How did i end up like this?

After stocking up on a large amount of preserved food, water, and a few spare sets of clothes in town, my backpack is now quite heavy, but it can't be helped. With this much, I should be able to last through the exam, even if it's a long one.

Now that I'm prepared, let's head to the diner.

"Welcome!! What'll it be—?"

"Steak set meal."

"How would you like it cooked? Medium rare?"

"Grilled over a low flame, until cooked."

"Got it!"

"Customer, please head to the back room~"

…They remembered me. How embarrassing.

When I entered the small back room, the steak set meal was already prepared… Oh, the rice is a large portion. …I'm happy, but it's still embarrassing. Did I really come off as such a big eater?

While waiting for the elevator room to descend, I ate the steak. Yep, it's delicious. The "low and slow" method is pretty good too. But I wonder, was this diner built specifically for the Hunter Exam? If so, that's impressive. It felt like a regular diner. How much money is being moved around for just one exam?

As I pondered this, the elevator stopped. Have we arrived? B100… the 100th basement floor? How deep is this?

Beyond the open doors… wow, there's a larger crowd than I expected. Are all of these people applicants? They're all glaring sharply at me, the newcomer. Stop staring. Well, they quickly lost interest and looked away.

"Here's your number tag."

"! …Thank you."

Oh, Beans! It's Beans, Netero's secretary! Long time no see! I'm glad you're doing well. You haven't changed a bit. …Seriously, you haven't changed at all. It's been over 13 years. Is this your final form or something?

"Um, do you have any questions?"

"N-no, nothing at all."

I must've been staring without realizing it. Sorry, Beans, it's just been a while. But Beans doesn't know who I am now… That's a little sad.

…Let's refocus. My number is… 401.

Oh, right. I need to fulfill the purpose of taking the Hunter Exam. If there are reincarnators or drifters here, they're likely to have learned Nen and taken the exam. So, I should look for people using Ten.

…Is there anyone? There is. Someone's using Ten. Who is it? A reincarnator, or…

It's the creepy clown.

Why? Why is that creepy clown here!? Wait, I remember now! That creepy clown was definitely involved in the story! And in a pretty important role, wasn't he!?

This is bad. I didn't expect him to be here… Forget his strength, he's just plain creepy. Ugh! He's looking this way! Is he coming over!? Help me, Netero! Now's the time to use your 100-Type Guanyin Bodhisattva! Your best friend's chastity is in danger!!

"Hey, long time no see~♣"

"You must have me mistaken for someone else. I don't know any creepy clowns like you."

"Kukuku. How cold. By the way, you can use it, can't you?♦"

Why? Did he figure out I can use Nen? I haven't deactivated [Angel's Veil]. To Nen users, I should only appear to have uncontrolled aura…

"You said something like that before. What are you talking about?"

"No use playing dumb. Your aura is way too unresponsive to mine. Even if you couldn't use Nen, you should still be able to sense the flow of aura to some extent.♠"

"…"

He figured it out from something that small…? He's sharper than I expected.

"In other words, you can control your aura. And you said 'before,' didn't you? You do remember me, don't you?♥"

I let something slip I shouldn't have. Well, it's not like it wasn't obvious anyway.

"You're so good. I could just eat you up right now.♠"

Ughhhhh… I can't stand this creep. I'd rather go home than be eaten by this guy… Wait, should I just do it? It might be better to get it over with and not have to worry about it later…

No, no. What am I thinking?

"I'm not tasty at all. Look around you. There are plenty of people who look much more appetizing than me."

…I can feel the silent pressure from the people around me, like, "Don't drag us into this!" Sorry, I couldn't handle the creepy clown's gaze and blurted that out…

"There's only one person here who looks delicious to me. The rest don't matter right now.♥"

Who's that poor soul? And if it's someone other than me, please go bother them instead.

"Anyway, I'd like to focus on the exam, so excuse me."

"Too bad. Did I scare you off?♦"

I quickly distanced myself from the creepy clown. He's the type of person I'd rather not be around. In my long life, I've rarely encountered such a creep.

Wait, I almost forgot my purpose because of him. Is there anyone else using Ten? Oh, there is… Needle Face. …I really don't want to believe he's a reincarnator. And I definitely don't want to admit he's a drifter. If he's from my hometown, I'd be mildly devastated.

After that, a few more people came down the elevator, but none of them were Nen users. Ah, the elevator opened again. This time, it's a group of three.

…A spiky-haired boy, a serious-looking young man, and a handsome young man. Could it be…? Maybe that's them. They might be the so-called protagonists of the story. I hate using terms like "story" or "protagonists," but I don't have a better way to describe them.

…Hmm, none of the protagonists (I forgot their names) can use *Ten*. So, it seems there's no one else from *that* world besides me, huh?

Was this a waste of time?

Oh well. If I can get a Hunter License, I'll take it. It's super convenient. You get free access to 95% of public facilities. That's amazing.

As I was thinking that, a loud gong or something echoed through the area. Is that the signal for the start of the Hunter Exam?

"Registration is now closed. The Hunter Exam will now begin."

A scruffy, square-nosed man declared the start of the exam. …I don't want to call him "old man." He doesn't hold a candle to the captain's rugged charm.

"I'm Tonpa, the examiner for the first phase. Nice to meet you."

…Was he the one? The first phase examiner? I feel like it's different, but I vaguely remember his name, so maybe I'm just mistaken. Besides, things don't always go exactly as I remember them.

"The first phase of the exam is simple. Just follow me to the second phase venue."

Ah, that's how it was. So, he *is* the examiner. Memories are vague, after all. It's no wonder I don't remember something from so long ago.

"It's a pretty long run, so do your best. Oh, and we've set up a few hydration stations along the way. You're free to drink as much as you want there."

Hmm… Should I see this as kindness or a trap? I doubt the Hunter Exam would have such sports-like considerations.

"Alright, let's get started. Follow me."

With those words, Tonpa started running, and the applicants followed. The sound of footsteps echoed through the tunnel. …I'll join in too.

…

Wow, quite the crowd. There are 412 applicants… I wonder how many of them will pass.

I'm Tonpa. Once known as "Rookie Crusher Tonpa," I was a veteran of the Hunter Exam… or so I thought.

What I sought in the Hunter Exam was just the right amount of excitement. I never had any intention of passing. I'd keep an eye on the veterans, always staying alert to danger while ensuring my own safety, and watch the moment of death up close.

The despair on the faces of rookies as their dreams and hopes were crushed was the best show. Gradually, I started actively crushing their dreams myself.

I never dreamed that someone like me would actually become a Hunter…

…It was seven years ago, during that year's exam. As usual, I set traps and harassed the rookies. He was one of them, just another rookie.

Like always, I tried to trap him. But no matter what I did, he avoided every single one of my traps. Well, that's fine. There have been others who avoided my traps before. It's not like he was special or anything.

The problem was what happened after he passed…

I dropped out of the exam when the danger escalated, so I only found out he passed when he told me directly afterward…

Yeah, he told me directly. After passing, he went out of his way to find me. The reason? To "straighten me out," as he put it… When I heard that, I immediately tried to run. Not that it worked—he caught me easily…

And then, under the guise of "mental training," I was forcibly enrolled in the Kazama Style Aikido Dojo, where he trained…

It was three years of grueling training… I tried to escape multiple times, but he was always watching me, practically 24/7. Apparently, once he decides to do something, he sees it through to the end. At night, he'd set up all kinds of sensors, making it impossible for even a cat to sneak in… Who goes that far?

After three years of being cooped up on that isolated island, my body was in great shape. He said there was still more to squeeze out of me, but… give me a break…

Anyway, I got my qualification and took the Hunter Exam. He threatened me, saying if I crushed any rookies, he'd crush my… well, you know. His eyes were dead serious. I was so scared I didn't even have time to think about crushing rookies.

The result? I passed. Against all odds, I got my Hunter License… And then, he caught me again. Well, he was the examiner that time, so he was probably waiting for me. The day I passed, I was dragged straight back to the dojo.

This time, I was forced to train in Nen (which I learned about for the first time then).

I never imagined something like this existed. After three years of training, I mastered the basics of Nen and passed the hidden Hunter qualification test. That's how I officially became a Hunter.

But even after becoming a Hunter, I didn't know what I wanted to do. I was just thinking about it when… bam! A brilliant idea came to me like a divine revelation.

If I became a Hunter Exam examiner, I could see the despair on the rookies' faces!

It felt like a gift from heaven. I couldn't believe I hadn't thought of it before.

I immediately applied to be an examiner. It's unpaid, but that's no problem. I'd even pay for the privilege.

And so, my first time as an examiner begins. I even created a Nen ability just for the exam. This ensures my safety during the exam and lets me thoroughly observe the despair on the applicants' faces. Even after the first phase, if I stick around until the final phase, I can enjoy it even more.

…I'll have to make sure he doesn't find out. If he does, I'll be punished in ways too terrifying to imagine… Well, let's get the first phase started.

-------

As everyone started running, I decided to join in.

Then it hit me—if I run at the back, maybe I can avoid getting tangled up with that creepy clown, Hisoka? If he comes to the back, I can just sprint ahead.

I'll also use Zetsu while I'm at it. With [Angel's Veil] active, even maintaining Ten consumes aura. Using Zetsu will reduce aura consumption and make it harder for Hisoka to notice me.

Come to think of it, my aura seems to be draining slightly faster than usual. Am I nervous about the Hunter Exam? Mental state can affect aura consumption. I didn't think I was that fragile, but… oh well, I'll stick with Zetsu to conserve aura.

I've probably run about 50-60 kilometers by now. In my past life, I'd be completely exhausted by this point. I think my personal best for long-distance running back then was around 100 kilometers, but that was at a much slower pace. At this speed, I'd have given up way earlier. Maybe passing the Hunter Exam would've been impossible for my past self.

But the physical specs of this body are incredible… I'm not even tired after running this much. Though, none of the other applicants have dropped out yet either. Is this level of physical ability standard in this world?

As I was pondering this, the serious-looking young man who had been running slightly ahead of me ended up beside me. …He's really struggling. His breathing is heavy, and he's sweating a lot. Oh, he grabbed one of the drinks at the hydration station. Staying hydrated is important, but…

"Um…"

"Whoa!? Hah, hah, what..., hah, hah, is it, miss!?"

Ah, I startled him because I was using Zetsu. My bad.

"About that drink… I think it might be poisoned or something, so it's better not to drink it."

"Huh!? Hah, hah, s-seriously!?"

"Probably. I just don't think the Hunter Exam would provide drinks out of kindness."

"Leorio~. I just tasted it, and it's kinda weird. I think you should listen to her and not drink it."

Oh, spiky-haired kid. Nice follow-up. But don't taste it! What if it's deadly poison?

"Hah, hah, damn it! That bastard examiner!!"

I feel kinda bad for him. After running such a long distance and sweating so much, finding water there is tempting. It's a natural desire. But it's such an obvious trap that even if you want to drink it, you can't. It's a nasty trap that wears you down mentally.

"If you want, you can have this juice. I bought it before the exam."

"Hah, hah, a-are you sure!?"

At this rate, his spirit might break before his stamina does. I have plenty of water, so one bottle isn't a big deal.

"Sure. Oh, but this one's already open. Sorry, I'll give you an unopened one."

"! N-no! That's fine!"

"Huh? But the open one…"

"Just give me the one you've been drinking!"

Ah, he grabbed the half-finished bottle from my hand and started chugging it. Was he that thirsty? And he's drinking from a bottle I've already opened… What if I'd poisoned it? Trusting someone you just met like that…

He's simple, but a good guy.

"Phew! Thanks, miss! I'll definitely repay you for this!"

"It's fine. It's not a big deal."

"Alright! I'm fired up now! I'm definitely gonna become a Hunter!!"

Wow, he's running off with incredible speed. If he keeps that up, he'll collapse again.

"Miss, thanks for helping Leorio."

Oh, the spiky-haired kid is talking to me. So the serious-looking guy's name is Leorio.

"It's no problem. Like I said, it's not a big deal."

"You're too nice. Helping a stranger during the Hunter Exam is something else."

The silver-haired pretty boy chimed in… In my past life, I probably would've thought, "Die, pretty boy." Hah, I've grown.

"Too nice…? I just had the means to help. A truly kind person would help others even when they're in trouble themselves."

"Huh? Helping others when you're in trouble isn't being nice—it's being an idiot."

"…Maybe... you're right."

"Anyway, you helped Leorio, and that's what matters. So, I'll say thanks."

"Alright. I'll accept your gratitude."

Hmm. He's a good kid. I think he's the protagonist of the story… What was his name again?

"Miss, you—"

"—It's Aisha."

"…Huh?"

"My name. It's awkward to keep calling me 'miss,' right?"

"Oh, right. I'm Gon! Nice to meet you, Aisha!"

"I'm Killua. Well, it'll probably be a short time, but nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too, Gon, Killua."

"Just Gon is fine. You're older, after all."

"Same here. Just Killua's fine."

"Then you can just call me Aisha too. We're probably not that far apart in age."

'Huh?'

"…Why are you two so surprised?"

Well, I can guess why…

"No, how old are you? I'm almost 12, but… you don't look the same age as me."

"I'm almost 12 too. How about you, Aisha?"

Gon… Gon adapts quickly. I gave permission, but he's already calling me by my first name. It feels natural, though, so I don't mind.

"We're not the same age. I'm 13. I'll be 14 this year. So, I'm a little over a year older than you two."

"Thirteen!? Only one year older!? I thought you were at least five years older…"

"...I matured early. I looked like this by the time I was 11…"

"Oh, I see."

"Well, after I turned 11, my growth slowed down a lot. I haven't gotten much taller since then. The only thing that's really grown is… my chest."

It's probably because I stopped drinking my mom's breast milk. That must've had growth-promoting effects. My height stopped increasing, but my chest keeps growing… Honestly, I don't need it.

"Your chest…"

Huh? I think Killua's gaze is fixed on my chest.

"Huh. Lucky you. I wish I were taller."

"Girls generally hit their growth spurt earlier. Gon and Killua, your growth spurt is probably just starting. You'll grow a lot taller from now on. In three or four years, you'll easily surpass my height."

"Oh, really? That's good to hear."

Hmm. Gon's such an honest, good kid.

"Heh, I'll catch up to you in no time."

...Killua's a bit of a brat. He could learn a thing or two from Gon. But I guess it's kind of cute since he's just a kid.

By the way, what was Gon about to say earlier? Did he forget what he wanted to say during our conversation?

"Hey, if you keep running at that slow pace, we'll leave you behind."

"It's fine. I'll run at my own pace. You two go ahead without worrying about me."

If I go too far ahead, I might run into that creepy clown, Hisoka.

"Alright. Let's go, Gon."

"Y-yeah. See you later, Aisha. Good luck."

"Thanks. You two do your best too."

They're gone. Gon and Killua… Yeah, those names were buried deep in my memory. They were supposed to be the core of the story.

But in this world, who knows? This world, filled with living people, is different from the world on paper.

Every person in this world has their own story. Change can happen at any time. Even without an anomaly like me, things might not go according to the "story."

As I ran at a slow pace, I noticed someone ahead carrying a laptop, staggering as they ran.

"Huff… Huff… Huff…"

Whoa? Is this guy okay? …No, he's not. He's in worse shape than Leorio was… I don't think he can keep going.

Oh, he grabbed a drink from the hydration station. I should probably stop him.

"Um…"

"Gulp, gulp, cough, cough, huff, huff, gulp, gulp!"

Ah… He drank it all before I could stop him… Is he going to be okay?

"I… I can't… huff… lose… huff… I'm not… huff… a loser…"

…Is he really okay? Maybe the drink was just a regular one.

"N-no… I don't want to… ugh!?"

Ah, he's clutching his stomach and crouching down… So there was something in it… I don't think it's life-threatening poison, but… would they really go that far?

"Um, are you okay…"

Blergh! Gurgle, gurgle, splatter!

"I'll leave some water here for you. Use it as you need. Goodbye!"

Full speed ahead!! Whatever I hear behind me is just my imagination! Just keep looking forward and run!!

…There are people I can help, and people I can't. Ah, how powerless I feel…

Oh, stairs. Ah~ maybe we have to climb the equivalent of the distance we descended in the elevator. A few people are giving up here. Stairs are tough, after all. I'm fine for now, but I'll keep my pace slow. No way am I risking running into that creep.

I can hear voices from up ahead. They're chatting while running? Must be nice. Oh, we were doing that too. I can faintly hear something about the Kurta Clan. The Kurta Clan?... That Kurta Clan?

…A lot more people are dropping out now. Nearly 100 have already given up. So far, no sign of the creepy clown. Good, this plan is a success. …Huh? I see light. Is that the exit?

Finally, I can leave this dim tunnel behind—wait, what!? Why is the shutter closing!? I didn't hear anything about a time limit!? Sprint, I have to make it—!

Phew. Made it just in time. Ah~ that was close. I broke out in a cold sweat. If I hadn't made it, I would've had to break the shutter.

"Alright, this is where the real deal begins. This is the Milsy Wetlands, also known as the 'Swindler's Swamp.' You can't reach the second phase venue without passing through here."

Tonpa is explaining. The Milsy Wetlands, huh… Why is this wetland connected to the basement of that diner? They didn't build this just for the exam, did they?

"The flora and fauna here have undergone unique evolution. Many of them are cunning and greedy creatures that deceive humans to make them their prey."

Why would creatures in a place like this, where humans don't seem to live, evolve like that? It's clear they've taken the wrong evolutionary path.

"If you're not careful, you'll be tricked and end up dead."

Are you, by any chance, from around here too? …It's possible.

"Hmm. Then we should make sure we're not being fooled too, right?♦"

What!? The creepy clown just threw cards at Tonpa!? What's this guy doing!? And those cards are spinning perfectly!

…Huh? The cards all missed Tonpa. …What did Tonpa do? I don't think the clown missed on purpose. Was it some kind of Nen ability?

"…What did you do?"

"That's a secret. Oh, and just so you know, attacking an examiner isn't allowed, even if it's to confirm their identity. If you attack me again, you're disqualified."

"Kukuku. Fine. I'm curious about what just happened, but you're not really my type anyway.♥"

"Alright, let's head to the second phase venue. Keep up."

Ugh, the mud is annoying. The fog's getting thicker too. I can barely see ahead. If I stay too far back, I might lose sight of the group. I can track their presence, but I'll use En just in case. That way, even if I'm a bit behind, I'll be fine.

…Wow, several people are already running in different directions. There are creatures that don't seem human all over the place. Screams are echoing from all around. This really is the Milsy Wetlands. I don't get why so many creatures have evolved to deceive humans.

…

…

Tch! …Killing intent. And it's really strong. This isn't from an animal—it's human.

Who is it? Who's releasing such killing intent in a place like this?

"Gyaaaaaaaah!!"

!? …That's Leorio's voice! It's coming from where the killing intent is strongest!! Did something happen to him? Ugh, even though I only talked to him briefly, I can't stop wanting to help him. It doesn't seem too far, so I'll go check it out!

From a distance, I hear screams along with the creepy clown's laughter… So the killing intent is from him!! No wonder it felt so slimy and disgusting! Is Leorio being targeted by the creepy clown…?

Huh? If the clown's targeting Leorio… does that mean he swings both ways!? Oh no… That's terrifying… Being into both, he's a true pervert…

Ugh… The moment I realized it's him, I lost all desire to help. But I can't just abandon such a good person…

I'll observe from a distance where I can see what's happening. If I use Zetsu to hide my presence, even the ultimate pervert shouldn't notice me. If Leorio's about to be killed, I'll step in. Otherwise, I'll stay put. If I help everyone, it won't be much of an exam… Wait, this isn't part of the exam, right? Hisoka isn't an examiner.

Oh, there they are. I'll hide in the bushes and watch. There's the clown, Leorio facing him, the handsome guy, and the burly old man. Good, Leorio seems okay.

Oh, the three of them split up and ran in different directions. Good call. The clown isn't chasing them, just waiting. He's really confident.

Wait! Why is Leorio coming back!? Oh no, he's charging at him! That kind of attack won't work on that clown! Leorio, you're being reckless, foolish, and suicidal all at once!

Fine, I'll provide some cover fire. I'll throw a rock to distract the clown. Use that chance to escape!

Ah, something hit the clown's face. It's not my rock… My rock missed the clown's face as he recoiled and hit Leorio's cheek instead. …Ah, Leorio's unconscious.

Le-Leoriooooooo!?

Why did this happen!? I was just trying to help Leorio… Was that Gon's fishing rod? Did he come to help Leorio? Ugh, he's such a good kid, but his timing couldn't be worse…

Huh!? I-I feel someone's gaze on me. …They're clearly looking at this bush… That slimy gaze—it's the clown's.

"Who's there? You're pretty good at hiding.♠"

He hasn't figured out it's me yet, but it's only a matter of time…

"That rock earlier. You were aiming for me, weren't you? Between you, the kid with the fishing rod, and the guy earlier, there are some unexpectedly promising candidates here.♦"

Please don't expect anything from me. And don't come over here.

Ah, Gon just swung his fishing rod at the clown. Go! That's it! Knock him out! I give you permission! …Not that it'll work. …Yep, he dodged it. Is Gon going to get killed now? I don't sense any killing intent, so he might be fine. But if things go south, I'll have to step in.

"Did you come to save your friend? What a good kid~♣"

Ugh. That slimy, disgusting aura again… Has Gon been locked onto now too? Poor kid.

"Yep! You pass too!♥ Be a good Hunter, okay?♣"

Of course. That clown seems obsessed with strong people or those with the potential to become strong. Does that mean Gon and Leorio caught his eye? Ah, he's coming this way. Damn it, I guess I have no choice. I'll step out.

Beep beep beep

Huh? Is that a phone? Ah, it's the clown's phone.

"Hisoka, come back soon. It looks like they're about to reach the second phase venue."

"OK, I'll be right there.♦"

So the clown's name really is Hisoka, huh. That's a name I really didn't want to remember…

"We both have something in common—friends.♥"

Hisoka's friend… Is he a creep too?

"Now then…"

Whoa! He just threw a card at me!

"Tch!"

"Oh? If it isn't you, Aisha.♠"

"…How do you know my name? I don't recall telling a creep like you."

"Calling me a creep is harsh. I learned your name back at Heavens Arena. You were introduced as a contestant, weren't you?♦"

"…Oh, right. So, are you planning to fight me here?"

"I'd like to, but I'll hold back for now. The second phase might start before we finish, and even I'd find taking the exam three times annoying. I'll save our little death match for another time.♥"

I hope that time never comes.

"Can you make it back on your own?"

"I'll be fine, so hurry up and leave."

"Kukuku, so cold.♣"

Laughing, Hisoka disappeared into the fog. Sigh, I've really caught the attention of a troublesome guy…

"Gon!?"

Ah, the handsome guy came back. He's worried about Leorio too. He's really considerate of his friends.

"Kurapika…"

"Why are you here…? Where's Hisoka?"

"He's gone. I think he went to the second phase venue."

"I see… Leorio!? Did Hisoka do this to him…?"

No, that was me…

"Ah~, sorry about that. That was my fault…"

"…You are?"

"Well, Leorio's injury was caused by a rock I threw, and, um… I'm really sorry…"

"You threw it to help Leorio, right? If my fishing rod hadn't hit Hisoka, your rock would've."

"Gon, do you know her?"

"Yeah. We met in the tunnel earlier. She helped Leorio back then too."

"I see. Let me thank you. It seems you've helped Leorio, so I'm grateful. My name's Kurapika. Nice to meet you."

"No, this time I ended up hurting him more than helping… Oh, and I'm Aisha. Nice to meet you."

So the handsome guy's name is Kurapika.

"Aisha, are you okay from earlier?"

"The cards? They didn't hit me, so I'm fine. What about you, Gon?"

"Yeah, I'm okay…"

His heart rate's up. I guess it's hard to stay calm after facing something like that.

"Anyway, there's no point staying here. We need to get to the second phase venue quickly, or we'll be disqualified."

"Leorio… He's completely out cold."

"Ah, I'll carry Leorio. It's my fault he's unconscious."

"But for a woman like you to do something like that…"

"It's fine. I'm pretty strong… Oh, could you carry my bag?"

"…This feels a bit backwards, but alright…"

Ugh, weight-wise it's fine, but the balance is off, and I can't carry both…

"W-what's in this bag?"

"Uh, preserved food, water, and a few other things."

"I see… (She ran all that way carrying this…?)"

I'm carrying Leorio on my back. Yeah, this is manageable. We need to hurry, or we'll be disqualified. Can I use En to track Hisoka? …No, Hisoka's already out of range. But there are a lot of what look like animal carcasses in the direction he went. If we follow those, we should be fine, right?

"Let's hurry."

"Yeah." "Got it."

Alright, let's just hope we make it in time.

---------

The Butterfly Effect in Action.

Well, the protagonist has had a significant impact on the world in their past life, right? So, the butterfly effect is bound to show up. Because Tonpa stopped crushing rookies a while ago, the number of applicants has changed. In the original story, I think there were rookies who gave up and never took the exam again because of Tonpa.

However, even with the butterfly effect, the basic flow of the original story wont change too drastically.

Nen Ability Explanation

[The Absolute Ruler of the Miniature Garden]

Type: Specialist Ability

Tonpa's Nen ability, which can only be used during the Hunter Exam and only within the exam venue. While active, it makes him truly tough! Invincible! The strongest! (It nullifies all attacks and Nen abilities.) If he's the examiner for the exam, he can freely set traps and observe everything that happens within the venue.

〈Conditions〉

While this ability is active, he cannot directly attack others (traps are fine). He cannot set traps that directly lead to someone's death.This ability can only be used during the Hunter Exam and only within the exam venue.He can only observe events within the exam venue until the final phase. Additionally, he cannot share any information obtained through observation with others.

〈Vow〉

If he shares information obtained through observation with others, he will be unable to serve as an examiner for the next three years (he will lose the desire to become an examiner for three years).