Dear Everyone,
Thank you for the many responses to the question. I’ve done a lot of testing and reading on the topic since then, and here’s my summary:
Solo Play:
- The mob must be within the circle when it dies.
- The fastest method with AOE builds: stand near the wall at the edge of the circle, as mobs tend to follow you, allowing you to kill the most mobs within the circle as quickly as possible (this method works well in a party too).
- The pull inward offer is helpful for solo players and melee characters (who don’t have AOE damage).
Party Play:
- At least one person must be within the circle.
- The fastest method: one player stands near the wall at the edge of the circle, killing mobs from there, while the other player kills in the rest of the area.
- The pull inward offer is useless here, as it only slightly speeds up the mechanics.
Summary: Everyone is right, but everyone has gathered their experiences differently, which is why the answers vary. I generally prefer playing alone, which is why my initial question and my opinion are more aligned with “Solo Play.”
If you still disagree, feel free to reply, and we can discuss it further 
Have a great day and happy hunting!
Mate