Leo withdrew his fist, put his hands back into his pockets, and walked over unhurriedly.
He squatted down and reached out to pat Uvogin's face.
"Hey, wake up."
Slap. Slap.
Uvogin's eyelids flickered, and he slowly opened his eyes.
He saw Leo's face, the fallen trees around him, and his own body slumped on the ground, and then—
Memories came flooding back like a tide.
His eyes widened suddenly, and he struggled to sit up, but his body wouldn't obey.
He just stared straight at Leo, his eyes full of disbelief.
He had Cultivated for so long, and yet... he couldn't even take a single punch?
"Awake?"
Leo stood up and looked down at him.
"Get up."
Uvogin gritted his teeth and slowly propped up his body.
His arms were still shaking, and his chest throbbed with pain, but his pride hurt even more.
He remained silent, not knowing what to say.
Leo wasn't in a hurry either, just standing by and waiting.
Ten-odd seconds later, Uvogin looked up at Leo.
There was no more Battle Intent or confidence in his eyes, only a complex light.
"According to the agreement."
Leo said.
"You will join my team and follow my orders. Any problems?"
Uvogin fell silent.
He thought of his confidence just now, of Leo's nonchalant punch, and of the blankness he felt the moment he fell.
Lost.
Completely lost.
But he, Uvogin, was never a sore loser.
"I accept the loss."
Uvogin took a deep breath, looked Leo straight in the eye, and said word for word.
"I will join your team and follow your orders."
Leo broke into a smile.
There was no mockery in that smile, only satisfaction.
"A wise move."
He said.
"You won't regret this decision."
Uvogin nodded without speaking.
"From today on, you will follow me to Cultivate."
Leo turned and walked toward the camp.
"I'll teach you the basics of Nen. Fumbling around on your own is a waste of your talent."
Uvogin was stunned for a moment, then quickly caught up.
"Okay."
He said, paused, and then added.
"As long as you can guide me to become stronger, I have no problem taking you as my master."
Leo didn't look back, just waved his hand.
"We'll talk about the master-disciple thing later. First, let's correct those messy basics of yours."
A new light ignited in Uvogin's eyes.
It was the light of hope.
Three months later.
Deep within the Thousand Needle Forest Valley, there was a fairly well-organized camp.
A bonfire blazed, its orange-red flames licking the night.
Several large pieces of meat were roasting over the fire, grease dripping into the flames with a sizzling sound, filling the air with fragrance.
Leo and Uvogin sat by the bonfire, each holding a large piece of roasted meat and tearing into it.
In three months, Uvogin had completely changed.
Not just in appearance—his originally somewhat thin frame had become sturdier, his muscle lines clear and powerful, and his gaze steadier and sharper—but more importantly, on the inside.
His understanding of Nen had improved from that of a layman who only knew "Ten" and "Ren" to a level where he had systematically mastered the Four Great Principles and many Advanced application techniques.
Leo had explained the principles and Advanced applications of "Ten", "Zetsu", "Ren", and "Hatsu" in detail and guided him through practice.
His exclusive ability was also successfully developed; it was no longer the talent-wasting "Double" from the original story, but a pure and powerful ability truly suited for an Enhancer.
"Uvogin."
Leo took a bite of roasted meat and said indistinctly.
"You've learned enough. I've taught you everything I can; the rest depends on your own efforts."
Uvogin put down the roasted meat, turned around, and looked at Leo solemnly.
Then, he stood up and bowed deeply.
"Master Leo."
His voice was low and sincere.
"Thank you for your guidance during this time. I, Uvogin, will never forget this kindness."
Leo waved his hand.
"It's because you have good talent; otherwise, I wouldn't have been interested in guiding you."
He paused and pointed to the spot across the bonfire.
"Sit down."
Uvogin sat down again.
"This place can no longer improve your strength," Leo said.
"You can go back to Heavens Arena. The contestants there are enough for you to fight for a while."
Uvogin nodded. "I was planning to do just that."
A light flashed in his eyes, containing Battle Intent, expectation, and a trace of long-suppressed hatred.
"I want to avenge that punch."
Leo looked at him, the corners of his mouth turning up slightly.
Revenge for that punch.
That punch was a "gift" Hisoka had given him on the stage of Heavens Arena.
"By the way."
Leo suddenly remembered something.
"There's someone named Nico at Heavens Arena; he's Sophia's disciple and also a member of our team. After you go back, you can Cultivate with him and help me check his strength while you're at it. I'm going to stay here and continue Cultivating."
Uvogin nodded: "Understood."
Leo then introduced the other members of the team to him—Sophia, his disciple, a One-Star Hunter.
Shizuku, the quietest but highly capable partner in the team.
He also told him that his School was called the Shingen-ryu, and Biscuit was his master, a Shingen-ryu Grandmaster and a Two-Star Hunter.
Uvogin carefully noted down every name and characteristic.
The next morning.
Uvogin packed his simple luggage and stood at the edge of the camp, looking at Leo.
"Master Leo, I'm leaving."
Leo nodded: "Go ahead."
Uvogin gave him a deep look, then turned and strode into the dense forest.
His figure quickly disappeared into the mist.
Leo stood in place, watching him leave.
[Rank: 59 (23%)]
After three months of hunting, his Rank had increased from 54 to 59.
The improvement speed wasn't fast, but the advantage was that there were enough wild creatures in this area.
Leo withdrew his gaze and turned back to the camp.
His life returned to a simple routine: hunting creatures during the day to increase his Rank and Cultivating Nen at night.
Another two months passed, and it was now December.
Leo's Rank had reached 63.
In the early morning, Leo was getting up, preparing for a new day of Cultivation.
Suddenly, the phone in his pocket rang.
He took out his phone and glanced at the screen—Machi Komacine.
Leo pressed the answer button.
"Hello, Mr. Machi Komacine."
He smiled.
"Long time no see. Calling me this time, is there another commission you need help with?"
Machi Komacine's hearty laughter came from the other end of the phone.
"Haha, Leo, you make it sound like every time I look for you, it's to make you work."
Leo also laughed: "Isn't it?"
"Actually, not this time."
Machi Komacine paused, his tone becoming a bit more serious.
"Leo, I want to invite you to serve as an examiner for next year's Hunter Exam. I wonder if you're interested?"
Leo raised an eyebrow.
An examiner for the Hunter Exam?
He quickly recalled the timeline—it was now December 1998, and the Hunter Exam in January 1999 was exactly the one Gon, Killua, Kurapika, and Leorio would participate in.
The examiners for that term, Menchi, Bucidola, Lippo... each had a lot of personality.
If he joined in...
"Why look for me?" Leo asked.
Machi Komacine answered directly.
"Because your strength is outstanding, and you're qualified to be an examiner. Moreover, you were promoted to two-star less than three years after becoming a Hunter; that resume is dazzling enough. So, are you willing to take this commission?"
Leo thought for a few seconds.
Being a Hunter Exam examiner would indeed be an interesting experience.
And being able to see the four protagonists of the hunter world would make the trip worthwhile.
"No problem."
He said.
"I I agreed.."
"Great!"
Machi Komacine's voice sounded satisfied.
"Satotz will contact you later for the specific process. You can freely choose which phase of the exam you'll examine and the location of the exam site."
"Okay."
"Then I won't disturb you. Goodbye!"
"Goodbye, Mr. Machi Komacine."
After hanging up, Leo looked at his phone screen, the corners of his mouth turning up slightly.
A Hunter Exam examiner...
Just as he put his phone back in his pocket, it rang again.
This time it was Satotz.
"Hello, Mr. Leo!"
Satotz's voice came through the receiver, gentle and polite.
"I am Satotz from the Association. Regarding your appointment as an examiner for next year's Hunter Exam, I need to confirm some details with you."
Leo gave an affirmative sound.
"Go ahead."
"You can choose which phase of the exam to examine, and you can also freely choose the exam site. Do you have any thoughts?"
Leo was silent for a few seconds.
Exam site...
Several candidates flashed through his mind, and then the corners of his mouth turned up slightly into a meaningful smile.
"I've made up my mind."
Satotz waited for him to continue.
Then, Leo informed Satotz of the exam site and which phase of the exam he would examine.
On the other end of the phone, Satotz was stunned for a moment.
"...There?"
Although Satotz was puzzled, he didn't press further, only responding respectfully.
"Alright, Mr. Leo, it has been recorded."
The call ended.
Leo put away his phone and looked toward the distant horizon.
There, the sun was slowly rising, its golden light bathing the earth.
"It will definitely be interesting."
Leo light said softly and turned back to the camp.
In the forest behind him, the morning mist was dissipating, and a brand-new day had begun.