I'm on a ship, looking at the island that has shrunk to a dot. As I swim in the philosophical sea of my thoughts, I realize I'm not alone. On the ship besides me is only its captain, who steers it with some kind of nen power. The differences in this dark world seem to intensify as I progress through it.

"So you're headed to the Hunter exam?" the ship's captain interrupts my reverie.

"Yes," I replied.

He's an NPC, how dull they are. I wonder if I'll encounter a player before the exam.

"Do you know where the exam takes place?" the captain asks.

Startled, I rose from my seat on the wooden ship floor. "Damn, I forgot! This is the part I always hated – searching for the darn exam location. Blast it!"

"Apologies," the captain says. "Have you ever attempted the exam before? How old are you, if you don't mind me asking?"

"I took a similar test just to prepare for this one," I answer.

"Ah, I see. Then what's your name? My apologies for neglecting to ask earlier. I'm Captain Dearmy."

Why is he so apologetic? Regardless, I'll use my nickname as a good luck charm, a symbol that I won't meet my demise here.

"My name is Kali, but they call me Cal."

"Kali? Isn't that a female name, associated with the goddess of war and blood? Please correct me if I'm wrong."

His words hit me like a mind-numbing storm. "Really?" English isn't my first language, and names don't change with auto-translation. Damn it.

I adopted this name, Kali, after a friend suggested it in a previous virtual world. Now I understand why he was laughing! Kali, how could I not have realized it was a female name? Virtual reality seems to be messing with my brain.

Scratching my head and forcing a laugh, I said, "Just messing with you, Captain. You're sharp. My real name is Carl, but everyone calls me Cal."

The captain remained stoic. "It's not a good idea to joke about such things. Don't repeat it." With that, he walked away.

What? Names? Is he seriously mad? Did I just get threatened by an NPC over a silly name, before the exam even begins? Sighing, I shook my head in disbelief.

***

The ship docked in the same city I encountered in the legal world and the original story. With a sigh, I disembarked, cast a glance back at the departing ship, and noticed the captain made no attempt to send me off with a farewell or good luck wish.

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I stood for a moment, taking in my surroundings, and a wave of indecision washed over me. Should I follow the same path as the original story, or forge my own?

"Hey there, are you a player?"

I turned to see a tall, young man with long hair. He sported sunglasses and an open shirt that revealed his toned abs.

"Yes. What can I do for you?" I replied coolly.

"Presumably, you're also headed to the exam. Interested in being friends?" He extended his hand for a handshake.

A handshake in this world signified accepting a friend request, so I reciprocated without overthinking it. "Cal," I said simply.

"Daru, nice to meet you. Do you know where the exam is being held? My chat with my captain revealed it's not in the same location as the original world." He spoke rapidly.

"Really?" I averted my gaze. "Things didn't go smoothly with mine either."

"Mine went well, actually. I know where the test is."

We both turned toward the source of the voice and saw a young man of average height with black hair and Korean features. He had his arm around the neck of a middle-aged man with a long beard, dressed in the same uniform as my captain.

"Isn't that right, Captain?" the young man addressed the bearded man.

"Indeed, son," the captain replied, reaching out to place a hand on the young man's shoulder.

My jaw dropped in astonishment. Daru, who had been standing beside me moments ago, was now approaching the young man, hand outstretched in greeting.

"Nice to meet you," Daru said enthusiastically, "I'm Daru."

The young man smiled and accepted the handshake. "Likewise. You can call me Zoro."

"Great, another One Piece player," I muttered under my breath. Why did I always seem to encounter them in these virtual realities?

Stepping forward, I offered my hand to Zoro. "Cal," I said. "Pleasure to meet you."

***

"So the exam starts in the basement here?" Daru inquired.

"Apparently," Zoro replied between bites of his food.

"I still can't believe you got the information out of your captain," I said. I recounted my conversation with my captain, and both Zoro and Daru burst into laughter.

"While I wouldn't say I lucked out with mine, you definitely got the short end of the stick," Zoro said with a grin.

"Agreed," Daru chimed in, raising his glass of beer in a nod.

As the three of us had officially become friends, a notification popped up indicating the formation of our group.

One of the perks of the group was the ability to communicate freely within it, unheard by any other players who might be in the restaurant.

After checking the system screen, I learned that the maximum group size was the usual four. "Looks like a three-person team is ideal for us," Daru said.

"Agreed, less complication the better," Zoro replied.

"So, Zoro," I began, "what's the story behind your name? Are you a One Piece player by any chance?"

"I am Zoro in the world of One Piece,"

My jaw hit the floor in surprise, not for the first time that day.

"Well met, master!" Daru exclaimed, rising from his seat and extending a hand to Zoro in a bow.

Zoro chuckled and returned the handshake with a friendly pat.

"Can't believe I'm sharing a meal with a master swordsman," I said, taking a swig of my beer to compose myself.

"Why are you even here? You could sell your character for a fortune – over $10 billion e-Dollars!" Daru exclaimed.

Zoro's expression darkened. "Sell out? Never. I wish money was my motive. I'm a goddamn addict."

I met his gaze for a moment before responding, "Me too, buddy." I raised my beer glass in a toast.

"Me?, I am Not just an addict," Daru chimed in, raising his glass as well, "I am a broke-ass one."

We shared a laugh, clinked glasses, and finished our drinks, preparing to head toward the exam.

***

The waiter led us to a concealed elevator within the restaurant. The elevator lacked buttons or any kind of display.

"No way to tell which floor we're headed to," I remarked.

"Given the building's height, we're most likely descending," Daru deduced.

"Perhaps..." Zoro began, but before he could finish, the elevator doors slid open with a dramatic flourish, revealing a diverse group of people staring at us. We had arrived in a different-looking tunnel compared to the original world, lined with several elevator doors.

"Another race?" I grumbled.

***

We stood shoulder-to-shoulder as a team, waiting amidst the throngs of people. Elevator doors periodically hissed open, disgorging individuals into the waiting area.

Lone players, upon noticing our group, approached with hopes of joining us. The "friendship contract" may have discouraged betrayal, but adding a wildcard could be deadly. With that in mind, Zoro and I politely declined every request.

After a tense wait, the ground rumbled with a tremor akin to an earthquake. A sound echoed from within the tunnel, growing louder by the second. The crowd collectively flinched backward, some brandishing swords, daggers, or even firearms.

"What's happening?" I stammered, my bravado momentarily faltering.

Zoro and Daru, however, remained unfazed, a hint of amusement playing on their lips. "The test has begun," Zoro declared.

I cautiously peered forward, a giant serpent, its girth rivaling the tunnel's width, coiled menacingly before the exit. Its thick tongue flickered, sending gusts of wind whipping through the crowd.

As the colossal creature unhinged its jaw, a figure emerged, standing atop its tongue. He wore a black suit adorned with snakeskin details, a smaller serpent draped like a scarf around his neck. Atop his head rested a classic black hat emblazoned with the HxH symbol.

"Welcome to HxH Dark," the imposing figure boomed.