Jack's arrival in HxH world - Chapter 13

Chapter 13: The Gourmet Hunter Exam

The survivors of the Milsy Wetland gathered at the second exam site, their bodies weary but their spirits unbroken. The gate to the site opened precisely at noon, revealing two figures who stood waiting for them. The first was a young woman with striking features and an air of pride that bordered on arrogance. Her name was Menchi, and her sharp eyes scanned the examinees with a mix of curiosity and disdain. Beside her stood a towering man, easily over eight feet tall, with a rotund frame and a kind, almost comical expression. This was Buhara, and his presence was both imposing and reassuring.

Jack’s system immediately identified their levels:

—

Name: Menchi

Level: 54

Affinity: Emission

—

Name: Buhara

Level: 59

Affinity: Enhancement

—

The examinees murmured among themselves, their curiosity piqued. Menchi stepped forward, her voice crisp and commanding. “Welcome to the second phase of the Hunter Exam. I am Menchi, and this is Buhara. We are Gourmet Hunters, and your task will test your skills in the culinary arts.”

The crowd erupted into laughter, their disbelief evident. “Culinary arts? What kind of exam is this?” one examinee scoffed. “We’re here to become Hunters, not chefs!”

Menchi’s eyes narrowed, her anger flaring. “You dare mock the art of cooking? You—”

Buhara placed a calming hand on her shoulder, his deep voice cutting through the tension. “Calm down, Menchi. They don’t understand yet.” He turned to the examinees, his expression kind but firm. “Your task is simple: catch a pig from the Milsy Forest and barbecue it for us. If we find it tasty, you pass. If not, you fail.”

The examinees exchanged uneasy glances. Cooking a pig didn’t sound too difficult, but they knew better than to underestimate the Hunter Exam.

Jack, however, had a sinking feeling. He remembered the Great Stamp pigs from the original story—massive, carnivorous beasts with near-impenetrable hides and incredible strength.

—

The examinees rushed into the Milsy Forest, their determination renewed. It didn’t take long for them to encounter the Great Stamp pigs. These creatures were as fearsome as Jack had feared—rhino-sized beasts with long, sharp noses and hides that could deflect most attacks.

Their strength was immense, capable of shattering trees and boulders with a single charge. To make matters worse, they were carnivorous, and the examinees quickly became prey.

Jack watched as several candidates were trampled or gored, their screams echoing through the forest. He knew the pigs’ weakness—their heads, hidden behind their long noses. A well-placed punch to the head could incapacitate them.

“Gon, Killua, Kurapika, Leorio!” Jack called out, gathering his friends. “Aim for their heads! That’s their weak spot!”

The group nodded, their trust in Jack unwavering. Gon and Killua moved with incredible speed, their fists striking the pigs’ heads with pinpoint accuracy. Kurapika used his chains to immobilize the beasts, while Leorio provided support with his medical knowledge, ensuring no one was injured.

Within minutes, each of them had captured a pig. Jack grabbed one as well, his enhanced strength making the task relatively easy. The other examinees, seeing their success, quickly caught on and began targeting the pigs’ heads. Soon, the forest was filled with the sounds of squealing pigs and triumphant shouts.

—

The examinees returned to the exam site, each dragging a Great Stamp pig behind them. The next challenge was to barbecue the meat to the examiners’ satisfaction. Jack knew this would be the real test.

Cooking a pig of this size and toughness required skill and precision, and most of the examinees had no culinary experience.

The candidates set to work, their makeshift grills filling the air with smoke and the scent of roasting meat. Jack, Gon, Killua, Kurapika, and Leorio worked together, their teamwork ensuring that their pig was cooked evenly. However, even their best efforts resulted in meat that was either undercooked or overdone.

Buhara, ever the kind and understanding examiner, began tasting the dishes. To everyone’s amazement, he consumed an astonishing 74 pigs, his massive frame seemingly unaffected by the sheer volume of food. He passed 74 candidates, his generosity giving them a second chance.

Menchi, however, was far less forgiving. She tasted each dish with a critical eye, her expression growing more displeased with every bite. “This is terrible,” she said, her voice cold. “None of you have any respect for the art of cooking. You all fail.”

The examinees erupted in protest, their frustration boiling over. “This is ridiculous!” one shouted. “You’re failing us just because you’re angry!”

Menchi’s eyes flashed with anger, but before she could respond, a loud roar filled the air. The ground shook as an airship descended from the sky, its sleek design and the symbol of the Hunter Association emblazoned on its side. The examinees stared in awe as the airship hovered above them, its doors opening to reveal a figure standing at the edge.

—

The figure leaped from the airship, plummeting more than 60 feet to the ground. He landed with a grace that defied his age, his presence commanding immediate respect. The man was Isaac Netero, the Chairman of the Hunter Association and the strongest Nen master in the world.

Jack’s system identified him immediately:

—

Name: Isaac Netero

Level: 93

Affinity: Enhancement

—

Netero’s arrival silenced the crowd, his calm demeanor and overwhelming aura putting everyone at ease. He approached Menchi and Buhara, his voice warm but firm.

“Menchi, Buhara, I understand there’s been some… disagreement regarding the exam. Perhaps it’s time for a change.”

Menchi crossed her arms, her pride evident. “These candidates have no respect for the art of cooking. They don’t deserve to pass.”

Netero chuckled. “Then let’s give them a chance to prove themselves. How about a new task? One that truly tests their skills and determination.”

Menchi hesitated, then nodded. “Fine. But if they fail this, I won’t be so lenient.”

—

Menchi turned to the examinees, her voice carrying the weight of authority. “Your new task is to retrieve a hard-boiled Spider Eagle egg from the canyon in Split Mountain. The eggs are located in a deep, treacherous gorge, and the Spider Eagles are fiercely protective of their nests. If you succeed, you pass. If not, you fail.”

The examinees exchanged uneasy glances, but they knew better than to argue with Menchi. Jack, however, felt a surge of determination. This was a challenge he could handle.