Leorio felt a minor curiosity swell inside at what the second test may be. The walls creating a distinctive, round and dividing structure was impressive for such a dangerous environment. Either it was built by hunters, some sort of locals, or individuals being protected by hunters.
"Excellent work everyone. You have all passed the first phase," Satotz interrupted his musings. "The second phase will take place here, in the Visca Forest Park."
Leorio's eyes darted about. A fine line between the Wetlands and the "park". Was it multiple names for one place? Or was there an actual difference beside the wall?
"So, I shall now take my leave. I wish you all the very best of luck," Satotz finished. He then, as swiftly as he had begun the marathon, left the crowd of applicants remaining.
The group didn't have to wait long for the second phase. The doors opened in a grand fashion, calling everyone's attention with it's low rumble. Leorio quickly picked up on some kind of mansion or quarters of lodging behind the stone wall and metal gate. Red roofed with cream paint and white accents, the windows shimmering a cool blue. A large Courtyard like area along with a stone walk way led up to the building. On either side of the walk were many tables with clean counters, giving Leorio a slight reminder of working in the kitchen performing his dietary duties to the family, or clean up when they didn't want someone to die, just suffer a little.
Leorio's gaze went back to the house where he could feel two individual's nen wait. One average sized individual, and the other positively massive.
"Will all the applicants who passed the first phase please enter?" The smaller, and female spoke clearly with no interest in her voice. Her next words were decidedly perkier, "Welcome, all! I'm Menchi, your examiner for the second phase."
Leorio averted his eyes upward towards the man behind her. He had seen his fair share of people wearing not as much clothing, but normally it was when he was learning something or practicing something medical in nature. Most females he interacted with outside of his own learning and "professionalism" wouldn't dare dress as Menchi would. He did his best to ignore her wardrobe and the slight blush he knew he would have had he not been skilled with his body reactions and nen.
"And likewise, I'm Buhara."
There was silence as the crowd awaited any indication of what the second test would be. A low rumble came from the two examiners, most likely from Buhara. Leorio knew the sounds of hunger all too well from his youth. Even if some in the crowd didn't realize the sound of hunger, he never would forget it.
"Sounds to me like you're getting hungry," Menchi commented playfully. Leorio took a deep breath. If it was a test of foraging for Buhara's no doubt massive appetite, then the test would be simple for him.
"Not just hungry, I'm famished."
Leorio didn't doubt it. At the size he was, he would need more food to circulate the proper nutrients through the body. Assuming his organs were larger than the average person's from his impressive height alone, he could probably put away an obscene amount of food.
"Well, there you have it. The second phase... will be cooking!"
Leorio felt rather good about his prospects. He knew how to feed picky assassins who liked to spoil themselves with food when they weren't on missions. If he could make something nutritionally satisfying that they would eat without hesitation or promise of punishment, he had a good feeling he could impress the two examiners.
He heard surprised mumbles and grumbles along with a few laughs at what seemed to be a ridiculous challenge. One was even so bold as to question the examiners outright. Menchi didn't waste a beat in confirming that they would be in fact cooking in order to pass the second phase. Leorio understood why. One a basic level, knowing how to safely prepare food was vital when going to uncharted territories. Even when one is stuck in one location for a lengthened period of time, it was a good skill to have.
The real kicker was when Menchi proudly explained that she and Buhara, were gourmet hunters.
Leorio had heard about them only when he was at school. Gourmet hunters were rather well talked about, as many would spread word of tasty foods, exotic ingredients, and could easily get a restaurant shut down with one positively scathing assessment. They had a social power some other hunters lacked. While not seen as hunters by some, Leorio had come to the conclusion they were some of the wildest hunters out there. They would risk life and limb, for a snack.
Those laughing, wouldn't be laughing by the end of the phase. Leorio was sure of it. If they had even the slightest knowledge of the infamy that came from being a gourmet hunter, they would be begging not to have to cook for the pair.
Leorio watched Menchi and Buhara as Buhara stood. One foot creating a small tremor just from standing up.
"Today's required ingredient will be pork. Feel free to use meat from any species of pig in Visca Forest. As you see, you'll use these cooking facilities to prep your pork dishes. To pass the exam, you must create a dish to satisfy our discriminating palates."
Leorio could feel a mix of relief, excitement and disappointment. The fresh berry he retrieved would be perfectly paired with a pork dish as a sauce or glaze. Perhaps even a marinade.
"But we won't be evaluating taste alone. So take this seriously. Is that clear?"
One healthy, tasty and pretty to the eye dish? Leorio could feel a shiver go down his spine. It was like trying to cook for Lady Kikyo. Most likely just as picky.
"When we've both eaten our fill, this portion of the exam will be over."
Lack of cooking experience and awareness of the contestants made Leorio aware that many will take that as a hint to cook fast. He would take his time. Gourmet hunters wouldn't be full from just one meal after all.
"Let the exam's second phase..." Buhara smacked his stomach, a loud gong like sound ringing out, "BEGIN!"
Everyone began running to the forest. Even Leorio. For what he wanted to do, he needed time for the pig to be carved and marinated. Many hunters remained in close proximity to one another as they began to look for a pig.
Leorio kept quiet and allowed his nen to pulse outward. He did his best to notice a shape that appeared distinctively boar. He hid his smirk once he found the buggers, not bothering to stop anyone who bothered to follow him. He went down hill and saw some mean looking boars gnawing on bones. He had to stifle a snort.
He had worked with this kind of pig before. Mike would enjoy them from time to time, and portions were saved exclusively for the family for the positively tender meat. He picked up a rock from the ground, knowing that he wouldn't need his knife to take the pig down, and that he didn't want to damage the meat. With a careful, but hard throw, he hit one of the pigs right between the eyes, taking it down.
The other pigs squealed and began to search for the threat. They saw people in the distance and charged.
Leorio was sure they would be fine. They were testing to be hunters after all. He picked up the pig with ease, silently thanking the Zoldyck's for getting him physically strong enough to make lifting the large boar a breeze.
"Well, better get back," he said, jogging with the pig over his head and back. He was not surprised to find he was the first to return with his pig. He was in the corner in the back to avoid anyone watching what he was doing. He grabbed a knife and began carving the pig, taking only the most delectable parts of the pig to be the star. He began to cut the fresh berry and used it as a surprise inner glaze for a stuffed pork chop, cooking nice and slow over a flame. He noticed other applicants arriving in a frenzy, nearly all of them returning with a pig. He watched as all of them simply put it over a fire as a whole roast pig. Many times, not ever an attempt at seasoning the meat.
Seeing this, he figured he would need more food on the plate, or he might not pass based on the lack of food compared to the other contestants. With the remaining portion of the meat, he began to make pulled pork, paired with the remainder of the berry and a heap of other spices to make a spicy-sweet barbeque sauce.
"Seriously? Can't anyone out there make something that'll satisfy my taste buds!" Menchi yelled in annoyance. Leorio looked up to see a massive pile of bones behind Buhara who looked comfortable while Menchi could not have eaten anything for all he knew. He saw Gon bring up his pig, with flowers around it making it look somewhat festive, but otherwise the same as the others.
He raised a brow at massive pile of pork and vegetable layered like a cake that Kurapika brought up, no doubt attempting to stand out. Seeing the irritation on Menchi's face, Leorio quickly plated the stuffed porkchops and the shredded pork along with sweet bread to soak up any sauce or juice on the plate. He began walking up as he saw Menchi taking a bite of Kurapika's dish.
"Gross!" Menchi roared as she threw the dish. Leorio sidestepped, avoiding the wild food. "Presentation is important, but not at the expense of the flavor."
"Nice try Kurapika," Leorio commented. He placed his dish down before the judges. Both looked at the options on the dish with interest.
"Another dish? Something that resembles one at least. Hope it tastes better than the last one."
Menchi cut into the porkchop, the hidden inner glaze dripping from the pork in a tantalizing fashion. She took a bite and gave Leorio a once over. Without a word, she grabbed the bread offered in the dish and placed some of the sauced pulled pork inside. She silently took a bite.
"Your presentation is fine and your flavors are acceptable," she admitted with slight annoyance. She held up her sign showing her approval of the product. Buhara gleefully dug into the offerings also giving a pass. The hunters watched in disbelief as someone passed the unpassable Menchi. One applicant in particular was staring at him in disbelief.
"Looks like you're the only one moving on is number 45."
You didn't need to be a genius to feel the anger and rage coming from the group of applicants. Both at the examiners and at Leorio for the being the one they had allowed to pass. One who had been dismissive of the examiners earlier destroyed his work station.
"This is unacceptable. Do ya hear me? I will not accept this!"
"Say what you want, but you still failed," Menchi stated, much like a person would when explaining something simple to a small and slow child.
"Shut the hell up! You asked for pork and we gave it to you. We risked our lives-"
Oh, bad choice in words, Leorio couldn't help but think.
"Your challenge was to prepare a pork dish that both examiners would find delicious, and only one of you even just met our expectations. You all did pretty much the same thing," she said gesturing out to those who failed. Leorio took a step to the side, knowing that he wasn't being addressed in her accurate criticism, "I mean, it's like you didn't even try to figure it out. And when it looked like you had tried, it was mainly fancy plating with no flavor to back it up. It's clear that only one of you took this seriously."
Leorio looked about the crowd of complainers, accidently locking eyes with Killua who was locked onto his person. He gave a small smile to the white haired boy and tilted his tinted glasses downward. No sense hiding he was here if he was the only one moving on.
"I'm looking to become a Blacklist Hunter! And no stupid Gourmet Hunter is going to tell me I can't."
"Then it's too bad a stupid Gourmet Hunter is your examiner. Well, better luck next year, I guess."
"Why you-!"
Leorio raised a brow at the red faced man charge the examiner. Didn't they learn anything from Hisoka's casual but deadly attack on Satotz? He didn't even flinch when Buhura casually backhanded the man into the air easily, throwing him back into the outer perimeter.
"Buhara, please don't interfere," Menchi stated.
"I'm sorry, but it kinda looked like like you were going to kill him if I didn't step in," Buhara replied. Leorio had no doubt Buhara was right. Menchi chuckled at his response.
"Probably," she answered picking up a set of blades. Standing from her seat, she began to walk down the stone stairs. "Let's get this straight. We frequently venture into the dens of ferocious beasts, in search of the finest ingredients. And every hunter is proficient in at least some form of martial art. You lack focus, and the will to experiment with new things. And that alone disqualifies you all from being hunters," she said, pointing her blades at those who had failed.
It wasn't the lack of trying in Leorio's eyes here, it was experience. Something he had acquired from the demanding lifestyle of the Zoldycks.
"Well, that said, it seems a bit excessive to fail all but one applicant," a voice broke in over some sort of speaker system. Leorio looked up to see a large airship that had at some point just, appeared. One marked by the Hunter's Association at that. No doubt, someone affiliated with the exam committee. He raised a curious brow as someone fell from the balloon and crashed into the ground. He had no doubt they were unharmed as smoke and debris blocked most people's vision.
He kept a firm face when he saw an older man in what looked like a robe with rather odd shoes, long hair pulled into a ponytail, long eye brows and a curled beard became clear. He heard Menchi say he was the head of the exam committee. Chairman Netero. He listened as the older man just brushed off his work as just behind the scene junk.
But in the case of only one passing applicant so early on, it seemed he made a point to intervene.
Leorio felt a bit unnerved at how easily Netero had Menchi admitting to making the test more difficult than it should have been due to her own temper. The man didn't appear that dangerous. Then again, the truly dangerous ones never do, bar a few of course. Also, the new second phase would mean he wasted the berry he had been able to collect. Oh well.
Netero's eyes went over to Leorio,
"You won't have to take the second phase again, should you chose not to. You did pass it after all," Netero offered.
"That's very generous," Leorio responded vaguely. He was kind of curious what would happen in the new second phase.
"It's decided. We'll be making boiled eggs. If you don't mind taking us to Split Mountain Chairman."
"Split Mountain? Oh, I see. Yes, of course!"
The airship landed and all were rushed into the ship, all stuck in the lower portion of it and kept from exploring it as they were brought to a new destination. Leorio shrouded himself in his nen to keep Killua from finding him while in confined quarters. It was no doubt going to be messy when he would be pinned down by the little bugger. He stayed by the window to know where they were going first. A mountain with what looked like a seam. All across it there was a crack, from the base to the top.
Everyone rushed off upon arrival, standing at the edge of the seam, overlooking a steep drop.
"This is it, everyone take a look at what's down there. A spider-eagle's web."
Leorio had heard of them from Illumi. He chanced a glance at the disguised Zoldyck. Of course, Illumi didn't look back. Illumi said they were a rich and expensive treat. He also said he didn't like them.
A large gust came from the opening in the mountain, pushing a few of the applicants back.
"Look past the web to what's underneath. Those are spider-eagle eggs."
Leorio listened to the information given about the hard to collect eggs, and watched as Menchi jumped into the ravine without hesitation, only to grab onto a web and remain there. Then, he watched as she let go, free falling towards a clutch of eggs. Her hands grab one egg and it pops off the clutch, joining her in her free fall. Her body still in a lying position as she disappeared from sight. A powerful air current followed and she was lifted out of the ravine, the egg still in hand.
Netero continued to talk about the spider-eagles and how the updrafts were crucial to the species as a whole.
"I've been waiting for something like this!" he heard Gon laugh.
"Coming old man? Or you scared?" Killua taunted loudly. Leorio felt the familiar irritation boil under his skin.
"Who you calling old?!" Leorio yelled back as Killua, Gon and Kurapika jumped over the edge. Not to be outdone, he jumped too, joining the three dare devils. They caught the same web, the three shorter ones looking over to Leorio.
"Doc, didn't you pass the second phase?" Kurapika asked in a polite and inquisitive tone.
"Yeah, don't remind me."
"Hey old man. Didn't know you'd be here," Killua chuckled.
"You know him Killua?" Gon asked.
"You know, maybe it's not the right time for these questions. We are dangling who knows how high off the ground," Leorio interrupted.
"Why? People talk when they're hanging around," Killua joked.
"Don't start with me Killua!"
Small shakes in the web assured others were dropping and latching onto the webs. One was rather hasty in not waiting to much time before dropping to grab an egg. His confident cry turned into a shriek of terror when he realized he wouldn't be coming back up.
"Wonder when the next updraft will be," Leorio muttered.
"Any minute now," Gon said simply. Leorio turned his gaze to Gon. His eyes were shut and his nose was twitching, perhaps smelling something they couldn't.
The web began to lower them, unable to support their weight for much longer. Wind or not, soon they would be plummeting. Some didn't have the mindset in mind and just let go, having no hope of surviving.
"Now!" Gon cried out just as the web was about to snap. Leorio let go, as did Killua, and Kurapika. Gon had let go first and was fast approaching the eggs. They weren't alone as the others trusted Gon's call. Even the rookie crusher. Each one who had let go when Gon said to, procured an egg. and began to fall far too close to the ground for comfort when a powerful updraft propelled them all back to the cliff, unharmed.
Killua had Gon and Leorio on either side, a smug grin on his face as he faced the tall doctor to be.
"Good to see you old man."
"How many times do I have to tell you, I am not old."
"How long are you going to deny it?" Killua snarked back as they all walked to put their eggs in the water to be boiled.
"Is he a your friend Killua?" Gon asked.
"Nah. He's my doctor."
"I'm still in school Killua. I'm not a doctor yet," Leorio responded without hesitation.
"Wow. Neat," Gon remarked with a jovial innocence.
"I didn't expect you to jump down with us Doc," Kurapika spoke up. A Cheshire like grin came to Killua's face
"Doc? And yet you tell me you're not a doctor, old man?" Killua teased.
"You know each other," Kurapika realized with the quick exchange.
"Yeah. I've know the brat all his life," Leorio admitted.
"Who you calling a brat old man?"
"I call it as I seem them brat," Leorio responded in time with Killua.
Cooking. So I figured with Leorio having to help with nutrition at the Zoldyck manner, he would have had a fighting chance at making something passable for Menchi. And considering that he would be the one passing, there was no way he wouldn't get noticed by the other contestants. So Killua now knows Leorio is there.