Ending the test immediately and then having dinner with Law… that was Menchi's true inner thought, but she didn't believe her judgment was wrong.
Because the food really tasted bad. So even if Netero spoke up to remind her, she wouldn't change the decision she had made.
Unbeknownst to her, when she judged based on taste, her identity as a Gourmet Hunter overshadowed her role as an examiner, rendering the test meaningless.
As the saying goes, 'Those closely involved cannot see clearly'… that described Menchi perfectly.
Netero understood this very well. But if he didn't provide a proper reason, he knew Menchi wouldn't easily change her decision.
Just as Netero was stroking his beard, organizing his thoughts, an examinee used action to express their dissatisfaction.
Bang!
A loud noise echoed as a cooking station was smashed in two by a fist.
The person who destroyed the cooking station was a brawny man with a long braid. His reason for smashing the station before speaking wasn't solely to vent his frustration, but more to demonstrate his own strength.
"What kind of joke is this? I didn't come here to apply for a chef's job," The braided man said, raising his clenched fist, his face full of anger.
Menchi narrowed her eyes instantly, masking a fleeting dangerous glint.
The braided man's statement echoed the sentiments of the failed examinees present. Just looking at the two tests, it seemed more like a cooking competition, where whether you passed or not was determined by taste.
In an instant, the examinees' emotions were ignited. They voiced their dissatisfaction one after another, some even including derogatory remarks about Gourmet Hunters.
The entire venue instantly became as noisy as a marketplace.
'This is getting troublesome,' Netero thought, but he wasn't the least bit anxious.
With the support of many examinees, the braided man felt more confident. He said coldly, "We will not accept this result. Are you saying that every Hunter who obtains a license must first learn how to cook?"
As soon as he finished speaking, waves of agreement rose and fell around him.
They were all very dissatisfied with the test content and the evaluation criteria. It was as if, from the very start, advantages and disadvantages were predetermined.
For example, someone skilled in cooking could pass easily, while someone bad at cooking couldn't pass no matter how hard they tried.
This kind of test made no sense.
Listening to the dissatisfied remarks from this group of examinees, even Law, who had already passed, couldn't help but feel they had a point.
After all, creating a dish that would satisfy a top Gourmet Hunter like Menchi was something even a nine-star chef might not achieve, let alone the majority of examinees who focused on physical prowess.
Rather than studying culinary arts, it was better to spend energy training their bodies and enhancing their strength.
Based on this mindset, the proportion of Gourmet Hunters was so low.
Menchi listened to this group of examinees. If not for considering Netero's presence and not wanting to ruin her image in front of Law, given her usual style, she would have long since taught a few of the most vocal troublemakers a lesson.
Law watched the noisy scene and slowly stood up.
Tonpa, originally just watching the drama unfold, saw Law stand up. His eyes changed slightly, wondering what Law was going to do now.
As one of the passers, Law standing up drew everyone's attention.
After all, they were all protesting and clamoring, which was equivalent to trying to destroy the victory of those who passed. So it wasn't strange for the involved party to step forward.
However, they weren't about to give up either.
Everyone's gaze followed the standing Law, and the noisy sounds gradually ceased.
Menchi, Buhara, and Netero also couldn't help but look over.
Just as everyone thought Law was going to say something, they saw him let out a yawn and then stretch.
"Hmm? Keep going, why is everyone looking at me?" Law said after finishing his stretch, looking at the crowd.
"Weren't you going to speak?!" The examinees shouted in unison.
"Speak?" Law raised a hand to support his chin, thought seriously for a moment, and said, "Alright then. I want to get the Hunter License quickly. How about you all just disperse?"
Hearing Law's words, the corners of Menchi's mouth instantly lifted happily.
The examinees, however, became even more displeased. A fierce intensity emanated from them, directed at Law… it was an extremely sharp collective glare.
But not a single examinee wanted to be the one to take actual action and become the nail that sticks out. After all, they weren't fools. After two phases, they could at least see that Law had some skill.
Among the crowd, Kurapika bit his lip without speaking.
'Would I really have to wait another year?'
Leorio was barely containing his emotions. He urgently needed money and really didn't want to waste another year.
Gon's disappointment was written all over his face. As for Killua, he looked bored, feeling that the Hunter Exam was just like this, very uninteresting.
No matter how each examinee reacted, one could see emotions like unwillingness.
Seeing that no one was taking actual action, Law smiled and said, "So this is the extent of your resolve? If you ask me, instead of whining over there, why not take some real action? Like this braided guy here, smashing the cooking station with one punch… now that's imposing, isn't it?"
After saying that, Law looked at Netero and said calmly, "Can I receive the Hunter License now?"
It was time for Netero to step in. Stroking his beard, he said calmly, "After considering various factors, I believe Menchi's assessment standards were too strict and went against the original intention of the test. So, before the matter is finalized, the test is not completely over."
These words were not only for Law but also for Menchi.
Seeing Netero speak up, many examinees secretly felt happy, feeling they saw an opportunity.
Law shrugged. He knew that with Netero here, it was impossible for the test to end just like that. This was within his expectations.
Menchi dared to show a dark face to the examinees but didn't dare disrespect the Chairman, so she could only say, "How was it too strict? It's just that these guys are too stupid."
Netero looked at her and said, "The original intention of the test was to assess the examinees' observation and attention to detail. So, you cannot decide pass or fail solely based on 'taste'. Do you want to deny that?"
Menchi was immediately speechless. She was well aware that her judgment criteria were indeed based on taste.
On that point alone, it did go against the original intention. Taking a step back, she had suddenly switched her identity from examiner to Gourmet Hunter.
Thinking of this, Menchi pressed her lips together. She didn't try to make any excuses for herself and said somberly, "I am not qualified to be an examiner."
Menchi's frankness made Netero show a faint smile. He raised his index finger and said, "No, it's that the dish you chose was too difficult. How about this: you can set a new test question, but you must also participate as an examinee."
Menchi lowered her head and remained silent for a moment, then replied, "Fine. But..."
She looked at Law and Tonpa. If she set a new test question, wouldn't that be very unfair to the examinees who had already passed?
Following Menchi's gaze, everyone present looked at Law and Tonpa.
Under everyone's collective stare, Law smiled and said, "What if I disagree?"