Phase 2 x Redo

{Author's Note: Short chapter today, didn't really feel like writing, but I wanted to keep the habit of 1 chapter Mon-Fri.}

"The Numere Wetlands was given the nickname "Swindlers Swamp" because the animals that reside here use deception to hunt for prey. We must cross these wetlands to reach phase 2." Satotz then changed to a silly, nonchalant tone, saying "If you let the fool you, you'll die, you know?"

After the gate closed, signalling the end of the first part of the first phase, Satotz said, "Alright, stay close to me so that you won't be decieved."

"Heh! How can they fool us if we're expecting it?" Leorio naively said.

"Don't let them fool you!"

"I just said they can't," Leorio replied with an irked face.

"D-don't fall for it... I'm the real examiner!"

"Then... who is he?" Hanzo and Leorio said together, looking at Satotz.

"Look at this! A man-faced ape. Their limbs are thin so they're weak. It mimics humans and cooperated with predators in the swamp to lead unsuspecting people to their deaths!

"Bastard..."

"He certainly doesn't walk like a human," Hanzo said.

At this moment, three cards pierced the "examiner's" chest, while three more cards made their way to Satotz's, who caught them. "Hmmhmm" Hisoka laughed, "I see, I see! It seems that you're the real examiner... Examiners are Hunters selected by the committee to test applicants without pay. Anyone who is selected would have been able to handle that attack."

"I thank you for the compliment... however, should you attack me again, for any reason, you shall be disqualified... The man-faced ape was attempting to confuse and lure some of you away into a trap. I believe that many of you were fooled into doubting my identity as an examiner?"

"eheheh," Hanzo, Leorio, and a few other applicants laughed.

"Do you understand? You must not lose sight of my in the Numere Wetlands... otherwise you will most likely meet an untimely death. Then, let us be on our way."

At this time, 368 applicants remained.

...

{Author's Note: Gonna skip the rest of this since there's not any notable events. Basically Hisoka was attacked and, with a single swipe of a card, he skilled many hunter applicants. Then he decided to play examiner and test whether or not Kurapika and Leorio were worthy to be Hunters. He found that they were. Now, Veld didn't go back to save them since he knew that they would pass. 148 applicants and the entrance to the second phase.}

...

The gates slid open, revealing rows and columns of cooking stations with vegetables and fruits. A huge, fat man and a skinny, petite woman sat in front of a mansion, one ahead of the other. "Will all of the applicants that passed the first phase of the exam please enter?" the woman's voice sounded, "Welcome. I'm the second phase examiner, Menchi."

"I'm Buhara, the other examiner."

"Your task will be cooking!"

"Cooking?!" Various complaints sounded out amongst the crowd, most dissatisfied with the content of the second phase of the exam. After venting their annoyance and disappointments, she continued, "You must produce a dish that satisfies the both of us. Once we're full, the exam will end."

"Why do we have to cook?!"

"Because, we are... Gourmet Hunters!"

"Bahaha! Gourmet Hunters!" They mocked, thoroughly annoying Menchi, who decided to then judge more harshly. Satotz was observing from afar, concerned because he knew the personality that Menchi had. He would keep watch to make sure that the exam proceeded smoothly and, if necessary, he would give a call to Mr. Bean.

"So, what are we supposed to make, Gourmet Hunters?" Number 255 emphasized "Gourmet."

Buhara said, "You must cook a dish with pork. You may choose any species of pig in the Biska Forest... then, second phase... start!"

...

"Hahaha, Buhara, there's only one species of pig in the forest..."

"Heh, let's hope they don't die."

...

After Veld hit the forehead of the pig, he brought it back and began cooking. Others followed behind him, each with their own pig. Many burnt both the insides and outsides, or burnt the outsides, leaving the insides uncooked. Until Leorio, no one even bothered to do anything than cook the pig. Even Leorio only put a Hunter's Association flag on top of the pig. Kurapika made an effort, but still failed as the taste unsatisfying.

'Sigh, since there's no point in trying, might as well just put a little decoration as well...'

"Failed!"

'Yup. Figures...'

...

*Boom!*

Dust flew up into the air, hovering for a few moments before it cleared up, revealing an old man. Menchi, who knew she messed up, said, "Chairman of the Selection Committee, Chairman Netero..."

"Well, I usually work behind the scenes. I only take action when there's a problem... like now. So, Menchi-kun..." Netero looked at her breasts, then looked back up to her face, "You failed everyone because of their reluctance to try new things?"

"No, Sir. I lost my cool when they mocked Gourmet Hunters, and made the exam harder than necessary."

"In other words, you're aware that the test was unacceptable."

"Yes, sir. When cooking is involved, I lose my cool. I resign as an examiner. Please redo the second phase!"

"It would be rather difficult to find a replacement examiner on such short notice. That said, why don't you continue serving as examiner, but also participate in the new test that you propose?"

"Yes, sir. Then, can you take us to Mt. Split-In-Half?"

"Very well."

...

After arriving at Mt. Split-In-Half, Menchi introduced the new exam. "Spider-Eagles build their webs in ravines to protect them from predators, making their eggs quite difficult to obtain. The eggs are also known as dream eggs." Number 255 sat on the ground, fearful about the next task. Menchi jumped off and into the ravine, grabbing hold of one of the strings stretching across the ravine. After waiting for a small gust of wind, she let go of the string and grabbed an egg, using gravity to rip the egg off of the egg cluster. A few seconds later, a gale carried her back up, allowing her to reach the top of the ravine, safe from harm.

Many of the remaining applicants dropped out, fearful of potential death. However, Kurapika, Leorio, Veld, and Killua all jumped down, causing those with courage to follow. As the applicants' weight began tearing the web, many jumped down, impatient... only to fall to their deaths. Veld signaled the three—Leorio specifically— to be patient and follow his lead. After the web was about to collapse, sending everyone to their doom, he said, "Now!"

The four jumped in unison, each grabbing their eggs. However, many applicants were unaware and reacted a little late, causing their demise. A huge gust of wind, larger than the one that carried Menchi back up, thrust the applicants back up. Each and every one that brought the Spider-Eagle egg back up had passed. 34 applicants remain. (8 less than canon).