Some of the candidates, all muscle and little brains, were blissfully unaware of the strange atmosphere, only feeling a bit uneasy. They shifted restlessly, moving around like sardines packed in a can, causing a minor commotion on the scene.
Amidst this environment, someone took the initiative to act.
"Yo, Morin!!" Killua, with one hand in his pocket and the other raised in greeting, called out to Morin. His face lit up with a surprised and happy smile, "It's been a while, hasn't it?"
Killua had every reason to be this cheerful. "If I'm not mistaken, you're the chief examiner for this round of the Hunter Exam, right?" he mused, feeling fortunate to have encountered a potential shortcut right off the bat. A sly, cat-like grin spread across Killua's face.
The new candidates glanced between Killua and Morin, their conversation leaving no doubt about their relationship. "Is he trying to pull some strings? Can you really have connections in the Hunter Exam?" The candidates fixed their eyes on Morin, waiting to see how he would respond.
"Yes, I'm the chief examiner for this first round of testing this year," Morin replied, addressing both Killua's question and the curiosity of the other candidates. He didn't linger on Killua but instead cast a casual glance over the entire group of candidates. There were a total of 1,489 candidates, over a thousand more than the previous year. It seemed promising talents had increased, and the Hunter Association had improved the conditions and benefits for professional hunters.
"Next, we'll immediately begin the first round of testing," Morin announced with a couple of claps. The candidates, realizing it was time for business, all straightened up and focused. Even Pokkle, Ponzu, and others couldn't help but sit up straight, waiting for Morin's challenge.
After clapping, Morin cleared his throat and addressed the now-silent crowd with a smile, "First of all, congratulations on overcoming all difficulties to reach the official venue of the Hunter Exam." The fresh candidates puffed out their chests, pride and confidence evident on their faces.
"But then," Morin's tone shifted, ignoring the varied expressions of the candidates, his voice growing serious, "the real challenge begins with the formal tests. Only by passing the upcoming rounds will you become true hunters. Many of these tests have life-threatening stages. I will now ask one final question: Is there anyone who wishes to withdraw?"
The expected silence followed. The underground warehouse remained quiet for a full minute before Morin surveyed the room and nodded. "Very well, no one has chosen to withdraw. I hereby announce the start of the 2nd Hunter Exam, with 1489 candidates!" Morin declared calmly. Though his voice was normal, enhanced by aura, it reached every ear clearly. His demeanor as an examiner was even more impressive than Satotz's had been.
"I am Morin, the chief examiner for the first round. Before we officially begin, are there any questions?" The candidates shook their heads, though some appeared slightly puzzled. The name Morin seemed familiar, as if they'd heard it somewhere before. Morin only asked as a formality, ready to proceed with the test he had in mind.
However, "That examiner, didn't he just get his Hunter License last year?" A small, discordant voice suddenly emerged from the crowd. Instantly, a space cleared around the source, revealing a short, plump man with a ponytail and dressed in purple.
"Isn't that the wrestler who challenged Menchi in the second round last year? I think his name is... Toto, right?" Morin's gaze followed the sound. What was this? Was he having a brain freeze like during the second round last year, suddenly speaking out of turn?
"No, no! I didn't mean anything by it..." Toto, seeing the strange looks from Ponzu and others, realized he had misspoken. Noticing Morin's gaze, he quickly waved his hands in apology. "I just wanted to ask, Examiner, can you really become a chief examiner for the Hunter Exam just a year after getting your license?" Toto corrected himself, addressing Morin more respectfully, trying to make amends. He was reckless but not foolish.
Previously, he had been upset about his elimination and dared to challenge Menchi, underestimating her strength and looking down on Gourmet Hunters. But Morin was different. He had demonstrated his abilities during the Hunter Exam, and Toto had seen it all. Now that Morin was an examiner, Toto wasn't about to foolishly pick a fight. It was precisely because Morin was the chief examiner that Toto had such questions. After all, he had participated in several Hunter Exams without success.
---
The man standing before them was back at the testing site as an examiner, just one year after becoming a Hunter. This was quite bewildering for Toto, making it difficult for him to comprehend. He worried about how this former fellow candidate might handle them in the current test. His concern stemmed from the possibility that Morin's role as an examiner could bring unexpected changes to the Hunter Exam.
"Are you questioning my qualifications as an examiner?" Morin, noticing the hesitation in Toto's eyes, couldn't help but chuckle. He understood that Toto wasn't intentionally causing trouble.
"He absolutely has the qualifications to be an examiner," a cheerful voice interjected from behind Morin just as he was about to offer a brief explanation.
"Netero, the Chairman?!" For the many candidates who had seen photos of the Hunter Association's Chairman in magazines or on TV, and for those who had met him last year, Netero's presence was a surprise. Their faces showed their astonishment.
"The old man was feeling a bit lonely, so I decided to take a stroll. I was curious about the kind of challenges you'd set, so I came to take a look," Netero said, stroking his beard and smiling in response to Morin's "you're really free" look. He also subtly glanced at Killua, hidden among the crowd.
The little Zoldyck has grown stronger. His mastery of Nen has deepened, and his participation in the Hunter Exam is practically an overwhelming advantage. It's like a max-level player storming a newbie village, effortlessly dominating the scene. His training methods seem reminiscent of the Shingen-ryu school.
After Wing's guidance, it seems they encountered another master from Shingen-ryu, receiving specialized training. His natural talent has been well-honed, which is quite impressive. From Netero's perspective, this was a welcome development. After all, who would complain about having more talented individuals in their school of thought?
Netero addressed the candidates with a cheerful tone, "He's not just any Hunter; he's a Star Hunter. You might not know what that means, but just understand that it's much stronger than a regular licensed Hunter. With a Star, he has the qualifications to be the chief examiner for the Hunter Exam."
To have obtained a Star within just a year? Pokkle, Toto, Ponzu, and others looked at Morin in disbelief. Unlike the newcomers, these veterans knew exactly what a Star meant within the Hunter Association.
"A Star Hunter, huh..." they thought, their expressions complex as they looked at Morin. While they hadn't even obtained their licenses, Morin had already become a Star Hunter. The gap was staggering. Yet, considering his strength, earning the title of Star Hunter wasn't all that surprising. It even felt somewhat expected, given the formidable power Morin had displayed before them.
"Well, I'll be waiting for you beyond the door," Netero said, exchanging a glance with Morin before leisurely heading towards the stairs behind the door, sliding it shut behind him.
With Netero gone, the Hunter Exam was set to officially begin. "Now that we've delayed long enough, let's proceed with the first round of testing," Morin said, clapping his hands and crossing his arms. The candidates eagerly turned their attention to him.
"This time, we have nearly 1,500 participants. Based on past exams, the first round typically eliminates three-quarters of the candidates."
A collective gasp echoed among the candidates as they processed the high elimination rate. The notorious danger and low pass rate of the Hunter Exam were clear reminders that without full vigilance, their lives could be at risk. As they mentally calculated the number of eliminations and heightened their alertness, Morin's voice rang out again:
"However, that's when only a few hundred people took the test. This year, with several times more participants, the first-round eliminations will naturally be higher. Eliminating four-fifths in the first round shouldn't be a problem, right?"
Not a problem? That's a huge problem! The candidates' expressions turned grim. Out of nearly 1,500 people, eliminating four-fifths meant around 1,200 would be cut, leaving only 300 to advance to the second round. And this was just the first round, with such a low pass rate!
"That's too many," Killua thought silently from his spot in the crowd. If only the test could end in the first round; he was in a hurry.
"Alright, let's officially begin our test," Morin announced.