Between Two Worlds: Nen and Haki

In the world of Hunters, Nen users and non-Nen users were two entirely different concepts.

The primary reason for this was the aggressive nature of Nen aura.

An attack infused with Nen doesn't just deal enhanced external damage; it also penetrates the target's body to cause internal destruction.

For a non-Nen user, this method of attack was undeniably overwhelming.

There were plenty of Great Stampeders roaming the area.

When Zane took one down, the commotion quickly drew even more Great Stampeders to the vicinity.

Initially, except for Killua, the trio of Gon and his friends struggled to handle the thick-skinned Great Stampeders.

However, through careful observation, the three of them soon noticed that the Great Stampeder's weak point was its forehead.

Once the weakness was identified, the task naturally became much easier.

Before long, following Zane's example, Gon and his three companions each managed to take down a Great Stampeder of their own.

They didn't linger.

Each of them shouldered a Great Stampeder and headed back toward the manor.

Similar scenes were unfolding among the other candidates.

After the filtering process by the Great Stampeders, some candidates were inevitably eliminated, but the more exceptional ones successfully captured their prey.

Back at the manor.

As everyone chose a cooking station, the courtyard instantly became a hive of activity.

"What a bunch of 'talents' we have here!"

While Zane was processing his Great Stampeder, he glanced casually at the others and let out a heartfelt sigh.

And what "talents" they were.

Even if they had never cooked pork before, surely they had at least seen a pig run?

Some people didn't even bother with basic cleaning; they just threw the whole carcass directly onto the fire.

'Wait, maybe that actually works,' Zane thought, rubbing his chin.

If the original timeline hadn't changed, this test was supposed to result in almost all candidates being eliminated.

The reason lay in Menchi's high standards for gourmet cuisine.

Thinking of this, Zane looked up at Menchi, who remained seated on the sofa near the villa entrance.

Hmm...

Zane wasn't the only one noticing the candidates' haphazard methods.

As examiners, Menchi and Buhara were also silently observing everything.

Buhara could be ignored for now.

But Menchi...

With Zane's superhuman vision, he could practically see the veins throbbing on her smooth forehead.

She was clearly livid.

Seeing Menchi's expression, Zane's face took on a look of realization.

He was self-aware enough to know his culinary skills—they weren't bad, but they would never satisfy a professional like Menchi.

However, after thinking it over, Zane continued processing the meat properly instead of slacking off.

I'm not joking around.

He had just gone out of his way to build some goodwill; he wasn't about to lose points on the upcoming dish.

His skills might be lacking, but his attitude couldn't be.

Besides, Menchi might not fail everyone like she did in the original story.

In the original plot, Menchi's breakdown was mainly due to two factors.

One was the candidates' contempt for Gourmet Hunters, and the second was Hisoka's provocation.

But things were different now.

Those contemptuous candidates had already been dealt with by him.

As for Hisoka...

He was still being provocative, but his target had shifted to Zane.

Suddenly, Zane paused.

Was he a candidate or a firefighter?

Why did every problem seem to fall on his shoulders?

He glanced sideways at Gon and the others, who were busy with their cooking nearby.

'Ignorance truly is bliss sometimes!' Zane mused.

Because he knew too much, he had unknowingly become the one putting out all the fires.

"What on earth do these bastards think cooking is? They won't even do the most basic prep work!"

Watching the appalling cooking methods of some candidates, Menchi was literally gritting her teeth in fury.

Behind her, Buhara covered his face with his right hand, unable to watch any longer.

For Gourmet Hunters like them, such terrible handling of ingredients was truly offensive.

"Well, at least number 375 is a relief to look at." Menchi's expression softened slightly as her gaze swept across the candidates.

"It looks like at least someone is taking this seriously!"

Hearing this, Buhara looked over and nodded with satisfaction.

It really was all about the contrast.

Compared to the other candidates, Zane's perfectly normal cooking level suddenly stood out in the eyes of Menchi and Buhara.

This caused the favor they already felt for Zane to rise yet again.

...

"Delicious!"

"Fail!"

"Delicious!"

"Pass!"

"..."

The cooking time quietly came to an end, and one by one, the confident candidates presented their work to Menchi and Buhara.

Amidst the steady stream of judgments, many candidates fell to Menchi's "Fail."

But thanks to the efforts of the great firefighter Zane, there was a significant turning point.

A fair number of candidates actually managed to receive a "Pass."

Because her mindset had changed, Menchi hadn't lost her composure like in the original story.

As a result, she wasn't as overly critical of the final product, focusing instead on the attitude she had originally planned to test.

Every candidate who received a "Fail" was someone who had shown a terrible attitude during the cooking process.

Under these standards...

Zane, along with Gon and his three friends who had maintained a good attitude, all passed smoothly.

"Damn it! Why did I fail?!"

"Exactly! The test was just to cook a pig, and I clearly did it!"

"You're Gourmet Hunters, but we aren't! Who are you to judge us by your standards?"

"Hey, hey, losers should just leave the stage quietly. Making a scene like this is pathetic."

"That's right. There's clearly a reason you were eliminated. Instead of being sore losers, you should go reflect on yourselves."

"A bunch of ungrateful idiots. Haven't you realized it yet? You failed because of your shitty attitude!"

"..."

Although the outcome had shifted, the eliminated candidates still clamored with indignation.

Naturally, those who passed stood up for the examiners.

There were even some clever individuals who had deduced Menchi's criteria based on who had been failed.

Of course, the eliminated candidates were still far from convinced about the "attitude" excuse.

Or rather, these people were naturally prejudiced against the very idea of cooking.

"What a bunch of ungrateful pests!"

Seeing the failed candidates still arguing, Menchi's brow furrowed, and she prepared to deal with them.

But suddenly, she looked up toward the sky.

A series of roars echoed from above.

An airship emblazoned with the Hunter Association logo was approaching.

"The examiners of the Hunter Exam are all meticulously selected by the Review Committee. The tests they design are also fully sanctioned by the committee!"

The airship appearing in the sky drew everyone's attention, and a voice boomed out from the vessel simultaneously.

As the airship hovered over the manor, a figure suddenly plummeted from the craft, nearly a hundred meters in the air.

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