It was no surprise that Biscuit Krueger announced herself as the host of the Hunter Examination. To her, it was not bragging but a simple fact.
Around Kai Vexley, candidates whispered: "Little loli," "She's ten," "No, she's eight."
Kai's expression twitched slightly. Others might be fooled, but he knew the truth all too well. Beneath that deceptively cute exterior was a woman in her fifties, with a build that could rival professional fighters. Her frame was muscular, and her chest alone hinted at the power hidden under her childlike disguise.
Biscuit Krueger, as the records stated, was a Two-Star Treasure Hunter and a master of Conjuration-type Nen. Her ability, "Magic Beautician: Miss Cookie," was not intended for battle but for cosmetic transformation. Yet her combat strength was undeniable. As the foremost practitioner of the Shinryu martial arts style, she had even been named among the candidates for Hunter Association Chairman after Chairman Netero's death.
Kai Vexley kept silent. He knew better than to expose her real identity in front of the crowd. Biscuit had a particular personality—if he revealed the truth, she would almost certainly challenge him to a fight, and one that could last hundreds of rounds. Passing the Hunter Examination would become secondary at that point. Better to let her enjoy being called "little girl."
Indeed, she looked pleased as the crowd whispered. With a cheerful smile, she suddenly produced a megaphone from nowhere.
"Please be quiet, everyone. If you have objections to this phase of the examination, you may proceed to the next hall to file an appeal," she announced.
She pointed to a barely noticeable black door at the back wall.
A group of candidates immediately began shouting.
"Let's appeal!"
"Yeah, together!"
"The more, the better. Count me in!"
One by one, they left. Over a hundred walked out in a wave, looking bold and defiant.
Kai noticed that Tonpa was not among them. The veteran examinee merely scratched his head and forced a strained smile when he caught Kai's amused glance.
When the room finally quieted, Biscuit tossed the megaphone aside and clapped her hands.
"Good. The trash is gone. Let's begin properly. My name is Biscuit Krueger, Two-Star Treasure Hunter. At present, 535 candidates remain. My intention is to eliminate about 90% before the next stage—that means roughly 480 of you will fail."
Before anyone could react, she leapt down from the platform.
The ground shook violently as she landed, leaving a crater five meters wide. Several weaker candidates nearly lost their footing from the shockwave.
"I didn't even use Nen for that," Kai assessed silently. The sheer physical power required impressed him. Even without aura, her strength equaled his own.
"Any objections?" Biscuit asked with a bright smile.
The crowd glanced at the crater, then back at her. No one dared to speak.
"Excellent. Follow me. I'll take you to the true examination site."
Unlike previous Examiners who tested candidates with endless runs, Biscuit led them on only a ten-kilometer trek. Soon they reached their destination: the Gamora Crypt.
Biscuit turned to the group. "Your task is simple. Locate the Gem Apes and extract the gemstones embedded in their foreheads. Deliver one to me, and you pass this phase. You have twelve hours. Begin."
The crowd erupted into motion, scattering into the cavern.
Kai, however, did not move. Instead, he crouched beside a Gem Ape carcass that lay near the entrance.
Biscuit eyed him curiously. "What's this? Are you giving up already?"
"Of course not," Kai replied evenly. "But you haven't specified how the gems must be obtained. Hunting isn't the only option. I can simply wait here and take them from others when they return."
Biscuit's eyes narrowed. Few candidates would admit to such a strategy outright, especially in front of the Examiner herself. Most would ambush in secret. But Kai openly declared it.
"You're confident," she remarked.
Kai stood, brushing off his hands. "Confidence is essential. Otherwise, why pursue a Hunter License at all? By the way—when was this Gem Ape killed?"
"Last night," Biscuit answered, intrigued.
"Then it's been under twenty hours. The temperature here is cool, so the meat should still be good."
Half an hour later, Kai had skewered and roasted the ape's emerald-tinted flesh over a fire. Fat sizzled, dripping onto the flames.
"Want some?" he asked casually, offering Biscuit a skewer.
She meant to refuse. But the aroma overwhelmed her willpower. "Just one bite. No more." She snatched it from his hand and blew on it before tasting.
Her eyes widened instantly. The flavor was extraordinary, sending a wave of delight through her entire body. Without restraint, she began eating more, one skewer after another.
Kai chuckled at her enthusiasm. He had studied cooking techniques from masters long ago, and though he could not create the legendary "glowing dishes," his skills were formidable.
"Don't flatter yourself," Biscuit muttered between bites. "Even if you feed me well, I won't let you pass through the back door."
"You misunderstand," Kai said with a smile.
But as he spoke, most of the skewers vanished into Biscuit's mouth at astonishing speed.
Unbeknownst to them, the scent drifted far across the cavern. Hidden beasts, with sharper senses than humans, picked it up immediately.
Elsewhere, a bald candidate perched in a tree sneered. "Pretty boy thinks he can pass by cozying up to the Examiner? He'll be crushed when the real trial begins. In this exam, strength is all that matters."
Meanwhile, Biscuit regarded Kai with renewed curiosity. His confidence was not bluster; it was calm, steady, and reminiscent of Netero himself. That kind of composure only came with true strength.
"Kai, why are you here? Is it only for the Hunter License?" she asked.
He considered. "If I had to choose one reason—convenience. With a license, I can enter restricted zones, access rare ingredients, and deal with troublesome people more easily. It simplifies many things."
Biscuit nodded slowly. She had never heard anyone phrase it quite that way.
Kai continued, almost to himself. "I could be called a Gourmet Hunter, given my pursuit of rare foods. Or a Ruins Hunter, since I'm drawn to exploration. But neither label feels complete. Perhaps my path is something broader."
He looked out into the depths of the crypt, eyes steady.
"Maybe I am a Conquest Hunter—one who explores everything and seeks to master it all."