As they continued their ascent up the mountain, Gon suddenly stopped and gently placed Matthew down. "Huh? Gon, what's wrong?" Matthew asked, his voice tinged with annoyance.
Gon's gaze swept the surroundings. "Since we're in the mountains, there might be a herb that can help cure your ankle." With that, he darted off into the woods, leaving Matthew looking perplexed.
Matthew's expression turned sour. "We're just wasting our time," he complained, his voice dripping with impatience. Kurapika's eyes met Matthew's, his gaze calm and collected.
"If you're really in that much of a hurry, why don't you go ahead?" Kurapika suggested, his voice even. "We'll catch up." With that, he followed Gon, carrying Ian, who had drifted off to sleep in his arms.
Matthew clicked his tongue in frustration. "Tsk," he muttered under his breath. "Just wait, we'll arrive at the test site soon." He stood up, testing his ankle, and began to walk through the woods, shouting out for Gon and the others.
As he walked, a rhino suddenly emerged from the underbrush, its eyes fixed on Matthew. The beast charged, and Matthew barely avoided its attack. He drew his sword, ready to strike.
Just as he was about to attack, Gon burst out of nowhere, his eyes locked on the rhino. "Wait!" he exclaimed, his voice firm. Matthew's eyes widened in surprise, and he hesitated, his sword poised in mid-air.
Kurapika emerged from the woods, Ian still cradled in his arms. Ian's eyes fluttered open, confusion etched on his face as he took in the scene. "It's no use, Gon. He's already been disturbed and is angry," Kurapika said, his voice low and cautious.
Gon approached the rhino, his movements slow and deliberate. "No, he was just alarmed that we trespassed his territory," he said, his voice soothing. The rhino's agitation slowly subsided under Gon's gentle words.
Just as the situation seemed under control, a shout echoed through the woods. "Gon, get out of the way!" Leorio came sprinting toward them, his briefcase clutched tightly in his hand.
In a swift motion, Leorio struck the rhino's side with his briefcase, undoing Gon's efforts. The rhino's anger reignited, and it charged after Leorio, who scrambled up a nearby tree.
Gon and Kurapika exchanged incredulous glances. "What is this guy doing here?" Gon muttered, shaking his head. Ian's eyes widened in amazement, his gaze fixed on Leorio.
Moments later, Leorio called down from the tree. "Leorio, what's going on here?" Kurapika asked, his voice tinged with amusement.
Leorio grinned shamelessly. "I was worried you guys might miss me, so I caught up with you. Isn't it much better with an adult around?" He looked down at Gon, his expression expectant.
"Gon, why don't you shoo that rhino away so I can get down already?" Leorio shouted, frustration creeping into his voice. Gon sighed, his eyes rolling heavenward. "This guy..." he trailed off, chuckling.
As Leorio descended from the tree, Matthew's impatience boiled over. "We're just wasting our time," he complained, his voice laced with anxiety. "What if the other applicants arrive before us? We'll lose our chance."
Ian's gaze narrowed slightly, his irritation palpable despite his gentle demeanor. "Then why did you linger with us if you're in such a hurry?" he asked, his soft voice tinged with annoyance. "You could've just gone ahead on your own."
Leorio, Gon, and Kurapika exchanged surprised glances. Ian's irritation was unusual, and they knew it took a lot to ruffle his feathers. Only specific comments about his height or age seemed to get under his skin.
Matthew's expression darkened, but he refrained from responding. Kurapika intervened, his voice calm. "Let's focus on getting to the exam site. We can't afford to waste any more time."
Gon nodded in agreement, and the group continued on their way, the tension between Ian and Matthew lingering in the air. Leorio walked alongside, seemingly oblivious to the undercurrents.
As they journeyed on, Ian's irritation gradually dissipated, replaced by his usual calm demeanor. However, the others remained aware of the subtle shift in his mood, their senses heightened as they navigated the challenges ahead.
As they entered the small town, an unsettling silence enveloped them. Leorio's brow furrowed as he scanned the deserted streets. "This is weird. There's no one around here," he said, his voice laced with unease.
Gon disagreed, his eyes sparkling with conviction. "No, there are many people here." Kurapika nodded in agreement, his senses on high alert. "Gon is right. Can't you hear their breathing and the friction of their clothes?"
Leorio concentrated, straining his ears, but the silence persisted. He shook his head, his hand dropping to his side. "Sorry, I'm just an ordinary person," he said with a wry smile.
Gon's attention was suddenly drawn to a nearby alleyway. "Here you are, Grandma!" he exclaimed, his voice carrying across the empty streets. An elderly woman emerged from the shadows, her face creased with age.
As Gon's words faded away, strange children began to materialize from various directions, their movements eerily synchronized. They converged on the group, their eyes fixed intently on the four travelers.
The air seemed to vibrate with an otherworldly energy, and Leorio's unease deepened. "What's going on here?" he whispered, his eyes darting between the children and the old woman.
Kurapika's gaze swept the surroundings, his senses on high alert. "I think we're about to find out," he said, his voice low and cautious.
The old woman's gaze swept over the five individuals before her, her eyes lingering on Ian's face. "What a beautiful child," she thought to herself, a hint of a smile playing on her lips.
The children behind her began to sing in eerie harmony, their voices weaving together in an unsettling melody. Leorio's eyes darted warily between the old woman and the children, his hand on his briefcase handle.
Suddenly, the old woman's walking stick thumped against the ground, silencing the singing children and commanding everyone's attention. "I'll give you guys a test!" she announced, her voice firm and authoritative.
Leorio's response was immediate. "What do you mean, old hag?" he asked, his tone bordering on disrespect. However, Gon interrupted, his eyes fixed on the old woman's stick. "Look at Grandma's stick," he said, pointing.
Everyone followed Gon's gaze, and their eyes widened as they saw the familiar logo emblazoned on the stick. "The Hunter Association," Leorio breathed, realization dawning. Kurapika's eyes lit up with understanding. "That means this grandma is an examiner, just like the captain."
Ian watched quietly, his gaze fixed on the old woman. Then, he reached out and patted Kurapika's shoulder, capturing his attention. "Is there anything wrong, Ian?" Kurapika asked softly, looking down at him.
"I want to go down," Ian said, his voice barely above a whisper, his eyes looking up at Kurapika. Kurapika hesitated, his gaze searching Ian's face. "Is your foot not hurting anymore?" he asked, his voice filled with concern.
Ian nodded reassuringly. "I'm okay now, thank you," he said, his voice soft. Kurapika's grip relaxed, and he slowly set Ian down, his eyes never leaving his face.