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The number of surveillance cameras in the library had been intentionally increased.
Kurapika's decision not to remain at the scene served two purposes: to reinforce the hints given to the examinees and to observe their test process through the surveillance footage.
When he arrived at the monitoring room, Netero, Menchi, Buhara, and the others were already present.
The examiners each held copies of the test papers that had just been distributed to the examinees.
They were reviewing the questions.
Uh...
Buhara looked utterly bewildered, scratching his head from time to time.
The test paper contained too many varied and miscellaneous types of questions. Struggling through his discomfort, he managed to review the entire paper, but he was confident he could answer only three questions related to gourmet food and the final question.
What was even more terrifying was that the test paper contained no multiple-choice questions.
This meant there was no way to rely on luck.
In other words...
I can only score a maximum of 4 points?!
Buhara's gaze turned vacant.
Menchi and Satotz were also reviewing the test paper, their brows unconsciously furrowing.
This test was simply not meant for humans.
Setting aside the highly specialized questions, take one of the questions from the test paper as an example:
"The Hunter Exam has been held 287 times to date. Dear readers, what is the name of the examinee who currently holds the record for the highest number of participations?"
Questions like these were impossible to answer, not just for the examinees, but even for examiners like them, who changed with each session.
Menchi helplessly set down the test paper and looked at Kurapika, who had just entered. She couldn't help but ask, "What's the passing score?"
"There is no passing score."
Kurapika walked to the center seat reserved specifically for him and sat down calmly.
Menchi's eyes widened slightly in surprise. "What do you mean?"
"Regardless of how many points they score, there's a possibility of passing."
Kurapika offered this explanation, then fixed his gaze intently on the numerous screens in front of him.
Apart from Chairman Netero, who remained composed and unflustered, the other examiners couldn't hide their surprise as they looked at Kurapika.
Buhara cautiously asked, "So... it doesn't matter how many questions they answer correctly? Whether they pass or not is entirely up to you?"
"Not entirely."
Kurapika lightly pressed his left hand against his Dowsing Chain and said, "The score is only one of the evaluation criteria. Whether they qualify to advance depends on how they obtain the answers to the questions and how they answer the final question."
"The final question?"
Hearing this, Buhara looked back at the test paper.
"Please answer truthfully: What is your true motivation for taking the Hunter Exam? If you obtain the license, how will you use it in the future?"
This was one of the four questions he felt he could answer.
But he grew even more confused.
Without a passing score, how could the standard for passing be determined?
Buhara's head began to itch, as if his brain was about to grow. He decided to stop thinking about it.
Satotz, however, stared at Kurapika's profile and sensed a profound depth of thought behind it.
The key doesn't lie in the accuracy of the answers on the test paper, but the examinees aren't aware of this. Subconsciously, they will naturally strive for high scores because the higher the score, the higher the likelihood of passing. Moreover, deliberately setting the exam venue in the library...
As he pondered, Satotz shifted his gaze to the surveillance screens. Candidate 502, who was seated closest to the archives, calmly stood up and walked toward the nearest bookshelf, purposefully retrieving a specific book.
That's right.
Maintaining silence in the library is an obligation, while freely borrowing books is a right.
Most of the highly difficult questions on the exam paper specifically indicated which books they were sourced from, designed to reduce the difficulty of information retrieval for the candidates.
Otherwise, with thousands of books in the library, even an open-book exam would be challenging to complete within the limited time.
Kurapika gave the hint, but... reaction speed and courage are another matter entirely.
Satotz glanced at Morrow on the screen.
To comprehend the rules so quickly and dare to make the most correct decision despite the risk of elimination...
This Candidate 502 not only possesses outstanding ability but also this bold yet meticulous nature, securing a crucial advantage for the other candidates...
And that book titled 'Paru Rare Animal Guide.'
Satotz watched as Morrow pulled the exact book corresponding to the first question on the exam from the shelf.
From this perspective, the exam hall layout might not be coincidental.
Based on candidate performance rankings, Morrow was intentionally assigned the desk closest to the archives.
More precisely, the spot nearest to the shelf containing the 'Paru Rare Animal Guide.'
This arrangement significantly increased the likelihood of candidates taking that first step.
This test appears extremely difficult on the surface, but with the right approach, the pass rate could be quite high...
Satotz thought to himself, silently glancing at Kurapika's profile.
This young Single Star Pro Hunter, though his words, actions, and even demeanor exuded a cold aura, upon closer observation...
He possessed a precious quality that made others willing to approach and form deeper connections with him.
"Kurapika."
Satotz felt a flicker of curiosity and asked, "For this stage of the test, have you set a limit on how many will be eliminated?"
"If no conflict occurs..."
Kurapika didn't beat around the bush, replying directly, "Theoretically, I'll only eliminate one candidate."
"Huh?"
Menchi, Beans, and Buhara all gasped in surprise.
Eliminating just one candidate...
Meant this test stage could potentially have up to 20 qualifiers.
Such a pass rate was unheard of in the history of the Hunter Exam.
Satotz had already guessed this, so he wasn't surprised.
He glanced at Netero's reaction and saw the chairman holding a teacup, leisurely sipping tea as if completely unconcerned about the pass rate.
But ever since Chairman Netero intervened in the second phase, Satotz had sensed that this year's Hunter Exam showed signs of major reforms.
So, Kurapika must have received the chairman's authorization to...
No.
Judging by Beans' reaction, that clearly wasn't the case.
Satotz raised a hand to his chin. Though curious, with both Chairman Netero and Beans present, it wasn't appropriate to press further.
Kurapika glanced sideways at the astonished group and asked curiously, "Why are you all so surprised?"
"You're asking us why we're surprised?"
Menchi stared straight into Kurapika's eyes and said, "Although this is my first year as an examiner too, I know the Hunter Exam requires strict assessment standards. How could there ever be such an absurd passing rate?"
"You're right. Using previous years' passing rates as reference, the upper limit of 95.24% is indeed very high."
Kurapika nodded in agreement with Menchi's statement.
Menchi curled her lips and said, "That's not just very high, that's completely ridiculous."
"Indeed, but this year is different. Judging from the final results of the second phase, the review committee clearly intends to increase the passing rate through reforms."
Kurapika gazed calmly at the surveillance screen ahead and said:
"Therefore, rather than having examiners arbitrarily decide candidates' fates based on personal preferences, giving candidates more possibilities within reasonable and compliant circumstances should be the outcome the review committee prefers to see."
"..."
Menchi was taken aback.
Reforms?
The review committee hadn't mentioned anything like this to her.
Satotz's gaze toward Kurapika shifted slightly.
The surprise on Beans' face grew more pronounced.
Only Netero remained completely composed from beginning to end.
—--
In the library.
Morrow found the answer to the first question in the Paru Rare Animal Guide.
However, given the volume of books here, retrieving answers for corresponding questions within the time limit was simply impossible for one person alone.
Thus, the key to passing this test lay in cooperation, silent cooperation.
This was precisely what the 'exclusive bonus questions' in the test paper hinted at.
For example, the fifth question related to Whale Island was clearly a bonus question for Gon, while the twenty-sixth question corresponded to Killua's background as a bonus question.
Therefore, through cooperation, they could complete this test paper at the fastest speed.
Presumably, when designing this phase, Kurapika had already investigated each candidate's general background.
However, even though Kurapika gave hints when explaining the rules earlier, he didn't mention the most important passing criteria.
And after understanding the hints, many actions could potentially trigger disqualification risks.
It was precisely these risks and uncertainties that might inevitably create variables affecting cooperation.
But interestingly...
If one deliberately observed other candidates during the test, they could selectively identify suitable initial cooperation partners.
For instance, the simple-minded Gon.
Morrow returned the Paru Rare Animal book to its place and glanced toward Gon's location.
At this moment.
Seeing that Morrow's book consultation didn't trigger any 'disqualification', the candidates immediately understood.
This was an open-book exam! Thanks to Morrow's demonstration, they hadn't wasted precious time here!
Suddenly.
Hisoka stood up with his test paper, but instead of heading to the book collection area, he approached Tonpa.
Tonpa watched Hisoka as if facing a great enemy, only to see sudden terror appear on Hisoka's face as he stared toward the library entrance.
?
Tonpa glanced suspiciously toward the library entrance.
When he quickly turned back, he saw Hisoka already walking toward the book collection area.
??
Tonpa was completely baffled, utterly unable to understand Hisoka's behavior. Seeing the other examinees getting up and heading to the book collection area, he stopped dwelling on the matter. Picking up the exam paper corresponding to his examinee number, he also made his way to the book collection area.
Since we're allowed to freely borrow books in the library, 'exchanging notes' should be within the permitted scope too. Hehe, I'm really lucky!
Tonpa secretly rejoiced.
He recalled how he had accidentally helped these guys yesterday while trying to set traps for them.
So as long as this test allowed examinees to exchange answers, he could comfortably benefit from this huge favor he was owed.
But speculation was just speculation; to confirm this information, he needed to test it through practice.
And before testing it, there was still the risk that 'silent communication' might lead to disqualification.
Let others be the guinea pigs.
Once Tonpa realized this, he stopped being eager to approach other examinees.
The examinees heading to the book collection area, while searching for books related to the test questions and contemplating how to gain an advantage in this test, gradually developed the same thoughts as Tonpa.
Humans are selfish creatures.
Even after understanding the hints given by the examiner, no one wanted to be the first to take the risk.
Moreover, the examiner had emphasized that losing or damaging the exam paper would result in disqualification...
So even if 'exchanging notes' itself wouldn't lead to elimination, how could they ensure mutual trust in cooperation?
Perhaps the number of passing candidates had been predetermined from the start.
In that case, damaging others' exam papers might actually increase one's own chances of passing, right?
Various possibilities and risks hidden in the unknown influenced the thinking and decisions of all examinees in the silent environment.
Even the Amori Brothers didn't dare to attempt communication through other methods while maintaining silence.
Thus, all examinees in the library quietly searched for answers in the book collection area.
Only Morrow, after confirming the 'bonus question hint,' went straight to Gon who was looking for books at a bookshelf.
Hearing faint footsteps, Gon turned to see Morrow approaching nearby.
Morrow raised his index finger to his lips, signaling Gon to remain silent, then held up his exam paper and pointed at the fifth question related to Whale Island.
A normal person, seeing someone directly pointing out a question related to their birthplace, would naturally become wary and guarded, not to mention the risk of disqualification.
Out of caution, they would inevitably distance themselves immediately.
But Gon wasn't normal.
Seeing Morrow's action, a curious light appeared in Gon's eyes.
He didn't immediately understand Morrow's intention, only wondering how the other person knew he could answer this question.
Unbothered by Gon's slowness, Morrow moved his finger to the first question where he had already written the answer.
Seeing this, Gon tilted his head slightly in thought and finally understood Morrow's meaning.
But just then, Leorio suddenly appeared from the side, inserting himself between the two.
As if to prevent accidents, Leorio had a large bandage stuck over his mouth, looking quite comical.
Leorio watched Morrow warily, then shook his head at Gon behind him. Gon hesitated for a moment, then suddenly had a bright idea. He pulled a book from the shelf and, holding a ballpoint pen in his other hand, made writing motions in the air above the book.
Leorio suddenly understood and also randomly pulled a book from the shelf.
Watching their interaction, Morrow let out a silent sigh.
Following library rules wasn't just about keeping quiet.
They actually dared to think about writing in the books to communicate...
Were they asking for trouble?
However, there really were no other alternatives for written communication in the library, or perhaps they had been cleared out in advance.
Morrow suddenly took several steps forward, using this movement to attract Leorio and Gon's attention.
Then, he lightly tapped several times on a row of small warning words on the bookshelf's horizontal frame:
"Please cherish books; no writing, tearing pages, or damaging, so more people can share the joy of reading."
Following Morrow's action, Gon and Leorio saw the warning and were both immediately startled.
Immediately after, the previously somewhat cautious Leorio, along with Gon, cast grateful looks toward Morrow.
Morrow: "..."
—--
At the same time.
In the monitoring room.
Kurapika, holding a notebook with examinee numbers written in it, suddenly picked up a pen and checked off number 502 in the first row.
Others noticed Kurapika's action.
Huh, so that counts as passing?
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Bonus chapter @200power stones