"Hahahaha... Satotz, this Human-Faced Ape really does look like you!" Akira patted Satotz shoulder while doubling over with laughter, teasing him.
He couldn't hold it in any longer—the Human-Faced Ape pretending to be unconscious, even sticking out half its tongue, was just too hilarious.
The likelihood of it naturally growing to look so similar was too low. It seemed the Human-Faced Ape had the ability to alter its appearance to some extent. Most likely, this Human-Faced Ape had deliberately transformed itself to resemble Satotz.
Seeing Akira burst into laughter, Satotz helplessly rubbed his forehead, unsure of what to say. The Human-Faced Ape mimicry skills were truly top-notch.
Honestly, looking at that face that was almost identical to his own, Satotz felt an indescribable sense of unease.
The reactions of the two caught the attention of the imposter examiner, who quickly opened his mouth, seemingly about to say something. But before he could utter a word, two playing cards suddenly shot toward him. In an instant, his eyes rolled back, and he collapsed lifelessly to the ground.
Meanwhile, Satotz calmly caught several playing cards in his hand. The difference in their abilities was immediately clear!
Hisoka leaned back slightly, standing proudly among the crowd, his hands deftly shuffling the deck of cards, producing a crisp, rhythmic sound.
"It seems this one is the real examiner!"
"After all, as an examiner appointed by the Hunter Association, it's unlikely he'd fail to catch a few playing cards." Hisoka narrowed his alluring eyes, speaking with deliberate flair.
Satotz casually tossed the playing cards aside and responded with an unchanged expression.
"I'll take that as a compliment from this examinee, but I must remind you."
"This time, I'll let it slide. But if you pull the same stunt again, I'll consider it an attack on the examiner and disqualify you from the exam."
"Fine, fine." Hisoka put away the shuffled deck, replying with an indifferent expression, his sidelong glance at Akira beside Satotz hinting at unknown thoughts...
Akira suddenly remembered that Satotz warning wasn't misplaced.
If he recalled correctly, Hisoka had attacked an examiner during the previous Hunter Exam. Was it because that examiner had been too arrogant?
As Akira pondered this, another Human-Faced Ape pretending to be unconscious realized the jig was up. Without hesitation, it sprang up like a carp leaping out of water and bolted into the distance.
Within moments, a flock of vultures descended, making the Human-Faced Ape killed by the playing cards their meal for the day.
"Though I understand this is the law of nature, it still feels a bit too cruel..." Leorio wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, staring blankly at the scene and muttering under his breath.
After the lesson of the Human-Faced Ape disguise, the examinees present truly understood why this place was called the "Den of Deceivers."
They all steeled themselves, firmly resolving to stick close to Satotz!
Otherwise, the fate of the Human-Faced Ape would soon be theirs!
After scanning the area, Satotz suddenly took a step forward. "Please follow me closely!"
Seeing the examiner set off, the examinees, regardless of whether they had rested enough, tightened their expressions and gritted their teeth to keep up with Satotz pace.
Rest could come anytime, but losing sight of Satotz would mean only one outcome for the majority of ordinary examinees—death!
Akira, as leisurely as ever, rode his Arcanine alongside Satotz. It seemed that due to Arcanine Intimidate ability, Akira noticed that none of the creatures in the Swindler Swamp dared to approach him.
If not for the cover of the mist, people would have seen the monsters deliberately avoiding Akira and Satotz, who were leading the way.
Instead, they frantically charged toward the unsuspecting examinees on both sides!
Akira and Satotz took advantage of this and raced unimpeded toward the second venue. The others, however, didn't have such a smooth experience...
As the group ventured deeper into the wetlands, the surrounding mist grew denser, and gradually, more and more people fell behind.
"Huh? What's this? How can there be such a huge strawberry?" One examinee exclaimed in surprise as he saw a strawberry fruit swaying in the mist. The strawberry before him was as large as a human head, something the man had never seen before.
Though filled with curiosity, the man still heeded Satotz warning and prepared to steer clear of the mysterious strawberry.
But it was already too late...
Boom! Boom! Boom!
A massive tortoise suddenly burst out from the ground, its long neck stretching out to bite the examinee in one swift motion!
"Ah! Save me!"
A pitiful scream echoed, only to fall silent moments later. Before the surrounding examinees could react, the man had already been swallowed into the turtle's belly.
The Noggin Lugging Tortoise!
Like the Human-Faced Ape, it was a unique species of the Swindler's Swamp.
Its appearance featured a bright red, hard turtle shell with a long neck resembling that of a brachiosaurus. The most distinctive feature was the strawberry trees on its shell, which looked like scarecrows.
The Noggin Lugging Tortoise would bury its body in the ground, leaving only the strawberry trees exposed.
In the thick mist, the strawberry trees swayed in the wind, and without careful observation, one might mistake them for people running!
When unsuspecting individuals approached, it would suddenly leap out and swallow them whole!
And this was just one of countless deceptive creatures!