Mr. Beans held up his tiny finger.
"First, the duration of being a professional hunter."
"To be a Vice-Chairman applicant, one must have been a professional hunter longer than at least 80% of other hunters in the association."
"According to current membership records..."
He paused slightly, retrieving the information mentally.
"There are 680 professional hunters currently. Not less than 80% means top 20%, so within the first 136 by seniority."
"Based on entry dates, to be within the top 136… one must have been a professional hunter for at least 12 years, 7 months, and 13 days."
Nearly twelve years and eight months to meet that qualification?
"That's not a problem."
Chairman Netero casually waved his hand.
"With a special exception, the service requirement can be waived."
Mr. Beans: "..."
He looked at Chairman Netero, wanting to speak but hesitating.
"A special exception?"
Luke asked curiously. "What special exception?"
"That..."
Chairman Netero replied lightly: "With the Chairman's personal signed and stamped approval stating the applicant's outstanding ability, the service requirement can be ignored."
"I still have some authority here, Hohoho."
While laughing, Chairman Netero casually swatted the charging Wrestling Killer Z away again.
It's a persistent killer robot indeed…
With that reassurance, Luke nodded, then looked back to Mr. Beans for the next requirements.
"Second: support from more than half of the hunters in the association."
Mr. Beans continued: "We will start an election with all professional hunters involved. More than half must agree for you to qualify."
"After all, to be Vice-Chairman, every hunter must be aware of the matter."
That makes sense, no problem.
Luke didn't think it was a big deal, except that he had only just become a professional hunter.
He didn't know many other professional hunters, didn't have a large social circle, and it seemed unlikely that many people knew him.
"For this point, I still carried some weight in the association."
Chairman Netero said casually.
"When Beans issues the notice, we'll add a line stating that you are recognized by me."
"That should make plenty of people willing to vote for you, Hohoho."
Chairman Netero laughed again.
Luke couldn't help but thank him: "Thank you very much, Chairman Netero."
Chairman Netero was essentially using his own reputation as Luke's guarantee.
Even if many professional hunters later voted in favor, most likely out of respect for Chairman Netero, they were simply willing to trust him.
"That's nothing."
Chairman Netero waved his hand. "Isn't this what I should do?"
"Admitting defeat when you lose a bet, nothing wrong with that."
Chairman Netero smiled. "If you really become Vice-Chairman, and you can bring out some of those inventions of yours to contribute to the Hunter Association..."
"Then this guarantee of mine won't have been wasted and will be truly worthwhile."
Clearly, Chairman Netero highly valued Luke's inventions.
His support wasn't only about honoring their agreement; he genuinely had high hopes for Luke.
Luke could sense that intention and quietly made note of it.
Then he looked toward Beans, waiting for the final third condition.
"If the first two are fine, then the third rule..."
Beans spoke more seriously: "It is the most fixed and strict rule... Something that even the Chairman Netero cannot bend or meddle with."
"It concerns the accumulated achievements and contributions required of a professional hunter."
"And the most standard, most objective way to measure this is naturally..."
Mr. Beans declared solemnly, "... A professional hunter's Star rank."
"To serve as Vice-Chairman of the Hunter Association and above, you must meet the requirements of a Triple-Star Hunter."
"Even under exceptional circumstances, at minimum, the applicant must be qualified as a Double-Star Hunter."
He continued truthfully: "The Star requirements are very strict."
"Because this is the association's most fundamental merit system."
"As long as the Star system exists, many hunters will strive to accomplish great achievements to earn their stars."
Fearing Luke might misunderstand, Beans explained patiently.
"So it still comes down to raising my Star rank?"
Luke wasn't surprised; he had expected as much.
"What are the special exception requirements?"
Triple-Star Hunter was currently unrealistic, not because he lacked ability, but because he lacked time and seniority.
Existing Triple-Star Hunters had achieved extraordinary contributions and held considerable influence in the association.
Luke had only just received his hunter's license; jumping straight to the highest rank wasn't realistic.
Single-Star hunters: Great success in one field.
Double-Star Hunters: Great success or significant contributions in multiple fields.
Triple-Star Hunters: Fewer than ten in the world, those who have completed world-changing feats or historic discoveries.
For the time being, Luke still felt it would be best not to be too conspicuous.
For him, being a Double-Star Hunter was enough.
Furthermore, even Ging Freecss never applied for Triple-Star Hunter status.
He said the process was too troublesome, so he never bothered.
But logically, higher stars should mean greater authority and influence.
Yet Ging didn't care at all about pursuing that higher rank.
Either the Double-Star privileges were already sufficient for him, or becoming a Triple-Star Hunter required conditions Ging refused.
For example: Making one's enterprise or personal information transparent.
For hunters like Botobai, Cheadle, or Pariston, who focus on association development, this might not be an issue.
But for someone like Ging, who pursues his own projects across the world, it would be extremely inconvenient.
Luke respected the Star system; there was clearly logic behind it.
But he also trusted Ging Freecss's judgment.
He is known as the smartest man in the world… intelligence-wise, not emotionally.
So Triple-Star Hunter?
Better not…
"The special exception requirement..."
Beans glanced at Chairman Netero again.
"... Is to receive recognition from the Chairman of the Hunter Association, currently, Chairman Netero."
Luke: "..."
He slowly turned toward Chairman Netero again.
Chairman Netero lifted his chin proudly, stroking his beard, wearing a look that said: "Yes, this old man has that kind of authority."
"So that's how it is..."
Luke shook his head slightly.
"The Chairman of the association really does have a lot of power."
Which only made him more curious about the Vice-Chairman's authority.
Being the second-highest position, what kind of power comes with it?
"No wonder becoming Vice-Chairman requires this much support from Chairman Netero..."
"Then..."
A sudden thought hit Luke.
"What about becoming the next Chairman? What are the requirements for that?"
If the Vice-Chairman's requirements were already this strict… Then what about Chairman...?