Chapter 56: The Second Phase Begins
"Everyone, gather over here."
Satotz's calm voice carried across the forest clearing. After giving the examinees a few minutes to rest, he called them all to attention. The faint light filtering through the canopy glimmered on his glasses as he spoke.
"Alright," he began, tone as steady as ever, "congratulations once again. Everyone standing here has successfully passed the first phase of the Hunter Exam. I hope you'll show the same determination in the second phase as well. Best of luck to all of you."
And with that, he turned on his heel and disappeared into the trees without another word — no dramatic speech, no lingering farewell. Just quiet efficiency.
---
"We did it!" Gon beamed, his entire face lighting up.
"Yeah," Osren replied with a small smile. "That's one step forward."
"Finally…" Killua exhaled, stretching lazily before grinning. "Still, I honestly thought you guys weren't gonna make it. How the heck did you even find Leorio out there?"
"Killua!" Gon said, his voice filled with relief and excitement. It was good to see his friend's usual energy back.
Killua tilted his head, genuinely curious. "Seriously. I thought you were toast. You guys were gone forever — I figured you'd be snake food by now."
Gon chuckled. "That's all thanks to Osren. He was the one who found me and Kurapika — and he's also the one who reminded us about the time limit. If not for him, we'd never have made it here."
Killua turned his gaze toward Osren, eyes narrowing slightly — but not in suspicion. It was a look of admiration, maybe even respect.
"In this foggy swamp? You found your way through that? That's insane."
He whistled softly. "You're seriously something else, Osren."
Osren waved a hand dismissively, his expression modest. "Not really. I just happen to know a bit about terrain and geography, that's all."
Killua raised a brow. "You just happen to know? Yeah, right."
But before he could push further, Gon jumped in enthusiastically, practically bouncing on his feet.
"No, really! Osren's amazing! He figured out where the fog would get thicker, knew how to avoid the quicksand spots — oh! And he even used a tree shadow map to figure out which direction we were going!"
Killua stared at him blankly. "…Tree shadow what?"
"Exactly what it sounds like!" Gon said proudly.
Killua sighed, running a hand through his silver hair. "You two are such weirdos."
Then, turning to Gon with mock seriousness, he added, "And you, following Leorio's scent through a swamp? Are you sure you're even human?"
Gon blinked, confused. "What do you mean?"
Killua crossed his arms. "I mean… who does that? You tracked him by smell?"
"Yeah!" Gon said cheerfully. "It wasn't that hard. Leorio's cologne is really strong."
Killua stared at him, deadpan. "…You're unbelievable."
After a pause, he gave a helpless laugh and muttered under his breath, "You're basically a dog in human form."
Gon rubbed the back of his neck, embarrassed but still smiling. "Really? I didn't think it was that weird…"
Osren chuckled quietly beside them. The banter, the laughter — it was a rare moment of peace after the chaos of the wetlands.
For now, the first ordeal was behind them.
But deep in the distance, within the dense, shadowed forest, the air seemed to hum faintly — like something waiting, alive and restless.
The Second Phase of the Hunter Exam was about to begin.
Osren stood quietly among the crowd, counting his gains. Thanks to the Human-Faced Ape's reluctant help, Gon's near-empty backpack was once again bursting at the seams.
Food meant safety — and safety meant power.
For Osren, not having food was like Conan without his soccer ball — his combat ability plummeted instantly.
---
"Only one hundred forty-nine participants cleared the first test," Satotz mused aloud from a nearby tree. "That's quite the unexpected turnout. But… the more that pass, the more brutal the next stage must be."
He adjusted his hat, eyes narrowing.
"The second phase examiners are Menchi and Buhara. If I had to guess, only fifty will make it through this round. Maybe fewer than ten if the challenge is tough enough."
A faint, almost mischievous smile appeared on his lips.
"This might actually be worth watching."
Having decided not to leave, Satotz found a nearby tree, leaned against its trunk, and folded his arms — ready to enjoy the show. His calm exterior hid an oddly gleeful curiosity, like a teacher secretly rooting for chaos.
---
Clank. Clank. Clank.
The heavy gates ahead began to rumble, ancient hinges creaking as if awakening from a long sleep. The sound rippled through the clearing, silencing the chatter among the examinees.
Everyone turned in unison, eyes fixed on the massive gate that bore the emblem of Biska Forest Park.
"It's starting!" Gon said, excitement bubbling in his voice.
"Yeah," Osren replied, feeling his own pulse quicken. "Here we go."
He could feel the thrill of it — the tension before a new challenge, the kind of anticipation that didn't exist in his old world. If not for this bizarre new life, he'd probably still be living out some dull, predictable fate.
Beside him, Kurapika's expression tightened. "I can't help it… my heart's racing."
Leorio, now fully recovered and far too energetic for his own good, chuckled nervously. "Heh, I just hope whatever comes out of that gate isn't looking to eat us."
---
CLANK.
The final locks released.
The giant doors of the Biska Forest testing site groaned open, parting slowly to reveal a brilliant wash of light.
And from that light, two figures appeared — though only one drew every single gaze.
First came a petite woman with a perfectly balanced, hourglass figure, lounging with lazy elegance. Even seated, she radiated confidence and danger. Her name was Menchi, and she was far more captivating than her mountain-sized partner looming behind her.
Buhara, the other examiner, was huge — almost comically so — yet somehow his sheer size couldn't compete with Menchi's effortless allure.
Osren raised a brow, half amused. "Not bad," he thought, "Definitely memorable."
---
"Thank you all for waiting."
Menchi's voice was soft but carried easily, smooth as silk with a hint of mischief. The contrast to Satotz's monotonous tone was almost comical — like switching from a lecture to a concert.
"Now then…" She crossed her long legs and leaned back casually in her chair. "You must be starving by now, huh, Buhara?"
Guuuuuuuuurrrgle.
Her words were immediately punctuated by a thunderous growl from Buhara's stomach, so loud it made several examinees flinch.
Menchi smirked. "See? His stomach speaks for him."
Buhara, all sincerity, nodded. "Yeah. I'm really hungry, Menchi."
Osren couldn't help but snort quietly. "A man who can eat seventy whole roasted pigs... even his hunger sounds otherworldly."
In terms of eating capacity, Osren mused, only people like Luffy or Toriko could compete.
---
Menchi stood, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear, her smile playful but sharp.
"As you can see, the Second Phase of the Hunter Exam will be conducted by us — the Gourmet Hunters."
Her voice lilted slightly on the title, filled with pride and confidence.
"Gourmet… Hunters?" Leorio blinked, confused. "That's an actual profession?"
He looked doubtful — cooking hardly sounded like a hunter's job.
"What's that mean?" Gon asked, turning to Osren. "Is it like your 'Map Hunter' thing?"
"Pretty much," Osren explained patiently. "Gourmet Hunters are another branch of licensed Hunters, just like Bounty Hunters or Treasure Hunters. Each one specializes in their own field."
Gon nodded eagerly, eyes shining. "Wow… Hunters who chase down food. That sounds awesome!"
"Yeah…" Osren chuckled under his breath. "Awesome until the food starts chasing you back."
As laughter rippled softly among them, the great doors fully opened, unveiling the wild, fragrant expanse of the Gourmet Arena beyond.
The air was thick with mystery — and the scent of something cooking.
The Second Phase had officially begun.