Hunter: I became stronger even after I died.

Chapter 278 Registering for the Hunter Test
Even if the star is successfully implanted in Jin, the second phase of its application cannot be launched.

After all, this was just a practical training exercise. Moro couldn't possibly unleash his full power and deliver a massively amplified flying star to Jin.

However, being able to outmaneuver an opponent of Kim's caliber using tactical tactics is enough for him.

Moro caught the scabbard that Jin threw to him and continued his combat training.

After exhausting all his potential energy, Moro then began to combine the cultivation methods of "Absolute" and "Body Tempering".

After the potential energy has been partially restored, Jin is placed within the range of the condensed starlight and continues to repeat various actions of rapidly mobilizing and manifesting energy.

Time just passed by day by day.

At the end of July.

The excavation of the underground palace ruins of the Kingdom of Aqashar has officially ended, and the project has now entered the stage of reinforcement and maintenance.

At this stage, not much manpower is needed.

Many team members have begun a long-awaited rest to recharge for the next task.

Consultants like Tessa, who are tasked with exorcising misconceptions, are usually very busy, traveling between various historical sites.

Sambika, whom she had brought with her, was even less likely to be idle.

Several months ago, she left Qianjing Lake to continue her great medical career.

As for Moro, after the excavation work came to an end, he had more time to maintain his extremely high-intensity day and night training.

They were so enthusiastic, as if they wanted to squeeze every last drop of value out of Jin's sparring partner.

Fortunately, Kim was extremely dedicated. Although he disliked being confined to one place or one thing, he never slacked off and always did his best to help Moro improve his abilities.

However, during this time, King did not waste Moro's Nen removal ability.

Whenever necessary, Moro will handle it.

Menchi, however, remained with Morrow and King.

Because of Jin, this big spender, she can always get all sorts of ingredients so she can try different cooking methods.

And she not only enjoyed it immensely, but also made good use of this opportunity to publicly share the edibility of some ingredients and various cooking methods within the food hunter industry.

Her approach not only earned her a good reputation in the industry, but also, due to her outstanding contributions, she successfully earned a one-star rating.

Finally, there's Kurapika.

In the first half of the year, he participated in the team's work, but he did not waste the opportunity to cultivate together and become stronger.

Even after the excavation of the ruins of the Kingdom of Akashar was completed, he did not stay with Moro with Menchi, but set off alone to reclaim the eyes of his people.

Because he had already discovered where the eyes of the vast majority of his people were.

This is all thanks to Kim's intelligence network.

Artists, politicians, religious leaders, capitalists, corporate employees, fraudsters, doctors, pastors, investors, musicians, lawyers, and even tutors...

With the help of the information provided by Ging, Kurapika determined the professions, names, and locations of the eye holders.

So what he needs to do next is to use money to get the eyes of his people back from these people as much as possible.

Everyone has things to do.

Time flies.

As time passes, all things grow and wither in the passage of time.

Some hesitated in place, while others marched towards the summit.

1998 October.

There was a man named Kim Freecss who, like a monkey just released from prison, suddenly became a missing person.

"He turned off his phone."

On a rocky mountaintop, Menqi, dressed in light clothing, gazes at the boundless, lush green forest in the distance.

In her hand, she held a cell phone that was dialing a number, and the message "The number you dialed is currently switched off" could be faintly heard.

"As expected, he's really been through a lot of trouble lately. I bet he's been holding it in for a long time."

Beside him, Moro's face was full of smiles.

After the excavation of the ruins of the Kingdom of Akashar was completed, Moro and Jin found a relatively quiet place for their subsequent training.

So the two of them stayed there for almost half a year.

If something important happens under normal circumstances, it would be best if Jin could resolve it by phone.

If not, have the Chimera take him to handle things.

In short, for Jin, who was used to freedom, this period of time was indeed no different from being in prison.

In contrast, Menchi was also there, but she was only responsible for the meals; the rest of the time she would ride the chimera back to the nearby town to live her life.

Menchi put away her phone and said, "The association's review committee invited me to be the second examiner for the 287th Hunter Exam. I wanted to refuse, but those old guys brought up the one-star requirement, and Chairman Netero intervened, so I had no choice but to agree."

"Isn't that great? It'll be a good thing to have it on your resume. It will definitely help you when you try to get a two-star rating later."

Moro glanced at Menchi and noticed a hint of worry in her eyes, which struck him as odd.

"What, you really don't want to be an examiner for the Hunter Exam?"

"I'm not actually that resistant, it's just..."

Menqi thought about many things, and the more she thought about them, the more worried she became.

Moro asked in confusion, "What is it?"

"Moro, weren't you going to sign up for this year's Hunter Exam?"

Menqi sighed.

Moro was even more puzzled and nodded, saying, "Yes, this doesn't conflict with your role as an examiner, does it? I'm not asking you to help me cheat."

"That's exactly why it's troublesome."

Menchi said with a worried look, "If I were the examiner, I wouldn't be lenient with the questions, which might prevent you from getting your hunter's license."

"So that's what you're worried about."

Moro chuckled upon hearing this, recalling the second test in the original story, which Menchi was in charge of and had indeed ruthlessly eliminated all the candidates.

In the end, it was Netero who stepped in and saved that year's test.

However, actions like Menchi's are actually quite common in the Hunter Test.

Most professional hunters who serve as examiners will set some unexpected questions based on their personal preferences and judgment.

This casual assessment method has resulted in a consistently low pass rate for the Hunter Test.

In previous tests, only Kurapika passed.

Moro remembered that in the original story, it was precisely because the pass rate of the previous tests was too low that Netero, who was supposed to guard the final test, had to step in halfway through.

But the situation is different now.

Because of the butterfly effect he brought, at least Kurapika was a qualified candidate in previous years.

Given this change, it remains to be seen whether Nitero will intervene again this time.

If Netero hadn't intervened, given Menchi's meticulous nature, even if he had participated in this year's test, he might have actually been eliminated.

Thinking of this, Moro became more serious.

He participated in the Hunter Exam not only to obtain a Hunter License, but also to see if Illumi would participate in this year's Hunter Exam and whether he had already restored his missing limbs.

If Illumi hadn't participated in this year's Hunter Exam...

So, in order not to make a wasted trip, I must try my best to get the hunter's license.

"Menqi, don't overthink it. If I don't pass this time, I can always try again next year. It doesn't matter."

Moro said with a smile.

He didn't seem to care much on the surface, but he already had the idea of ​​scouting the Shimeile Wetland and Biscayne Forest Park ahead of time.

"Ah."

The worry in Menchi's eyes subsided a little, but then she suddenly remembered something else and asked, "By the way, did Kurapika tell you?"

"What did you say?" "The review committee also invited him to be an examiner for this year's cohort."

"Is that so? Then Kurapika will definitely refuse."

Moro could guess Kurapika's reaction without even thinking.

Menchi nodded and said, "Yes, Kurapika did refuse at first, but he later agreed."

"Hmm? It's Netero again?"

Moro was somewhat surprised.

Menchi said, "Yes, but Kurapika agreed because Chairman Netero stepped in and offered a reward."

"..."

Moro fell silent, the image of Netero flashing through his mind.

The fact that they were willing to spend money to get Kurapika to agree to be an examiner suggests that they had specifically investigated Kurapika's situation.

During this time, although Moro was immersed in his training, he could guess that Kurapika must have been short of money in order to find the eyes of his people.

And that's exactly what Nitero took advantage of.

This kind of behavior, where once a decision is made, it must be done, is a typical reinforcement-type behavior.

"It's good to be able to make money."

After a moment of silence, Moro chuckled softly again.

Menchi thought of Kurapika's current situation, shook her head slightly, and turned to look in the direction she came from, saying, "I should be waiting at the Hunter Association building in advance, so I won't be providing you with meals."

"Yes, I also have some things to do here."

A glint of light flashed in Moro's eyes.

Considering that Illumi might participate in this year's Hunter Exam, he will continue to conceal his whereabouts and make preparations, which may even require him to disguise himself.

"Almost forgot."

Moro suddenly stopped thinking, drew the Red Jade Bird Knife with his backhand, lightly pinched the blade between his fingertips, handed the hilt to Menqi, and said with a smile, "Although it's a bit late, I still want to congratulate you on getting the one-star title. Consider this kitchen knife a congratulatory gift."

"Ah, but I haven't found it for you yet..."

Menqi looked down at the red jade kitchen knife that Moro handed to her.

Moro interrupted Menqi's hesitation with a smile: "Didn't I say this is a congratulatory gift? Just don't blame me for delivering it late."

"..."

Menqi looked up, staring blankly at Moro, a wave of emotion washing over her.

Moro urged, "Take it quickly."

"Ah."

Menchi stopped being coy, took the Red Jade Bird Knife, and then suddenly took a few steps forward and hugged Moro tightly.

"Hmph, you're smart to know what's good for you. All those meals I cooked for you weren't for nothing."

She wrapped her arms tightly around Moro's waist, rested her chin on his shoulder, and spoke with a hint of smugness, yet also with a subtle softness.

"However... I still want to thank you for your gift."

Before she could finish speaking, she suddenly turned her head and quickly pecked Moro on the lips.

After making this bold move, she didn't dare to look at Moro's reaction anymore. She suddenly pulled her hand away, turned around, and jumped off the rocky mountain.

After a while.

The enormous figure of the chimera rose into the air from below.

Menchi landed steadily on its back.

"Lend me your Chimera, let it take me back to town."

The mountain breeze ruffled the ends of her hair.

She kept her back to Moro, as if that would hide the slight blush on her cheeks.

On the top of the rocky mountain.

Moro watched the Chimera and Menchi drive away, and then, somewhat surprised, raised his hand to touch his lips.

For any girl who is even slightly shy and reserved, in this kind of atmosphere, even if she is moved, she might at most give a kiss on the cheek.

You, on the other hand, went straight for the lips.

but……

"That's exactly the kind of thing you would do."

The voice, tinged with complex emotions, drifted away on the wind.

at dusk.

The chimera spread its enormous fleshy wings and flew towards the top of the rocky mountain where Morro was, bathed in the afterglow of the setting sun.

Since it was able to forage for itself, Moro has never had to worry about its diet.

However, Chimera seems to have gotten used to Menchi's carefully prepared dishes, so sometimes she will go to Menchi specifically to ask for more food.

To it, Menchi's dishes were equivalent to desserts.

Over the past year, the chimera's foraging frequency has increased significantly, but its growth rate has gradually slowed down.

It's as if the nutrients contained in ordinary prey are no longer sufficient to meet the growing needs of its increasingly large body.

Even so, the chimera is already enormous, twice the size of a blue whale, with a length of nearly 70 meters.

"Roar~!"

The chimera, accompanied by a large shadow, slowly descended upon the rocky mountaintop.

Its long neck arched downwards, presenting the cloth bag hanging from its beak to Moro's eyes.

Moro took off the bag, and before he even opened it, he could already smell the rich fragrance.

"I was wondering why you were gone for so long."

Inside the cloth bag were dishes prepared by Menchi, packed in a three-tiered lunchbox.

Chimera took so long to come back because she had to wait for Menchi to finish cooking.

"Roar~!"

Chimera lowered her head and gently rubbed against Moro's arm.

Moro smiled and patted its head with his backhand, then sat down on the ground and opened the lunchbox.

Inside are a variety of dishes with a balanced mix of meat and vegetables, and an enticing aroma fills the air.

Moro first gave half to Chimera, and then, bathed in the orange glow of the setting sun, ate the delicious meal that Menchi had once again carefully prepared.

This time, the flavors of the dishes seemed to carry an added touch of emotion.

The chimera's tail was very long, and it curled back, turning its spiral mouthparts to its side.

As the fleshy growth at the end of its tail burst open, it rolled the food that Moro had divided out, along with the food lid, into its spiral mouthpiece in one go.

Seeing how quickly it ate, Moro shared half of it with it.

"Chimera, do you like Menchi?"

Moro picked up a piece of meat and stuffed it into his mouth, then suddenly asked the chimera.

The chimera, however, could understand Moro's question, and its crested bird head immediately began to sway from side to side.

It's as if it's saying: I don't like it, I don't like it.

After shaking its head, it nuzzled against Moro's side and rubbed against him repeatedly. Then it pulled its head back and looked at Moro with human-like anticipation in its beastly eyes.

It's as if it's saying: I only love my master.

Moro smiled, put down his chopsticks, and gently stroked the chimera's head.

Mencius's sudden actions today were quite unexpected for him.

(End of this chapter)