UPDATED: 11/15/2018

Yeah, well… I lied about the updating…. Let's just say my summer was filled with my summer college class and a lot of summer homework and now I have to deal with 5 college classes.

Yay! I've finally finished this! Next up – hopefully soon – will be 'Freeze Me Death'. This is for all of my readers and their wonderful comments for making me motivated enough to give this too you!

WolfZero: Sure, I was planning on doing a few of those already, but you added a few to my list!

TheAlchemistsSword: Nice try XD. I've just been busy and it was taking me a while to write. I hate it when people discontinue their stories, so I won't on any of mine, but they might take a long time to update.

ImTheOneWhoReads: I almost give you permission, sometimes I need a few stalkers in life for motivation. XD

Animesarecool: Yep, those are on my list too, I hope you will enjoy those when they come. One piece will be later on because she has to be the same age as the main characters in the worlds she joins.

ScaryPanda: This might be my paranoia kicking in, but it makes me anxious… I don't really know. I don't know the German population and I can't translate it myself, but as long as you mention "This is a German Translation of EpicShadowNinja's Game of Life Fanfic" in the summary of the fanfic and send me whatever reviews you get (Like review under you name, but give the name of the real reviewer and if you can translate them into English that would be nice) then it would be fine.

Here's the next chapter of Game of Life! This is extra-long for the wait!

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My lungs expand as I desperately brought in as much oxygen as my body could handle, as if I had been starved of oxygen. Irrefutably aware of the surrounding darkness, my mind flittered through the previous memories. My body throbbed as I moved to push myself onto my elbows, flinching when a window opened with a warning ring.

HP and Mana restored

Status problems have been restored, except two

Error in the system has been reconstructed and fixed

Gamer has slept for 16 hours, 56 test hours remaining.

The Tower dungeon is categorized as testing dungeon. Thus, it restricts Gamers regenerative ability until the tower is cleared, due to unfairness in the test in comparison to other examinees. Health Potions are considered illegal during testing, even with health potions being nonexistent outside the Gamer.

My voice was hoarse and strained when I spoke, as if stretched and remodeled, "Status Window, Abilities." The windows opened, its light not illuminating the area around, as if it was only in my head. Which was partially true, as others can't see the windows. I squinted at the bright light, adjusting enough to read it.

Name: Vlarus Knight

Status Problem(s):

-Restored Transformation Aftereffects: -4 accuracy, -4 dexterity, -3 speed, -3 strength, and transformation pains. 24 hour countdown, 23:32:08.

-Transformation fixture: Gamer will not be able to access transformations for 24 hours. 23:32:08

Heaving a defeated sigh, I hung my head briefly before siting up. Rubbing my temples, I hissed as the migraine kicked up a notch, my pulse sounding strong as my head throbbed and rushing inside my body to feel as if every heartbeat was making my skin pulse. Testing my joints, I slowly shifted to my routine stretches to pacific the sore muscles and joints, as the pain had likely sent me flailing or squirming enough to pinch a few nerves.

Not only are the aftereffects unpleasantly sore, like I strained every single muscle, but they were a major disadvantage as many of my stats will be temporarily impaired until they wear off. At least they wore off in only a day, but until then, I should be more cautious. Normal people undergoing such strain couldn't possibly recover in a day as I could, so I was tentatively appreciative. At least I didn't fail the Hunter Exam already. I still have more than fifty hours to go – which, hopefully, should be enough.

The Senses Challenge is completely unpredictable at this point, along with my sight being compromised in this first sage, and the time I lost while the transformation mutation was correcting itself, I had many disadvantages. I couldn't cheat using the Gamer popup windows since the light didn't illuminate anything around me, so I was just going to struggle through like any other person.

Fortunately, my balance and other skills are still intact and not affected by my early manifestation of my Gamer Abilities. Health potions were outside I would be disqualified, and it couldn't reverse the status effects anyways, so it would be best just to get through these stages of the challenge and finish. The pain wasn't too horrible to the point where I was distracted, as long as I was careful. This could also prove to be a good training situation. After all, one of Master Tifon's favorite teaching methods was too take me to unexpected locations to force me to stop relying on the familiar terrain and adapt to my surroundings.

I paused and mentally set aside my theories and thoughts revolving in my skull and focused on skimming my ability chart. The previous Sea-Bird King transformation had vanished and were replaced under the category 'TRANSFORMATIONS', split in three sections that were greyed and with names I didn't recognize. They wouldn't show the transformation info, titles, and species appearance. There were undoubtedly three though, all marked on the bar as permanent abilities.

Though I was undeniably curious, I suppose I would have to wait. Once the countdown is over, I will still have 33 or so hours left, I would be privy to the invaluable information about my transformations. Of course, explaining it to Gon and our group will be a hassle, as I don't know if it would be best to be creative in forging my background or tell them about my Gamer abilities. Should they actually look into my supposed clan here, as Kurapika would do so indisputably, it would be suspicious once they didn't find it anywhere.

On to more pressing matters, the time left for the test was shrinking and I couldn't stand around pondering the inevitable. I didn't know the length of this challenge or the course of time it will take, so it could actually last longer than the time I would have left. I bit my lip, cursing under my breath as I brought myself up onto my feet. Because of that, I couldn't wait it out and for my status problems to leave.

I shuffled cautiously, my feet not leaving the stone floor as I swept around me in a circle, trying to gain my location. I took a few minutes to wonder around vigilantly, trying to find walls so I could get a feel of the room around me. Three walls, possibly rectangular room. I stayed near the side, keeping a hand to stay oriented of my location as I walked. My hands brushed against something as I moved forward, the floor under my feet vanishing.

With a silent cry, I latched onto the thing on the wall, the thick rope burned as I slipped down a few inches, though did not budge from where it was connected into the wall. The rope was attached to bundles of others that were twisted and woven against the side of the wall. I left out a sigh of relief, swinging side to side and grabbing the rope with my other hand, pulling myself up so I could balance on the loose nettings.

Moving blindly, the rope scratched at my fingers and skin as I moved against the net of rope. I winced when I felt something nick my fingers, automatically releasing the rope for a second.

Thorns? Nails?

Why were there thorns or nails in these ropes? I let one of my feet slip off the rope and hang, verifying the impression that there was still no floor. Gauging the few options I had, I figured the only way was to keep going. No point in going back. I grabbed the rope again and started moving, ignoring the sharp, stinging of pain whenever my hand closed around the thorns or nails.

I felt a whoosh of air and something abruptly collided heavily into my back, pushing me into the rope of thorns and nails. The air was forced out of my lungs as the object fell, my spine throbbing as I caught my breath, faintly hearing the object hit the ground far, far below. I clutched onto the rope, no longer caring as the thorns and long nails dung into my skin and brought about the metallic scent of my blood.

Radar and Projectile Perception Permanent - Passive Level. 3

You are in a danger zone, perception may not be quick enough to warn the Gamer. Would like to switch this ability into automatic, so it triggers a chime sound whenever it detects a projectile or object incoming?

YES NO

I wouldn't have time to read whatever it brings up either way, I pressed the yes button. I had lost a little HP from that it, and I already had a status problem. The 'Blood loss' from the nails and thorns was slowly, very slowly, draining my HP a point every minute. Though it was nothing important, my regeneration only kicked in outside of battles like how various games do, and without the use of health potions, every HP point was a necessity.

Continuing across the rope, I wearily moved across the rope as a chime rung in warning. The object slammed into my side harshly, making me grit my teeth as I hung on. Continuing to move, the chimes came in quicker session, as more objects were thrown at me the further I went on. The chime came, and I instantly flung myself to the side, feeling it hit the rope where I was. I didn't stop moving, climbing higher on the rope as more were thrown in my direction as I dodged.

My limbs crossed and danced across the thorned ropes as I moved, likely resembling some sort of monkey as I wounded up doing acrobatic moves in order to dodge and climb higher until I felt the gravity giving off my location on the celling.

The chimes rung insistently, the hard, heavy objects occasionally catching me and beating against my arms, legs and back. My body trembled under the pressure, the thorns and nails digging in every time I got hit or moved making my situation worse. My breathing labored under the stress of the constant darkness, threat of being hit, and falling into the darkness.

Arching my back, I locked my feet under the ropes and swing backwards as a larger object crashed into the ceiling where I was, jumping to the side. My hands grasped nothing but air, rope vanishing and my fingers scratching the side of the rocky walls. I caught myself barely by the crevasses in the stone walls, my arms and body straining in effort not to slip off the tiny crevasses.

I slowly removed one of my feet off the wall, feeling the wall with my bare toes – my shoes lost in my endeavors somewhere along the way- and felt the rope. Using it as support, I hooked my fingers and toes onto larger crevasses, just as the rope net was abruptly ripped off the wall, tearing into my exposed leg as I moved myself out of its way.

If it was bolted into the wall and ceiling, how could it possibly be ripped off the stone walls?

I let out the breath I didn't know I as holding, wiping my bloody hands on my pants, ignoring the sting. I ran my free hand against the stone and latched on to another crevasse as my legs hung. I used the sleeve of my shirt to wipe the sweat from my forehead, briefly pausing to wonder how long I've been climbing across the rope.

A window opened in my upper right view, giving me a clock countdown of my hours and minutes remaining. Huh, convenient. I've been climbing around for over two hours now.

The moment I moved, a chime sounded and the object smashing into my head before I could move, knocking my head against the wall. My head throbbed, and my body went numb from shock, my fingers sliding off the wall and I fell back. My back crashed into a stone flooring and skidded, the floor vanishing under my legs just as I regained my bearings enough to latch onto the strip of ground.

Hauling myself over the stone, I laid still for a moment until my head stopped ringing, the windows that had automatically came up bringing me a slight sense of relief.

Radar and Projectile Perception Permanent - Passive Level 12

Evasion stat increased to 34

Stamina stat increased, Endurance stat increased.

Pain Tolerance skill Level 29

Closing the windows brought me back into the darkness, the path of stone seemingly thin and hanging, suspended by nothing. I doubted that the things thrown at me will stop here, if anything, I expected it to get worse. To accompany that problem, the wounds I got from being pushed into the rope of thorns and needles wouldn't heal until I passed all the stages. My tonfas wouldn't be able to help me block in this situation either, as I did not know what the object is.

I whispered, "Inventory." The window pulled up and I found what I was looking for, dragging the weapon towards my character image, under my weapons section. "Tonfas Equip." I ordered. The leather handles materialized in my hands, the familiar weight comfortable in my grasp. Even without my sight, I recognized the weapon as if it was an extension of my body and I could easily mentally image the weapon.

Funny thing was, after my shoes had fallen, they wounded back into my inventory. Chucking at the comedic relief moment, I didn't equip them back, in case they might hinder me.

Gripping the tonfa handles, I slid over the floor, making sure the floor stayed beneath my feet as I moved in the absolute darkness, wary of the inescapable unknown. Abruptly, the floor shifted under my feet, rocking violently as if trashing like I was on a beasts back. Forcing my muscles to relax, I let my body sway along with the movements, undeterred by the rough and quick changes.

Finding myself auspiciously lucky, as I was well adjusted to training like this. It was only one in the hundreds of times Master Tifon trained me on a moving, uneven platform since I started Capoeira or the small rowing boats we used to take out into the ocean waters to train on.

My muscles slackened habitually at the familiar training method and I continued, pulling my tonfas put in front of me defensively. A sound caught my attention, almost completely silent, but thanks to Gon training my senses I could hear it. My tonfas snapped forward, and I began following the sounds as my radar began ringing as the pellets rained against my body from all directions. My tonfas collided with several objects, my body absorbing the impact of the projectiles as I whipped around, flipping my tonfas in my hands to block the ones aimed at my back.

Flowing in my movements, I dodged and blocked or misdirected the projectiles, moving steadily despite the rough and sudden jerks of the floor. Eventually, the objects seemed to slow and I the amount of times I was hit slowly decreased as I picked up my speed and my reflexes were enhanced.

Speed stat increased to 27

Evasion stat increased to level 36 – Side skill unlock - Flickering Rouge

Radar and Projectile Perception Upgrade- Laser Terrain Sensor Permanent-Passive Level 1

Images quickly filtered into my mind, developing a larger, 3-D graphics of a one-meter range around me. Despite the upgrade making it return to level one, it was a huge improvement. Without my eyes, I could see with the sensor. It was kind of like echolocation, seeing the world in black and white, but a constant image that didn't rely on sound.

Despite my caution on moving forward, the projectiles ceased, and my radar picked up the form of a door. Quirking an eyebrow, I hauled open the door as I twisted and pressed my back against the wall beside it, inspecting the inside briefly for any additional traps. Deeming nothing a threat, I trudged inside warily, clenching and unclenching my fingers that ached painfully from the thorny rope, wall crevasses and the hold on my tonfas.

Light momentarily blinded me as I entered the tiny room and the door behind me shut abruptly. I squeezed my eyes shut and groaned when my migraine ached like someone shoved a knife into my skull. I opened my eyes just as a voice began, blinking through the black spots clouding my vision.

"About 20 hours in the first trail? Not the best I've seen, but you were a bit… preoccupied so I'll shave that down to the 4 hours and 48 minutes that you could actually move and officially started. As curious I am to what happened to you, I doubt you'd tell me, and it's not required information, so let's continue." The Towers Examiner's voice spoke through the wall speaker.

Achievement Gained: Trail of the Blind

Closing the achievement notice, the examiner continued, sounding strangely excited, "Next trail is on sound, this should be fun."

As he finished the last word, the door ahead burst open and water collided with my body with no warning.

Bloody sadistic examiner.

I managed to swim up and fill my lungs before the room was completely submerged. In my natural element, the pain seemed to fade to much more tolerable levels and my eyes could search clearly through the salty ocean water.

Wherever they managed to gather all this ocean water into the Trick Tower without destroying everything is a mystery. Slightly miffed by the lack of knowledge, I swam through the open door and nearly gasped as my radar picked up on the immense challenge before me.

Apparently, I happened to find myself in an underwater maze.

You have entered an Instant Dungeon.

Water Affinity Advantage: Status affects healed and plus +100 HP and MP

Unlike the average person, I was capable for holding my breath underwater for around an hour. This was even before my whole "becoming the Gamer" situation, but now that I think about it, not normal human in my original world could do it. Maybe it was foreshadowing the Gamer abilities and my natural water affinity.

I swam along the mossy walls, feeling my affinity heal the Bleeding status affect and thus stop my HP from dropping anymore. The bottom of the floor was covered in rocks and multitudes of plants and species from the ocean, and fish of varying sizes swam around and alongside me with ease, untroubled by my presence.

It seems that, even with the transformations locked and changed, they still had that affect where, even when inactivated, species were less aggressive. It was obvious considering how I swam peacefully by a few Hunter-World versions of stingrays, jellyfish, strange creatures from this world and even a few fairly big sharks but none attacked me.

New Ability: Sympathy Passive - level 1

Ability to sense or detect emotions direct at Gamer or in 5 ft proximity.

I sensed a vague disappointment from an unknown direction, which I could only assume was examiner since I have no idea if anyone else was watching or in this challenge with me. The examiner likely expected and/or trained the creatures to attack and test the applicants and was surprised at their undisturbed attitude towards me. Mentally cackling at the unintentional revenge, I kept my hand along the side of the wall as I moved through the maze.

Picking up hostile threats on my radar, I glanced over my shoulder and blanched at the sight of two incoming rockets. Yes, rockets. My palpable ease in the water and the trail apparently did not sit well with the examiner, who wanted to watch me struggle. While slowed by the water, they were still catching up quickly and the ocean creatures dodged out of the way naturally, seemingly trained to avoid them.

Darting around a corner of the wall, I watched them switch trajectory and deadpanned. They were thermos tracking my heat in the water – wow, great. My Gamer ability should give the achievement for the best day ever in history. While reluctant to waste mana, I mentally called forward a smaller form of my original attacks, "Rippling Current."

The water surrounding me surged forward heavily, knocking the rockets off my trail as I called the next attack, "Crushing Compression." The water forded a ball-shape and crushed the two rockets, setting off the explosion a safe distance from me. Frowning unhappily, I briefly contemplated making a rude gesture to the examiner from wherever he was watching but decided against it.

I only had so much time.

Even if the blood loss from the thorns and nails before had stopped, the wounds did not close. At the very least, the water seemed to dull the irritating sting of my wounds. This situation was much more agreeable, as I enjoyed mazes and it was fairly peaceful. Occasionally rockets, bullets or even explosives wore thrown at me, but my attacks took care of them without using too much mana in the process.

I discovered a function that should have been glaringly obvious, as I had always been able to know exactly where an enemy was, the landscape and where to go, as well as any other non-threating creature and plants that could be harvested. Like in a real game, I had a mini map, except it was in my mind and I was constantly aware of everything it showed- which was limited to how far I could see. As it would be exceedingly distracting if it was actually revolving wherever I looked in the upper right hand corner, I found this a much more practical change.

I finished the maze fairly easily, reaching the surface of the water and letting my breathing return to normal. I pulled myself up the platform and opened the door into another tiny room.

Achievement Gained: Maze of the Deaf

"While that was uneventful, you finished in record time. 37 minutes exactly." The examiner congratulated. "The third trial is on touch and proprioception. Sit still, I'm going to inject you with a numbing tranquilizer that will take away your sense of touch and balance for six hours. This is also the time limit for the trail, have fun." As mentioned, a panel on the side opened and a robotic arm came in with a large needle.

Although I was not afraid of needles, the thing was gigantic and the bubbling purple liquid inside troubled me. "Inspect."

Iskazhat' Paralytic

Causes immediate symptoms of numbing paralysis, vision and balance are affected negatively by 65% original functioning.

Effects wear off in six hours

This just keeps getting better. Reluctantly holding out my arm, my nose scrunched in disgust as the syringe jabbed into my arm and released the paralytic. I could almost literally feel it rush through my veins, numbing as it went. As it finished, I had to put a conscious effort into forcing my legs to continue supporting my weight rather than giving out.

I stumbled through the open door, holding onto the wall and taking in the scene before me. Unfortunately, the paralytic was screwing with my radar and it was fuzzy and the confusing appearance of the funky purple walls made me pause. Another maze perhaps?

You have entered an Instant Dungeon.

Instantly, my mental mini map picked up enemies scattered throughout what it showed. The mini map's normally useful function in showing me the landscape proved useless as they all seemed identical even from it.

Entering through the arch of the walls, I glanced down the potential paths they split into. Like my mini map, each looked identical with random decorations along the walls. Choosing randomly, I jolted when my foot sank down and long spears immediately jutted out of the walls from both sides. They nicked my stomach when I instinctively let my legs give out to avoid the trap.

The spears slinked back into the walls without a trace since my weight lifted off the trigger, showing no signs of what just occurred. My radar rang uselessly in late warning due to the paralytic, and a shadow fell over my form. Rolling sluggishly towards the sighed, my breath escaped my lungs as pain laced my injuries.

Blood Lust Detected.

Monster Population: 128

+65% aggression from all animals. Passive Transformation effect nullified.

Well, that crushed my hopes of the transformation's calming ability-

A claw wrapped around my bicep and flung me like a rag doll against the wall, triggering another trap that cut my forearm. My spine popped from the impact, which was honestly more relieving rather than painful, I was able to evade the next attack by clutching onto hanging glass from the ceiling – for some reason.

Not only was this dungeon creepily like a carnival wrapped together with all possible strange things, but this beast was nothing even remotely similar to that of earth's real or mythological ones, rather it was a mutation between them and unidentifiable parts. With the head similar to that of an Anubis of Egypt, except with sabretooth tiger/mammoth tusks. The body of the beast wasn't deformed, per say, but it was disconcerting with its thick muscles and something that seemed to move through its skin.

The moment of shock gave the beast a chance to pull its thick, corded, nail-like claws from the wall, falling back onto all fours with multiple bone spikes protruding from its back. Inadvertently shuddering and the obvious feeling of pressure dawning, I heeded my instincts churning in my stomach and pounced away from the beast without stopping.

Gamer's Mind

Whatever anxiety vanished until I found myself comparing it to other monsters I've played in games, strategies being called forth as I darted away to plan. My mind focused and sharpened, following its form as the creature twisted unnaturally and followed.

The chase sent my heart beating against my lungs, my hands digging into the glass as I switched constantly from the floor, sides, or ceiling. Traps sprung and occasionally slowed or startled me, eventually enough for the beast's nails to close on my ankle and easily through me behind it into the wall where a spear trap sprung and pierced my hip.

I cursed as I found my HP down to half and hobbled off the spear, my hip flaring in pain at the offending movements. The beast was watching, leaking heavy killer intent, its four eyes flickering shut with its second eyelids. Nose scrunching in disgust and irrefutably pissed, I flexed my fingers around the steel bars of my tonfas from my waist and held them up.

Screw this piece of trash.

Perhaps my thoughts were a bit harsh…

My voice sending a shattering, animalistic cry, I used the wall to propel me into the beast, crashing into its body and wrapping my legs around its neck in a chokehold, twisting my body as I began to pummel my tonfas into the creature's jaws. The first hits were a bit off target due to the paralytic, but I adjusted quickly. Perhaps a bit barbaric, but morality and rules weren't in this monster's nature, so I won't bother to use them either.

Unlocked new ability: Battle Cry

Gamer Lets out a shout that causes a 5% decrease in the defense of anyone in audible range of the shout. Change for a critical hit is increased by 5%.

My reckless attack did have consequences that I was expecting of course, and I was well prepared to dodge the agitated swipes of the beasts dangerous claws before using its own body weight against it, flipping it overhead and into the wall as punishment. The sting on my back told me its hind claws, just as dangerous, had managed to gain a bit of purchase, if the pain was any indication.

When it got up shakily, it was warier after my attack, but I didn't let recover or analysis me anymore as I sent my Mizu Windmill I had created on the boat at the beast. The water seemed to pierce the tough hide of the beast and the wind shredded, until the beast's upper half was unidentifiable and unmoving, and the leftover water fell and wind died. Allowing a moment to recovering, I sunk against the wall with a sigh.

Whatever that was, I sure hopped the other 197 were strong like this. Now that I was ready and could expect something like this, I couldn't help but feel excited. It wouldn't be a real test if they were weak and I doubt that professional Hunters would be stopped from this, considering what Kurapika and Gon has told me about them. I was just a bit of an adrenaline junky whenever I did insane and reckless things like this. While my nature is to be calm, cautious, and observant, the thrill of victory over something as powerful as that is energizing.

A grin, slightly predatory, rose as my body did. Swaying ever so slightly from the effects of pain and the paralyzer, three separate animals stirred somewhere inside me under the adrenaline. Using my radar and mini-map, I went through the unnervingly odd rooms towards the monsters remaining.

The next monster was particularly horrendous, but because of its appearance. Just imagine… well this thing with octopus tentacles as hair and tails, with goblin-like hands and nails. I was not a fan. Especially after its tentacles broke my wrist. However, like in games, my weapon didn't unequip because of the injury or make it impossible, instead just giving off twice the pain whenever I used it.

I may or may not have smashed it with my tonfas a few too many times. It totally deserved it after breaking my wrist.

The other monsters had varying degrees of appearance, some were interesting to watch for a few minutes and sketch in my notebook until they noticed me. Any items the monsters dropped automatically went into my inventory, gaining a few small health potions, a lot of money, hides/furs/scales and claws, 3 cursed items, and the occasional clothes and armor or a weapon. I would check them out later when I had the time but standing still also seemed to set off traps. I got another title after destroying the first hundred.

Beast Marauder +10% Armor/hide Penetration, +5% Stealth

When I went into my character stats and equipped the title, my current "Weishun Family Heir" (Which gave an increase of 10% rejuvenation and mana) was simply pushed above the title and put in brackets that showed the permanent status. When I first received the title, it had only a 4% increase, so it seems to be able to grow along with me, so now it was doubly efficient with being able to have two titles hovering over my head – invisible to all but me, as far as I know.

This maze was much worse than the underwater one, especially with the annoying traps that I kept tripping and/or running into whenever I dodged an attack from the various beasts. The paralytic kept causing me to make stupid mistakes that gained me more than a few hits, bites, scratches, etc. Along with that, the most common beast in the maze turned out to be flying, eagle-like imps with tiny, needle-like claws that stung horribly with pain-educing poison.

I would honestly apologize should there be any other applicants who came in behind me – doubtful as many of them probably would die in the first stage and/or would be way ahead of me because I had been unconscious for 16 hours – because of the messes (the beasts' bodies) all over the maze. The image of their expressions brought out an amused chuckle despite my situation.

Laser Terrain Sensor Permanent-Passive Level 15

Sub-ability unlocked – Trap sensory and production

Yesssss.

From all the beasts, between dodging their claws, stingers, fangs, flying crystals/knifes/etc. my sensor was now showing the traps and almost instruction-like abilities of trap-making were gained. It was quite fun to drag/corner them into the traps or wait for them to get on it when they are running at me. The cliché quote, 'No pain, no gain', seemed to be accurate as my skills progress was pleasing:

Torpedo collision – Level 8

Wind Fever – Upgraded to Breaking Strain Level. 5

- 1020 Damage. Small, but incredibly harsh busts of wind that can crush metal easily at various locations. Good for both large group of foes or singular targets.

Trapping – Level 7

Whirlwind – Level 15

Windmill Vortex –Level 10

Roaring Razor – Upgraded to Dispersed Sickles – level 1

- 350 Damage each. Once activated, the highly concentrated, razor sharp, pressured water sickles from the user's hair can respond independent from the Gamers based on Laser Terrain Sensor.

The stage had the strangest set ups, some where I found myself balancing on swinging ropes while multiple and various traps sounded below me, another where I was stuck in a large pool of foam-like sponge things like in gymnastic foam pits that kept moving and covering me completely more than once, another where the rooms were filled with mirrors and I walked into a few – admittedly bruising my face – and many other strange contraptions.

Stamina/Endurance +6 for taking rough damage and continuous battle

CON +4 points for avoiding fatal injuries and conserving health.

Just my luck, ya know. Unlike in the previous stage, the mutated/hybrid creatures that seemed to have even a bit of oceanic animal traits would attack just as aggressively as the others. The increased aggression in the dungeon was no joke, for even the more placid-looking creatures went rapid when they noticed me.

Weishun Breathing Technique – Upgraded to Weishun Meditative State

- +15 Awareness, +7 DEX, and +5 stamina while in the state. Not time limited but requires 350 Mana to activate.

The food I had stored in my game inventory before has been exceedingly useful, as it both filled me up and provided HP or MP for 30 points every 30 seconds. I had a little more than half of my HP remaining, specifically 1856 of 2300, and it was remaining there thanks to the food and that my Bleeding stat had left during the water maze.

Though when I had passed halls of my previous battles, the bodies had vanished. The two main theories coming to mind were that it was the Examiner – but I doubted he cared for the bodies to bother cleaning them up until all the applicants had left/died – and that it was my Gamer ability, where it followed the code of the game and the bodies simply vanishing into thin air and luckily, not respawning. I briefly wondered what the Examiner must be thinking about that, but I had more important things to do.

Time wasn't very kind to me. I barely managed to find the exit door after killing the beasts and breaking out of the dungeon. Though the vast amount of experience points I got from this course made up for it, as I felt a beam of childish pride when the achievement for the stage popped up.

Achievement Gained: Where Flesh and Proprioception is Unbalanced

The paralytic wore off and all the pain that it had inadvertently held off – from my aftereffects of my transformations, accumulated pain from the trials, and soreness of my muscles – nearly brought me to my knees. While I may be strong, my pain tolerance skill doesn't make my injuries numb or help with the bleeding or other health complications, it simply allows me to fight despite the pain and lets me endure more than I could in prior levels of the skill.

The examiners voice broke through just as I pushed the irritating pain away. "That was a very good show, more so with the increased amount of monsters that appeared out of nowhere. This should be impossible, but whatever ability you have is making my tests even more difficult than I had planned. As entertaining as it was, I am most curious. However, you are being timed and I doubt Netero-san will be pleased to hear that I had kept you from completing the exams phase." The examiner droned, a sound crackling trough the speaker like he was unwrapping food or something. "The next trial is of taste, I will explain further when you are inside."

The moment of silence prompted me to raise my eyebrow and continue forward through the next door, walking down a few sets of stairs until I stopped, dumbfounded, blinking at the chained prisoners on the other side of the wide room. The food of the room was separated into five groups and the prisoners were lined up like near type of food and plants lining the room. The prisoners looked distinctly nervous, shifting and staring at the food like it would move and attack them.

Perhaps my mean streak was acting up, because this was very amusing. Lips twitching up in a smile, the prisoners shuffled as if they thought I was purposing going to do something. I was more than a little shocked when a door appeared, blending in with the wall, and the examiners voice seeped through with his body following.

The petite man had a distinguishable violet Mohawk with clear glasses over his narrow eyes, his amused smile mimicking my own. My eyes flickered up to his name, level and title hovering over his head.

Blacklist Hunter

-Examiner to 287th Hunter Examination-

Lippo

Level ?

Glancing over to the prisoners, I scanned their names and titles too, which gave away their identities as the six of twenty-five stood out from Kurapika had told me about during some of our conversations. All four noted murderers, one was a rapist, another a human trafficker, one caused a genocide, one for illegal gambling and trafficking of endangered species, next was a serial bomber, and the last for poaching and mass murder. Clicking my tongue in revulsion, I turned my attention back to the examiner.

Lippo had noticed my reaction and his smile widened, pushing up his glasses. "It appears that you recognize some of them for their crimes." He hummed, "Either way, it is nice to meet you in person. This trial is on taste, poison for instance. You have two hours to feed these twenty-five prisoners with the food and plants in this room. Some of the food has simple, non-fatal poisons, others have fatal or long-suffering poisons, and the rest are completely safe. Your task is to find which are which and feed them to the prisoners. Your limit of deaths is eight, then you will have to eat what they give you."

He gestured to the food and prisoners and started his timer. Stepping over to the first group, the five tensed up and stared holes into me as I examined the food by sight first. Sure, I'm only twelve, but I must look like a nightmare after the last three challenges. Most of the blood from the first challenge with the rope and nails was washed off in the underwater maze, but I was still all beat up from the third challenge and had several deep claw marks that were already scabbing over.

Only one seemed to have something suspicious inside it, making it just a few shades different color with more steam radiating from it than the others. "Inspect." I mentally whispered and charts appeared above each of different food lined up: the bowls of stew, some Asian-looking food this world called Taikiri Tomo, drinks like water or soda where some were laced with strychnine poison, salads, different meat from species I've yet to research, etc.

Some of them I could immediately list as poisonous, though I didn't know how poisonous considering how I only ever memorized what was poisonous rather than the effects, but the others had ingredients of this world that I have not researched about yet. Some were even laced with rat poison or arsenic in such high degrees which would be extremely painful and kill them within minutes.

I took a tasting spoon for the ones that seemed normal or had unknown ingredients. Not only would I be able to taste it before I swallowed, but it seemed that my passive poison detection skill was better when it was in direct contact – and it would look strange if I just stuck my hand inside it, not to mention gross for both the prisoners and myself.

Poison detected, sorted into non-threat, Gamer immune.

Safe to drink without any side effects.

My immunity of course, did not extend to others, so while I might not have any adverse effects, the prisoners might. Then again, the only reason I tried not to poison them was to pass, as criminals were criminals and this was a top security prison – meaning that these people here were here for a good reason.

Rubbing my temples from the migraine that had persisted throughout all the trials, I sorted through them mentally and glanced up at the prisoners. My more notable skill is using my intuition towards people – who I would ally/befriend, or dislike and who would betray me.

Body language Insight (Passive – Permanent)

- Sub ability: Ally Perception

o Analyzes the targets Ally possibility: probability of trust, their ability towards loyalty, and so forth by percentage.

- Sub ability: Probability of events

o Analyzes the targets changes of betraying, lying to, or attacking the Gamer.

None of them seemed keen on trusting a 12-year old's judgement when it came to poison. I can't say I blame them, but I studied poisonous things in my free time because it was quite interesting – not that I wanted to poison someone, because I prefer my direct route of bashing them in.

Ahem.

A random thought of using poison in my water attacks popped up and I mentally stored the possibility for later when I could experiment and/or find such plants to aid me. Perhaps acid would work better, as I prefer to simply be immune and know about them, also because acid usually worked faster. Like acid rain for instance, if only the process could occur within minutes at most, rather than affects more noticeable latter. Maybe I could make the water rush and pull out the chemical, elements or whatever to the surface so that it would work quicker.

How morbid.

Calmly lifting the four poison-free bowls up, I handed them to the prisoners with the highest Ally percentage and the least serious crimes, which was only around the low thirties at most. They stared at me like I sentenced them to death, so I smiled innocently, which didn't really help. With no other choice, they resigned themselves and started to eat, awkward in their shackles.

As it was apparent that nothing was going to happen (at least, immediately or so), the hungry prisoners gained some confidence or decided that they might as well die with food in their stomachs. Not waiting for them to finish, I turned to the remaining six bowls and started smelling for poison. Giving the more harmless/irritating poisons to the others, I casually ignored them in favor of calculating the chance of the rest being poisoned or harmless. As this is a trial on taste, it must have the slightest difference in taste, so I went around tasting them in small amounts – trying to use whatever prowess Gon had helped me hone towards my poison detector.

When one of them burned my tongue on contact and I spit it out, waving the air around my tongue. It would have been comical, had the prisoners not freaked – realizing the potentially horrifying deaths that might occur to them. Staring at the bowl of poison, I noticed my tasting spoon had melted. With no other choice – and possibly a bit thrilled with the new weapon – I put my hand over the bowl and ordered quietly, "Inventory" and the collection of bowls I knew were poisoned instantly vanished.

Lippo merely pushed up his glasses, prompting my response, "The only rules you mentioned were that I could not be the cause of eight deaths from poison and that I had a time limit. No reason I can't use this to my advantage later on." Finding his percentage raise to 86, I assumed my explanation had gained a bit of curiosity at least.

The rest I tested that were suspicious had various symptoms, my eye's blurring, stomach cramping, a muscle somewhere spasming painfully, my lungs/throat tightening and constricting my airflow, my heart pounding or skittering feverishly, and each showing up in my peripheral as a red-lined box, telling me a description of just what condition I had put myself in.

The poison tolerance for those strangely-named poison had risen once the effect wore off due to the small amount of intake. I casually bagged the worst of them in my game inventory and feed the least bothersome to the prisoners.

"Hm, increased capabilities of fighting off poison in shorter amounts of time compared to previous applicants or prisoners." Lippo remarked to himself, studying the prisoners who showed the some of the same symptoms, except they lasted for twice as long as they did for me.

Poison Resistance Upgrade – Contaminate Neutralizer

- The Gamer has the ability to neutralize all existing detrimental contaminates in her body by sheer built up poison resistance, effort, will, focus, and/or mana.

That was a bit quick, I would have assumed it would take longer to get an upgrade since there are so many different kinds of poisons and I have only had the Gamer's ability for a while. Well, the ability does say poison resistance, effort, will, focus, and/or mana, so if her poison resistance ever fails, she'll either have to suffer through the effects if it's not fatal, or overwhelm the poison with her mana. Fun.

Smiling slightly at his curious expression, I waited for his passing verdict. "The remaining trial is on smell. You will have to dodge various forms of attacks that give a brief puff of a scent before firing. You will have to find the items listed in the preparation room ahead. They each have a distinct scent, which few are able to separate it from the others scents. Good job so far, I am curious to see how you will contribute as a Hunter if you pass."

Achievement Gained: Where Poison can only be deterred by Taste

I resisted the Gon-ish urge to puff up in pride, fondly mentally rolling my eyes at the boy's influence over the short period of time I knew him. I checked my gamer's clock hovering at my mental call, and found I had a good 14 minutes left before the hour for this trial was over. While I completed this trial, I don't know if breaks or the next one's surprises might bring.

Grabbing one of the poison-free bowls left over, I sat Indian style on the floor for a lunch break. The stew wasn't the best quality – why waste food on prisoners? They thought – but I've had worse and it didn't taste artificial like that of my world/dimension.

Once I finished, I left the prisoners and Lippo without a backwards glance, opening the small preparation room and closing the door behind me. Taking out a flask of water, I drank slowly (as it is dangerous to drink quickly after not having water for a period of time) for the first time in around 9 hours I've spent on the trials previously – not including the 16 hours I had passed out from the transformation effects.

Now that I think about it, it was a rookie mistake. Master Tifon would nearly killed me in a tor-sparring session or something as punishment and my respect for him (and possible self-guilt for my idiocy) would stop me from keeping it as a secret.

Pulling myself from my thoughts, I scanned the scavenger hunt list – I felt like a kid finding Easter eggs again – and copied them down on a note in my game inventory. There were 26 items in total, ranging from food, to cloths and scented candles, and unknown plants.

The lack of knowledge on plants and animals was really starting to irritate me. It was kind of like some kind of compulsive disorder where I felt like I "needed to know" everything- excluding a few factors like math, history on certain subjects, names/faces, political things, famous people, and a few others.

Scanning the items I received automatically from the monsters previously, I equipped the best for my class, and left behind the others to sell.

Jovingi Bracers

26 armor

+ 2 SP DEF

+ 2 DEF

+ 3 stamina

Heavy Copper Ring

+ 2 Constitution

+2 INT

Ring of Pride

+1 Speed

+1 Agility

Storwith Spaulders

22 armor

+ 3 SP ATK

+1 STR

Shaloki Gloves

Armor 28

+ 2 Endurance

+ 2 Dexterity

Brawler's Breeches of Agility

Armor 32

+3 SPD

+1 Agility

Absentmindedly opening the door, senses alert by training habit, I rocked back like I was physically struck when a wave of humidity and heat swamped me, nearly snapping the air from my lungs. Blanching and glaring up at the ceiling as if it was at fault, I entered to room and observed. The air above the openings on all sides of the room steamed with heat, giving off a repugnant odor.

Cation Gamer has entered a room above the tolerated temperature

-5 stamina, -2 speed, -15% reflexes

This is the moment when your natural affinities for the (generally) cooler elements comes back to whiplash you in the face. Of course, I could generally tolerate - 80-90 Fahrenheit, but this humidity was overwhelming. I didn't doubt it was at least above 100 degrees since I could basically feel my sweat evaporating into the air and my insides boil. Okay, the later was a bit dramatic, but my mind was already starting to haze and my body sluggish.

Groaning internally, I could hear what Master Tifon would say to me, Go on, girl. Standing around isn't going to help you. If you spend too much time thinking about it, you'll never finish.

Stepping on the rims of the holes on the ground, I took a few shallow breaths and choked on the stench, tears welling up in what seemed to be onions mixed in with a few of the holes. A few showers, bathed in shampoo, conditioner, lemon juice and tea tree oil would be the only remedy. All these I have conveniently because I had brought them for my sleepover with Robin and was planning on taking a shower after swimming in her huge pool.

Walking carefully across the thin ridges, my brow furrowed when my bronze eyes caught a small light twinkled in the hole. Tilting my head and flinching a moment later, I flipped backwards into a handstand just as a pillar of flames rushed through the hole. Remembering Lippo's description, I forced myself to breathe in deeply, searching for scents different than the overpowering stench.

When I didn't get anything, I focused on my laser terrain sensor to find the items. I found seven on the list this way, from where they were wedged between the rims and blending in, or inside the hole in a small compartment with a flap lid. Jumping up to the ceiling, I latched onto the rim and pulled myself into the hole system which they were all connected.

Grabbing a leather jacket, I flung myself out just as the torrent of flames rushed through the pipes and out one of the holes. I wiped my sweat off with a – surprisingly clean – rag that one of the monsters dropped.

Running around a bit like a crazy woman, I eventually got used to the odor and started smelling other scents within half an hour. Gon's wild-boy training was even more useful now, and I should hug him the next time I see him.

My laser Terrain Sensor couldn't scan that far into the pipes, so I would have to jump in and climb around half-blind. I crawled through the pipes, getting dust, dirt and animal poop on my hands. A few rats skirted out of my way, making high-pitched squeaking noises and expertly dodging flames like no body's business.

Transformation Aftereffects Status problem restored – Gamer now may unlock and access full transformations

The status effects from my transformations vanished and I felt all of my status return to normal, adding on the few points I gained over the trials. While I was in no position to study the transformations – much to my disappointment –nothing, other than accumulated pain, hindered me anymore.

Following a rat group, I snatched the club of cheese from them and swatting them out of my way. I used my nose along with them to help sense when the fire would surge through, ducking in the tunnel system and reluctantly sticking my arm through camouflaged openings for the items on the scavenger list. I had five remaining, and I figured they were in the ceiling, so I managed to find the exit and into the white, smoky room.

Fire cut me off from jumping and scorched my left arm, pushing me back into a corner of the room when three other pillars of fire blasted. Surrounded by plumes of flames, my nose twitched when the one behind me changed in scent. My escape on all sides compromised, I shielded my faces with my wet shirt as the heat built up from behind and fire gushed out.

My girlish side screamed: "My hair!"

My HP dropped by 50 points, leaving me with a startling 480 points, around 1/6 of my full 2300 Health Points. Once they stopped, I jumped away from the corner, snatching the maple-scented candle attached to the rim of the hole beforehand. Mentally scolding myself for all of my dumb mistakes, which were accumulating more today than I usually have in a month or two, I frowned at the notification that my pain tolerance had risen a level from that.

My girlish side was satisfied that my hair wasn't affected at all – like that in games; the characters appearance never changes unless the Gamer does it her/himself.

By the time I finished, I found five hours had passed and was covered in the stench, rat feces, dirt and ash. Leaving the last trial, I waited in the next preparation room, taking out a few water bottles and dumping them over my head to wash off first and then to rehydrate myself.

Left with only 428 HP, I was satisfied with my progress and ability, as my regeneration would now heal 450 points every minute. I would have to train more with Master Tifon, though, as those mistakes could have killed me. The examiners voice almost startled me, "You finished the 5 Senses Trial in exactly 34 hours and 28 minutes, including the 16 hours you were unconscious. You will have to wait with the other finished applicants for the next 38 or so hours. Just follow the stairs down and the door will open automatically, Good job, number 406."

I mentally cheered and thanked God it was over. I would be glad to curl up with a book and occasionally stretch out slowly.

Achievement Gained: Beyond the Scents

Level up + 8 points

Surprise, surprise. I immediately opened my character stats and looked them over. The points in the parenthesis were from the bonuses from the armor I had on. It was a bit strange how my species was considered "Gamer", which brings up theories and questions on the topic. Obviously, I was human, or at least looked the part.

The only difference was how my body wasn't nearly as fragile. A bullet to the head would give bonus damage, but wouldn't kill me and would heal once out of combat without a sign. Unlike humans, a single hit to the vitals won't kill me, and my Gamer ability seemed to be partially mental and physical. The ability was real, but no one else could use or see it.

Name: Vlarus Knight

Occupation:

- Martial artist, Hunter Applicant

Species: Gamer

Class:

Level: 14

Title: Weishun family Heir, Beast Marauder

HP: 2300

MP (Mana): 2200

- CONST (Constitution): 22 (23)

- SPD (Speed): 27 (31)

- LUK (luck): 20

- AGL (Agility): 38 (40)

- INT (Intelligence): 35 (37)

-STR (Strength): 25 (23)

- DEF (Defense)/ SP DEF (Special Defense): 36 (38)/24 (26)

- ATK (Attack)/ SP ATK (Special Attack): 32/25 (28)

- Stamina/Endurance: 31 (36)

- Accuracy, Evasion, Focus, Resist, Dexterity= 20 (34)/36/25/22/25(27)

Points: 8

Animal Points: 1

2,824,925$ Won

My Heath Points and Mana had jumped much higher up and I had gained a lot of stats from the trials. My STR was a bit low for my tastes, and my CONST and SPD could use a few points too. Adding three points to speed, three to strength and the last two to constitution. The monsters had helped my attack power go up to 32 and my defense up to 36. The smile beaming on my face hurt my cheeks as I walked down the stairs.

CONST: 25 (26) – Increasing HP to 2600

SPD: 30 (34)

STR: 28 (29)

The "animal points", however, were completely new and strange. It was obviously on my transformations, but I don't know how to use the point. Perhaps I would have to transform first or open the unlocked animals.

Light made my bronze eyes squint as the wall-door opened and I stepped through, surveying the applicants who were finished. Hisoka sat nearby from where I entered, Hanzo leaned against the wall, the creeper with pins in his body stared into space, Geretta sat with his weird weapon, the boy with bow and arrows, and some older guy with a spear.

"Vlarus, applicant #406. Total time, thirty-four hours and twenty-eight minutes." An announcer spoke, the other six applicants glancing over. Sighing, I sat Indian style against the wall and brought out the tea tree oil and lemon juice, when a window popped up.

Refreshing Cleansing Level 1

- Player can clean herself off by command, increasing regenerative ability by %5 percent for five minutes and healing any remaining status problems.

This is such a cheat. Apparently, I have a shower-like skill now… Snickering, I muttered, "Refreshing cleansing." The names for my skills and abilities can be so embarrassing sometimes. The tea tree oil and lemon juice floated out of the containers and onto my hair and skin, glowing briefly and all the dirt, grime, stench, and other unmentionables vanished.

Even my clothes were cleaned, with absolutely no tears, despite being subject to fire, water, animal claws and teeth, etc.

I have a magic washing machine, sewing machine, and shower all mixed in one.

As the minutes passed, I was eating from a tray of food and ignoring Hisoka's stare. The creepy clown was seemingly watching my injuries evaporate like water. By the minute, my HP was steadily restoring now that I was out of battle and in a "safe spot" (as safe as you can get with Hisoka nearby), and my wounds mending together without so much as a scratch left behind.

Once I was fully healed, I couldn't resist opening my transformation chart and eagerly reviewing the descriptions. The three were split into three domains; Land, sky, and water. Like the mutation, it gave a description along with the disadvantages and advantages for each.

(AN: Okay – here's a whole lot)

Os Pardus (Passive – Permanent)

This ability transforms the user into Os Pardus, a small but extremely lithe feline, halfway or fully by command. When halfway transformed, the user will grow Leopard ears and tail, along with slit eyes and claws. This leopard is renowned for being almost indestructible because of its unusually dense bones that protects their inner organs and brain. Of course, it is only their bones that are nearly indestructible, so they still can get injured. They are solitary and nonviolent unless provoked but will not hesitate if threatened or if someone ignores their growled warning.

The Leopard has no fear of breaking its bones, so it will jump from normally fatal heights and uses its tail similarly to a club. They particularly love climbing trees or mountainous areas. Their tail is around twice times its length and used as a weapon and is also prehensile. The Os Pardus can move head-first down the tree, by it has flexible ankles of the front feet that can be rotated for 180 degrees and can catch itself with one paw if it falls. Os Pardus are known to be solitary, very intelligent, and excellent climbers and hunters.

- Disadvantages: Animal instinct can backfire. Unlike the tail and spine, the leopard's body is vulnerable to multiple forms of attack. The leopard's camouflage only helps in certain environments. Damage to surroundings can cause attention and possibly cause buildings to fall apart on/near the animal.

- Advantages: Enhanced senses, extremely flexible spine, jumping and jaw strength and gap (Mouth has 100-degree gap), increase in speed and agility, immunity to intense temperatures, fur coat increases camouflage, tail can be used to hang off things and can carry people, the claws on the user's feet can hook back and allow them to climb down trees headfirst, and most importantly, bones are nearly indestructible.

Closest species related in the original world: Clouded Leopard and Pine Marten

Height: 3 ft. (when standing on hind legs: 6 ft)

Length: 6ft, 12 ft (just tail) = 18 total

Weight: 82 lbs.

Domain: Land

So, I was correct, one of my transformations is a cat. If I remember correctly, clouded leopards in my world are known as clouded leopards, though they are not directly related to normal leopards. They are considered big cats, despite being fairly small compared to the others, but with canine teeth equal in size to that of a tiger. They are also one of the best climbers. I've never heard of a Pine Martin before, though. I made a mental note to check on it when I finish the level here and return home.

Loricatorum Pistris (Passive- Permanent)

This ability transforms the user into a Loricatorum Pistris halfway or fully by command. This is a shark species that is usually nonaggressive until provoked and is widely known for its incredibly durable and rough armor-like skin. Normal shark skin is rough, but the Pistris specifically evolved it's skin to defend against bigger sharks or other species in the water and today has no direct predator thanks to their armor as any predator will only end up with it's mouth or stomach shredded open.

When halfway transformed, the user grows fins on their forearms, along with a dorsal fin on their back. User will also grow gills on their necks and will get scale-like shark skin over vital parts of their body. The user's teeth will shift if preparing to bite. User will also grow shark skin over life-vital areas as armor. If in large bodies of water, the User's legs will merge into a shark tail.

- Disadvantages: User will switch into the half-form automatically if in contact with enough water, weakness to lightning; dry areas will make the user feel tired and slightly weaker. While in full transformation, the User must keep moving to absorb oxygen. Transformations outside of the water in half may result in a sun burns on scales and fins, and the user cannot fully transform unless in a large body of water.

- Advantages: Underwater breathing, enhanced underwater maneuvering, ability to sense other living creatures electric field through the air and water (Electroreception), Enhanced healing when in water or damp environments, scales are incredibly durable and rough so physical contact will tear into foes skin. Fighting capabilities enhance in water domain or damp areas.

Closest species related in the original world: The Shortfin Mako and the Silvertip shark

Domain: Water

It's really interesting how durable the shark skin is. Due to my love for sharks and need to know everything, I know that shark skin feels like sandpaper and can actually injure prey on contact with it because it is so rough. Sharks are one of the most beautiful creatures, in my opinion. They aren't mad killers and attack at sight like people believe, more people are killed by elephants, mosquitos, and even flippin snails.

Pennáta Draco (Passive- Permanent)

This ability transforms the user halfway or fully by command into a Pennáta Draco, a dragon with two sets of wings, that is well known for its colorful bristle or feather-like scales that jag out and its natural disaster warning predictions. Its scales smooth out on the underside of its neck, belly, and tail. Its scales can come in various shades of reds, tans, blacks, and greens. Its wings are feathered, but each feather is significantly more durable than a typical bird. It is one of the least aggressive species discovered thus far and can calm most species in proximity of five miles.

Energy-based attacks are futile against these dragons, as their body absorbs Nen even while in very specific and unusual Hatsu forms. When provoked, the dragon is more likely to flee or ignore the attacker entirely unless trapped, which they will then eat the life energy (Nen) out of the aggressor. This is extremely rare as their ability to decrease aggression of other species also extends to humans and causes the aggressor(s) duress to ignore or push away that in order to harm the dragon.

When halfway transformed, the user grows giant, bird-like wings and bristle-like scales covering crowning their face, covering their neck, shoulders, chest, stomach, and thighs. Unlike in the full transformation or the dragon itself, the user only has one pair of wings when half-transformed. User will have retractable, venomous fangs and the scales will grow over her stomach, chest, and back to protect vital organs.

- Disadvantages: User will likely automatically switch in situations where the user feels the need to escape or is trapped. If the wings are badly damaged, user must wait until they are healed or at least enough to fly to transform.

- Advantages: Wings can be used in battle, as they are not easily injured. Rain, hail, or snow does not affect wings. The user gains incredible aerial acrobatics. Agile both in sky and on land. Enhancing fighting capabilities in sky domain. Bristle-like scales add 25 DEF. 85% decreased aggression from other animals, species feel extreme discomfort if they ignore it. In both forms, the claws almost never dull and can be used easily in battle. User is immune to all energy-based attacks, ability to revert that energy to its original form and absorb it in order to attack with.

Closest species related in the original world: Atheris hispida snake, the Chinese dragon, and the Peregrine Falcon

Height: 7 ft.

Wingspan: 20 ft.

Length (from head to end of tail): 24 ft.

Domain: Sky

Okay, all my transformations seem to be carnivores, or at least omnivore for my dragon form. The ability to predict natural disasters could be helpful – especially if this world or any other I visit doesn't have the same technology that can predict them (mostly). They all seem more defense oriented too: the Leopard with its conveniently indestructible bones, the shark with it's skin, and the dragon with it's energy absorption. It will balance out my more offensive moves and admittedly reckless behavior at least.

Sheepishly, I ran a hand through my hair, which was still damp from the underground maze. I'm really happy that I got three of my favorite species. It's even better that all of which stronger than the original species back Home and only possible because this world is so OP.

Unfortunately, it seemed that the full transformations for each were locked until I completed the prerequisites; 40 DEF, Flying Mastery level 20, and Tail Control level 20. One thing required for each, the others were already fulfilled thanks to the Senses Challenge. It makes sense to, otherwise I would probably fly into everything and my tail would trip me all the time.

Ignoring the occasional applicant finishing, I glanced at the clock and worriedly tilted my head. Heavy breathing caught my attention after a while of theorizing and grabbed a little bit of attention from those nearby. It was an applicant who stumbled through the door in tattered clothes and gripping onto the bleeding wound on his stomach. He collapsed just as he passed through, and three men proclaimed the man dead.

"One minute remains." The announcer spoke and I stood up, wanting to pace around but crossing my arms and stretching casually instead. The door opened and to my relief, Gon, Kurapika, and Killua stepped through, dirty but mostly uninjured. Noticing Leorio's absence, I figured Leorio must be okay because the three didn't look particularly sad or regretful.

I assumed correctly as Leorio and Tonpa arrive a few seconds later, pushing and elbowing each other. Smiling, I walked over to join the group, slinging my arm around Gon and Killua's neck – though Killua acted like I had cooties or something.

There was no time to talk, as an alarm sounded the end of the Third Phase, "The Third Phase of the exam is over. Twenty-six applicants have passed. One died." What about the 50+ who are missing? Perhaps they just mean those who have reached the bottom, like the ones trapped above no longer matter.

Harsh.

Shrugging the thought away, I turned as one of the doors opened and light flooded through. Lippo met us outside of the tower, his glasses reflecting in the sun. The refreshing breeze and warm sun was a relief from the choaking heat of the last stage and the stress of it all.

Lippo pointed behind him towards the island in the distance. "The fourth Phase will take place over there, on Zevil Island. Let us proceed." He snapped his fingers and a man rolled in a box for us to draw lots.

Once Lippo explained, I shifted my weight and waited for my turn. The pin-cushion guy was hilarious by how he got his lot, body moving all awkwardly and robotically, making me snicker because it was just unavoidable. I got my red card as the seventh to finish the test, startling the group and Killua glance over me suspiciously because I don't have any wounds at all.

Pulling the seal off the red card, I looked at the large #80 in print. As Lippo explained the objective, I was first to unclip my tag, hiding it in my hair.

Don't question it.

Okay, fine. If my hair can't be damaged or changed, and I can sharpen and control it using Dispersed Sickles, so it would be the easiest place to defend. Imperceptibly glancing through the crowd, I found my target easily. While I didn't know her name, she had bright red hair pulled back in a yellow bow with black sunglasses and a large sniper rifle in her grasp.

Waving goodbye to Lippo, we all gathered onto the boat and dispersed. Disregarding the irritating sounding woman talking way to cheerfully, I separated a safe distance from the others, staying near Kurapika and Leorio on the side of the boat and hopped up to sit on the railing of the boat. Enjoying the wind, I closed my eyes and laid back.

If Gon, Kurapika, Leorio, or Killua had me as a target, I would just give it to them and then go hunt down three more for their tags to pass. Of course, this would mean avoiding the more troublesome of the applicants, like Hisoka or the pin-cushion.

The boat arrived when the sun was high up, and we turned to attention to the perky announcer who held up a time watch and explained. "Now, please disembark in the order in which you cleared the Third Phase." Special treatment – yay. "After each person disembarks, we'll wait two minutes before the next persons turn."

"That means we'll be waiting here a while, except for Mizu-oba." Killua drawled and I huffed at the nickname. I was pretty sure that Killua was older than I was so calling me old is weird. Killua's just being a brat to annoy me though, so I rolled my eyes. Our time limit and stay will be for a full week and we have to meet back here at the end.

After the sixth person vanished into the forest, I stood by the front and jumped out once she called, leaping for the high branches and finding a good spot to watch those coming into the forest and where it would be hard for others to sneak up on me. Activating my buffs, I added "Assassin's Silence" making sound I usually might make muted.

I watched and waited for my target. Eventually, I spotted her and trailed after her, climbing across the tree limbs deftly and smiling when I aimed my finger towards her.

"Lock on Target, place Tracker." My order rang in the system and now there was a bright neon sign above the trees wherever she moved, only visible to me. I might as well get some training in to the week I have here.

"Os Pardus."

Inside, I felt the three move and the cat come to the front.

My eyesight instantly sharpened, nails forming into curved claws and my spine cracking as it adjusted. The bones in my legs cracked and my ankle pulled up, forming like that of a cat with my feet more resembling a foot with pads. My spine lengthened, and fur crawled onto the long, forming tail as my ears grew bigger and curved.

Bronze, silted eyes peeked through the leaves and a tail twice my height swayed cautiously.

00000000000000000000000

FINALLY FINISHED. XDXXDXDXDXDXDXDXDXD

Yay, Cliffhangers! (Laughing madly) Hey, at least I was nice to give you the animals' descriptions. XD There will be more of the gang (Gon, Killua, Kurapika, Leorio) in the next chapter.

Just for further explanation, I've cut off Vlarus' regeneration ability because 1) it only works outside of battle 2) The game master decided that it would be more impressive to the judges if she were to pass the tower without her regeneration so that it shows, without it, she can still survive.

Also, here's another side to Vlarus, rather than cold and rational. As you have read, Vlarus is naturally a bit animalistic in a fight, but the transformations are affecting her behavior as well as the possibility of being killed. Vlarus is the type to fight on terms that the opponent is willing. If the foe will kill her, she will kill them. If they don't and want to fight squarely like Gon, then she will do the same. If they want to run away, Vlarus might let them unless they need to be caught for whatever reason.

Except here's the thing, after a point of time, the bodies will vanish like they do in games (but they don't respawn), so the examiner will not find them and any items the monsters dropped automatically went into her inventory. I would say that around half of the beasts were less threatening (though still powerful) and were part of the exam, the others were generated from the dungeon.

Also, if you want to mention some game functions I might forget, go ahead and put them in the comments! Any questions I will try my best to answer – and remember to do so.

PS. The end of Hunter X Hunter level (of the dimension) is at the end of the Hunter Exam.

PS: Any questions, tips, game abilities, etc. are welcome. Also, there will be no more transformations.

PS: It's actually really hard to keep track of everything for Vlarus – like how many points she has in her stats or what level her attacks are.

PS: It is a reasonable time for Vlarus to finish (34 hours), because, had Gon and they not waited those 50 hours, they would have finished before her. Then again, Vlarus' challenge is completely different and she has no one to help or hinder (Tonpa) her.

Translations: (Latin)

Loricatorum Pistris – Armored shark

Os Pardus – Bone Leopard

Pennáta Draco – Feathered Dragon

Comments are a pleasure!