Chapter 22: The First Task! Meteor City Manners

Auren and Goreinu watch the fights unfold, both of them smirking at the chaos erupting before their very eyes. All around them, candidates are shouting, clashing, and flailing about in increasingly desperate battles.“These rules make no sense! This really is just a punishment. Mizaistom is stricter than I thought—it’s like he’s actually punishing criminals, not testing candidates for the Hunter Exam. If you show your strength, others will avoid fighting you. But if you hold back too much, the time limit might get you disqualified. This is a tricky task,” Auren comments, arms crossed.

“True. But if you beat the stronger fighters, you can take multiple badges in one go,” Goreinu notes. “In any case, this is a lot deeper than people think. This is more about picking the right strategy than just fighting. Acting, making yourself appear weak, observing others... all of it matters if you want to pass.”

The harsh rule—automatic disqualification if no winner is declared within a minute—causes an endless wave of complaints from frustrated participants. Mizaistom and his helpers are forced to personally drag out those who refuse to accept the outcome of the battles.

Others, too scared to fight at all, simply hold back, hoping that enough people will drop out or get disqualified that they can slide through with zero or maybe just one win.

After a few more grueling hours—and much to Auren’s surprise—exactly 185 people remain. Most of them look completely drained, mentally and physically.

Good luck with the first real task… they already look like they’re ready to give up.

Among the survivors, Auren spots someone he didn’t expect to see—Tonpa.

Looks like that guy actually made it.

The examiners in black suits move swiftly, escorting every failed participant out of the Arena. To those who passed the ‘punishment’ for their illegal entry, they hand over new white badges, officially recognizing them as full candidates who made it to this year’s Hunter examination.

Finally, Mizaistom calls the 215 remaining participants over. His demeanor is calmer now, his presence more composed.

He begins to speak, addressing the 400 candidates, his voice confident, and perhaps even slightly impressed.

“It looks like we can finally begin the exam. Looking at all of you now, I can already see some of the qualities that define a successful Hunter. Those who entered through the correct method have proven their preparedness—and quickly understood my intentions. As for the others, you’ve at least demonstrated willpower. Along with that willpower, you’ve also shown some degree of strength, strategy, and intelligence. For now, I’m satisfied with the results. I deem every single one of you a candidate worthy of this exam.”

He pauses, scanning the crowd before continuing.

“Now, traditionally, the first exam is meant to test physical endurance. I’ve heard of examiners conducting brutal free-for-alls... I’ve heard of marathons across deadly terrain where candidates drop dead along the way. But thankfully, as this year’s first examiner, I am given the freedom to test what I deem most important. And while my exam might involve some physical movement, what I care about is your mind. Your intelligence, your ability to make rational decisions under pressure—and most of all, your character.”

“As a Crime Hunter, I value candidates who can take a few tiny clues and uncover the truth. This exam will test your mental acuity. I don’t expect many of you to pass, but those who do are more than worthy of the title ‘Hunter,’ at least in my opinion.”

What kind of task has he prepared…? This is the first test? What is this guy saying? I’d hoped for exactly those kinds of tasks he described.

“Each of you will receive eight pre-selected random cards. Every card will contain a hint. Each hint leads to a specific location somewhere in the city where I’ve hidden a golden card. Your task is simple—find and bring back just one golden card. If you’re feeling bold, bring me more, not that you’re getting any reward, but you’re certainly reducing the number of participants that way. I don’t care how you approach this exam. But let me warn you—”

His smile disappears. His tone is getting more serious.

“You only have four hours. If you’re even a minute late when you return, I’ll fail you.”

His eyes narrow as he delivers one more final rule.

“And let me be clear—if you’re caught using violence against another candidate, you will be immediately disqualified. Everything else is allowed. But physical contact of any kind will result in your instant removal from the exam. I have a number of helpers stationed throughout the city, and public surveillance feeds allow me to observe your every move. Don’t test me.”

So I can’t rob people… at least … not directly… Is pickpocketing allowed?

“Before you receive your hint cards, let me give you one final piece of advice. Only 200 people can pass this exam. If you don’t understand what that means, you might as well give up now. Good luck.”

He gestures to the side as several assistants begin to step forward.

“Now, my assistants will distribute the cards. Once everyone has them, you’ll be allowed to open the packaging of the cards. When that’s done, the doors to the outside will be opened. If you cause a ruckus before that, I’ll disqualify you immediately.”

Why only 200 people? These cards… they’re probably not unique. Eight cards for 400 people means 3,200 cards in total. If only 200 can pass, that means there are 16 identical sets out there. So I’ve got 15 other rivals going after the same card… if I choose an easy hint, I’ll need to move fast. Mizaistom really enjoys detective work and mind games.

“Are you confident, Goreinu?” Auren asks, glancing sideways.

“This isn’t my strong suit, honestly. I’ll try to come up with something,” Goreinu replies, looking mildly annoyed. “What about you?”

“Heh, of course I’m not confident. I told you—knowledge is my weak point. But I’ve got an idea. If I get two golden cards, I’ll call you…. Actually, let me call you now so you have my number. Don’t spread it. And if you get two cards—call me. I might want to buy one off you.” Auren says, already pulling out his phone to dial. He calls Goreinu and hangs up immediately.

“I got you, likewise,” Goreinu nods. “I’ll stay in contact.”

In an orderly line, each participant approaches a long row of desks and is handed a bundle of hint cards, wrapped in a cheap black plastic layer.

Auren receives his own stack. They’re the size of regular playing cards.

Finally, Mizaistom speaks, his voice booming across the arena: “I declare the first task starts now!”

With his signal, the examiners swing open the doors, and the entire crowd bursts out of the Arena.

Once outside, Auren steps aside, activating Zetsu as he inspects his eight cards.

The first card is filled with complex mathematical formulas—Auren immediately rubs his head in frustration.

This one is no good. You can give me a few years, and I probably wouldn’t figure it out without help.

Another is covered with various geometric shapes—triangles, circles, squares, and stranger ones in combinations.

What is this even supposed to mean? Do I have to overlay them to reveal a map? I don’t get it. No, this is hopeless.

He flips through the rest—riddles involving physics, geometry, optics, cryptography, and obscure facts from the history of the Federation of Ochima.

No way in hell I can solve any of these. Okay… you expected this. Time to follow the plan. I’ll approach this exam like someone from Meteor City would!

Staying completely hidden with Zetsu, Auren begins tailing a few candidates—specifically, ones who wear confident smiles. Eventually, he settles on a young man dressed in an expensive-looking suit. Using Shadow Step, Auren begins stalking him at a steady pace. Despite the urgency of the task, the man isn’t even jogging. He strolls forward, exuding nothing but quiet confidence. He is quite tall, well above average, has blond hair, and an average stature. He has blue eyes and seems to be in his early twenties.

That guy seems like a jackpot. What an arrogant man. He is so confident—he acts like he already passed the first exam.

The man exits Triangle Park, and to Auren’s surprise, simply raises a hand—and a limousine pulls up to collect him.

Not a problem. There’s a speed limit in the capital—I can safely keep up.

Still using Zetsu, Auren follows the limousine from the rooftops. It’s easy enough—capital traffic slows the car every few blocks. Traffic lights and congestion work in his favor.

He shadows the car for thirty straight minutes, slowly beginning to worry.

This guy… what if his card was already taken? Maybe following him was a mistake. Still… if it fails, I can still call Goreinu. If that fails, I’ll have to rob someone on the way back to the Park. It’s risky, but if that’s my only option….

Five minutes later, the limousine finally pulls up beside an old bridge—clearly aged, built over a narrow river separating the city center from the more run-down suburbs of Concordis.

Keeping his distance, Auren follows the man—along with two sharply dressed bodyguards—towards one of the bridge’s large support pillars standing at the riverbank, the bridge towering above them.

“See, gentlemen, this is how a genius like me solves these pathetic riddles,” the man boasts arrogantly. “I barely had to look at it—cracked the code in a minute. Didn’t even break a sweat. The card basically screamed: ‘Old Thoissen Bridge Pillar.’ Look at our price, it’s stuck on that pillar around 10 meters above ground! Go climb it and get my prize for me—I don’t want to dirty my new suit.”

Now is my chance!

Auren makes his move. Quietly dashing past them, he channels his aura into his feet and leaps high, easily clearing the height required to reach his prize. In one skillful movement, he grabs the golden card mid-air, then slides down the pillar and lands safely on the ground.

Walking casually, Auren walks straight past the stunned man, who stammers, “Y–You! How dare you?! Do you even know who I—”

Without a word, Auren activates Ren and vanishes in a blur, sprinting away at twice the speed of the limousine he had followed, disappearing from their sight in under ten seconds.

Sitting atop the bridge, using Zetsu, Auren watches as the rich young man, now visibly panicked, scrambles back into his limousine, followed by his bodyguards.

Now… what should I do? Should I head back? Or should I…