But the news that truly detonated the entire Hunter Association came from the second announcement, the applicant for the new Vice-Chairman of the Hunter Association.
Double-Star Blacklist Hunter, Luke.
Many people were hearing this name for the first time.
Some felt it sounded vaguely familiar, as if they had heard it somewhere.
Below the announcement, anticipating that many might not know Luke well, they thoughtfully listed his achievements, including but not limited to: the creation of the Hunter Chat Site, the reproduction method of the Two-headed Wolf, the arrest of the Kute Gang of Thieves, the restoration of many ruins across the world, etc.
Seeing this, most hunters showed a look of realization.
"No wonder the name felt familiar; he was the one who caught the Kute Gang of Thieves."
"That's right, I remember now, he became a Single-Star Hunter because of that achievement."
"And recently, during the public confirmation of new Double-Star Hunters, I think his name was also on the list."
"He restored so many ruins? Why don't I feel anything at all..."
"You're not a Ruins Hunter, why would you feel anything!!"
"But seriously, he helped with the Two-headed Wolf reproduction, too, huh?"
"And the Hunter Chat Site, did he create it? I think that really is possible."
Professional hunters chatted and discussed these things one after another.
Only after matching these events with their memories did they finally remember that the association indeed had someone named Luke.
Since the association didn't have many star-ranked hunters to begin with, especially Double-Star hunters, he was among the top-tier figures within the association.
Even if one didn't know him well, remembering the name wasn't hard.
Judging solely by achievements, spanning creatures, magical beasts, bounty hunting, ruins, etc., he earned considerable recognition from many.
But that wasn't the main point.
The main point was the position Luke was going to take and the authority that came with it!!
Vice-Chairman of the Hunter Association!!
Ever since Chairman Netero had taken the position of Chairman, this role had gradually faded from public attention...
So much so that some professional hunters who joined later didn't even know such a position existed.
They thought the association had only one leader, the Chairman.
Seeing there was also a Vice-Chairman position felt somewhat novel.
But many who didn't care about such matters, who only focused on their personal issues, merely glanced at the announcement and looked away.
To them, the Zodiac Twelve or the Vice-Chairman, none of that mattered.
They didn't think it had anything to do with them.
As for the voting mentioned, they simply ignored it.
Yes, when announcing the Vice-Chairman position, every professional hunter also received notice regarding the vote for the Vice-Chairman applicant.
This was one of the three essential conditions for becoming Vice-Chairman.
And Chairman Netero fulfilled the promise he made to Luke.
In the notice, he even specially marked: "Personally recommended by Chairman Netero."
And...
"I, Isaac Netero, wholeheartedly approve of him becoming our Vice-Chairman."
That single sentence worked better than any recommendation letter.
Even hunters who closely followed association developments, who were originally resistant or uninterested in suddenly having an unfamiliar person become Vice-Chairman, their resistance had nothing to do with Luke's achievements, but merely their personal emotional reaction.
If it had been someone like Botobai or Cheadle, people they had long known, they would immediately and naturally accept it.
But with someone unfamiliar like Luke... of course, they had complaints.
But once they saw Chairman Netero's endorsement, all such complaints vanished instantly.
Having served as Chairman for many years, Chairman Netero's prestige within the Hunter Association was unmatched.
In the hearts of professional hunters, he was practically a God.
The number one martial artist, a mythologized God.
And Chairman Netero's current strength fully deserved that reverence.
Therefore, with Chairman Netero supporting Luke, the other professional hunters naturally held no objections.
Just as Chairman Netero had told Luke beforehand, the hunters would give him face, trust his judgment, and follow his decision.
So Luke's approval vote count among professional hunters surged rapidly.
Not to mention, aside from Chairman Netero, the newly formed Zodiac Twelve also issued a statement.
It was simple, just one sentence: "After internal discussion, we also agreed to support Luke as the new Vice-Chairman of the Hunter Association."
After the Zodiac Twelve reached a majority decision, it was naturally clear that they would openly support Luke.
Thus, both Chairman Netero and the upper echelons of the Hunter Association, the Zodiac Twelve, all stood up and they all supported Luke, expressing their recognition of him and approval of his becoming Vice-Chairman.
This move caused considerable surprise among many professional hunters.
For someone to achieve a collective agreement from the upper echelons of the Hunter Association, very few could accomplish such a feat.
"That guy called Luke is definitely not ordinary."
Some veteran hunters, like Morel, Knov, and others, thought this to themselves.
Other ordinary hunters had no extra thoughts.
Seeing that not only Chairman Netero agreed, but the newly formed Zodiac Twelve also supported him,
They figured this person called Luke must be quite powerful.
They thought simply, so when it came to voting, they were decisive.
Soon, the real-time voting results were integrated into Cluck's handheld device.
"Judging from this situation, receiving enough votes in favor is just a matter of time."
Cluck, watching the data grow in real time, couldn't help but click her tongue in admiration.
"By the way, I thought Pariston would try to cause trouble."
Cluck spoke casually: "After all, I remember he seemed really intent on getting the Vice-Chairman position."
"The Vice-Chairman is, after all, just a Vice-Chairman."
Saccho Kobayakawa spoke calmly: "Compared to the chairman's influence, it's still far less."
"Pariston not intervening in this vote is a normal choice."
"What do you mean...?"
Cluck immediately wore an expression of impatience and displeasure: "You guys, one by one, just like to talk around things."
"You don't say things clearly and openly, that's the thing I hate most about you."
"Saccho means..."
Mizaistom Nana acted as Saccho's translator: "In this voting, Chairman Netero directly chose to support Luke."
"In other words, Chairman Netero recognized Luke, thinking there's no problem with him taking the Vice-Chairman position."
"And if someone tried to meddle and encourage others to vote against Luke..."
"He would definitely be the first suspect!!"