Chapter 46
Inside the private dining room, the three examiners continued discussing the applicants.
Menchi looked at Buhara with interest.
"Did you notice during the exam? Several of the newcomers had remarkably impressive auras."
Those particular applicants had left a deep impression on her.
Unless the remaining tests were exceptionally difficult, she doubted they would have much trouble passing.
Menchi then turned toward Satotz, who had been quietly eating beside them.
"What do you think, Satotz?"
"Yes, I agree."
Satotz set down his knife and fork, his expression becoming thoughtful.
"This year’s newcomers have certainly distinguished themselves."
Menchi smiled in satisfaction when he agreed and nodded several times.
"Right? You noticed it too! Personally, I think Number 103 is quite promising."
Her voice carried clear admiration as she spoke about Haruto.
The skill he had displayed during the Second Phase had impressed even her, and his understanding of ingredients was equally distinctive.
He clearly had a genuine passion for cooking!
In Menchi’s opinion, if Haruto passed the Hunter Exam, he could undoubtedly become an exceptional Gourmet Hunter.
"I believe Number 99 is particularly talented," Satotz replied with a different choice.
From what he had observed, Killua’s physical ability and reactions ranked among the very best of all the applicants.
"That kid?"
The moment Killua was mentioned, Menchi’s expression fell, and her voice filled with distaste.
"He’s definitely the selfish type..."
When she had failed him during the Second Phase, Killua had shown no disappointment whatsoever.
Instead, he had looked as though he could not care less.
He clearly was not particularly invested in passing the Hunter Exam.
Menchi then turned toward Buhara.
"What about you? Who do you have the highest hopes for?"
"Me?"
Buhara paused to consider it.
"He may not technically be a newcomer, but I’d still choose Number 44."
"..."
As the three continued talking, Buhara suddenly sniffed the air.
"Someone in the kitchen seems to be making something delicious!"
He had only just finished dinner, yet the faint fragrance drifting toward them was enough to make his stomach begin rumbling again.
Menchi paused and took a careful breath.
There really was an unusual aroma in the air.
"Come on. Let’s go and see!"
She immediately rose and hurried toward the kitchen.
As a Gourmet Hunter, discovering delicious food and not tasting it would practically be an insult to her profession.
Buhara wholeheartedly agreed and followed at once.
Satotz hesitated briefly before joining them.
He was already quite full, but any dish capable of attracting the attention of two Gourmet Hunters was certainly worth trying.
The three crossed the main dining hall and reached the kitchen.
The moment they opened the door, a rich, full-bodied aroma surged toward them like a wild beast finally breaking free.
The fragrance was intensely powerful without becoming overwhelming.
It carried the roasted scent of rendered fat, the deep richness of sauce, and the faint sweetness of fruit and vegetables, filling their noses and sinking pleasantly into their senses with every breath.
Menchi’s nose twitched.
Buhara’s eyes lit up instantly.
Even the usually composed Satotz showed a trace of surprise.
Haruto stood before the stove, holding a freshly prepared plate of wok-seared twice-cooked pork and preparing to carry it into the dining hall.
The unexpected sight of the three examiners made his hands pause. Surprise flickered through his eyes before understanding quickly followed.
"So it was you."
Menchi looked at Haruto in sudden realization.
Her gaze naturally fell upon the dish in his hands.
Thin slices of meat gleamed beneath a thick sauce, interspersed with bright green cabbage.
"Is there something the three examiners need at this hour?" Haruto asked calmly as he temporarily set the plate down.
He had already guessed why they had come.
"I smelled something wonderful."
Buhara patted his round stomach, his gaze practically glued to the plate.
The longing in his voice was impossible to miss.
"So I followed the aroma here!"
Menchi glanced at the visibly impatient Buhara, cleared her throat, and asked, "Would you mind letting us taste your cooking too?"
"Of course not."
Haruto agreed without hesitation.
Three additional diners were hardly a problem.
Besides, Menchi and Buhara were genuine Gourmet Hunters with professional knowledge of cooking.
They might be able to offer useful, impartial feedback.
More importantly, this gave him an opportunity to ask them about the habitats of rare ingredients.
Information like that was worth more than money.
"Then don’t mind if we do!"
Buhara answered almost before Haruto had finished speaking. He hurried forward and expertly picked up one of the dishes.
Menchi and Satotz also helped carry the food.
Together, they returned to the dining hall and joined Kurapika and Leorio, who had been waiting for some time.
Haruto arranged the dishes across the table.
The glossy, red-brown twice-cooked pork occupied the center, flanked by the rib-and-mushroom soup and golden pan-fried cutlets.
Steam curled gently upward, forming a soft haze beneath the lights.
...
"Everyone, dig in."
Haruto was the first to lift his chopsticks, picking up a perfectly fried pork cutlet.
Its golden crust was lightly crisp. A soft crunch sounded when he bit into it, yet the meat inside was astonishingly tender.
Rich juices burst between his teeth, carrying subtle notes of seared meat and fruit.
Its flavor shared some similarities with his Fruit-Scented Roast Great Stamp, but the marinade gave it a deeper richness and an entirely different character.
After tasting it carefully, Haruto nodded.
There were no major problems with the cutlet, and it tasted good, though it was not particularly outstanding.
He could probably improve it by adjusting the marinade and refining several steps in the cooking process.
Determining the exact changes would require a few more attempts.
He certainly did not have time for that now, so further experimentation would have to wait until he returned to Totsuki.
The others had already picked up their chopsticks and eagerly begun eating.
Menchi immediately targeted the twice-cooked pork.
She picked up a slice of meat coated in sauce, wrapped it around several pieces of cabbage, and placed everything into her mouth.
The instant her teeth closed, her eyes flew open and her pupils contracted slightly.
The rich sauce exploded across her tongue.
A forceful wave of spice carried just the right hint of sweetness, fiercely seizing her taste buds before gradually transforming into a deep, lingering savoriness that unfolded layer after layer.
Because the Great Stamp pork had been boiled before being stir-fried, it had lost the coarse texture that raw meat sometimes developed when thrown directly into a blazing wok.
Instead, it was glossy, tender, and almost melted in her mouth.
Its juices remained tightly locked within the fibers, releasing another burst of savory richness with every bite.
The cabbage added a refreshing crunch that perfectly balanced the fattiness of the pork, giving the dish clear layers of texture while keeping it light rather than greasy.