Chapter 7: Roast Whole Pig x Fun's About to Begin
Rumble, rumble, rumble
In Biscayne Forest Park, a herd of massive pink creatures was stampeding, and ahead of them were the Hunter candidates, screaming and wailing.
Charging Nose Boars!
These were the only pigs that inhabited Biscayne Park.
They were also the most ferocious pigs in the world, measuring three meters in length and two meters in height, their enormous size giving them incredible strength.
And the name Charging Nose wasn't for nothing.
Their huge noses were as tough as rocks, and combined with their berserk nature, they were a terrifying force.
Not to mention, they liked to hunt in packs, charging together fearlessly like a herd on the savanna.
Many candidates were caught and sent flying by the Charging Nose Boars, trampled mercilessly underfoot.
"Tsk tsk…"
Luo Lin shook his head while standing atop a tree, watching the scene unfold.
He turned his gaze to the other side.
Although Charging Nose Boars liked to hunt in packs, there were still some that, having eaten their fill, wandered leisurely through the forest.
"Found one!"
Luo Lin spotted a lone Charging Nose Boar strolling nearby, with no others around it.
Without hesitation, Luo Lin charged forward, appearing directly above the Charging Nose Boar.
He could even see the shock in the boar's eyes.
But…
Given Luo Lin's speed, the boar had no time to react.
In the next moment, Luo Lin's fist came crashing down on its forehead.
The forehead was the boar's biggest weak spot.
Its giant, rock-hard nose had evolved precisely to protect its vulnerable forehead.
Although…
Luo Lin found this a bit hard to believe, but the facts proved it true—this was how the boars had evolved.
Carrying the fallen Charging Nose Boar, Luo Lin quickly returned to the second test's venue.
At the venue, Menchi and Buhara both looked slightly surprised as Luo Lin arrived.
From the time the candidates had set out until now, it was clear that Luo Lin had wasted no time getting to the boars' habitat and returning immediately.
"The quality of this year's candidates is pretty good," Buhara murmured quietly.
"Hmph, not by much!"
Menchi snorted softly, still displeased with the candidates' earlier attitudes, but she had calmed down a little by now.
After all, as Gourmet Hunters, they were used to being misunderstood and mocked.
Standing before the stove, Luo Lin didn't pay much attention to the two examiners on the stage.
Instead, he studied the Charging Nose Boar in front of him.
He knew, according to the plot, that simply roasting the pig would earn him a pass from Buhara.
But…
Luo Lin couldn't bring himself to just throw the whole pig onto the fire without doing anything.
"I guess I'll clean it up a bit.
There's still time…"
Luo Lin sighed and picked up a kitchen knife.
Although he had never roasted a whole pig—had never even eaten one—he figured the first steps were to drain the blood and remove the organs.
And at this moment, Luo Lin realized just how powerful he had become since leveling up.
Even though he had never butchered an animal before, the slightest feedback from the knife's blade allowed him to instinctively adjust the cutting angle.
While his technique might not have been the most proper or efficient, every cut was certainly the easiest to make.
A mediocre kitchen knife in Luo Lin's hands felt razor-sharp, and in less than five minutes, he had completely gutted the Charging Nose Boar.
As for draining the blood…
Luo Lin didn't really know how to do that, so he just made a few extra cuts and rinsed it thoroughly with water.
Next came the seasoning.
Looking at the well-stocked condiments on the table, Luo Lin followed his instincts.
He added a bit of everything that looked right—salt, soy sauce, chili, green onions, ginger, garlic—and most importantly, cumin.
Grilling without cumin was like the West without Jerusalem.
"Definitely a beginner who's never cooked before! What a letdown…"
On stage, Menchi sighed as she watched Luo Lin's actions.
Meanwhile, Buhara looked regretfully at the discarded boar organs.
Those were meat too!
Five minutes later, Luo Lin finally started the fire and set the pig on the spit to roast.
Even though he had taken ten extra minutes, during which some candidates had already started roasting their pigs, thanks to his earlier lead, most of the other candidates were just now returning with their boars.
Not many candidates were ahead of Luo Lin, so it didn't affect his progress.
However…
Menchi's mood wasn't too great.
It was all about comparison.
Earlier, Menchi had dismissed Luo Lin as a novice not worth expecting much from, but when compared to the candidates who had thrown their pigs directly onto the fire without any preparation…
He was looking like quite the promising cook!
Menchi: Touched.jpg
…
Time passed, minute by minute.
Luo Lin calmly watched the flames in front of him, occasionally turning the spit and brushing on some special sauce, showing no signs of rushing.
Even though candidates who had arrived after him were already presenting their half-cooked pigs and passing the test, Luo Lin remained unhurried.
While taking his time, Luo Lin had been counting how many candidates had passed so far.
He was the 36th, and there was still plenty of room before the limit was reached!
"It's about ready!"
Luo Lin looked at the roasted pig, which seemed to be cooked, and plated it before walking toward Menchi and Buhara.
"Finally, a dish worth looking at!"
Menchi sighed in relief as she eyed the plate in front of her, picking up her knife and fork for the first time to take a bite.
As soon as Menchi tasted it, Buhara grabbed the whole roasted pig with his bare hands, not caring that it had just come off the fire, and demonstrated his three-bite pig-eating technique for Luo Lin.
"Tasty! You pass!"
Buhara declared without hesitation.
"The flavor is so-so, but it's passable,"
Menchi said with a tsundere expression.
"Thank you, examiners!"
Luo Lin left the stage with his now-empty plate.
Honestly, Menchi's evaluation didn't really matter for the first dish.
As long as Buhara gave him a passing grade, that was enough.
But Luo Lin wasn't lacking in strategy.
While Menchi's opinion on the first dish didn't matter, it was still a good opportunity to make a positive impression.
That way, the second dish might be a bit easier!
Although Luo Lin could rely on the storyline to ensure he passed the second test…
He was curious!
After all, in the story, Killua managed to eliminate all the candidates in next year's Hunter Exam, finishing the first stage and earning his license on the spot.
So Luo Lin was curious—if only one person passed the second test, instead of everyone failing, would Netero still intervene?
Heh heh!
Fun's about to begin! Luo Lin is officially in action!