Leorio looked puzzled and surprised, feeling that he had learned a lot.
"The world is full of wonders. If I get my Hunter License, can I create a ninja Hunter?"
A certain talkative, bald-headed candidate rested his chin in his hand, lost in thought.
"Papa papa~"
Three soft beeps brought the examinees back to their senses, and everyone quieted down.
"Next, I'll explain the rules."
Menchi clapped his hands and, after ensuring everyone was focused, began speaking slowly.
"In the second phase, there are two parts: the first part and the second part. Only those who pass both parts can continue to the next phase."
"First part and second part?"
Gon's trio exchanged uneasy glances and instinctively looked at Ronnel. Seeing his casual posture, they couldn't help but take a deep breath, their faces becoming serious.
They couldn't forget the conversation at the steakhouse where they had asked Ronnel about his experience in the test. The words "part and second part" now made them particularly anxious.
Killua, standing beside them, noticed their intense expressions. Scratching his head, he couldn't help but feel confused by their reactions.
"The phase is simple," Menchi explained. "You just need to make a dish that satisfies us."
Menchi tapped Buhara's large belly as she spoke, and the latter grinned, his appetite already apparent.
"First, the candidates will prepare a dish that I select," Buhara said.
"Those who pass Buhara's part will be allowed to cook the dish I choose next," Menchi added. "Both of us must find the dish delicious for you to pass the second test."
"And by the time the phase is over, we'll have eaten our fill!" Buhara declared with a hearty laugh.
Many candidates groaned in frustration. Cooking was subjective; what tasted good to one might not appeal to another. How could they be expected to succeed on something so reliant on personal taste?
"Cooking…" Gon muttered as he counted on his fingers.
"Regular omelette, special omelette… I think I'm the only one who can make an omelet."
Killua joined in, looking at Gon's fingers.
His sharp fingers were perfect for anatomy and combat, but when it came to cooking… not so much.
"Forget it," Killua said, shoving his hands back into his pockets with a blank expression.
"By the way, Ronnel, you've already taken the Hunter Exam before. It can't just be about cooking, right?" Leorio suddenly asked, hopeful.
"Gourmet Hunters pursue rare ingredients and gourmet dishes across the world, always striving to create more advanced delicacies. They're obsessed with ingredients. My guess is that this part of the exam focuses on food."
Hearing this, the other candidates visibly relaxed. If it was just about hunting food, that was more in line with what they expected from a Hunter.
Menchi and Buhara exchanged glances, their expressions intrigued by Ronnel's insight.
"Alright! My part is to roast a whole pig!" Buhara said eagerly, his rumbling stomach giving away his excitement.
"A roast pig?"
"Yes, it's my favorite! And there's only one kind of pig in this forest—the Great Stamp, known for being the most ferocious wild boar in the world."
"Great Stamp Pig?!"
Just as the examinees processed the name, the ground began to tremble violently.
"Is that an earthquake?" Leorio yelled, immediately stepping back. Many other candidates followed suit, realizing the danger.
Only Ronnel stood his ground, calm as ever, while a few slower candidates wore confused expressions.
"Boom!"
The ground trembled more violently, and in the distance, a group of enormous wild boars with long, thick snouts charged toward them. In a matter of moments, they reached the factory.
The unlucky candidates who hadn't moved quickly enough were sent flying by the rampaging boars, their bodies flung high into the air before crashing down.
The remaining candidates were paralyzed with fear, the sheer force of the Great Stamp Pigs overwhelming them.
But Ronnel remained in front of the oncoming horde, undeterred. Bloodthirsty light filled the boars' eyes as they prepared to crush him beneath their weight.
However—
"A group of pigs is still just a group of pigs."
Whoosh!
A soft sound broke the tension. Menchi and Buhara's eyes instantly sharpened as a small, round object shot towards the lead pig's most prized weapon—its steel-hard nose.
In an instant, under the shocked gazes of the examinees, the Great Stamp's seemingly indestructible nose shattered into pieces like brittle paper. The small object continued its trajectory, piercing straight through the pig's forehead and body.
The once-ferocious boar's eyes rolled back, and it collapsed to the ground with a resounding thud, completely defeated.
The candidates could only stare in disbelief.
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