Forging Forward

There were two people that sat at a comfortable couch, only one did for the other was rather large in size. I looked around and saw equipment used for cooking and there were some hard to get ingredients on the counters in baskets.
Cooking it has to be cooking. The skill to create an edible dish is what they probably want, though with how some of these candidates look like they don't even know how to make a simple green salad. The two introduce themselves as Menchi and Buhara pro culinary hunters.

"You will cook a dish that will satisfy both of us." Menchi says

The others looked like this was ridiculous as a exam test for they started murmuring complaints of this test was stupid and unnecessary to pass.

I pinch the bridge of my nose for knowing how to cook is a necessity if you don't want to starve but I guess that makes it so there's less idiots in the world as hunters. Finding something to make for Buhara will probably be easy because he might eat anything that is edible to consume.

"Buhara will choose the main ingredient for your dish."

"The main ingredient will be pork. You can choose any kind of pig in Visca forest." Buhara says explaining that the dish is to have pork or you won't pass.

I looked down at Kei as he settled next two me as the examiners explained everything, we could easily tell who the other was thinking. He would head out and get the pig and I'll prep the rest of the ingredients for the dishes I'm going to make.

The rush out towards the gates made a small dust cloud, as I head towards one of the many cooking stations I notice Menchi and Buhara were watching me. 'Well now to get this all going.'

Pulling out rice, apples, carrots, onions, peppers, oil, with light and high grade spices. Menchi comes over as I start heating the oven and roaster, chopping the apples into slices with bunny ears, then the green onions, carrots, and peppers for one of the dishes I want to make. I take the oil and spices to make a paste for a rib roast when Kei comes back.

I love to cook for I had to as I lived on my own for so long with my wolf family and as a pro bounty hunter.

"Don't you need to go get a pig?" I shake my head and rinse the rice out before setting it to slowly cook in the cooker. I lose myself as I prepare the rest as I wait for Kei to come back and speaking of him he's dragging over a large pig.

I give him a large smile and rough scratches on his head and neck for such a great job. I start butchering the pig and I see Menchi and Buhara have faces of surprise with how fast I get the loins, ribs, ham, brisket, and legs all quartered 'I'll save some for later for Kei and myself I don't know when we would be able to eat again.' I get back into cooking again as the rest of the candidates rush back in to start cooking as well.

I ended up making two sets of the dishes. I made small dishes for Menchi with a large set for Buhara as he would eat the most. A few others already went up but were shot down by Menchi though her, looking towards me didn't go unnoticed, not just by me.

Kurapika walked over to me and asked why Menchi kept looking over at me and I pointed at his head hoping he would think why she is.

"Can anyone make something that can satisfy my palate?" There goes another one watching as they walk away pissed and defeated. Almost all of the candidates had tried 'tried I tell you' giving Menchi their dishes that have been the same thing over and over. About four are left to serve them, me included.

Soon my timer rang, pulling out the finished roasted chops I smeared some star fruit juice on the roast and plated it. I felt the stares of the others as the smell from my station had spread around making everyone quiet and drool. I carry over three of my six dishes I made going right through hungry people that also hadn't eaten anything for over four hours or more. I placed down the plates I had and went back for the rest. I bringed over the large set first so Menchi could see what I made as Buhara ate his share.

"Oh I've been waiting for you to come up" I'm not surprised you've been staring at me since I put the roast in.

I saw that Buhara didn't eat yet but was looking at his plate like it was an illusion or something. I wave my hand in front of him startling him and I look at Menchi as she is surprised by this as well.

"This looks like a professional made this. I wasn't expecting anything like this." "I would have to agree with Buhara on this." Then they started eating and didn't stop till it was all gone putting their plates down with cartoonish teary eyes of joy on their faces.

Both "You pass" ...... "Whaaaaaat?" Total chaos.

I walk back to my station and help myself to some of the food I made ignoring the ruckus of those who didn't pass. I hand Kei another fresh leg to eat as we wait for the idiots to quiet down their bitching and moaning. I watch Leorio, Gon, and Kurapika go up and they're shot down as well though Kurapika was close if only he used some flavors.

"All of you failed but one the exam is now over." Uproar of children is all I heard then a rush of wind from someone that was thrown by Buhara. He's a sweetie I know it.

"It's the Hunter Association logo!" The excitement from everyone was telling

'Whuuuu' an old man that looked very fit jumped down creating a crevice in the ground. Saying it would be a waste to fail the rest of the testers.

Hey don't bring me into this. It's all their own fault for taking cooking for granted. I'm surprised how they plan to survive as hunters if they can't even cook. I see everyone head to the airship the chairman came on, retaking the test at split mountain.

"You know I'm impressed you passed with how Menchi is with how food should be cooked." Chairman Netero says as he walks beside me onto the ship.

I side eye him as he lowers his gaze downwards I release some bloodlust making him look up at my face. He had the face of a child that got caught sneaking candy as he still had his smile making it look like he was innocent. Kei nipped at Netero making him jump forward and turn around with surprise and mischief on his face, I give a small smirk as I pat Kei's head.

Some time later we make it to split mountain Menchi explains what is done to get a spider eagle egg. She shows how it's done and the gremlins and two teens head right in.

I poke Menchi, getting her attention. I pointed at myself then the cavern to see if I still had to do this part if I passed the last.

"You don't need to get an egg since you were able to satisfy Menchi earlier." Netero says as he stands by Menchi watching the others over the gap.

After those that braved jumping into the cavern getting an egg only 42 passed. 'Damn these eggs are great I'll have to stop by and get some on occasion.'

"Now all applicants who passed please return to the blimp so we can proceed to the third phase."

Netero gives out his explanation of why he had shown up earlier than he would have but I was actually getting a bit tired and wanted to get some sleep.

"We'll arrive at our destination at eight a.m tomorrow. So please relax and enjoy the amenities aboard." Mr. Bean says giving many of us joy in knowing that we could relax and take a much needed sleep and probably get a shower.

"C'mon Gon lets go explore!" Ah there goes the gremlins taking advantage of the new space.

I go to look for a room to have a shower and relax with many of the others doing the same. But I felt someone watching me as I left off towards the rooms. They followed me when I turned a corner though I took the first room that was open before they came around the turn.

The room was spacious with two beds, a tv and a bathroom 'I'm so going to enjoy that shower' Then some bloodlust flared not that far away from my room with someone moving at fast pace to a different location. I ignored it for whoever it is, is probably using it to scare others shitless.

Taking off my gear and clothing I head towards the bathroom to get into that gorgeous shower with three shower heads. I noticed that Kei was staring at the door and shifted into a larger size as he laid in front of it. 'That person must still be nearby.'

I shower get dressed to sleep and rest for the next phase to begin around eight tomorrow. Not knowing that I would meet a lot of old faces that I had put in the place where we are heading off too.

Now we're off to the third phase Trick tower
How will Airi handle those she had placed in this unforgiving place
Well I'll see you in the next chapter to find out
Bye!!