Survival in the Ruins: I can make everything evolve infinitely

Chapter 4: Testing Halfway – Where Did This Tsundere Come From?

After teasing Leorio a bit, Lorraine refrained from getting too close.

Although Leorio had surpassed his limits, it was clear that his stamina hadn’t reached the level where he could run and chat simultaneously.

Another hour passed. The first phase of the Hunter Exam had now been going on for six hours, with the candidates running continuously through the underground tunnel.

As for the distance, Lorraine’s experience level had just increased to eight points, meaning she had already run over 80 kilometers—nearly the equivalent of two full marathons.

There was no denying it: due to the existence of Nen abilities, the human body’s limits in the Hunter world far surpassed those of Lorraine’s previous life.

Even ordinary people who hadn’t learned Nen possessed faint life energy that nourished their bodies.

This subtle energy wasn’t apparent in everyday life, but with some talent, strong willpower, and consistent training, it was easy for someone to achieve physical fitness far beyond the norm.

Naturally, every Hunter Exam participant belonged to this category.

Even after running over 80 kilometers, only one chubby candidate had been eliminated so far. He’d been outwitted into breaking his psychological defenses and quitting, but everyone else had persisted.

However…

“The first elimination point is here,” Lorraine said, eyeing the staircase ahead that marked the end of the flat underground passageway.

Following an exhausting, unassisted 80-kilometer marathon, the second stage of the first test—the staircase ascent—was now beginning.

Judging by the depth of the underground level from the elevator at the restaurant earlier, this tunnel had to be at least 100 floors deep.

If the exit wasn’t level with the entrance, any difference in elevation would only add to the climb.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Lorraine could already hear some candidates groaning, doubting their ability to continue.

Of course, none of them gave up at the staircase entrance, groaning or not.

Lorraine, unfazed, started jogging up the stairs. The upgrades to her physique were nothing short of extraordinary.

Even with this level of exertion, she felt she could keep going all day.

Dodging a candidate sprawled out on the steps to rest, Lorraine noticed something higher up—a long blade lying beside another participant.

She paused for a moment, then casually picked it up as she passed.

Sigh.

“Everyone’s already this tired. Let me be kind and help lighten their burden. Who knows? Without this weight, they might just make it up the stairs!”

Lorraine almost felt moved by her own thoughtfulness.

Compared to the first half’s 80-kilometer run, this second phase—the staircase climb—eliminated more participants but consumed less time.

In just over ten minutes, Lorraine spotted light shining from the tunnel exit above.

“We’re here!”

Lorraine burst through the exit and found herself in a fairly spacious clearing. Early arrivals and examiners were already gathered there.

In the distance, dense fog obscured the view, making it hard to see what lay ahead.

Whether by coincidence or timing, as the gate above closed, the thick fog ahead began to dissipate.

What unfolded before the candidates was a vast, boundless jungle.

From the towering trees to the undulating green mountains in the distance, the sheer expanse left many participants stunned.

The first thought that crossed their minds was clear: Are we really going to have to cross this forest next?

“The upcoming terrain is the Lost Myrella Wetlands, also known as the Deceiver’s Nest,” examiner Satotsu’s voice confirmed their suspicions.

The candidates’ collective groans of dismay had no effect on Satotsu’s calm demeanor.

He continued, “The exotic creatures inhabiting this wetland are naturally deceptive. They use trickery to lure prey before devouring them. One misstep means certain death. I advise everyone to stay close behind me.”

“What’s the big deal?” Leorio scoffed, shirtless and unimpressed. “Only an idiot would fall for tricks when they already know to expect them!”

“Don’t fall for it—!”

“I told you I wouldn’t!”

The sudden shout caught Leorio’s attention. He instinctively turned to respond, as did the other curious candidates.

A battered young man emerged from the passage, dragging a bizarre creature with a monkey’s body and a human face.

“That man is a fake examiner!” the youth declared loudly, shoving the creature’s face toward the crowd for emphasis.

The candidates gasped in unison.

The creature’s face bore an uncanny resemblance to Satotsu—at least an 80% match.

“What’s going on here?”

“That monkey looks just like the examiner!”

The battered youth, voice filled with emotion, began his explanation.

“Human-faced apes inhabit the Lost Myrella Wetlands. They crave human flesh, but their spindly limbs lack the strength to hunt directly. So, they disguise themselves as humans to lure victims into the swamp, where other beasts join them to feast!”

“Is that true?”

“Impossible!”

The candidates broke into a chaotic uproar, unsure of whom to trust. Some even cast wary glances at Satotsu.

One of them, for instance…

“I knew it! That jerk—” Leorio’s expression screamed vindication as he glared at Satotsu, poised to act.

But just as the crowd’s agitation peaked, a trio of playing cards sliced through the air, striking the battered youth.

Two cards pierced his chest, while the third lodged itself in his forehead, killing him instantly.

At the same time, another set of cards flew toward Satotsu but was effortlessly caught in mid-air.

“Classic Mozambique Drill,” Lorraine remarked, intrigued by the display.

Though not a military buff, as a veteran reader, she vaguely recalled this shooting technique: two shots to the chest and one to the head for maximum incapacitation.

More importantly, Lorraine couldn’t help but admire her upgraded reflexes.

Had those cards targeted her, she felt confident she could dodge them—though catching them barehanded like Satotsu remained out of her league.

“The correct answer is revealed,” Hisoka chuckled, twirling a deck of cards in his hand.

Clearly, both sets of flying cards had come from him.

“Examiner roles are assigned by the Hunter Association. As professional hunters, they wouldn’t fall for such petty tricks,” Hisoka said, smiling eerily.

“I’ll take that as a compliment,” Satotsu replied flatly, tossing the intercepted cards aside. “But from now on, any unprovoked attacks against me will result in immediate disqualification. Understood?”

“Crystal clear,” Hisoka replied with a carefree laugh.

Moments later, vultures descended, tearing into the fallen youth’s corpse.

The gruesome sight left several candidates stunned.

“Such is the fate of failures,” Satotsu remarked calmly. “This jungle operates on natural law. I suspect he intended to stir chaos and capture a few of you as prey.”

“Some of you almost fell for it, didn’t you?” Satotsu continued, addressing the group. “Remember, this happens constantly here. Stay alert.”

Embarrassed laughter rippled through the crowd.

For instance…

“Who’d be dumb enough to fall for something so obvious?” Lorraine declared, standing next to Leorio with righteous indignation.

Leorio flushed red. “Shut up!”

Lorraine: “…”

Where did this tsundere come from?