A Game at Midnight [1]

A dramatic close-up fills the page with the face of a young boy with spiky hair. His eyes are wide, mouth open in surprise, and one hand is pressed against his forehead. Sweat drops and motion lines emphasize his startled reaction. At the bottom, the chapter title is displayed: N°013 A GAME AT MIDNIGHT [1].

A large airship marked with the XX symbol flies through a starry night sky, accompanied by the sound effects VOOOOOO and ゴォン. Below, inside a vast domed hall, an elderly man with a long beard and topknot stands in the foreground. He addresses a large crowd of examinees. Speech bubbles read: MY NAME IS NETERO, AND I'M RESPONSIBLE FOR THE TRIALS, AND A MEMBER OF THE ORGANIZATION COMMIY. IT MIGHT BE TIME FOR THE 42 REMAINING CONTESTANTS TO KNOW WHO I AM. I CAME SOONER THAN EXPECTED. I WASN'T SUPPOSED TO SHOW MYSELF UNTIL THE FINAL PHASE OF THE TRIALS, BUT... Netero walks forward on an elevated platform while the crowd looks up at him.

An elderly man with a long ponytail and beard laughs heartily, 'HO HO HO,' while addressing the group. 'So if you'll allow me among you for the time being... Your anxiety is comprehensible, but I believe it's a good thing...' Nearby, several examinees including a spiky-haired boy and others listen intently. On the ship, a round-faced man in a bow tie gestures and announces, 'We are waiting for them to contact us. You are free to do whatever you want until we arrive. We should arrive tomorrow around 8 at the next testing ground.' Leorio yawns and says, 'Today has rather been long... Me too. I can't go on... Me, I'm going to take a good, long nap...' Kurapika stands nearby. Gon and Killua perk up as Gon exclaims, 'They're in good shape, those two... Yeah!! Hey, Gon! How about going on a tour of the vessel?!' Killua agrees enthusiastically. In the background, someone mutters, 'But something bothers me...' while another voice questions, 'Hm?'

The group continues their discussion on the ship. Leorio asks, 'How many tests are left?' Killua and Kurapika listen as the round assistant explains, 'It changes from year to year. That's true, we aren't told anything... But usually there are 5 to 6 tests... The committee decides it, depending on the content of the trials.' He continues, 'We can also suppose something might happen before 8 o'clock tomorrow... Imagine a trial taking place while you're asleep... Like me, you heard the assistant say, "Until the next testing grounds." So you can't exclude the possibility of the ship being the next testing ground... I advise you to stay vigilant. So we'd better use this opportunity to rest... So still 3 or 4...' Leorio reacts with surprise. The assistant adds with a serious expression, 'You won't be allowed to go on to the next round... Even here you'd better not drop your guard... The stress won't let them rest physically and mentally.' Someone replies, 'Heh heh... Alright...'

Night falls on the ship. Gon and Kurapika stand at the railing looking out at the starry sky, with other examinees visible in the background. The scene shifts to a dining area where large plates of food are served. A voice asks, 'How many will make it this year?' Another replies, 'By the way...' A small girl with pigtails comments on the previous test, 'When we made them take the test, didn't you sense it? Of course, but... Some of them gave off a particular aura...' A large round man and a masked woman discuss, 'And if they get another one like you there won't be any left... Yes, but it depends on the content of the next trials...' The masked woman says, 'Yes! You're talking about the qualifications? I think they're pretty good...' The large man responds, 'It may sound weird coming from me, who disqualified them all, but...' A blond man asks, 'Me?' while a woman in a hat inquires, 'And you, Satotz, what do you think?'

Applicants gossip about the exam's strongest entrants. One remarks that he was the only one that knew sushi. Another notes noticing #99, you know, Baldy. A voice adds that this year's promotion is pretty good. Someone wonders if #99 is far stronger than the others. Another calls the little arrogant one probably of blood type B with no chance of living under the same roof. Menchi asks Buhara if he sensed it too. A large figure labeled #44 stares silently while holding a small piece of food. The group recalls that when #255 lost her temper there was extreme tension but the largest mass of negative energy came from #44. Since the moment they showed themselves it was strong that they had trouble controlling themselves.

The group agrees they had better watch out with him and that they sensed the same thing. Leorio looks shocked while holding food and asks seriously. Menchi admits she felt like he was provoking them and was nervous because of him. A close-up shows a mustached man noting the only difference is that he likes to grow in darkness. Another voice admits it is hard to admit but he is at the same level as them. The mustached man adds that among the participants it sometimes happens that there is one of those young heretics. He suggests the best place to find a worthy adversary is the Hunter Admission Exam while a cup of coffee sits nearby. Hisoka's face fills the frame with a star marking and a drop of sweat as he holds a finger to his lips.

Hisoka sits cross-legged on the floor and carefully builds a tall house of playing cards with a focused smile. The structure stands complete. In quick succession the cards are sent flying with sharp flap sounds as they scatter through the air. Hisoka's hand makes a final flick. From a distance Gon, Killua and another applicant watch the display. Hisoka laughs with a wide grin while the others react with surprise and annoyance. One of them mutters pfff as the cards continue to flutter down.

A sprawling night view of a glittering city fills the top of the page. Someone exclaims, "IT LOOKS LIKE A DIAMOND !!!" while another voice bursts out, "GREAT !!" In the next panels Gon and Killua sit together. Killua asks, "HAVE YOU GOT PARENTS?" Gon answers brightly, "YES! OF COURSE ..." Killua reacts with surprise, "HUH?" From behind, someone calls, "KILLUA ...?" Killua turns and replies, "YES?" A dark panel states, "ASSASSINS." Killua asks, "WHAT DO THEY DO?" The conversation continues as Killua explains his background. Gon leans in, asking, "WHY? IT'S TRUE, ISN'T IT?" Killua laughs loudly, "AH AH AH AHA ..." Gon looks thoughtful and asks, "YOU REALLY GOT ME GOING!" while Killua adds, "THAT'S THE FIRST TIME SOMEONE'S LISTENED TO ME SERIOUSLY AND ASKED ME THAT AFTERWARDS!" The final panel shows both boys side by side, Gon saying, "BOTH OF THEM?"

Killua continues speaking from the shadows, "AT MY PLACE, THE MAIN ACTIVITY IS ASSASSINATION. FOR EVERYONE." Gon reacts with a quiet, "OH?" Killua goes on, "YOU'RE REALLY STRANGE... YOU CAN NEVER TELL IF YOU'RE SERIOUS OR IF YOU'RE JOKING. THAT'S WHAT GIVES YOU YOUR CHARM!" He adds, "NOTHING REALLY ..." and questions, "WHAT MAKES YOU SAY THAT?" In a close-up, Killua explains, "BUT I DON'T LIKE THE IDEA OF OTHERS DECIDING WHAT I'LL DO WITH MY LIFE..." and, "AND I'M NOT TELLING YOU HOW MUCH PRESSURE MY FAMILY PUTS ON ME..." The scene shifts as Killua recounts running away: "THEY PROBABLY HAVEN'T HEALED UP YET!" and, "TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT, I BEAT UP MY MOM AND DAD AND RAN AWAY!" He describes his mother's reaction, "MY MOTHER STARTED CRYING, TELLING ME I HAD A GIFT FOR THIS JOB..." and his own resolve, "WHEN I TOLD THEM, 'I'LL DECIDE MY OWN FUTURE BY MYSELF!' THEY ALL GOT MAD..." Killua declares with a grin, "IF I BECOME A HUNTER, THE FIRST THING I'LL DO IS ARREST ALL MY FAMILY!" while Gon watches with wide eyes. Killua finishes, "I'M CERTAIN TO GET A GOOD REWARD!" and notes, "IF THEY COME HERE I'LL BE IN A LOT OF TROUBLE, BUT..."

A close-up shows a bearded elderly man peering intently through a window. Smaller panels reveal him turning his head while Gon and Killua remain visible in the background, still seated on the bench. The old man's eyes suddenly widen in shock as a large impact effect erupts across the panel with the sound "GAN!" and motion lines. Gon and Killua both react sharply; Gon looks surprised while Killua's hair stands on end. A sharp sound effect "SHLIT" cuts across the frame as both boys turn their heads toward the disturbance, their expressions tense.

Gon and Killua sprint down a narrow hallway, startled by sudden movement ahead. "WHAT'S HAPPENING?" Gon calls out. They burst into a wider corridor where Netero stands waiting. "!?" Killua reacts sharply. Netero, an elderly man with a long beard and topknot, rubs his chin thoughtfully. "WELL ?" he asks. Gon stares at him in surprise. "YOU'RE REALLY FAST FOR YOUR AGE...!" Gon exclaims. Netero replies, "I WAS JUST WALKING WITHOUT HASTE..." Killua raises a hand and questions, "YOU THINK ?" Netero turns toward the boys and asks, "NETERO-SAN, DIDN'T YOU HAVE THE SENSATION SOMEBODY WAS CLOSING IN THERE?" Gon answers quietly, "NO..."

Netero looms over Gon and Killua against a dark, crackling background. "YOU LIKE IT?" he asks. "IT'S YOUR FIRST PARTICIPATION IN THE TRIALS, RIGHT?" Gon and Killua look up at him. Netero continues, "I'M BORED, SO I WAS LOOKING FOR SOMEONE TO PLAY WITH." "SUCH COLDNESS!" he adds. "GOT NOTHING TO DO UNTIL THE FINALS? WHAT DO YOU WANT?" Gon looks aside and says, "I THOUGHT THE TRIALS WOULD BE HARDER..." Killua responds, "ME, I'M DISAPPOINTED." Netero notes, "IT'S DIFFERENT THAN WHAT I EXPECTED! THERE ARE NO WRITTEN EXAMS, FOR INSTANCE..." Killua smiles brightly, "YES! IT'S FUN!" From a distance, a girl with a ponytail watches the group. "DON'T YOU WANT TO PLAY WITH ME?" Netero asks. "WAIT. WE'RE LOSING OUR TIME..." Killua says. "COME!" Netero urges. "YOU'LL SEE..." he adds. "WILL WE FINALLY HAVE FUN DURING THE NEXT TESTS?" Netero wonders.

Gon and Killua react with surprise. "!" Netero leans in close with a confident grin. "IF YOU WIN... I'LL GIVE YOU THE TITLE OF HUNTER!" he declares. A striped ball is shown with "TAP". Netero lies on the floor, explaining, "WE'VE STILL GOT TIME BEFORE WE REACH THE NEXT TRIAL GROUND..." Outside on a platform, Netero holds the ball and faces Gon and Killua. A woman with a ponytail stands nearby. "IF YOU CAN TAKE THIS BALL, YOU WIN," Netero states. "YOU'RE FREE TO ATTACK ME ANYWAY YOU'D LIKE!" he challenges. "I WON'T HIT BACK," the woman adds.

The old examiner holds up the striped ball and says, "GO AHEAD." Killua, wearing jersey number 99, replies, "WE JUST HAVE TO TAKE THE BALL RIGHT?" The examiner notes, "HE'S PRETTY CONFIDENT." Killua answers, "ALRIGHT, I'LL START." In a rapid sequence, Killua's afterimages multiply across the panel as he begins moving. The large lower panel shows the scene erupting into motion: multiple Killua figures streak around while a blonde girl in a black top swings the ball high with a loud "スクゥゥー... Voooo". Gon watches from the foreground with wide eyes as the examiner reacts with surprise. Someone exclaims "OH."

Killua dashes forward with a sharp "SHUU". Narration explains his deadly technique: at his age he knows the rotating bodies technique used in critical situations to create retinal afterimages, a high-level attack also called the "Technique of the Dark Step" due to its total absence of noise. The old examiner lunges with an "OOPS" as Killua closes in. A sharp "SHAT" rings out amid motion lines. In the wide panel below, the examiner and Killua tumble across the floor in a scramble; the examiner reaches for the ball while Killua twists away. Scattered figures react with "HE HEH" and "HOP" as the ball bounces free.

Killua's eyes narrow as he thinks, "IF IT'S LIKE THAT..." The examiner moves with surprising speed. Killua mutters "DAMN..." while thinking "HE'S SUPER FAST. HE'S NO ORDINARY OLD MAN..." The examiner's leg snaps out with a "SHUT" as Killua tries to stop the movement. A massive impact panel shows the examiner delivering a rotating tackle that sends the ball flying; the strike lands with a heavy "BLAM" and dramatic speed lines. Close-ups capture Killua's strained expression, the examiner's focused face, and Gon's shocked reaction. Gon shouts, "A ROTATING TACKLE! HE BROKE HIS..." The examiner cries out "AIIE !!" as the clash resolves.

Gon charges forward and delivers a powerful kick to Netero's leg. The impact is solid. "HIS LEG IS AS HARD AS A ROCK!" someone exclaims. Netero stands with arms crossed, smiling, and remarks, "WELL, WELL! HE DIDN'T HOLD BACK!" A voice adds, "A NORMAL PERSON WOULD HAVE HIS TIBIA IN BITS AND PIECES..." Gon grins excitedly, shouting, "AL-RIGHT!! MY TURN!" He leaps into action as Netero balances on one foot. In a dramatic close-up, Gon rushes ahead with fierce determination, yelling "GO!" while motion lines emphasize his speed. The strike connects with a sharp "SHAT" sound. Netero is sent flying backward from the force, reacting with surprise. "IT MUST HAVE BEEN 10 YRS SINCE SOMEBODY'S ATTACKED ME FRONTALLY LIKE THAT..." he thinks. In the background, a long-haired girl watches and says, "BUT I TOOK A GOOD RUN UP ...!" Netero lands and comments on the young ones as Gon stands ready.

Gon sits on the floor, pumping his fist and cheering, "ON! ON! ON!" as he taps the ground. Killua watches nearby. Netero comments, "WELL, YOU CAN JUMP REALLY HIGH, BUT..." Gon leaps high again with a "BANG!!" Netero dodges the attack. Gon lands and thinks, "MISSED" while noting, "HE LOOKS NAIVE, BUT... HE'S VERY THOUGHTFUL..." Netero laughs, "HA HA— ESPECIALLY SINCE HE WASN'T FOCUSED!" and reacts with "ABOVE?!" as Gon appears overhead. In the final panels, Gon and Killua are shown resting with "ZZZ ZZZ" sound effects. Netero observes them closely, thinking, "THEY'RE SLEEPING! I HAVE A FEELING THAT I WON'T BE BORED, AT LONG LAST."