"First, all examinees will prepare the dish I specify," Buhara said happily. On one hand, someone among the examinees actually understood what a Gourmet Hunter was. On the other, he could finally set a question, eat something, and fill his stomach.
"Only those who pass Buhara's test will be qualified to make the dish I specify next. In other words, as long as both of us think it tastes good, you'll have successfully passed the second phase of the exam," Menchi added.
No one said anything, but the dissatisfaction in their hearts deepened. After all, whether something tasted good or not was entirely subjective, and quite a few people present were terrible at cooking.
"To put it simply, if both of us think it tastes good, you pass. This phase of the exam will end once the two of us are full."
"Men usually eat a lot. That woman doesn't look like she can eat much, though. Looks like a lot of people are going to be eliminated in this phase." Hanzo, the bald ninja, looked around as he analyzed the situation and inwardly celebrated. He just kept talking and talking, living up to his reputation as a chatterbox.
"So that's how it is. As expected, it really is about cooking," Kurapika said thoughtfully, while Leorio beside him looked like he was constipated.
"Tch. I've never cooked anything in my life," Leorio said gloomily. Even though life had been hard for him, he still had never actually made food for himself. This was going to be difficult.
And cooking had nothing to do with combat strength. Even Nen wasn't all that useful here.
"I didn't expect there'd be a phase like this." Killua Zoldyck also raised an eyebrow. He hadn't expected the exam would test cooking. His family had taught him how to kill, not how to cook.
Illumi Zoldyck, who came from the same place as him, tilted his head as well.
"I've cooked before! The egg rice bowl I make is really good!"
Gon Freecss looked delighted.
"Even Mito obaa-san said my egg rice bowl tastes great!"
"Egg… egg rice bowl? Fine, I got it. You can make it for us next time you get the chance," Leorio replied weakly.
Cooking really wasn't his strong point, so he was worried.
"Seriously, how can the Hunter Exam have such a weird question? We have no idea what kind of cooking challenge these two examiners will set. If we somehow knew their tastes and preferences, we'd at least have a chance—but there's no way we could possibly know that… wait!"
Leorio suddenly jolted upright, and a bright light burst into his lifeless eyes.
He immediately turned to Roy.
"Roy, can your ability find out information on those two Gourmet Hunter examiners? We don't need much—just their tastes and preferences would be enough!"
As if he had grabbed hold of a lifeline, Leorio spoke to Roy with an excited expression.
Kurapika and Killua Zoldyck, who had been joking around with Gon nearby, also lit up and looked at Roy expectantly.
Roy smiled and wrapped Aura around his finger, causing it to shine with golden light.
"Oh! Sugoi! Is this also the power of 'that'?"
It was Killua Zoldyck's first time seeing Gold Finger, and his eyes sparkled.
When Android 18 saw Roy slipping back into his bluffing routine, she couldn't help curling her lips.
Some of the nearby examinees also noticed the anomaly and immediately turned to look in Roy's direction.
"Look! That guy's finger is glowing!"
"It really is! What a weird guy!"
"First he could fly, and now his finger glows? We'd better stay away from freaks like that."
Just as Buhara and Menchi were about to announce the exam question, their eyes narrowed.
"A Nen user?"
Outside, on a tree branch, Satotz—who had been secretly watching the show—also widened his eyes slightly.
"After that flying ability from earlier, now it's a glowing finger? He really is an interesting examinee. This is getting more and more entertaining."
Inside the room, after his finger lit up, Roy glanced around, then shifted his gaze back to Buhara and began his explanation.
"Buhara, twenty-seven years old, born in Baiye Country, a One-Star Gourmet Hunter. Honest and gentle by nature, and considerate toward others. Loves food, is a glutton, and has an enormous appetite. His thick layers of fat grant him tremendous defense and attack power. He has hunted many dangerous beast ingredients and is extremely strong. I'm right, aren't I, Buhara-san?"
The exam hall fell silent. The examinees all turned to look at Buhara, waiting for his answer.
"Uh… yes, that's right. Everything you said is completely correct."
Buhara stood there in a daze for a while before finally speaking in surprise.
"I didn't expect you to know my information, but that won't help you. If you want to pass the test, you still have to make a satisfactory dish that meets my standards."
Right now, Buhara had only one thing on his mind—eating. He had no interest in thinking about why Roy knew his personal information.
"All right, then. The first half of the second phase of the Hunter Exam—the question I've prepared is—"
"I'm not done yet, Buhara-san," Roy interrupted.
"Hm?"
"Buhara-san especially likes grilled food, and roasted whole pig is your absolute favorite. So the question you're going to give us should be roasted whole pig, right?"
Buhara: "..."
He stared at Roy with a constipated expression on his face.
This guy even knows my exam question!
(End of Chapter)
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