"For me, it doesn't matter which side we choose."
Leorio: "…Almost forgot, with your strength and tools, neither side poses any difficulty for you."
Such strength indeed made one envious.
"Then why don't we ask the amazing 'Guiding Angel'?"
Feeling a bit dizzy from everyone's analysis, Gon raised his left hand.
"Mr. 'Guiding Angel', which side should we take?"
The new parole reduction rules! Even its level of power is far beyond me! I guarantee a perfect completion!
"Right."
The 'Guiding Angel' also agreed on the right side.
"Hey, hey, hey, why not choose the left side?!"
Leorio kept asking.
But the 'Guiding Angel' only provided the result without giving a reason.
Morin could guess that whether it was the left or the right, both would lead to the five-person arena.
The difference was that the left would have more challenges, while the right would quickly lead to the destination.
After getting no answer, and with Gon, Killua, and Kurapika already choosing the right path, Leorio had no choice but to follow suit.
Looking a bit deflated, he also chose the right side.
Fortunately, Leorio adjusted his mindset quickly.
"Fine, I won't choose anymore. From now on, whatever the 'Guiding Angel' chooses, I'll go with it!"
This way, he didn't have to think too much, and it was undoubtedly the best choice.
"After all, the options given by the 'Guiding Angel' are always in our best interest."
Thinking this way, Leorio's mood improved significantly.
These constant choices were meant to stir dissatisfaction and conflict among the examinees, thus disrupting the unity and teamwork among the group of five, causing the team to fall apart.
However, with the presence of the 'Guiding Angel', such conflicts were unlikely to arise.
Lippo also noticed the angel doll in Gon's hand.
"This doll must be the so-called 'tool' that Satotz mentioned, right?"
"Being able to determine the best path as the right side, it seems its function is related to choices, huh?"
"With such a tool, it can greatly reduce problems within the team."
"Just wonder what the other tools are like?"
Lippo munched on a shark cookie, observing the developments behind.
"Director Lippo, some examinees are approaching, could you help me remove the handcuffs?"
At this moment, Lippo, who had adjusted the screen to focus on Morin's team, heard a voice from the receiver beside him. On the screen, five prisoners in blue prison uniforms with handcuffs appeared.
One of them stood at the front, raising his wrists towards the surveillance camera.
"No problem… Oh, right!"
Lippo paused his actions on the computer, thought for a moment, and a slight smile appeared at the corner of his mouth:
"Do you remember the original parole reduction rules I set for you?"
"The original parole reduction rules…"
The lead prisoner was somewhat confused by Lippo's question but answered honestly:
"The rule was that for every hour we shorten for the examinees, we get one year off our sentence."
"It's changed now!"
Lippo crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair.
"Among the five examinees you're about to face, there's one who is extremely formidable."
"So formidable that even I am far inferior."
For Director Lippo to admit he's inferior, and far inferior at that…
Hearing this, the five prisoners all shuddered.
Having been incarcerated here for so long, they were well aware of Lippo's methods and strength.
But if even Lippo admitted he was no match, then the opponent must be someone they couldn't afford to provoke.
The five, who had been brimming with confidence, suddenly felt apprehensive.
"Alright, I'm telling you this in advance so you can be mentally prepared and not underestimate your opponent," Lippo continued.
Not underestimate… can we not go then?
The five muttered to themselves, instinctively feeling daunted.
Getting a parole reduction would be ideal, but if it meant risking their lives…
Well, even if it's nearly a life sentence, better to live miserably than die.
"Of course, although only one of the five is really formidable, the risk isn't small."
Lippo clearly saw the retreating emotions in the silent group and couldn't help but smile again.
---
"So, I plan to establish a special parole reduction rule for you five!"
Lippo extended a hand towards the screen:
"Five years! As long as you can stall those examinees for one hour, I'll reduce your sentence by five years!"
"A five-to-one reduction ratio is laid out here. This is the maximum I can offer; it's up to you whether you want to accept it." After saying this, Lippo crossed his legs and took a swig from his soda.
"Are you serious?!"
Upon hearing this new parole reduction ratio, all the prisoners were initially stunned, then instantly excited. The lead prisoner even stammered as he asked again.
"You know, I never lie."
Lippo took a sip of his cola and replied.
"If you can keep those examinees trapped here for seventy-two hours, then after the test, you can all be released tomorrow."
"Alright!"
The lead prisoner nodded vigorously, having received a positive response.
"We guarantee to complete this task perfectly!"
The other four prisoners echoed their agreement.
Originally, under the rule of one hour equaling one year of parole reduction, even if they exhausted all the examinees' time, it would only reduce their sentence by seventy-two years.
It's important to note that the prisoners in this trap tower were sentenced to a minimum of one hundred and twenty years.
This was practically equivalent to a life sentence.
Even with a seventy-two-year reduction, they would still have eighteen years remaining.
The youngest among them might be in their twenties, and forty-eight years later, they'd be nearly seventy.
At that age, even if they were released, their lives would essentially be over.
And for those older, there was even less hope.
So, while they had the goal of parole reduction, it wasn't a strong desire, just a small luxury.
But now?
Lippo personally confirmed that shortening one hour equaled a five-year reduction!
Exhausting the time would mean immediate release the next day!!
This gave the prisoners a glimmer of hope for freedom once more.
And the possibility seemed particularly high!!
This made them resolute!
They decided to give it their all, even risking their lives, to stall these five examinees and exhaust the time!!
"Hehehe?"
Seeing the prisoners' newfound determination, Lippo chuckled as he munched on a crispy snack.
"Now this is interesting. Otherwise, if it were dull and predictable, it would be too boring."
"For that tool master, these prisoners are no challenge."
"But what about the other four members of your group?"
"If they fall to these prisoners and cause you to be delayed, what will you do then?
"I'm really curious, eager to know the answer!!"
"Hehehe…"
Lippo's fox-like eyes narrowed, his smile growing wider.
Since they were determined to stall the opponents, they had to consider the overall situation.
The prisoners began strategizing, racking their brains to devise a plan.
Among the five, the one stronger than Director Lippo was considered a guaranteed loss.
Facing someone of that caliber was beyond their imagination.
Whoever encountered that individual could only consider themselves unlucky.
If they could surrender quickly, they should do so, otherwise, there'd be no reasoning if they died.
As they recalibrated their approach to secure four victories, or even three, time slowly passed.
All the examinees were in position, finding the right path and descending from the top to face challenges.
Tonpa also found a secret passage, starting his solo route. Meanwhile, Morin and his group soon arrived at the arena.
"This is…"
Leorio surveyed the area.
The bright torches illuminated the surroundings, allowing everyone to clearly see the scene before them.
There were two sides of the cliff, with a distance of several dozen meters between them.
In the middle, there was a large, solitary square platform, resembling an arena.