made a sickening sound.
The prisoner sneered, approaching the fallen Leorio.
That was when it happened.
Kuro moved.
Without a sound. Without even a preparatory motion. As naturally as if he had never been there to begin with, he stood behind the prisoner.
His fingertips silently pressed the vital point on the prisoner's neck.
"Guh...!?"
The prisoner's massive body stiffened instantly.
Kuro looked down at the prisoner with emotionless black eyes, holding the pressure for a few seconds.
*Thud.*
The prisoner collapsed.
"Y-you... what did you just..."
Still sprawled on the floor, Leorio stared up at Kuro in stunned disbelief.
Kuro turned his back to Leorio.
"Your stance has your weight biased to the right. Next time, you'll die. Fix it."
Saying only that, he began walking away.
"Wha...! Even though you helped me, is that the only way you can say it!? I was about to thank you!"
Leorio yelled.
But Kuro didn't look back.
"That's his way of showing concern, Leorio. He probably doesn't want you to feel like you were helped."
Kurapika said quietly.
"I knew it."
Killua raised the corner of his mouth.
*(Same as when he picked up Leorio's bag in the tunnel. He helps, but refuses gratitude. A troublesome guy, but I guess he's not a bad one.)*
When they exited the tower, it was completely dark outside.
A sky full of stars spread overhead, and the sound of waves could be heard in the distance. The examiner urged them to board the airship.
The next phase was Zevil Island—the Plate Collection Exam.
---
The morning on Zevil Island was shrouded in thick fog.
The humid air of the subtropical forest clung to their skin. Looking up, enormous trees covered the sky, with only faint light leaking through the gaps in the leaves.
"I'll explain the rules. Collect plates. You are free to steal plates from others. Failure to collect the required number means disqualification."
At the examiner's signal, the examinees scattered into the island all at once.
Kuro did not move immediately.
He climbed to a high vantage point and spent fifteen minutes observing the island's topography and the examinees' movement patterns.
*(That group of five—they have the most plates. No wasted movement. Likely, their cooperation is well-established. In that case...)*
In Kuro's head, the blueprint of a trap began to assemble.
"Gon, you approach from the front. It doesn't matter if they notice you. In fact, make sure they do."
"Got it, leave it to me!"
Before Kuro could finish explaining, Gon had already run off with a smile.
For a moment, Kuro was at a loss for words.
*(...Trust, is it? We've only known each other for a few days.)*
But as he watched that pure, unguarded back, the corner of Kuro's mouth softened just a little.
"Killua, you take the left. I'll flank from the right. The target is the leader."
"Roger that. But hey, Kuro."
Killua narrowed his blue eyes.
"You've actually got something way more interesting, don't you?"
Kuro didn't answer. He simply stared back into Killua's eyes.
The operation began.
Gon charged in from the front. The moment the target group's attention focused on Gon—
Kuro from the right, Killua from the left.
Like shadows, they slipped into the leader's guard.
Kuro's fingertips snatched the leader's plate. At that moment—
From his fingertips to the back of his hand, a silver, liquid-metal-like light flickered for just an instant.
A manifestation lasting less than 0.3 seconds.
But Killua didn't miss it.
*(...I knew it.)*
Killua muttered under his breath.
Kuro, noticing Killua's gaze, met his eyes. But he said nothing.
Killua didn't ask, either.
---
And then, after the Final Phase.
After the Hunter Exam concluded, the successful examinees gathered in the plaza.
"We did it! We got our licenses!"
Gon held his license high and jumped for joy.
"Where are we going next? Kuro, want to stick together again?"
Gon proposed innocently.
Kuro paused for a beat.
"...I move alone."
He answered curtly, slung his bag over his shoulder, and stood up.
"We owe you one, Kuro."
Leorio raised his hand brusquely.
Kurapika bowed silently.
"Well, if fate allows it."
Killua spoke lightly, looking straight into Kuro's eyes. Those blue eyes held a silent demand: *Next time we meet, tell me the truth.*
Kuro stepped into the crowd.
At that moment.
"...My master's killer is at the Heaven's Arena..."
Only Gon heard that fragment of words.
Unaware, Kuro vanished into the crowd.
Gon stopped in his tracks and watched that back fade away. In his large brown eyes, pure worry mingled with a baseless certainty that they would definitely meet again.
"...Kuro..."
The setting sun dyed the city of Lubrica in shades of madder red.
Kuro's back melted into the crowd and disappeared.
But in Gon's heart, those words remained lodged like a small thorn.
Novelia is an AI-powered platform to read original light novels and fan fiction, create your own in just a few taps, and chat with the characters. New, illustrated episodes arrive daily — free to start.