Demons Beneath the Mist

The Misty Wetlands, also known as the Swindlers Swamp. To reach the Second Phase one must cross through its deadly terrain and even more deadly beasts. Of the many beasts that reside in it most, if not all attempt to deceive the participants with their crafty ness. This, of course, is because all living creatures need to eat, and it just so happens that there are very few herbivores that reside in the swamp.

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"All of you, be very careful as you follow me." Said Satotz. "If you are to be fooled, you will die."

As he finished those words the exit of the tunnel shut behind him as one participant was cut off moments before crossing through.

"Every wetland creature in here will use every trick known to man to deceive their prey. Be sure to never be at your wits end and to always be on guard." Satotz continued, ignoring the participant that yelled for help as the gate shut on him. "We will be entering an ecosystem in which creatures obtain food through deceit... Hence the nickname Swindlers Swamp. Follow me closely to ensure that you are not tricked, and to those who can not. Good luck."

"What a joke! How can they expect to fool us when we're prepared?" Asked Leorio.

"W-Well your appearance deceived us into thinking you were a middle aged man." Said Mary.

"Hey! Listen he-" Leorio wanted to lecture Mary, however he was cut off by a loud voice.

"Don't let them fool you!" He shouted.

"Hey! I literally just said they can't." Leorio responded.

"D-Don't fall for it... He's lying to you!" Said the man while pointing to Satotz. "He's an imposter! He isn't the examiner. I'm the real examiner."

"An imposter?" Asked Leorio.

Mary sighed before whispering, "Every wetland creature in here will use every trick known to man to deceive their prey. Don't be fooled Leorio, if he wasn't the examiner there's no way the committee would have had him lead us through what was clearly the exam's tunnel. Plus it's kind of clear that he closed the gate."

As Mary was explaining the man began pulling a creature out. "Look at this..." He said. It was an ape that had the same visage as Satotz.

"Woah! He looks just like Mr. Satotz." Shouted Gon.

Leorio smirked before whispering to Mary, "how about that?"

"W-well I, There's still the fact that he struggled to pull the apes body out. That has to count for something right?" The normally clear headed Mary was beginning to doubt herself as her thoughts ran wildly as a result of her sister's constant voice and friend's questions. She started to wonder if it was better to explain to them, to explain why she is the way she is. However, at the same time that underlying fear that they would no longer accept her prevented her from explaining. It was a struggle just to lie about it or hide the truth, she was positive that Killua at least it Kurapika maybe had already figured out some key details. But maybe, just maybe it was better to wait for it to come out naturally.

"Mary! Mary!" Gon called out.

"Huh!? W-What What!?" Shouted Mary with surprise evident on her face.

"Cmon lets go!" He said.

"B-But what about the examiner?"

"Satotz? He's already gone ahead, with the rest."

"W-when did this happen?" She asked.

"When you were day dreaming, now let's get a move on." Killua explained.

Thus, a dumbfounded Mary and her friends continued onwards, Mary herself being unaware of the fake's death by playing cards.

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"Be sure to follow behind me." Satotz said.

Everyone was tense as they tailed Satotz, "would it be another marathon?" They inwardly thought, though there were some who didn't care regardless as the would not grow tired from a simple run.

Leorio himself voiced his thoughts, "tsk, another marathon!?"

"Plus this is no longer the flat tunnel we ran on before. Because we're running on wet land our energy will drain faster." Said Kurapika.

36, this is the total number of applicants that have dropped out so far. Leaving 369 applicants remaining. Surrounded by the mist of the Swindlers Swam, their are still many more to be forcefully withdrawn.

As the 369 applicants continued, it grew harder and harder to see.

"The fog is getting thicker." Kurapika told Leorio.

Near the back Mary, Gon, and Killua were running in front of Hisoka and a few others.

"Gon, Mary, let's move up front."

"Yeah, we don't want to lose sight of the examiner." said Gon

"I'm more concerned with increasing the distance between us and Hisoka." Killua said. "Staying too close to him is dangerous. I can smell it."

Mary's lips seemed to move unwillingly as they formed a word which caused her hair to change into a deep, yet bright golden color, and her eyes into a shiny, entrancing scarlet.

[ It's been so long, it's so refreshing to finally return once more. My hands are trembling from anticipation, ahhh if only Mary hadn't dulled the wire after Eli's birthday party. It was the only weapon I had left. Now to get rid of any nuisances that remain around me. ] "What's the harm in staying back here? Killua." She laughed, "It's far more interesting back here. How about this? You guys move up ahead and I'll keep tabs on Hisoka's movements, that way we'll know what we're up against." She smiled to Killua in particular.

[ We need to leave now! ] "O-okay, Gon cmon, lets go!" Killua said while grabbing Gon's hand and rushing forward.

"Hey wait! Mary stay safe!" Gon shouted. "Kurapika! Leorio! We're moving up ahead!"

"If I could move up ahead I would have already!" Leorio yelled back.

"Don't worry about us! We still have Mary, we'll catch up with you two eventually!" Kurapika also yelled.

[ If only I didn't have to promise their safety against me in order to come out, only having one prey is a tad boring. Though that's not to say I can't lead them into dangerous situations by accident of course! Now on to continuing my act, it's a shame that little boy didn't give me any real reaction other than a slight stutter. He too must have experience in killing. ] thought Bloody Mary. "Y-yeah don't worry about us and do your best! Killua, Gon!"

"Alright!" Gon yelled.

"H-hey Kurapika! Leorio!" She said with a sing-songy voice. "Wait up! I can still see the examiner. Wait! I can just guide you guys from here!"

Leorio paying no heed to the differences in Mary, mainly because of the mist masking her features, followed her directions. "Got it, thanks!"

[ Somethings different about her, maybe, but she is our friend. She wouldn't harm us. ] thought Kurapika.

She told them to close their eyes to not be deceived by illusions as she led them towards the direction Hisoka and his enemies were going. "D-Don't worry about it guys! I promise we'll get out of here and pass the exam together!" She shouted. "Ignore those screams! That's just the cry of the Sonorous Mockingbird and the voice of the Ruse Raven!" Many applicants around them were being ripped apart as their finals cries of anguish were ignored.

As the number of applicants fell lower and lower the three were finally in a clearing where a lone clown stood, surrounded by many armed men.