Just how much had this guy looted?!
Fortunately, they didn't have to wonder for long.
The staff member soon announced: "Applicant No. 404, total resources..."
He paused for a moment, unable to help himself.
"... 16.72 million."
The number dropped like a bomb.
The room fell silent.
It was an amount so far beyond theirs that they couldn't even come close; in some cases, it's more than ten times higher.
"Well, looks like the first place in the second round is already decided..."
The other applicants remained silent, all turning to look at Luke, whose expression stayed calm and composed.
This applicant No. 404... Was no ordinary person.
"The totals of your collected resources will be handed directly to the examiners for the second phase."
"If there are no issues, please follow me."
After confirming and recording everyone's results, the staff member showed no reaction, hesitation, or delay.
He simply turned around and started walking forward.
Everyone, including Luke, immediately followed.
As they moved along, they gradually met with applicants from other exit points.
When the groups merged, they silently counted their numbers.
As Luke had expected, it was slightly fewer than the 150 he had estimated.
One thing caught his attention: Tonpa, the hunter exam veteran, was among the groups from another exit point.
As expected, there was no way that guy would be eliminated in the first round.
When Luke spotted Tonpa, Tonpa also saw him and instantly lowered his head, doing his best to suppress his presence.
"As I thought, that guy isn't just some ordinary rookie..."
Seeing Luke walking with several intimidating, brutal-looking applicants who had all passed the first round, Tonpa silently reaffirmed his thoughts.
And so, as all the remaining applicants cautiously observed one another, ten staff members led them across the region, past rocky hills and ridges, until they arrived at… a vast desert.
And there, standing in the distance, was a familiar figure waiting for them.
"Hm? Another familiar face..."
From a distance, Luke could already see the figure standing there.
Coincidentally, it was someone he knew, well, the word, knew, was putting it generously.
To be precise, it was just recognition, not familiarity, because this person only appeared briefly in the Hunter Chairman Election arc.
A minor character with little screen time and barely any presence.
His name: Bushidora Ambitious, nicknamed the samurai.
Originally a Blacklist Hunter, he later became a Single-Star due to his accomplishments.
During the election arc, he joined forces with Teradein Neutral and Loupe Highland, forming an alliance to run for the position of the new Hunter Association chairman.
Their slogan was the no-chairman faction.
They believed the Hunter Association belonged to all professional hunters collectively, and that the chairman should not hold such dominant power or influence.
Regardless of what his two allies truly thought, Bushidora Ambitious genuinely believed this.
As a member of the Hunter Association's disciplinary committee, his entire focus was on maintaining internal order and discipline within the association.
After officially announcing his candidacy for chairman, Bushidora Ambitious reinstated the association's internal Pure Paladin Squad, intended to root out corrupt members and criminals within the organization.
Well, there's nothing wrong with his thinking and approach.
But the problem was… his first two targets after taking action were Hisoka and Illumi Zoldyck.
One was a murderous maniac, the other from a family of professional assassins.
Eliminating both from the ranks of hunters would have made perfect sense in theory, but the reality was far crueler.
In terms of strength, Bushidora Ambitious and his two allies were utterly outmatched.
Not only were all the members of his reinstated Pure Paladin Squad defeated by Hisoka, but even the trio was wiped out on the spot, killed by Hisoka in an instant.
Their ideals were noble, but reality was merciless.
Now, Bushidora Ambitious was serving as the examiner for the second round of the hunter exam.
With a stern expression, he stood straight while waiting for the applicants to arrive.
Finally, once all the staff and applicants were gathered, he spoke: "The first round of the hunter exam is hereby concluded."
Expressionless, Bushidora Ambitious looked out toward the remaining applicants.
"Total number of successful participants: one hundred and nine."
After clearing his throat, he continued, "Next will be the second round of the hunter exam. I am your second-round examiner, Bushidora Ambitious."
"The contents of this second round are very simple."
Spreading his arms, he gestured to the vast desert stretching out behind him.
"In this desert behind me, I have placed sixty specially prepared sheets of paper from the Hunter Association."
"Each sheet contains a question or a task."
"If you can answer the question correctly or fulfill the task's requirement, bring that sheet back to me."
"Once I verify your answer, you will automatically pass."
Having clearly explained the rules, Bushidora Ambitious's voice echoed firmly across the field.
Upon hearing there were only sixty sheets, the applicants' expressions immediately hardened.
During the first round, when they were gathering supplies, no one knew how many valuable resources there were, but everyone assumed there was plenty to go around.
So there was no real pressure then.
But now, with the second round's rules made clear, only sixty sheets of paper existed.
That meant only sixty applicants could pass.
"Oh, right, there are a few additional details."
As the applicants tensed, Bushidora Ambitious continued casually, as if just remembering something.
"Each sheet of paper can only be answered once when presented to me."
"In other words..."
He gave a grim, faint smile.
"If someone finds a sheet and brings it to me to answer, if they get it right, they pass, and I reclaim that question. But if they get it wrong..."
He looked around at the silent crowd.
"That question is void; it's discarded. It will not be asked again, nor can anyone else attempt it."
"So before you come to me with an answer, make absolutely sure you know it and can get it right."
"Otherwise, you'll waste not only a question, but also a precious passing slot."
As his words sank in, the applicants erupted into murmurs.
"So that means..."
One of them couldn't hold back and blurted out: "... There might not even be sixty people who pass in the end?!"
"Correct."
Bushidora Ambitious glanced at the speaker and nodded calmly.
"Some of the questions are quite difficult, things even professional hunters may not know."