TX-3, a specialized explosive, resembles a small, dark rectangular box in appearance.
It possesses excellent stability, remaining inert under ordinary impact and typically requiring a secondary detonator to trigger.
Simultaneously, it is highly discreet and easy to carry, yet its explosive yield is terrifying.
Due to these advantages, it was once utilized by certain terrorists for strikes that resulted in several horrific large-scale casualty events, leading to its classification as a prohibited item eight years ago.
However, the world never lacks those willing to take risks.
As long as there is profit to be made, there are plenty of people who would do work that could cost them their heads.
Contraband items vary in grade.
Something like the TX-3 is relatively less difficult to obtain—at least significantly easier than the “Poor Man’s Rose.” Thus, with Capone clearing the way with cold hard cash, they finally managed to secure one.
It was also thanks to the treasures Lynn had brought back from the Ice Labyrinth, which sold for over a billion Jenni; otherwise, he wouldn’t have been able to get his hands on it.
Lynn carefully picked up this unremarkable-looking bomb, feeling a sense of inward lament.
It was such a tiny device, yet it could easily level a building.
Under the continuous development of countless humans, the power brought by “technology” was undoubtedly staggering.
Compared to Nen abilities, technology was the true crystallization of humanity’s collective wisdom.
It was likely for this reason that Togashi arranged the plot where Netero ultimately used the “Poor Man’s Rose” to kill the Chimera Ant King.
As Netero said before his death, the Ant King underestimated the “bottomless malice” of humanity and underestimated humanity’s true strength.
The “Poor Man’s Rose” was likewise a prohibited item, serving as an ultimate evolution of the TX-3.
It possessed not only the destructive force of a nuclear blast but also an extreme toxin.
Meruem was first blasted to the brink of death and then reborn through the self-sacrifice of his Royal Guards; he even evolved, becoming more powerful—arguably the strongest single entity on the six continents.
Even so, he was still poisoned to death by the gas released after the Rose’s explosion.
After returning to Yorknew, Lynn had experimented with the “Clone Puppet” and derived several key points.
First, there was no distance limit for controlling the clone.
Regardless of how far away it was, it could be manipulated without delay, but it was heavily dependent on the original body’s control.
Second, the clone only replicated simple items like the original’s clothing.
Items like the bracelet embedded with the “Cruz Orb” on his wrist could not be duplicated.
Third, the clone would collapse on its own once damaged to a certain degree—roughly equivalent to losing an arm or sustaining massive torso injuries.
Fourth, the clone shared the original body’s abilities, but this did not include special abilities involving blood, such as the “Substitute Strawman.”
After a comprehensive evaluation, the idea of using the Clone Puppet to participate in the Hunter Exam was born, ensuring the safety of his original body.
Merely participating in the Hunter Exam wasn’t enough; assuming he was actually targeted by Hisoka, he would gain nothing other than losing an item.
If that were the case, he might as well not take the exam.
Thinking back to the plot of the original work, he decided to have the Clone Puppet carry a bomb.
Ordinary bombs wouldn’t suffice; it had to be strong enough!
Otherwise, he wouldn’t achieve the goal of defeating Hisoka.
He wanted to use this opportunity to obtain the card for defeating Hisoka…
Naturally, his first thought was the “Poor Man’s Rose,” but unfortunately, he was not yet at a level where he could acquire such a thing.
While Netero had access to it, the man was the “World’s Strongest” and the “Chairman of the Hunter Association.” Lynn currently couldn’t compare.
After settling for several lesser alternatives, he finally selected the TX-3.
It was relatively capable of meeting his needs: small size, easy to carry, stable under normal conditions, and high explosive power.
The only regret was that it wasn’t inherently toxic.
It seemed that any portable weapon associated with potent toxins was under extremely high-level lockdown—at least, he couldn’t get one yet.
However, the TX-3 was good enough.
The key would be his management of the battle.
If handled properly, it wasn’t impossible to catch Hisoka off guard.
Defeating him was a possibility, but whether he could truly be killed was hard to say.
After all, the TX-3 was ultimately just a high-yield explosive; its primary advantage was its concealment, which couldn’t compare to the Poor Man’s Rose.
Therefore, he set up two plans.
If Hisoka didn’t move against him, then they would coexist peacefully; he would successfully obtain his Hunter License and then travel around.
If Hisoka really did target him, he would take the gamble and do his best to make this perverted fruit farmer suffer, grabbing the card in the process.
Hisoka…
he wondered what grade of card he would drop?
After deep reflection, Lynn released the Clone Puppet.
A flash of light passed, and a clone appeared that was indistinguishable from him.
Since he was currently B-rank, the clone was also B-rank.
Next, he had to perform a small “surgery” to place the TX-3 inside the clone’s chest.
This was also a result of his deliberation.
Placing it externally carried a risk of detection; inside the body was more suitable.
Historically, those terrorist attacks had also placed bombs inside the human body.
It was also easier to trigger.
Just imagine: Hisoka lands a punch on his chest, only for the bomb to explode instantly.
It would likely leave him completely bewildered.
A moment later, the bomb was placed inside the clone’s body.
From now on, his original body would remain in the villa, dedicating his full concentration to controlling the clone.
This situation was indeed unsuitable for going out.
Here, he had Capone and the others to guard him, ensuring his safety.
It wouldn’t be too late to leave once the Hunter Exam concluded.
It was now December 1997, which was about time for the clone to set off.
Before participating in the official Hunter Exam, there was still the hurdle of finding the venue, which would take some time.
Fortunately, he was in the habit of making dual preparations.
Although he hadn’t planned to take the exam before, he had conveniently registered himself online; now he could participate legitimately.
…
Half a month later.
At the Cruz Snow Mountain, at the ski resort at the base of the back mountain.
The cold wind whistled.
Lynn stood at the entrance of the ski resort, lost in thought.
“This is the location for the first round of this year’s Hunter Exam,” the Kiriko father said in a friendly tone.
“Just go inside.
The password is ‘the snowboard with the black pony pattern’.”
“By the way, my family quite likes you.
If you don’t pass this time, just come find us directly next time, and I’ll take you to the venue.” After speaking, the Kiriko father left with a smile…
he was only joking.
Lynn was a Nen user; how could he possibly fail the exam?
Ever since the clone left Yorknew, Lynn had thought of the Kiriko family from the original story.
They were Navigators employed by the Hunter Association, responsible for delivering candidates who passed their tests to the official venue every year.
Thus, he went directly to them to try his luck.
If that failed, he would have looked for other leads.
Ultimately, he was successfully brought to the exam site by the Kiriko father.
Except…
He truly hadn’t expected it to be such a coincidence that the first round of the exam this year was being held at the Cruz Snow Mountain!
It seemed he really did have a fate with this place.
Shaking his head, Lynn approached the security booth at the entrance.
“The ski resort is closed for business this week.
Tourists, please head back,” the security guard replied without looking up as he sensed someone approaching.
“The snowboard with the black pony pattern,” Lynn said expressionlessly.
He had no idea who had come up with such a strange password.
Upon hearing this, the guard glanced up and immediately changed his tone.
“Go inside, turn left, and go straight to the end.”
Until Lynn’s figure disappeared from sight, the guard didn’t retract his gaze, muttering to himself, “Another Nen user, huh…”