Hunter X Hunter: Tombbound Power

Leiert clapped his hands and smiled.

"It seems all of you are quite capable, and the first test didn't pose much of a challenge. Let's move on to the second—and final—assessment: combat effectiveness."

Combat effectiveness?

Hearing this, everyone perked up. The faces of the middle-aged Martial Artist and the blond youth relaxed slightly.

But the smile faded from the young scholar's face, his brows furrowing in thought.

His explanation earlier wasn't just idle talk—it was tied to his Nen ability. Fighting, however, wasn't his specialty.

Nen Ability: Knowledge = Power

Effect: Every time he carefully reads a book, article, or report, the contents are etched deep into his mind.

Application: In battle or daily life, the knowledge can surface instantly when needed.

Limitations: He must read the material thoroughly, word by word, for it to be recorded. He can only access knowledge from materials he's completed.

Before arriving, the young scholar had sought out an introductory book on Mijet and paid 55 Jenny for a travel brochure. By reading them carefully, he gained more complete insights—some even beyond what was written.

It was for moments like these that he prided himself on being the strategist, the one who stayed in the shadows and offered counsel.

Direct combat? That wasn't his domain. Otherwise, he wouldn't have developed this kind of Nen ability in the first place.

Still, it was reasonable for Leiert to test everyone's combat capabilities—though the scholar wasn't sure how it would play out.

As he puzzled over this, Leiert spoke again:

"We aren't just measuring strength but also how well you adapt in combat and how you behave under difficult circumstances."

Leiert smiled mischievously.

"The method is simple: I think the bodyguard team is a bit... too large. While all of you meet my expectations, I can only hire six. So..."

With a grin, he stepped back and handed control of the situation to the employers.

The room grew tense. The implication was clear—one person needed to be eliminated.

Ronnel observed the scene, amused.

The way these underworld families operate is becoming more and more like the Hunter Exam.

Of course, this wouldn't be nearly as difficult as the Hunter exam, but the tension was unmistakable.

While Ronnel remained relaxed, the others sized each other up, calculating their odds.

The blond youth's thoughts raced:

The guy with the revolver is dangerous—best not to provoke him. Those twin brothers will definitely act together. That middle-aged man? A practitioner of martial arts—definitely not an easy target.

His gaze drifted toward the young scholar holding a book and the beautiful girl, barely nineteen. They seemed like the most vulnerable.

He wasn't the only one thinking this. The others also shifted their focus to the scholar and the girl, with subtle glances exchanged among them.

The scholar noticed and felt the pressure mounting. His expression grew grim as he searched his mental archive for a solution.

Leiert's voice broke the silence: "If no one makes a decision in three minutes, we'll leave it to a draw."

With that, the group sprang into action.

Ronnel stayed motionless as everyone else shifted their attention to the young scholar. Even the twin brothers aligned their rifles on him.

As for the girl, no one wanted to target her—not just because of her beauty but because of her powerful singing voice.

When in doubt, pick the weakest target.

Even the girl silently mouthed an apology as she, too, turned her gaze toward the scholar.

"You..." the scholar whispered.

He finally realized the only way out was to appeal to Leiert. But when he looked up—Leiert was already gone. The only one left was the old butler, patiently waiting for the final decision.

The scholar opened his mouth, ready to protest—but then closed it, his shoulders slumping in defeat.

"I'll opt out."

He forced a bitter smile.

Even though he announced his withdrawal, the others kept their guard up until the three minutes passed.

When the timer hit zero, Leiert's voice rang out from the upper floor:

"It seems you've reached a decision."

Leiert casually glanced at the scholar as he stood up to leave, paying him no further attention.

Losers don't deserve attention.

The scholar's bitter smile deepened. In that moment, he understood something painfully clear: Strategy, planning, and knowledge mean nothing if you lack the power to back them up.

"I have to get stronger," the scholar whispered to himself, clenching his fists. "Stronger than anyone—so this will never happen again."

He walked away, his shoulders heavy with humiliation.

Ronnel watched him go, sensing the scholar's frustration.

Knowledge and strategy matter, Ronnel thought. But in a world like this, the one with the biggest fist makes the rules.

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