The Third Exam

Tonpa was not the only one who had been betrayed.

But only Tonpa wore an expression of extreme grief.

Lucky watched and wondered if this was when Tonpa became the "Rookie Crusher."

"All eliminated examinees may leave now. Consider yourselves lucky—at least my exam did not involve any danger."

Tommy began ushering people out. Although this was the world's largest library, anyone who wanted to read here needed the proper qualifications.

It was not open to the public for free.

They had chosen this place as the exam venue because Tommy was more than just a Hunter.

Indeed, compared to the danger of the first exam, the second had been much safer.

Tommy then led the successful examinees aboard an airship and departed for the next exam site.

This time, the airship headed into the wilderness.

They arrived at the edge of a forest, with an endless mountain range stretching out in the distance.

Someone was already waiting at the forest's edge.

He was a burly man.

Husum, the examiner for the third exam.

"So many people made it through? Tommy, don't tell me your exam was the same as before?" Seeing so many examinees, Husum seemed somewhat dissatisfied.

There were very few true professional Hunters. Even by the time of the election arc in the anime, there had only been 680 of them.

"This year's candidates are all outstanding. They're smart, too."

This was Tommy's second time serving as a Hunter Exam examiner. Far fewer people had passed the last time.

More importantly, this year's examinees had been smarter and willing to cooperate at the start.

If not for their little schemes at the end, everyone might have passed.

"Besides, your exam method hasn't changed either, has it?"

Husum was Tommy's senior. Husum had been an examiner during Tommy's own Hunter Exam.

Not every Hunter examiner was willing to put much thought into designing exam content.

Generally speaking, when the Hunter Association asked them to serve, they chose something from their own field as the exam.

Hearing the examiners' conversation, some examinees began to entertain ideas. Did that mean that if they failed this time, they would have a much better chance if they encountered the same examiner next time?

But that was basically impossible. Once someone had served as a Hunter Exam examiner, they had to wait at least five years before serving again.

A Hunter would not be allowed to repeatedly serve as a Hunter Exam examiner within a short period.

"My work is done. I'll leave the rest to you." Tommy waved goodbye and returned to the airship.

The airship did not leave, clearly intending to wait until the third exam had ended.

"My name is Husum. I am also your examiner for the third exam."

"I will now announce the content of the third exam. Listen carefully."

Husum wore a stern expression and looked difficult to approach.

"Before you is Bremen Forest. In the distance are the Bremen Mountains."

"This forest is your exam site." As he spoke, he snapped his fingers.

A buzzing sound arose, and dozens of palm-sized "bees" flew out of the forest.

However, these "bees" were blood-red. Looking closely, they were the color of blood jade.

Because of their size, their stingers looked especially terrifying, giving them a savage appearance.

"These are Blood Jade Bees. Your exam is to obtain Blood Jade Bee honey. Any method is allowed. These are the containers prepared for you."

A pile of iron bottles sat behind Husum.

"One more reminder: do not run into the mountains," Husum warned them.

The mountain range contained many dangerous creatures. Some were hazardous species that required isolation, and there were even Magical Beasts among them.

"How is that possible? Blood Jade Bees are dangerous creatures."

Some examinees recognized the Blood Jade Bees as well.

This world had a rating system for all kinds of living creatures.

Blood Jade Bees had not yet been rated, which meant their threat was limited. But to ordinary people, they were still extremely dangerous creatures.

A single Blood Jade Bee was naturally nothing much.

The problem was that bees moved in swarms, and obtaining Blood Jade Bee honey meant going to their hive.

No one knew how many Blood Jade Bees that would disturb.

Their habitat was simply too demanding. Otherwise, Blood Jade Bees would likely have received a rating.

Lucky found the name somewhat familiar, so he immediately used Dreamscape's search ability.

He quickly found the relevant information.

Among the Heavenly Arena's secret medicinal formulas, especially medicinal cuisine and dietary supplements, quite a few required special types of honey.

There had to be many varieties of special bees like Blood Jade Bees around the world.

Their honey would also have different effects.

All such honey was extremely expensive.

Queen Bee Honey could even sell for over a hundred million Jenie.

No one who became a Hunter was poor.

However, when Lucky used his ability, Husum naturally noticed him.

It seemed that someone would pass his exam after all.

Whenever he served as an examiner, the exam was always the same. He never bothered changing it.

That was because his exams always resulted in heavy casualties.

Aside from Blood Jade Bees, this forest also contained other dangerous creatures.

They had all been classified as dangerous by the relevant organizations, though none had been assigned a grade.

"You have seven days. At any point within those seven days, anyone who brings the honey before me will pass the exam."

They were not required to submit it only after seven days had passed.

No matter what, Husum did not want the examinees to spend all their time trying to steal someone else's honey to pass.

"Begin!" Husum gave the order.

All the examinees sprang into action.

Like a swarm, they rushed into the vast Bremen Forest.

Lucky, however, moved at a leisurely pace. His strength gave him confidence.

Perhaps he could develop a related industry in Keli City as well.

As the controller of both Keli City and the Heavenly Arena, Lucky regarded those two places as blueprints in his hands, free for him to plan as he pleased.

He could have certain schools take the initiative to train people with the relevant knowledge.

After all, anything beneficial to the development of the Martial Arts Hall would likely not be refused.

After entering the forest, Lucky leaped directly onto a tree and continued forward by jumping from branch to branch.

This way of moving reminded him of a certain anime.

As he traveled, Lucky released Phoenix as well. It had already rested enough.

The moment it emerged and saw the vast forest, Phoenix became excited. It began flying around and vanished from sight in an instant.

Feeling Phoenix's joyful excitement, Lucky let it play wherever it wanted.

He surveyed the surroundings.

Had they prepared this because they were afraid the examinees would not recognize Blood Jade Bees?

There were no Blood Jade Bee hives nearby.