"Hoho…"
On the sofa, Netero chuckled after receiving the report.
The report detailed Law's specific actions during the first phase of the exam. This type of report itself would not be related to the examinees, but Law's behavior of saving people set a precedent.
It was because of Law's act of saving people that the casualty rate of examinees in the first test to be reduced to zero, thereby increasing the success rate of passing the first test.
According to the test rules set by Dafifi, anyone who successfully reached the summit would pass.
"No records on him..."
Netero's smile faded, replaced by a pensive expression.
From the information provided by Beans, the candidate's name was Law, but beyond that, there was nothing about him. No background, no history.
This lack of information pointed to only one possibility: Law likely came from a place where records were deliberately erased.
Of course, using the Hunter Association's intelligence network, they can still find out what Law has been doing during this period, whether it is the matter of Spice City or the matter at the slums...
'What a fascinating young man. It'd be a shame not to meet him.'
Netero mused silently, 'With 575 examinees passing the first test, the exam would likely last six rounds. And given his capabilities, reaching the final round shouldn't be an issue.'
'Judging from the time, it will take at least half a month for the exam to be completed, so I should have enough time to pay a visit.'
'It has been five years in a row that no newcomer has passed the Hunter Exam, but it looks like there will be one this year.'
Netero rested his chin on his hand and stared quietly at the blue sky and white clouds outside the window, with a thoughtful look on his face.
"Law, huh?"
Beans glanced discreetly at Netero, 'This examinee named Law seemed to have aroused Chairman's interest. He even asked me to look up some information specifically, which rarely happen.'
Because of Netero's special care for Law, Beans also made a mental note of Law's name.
…
The Hunter Association's exclusive airship landed on Red Pudding Mountain.
The examiner in charge of the second test was a middle-aged man wearing a tattered straw hat. He had thick eyebrows, eyes like copper bells, and a beard so thick it resembled a thicket. His name was Tansen.
Upon seeing the number of candidates at the summit, Tansen was dumbfounded and secretly cast an inquiring look at Dafifi, who could only shrug helplessly.
It is a normal standard to reduce the number of examinees to less than 300 in the first test. If the examiner has a strange personality, it wasn't uncommon to reduce the number to single digits in the first test.
Tansen didn't immediately bring all the candidates aboard the airship. Instead, he observed the crowd and noticed that nearly everyone's eyes were focused on a black-haired boy, who is clearly the center of attention.
Tansen had many questions for Dafifi, but it is not suitable to ask questions at this time, and the most urgent task is to eliminate half of the examinees again, as there are only 300 sets of props prepared for the second test.
Clap, clap!
Tansen clapped his hands, causing the candidates to turn their eyes to him.
After everyone looked over, Tansen said calmly, "Hello, everyone. I'm Tansen, the examiner for the second test. First of all, congratulations on passing the first test. Now, we'll proceed immediately to the second test. The test is… wrestling!"
"Wrestling?"
The examinees looked at Tansen with a mixture of confusion and surprise.
They hadn't expected the second phase to begin so soon after the first, leaving those still recovering physically feeling apprehensive.
Seeing that Tansen was about to start the second test on the spot, Dafifi said nothing and just stood aside and watched quietly.
He was the examiner of the first test. Since the first test had ended, the subsequent tests had nothing to do with him. No matter how Tansen formulated the test's rules, Dafifi had no right to interfere.
Tansen stepped onto an open area and used his foot to draw a two-meter-diameter circle. Then, he pointed at the circle and said calmly: "As you can see, this circle is the testing ground. Two examinees will compete in this circle. Pushing your opponent out of the circle is the key to passing the second test."
At this point, Tansen raised a finger and continued, "Rule 1, you cannot kill anyone. Anyone who violates this rule will be disqualified directly."
He then raised his second finger, "Rule 2, the time limit for each match is 10 seconds. If no winner is decided within that time, both examinees will be disqualified."
He raised his third finger, "Rule 3, you may use any means necessary."
He finally raised his fourth finger, "Rule 4, the matches will be arranged by pairing the first candidate to reach the summit with the last, the second with the second-to-last, and so on."
"These are the rules and contents of the second test. Got it??"
Tansen pressed his thumb against his palm, extending four fingers as he surveyed the gathered examinees.
"I have an objection!"
At this time, one of the examinees raised his hand and said.
Tansen looked at the candidate and said calmly, "Let's hear it."
"The matchup arrangement is unfair. Those who reached the summit first had plenty of time to recover their strength, but those of us who arrived later are still exhausted. It would be fairer to pair the first with the second, the third with the fourth, and so on!"
The candidate who spoke was among the last to reach the summit. When he spoke, he looked tired, and his limbs were trembling with fatigue. He had not fully recovered yet, so if he were forced to compete now, he'd rather forfeit altogether.
Hearing the opinion raised by this examinee, Tansen showed a hint of disdain. Before he could say anything, other examinees also shouted that the pairing arrangement was unfair.
Judging from the rules for arranging the opponents, the examinees who reach the summit later are at an absolute disadvantage. In addition, there is a time limit of only ten seconds for a match, which means they won't be able to rest for long.
"Indeed, judging from the rules, it is very unfair to the examinees who reach the top later, but...isn't the first and last candidates to reach the summit a direct reflection of the difference in ability?"
Dafifi looked at the group of very agitated examinees, who were basically the last group to reach the summit, and had rested for less than an hour.
"You guys sure have a lot of opinions..." Tansen smiled disdainfully and said coldly: "Why can others reach the summit first, but you can't? This is the rule, the capable ones take precedence."
The objecting candidates were left speechless by this. Being first to the summit demonstrated ability, and falling behind only revealed their lack of it.
"The second test begins now. The first and last examinees, step forward." Tansen said expressionlessly, then glanced at Dafifi, who smiled bitterly.
This is to ask him to identify the order to prevent any examinees from trying to take advantage of the situation.
The first to reach the summit was a burly man with a buzz cut and well-defined features.
Being the first to reach the summit indirectly shows that this person is quite capable. In fact, this man can use Nen, but judging from the stability of his Ten, his strength is not very high.
The last person to reach the summit was Law.
The two stepped forward and stood before Tansen.
Judging from the physique, the man with a buzz cut is at an absolute advantage, while Law is at an absolute disadvantage.
Tansen didn't care about that and said, "Step into the circle and wait for my signal to start."
The buzz-cut man did not immediately walk into the circle. Instead, he looked at Law and said in a deep voice, "I respect you. Even if I lose, I'll accept it. I hope you earn your Hunter license."
The buzz-cut man had witnessed Law saving countless people earlier, which earn his admiration. Based on their relative strengths, he doubted he could defeat Law.
However, even if the chances of winning are slim, the buzz-cut man doesn't want to give up without even trying.
The rules of the second test do give an absolute advantage to the person who reaches the summit first, but since the last person to reach the summit is Law, then this rule is simply a nightmare for the buzz-cut man, who reached the summit first.
"Uh…"
When he heard the words of the buzz-cut man, Law, who was already in the circle, scratched his cheek, not knowing how to respond.
Tansen looked at this scene with a hint of doubt in his eyes, while Dafifi sighed sympathetically at the buzz-cut man. The rules were in his favor, yet fate had paired him with Law.
The surrounding examinees held their breath as they watched the first match unfold. Among the more than 500 people, most had been saved by Law, so they all hoped that Law could win.
"Aren't you coming in yet?" Law asked the buzz-cut man standing outside the circle.
The buzz-cut man didn't say anything. He walked into the circle silently, looked at Law with a serious expression, and assumed a ready stance.
After seeing the two people in position, Tansen immediately shouted: "Begin."
The moment the words left his mouth, the buzz-cut man prepared to move, but he saw Law take a step back and walk out of the circle on his own initiative, stunning him.
Not only was the buzz-cut man, but all the examinees watching the match, including Dafifi, were dumbfounded.
"Examiner, stepping out of the circle means a loss, right?" Law looked at Tansen and asked seriously.
Most of the examinees present had been rescued by him, and saving them again would not add any pages to the book, so there was no need for Law to continue joining the exam. Moreover, only by quitting the test could he look for the B-level ingredients in Amaromi Forest.
Tansen was a little surprised, but he still nodded and announced: "Yes. Examinee #217 wins."
The corners of Dafifi's mouth kept twitching. At this time, he wanted nothing more than to grab Law by the collar and demand to know what he was thinking