We're All the Same Kind of People

Without a doubt, if classified according to the alignment concepts of Dungeons & Dragons, Hisoka should be categorized as "Chaotic Neutral."

His thoughts and actions were unpredictable, but not entirely irrational. He also cared nothing for the constraints of social order or moral restraint.

In comparison to the Phantom Troupe's indiscriminate slaughter and pure evil, Hisoka rarely took the initiative to harm Ordinary People. He followed certain rules of conduct unknown to Outsiders. Those killed by him were either Nen users or special individuals who knew they might face mortal danger yet still chose to draw closer to it—such as the candidates taking the Hunter Exam.

He loved fighting powerful opponents, but he loved nurturing promising seeds even more, then patiently waiting for them to take root and sprout, eventually growing into towering trees.

Though it stemmed from the selfish notion of "preparing more toys for himself," it could not be denied that this method truly stimulated potential rapidly, allowing those with genius-level talent to grow stronger at an astonishing rate.

That was precisely why Allen had not stopped Hisoka from approaching Gon, Kurapika, and Leorio. Nor had he worried about the three of them being in danger.

After all, even he could see the astonishing potential of those three. There was no reason Hisoka would fail to see it.

After resting for a while at the finish line of the first exam, Hisoka suddenly appeared out of nowhere with Leorio slung over his back, half his face swollen like a pig's head. He casually tossed him beneath a large tree, a lingering smile still hanging on his face.

More importantly, the wild aura around him had finally calmed down, no longer giving off the impression that it might erupt at any moment.

"You seem very happy?" Allen took the initiative to probe.

"Ah! Because I found several more adorable little apples. They're still rather green for now, but once they ripen in the future, they'll surely become incomparably delicious. Hehehehe..."

Hisoka let out a lecherous laugh while continuously fiddling with the playing cards in his hand.

"I'm curious. If one day you die at the hands of an apple you raised yourself, would you regret it?" Allen finally could not help voicing the question that had long troubled him.

Though he himself possessed the typical personality of a Transmuter, he could not understand the passion, obsession, or even madness this man held for battle.

Especially how he treated his own life as a wager every single time, without the slightest fear of death.

"Oh? Should I take that as a declaration of victory from you?" Hisoka's gaze instantly sharpened.

Allen gently shook his head. "No. I'm simply curious. I want to understand the motive behind what you do."

"Motive? Once our battle begins, you'll understand immediately. Because, in a certain sense, you and I are the same kind of people. It's just that you haven't tasted the forbidden fruit yet, so some things inside your head haven't awakened." Hisoka raised a finger and lightly tapped his temple.

"Forbidden fruit..."

A faint, barely noticeable glimmer flashed through Allen's violet eyes before quickly returning to normal.

For that brief instant, he seemed to sense something within his body about to break free from its shell. But for some reason, it abruptly stopped and vanished completely.

The feeling was so strange that during the second exam, he remained in a daze, desperately trying to recall and grasp that fleeting moment in his mind, completely forgetting that he was still taking the Hunter Exam.

Fortunately!

Through Soul Link, Lupos noticed that his master was not in the right state and voluntarily took on the task of the second exam.

As a result, everyone saw a massive Shadow Wolf King first slap a Snapping Turtle Pig to death with one paw, then skillfully skin it, remove its tendons, and gut it. Afterward, it used its Claws to cut the meat into the required shapes and began preparing dish after dish of exquisite cuisine with the limited conditions available.

Before long, a rich aroma slowly spread through the air, making people unable to stop themselves from salivating.

Such an astonishing sight left not only the inexperienced candidates staring dumbly, but even the two Gourmet Hunter examiners utterly stunned.

Although the world of Hunter x Hunter did not lack Warcraft with extraordinary intelligence, Lupos's appearance and physical structure proved in every way that it was merely a wolf.

Yet now, this wolf had not only learned powerful Nen, but could also cook like a human. Judging from the aroma alone, the food was unquestionably delicious.

"Buhara! Can you smell that?"

One of the examiners, Menchi, had curiosity and excitement gleaming in her eyes.

"I can. That extraordinary aroma. And it looks delicious too. I'm practically drooling already." Buhara swallowed the saliva continuously filling his mouth, while his stomach let out an embarrassingly loud rumble.

You must know that Lupos's cooking skills came from Allen's Cooking skill, which had already reached 300 proficiency. Shared through Soul Link, they were practically on par with the finest professional chefs. Several of the seasonings used also came from Azerath, a place saturated with magical energy and entirely separate from this world. Naturally, they aroused the intense curiosity of the Gourmet Hunters, who could not wait to taste flavors they had never encountered before.

The instant the final dish was completed, Menchi was the first to rush forward. She used the fork in her hand to spear a small piece of meat dripping with savory juices, put it into her mouth, and closed her eyes to savor it carefully.

Less than two or three seconds later, she abruptly opened her eyes and shouted in praise, "Delicious! Incredible!"

"Mm! Mm! Mm! I completely agree!" Buhara swept nearly half the plates clean in one go, an incomparably satisfied expression appearing on his plump face.

In just a few short minutes, the feast made from an entire Snapping Turtle Pig was completely devoured by the two of them like a whirlwind.

Without question, thanks to Lupos's outstanding performance, Allen passed this round without doing anything at all.

However, the candidates behind them were not nearly so fortunate...

After their taste buds had been completely awakened by that lavish and delicious feast, the undercooked or burnt meat prepared by the other candidates, along with flavors that were either too salty or too bland, failed to stir even the slightest interest in the two examiners.

In comparison, the good-natured Buhara at least remembered his duty as an examiner and allowed most of those carrying roasted pork to pass.

But the willful Menchi was different.

This young Gourmet Hunter instantly fell into a professional obsession and directly declared that every candidate besides Allen had failed. She even mocked their food, saying not even pigs would eat it, provoking public outrage and nearly starting a fight.

Hisoka took the opportunity to release an astonishing killing intent, intending to fan the flames and make a huge mess.

But before he could find the right moment to act, Chairman Netero descended from the sky and stopped the farce. He then changed the exam to retrieving Grape Spider eggs from beside a canyon.

Though it was also extremely dangerous, and one careless step could send them falling into the ravine below, it was clearly far easier than satisfying a picky Gourmet Hunter.

Before long, all the candidates who had passed the second exam boarded the Hunter Association's Airship and headed directly toward the location of the third exam.

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