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Monster Hunter:Volume3 Chapter4

2026-01-28T13:55:38Z

Barnnn:

== Chapter 4 - Land of the Rock Wyvern ==

[[File:MH-v03-004.jpg|300px|thumb]]

Standing at the mouth of the ravine that led from base camp into Area 2, Zeeg could only let out a silent groan as he looked up at the massive black boulder planted squarely in their path.

According to the guild cart driver who had brought them to this volcanic region, a minor eruption just a few days prior had triggered a landslide that collapsed part of the cliff and blocked off the direct route into Area 2.

From the map, their only remaining option was a roundabout detour through a lava-filled cave - far from ideal.

The Basarios were known to inhabit Areas 2 and 3, with the majority of sightings reported in Area 2. The job details even stated that the trade caravan had been attacked in that very spot, which made this a hassle.

If the path were open, they could have dashed back to camp for treatment if they were poisoned; a detour would render that tactic useless. They had brought some antidotes, of course, but they'd planned under the assumption that camp would be within quick reach. Their supply wasn't bottomless.

The obvious solution was not to get poisoned at all - but unexpected things happened. Especially - Zeeg glanced at Brass - the problem was this boy.

From the outset, Brass had been lugging around a pack stuffed to bursting with all manner of tools. The most egregious offenders were three books; not novels or anything trivial, but ''Books of Combos''. Zeeg himself had one, though he'd left it at the guest house. Brass claimed to have memorized the contents, yet insisted on bringing all three, calling them his lucky charms - said they made his mixing more successful just by being there.

Hunters were a superstitious bunch, to be fair. Zeeg still wore an ornament he'd made from a shard of the first Yian Kut-Ku scale he'd ever broken. He understood the sentiment. But three volumes were, in his view, plain excessive.

Brass hadn't forgotten anything else, either; he had pickaxes for mining, and even bug nets. And not just one of each - he'd brought as many as he could carry, and his pack bulged so much he was already out of breath after a short walk.

"Perhaps we could break open this path..." said Enta as he stepped forward and rapped the boulder with the back of his fist.

The glossy black surface rang out with a clear note, echoing high into the cliffs above their camp. It was dense. Maybe a Large Barrel Bomb would do the trick, but using a precious item like that on a hunch didn't sit right with Zeeg.

"...Shall I give it a try?"

Enta's hands drifted to the dual blades at his waist.

Zeeg raised a hand. "Don't. If the blades chip, we'll be in trouble when the real fight starts. A slash won't even leave a scratch on rocks that color and tone."

"...Point taken," Enta replied, lips curving into a faint grin as he withdrew his hand in a fluid, almost theatrical motion.

Zeeg narrowed his eyes. He'd been tested.

Enta had known the rock wouldn't budge. The display had been for Zeeg's benefit - to see how he'd react. Within a hunting party, it made sense to size up one's allies' judgment. Rank and paperwork never told the whole story. Still, knowing didn't make it any less irritating.

Zeeg swallowed his annoyance and unrolled the map against the rough stone so everyone could see. He pointed to the area where the cliff had collapsed.

"...With the path to Area 2 blocked, we've got no choice but to go through the cave. Fortunately, we've got Cool Drinks in the supply box, so heatstroke shouldn't be a problem. First, though, let's check Area 3 - see if the Basarios wandered over there."

"A reasonable plan," Enta said with a nod, though his tone was so neutral Zeeg couldn't tell whether he meant it or was mocking him.

Zeeg kept his expression unreadable, but he caught himself thinking - ''No, that won't do''. He was wound too tight. Too focused on making this work. Pressure like that could cloud his judgment, and in the field, that led to one outcome: death.

He folded the map and tucked it into the flap of his boot, then turned to Brass.

The boy straightened as Zeeg's gaze landed on him. Standing tall like that, he was actually a bit taller than Zeeg. His armor - a full set of the blue-scaled Velociprey gear - looked fragile for a fight against a flying wyvern. And with all those tools weighing him down...

Zeeg sighed softly, jerking his chin toward the overstuffed pack.

"Brass. You'll have to leave some of your stuff behind."

"H-huh!?" The boy's expression was a portrait of shock. Zeeg had to stifle a snort. It's not like he'd told him to leave his sword behind. "B-but, without my tools, how would I-"

"I didn't say ''everything''. Ditch the pickaxes and bug nets; you won't have time for gathering. You'd be better off watching how we fight. I mean, you weren't supposed to even be on this quest, really - the only reason you're here is because the Guild in Minegarde put in a word for you. Don't waste the opportunity."

"Th-then! What about my Book of Combos!? I-I need those! Without them, I-I wouldn't know what to do!"

"Bring one."

"Just one!?"

"They're bulky. What's the point of hunting if you don't have space to carry anything you carve out? Would you be willing to trash the books then?"

Brass shook his head violently and hunched protectively over his pack, as if Zeeg might rip the books away by force. Zeeg didn't correct him. If fear got the boy to leave the extra volumes behind, then all the better.

"Go on. Drop it off."

With a resigned nod, Brass shuffled back toward the tent, slumping to his knees beside his pack and digging through it with exaggerated care.

Hunters came in all kinds. Most hunted to make a living, but some found meaning in collecting rare insects or discovering new species. Others became obsessed with acquiring every single piece of gear the world had to offer.

Brass would probably grow into one of those.

("Now, then...")

Zeeg used the lull to draw on his memory, trying to map out a plan for dealing with the Basarios. He'd previously faced the monster both solo and with a team, and now, the latter experience was far more relevant.

Back when he'd hunted with Elmeria's party, Gannon always acted as the decoy. Zeeg and Elmeria would slip through the opening he created, striking hard, while Fradio kept any other monsters from interfering. That had been their usual formation. Fradio's weapon, the Tankmage, couldn't fire support ammo like Antidote rounds, so it was vital for the team to read the Basarios' tells and avoid its poisonous attacks altogether.

But this time, there would be no decoy.

Zeeg's greatsword could be used like a shield in a pinch, but that wasn't its intended purpose. Enta's dual blades offered no defensive utility, and while Brass was the only one with a shield, pushing him straight into a flying wyvern's path was out of the question.

Vivi wielded a light bowgun - the Dark Parasol - capable of using support ammo Fradio couldn't, but in exchange, its attack power was relatively low. She couldn't be relied upon to deal with the smaller monsters that would inevitably scavenge the leftovers from a wounded Basarios.

In effect, it would be up to Zeeg and Enta to handle the hunt. Zeeg accepted that. He hadn't yet seen how Enta fought, but the way the man moved - swift, almost gliding - gave him a hunch. If he could rely on Enta for hit-and-run tactics, sweeping up stragglers and pulling the monster's focus, Zeeg could close in beneath the Basarios' legs, strike when the opening came, and retreat at the first sign of a windup. Once the poison had cleared, he'd go back in and repeat. A simple rhythm, but one that worked.

As for Vivi, she could stay back and provide recovery ammo to anyone injured. She might even help with crowd control, using paralysis, sleep, or poison rounds to tip the scales. Her weapon was high-spec, able to load nearly every type of ammo save for Water, Thunder, and Pierce rounds.

Before they departed, Zeeg had asked her to bring extra Antidote rounds. If she'd done as asked, it would make the hunt far more manageable. They wouldn't need to waste time dodging every poison cloud; he could just keep swinging.

"How many Antidote rounds do you have, Vivi?"

"I brought twenty, if that's enough," she replied.

More than enough. If they needed more than that, they had no business calling themselves hunters of their current rank, and the hunt would likely fail anyway.

Before long, Brass returned with slumped shoulders. Zeeg waited for him, then started forward without a word. Brass's pack was still bulging; he might've sneaked a second book in. Zeeg could have scolded him and made him leave it behind, but decided against it. Being too strict might snuff out what motivation Becky had instilled in the boy before entrusting him to them.

With Zeeg in the lead, they set out from the base camp, taking the right-hand path toward Area 1 with the river behind them. Their boots crunched over the gray soil as they moved, alert to their surroundings. The gravel near camp made too much noise - a frequent cause of unwanted attention - but at least there wasn't enough open ground for a wyvern to land nearby.

They filed down the narrow trail, emerging into a barren, ash-colored expanse. Legend had it this place had turned gray from years of volcanic ash raining down, seeping into the earth over countless generations.

A blot of red appeared in that colorless landscape - not lava, not flowers, but living muscle. Red-scaled, carnivorous Ioprey. Zeeg's brow twitched at the memory their appearance brought to mind: his last hunt with Elmeria's party.

"...Five of them," Enta murmured behind him, voice taut as a drawn bowstring. His tone made his message clear: ''We'll be coming back this way. Better to clear them out now.''

That was understandable. If the Basarios was holed up in Area 3, this would be their fallback route. Trying to retreat through an Ioprey pack while wounded would be a death sentence. They weren't just fast and vicious; they leaped like hellspawn and spat poison to boot.

"Be on guard," Enta said with a glint in his eye, "''Crimson swarm draws near; flames flow in the broken land; the first clash begins''."

He turned to Brass. His look said - ''Ready?''

Brass stiffened. His eyes widened, and for a moment, it seemed he would shake his head - then he stopped himself.

''Strange kid'', Zeeg thought. ''Coming on a hunt and trying to avoid a fight''.

"No one said you'd be doing it alone," he said dryly.

He tore open the wrapping on one of their rations - a whole hunk of meat or a proper meal would've been ideal, but supply meals like these were far more efficient - and devoured it in one bite. The boost to stamina and fullness would carry him through the hunt. Enta and Vivi followed suit. Brass hesitated, then with trembling hands, unwrapped his own and forced it down, visibly struggling to swallow.

It would take a few seconds for the nutrients to kick in. Zeeg turned back to scan the Ioprey pack... and nearly choked.

Enta was already moving. No stealth. No caution. Just striding toward the Ioprey as if he hadn't a care in the world. Zeeg reached out instinctively, but it was too late.

One of the Ioprey noticed him and shrieked, its shrill cry tearing through the air.

("Seriously!?")

Zeeg cursed under his breath, dropped the visor on his Rathalos Helm, and burst from cover. As he ran, he called to Brass-

"Let's go!"

-And drew his Lacerator Blade+, gripping the handle tight.

Enta drew his dual blades from his hips and stepped forward, his speed unreal for a motion that still looked like a walk. Zeeg was running, yet couldn't catch up - it felt quite disorienting.

Before he could reach him, Enta was surrounded. Five Ioprey, all teeth and claws. There was no escape. Zeeg would have to carve a path in, if he even made it in time.

A crack rang out behind him - the pop of igniting gunpowder - and a breeze coiled past his ear.

One of the Ioprey jerked as a neat hole appeared in the ridge above its eye. Flesh ruptured, blood sprayed, and the creature crumpled as though struck by an invisible hammer. Zeeg didn't need to turn around - Vivi's cover fire, sharp and precise as expected.

But one down meant four remained; still more than enough to tear Enta apart. The man wore the Shinobi armor series - sleek and light, but offering almost no real protection. Against Ioprey fangs and claws, it might as well have been paper.

Vivi's next shot would take time to aim. It wouldn't come fast enough.

The remaining Ioprey hunched low, then sprang into the air. Vivi managed to drop one mid-leap, but the other three came crashing down as a single mass of red onto Enta, threatening to crush him beneath their weight.

Zeeg's skin prickled with goosebumps, the sensation sharp enough to make him want to say aloud - ''No way!''

''He's dead'', was his first thought.

Anger came before grief.

''What the hell's with the dual blades bravado? All that big talk, and he goes and dies on our first damn hunt together!?''

A crushing weight pressed onto Zeeg's shoulders, though he knew full well he wasn't the one to blame. Enta had charged ahead without coordination. He told himself that, and repeated it in his mind. ''This isn't your fault. Enta brought it on himself.''

But the guilt didn't dissipate. It felt as though Enta's ghost was hanging from his arm, dragging him down. Still, he couldn't stop now. If he hesitated, if he didn't lift his sword and keep fighting, more of his party might end up dead.

Bowgun users were vulnerable up close. Brass was not safe, either; maybe he'd fought Ioprey before, but the ones in a random field and the ones in the Guild's designated hunting zones were in a different league entirely.

Gritting his teeth, Zeeg raised his Lacerator Blade+... and froze.

The Ioprey that had landed on Enta weren't moving. Not a twitch. They weren't tearing into him, nor preparing to strike again. They lay piled atop one another as though they'd been doused in sleeping gas.

Then, with a wet, slipping sound, the topmost Ioprey slid off its kin and hit the ground.

The other two followed, slumping over lifelessly. From beneath the collapsed carcasses, Enta emerged, kneeling with his dual blades crossed before his chest. He rose to his feet as if nothing had happened. At a glance, he bore no visible injuries. With a single elegant motion, he swung his blades once and sheathed them behind his back, folding his arms.

Zeeg stared, momentarily awestruck.

But the moment passed. The awe gave way to a fresh surge of rage.

''This bastard... After prompting Brass to get ready, he charges in without a damn word!?''

In a party hunt, coordination was everything. Everyone's specialty had to be used in harmony. And Enta, with his light armor, was not built for headlong assaults.

"Hey!" Zeeg barked, slinging his greatsword back over his shoulder and striding toward Enta with long, furious steps.

Relief - cold and fleeting - washed away the weight on his shoulders the moment he realized Enta was alive. But if he let that reckless behavior slide, the same thing could happen again. Zeeg wasn't about to take responsibility for a man who threw his own life away on a whim. Even if he had to beat some sense into him. Age didn't matter. Rank didn't matter.

But as that thought settled, his fury began to ebb.

''That's me'', he realized. ''That was me.''

No, he hadn't been that reckless. On his last hunt with Elmeria, he had followed her strategy. Well, until the end, when he'd challenged her plans and tried to act on his own.

Still... was it really so different?

If he had rushed in alone against that Rathian and died, Elmeria would've blamed herself. Even if she said otherwise, she would have regretted failing to stop him.

And maybe it wasn't just about sparing her that burden. Maybe it was about acknowledging that his own actions had put her in that position to begin with.

But that didn't mean Enta should get a free pass. Zeeg drew in a deep breath and steadied himself. Then, stepping over the Ioprey corpses, he came to a stop in front of Enta.

The man's single eye didn't smirk or shine with pride. There was no arrogance in the curve of his lips, no air of self-congratulation. He was comparatively short, lean, and composed. Zeeg stared into that single eye, feeling its weight.

"What the hell were you thinking?" Zeeg said, forcing the remnants of his anger into the words.

At his feet, the Ioprey he'd slain first had already begun to dissolve, its fluids bubbling up with the stench of rot.

Ioprey, Velociprey, Genprey - they all shared the same biological quirk. Upon death, their internal fluids reacted with air, hastening decomposition. Time was critical for carving materials, but if he stopped to scold Enta after harvesting, it would turn into a joke.

"You trying to get yourself killed? Just because they're Ioprey doesn't mean-"

"I had no such intention," Enta cut in flatly. "I acted because I was able. Nothing more. A mere five Ioprey are no threat to me. And... I wished to see your capabilities for myself."

"What?" Zeeg said, blinking.

"If you hadn't become angry at my actions, it would've meant you lacked the foresight to lead. But you ''did'' get angry - therefore, I trust you have the bigger picture in mind." Enta slowly uncrossed his arms. "One's true nature cannot be observed without hunting alongside them. Interviews and paperwork say next to nothing."

So it wasn't just Enta being judged; he had been testing Zeeg as well.

Obvious, in hindsight. Zeeg had thought he was the only one sizing others up, but that had never been the case.

He exhaled slowly. With the breath, the heat left his head, and clarity returned.

''Did I do the same to Elmeria?''

Was he constantly measuring her as a leader? Did she ever feel that?

Maybe.

If she had become cautious over time, that would've made sense - but that didn't excuse everything. Being too cautious was just as dangerous as being reckless. One couldn't avoid risk and expect to succeed in a hunt. What mattered was knowing where the line between life and death truly was.

"I get what you're saying," Zeeg said.

Enta's pupil contracted slightly, as if to say - ''Oh?''

"But this doesn't happen again. If you go rogue like that, it throws the rest of us off. I get it, you're fast. But if we don't coordinate, we won't survive against a flying wyvern. Not even you can think you'll take one down solo in a Guild-assigned hunt, right?"

"If ordered, I ''would'' do it," Enta replied. His gaze didn't waver. He wasn't boasting. His eye said the same message: ''I can, and if I must, I will''. "...But I understand. I will follow your lead - as long as I do not believe your strategy to be foolish."

"Well, you don't mince words, do you?"

"Politeness helps no one in the field - ''Lips sealed in shadow; what's buried rots in the dark; no one knows your truth'' - That is the way of things."

"...Yeah, sure."

At last, Zeeg found it in himself to smile, even if only a wry one.

Enta was right.

Nothing would ever be understood if left unsaid. Assuming others would understand without words was nothing more than wishful thinking; a convenient fiction to ease one's own conscience. Some might insist otherwise, but that only meant they thought they'd been understood, not that they truly had.

In everyday life, such misunderstandings could sometimes smooth things over. But out in the field, in the hunt, assumptions only doubled the danger.

That, Zeeg thought, was the core of what Enta was trying to say... even if he could be wrong about that, too.

"...Still. That was some impressive marksmanship," Enta said suddenly, shifting the conversation without warning as he looked down at two of the fallen Ioprey.

Zeeg knew exactly who he meant. Vivi.

Her shot had been flawless, striking the skull and instantly killing the creatures. The Ioprey hadn't been stationary either; one had even been lunging straight for Enta when she'd fired, nailing it right between the eyes.

If Fradio's heavy bowgun was a spear, then Vivi's light bowgun was a needle. With her precision, she could shoot in the thick of battle without ever worrying about friendly fire, no matter how wild the melee.

"She's clearly had intensive training," Enta added, nodding slightly.

"You think so?" Zeeg replied.

"At that age, such skill doesn't come without discipline. I'd wager she had a bowgun in her hands before she could read - raised for it, like you, perhaps. What do they call that... gifted upbringing?"

Zeeg let out a dry breath. "If she was 'raised' for anything, I doubt it was a blessing. More likely she just didn't have a choice. Hunting was probably the only way forward."

Enta tilted his head. "The same goes for you?"

"Yeah," Zeeg said quietly. He looked down at the Ioprey as they crumbled completely, the wind scattering the remnants across the gray ash. "My village's whole livelihood revolves around hunting. Most people pick up a blade because they have to. There's no other path. I figure she's the same."

''Elmeria, raised a hunter, was the weird one out'', he thought - but even that, he wasn't so sure about anymore.

He'd always believed Elmeria was shaped by Gannon's guidance - what Enta might've called "gifted upbringing" - becoming a fearsome hunter at an age most were still swinging sticks at dummies. But the life of a hunter was perilous beyond measure. And Gannon had claimed to be indebted to her supposed father. If he had truly wanted to protect Elmeria, why had he led her into this life?

Sure, maybe Gannon had no other trade to pass on. But with his skill, he could've made enough to raise her safely without sending her into the jaws of death. He didn't have to turn her into a hunter.

"Compared to Lady Vivi, then, what do you make of ''that''?"

Enta's voice trailed in with a faint chuckle, snapping Zeeg out of his thoughts. He shouldn't waste time mulling over Elmeria. It wasn't like they'd be crossing paths again anytime soon, nor did he plan to.

"Huh? Make of what?"

Enta pointed behind Zeeg.

Zeeg turned, and was greeted by the sight of a backside poking out from behind a boulder. Loose, dark pants, a long waist-cloth swaying slightly. Velociprey Tassets... Of course it was. There wasn't anyone else it could be. That backside belonged to Brass. Resting just above it were his sword - the Bone Spike - and shield, both still strapped to his back, untouched.

("So he turned tail on the Ioprey? Unbelievable...")

Zeeg stared, dumbfounded.

They weren't the easiest foes, true, but compared to a Yian Kut-Ku or a real wyvern, they were fodder. For Brass to cower behind a rock like that, without even drawing his sword, was pathetic. Zeeg couldn't imagine how this boy had ever taken down a Kut-Ku. He doubted the Guild would've been fooled, but still, it made him wonder if that résumé had been polished a little too hard.

Nearby, Vivi calmly maintained her Dark Parasol, seemingly unconcerned by Brass's retreat. She offered no reprimand, no judgment, just silence. That, too, struck Zeeg as a bit of a problem.

Zeeg walked over to the boulder and called out, "Hey."

Brass jumped, his backside twitching before he scrambled upright and peeked around the rock.

"Ah... I-it's over already...?" he said meekly.

His complexion was pale, his voice sheepish. Zeeg could also see a faint trace of lingering tension in his posture. And then, he noticed that Brass was holding something in his hand.

"What's that you've got there?"

"Oh, this...?" Brass opened his palm without protest.

A cluster of hard, round plants sat in his hand - Huskberries.

Zeeg's eyes narrowed. ''Seriously? This kid was gathering materials while Enta and Vivi were fighting?''

"They're Huskberries," Brass said quickly, as if sensing the incoming scolding. "I... I thought I wouldn't be any help in the fight, so I figured I could at least collect some of these..."

Zeeg nearly dropped his jaw in disbelief.

Sure, Enta had stolen the spotlight with that display, leaving no room for interference... but still. To not even try drawing his blade and instead go gathering during combat? He'd never seen a hunter like this before.

"And what exactly were you planning to do with those?" Zeeg asked, still half in disbelief.

"Well... make ammo for Miss Vivi, of course," Brass said, blinking in confusion. "With some fluids from the fish near base camp, I can mix up Level 2 Pierce and Level 1 Crag shots..."

Zeeg had no idea. He knew what Huskberries were, of course, but he always discarded them the moment he picked them up. The only things he ever mixed were potions and bombs. He wasn't a gunner. Ammo synthesis had never even crossed his mind.

"Interesting," came Enta's voice, suddenly beside them, silent as a shadow. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "So you assessed the situation, saw where you could contribute, and acted accordingly... In other words, not cowardice."

"Well... I ''was'' scared," Brass admitted, flashing a stiff, nervous grin.

Zeeg could tell what the boy had been trying to do, at least. In that moment, with those monsters bearing down on Enta, even if Brass had drawn his weapon, it wouldn't have made a difference. Zeeg himself hadn't made it in time, and he was far more experienced. Worst case, Brass might've just gotten in Vivi's line of fire.

"Mixing's fine and all," Zeeg said, "But save it for when there aren't monsters around. You never know when we'll need your hands. If someone calls for a potion and you're elbow-deep in gathering, that's no help to anyone."

"...I'm sorry," Brass mumbled, head drooping.

Zeeg wasn't one for lectures - never had been - but this was part of mentoring a rookie. They were risking their lives together. That meant facing the ugly parts too. If Brass were hunting solo, Zeeg wouldn't have cared if he paused to forage mid-battle or tried to fish while a wyvern circled overhead. But in a hunting party, one person's careless move could get someone else killed.

"You better mean it. We're counting on you."

He gave Brass a light pat on the shoulder, then turned to head down the path leading into Area 3. According to the map, the narrow canyon ahead would open into a wide basin - the likely nesting ground of the Basarios they were tracking.

Glancing back over his shoulder, Zeeg spotted Brass shuffling behind with his back hunched, scanning the area like he still hoped to spot something worth gathering. Enta walked beside him with a stiff, almost mechanical grace, hardly moving his upper body. Trailing behind them was Vivi, twirling her open Dark Parasol like an actual parasol, the frilled edges swaying gently with each step.

It looked like some bizarre field trip.

Zeeg fought the urge to clutch his temples and tilted his face toward the sulfur-tinged sky, that high expanse of pale blue hanging overhead. He let out a silent sigh, barely more than a breath.

"''SO TASTY!''"

The shout rang out beneath the high blue sky, and a judge hurried over to the hunter who had called. He scrutinized the massive hunk of spit-roasted meat - bone-in and dripping with juices - then poked it with a finger, gave it a sniff, and gave a decisive nod.

"''SO TASTY!''"

He echoed the words with ceremonial flair, raising his flag. An attendant came sprinting in with a large metal platter, received the perfectly grilled Well-Done Steak, and hurried back toward base camp. The judge, without missing a beat, stamped the card hanging from the hunter's neck.

"''SO TASTY!''"

Another call echoed from somewhere else, and the judge turned on his heel and made for the next participant.

The hunter who had just completed his delivery took another hunk of Raw Meat from a nearby stack and set it on the Gourmet BBQ Spit, sliding it onto the rotating rod. He fitted the handle into place and immediately began turning it with a serious expression.

"...Young Mistress."

"Huh? Ah-!"

By the time Gannon's voice reached Elmeria, it was already too late. She hastily lifted the handle, but the meat was charred black, belching out a thick plume of smoke. The outside had carbonized completely, and the burnt crust flaked off the moment she shook it.

Sighing in defeat, Elmeria laid the Burnt Meat onto the cloth spread beside her. It was not the first piece to meet such a fate. More than ten others already lay there, forming a small mountain of failure.

She had joined the Meat Grill Festival in hopes of lifting her spirits. But far from cheering her up, the activity only deepened the gloom in her heart. Every time she grilled meat, her mind unavoidably drifted back to Zeeg. Even now, she could remember it all too clearly.

It had been during a Rathalos hunt - something she'd reluctantly agreed to take him on at the request of the Minegarde Guild Master. With little else for him to do, she had told Zeeg to grill some meat. He had spun the handle of the spit while humming the ''BBQ Song'', the very first tune every novice hunter learns.

Not that it had actual lyrics. The song was more of a rhythmic hum that trained a hunter's body to recognize the perfect moment to lift the meat from the fire. The catchy tune was popular in taverns, where hunters would sling arms over shoulders and belt out their own nonsense verses, but no one actually sang it on the field.

Or so Elmeria had thought, until she met Zeeg.

Years had passed since then, and yet he never stopped singing that off-key song. She had told him to drop it at first - after all, making noise during a hunt could alert monsters to their presence - but in time, she gave up. Odd as it was, his tuneless humming had a way of easing the tension in the air.

And now she would never hear it again.

The realization struck her more heavily than she had expected. How had she not noticed until now? That even at a simple festival, the absence of that ridiculous song could leave her so hollow?

Another sigh escaped her lips. She slumped forward, letting the breath drain the last of her willpower. There was no point in grilling meat in this mood; no way it would ever come out well done like this.

Beside her, Gannon had also stopped turning his spit. From the corner of her eye, she saw him remove a still-rare piece of meat from the rod.

"...Don't let me stop you," she said. "Go ahead and grill."

"No need. I was... not particularly eager to do it anyway."

"...Right."

Another sigh built up in her chest, and this time she didn't fight it. As the breath left her, so did her resolve. A strange lethargy took hold, and even the hammer strapped to her back felt unbearably heavy.

"...Hey, Gannon." She stared into the flames of the makeshift campfire, voice little more than a murmur. "Do you think I've become... cowardly?"

"Are you still troubled by what Zeeg said?"

"...Honestly, yeah. I knew I'd been making mistakes lately. I can understand why he was frustrated. But was I wrong? Please. Be honest."

Gannon fiddled silently with the spit handle he'd removed from the bone. There had been a time when he would've scolded her for even asking. Lately, though, he hardly offered his opinions at all. She had once thought that meant he'd come to recognize her as a fully-fledged hunter.

Now, she wasn't so sure.

Throughout her career, she had dismissed people from her party, but no one had ever cast her out.

"...You were not necessarily wrong, Young Mistress." His words were carefully measured. "However... your views and his ''have'' grown apart. That is all. Every hunter draws the line somewhere - how far to push, when to retreat. Zeeg had started to feel confident. After slaying a Monoblos and upgrading to Rathalos armor, he likely began to think he would not go down so easily. That outlook... clashed with your own. You believed in returning from a hunt unscathed. But Zeeg, he wanted to finish the job even if it meant breaking a bone."

"...That's inefficient. Break a bone and you're out for months. Muscle loss, less training - it's no different from that Khezu girl with her hero complex."

"It is something many greenhorns go through."

"Wait. Are you saying Zeeg is still one, after all this time?"

Gannon, his fingers clasped together, his neck thick as a log, gave a slow nod. His face was still partially wrapped in bandages. The Rathian poison had reached his optic nerves and still hadn't completely left his system. According to the Guild's in-house doctors, full recovery was uncertain.

"But... he took down a Monoblos."

"Hunters are not judged by the size or species of the monsters they have hunted. The Guild's Hunter Rank might reflect skill level, but it does not define whether someone is truly seasoned or not. Are you familiar with the party called ''Crimson Avian Wings''?"

Of course she was. Four men, all close to fifty, known for hunting practically nothing but Yian Kut-Ku.

They'd been in the trade a long time, yet still wore full Kut-Ku armor - a production line without a helmet. None of them ever substituted helmets from other wyvern sets, either.

Their weapons told a similar story. The two greatsword users wielded the Iron Gospel katana. The lance wielder used a Babel Spear. The bowgunner carried a Grenade Launcher. All weapons crafted without a single flying wyvern part.

Many hunters mocked them for going after nothing but Kut-Ku.

Elmeria understood the sentiment - after all, she'd spent years hunting alongside Fradio, who was much the same. He always went after Gypceros when hunting solo. She didn't see it as something to deride; it was simply another way of doing things. That said, Fradio could take on other flying wyverns when he chose to. Which made him a different case entirely.

But Gannon - he saw things differently. He recognized their worth.

"...There are hunters who call them cowards, but they are not. They chose Yian Kut-Ku after long years of hunting. It is not that they can not hunt other wyverns. They simply would not. Very few know this, but it is the truth - those men were instrumental in repelling the Lao-Shan Lung time and time again. Even during the chaos in Minegarde, they fought valiantly, though few noticed. They are, in every sense of the word, seasoned hunters. It is not enough to just slay wyverns and chase a higher Hunter Rank. That sort of mindset leads to a short life. You, Young Mistress, may not be fully aware of it - but I believe you have sensed that truth, and that is why you have grown more cautious lately, yes?"

Had she? She wasn't sure. It was her own heart she was talking about, and yet she couldn't quite grasp it.

There was no doubt, however, that she didn't want Zeeg getting hurt.

She remembered shouting at him once, when he'd brushed off a fractured bone like it was a mere scrape. It angered her - because it felt like he truly believed that. Like he saw broken bones as no more than splinters.

Maybe that was why she'd pulled on the reins whenever he acted recklessly. ''Maybe''. But it wasn't the whole picture - surely not. She just didn't want to look too closely at what else might be there.

"...So," Elmeria said quietly, "you don't think I've gone soft? That I've stopped being a real hunter?"

"Not at all, Young Mistress," Gannon replied. "Zeeg still has a long way to go, but he too is a hunter. His life - or death - is his own to choose. You are not responsible for that. On the contrary, as a fellow hunter, you should respect his decisions."

A nearby hunter's cheerful voice rang out: "''SO TASTY!''"

Elmeria sighed as the smell of meat drifted over.

"...I know that. I know, logically. But still, if someone dies because I made the wrong call, I do feel responsible."

It wasn't as though no one had ever died on a hunt with her. True, Gannon had assured her she'd never lost someone due to a clear mistake in judgment. But even so, when death came, it came. And Elmeria had never forgotten any of them.

"At least when it comes to me, you don't need to worry."

She turned at the sound of Fradio's voice. He stood nearby, shoulders burdened with a mountain of raw meat. The scent of blood and gunpowder clung to him, strong and acrid. Judging by the thickness of the bones jutting from the slabs, it was raw Aptonoth meat. Their supplies must've run dry, and he'd gone out hunting to replenish them.

"If things really go south, I'll be the first to run," he said casually. "Well, unless it's a Gypceros. In that case, I'll die happily at her feet..."

''Ugh, not me'', Elmeria thought, though she didn't say it aloud. People had different tastes, sure, but she couldn't, for the life of her, see that thing as beautiful. The idea of being crushed beneath its feet or dying in agony from its poison made her stomach turn.

Whether Fradio failed to notice her revulsion or simply didn't care, he casually mounted a slab of meat on a Gourmet BBQ Spit, fitted the handle, and began turning it slowly over the flame.

"If words aren't enough to ease your worry, there's a simple solution," he said. "Go on a hunt. Bring someone else along if you like. Or go as the three of us used to. That'll show you how you truly feel - ah, ''SO TASTY!''"

Fradio raised the perfectly grilled meat, crisped and golden, and waved for the appraiser.

A moment later, the judge flew in to examine it, throat audibly gulping.

''"P-PERFECT!!"''

The shout was met with cheers and murmurs from the hunters nearby. "Perfect, huh?" someone echoed with a laugh. A perfectly grilled slab of meat was fittingly called Gourmet Steak, and folks had taken to giving it the ''PERFECT!'' call as an honorary mark of excellence when the cook hit it just right.

Fradio handed over the steak for delivery and received five stamps on the card that hung against his bare chest, then grabbed another cut of raw meat.

"If you want my opinion," he said, "you should go hunt a wyvern. There's no better way to see if you've lost your nerve. They're terrifying even on a normal day - if you're still sharp, you'll know it the moment you face one."

He was right.

Brooding wouldn't bring her answers, and no one else could hand her one on a platter. It was ''her'' issue. If she really had turned into a coward... she'd know the moment she stood before a wyvern.

("That's all it is,") she told herself. ("Just getting back to the way things were.")

That was all.

There was no need to think about Zeeg doing something reckless and dying. He had a clever streak, and he wasn't one to get swept up in some misguided sense of justice. If things got truly dangerous, he'd fall back. Just like Gannon had said, their standards were simply different. She didn't even want to imagine him dying.

Elmeria picked up a cut of raw meat, mounted it on the spit, and locked it into place. She pumped the bellows with her foot, fanning the flames into a steady roar.

As the fire licked at the surface of the meat, searing it to perfection, she slowly turned the handle - and, for the first time in what felt like ages, she softly began to hum the ''BBQ Song''.

Having passed through the sweltering cavern, Zeeg and the party emerged once more beneath the blue sky and into the gray, sun-baked expanse beyond.

They were struck speechless by the sight before them.

Just as they'd suspected, the Basarios was nowhere to be found in Area 3. Instead, a horde of Bullfango greeted them.

These boar-like monsters, each armed with massive tusks, were no threat alone - but en masse, they became dangerous. Dodge one charge, and another would blindside them. Before one could rise or even draw their weapon, they'd be trampled into the dirt.

If a wyvern showed up in the middle of that, it was practically a death sentence. Which was why every seasoned hunter knew to take the boars out first.

Zeeg and his comrades followed that logic.

Even Brass unsheathed his sword this time and managed to take one down. But it was Zeeg and Enta who did the bulk of the work.

Afterward, the party began inspecting each of the jagged rocks jutting from the ground, one by one.

Basarios, the monster they sought, was also known as the Invisible Wyvern. The name came from its habit of hiding beneath the earth, its basalt-like shell mimicking the volcanic stones that littered the area.

Though Basarios was hardly agile, it used this camouflage to ambush prey. When something approached, it would sense the vibrations and erupt from the ground in a sudden, violent assault. To draw one out, all a hunter needed was to toss a rock or sprint nearby - either would suffice to provoke a reaction.

Fortunately, the area was strewn with loose stones, so they could conserve their energy. Unfortunately, every outcropping they examined turned out to be nothing more than ordinary rock.

Reluctantly, they dragged Brass - who was still distracted by his desire to dig for ore - away from the spot and made their way through a lava-flooded cave. If not for that obstructive boulder, they would've reached Area 2 without issue.

What they found there stopped them cold.

"...What the hell is this...?"

It was the first thing Zeeg managed to say after the shock had passed.

There, sprawled across the ashen earth, was the massive corpse of a Basarios. It wasn't asleep. Its tiny eyes were lifeless, and its thick tongue lolled out of its mouth, discolored to a blackened crimson. The ground surrounding its body had been soaked not in the usual dull gray, but in dark red tinged with a venomous purple.

Blood, no doubt. And judging by the smell and the discoloration, fluids from the ruptured poison sacs in its body as well.

"It's dead, that much is clear," Enta said, stating the obvious. Anyone could see that. The real question was - ''who'' had killed it?

None of the local monsters - be they Ioprey or the herbivorous, turtle-like Apceros - could've done this. Neither species attacked flying wyverns to begin with. Ioprey venom had no effect on Basarios, and neither their fangs nor claws could pierce its thick shell. Apceros had powerful tails, akin to sledgehammers, but not powerful enough to bring down a beast like this.

Zeeg cautiously approached the corpse, wary of any lingering toxins. When he smelled no more, he circled the body, inspecting it closely - and then noticed something strange.

Part of the shell had been deliberately stripped away. The edges were clean, as though someone had slipped a sharp tool between the plates and peeled them away with precision.

''No'' - he didn't want to believe it, but there was no other explanation.

Someone had carved this monster.

And it wasn't the work of Ioprey or Apceros. No beast could perform such delicate work. Only humans - no, only hunters - could do this. But as far as Zeeg knew, their team was the only one dispatched here from the Hunter's Guild out of Nusti.

("...A drifter?")

Some hunters operated independently of the Guild, taking contracts without oversight. His hometown, Kokoto Village, was like that - though the Guild knew of it, the village itself wasn't under Guild control.

Still, few would risk hunting unsupervised in Guild-sanctioned territories. Doing so could provoke the Guild into sending Guild Knights.

Those private enforcers were surrounded by dark rumors. Hunters were sworn never to raise weapons against humans. But the Guild Knights - they were said to hunt people.

Even if those were just rumors, what hunter would willingly risk becoming their target?

And yet, here the Basarios lay - dead, its body mutilated, its shell harvested.

"These are hammer strikes," Enta muttered, brushing a hand along one of the crushed wing membranes. The film had been thoroughly pulped, torn apart - not with blades like greatswords or sword-and-shield, but with sheer blunt force.

"This wound here was caused by a Crag round," Vivi said from where she crouched near the beast's massive head. She brought her nose close and sniffed with precision. "A direct hit to the eye socket. The shell fractured from the inside out - the explosive must've detonated after penetration. I can smell blood, charred flesh, and gunpowder. No mistake."

There was no longer any doubt. Hunters had done this.

Brass, apparently unaware of the seriousness of the situation, circled the corpse with childlike fascination, gawking at the immense body of the juvenile Gravios.

"Well now - ''We arrived quite late; the wyvern lies still, cold stone; its breath had long gone'', eh?" Enta quipped.

"Now's not the time for jokes," Zeeg snapped.

"What do you mean? The contract is fulfilled. There's no issue."

"Are you serious?" Zeeg turned to him, astonished, but Enta's face betrayed nothing. "We didn't hunt this thing."

"But the client only requested that the Basarios be culled, yes? They didn't specify ''who'' had to do the culling." With that, Enta unsheathed his carving knife and slid it smoothly between two of the beast's remaining shells, popping a piece free with ease. "This is proof enough. Sadly, it seems the rare ores were taken already. Such is life."

"Wait, are you really planning to take credit for this!?"

"Wasn't our kill stolen? Whoever they were, this Basarios was ''our'' quarry. They stole the carve, and now you would have us give up the reward as well?"

Zeeg had no answer. Enta was right. They had been robbed of the materials and possibly the payout. If this was deemed a failed hunt, they'd get neither reward nor even their upfront fee. That was hard to swallow.

However-

"I get your point. I really do. But if we report this as our kill, we'd be lying to the Guild. That's dangerous."

No amount of Zenny was worth ending up on the Guild Knights' hit list.

"Then what do you suggest?"

"We report exactly what we found. We take the Basarios shell as evidence, submit our findings, and leave the decision to the Guild. If they refuse to pay, I'll cover the reward myself."

"...You're ''admirably'' straightforward," Enta chuckled, handing him the carved shell.

Zeeg accepted it without a word. Though he didn't show it on his face, a deep breath of relief stirred quietly in his chest. A fight breaking out here would've been disastrous, especially with the long trek back to base camp still ahead of them.

Only now, as they turned to leave, did Zeeg recall that moment in the jungle - the bitter words exchanged with Elmeria and the unease she'd worn so clearly on her face...

("What the hell was I even paying attention to then...?")

With a sigh, Zeeg tucked the shell under his arm and turned back toward the cave entrance, where molten lava cast an ominous glow. His feet felt heavier than they should have.

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Monster Hunter:Volume3 Chapter5

2026-01-17T12:15:50Z

Barnnn:

== Chapter 5 - Blossoming Pink, Blazing Azure ==

[[File:MH-v03-005.jpg|300px|thumb]]

"How goes the explanations?" Enta spoke before Zeeg even reached the table.

Zeeg's brow twitched slightly as he resumed his action, placing four hefty coin pouches down in front of the party. The clinking of Zenny should have stirred excitement in any typical hunter, but the others seated at the table showed little reaction.

Enta looked straight at Zeeg, not the money. Vivi sat upright, reading from a book without so much as glancing up. Brass, preoccupied with mixing ingredients, merely shot a disapproving glare at the vibration caused by the pouches hitting the table.

Zeeg took a seat. A server promptly arrived, placing mugs of beer before the four of them. He wasn't sure if Brass drank, but it was tradition to share a drink after returning from a hunt.

Before raising his mug, Zeeg distributed the pouches. He kept the bulging one for himself; it held the refund of the contract fee. The rest of the reward was split evenly.

The group proceeded to offer a half-hearted toast and each took a drink. Enta drained his mug in one go. Vivi didn't seem to mind the taste either. Brass took a tentative lick, like he was sampling medicine.

Wiping foam from his lip, Enta leaned forward. "Well?"

"They're looking into it," Zeeg replied, gesturing toward the counter with a tilt of his chin.

The Guild's one-eyed receptionist had said only that in response to his report. If they knew anything more, they weren't sharing. In the end, all Zeeg had learned was that the Guild was just as in the dark.

He'd expected some argument over the reward. But, just as Enta had interpreted, the client's request had been exactly as written: the Basarios needed to be eliminated. It didn't matter who delivered the finishing blow. The Guild had paid out without protest.

And more than that, they'd offered a little something extra.

Zeeg slid a sheet of paper onto the table.

"And what's this?" Enta asked.

"A quest form." Zeeg waited for them to lean in before elaborating. "It's the Guild's way of apologizing for the mess. We're being given priority on this one. Only thing is... the ''targets'' are no joke."

Enta narrowed his single eye, studying the paper with suspicion. Vivi's expression remained unreadable. Brass, however, widened his eyes in shock and looked around helplessly. Of course he was rattled. This wasn't a quest someone of his rank was ever meant to touch.

The targets were a mated pair: Rathalos and Rathian.

"They've nested near a ranch..." Enta observed.

"Yeah." Zeeg picked up the quest form again, skimming it once more. "A couple weeks ago, a Rathalos was sighted near a ranch situated between Nusti and Minegarde. Not long after, a Rathian was spotted in the nearby forest. Looks like they're nesting. Normally, the Guild wouldn't authorize a hunt during the mating period - but livestock are being killed, and if they run out of prey, there's a good chance they'll move into the city. That's why the Guild's making an exception."

"A Rathalos and a Rathian..." Enta said with a grin. "A ''tempting'' challenge."

"...You can't be serious..." Brass's large frame quivered like a soaked puppy. "Even just one of them is terrifying... but both, at once? A mated pair? There's no way we stand a chance..."

"It's not impossible."

Zeeg waited until the server had quietly laid out their meal before continuing. All at once, forks reached forward, spearing through thick slices of grilled Aptonoth meat layered with root vegetables and melting cheese.

He paused to eat, letting the sizzling juices and creamy cheese fill his mouth, wiping his fingers clean on a napkin before catching Brass's expectant gaze.

"Well, sure. Neither Rathalos nor Rathian are your average wyverns. If it's sheer size you're talking, Plesioth is bigger. For toughness, Gravios can't be topped. But when it comes to aggression, cunning, and the sheer instinct to kill... nothing beats a Rathalos. It's the flagship of the flying wyverns for a reason. Rathian's slightly weaker, but her venomous tail makes her even more of a headache. And they both get nastier during mating season."

Brass gave a helpless look, as if to say - ''See? I told you so.''

"But they ''can'' be hunted," Zeeg said firmly. "Taking them on together would be suicidal. So what do we do? Easy. We split them up. Mated pairs usually leave defense to the Rathalos. We exploit that instinct - bait him out alone and take him down first."

"Divide and conquer," Enta said, nodding as he popped a roasted yam into his mouth without even peeling it. "If we chip away at him bit by bit, just like carving meat off a bone, even the fiercest monsters are no worse than a herd of Aptonoth. Nothing to fear. I have no objection to accepting this quest. What say you, Lady Vivi?"

"I shall do as the Master wishes," she spoke without lifting her gaze, swallowing a neatly sliced piece of meat with ladylike grace behind her glasses.

No matter how many times he heard it, Zeeg still wasn't used to being addressed as ''Master''. He'd asked her to stop, once. Her reply had been a curt, unequivocal - ''I must decline.''

Enta nodded once, then turned to Zeeg.

"What say you, Sir Zeeg?"

The idea had appeal. He wanted to try. But sending Brass up against the likes of a Rathalos and Rathian pair right from the start - that was far too much. Zeeg wouldn't have the luxury of watching over him. The answer, then, was obvious. He turned to the boy.

"...Brass, I'm sorry, but you'll have to-"

"I-I want to go too!" Brass interrupted, his voice ringing loud across the table. He must have known what was coming.

It wasn't what Zeeg had expected, but then again, the boy had never seen a Rathalos up close. That had to be it. He was only speaking out of ignorance. Once he laid eyes on one, heard that thunderous roar, saw the beast charge - he'd freeze up. Just like Zeeg had, his first time. He hadn't run, but he'd been paralyzed by fear, unable to do a thing.

"I won't get in the way! Please, just take me with you!"

"Look, this isn't-"

"Why not let him come?"

At Enta's words, Brass lit up with hope, while Zeeg furrowed his brow. But the one-eyed hunter remained unbothered, gesturing with a root vegetable soaked through with meat juices.

"If he's to be a hunter, he must face such foes eventually. It's a path no one can avoid. And it's our duty, as those ahead of him, to lead by example. The three of us should be more than enough. They don't appear to be anything more than a standard pair."

That was true. Some monsters were classified as ''Master Rank'', a designation for those who had grown stronger through surviving countless hunts - learning traps, adapting to tactics, and passing that knowledge to their offspring. Such monsters were far more dangerous, even among the same species. But this particular Rathalos and Rathian weren't noted as Master Rank in the quest listing.

Zeeg looked back at Brass.

The boy's eyes trembled, but there was no sign of retreat. He wouldn't back down. If that was a decision made as a hunter, then it deserved respect. After all, it was only because Elmeria had once taken Zeeg along for a special Rathalos hunt that he was here now.

"Alright, fine."

Brass's face lit up, but Zeeg wasn't about to let the matter drop just yet.

"''However!'' Don't get in our way. Don't expect us to protect you, either; we won't have the time. You're responsible for your own life. If you can handle that, you can come."

"Yes, sir!" Brass replied with such spirit that he seemed to think the matter was settled. He immediately dove into his meal, biting into it with gusto.

Watching him, Zeeg felt his own appetite shrivel. He set down his fork and forced himself to drink his beer - never a favorite of his - hoping it would help settle the weight growing in his gut.

''This thing'' was good for one thing only: getting a laugh. Elmeria stared down at the freshly-forged hammer, the Enormous Ham, and let out a sigh.

She hadn't won any awards at the Meat Grill Festival, in the end. But Fradio, who ''had'' taken a prize, was generous enough to hand over his winnings: a slab of King Meat. With that and a few spare BBQ Tickets left in her stash, she figured, why not? The result, however... wasn't exactly practical.

Theoretically, the sheer weight of the smoked meat attached to the handle might be enough to cave in a Mosswine's skull. But against a wyvern, she'd be lucky not to have it eaten out of her hands. Maybe, just maybe, it could work as a distraction in a tight spot. But, realistically, it was more suited for drawing a laugh - or for a weapon collector with a sense of humor.

Sure enough, the moment she stepped into the gathering hall, all eyes turned her way.

"Oi, what in the world is that!?" someone shouted, laughter erupting.

Well, of course they laughed. The Enormous Ham looked exactly like a giant bone-in ham. She shot a grin in the direction of the voice and called back, "Mind your business!" Laughing as she did, her mood lightened just a little. Maybe making the thing wasn't such a waste after all.

She approached the counter, where Becky looked up from her ledger. Her usual smile was there, but Elmeria could see the fatigue etched around her eyes. With the Guild Master still away, it was clear she'd been handling everything herself.

"What's the occasion?" Elmeria asked, bracing herself against the counter.

Becky glanced at the Enormous Ham on Elmeria's back, but said nothing. Normally, she would've made some quip by now, but there wasn't much room for humor on her face today.

"I've got a request," she said quietly, sliding a piece of paper across the counter. The red stamp on it read: ''URGENT''.

Emergency quests like this gave little time to prepare. They were risky, demanding, and usually the kind that others had already turned down. Elmeria picked up the paper, and soon Fradio and Gannon were peering over her shoulders to read.

"Eliminate a pair of Rathalos and Rathian..." Elmeria murmured.

The request detailed sightings of the wyvern pair attempting to nest in the forest near the ranchlands. Livestock had already begun to vanish. If nothing was done, the damage could easily spread to the city.

When a mated pair prepared to breed, their territory often expanded. If they chose to nest, the nearby settlement would fall squarely within range.

It was likely the Guild had tried to drive them off first. But once a wyvern picked a nesting ground, it rarely gave it up easily. This emergency quest was their last resort.

It was a fitting challenge - and, Elmeria realized, the perfect opportunity to prove whether she was still afraid or not.

She turned to Fradio and Gannon, lifting the quest paper. "I'm thinking of taking it. What do you two say?"

"No objections here," Fradio replied, chuckling deep in his throat. "Rathalos and Rathian sounds excellent. It's not the same one as last time, but I still owe that queen a favor."

Elmeria looked to Gannon. "You?"

"...Should we bring a fourth? Or go as three?"

"Huh, now that you mention it..."

They'd been running as a four-hunter team lately; filling the vacancy could make coordination easier. But bringing someone unfamiliar into a fight like this, against a pair of powerful wyverns, was just asking for disaster. They might hinder more than help.

"Actually, no," Elmeria decided. "The three of us will handle it. We'll split them up and take them down one at a time. That should be enough." With that, she turned back to Becky and slapped the request down onto the counter. "Quest's ours."

"Alright. Your name here," Becky said, offering a fountain pen.

Elmeria signed, then passed the paper to Gannon and Fradio to do the same. Once all three signatures were on the page, Becky nodded.

"You're all set. Departure's in an hour. Oh, and... are you actually using ''that''?"

She pointed to the Enormous Ham, and Elmeria promptly shrugged and shook her head.

"Are you kidding? Of course not! I just brought it along to show it off. I mean, I went through the trouble of making it. It'd be a waste not to give it a debut. You know what, how about you buy it off me? Imagine that - ''Local Ninja Brains Hunter With Hunk'a Ham!'' Everyone's gonna retell that story for years!"

"Hmm..."

Becky tapped a finger to her chin, head tilted. She looked like she was actually considering it.

"Well, if you want it, let me know. I'll give you priority."

"Sure thing," Becky said with her usual smile.

Elmeria gave her a wave then turned on her heel. No need to eat - no time, either. For once, she'd had a full breakfast and wasn't hungry in the slightest.

("Since we're up against Rathalos and Rathian, we'd better pack as many Flash Bombs as we can...")

Weaving through the crowd of day-drunk hunters, Elmeria could feel her instincts waking up. She was thinking like a hunter again, and it made her feel alive.

''Yes!'' This was who she really was - not the mopey shell she'd been since Zeeg's departure.

And this quest... this was her chance to make up for her earlier failures. To show Becky, who still believed in them, that her trust hadn't been misplaced.

("...Alright. Time to hunt!")

She drew a length of cord from her pouch, reached behind her, and tied up her long hair at the nape of her neck - tight. ''Very tight.''

Zeeg drew a deep breath as he watched the Guild boat disappear from the dock. The acrid stench of something burnt still lingered in the air. The base camp, hastily erected by the Guild in a secluded grove ringed by cliffs, now lay half-collapsed, its canvas tents scorched and crumbling.

The scent told him everything. This wasn't the aftermath of some ordinary fire; it had taken a direct hit from a fireball. The Guild burned repellents around the perimeter to keep flying wyverns away, but when they were agitated, those deterrents sometimes failed. Camps being attacked was practically unheard of, but it was said that wyverns grew especially volatile while nesting, and now Zeeg had seen the proof with his own eyes.

He placed their supplies where the fire hadn't reached and dropped to one knee, spreading the provided map on the ground in the center of the group. Wyvern nesting sites always shared certain topographical traits, so much so that they all started to feel carbon-copied. As with many times before, the likely den this time was a cave carved into the mountainside.

Area 1, just beyond the camp, and Area 8, known for its steep cliffs and vertical terrain, were unlikely to harbor the creatures. That left Areas 2 through 6, and Area 9 as probable hunting grounds. But before they could make any decisions, they needed to locate the targets first.

"...We search for Rathalos first," Zeeg said, sweeping his gaze across the team. "If we go after Rathian first, there's a chance he'll come looking for her - but the opposite doesn't happen."

The statement was basic knowledge for any seasoned hunter, but Zeeg hadn't said it for the veterans' sake. His eyes drifted to Brass, the youngest among them, and saw the boy nod solemnly. He understood.

"If we run into Rathian first, we back off. Focus on finding Rathalos. No lone wolf stunts; we move as a team. Once we find him, Vivi, hit him with a Paint shot."

Vivi adjusted her glasses and nodded, the black maid uniform she always wore fluttering slightly as she moved. Paint shots and Paintballs worked by tagging the wyvern with scent, but using them on multiple targets could scatter the scent trail, making it hard to track any one of them effectively.

"I'll draw his attention," Zeeg continued. "Enta, use that opening to strike. Vivi, you'll-"

"Hold," came Enta's voice, quiet but impossible to ignore. Zeeg turned toward him. "Would it not be wiser to reverse our roles? Your armor is heavy. Add the weight of a greatsword and you're hardly built for evasion. It would be more efficient if I were the one to draw the wyvern's attention."

"Maybe, but if it taps you even once, you're done. That's too risky."

"This ''Shinobi'' armor I wear is not as fragile as it appears," Enta countered. "Light yet durable. Excellent fire resistance. I was made for disruption. Let me do my part. You stay ready to strike when the opening comes."

"Wait, no, listen." Zeeg raised a hand to stop him. "The most effective way to use a greatsword against a flying wyvern is to get under its belly and hit it hard. That kind of attack doesn't suit a skirmisher."

"Ah..." Enta stroked his chin. "...I hadn't considered that. Then we shall decide based on how the battle unfolds. The target is a living thing, after all. We must adapt to its movements, and to each other's. We both act as decoys and skirmishers - that is the best course."

Zeeg stifled a groan. Enta was clearly satisfied with his own reasoning. There was no time to argue further; if they were both set on playing bait, then so be it.

Turning to Brass, Zeeg found the boy pale with tension. No doubt the state of the ruined camp had rattled him.

"Hey, Brass," Zeeg called. The boy jolted, his broad shoulders trembling as he looked up. "...Don't engage. Not under any circumstances. I'm not trying to scare you - but if you charge a wyvern in that gear, you won't make it back. Whether it's Rathalos or Rathian, their fireballs are no joke. You've seen what one can do."

He gestured toward the charred remains of the tent, and Brass nodded silently. In a way, the attack had done them a favor; Zeeg no longer had to waste words convincing the boy to stay out of the fight. Then again, knowing Brass's personality, maybe it wouldn't have been necessary anyway.

"Back to the strategy - what do I do, Master?"

"Ah, right." Zeeg turned, sheepish. Enta's interruption had made him forget. He gave Vivi an apologetic glance.

"Vivi, you'll focus on support over offense. With your aim, I trust you can tag us with Recovery and Antidote shots even while we're dodging like hell."

Vivi nodded, and Zeeg folded up the map. Enta reached into his pack for the standard-issue rations, prompting Brass to scramble for his own. Zeeg tore into the bland, dry pack and forced it down with indifference.

Once everyone had eaten, Zeeg stood and licked the leftover grease from his lips.

"...Alright. Time to hunt!"

''Not our lucky day today'' - that was all Elmeria could think.

The forest-and-hills region supposedly claimed by the Rathian and Rathalos pair was a newly opened hunting ground. No proper camp had been established yet. As a result, the ranch that had filed the request served as a temporary base, and getting to the hunting grounds meant crossing the river by boat.

She had declined the ranch's offered meal - something about a warm welcome - and instead wasted no time departing, boarding the waiting vessel. But something was off.

"...Gannon. You feel it too, don't you?"

The horned helm turned, and Gannon nodded silently.

''I knew it,'' Elmeria mused, sweeping her eyes over the surroundings. She had sensed something was wrong even before crossing the river: there wasn't a single Aptonoth in sight.

The riverbank, usually lush with tender grass, made for an ideal feeding ground. It should have been teeming with the gentle herbivores. That there was none, was cause for concern.

And then there was the smell - Paintberry. Faint, but unmistakable.

They were supposed to be the only hunters assigned to this quest. So why the scent of a tracking item? Had a drifter slipped in to poach? If so, that was no small matter. If this rogue was working independently, that was one thing - but if the ranchers had hired them on the side, things could turn messy fast.

("But... if that were true, could they really have acted so naturally?")

The ranchers had greeted them with open arms, every bit the picture of a family eager for their arrival. If they'd been lying, they were masters of it, and Elmeria didn't think they were.

"Tch. What a nuisance..." she muttered, clicking her tongue.

Paintballs or Paint shots were only used when a wyvern had been spotted; someone had already made contact. And if worse came to worst, this could escalate into a clash between hunters.

Officially, raising a weapon against another hunter was forbidden. But that didn't mean they were about to stand there and watch someone steal your quarry. The proper response was to report the incident to the Guild and let them resolve it, but no one out in the field had the luxury of waiting for bureaucracy to catch up.

They reached the opposite shore. As Fradio disembarked and began tying off the boat, Elmeria inhaled deeply once more. That Paintberry scent was definitely coming from nearby.

Whether the local Aptonoth had been slaughtered by those trespassers or devoured by the wyverns themselves, the result was the same: no fresh meat to be gathered. They'd have to rely on what rations they'd brought and supplement the rest with fish.

Unfastening the pack at her waist, which swayed against the steel bustle of her armor like a blooming flower of iron, Elmeria pulled out the map and spread it open. From the markings, it seemed they were in what was referred to as Area 1.

Hunting grounds always looked the same after a while. Still, the scents riding the wind were coming from the right, opposite the forest. That was where the trail lay.

"It's awfully quiet, hmm?" Fradio spoke in a breezy tone, but the slitted eyes of his helmet narrowed as he scanned the horizon.

Indeed. Quiet. Far too quiet.

"...Let's go," Elmeria said.

A faint, smoldering sensation lit up deep in her chest. She slung her Breath Core over her back, then stepped onto the grassy slope - like a carpet rolled out by nature itself - and began ascending the path that led toward the hills.

Pushing through the lush forest where Felynes often wandered near a tranquil spring, Zeeg's party emerged onto a grassy plain atop a sheer cliff, only to stop dead in their tracks at the sudden boom that echoed across the air.

Then, a trailing arc of firelight blazed skyward. The scent of scorched air crept over them, acrid and familiar. Either a Rathalos or Rathian had unleashed a fireball.

But something didn't add up. The sound they'd heard just before - without question, that had been a bowgun. Which meant...

''There were other hunters out here.''

("Again!?")

Immediately before this, they'd run into a similar situation with that Basarios. What was Nusti's Guild even doing? Their party had secured the contract for this hunt fair and square. To be scooped like this - it was intolerable.

Zeeg glanced at Enta. The man's expression was rigid, jaw clenched. For all his easy words and measured calm, he clearly wasn't taking this theft-of-prey well. Vivi, too, had gone quiet, absently stroking the canopy of her Dark Parasol, a sharp glint simmering behind her glasses.

The fireball had risen from Area 4, just beyond the presumed nesting ground.

Zeeg led the party up a slope between gouged cliffs, emerging into a wide clearing. Nothing was immediately visible. The path ahead twisted through Area 3 toward Area 4, but an enormous rock formation split the terrain like a trident, obstructing their view almost entirely.

The silence was unnatural.

After the gunshot and that fireball, there should've been chaos. But the forest was deathly still. Tensing, lowering their bodies, Zeeg and his comrades crept toward the rock and rounded it in silence, suppressing every hint of presence. They heard nothing, but the smell was there. The acrid sting of gunpowder. The scorched bite of burning grass. And... the stench of charred flesh.

There was no doubt. A wyvern was nearby.

Peering past the stone into the grove beyond, Zeeg felt the hairs on his arms rise. For a second, he thought his eyes had failed him. But no - he could feel it from the others, too. They were all seeing the same thing.

Two flying wyverns. A Rathalos and a Rathian.

And yet, they were ''wrong''. Not just in the way light fell across their scales, but in the very nature of their appearance.

The Rathalos was sheathed in blue plates, like the depths of an ocean, gleaming like cut jewels in the sunlight - nothing like the familiar crimson shell of the species. Beside it, the Rathian's verdant green was gone, replaced by a delicate pink that bloomed across her body like a field of cherry blossoms before spring's full flush.

The term that leaped to Zeeg's mind: ''subspecies''.

Occasionally, such mutations appeared in the wild. Though he'd never seen one himself, blue-scaled Yian Kut-Kus had been spotted in recent months. That was enough to make the rumors credible.

The two wyverns nuzzled each other's snouts, brushing together in a manner almost affectionate.

But when Zeeg lowered his eyes, his gut twisted into a cold, hard knot.

Hunters lay sprawled beneath the beasts, collapsed in tangled ruin.

He couldn't tell how many. Severed arms and legs lay strewn across the ground. Some bodies had been charred black. Nearby, a heavy bowgun - the Titan Launcher - was half-buried in the dirt. That must've been the source of the final shot.

A few paces off, he saw a shattered greatsword, likely an Iron Grace katana. Two hunters had died here. Perhaps more.

"Ahh!" A gasp, sharp and high-pitched, escaped someone behind him.

Zeeg clicked his tongue.

''Brass.''

The boy had never seen a man's corpse before.

("That idiot...!")

The wyverns reacted instantly. Twin gazes of pink and azure snapped toward them.

Their cover had been blown.

Zeeg's hand flew to the handle of his Lacerator Blade+, and he charged from the undergrowth.

If either wyvern attacked first, Brass wouldn't survive the first blow.

The wyverns stared. A second later, a crack of igniting powder split the air, and a crimson splash erupted across Azure Rathalos' face. The stench of Paintberry spread.

The hunters who'd come before must've marked him, but the effect had long since faded.

A roar shook the very air. Zeeg felt his muscles lock up with primal fear - something no amount of training could ever dull.

With a quake of the earth, the Azure Rathalos surged forward.

Zeeg raised Lacerator Blade+ as a shield just in time. The impact tore through his arms and down his spine like a thunderbolt. The wyvern's momentum sent it sliding along the greatsword, glancing off and crashing over his head.

His arms were numb, but Zeeg forced life back into them, swinging upward.

The line of jagged blades caught the Rathalos' tail - only to bounce off harmlessly.

("Damn it... it's tough!")

It wasn't his blade. He'd sharpened it just this morning, and it had cut through countless Rathalos hides. This subspecies... its shell was different. Unnaturally hard.

Another roar behind.

Zeeg whirled, and saw the Pink Rathian charging.

''No time to guard.''

He dove, rolling sideways as the pink blur thundered past.

With no sign of slowing, she slammed side-first into the Rathalos beside her. Sparks flew where the thorny protrusions of her jaw scraped against his blue-scaled hide.

The Azure Rathalos reared up on his hind legs and bellowed - rage incarnate.

His chest swelled, and blue scales around his throat began to shimmer.

The next instant, the world drew inward.

A moment of vacuum. Then a blinding glow behind the scales.

And then - flame.

The fireball streaked past, missing by inches. A tree was ripped from the ground and blown apart mid-air, its splinters burning as they fell.

Wind howled, a shockwave billowing through the clearing.

A cherry-pink shadow flew overhead. Dust and ash scattered.

''Thud.''

She landed behind the party, kicking up soil.

"Sir Zeeg!" Enta's voice rang out as he rushed to his side.

They stood back to back. Enta had already drawn his dual blades - the so-called ''Zanki'' - and held them in a cross-guard stance as he faced the Pink Rathian.

"We're in trouble..." Zeeg couldn't help but chuckle. It wasn't amusement. The laugh just came, unbidden. "This is the worst possible situation. We should fall back... but you think they're going to let us?"

"Not likely," Enta replied, grinning faintly. "If I may describe the stage on which we stand - ''Fierce petals of pink; spill from spring's hand, brightening; fields of waking green''."

"Ehh, not as good as your other ones," Zeeg muttered.

He wasn't angry at the inappropriately-timed poetry. His heart thundered so hard it hurt. His throat was ready to scream. His knees nearly gave out.

But still, he didn't want to run. Even knowing there was no winning this fight, his mind already churned with possibilities and plans on how to take them down.

Zeeg licked his dry lips slowly, watching the warning lash of the wyverns' tails.

"This way!"

At the sound of gunfire followed by two distinctly different roars, Elmeria and her comrades sprinted across the clifftop meadow of Area 3. The once-fading scent of Paintberry grew sharp again; someone had fired a Paint shot. Whoever it was, stealing another hunter's prey was unacceptable.

Charging up the slope between cliffs, Elmeria burst into the clearing marked on the map as an open plain - and froze. Crouching behind a rock was... a maid?

''Why a maid!?''

A girl was dressed in a black maid outfit, complete with a parasol trimmed in black frills. This was no picnic outing.

Nearby, a tall boy knelt, tending to something on the ground. Judging by his gear, he was a hunter, at least.

"Young Mistress, look," Gannon said, voice tense as he gripped her arm and pointed.

There, beyond a ridge of grass, was the sweeping tail of a wyvern. But not green, like a Rathian basking in dappled sunlight - this tail shimmered with the blush-pink hue of cherry blossoms.

"What an interesting discovery... here as well," Fradio called from the opposite path.

Glancing that way, Elmeria spotted another tail swaying back and forth, this one unmistakably Rathalos. But it gleamed in a deep blue.

''What in the world...?''

Neither Rathalos nor Rathian were supposed to come in those colors. Was this a sign of the mating season, temporary color shifts brought on by some biological state? Or were these entirely new subspecies?

"-Who are you people?"

The voice came from behind. Spinning around, Elmeria saw the black-clad maid standing tall, gazing straight at her. That parasol - no, now that she looked closely, it wasn't just that. It was a light bowgun.

''She was a hunter too!''

"I should be asking ''you'' that!" Elmeria snapped, keeping an eye on the unusually colored wyverns as she responded. "We're here on official assignment from the Hunter's Guild in Minegarde! Stand down and clear the area!"

But the maid shook her head.

"I'm afraid that won't do. We're here under a formal contract from the Hunter's Guild in Nusti. You're the ones who should retreat."

''What?''

Elmeria could make no sense of it. The girl's strange attire was baffling enough, but this - this was beyond reason.

A single hunting ground had always been the domain of a single Guild. She had never once heard of two Guilds being dispatched to the same site under separate contracts.

A roar shattered the moment. The Pink Rathian cried out, and a gust of wind tore through the narrow path.

"Whoaaa-!"

Amid the clamor, a voice reached her ears - one she couldn't ignore.

("Zeeg!?")

No... but she couldn't have misheard him. Elmeria's stomach twisted. She dashed over to the black maid and seized her puffy shoulder sleeve.

"...Is there a ''Zeeg Grandest'' among you!?"

The girl's black eyes narrowed behind her spectacles, studying her with intensity.

"There is. He's the one leading our hunting party."

''Of course he is...''

Another roar came, and a high-pitched metallic screech echoed across the plains. Then came the sound of rupturing air, and a wave of scorching heat filled the clearing. Flames surged, turning the skies crimson.

"Unhand me."

The maid yanked her arm free, flipped a grip affixed to the parasol's shaft, and pressed the butt of it to her shoulder. The moment she pulled the trigger, fire burst from the tip. She hadn't even aimed properly-

"Impressive," Fradio murmured. "You managed to make a light bowgun like the Dark Parasol hit so cleanly with such little preparation..."

''So Zeeg's got himself a new team...''

Seeing it with her own eyes - him, hunting with other comrades - it hit Elmeria harder than she'd expected. Even in the middle of a hunt, her resolve wavered.

Was it resentment? Betrayal? Maybe because, in some deep corner of her heart, she still thought of herself as the one who'd raised him.

"...Young Mistress." Gannon's voice was calm and grounded, as if he understood it all.

Elmeria blinked herself back to the moment.

''Right.''

This wasn't the time for feelings. She had to focus. Why were two Guilds given the same contract? They wouldn't find that answer here, bickering in the field.

There was only one thing a hunter should do now.

"Gannon! Fradio! Let's go! We're not letting them hog the quarry!"

Hand on the hilt of her Breath Core, Elmeria charged down the path to the left, where she glimpsed the Rathian's cherry-pink tail lashing through the air.

In midair, the Pink Rathian coiled like a whip and lashed out with her venomous tail. Zeeg took the hit on the flat of his Lacerator Blade+ and clicked his tongue.

''She's strong.''

Venom scattered like mist, shriveling the surrounding grass within seconds. The fumes alone stung his throat. Then, once the Pink Rathian landed, three fireballs came hurtling toward him. He deflected them with his broad blade, sending flames spraying out around him.

''No room to strike back.''

Behind him, Enta was faring no better.

The Azure Rathalos paralyzed its hunters' muscles with a roar, then rained fireballs from the sky. Any attempt to close the distance was met with a powerful tail sweep meant to keep them at bay.

Zeeg had never heard of Rathalos and Rathian hunting in concert, but there was no mistaking it now.

The Azure Rathalos wasn't going for the kill just yet; he was holding back, likely due to Vivi's precise suppressing fire. But Zeeg could feel it coming. The moment the pair rushed in from both flanks, even the Rathalos armor wouldn't hold up.

A roar tore through the air once more, paralyzing Zeeg where he stood.

Even in the grip of fear, sweat still clung to his skin. He fought to move, to wrench his body free of the unnatural stillness. The Pink Rathian crouched low, her frame tensed - her hind legs seemed thicker, swollen with power.

She was going to charge; no doubt the Rathalos from the rear would, as well.

A gunshot rang out - his one hope. But then came Enta's groan, and Zeeg understood. The shot hadn't stopped either monter. This was it.

''He was going to die.''

There was no bitterness in that thought. No despair. They had faced a monster of this caliber - such things were part of the life they'd chosen as hunters.

If he regretted anything, it was that he might never reconcile with Elmeria. They had parted on a fight.

("Seriously? That's the last thing I'm thinking about?")

A self-deprecating smile flickered on Zeeg's lips. And in that instant, as though the smirk had been some strange trigger, the earth behind the Azure Rathalos erupted in a spray of dirt. He could already picture how the spear-like tip of that extended jaw would pierce through him.

But then-!

"!?"

The Pink Rathian stumbled suddenly. She toppled onto her side, skidding across the ground as though shoved by an invisible force. The impact carved a deep scar in the earth before her body slammed into the cliffside. Her head snapped back in a violent jerk, and a shriek - not quite a roar - escaped her throat.

Behind him, Zeeg heard a deafening crack... but no gunfire. The explosion must have come from something else. The Azure Rathalos let out a pained, ragged roar.

Finally, Zeeg understood: Crag ammo. Of course. Vivi had fired a Crag shot. It didn't hit hard on impact - but after a brief delay, it exploded, tearing the target apart from within.

"Zeeg!"

He turned at the sound of that familiar voice, startled. A flash of metal and verdant green surged past him, charging straight toward the Pink Rathian. It was-

("Elmeria!?")

A young Hunter clad in Rathian armor with the unmistakable Breath Core hammer on her back - there wasn't any other like her in the world.

And just beyond, he spotted another form: massive, horned, pushing the Pink Rathian's flank against the cliff to keep her pinned. That was Gannon!

"Talk later!" Elmeria shouted, holding her hammer at her side in a ready stance. "You go that way! We split the pay fifty-fifty!"

"Got it!"

The words came out naturally. Zeeg turned on his heel just in time to see Elmeria raise her Breath Core, aiming a vicious swing at the Pink Rathian's thrashing head.

"Enta!" He called out as he ran.

The Azure Rathalos was floundering, one wing shredded and struggling to take flight. It was a perfect opportunity.

Enta slipped into step beside him, his movements fluid as running water. He glanced briefly over his shoulder.

"...Who was that?"

"A friend! Leave the other one to them!"

"Understood."

With a sharp sidestep, Enta surged forward, swift as a river in flood. In the blink of an eye, he had outpaced Zeeg, slipping into the Rathalos's blind spot.

"Now is the time... to unleash the true power of dual blades!"

''Shring'' - steel hissed as the twin blades scraped together. Enta opened his eyes wide, both of them - ''he wasn't one-eyed at all!''

"Witness the swordplay of a demon!"

He danced.

No - he ''raged''. The word dance barely captured it. His blades whirled like twin tempests, tearing into the Azure Rathalos's armored scales.

A wing talon came loose, severed, and crashed into the scorched earth. Blood gushed in violent bursts, staining the grass crimson - but not a drop touched Enta's white garb.

His swordsmanship was astonishing.

The Azure Rathalos bellowed and swung its tail in a blind frenzy. Enta leaped back, narrowly avoiding the blow. His breathing was ragged now, one eye closed once more. After all that motion, the fatigue was only natural.

("Now it's my turn!")

Zeeg charged straight for the Azure Rathalos' leg as it tried to rise. He swung his Lacerator Blade+ in a wide arc, the fang-like blades biting deep into the tender meat behind the knee.

This time, the wyvern screamed.

"O-over here!"

The cry was faint amid the roar, but Zeeg turned to see Brass at the end of a narrow path, pale-faced and half-hidden behind Vivi, motioning frantically for them to run.

For a heartbeat, Zeeg hesitated - but then the reason struck him, and he bolted.

"Enta!" He called out, and Enta seemed to grasp the plan immediately.

They sprinted together, the thundering footfalls of the enraged Azure Rathalos pursuing them.

That was exactly what they wanted. It had taken the bait.

A moment later, the roar of a collapsing pit filled the air, shaking the ground. Zeeg glanced back. The Azure Rathalos had fallen into a Pitfall Trap and was now thrashing helplessly.

Brass must've set it.

"Well done!" Zeeg called to the boy.

Without breaking stride, he and Enta charged back in. Lacerator Blade+ and Zanki struck in unison, tearing the trapped wyvern's scales to shreds!

"And now... the ''finálé''," the calm, composed voice cut through the chaos.

A gunshot rang out. In the same instant, one of the Azure Rathalos' eyes burst, blood spraying as its head jerked back violently.

A beat later, its skull bulged grotesquely from within before rupturing in a thunderous explosion!

The Azure Rathalos wavered - then collapsed, its head slamming into the earth with a seismic thud. Blood poured from its nose and mouth, the Crag shot having detonated within its brain.

Off to the side, another death cry rang out; this one was from the Pink Rathian. Elmeria's team had finished the job.

Zeeg let out a long breath and slid Lacerator Blade+ back onto his back. They'd made it.

If Elmeria and her group hadn't shown up, he would have died for sure. He had enough clarity to admit that.

But reflection could wait. For now-

Zeeg pulled a carving knife from his belt. ''Azure Rathalos''. There would no doubt be rare materials to harvest - scales, shells, wing - his heart beat faster at the thought.

Enta, Vivi, and Brass all held their own carving knives, looking to Zeeg for the signal. Their eyes gleamed with expectation.

Zeeg gave a nod, and they knelt beside the slain wyvern, careful and deliberate with each stroke, wasting nothing.

"''We hunt, and are prey; life turns on the endless wheel; a world without end''..."

Enta's soft voice, like a eulogy, accompanied the rhythm of their blades as they carved into the Azure Rathalos' flesh.

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Monster Hunter:Volume3 Chapter3

2025-07-08T07:13:33Z

Barnnn:

== Chapter 3 - Interviews ==

[[File:MH-v03-003.jpg|300px|thumb]]

Zeeg stepped down from the carriage and found himself honestly disappointed by the scenery. It had not changed for the better - in fact, it hadn't changed much if at all.

Two days had passed, jostled about on the road from Minegarde. Now, with his backside aching, he finally laid eyes on the city of Nusti - and it looked so much like Minegarde that it gave him the strange, unsettling feeling of having traveled in a wide circle, only to arrive back where he had started.

Passing through a crowded marketplace bathed in the blood-red light of sunset, he found the same familiar layout: the workshop and gathering hall lined up along the edge of a cliff, a narrow road leading off to what looked like a guest house beyond.

For a hunter's first job in a new city, guild registration was a must. Pushing open the gathering hall door, Zeeg was immediately assaulted by the thick, heady air - a stench of alcohol and the body heat of too many people packed together. Even someone like Zeeg, who usually didn't flinch at much, felt lightheaded from it.

If all the dew of the jungle were made from liquor, he thought, it might smell like this.

No one stopped their drinking, but he could feel their eyes on him. Judging him, measuring him up by the look of his weapon and armor.

The gathering hall was dim even during the day, but the flickering candlelight caught on the crimson carapace of Zeeg's Rathalos armor, setting it aglow. The Lacerator Blade+ slung across his back, its blade stained a dark, bloodlike red, threw back the light in a way that made a few of the hunters squint against the glare.

He headed straight for the counter. As he approached, a woman seated behind it abruptly rose to her feet, surprising him.

She stood at least a head taller than him.

Her face was sharply beautiful, her nose a clean, straight line - but one of her eyes was a dull, lifeless orb. A prosthetic, he realized at once. Her body was solidly built, sturdy enough that the maid uniform she wore seemed almost comical on her. Zeeg wisely kept that opinion to himself.

"Nice gear," she said bluntly, not even bothering to properly look at him. "First time in a city guild?"

"No," Zeeg replied shortly.

He dug into his bag and pulled out the résumé Becky had prepared for him, sliding it across the counter. It bore the guild's official seal; with this, his Hunter Rank would carry over without the need to re-earn it from scratch.

The woman took the document, scanned it with barely a flicker of expression, and handed it back without so much as a nod.

It was a résumé that listed no small number of accomplishments - or so Zeeg thought. But judging from the woman's indifferent expression, it might as well have been a list of trash.

She scribbled something into the guild ledger, closed it with a snap, and dashed off a few strokes onto a small card before tossing it carelessly onto the counter. His guild registration card. Without it, he wouldn't be able to accept even a single quest.

"...Thanks," Zeeg muttered, giving a slight bow as he stepped away from the counter.

The woman didn't respond. She had already opened her book again, utterly uninterested.

''What a cold-hearted woman'', Zeeg thought with a grimace.

For a moment, Becky's warm smile flashed in his mind, and a wave of homesickness for Minegarde washed over him. Zeeg shook his head fiercely. He couldn't afford to get sentimental - not when he was about to form his own hunting party.

Steeling himself, he made his way to the bulletin board set up next to the counter. It held two types of postings: available quests, and notices recruiting companions for already accepted ones.

The system was exactly the same as back in Minegarde.

Zeeg scanned the list of quests. There were plenty to choose from - likely because Nusti was still a relatively new city, and the hunting grounds under its jurisdiction hadn't yet been thoroughly tamed.

("Guess I'll take this one.")

He chose a Basarios hunt and tore the quest sheet from the board.

Basarios, the Rock Wyvern, was a juvenile form of the Gravios. Though its shell could be carved into tough armor and hammers, it didn't have much practical use for those uninterested. Still, Basarios were known to cause trouble by mimicking rocks, lying in wait along trade routes.

This time was no different. A merchant caravan had reported a Basarios nesting along a volcanic pass.

It would be a good test of any potential party members.

Zeeg judged Basarios to be about the next level of threat after a Yian Kut-Ku - tough, sure, but not overwhelmingly dangerous. Its movements were sluggish, and as long as they avoided a direct hit from its fiery attacks, it wasn't anything to fear.

If a hunter struggled against a Basarios, they weren't someone Zeeg wanted in his party.

("Last time we fought two at once. One should be easy.")

Clutching the quest slip, Zeeg returned to the counter and slapped it down - loudly enough to make sure he was noticed.

The woman sighed heavily, clearly irritated, and shut her book with a thump before turning to him. Curious, Zeeg caught a glimpse of the book's cover: ''Bestiary of the Hunt'', embossed in gold lettering.

"What is it?"

"I want to recruit partners for this quest," Zeeg said, "and I need a guest house room, too."

The woman skimmed the quest sheet, gave him a brief, disinterested look, and stamped it with the guild's official seal before shoving it back at him. Without a word, she flipped open the ledger again, checked something, and muttered,

"...Bishop Thirty-Five."

Then, without another glance, she returned to her book.

Zeeg knew the procedure well enough, but it still grated on him. Clicking his tongue in annoyance, he stomped back to the bulletin board, pinned the quest sheet to the recruitment section, and scribbled underneath his room's number and a message:

''"Seeking long-term hunting partners! From Kokoto Village!"''

Mentioning Kokoto Village - and by extension its legendary village chief - was a gamble.

It might attract opportunists looking to ride his coattails, but just maybe, it would draw serious, skilled hunters worthy of the name.

"...Alright," Zeeg muttered.

Hoisting his bag onto his shoulder, he left the gathering hall behind.

By the time he was making his way toward the guest house, his mind buzzing with thoughts of what kind of people might answer his call, the rude woman at the counter was already a forgotten annoyance.

"So, what now?" Fradio asked, breaking the heavy silence.

Elmeria, clearly in a foul mood, said nothing. Neither did Gannon, still wrapped in bandages. The noise of the gathering hall, thick with the clatter of utensils and lively conversation, wasn't enough to drown out their voices, but neither companion seemed inclined to speak.

It had been a week since Zeeg had left their party, and still Elmeria showed no sign of taking on a new quest. Fradio understood the reason well enough - she was holding out hope that Zeeg might return - but even so, his arms were beginning to itch for action.

If this standoff dragged on much longer, he thought, he might as well head out alone and enjoy a date with a Gypceros.

"We're not exactly hurting for money, but Sir Gannon's injuries are healing nicely," Fradio continued, trying to coax some response. "I'd say it's about time we got back to the hunt, wouldn't you?"

Gannon turned his unbandaged eye toward Elmeria. She, however, only stared into the blood-dark surface of the wine pooled in her goblet, unmoving.

She looked thinner than before, the soft curve of her cheeks having hollowed out slightly. Fradio hoped she hadn't started losing muscle mass. Lifting the edge of his mask just enough to drink, he sipped his own wine, savoring the rich flavor of the fruit sharpened by a pleasant astringency. He waited, but Elmeria said nothing.

It wasn't sorrow he saw in her. No, the emotion simmering just beneath the surface was anger - anger directed at herself for misspeaking, and at Zeeg for leaving without a word.

Zeeg's departure had been clumsy, to say the least. If they had been nothing more than a temporary hunting party assembled for a single mission, a silent farewell over a mug of beer might have sufficed.

But they had been together since Zeeg had first arrived in Minegarde. After so much time, he owed them at least a proper goodbye, no matter how awkward.

"Still sulking, Ellie?"

The teasing voice floated down along with a clatter of dishes. Fradio turned to see Becky standing there, smiling mischievously.

"I'm not sulking," Elmeria snapped.

She reached out, grabbed a freshly-served skewer of grilled Aptonoth meat, and bit into it savagely. Juices dripped from the seared flesh, and she hissed a quick "Hot!" as she licked the sizzling fat from her lips.

Fradio helped himself to a skewer as well, stripping the meat from the stick and neatly cutting it into small pieces with his knife and fork before slipping a bite beneath his mask. The meat was rich, the spice blend mingling perfectly with the sweet, fatty edge of the skin.

The slight toughness betrayed the fact that it had come from a wild Aptonoth, but that only added to its flavor.

"C'mon, no need to act tough," Becky said, her voice light with mockery.

Elmeria shot her a glare, her eyes faintly glassy from the wine. Her appetite had dwindled, but her drinking had certainly increased.

"Shut up," Elmeria muttered. "I'm not pretending. If anything, I'm glad he's gone. It's thanks to him we've been screwing up so much lately."

"So you're still planning to keep hunting?" Becky pressed.

"Of course I am!"

Snatching up her goblet, Elmeria drained it in one go and refilled it without hesitation.

"I'm just saying, none of the current quests look worth taking. I'm not going to waste my time hunting Yian Kut-Ku or gathering Special Mushrooms. And as for a Khezu-"

Fradio shook his head.

He had once been swallowed whole by one of those grotesque, sightless wyverns, and the memory still made his skin crawl. Compared to the vibrant, delicate beauty of a Gypceros, a Khezu - with its pallid skin and preference for damp, shadowy places - was nothing but an abomination.

"Yeah. He's in no shape for it," Elmeria continued, "And besides, maybe it's not a bad thing to take it easy once in a while. Unless you have something interesting lined up?"

"Well..." Becky said, placing a single sheet of paper onto the table, "maybe I do."

Fradio leaned in alongside Elmeria to read it.

"...Meat Grill Festival?" Elmeria echoed incredulously.

Sure enough, the paper read, ''"Calling All Hunters! Grand Opening! The 18th Annual Meat Grill Festival!!"''

Elmeria gave Becky an exasperated look.

"What the hell is this?"

"Exactly what it says," Becky replied brightly. "It's a competition to see who can grill the most Well-Done Steaks. Raw meat must be gathered on-site, of course. The winner gets a special prize: a piece of King Meat! Doesn't that sound perfect for you, Ellie?"

"King Meat, huh..."

Elmeria frowned, considering.

It was, admittedly, a tempting prize - for a hammer user. King Meat was a key material used to craft the Enormous Ham, a weapon both whimsical and sought-after.

Elmeria already possessed a Breath Core and didn't need the Enormous Ham, and the crafting costs were steep - but King Meat was rare enough that simply having it would be worth bragging about.

Besides, Fradio could always meet up with his beloved Gypceros later.

The Meat Grill Festival, on the other hand, wouldn't come around again until next year.

"It ''does'' sound like fun," Fradio said, earning Elmeria's groan. "Come now, there's no other quest we're excited about anyway. Besides, grilling meat is one of a hunter's basic skills. Maybe it's a good time to go back to basics and sharpen our instincts. Sir Gannon's not fully recovered, either - we could use some easy targets like Aptonoth or Bullfango to ease back into things, yes?"

Elmeria turned to Gannon.

The large man, his face still heavily bandaged, gave her a solemn nod.

She might not realize it, but Fradio had noticed - Gannon had lost weight since being poisoned by the Rathian.

The poison itself shouldn't have lingered; Rathian toxins didn't stay in the body long.

No, this was a result of a deeper issue - a wound to the spirit.

Failing to dodge that poisonous tail strike had shaken him badly.

It was said that the moment one became conscious of their own aging, they truly began to grow old.

And Gannon, after all, was already sixty.

By rights, he should have retired to a peaceful village, regaling the local children with tales of his exploits.

Yet here he was, still fighting.

"You know what," Elmeria said at last. "Let's do it."

She grabbed the paper and waved it at Becky.

"As Fradio said, there's nothing else worth doing right now. I'll come kill some time. Besides, carrying around an Enormous Ham would be hilarious."

Becky's smile widened. Without missing a beat, she turned toward the bustling gathering hall, raised her voice, and declared,

"Attention, everyone! Elmeria Franport - pride and joy of Minegarde - will be participating in the Meat Grill Festival! Who else wants to join? Especially hammer users - you won't want to miss out on the fabulous prize: the King Meat, perfect for crafting your very own Enormous Ham!"

Realizing she had just been used for promotional purposes, Elmeria's eyes widened.

Becky shot her a mischievous grin before turning back toward the counter, ready to register the flood of eager participants now waving their arms.

"...Now ''that'' is stage presence," Fradio muttered.

He took a deep drink of wine and speared another piece of juicy Aptonoth meat with his fork, chuckling as the hot juices burst free.

Zeeg watched the departing hunter's back disappear beyond the door, then slumped heavily into a chair with a long, exhausted sigh.

That made fifteen now. Fifteen interviews, and not a single one had resulted in a new comrade. There had been a few who looked capable enough, but not one he could truly call a partner.

The trip to the Volcano was scheduled for the day after tomorrow. If he couldn't find anyone by then, he would have no choice but to set out alone.

Against a Basarios, he could probably manage if he fought cautiously. But that wasn't the point - he hadn't come all the way to this town just to do everything by himself.

Still, Zeeg found himself surprised by just how draining these interviews had been.

He could get a rough sense of a hunter's skill from their equipment, sure, but so far not a single applicant had shown up wearing Rathalos or Rathian gear.

The best-equipped hunter he'd seen wore a full set of Cephalos armor, made from the scales of sand-dwelling monsters - but she'd made it quite clear she intended to lead the team herself. He had politely shown her the door.

''Maybe it was my age after all'', he thought with a wry grimace.

Most hunters with real ability were well into their late twenties or older.

Hunters like himself, Elmeria, or Freda - who had managed to earn wyvern gear while still in their teens - were rare.

Not that he was arrogant enough to think himself some prodigy.

Maybe once, in the past. But now he understood all too well - without the help of his comrades, he never would have made it this far.

Luck might let him take down one monster, maybe two. But to hunt enough for a full set of weapons and armor - that took something more tangible.

Even so, Zeeg didn't feel any desire to partner with hunters much older than himself. If they were like Gannon - silent and watchful - that would be fine. But if they started barking orders, well... he might as well stick with Elmeria.

Maybe trying to find someone around his own age, willing to take on a Basarios, had been setting the bar too high from the start.

It might be smarter to treat this hunt as a one-off. Afterward, he could lower the difficulty - take a quest for a Yian Kut-Ku or something - and try recruiting again.

A sharp pain twinged in his stomach, and he remembered he hadn't eaten all morning.

The first applicant had shown up before breakfast, and there had been no break since.

Rubbing his aching temple, Zeeg rose from his chair.

When he'd joined Elmeria's party, it had been by the Guild Master's recommendation - there had been no formal interview like this.

Still, she must have gone through something similar at some point. Was she still doing it even now? The thought brushed across his mind like a cold wind, but he shook it off.

In any case, he needed food. The guest house would prepare a special meal if he asked, but it came at a steep price.

With most of his money earmarked for a new weapon, he couldn't afford luxuries right now.

It would be cheaper to roast some raw meat himself.

He fished his BBQ Spit out of his pack and turned toward the balcony to set it up...

"Excuse me!"

...Only to freeze as a voice spoke from beyond the door, startlingly close.

Zeeg almost dropped the spit on his foot.

Usually, he could sense when someone approached, even before they knocked - but this time, he had noticed nothing.

As he hesitated, the voice came again.

"Forgive the intrusion! Might this be the room of Sir Zeeg Grandest? I saw the notice on the board and wished to speak with you."

The speaker's voice was low, distinctly male, and oddly formal - but Zeeg managed to catch the gist.

Another applicant, apparently.

"Ah - yeah!"

Setting the BBQ Spit hurriedly on the table, Zeeg checked his gear.

Something about the man's voice demanded it.

He always conducted interviews in full armor, and expected the same of his applicants.

It was the quickest way to judge a hunter's ability outside the field.

His Lacerator Blade+ was hanging on the wall nearby.

Usually, hunters carried their weapons too.

Someone who skimped on weaponry in favor of flashy armor tended to be overly cautious. And the reverse - Zeeg winced, remembering his younger self - suggested reckless impatience.

"So - uh, yeah. Come in!"

He deliberately used a slightly rough tone.

Better to establish from the outset who would be leading the party.

If someone couldn't handle a little bluntness, they wouldn't survive working with him.

"Excuse me," the voice repeated - and the door swung open.

The man who entered was tall, with dark skin and a lithe build, moving without so much as a whisper of footsteps.

Even a wyvern would struggle to notice someone like that.

He stopped a good distance inside the room, standing casually - but there was not a single gap in his stance.

His hair, a muted gray, was slicked back and tied behind him, much like Zeeg's own.

His one open eye was blue and ringed with strange concentric lines rather than a vertical slit - and the other was closed, perhaps the mark of an old wound.

His armor... if it could even be called that, was strange.

He wore plain white clothes, reinforced only in vulnerable spots like the shoulders, elbows, throat, and waist, with thin plates that looked more decorative than functional.

His loose, ballooning trousers were tucked into black boots, and strange patterns were painted along the hems.

But what truly drew the eye was the weapon on his back.

It resembled a wyvern's talon - a pair of talons, in fact.

They looked almost like twin one-handed swords, but distinct from any weapon Zeeg knew.

"You've noticed my blades," the man said smoothly, a thin sprig of some herb clamped between his lips.

He smiled faintly, his expression calm and easygoing, and Zeeg guessed he was in his mid-twenties.

"Those aren't... sword-and-shield, are they?" Zeeg asked cautiously.

"Indeed not," the man replied, nodding as if approving the question. "These are my beloved blades - Zanki. I am a wielder of dual blades."

"Dual blades...?"

"Just so - ''Youth's ignorance blooms; no shame in the mind's pure soil; learning comes with time'' - as the saying goes."

The peculiar rhythm of the words made Zeeg blink.

Was he being insulted just now? It was hard to tell.

"That was a ''senryū''," the man explained, his open eye narrowing.

Zeeg was even more confused.

Did he just say ''ryū'' - dragon?

Was this ''Zanki'' weapon crafted from some monster he'd never heard of?

The man seemed to catch his bewilderment and chuckled softly.

"Heh... Though I say ''ryū'', I do not speak of wyverns. Senryū is a form of wordplay from my homeland."

"I... see?"

The man straightened and gave a formal, shallow bow.

"Forgive my late introduction. I am Entarō. If it pleases you, call me Enta."

"Huh... yeah, sure..."

Zeeg found himself a little overwhelmed.

Even Entarō's name had a unique ring to it.

Still, for all the man's flowery phrasing, his words were clear enough, and Zeeg had no trouble understanding him.

"Uh, well... why don't you have a seat?"

Zeeg, desperate to regain control of the conversation, gestured toward a chair. But Enta merely raised a hand.

"Nay, I shall decline."

At first, Zeeg thought he meant to remain standing, but instead, the man - who had introduced himself as Enta - sat cross-legged directly on the floor. Somehow, the way he settled there fit so naturally, he looked less like a man and more like a bronze statue that had stood there for years, untouched by time.

Feeling awkward about being the only one sitting properly, Zeeg followed suit, lowering himself to the floor as well. It was uncomfortable; whenever he took breaks out on a hunt, he always used a folding chair that came with his BBQ Spit kit. Sitting on the bare ground felt foreign.

"So, uh... you saw the notice on the board, right?" Zeeg asked.

"Indeed," Enta replied with a courteous nod.

"Getting right to it... what's your Hunter Rank?"

"My rank is ''Samurai''. And yourself?"

For a moment, Zeeg thought he saw the gleam of a blade flash in Enta's open eye, and he swallowed hard. The sheer pressure coming off the man made it feel like a wrong answer might literally cost him his head.

"M-me? I'm a ''Strider''..."

"Oh-ho!"

With a sudden spark of enthusiasm, Enta's lone eye widened. Startled, Zeeg nearly reached for his greatsword on the wall. Was the man trying to startle him, just to enjoy the reaction?

But Enta merely shook his head slowly and said,

"To think that one so young surpasses even I in rank! I am most impressed."

Still seated cross-legged, he bent low in a deep, skillful bow.

And he stayed there.

After a long, awkward silence, Zeeg began to wonder if the man had fallen asleep, but just as he was about to check, Enta finally lifted his head once more.

Trying to keep his balance in this strange conversation, Zeeg felt slightly dizzy.

"A-anyway," he tried, "you said 'young' - but do you even know how old I am?"

"I do not, but I venture to guess... eighteen years?"

Dead on.

Sure, nobody looking at him would mistake him for forty or fifty, but to peg his age exactly was still impressive. Maybe it was just a lucky guess... or maybe not.

"And you?" Zeeg asked. "How old are you?"

"This year, I have reached twenty-five," Enta declared. "Five years ago, I drifted to this land, learned of the way of hunters, and was immediately captivated. It is the perfect vocation for my training."

"Training?" Zeeg parroted.

"Indeed. I strive to hone my blade and become a peerless swordmaster. In these peaceful times, there are precious few places where one can engage in honest, life-or-death battle. Yet in the life of a hunter, that spirit endures. There is no better arena for perfecting one's skill."

"But then, why'd you want to form a party? Wouldn't solo hunting fit your training better?"

"An astute question," Enta said, folding his arms and nodding. He then leaned forward, lowering his voice conspiratorially.

Zeeg, caught by the sudden shift, leaned forward too.

"...In truth, I have another ambition. Forming a party is but a means to that end - I wish to spread the glory of dual blades far and wide."

Zeeg straightened up in surprise. That wasn't exactly something anyone needed to whisper about. If anything, he could have shouted it from the rooftops.

But Enta, oblivious to Zeeg's thoughts, nodded emphatically to himself.

"The best way is to show others firsthand the brilliance of the dual blades! Especially the younger hunters like yourself - once you witness their magnificence, you too will surely be tempted to wield them!"

Even with that passionate speech, Zeeg remained unconvinced. He had no intention of abandoning the greatsword he had wielded since before he officially became a hunter.

Besides, dual blades... weren't they just two small swords?

Worse, they had no shield. Greatswords and heavy bowguns could block with their massive frames, and even hammers could compensate for their lack of defense with overwhelming power.

But dual blades - their cutting edge didn't seem particularly impressive, nor did they offer any means of defense. Zeeg couldn't imagine they were easy to use at all.

As if reading his mind, Enta fixed him with a sharp gaze and chuckled.

"Heh... I know exactly what you are thinking - ''Two blades side by side; yet both are weak, unrefined; a pair, not the best'' - That is what every hunter thinks... Until they see my technique for themselves!"

With a loud slap to his knee, Enta beamed.

"Once you see me slicing through Basarios's rock-hard hide like it were ''sashimi'', you'll be singing a different tune! You'll envy the dual blades, mark my words! Behold! Witness the blade dance of a ''demon''!"

Suddenly, without rising from his cross-legged position, Enta drew both swords from the sheaths strapped to his back. Their polished blades gleamed menacingly under the light.

"H-hey! What the hell are you doing!?" Zeeg cried, jolting back.

Snapped from his theatrics, Enta blinked his lone eye, mumbled an apology, and hastily resheathed his weapons.

This was no laughing matter.

Had Zeeg not spoken up, he might have been the one carved into neat little slices, not Basarios. There was a dangerous aura about Enta, no doubt about it. A strange one, too.

"...Right. So, uh, your résumé?" Zeeg prompted, trying to regain focus.

"Here it is."

From within his robes, Enta produced a folded sheet of paper and handed it over.

It bore the official seal of the Hunter's Guild. Listed on it were records of all the quests Enta had undertaken - monster hunts, transport missions, and the like. The entries weren't arranged chronologically but by category: wyvern species and their respective numbers hunted, goods delivered for transport requests, and the tallies of successes and failures.

A quick scan was enough to tell Zeeg that Enta was no slouch. His record against wyverns in particular was impressive - far beyond what an average hunter could boast.

Still, something felt off.

Judging by the list, Enta had likely been bouncing between different parties, focusing almost exclusively on wyvern hunts.

That wasn't what Zeeg had in mind for his group. He had made that clear with the notice on the guild board.

But Enta had probably applied because this mission involved a wyvern - specifically, a Basarios.

Turning him away would be simple enough. But Zeeg hesitated. He had only just been thinking that maybe, this time, the group would be a one-shot team - handle the mission and disband.

Unlike when he had joined Elmeria's team, this group would be full of first-timers working together. No telling what their real skills were like.

Jumping straight into a wyvern hunt under those circumstances... maybe it was reckless after all.

Still, canceling the quest outright would leave a bad impression with the Guild. If word got around that he had pulled out without a good reason, future requests might dry up - especially important ones.

And Enta's résumé - it even showed prior hunts against Basarios. Five of them.

That wasn't a huge number compared to his other quarry, but it was enough to earn respect.

Zeeg steeled himself, folding the résumé and handing it back to Enta.

"Alright. I'll be counting on you," he said.

"Understood," Enta replied.

Taking the résumé, Enta tucked it away inside his robes. Zeeg then pulled out the contract for the Basarios hunt. Every member of the hunting party had to sign it before submitting it to the Guild - only then could they officially depart.

Producing a brush-like writing tool, Enta scrawled a strange set of characters beneath Zeeg's signature: 炎太郎.

"Is that your name?" Zeeg asked, tilting his head.

"It is written in a script not used in Schrade," Enta explained, stowing the brush once more. "The Guild has permitted us to use our own country's writing, so I choose to do so. 炎 for 'En,' 太 for 'Ta,' and 郎 for 'Rō'."

"Huh..." Zeeg muttered, staring intently at the signature. It looked more like a drawing than a name. He had heard stories that the world stretched far beyond the Kingdom of Schrade, but this was his first time encountering a piece of it with his own eyes.

"So then," Enta said, glancing about the room, "where are the other hunters?"

"Ah, well... there aren't any yet. You're the first," Zeeg admitted.

"Ah, I see. In that case, allow me to assist in selecting the others. It is a matter of life and death, after all."

"Uh, wait, that's-"

Zeeg faltered. Enta quirked an eyebrow at him.

"Was that unwelcome?" he asked, his voice calm but probing.

"No, it's not that," Zeeg said quickly, hesitated a moment, then added, "It's just... Well, I don't mean to ignore your opinion, but this is my party. I want to choose the members myself."

"I see... That is understandable. I shall leave the final decision to you."

"Yeah. I appreciate it."

Zeeg felt a relief far deeper than words could express. He had made his choice - he didn't want to have it overturned and be forced to start all over again. Now, just two more members to find.

The weight on his shoulders lessened a little. Part of it was simply having found one companion already, but more importantly, he had decided that this party was only for this hunt. If they got along, they could continue together. If not, no harm done.

Seeking a long-term team from the outset had been a mistake.

Thinking back, even when he had joined Elmeria's party, it had been intended as a one-time learning experience. After that hunt - where he had contributed almost nothing - and a morning of a strange incident, she had invited him to join her again. Their long association afterward had been the exception, not the rule.

Feeling clearer, Zeeg was about to fold up the contract when he sensed a presence outside the door. Unlike Enta's arrival, this was someone more... normal. The presence halted in front of the door - and stayed there. No knock came.

("What the...?") Zeeg tilted his head. At that instant, Enta, still seated cross-legged, drew something from his coat and flicked it over his shoulder without even turning around.

There was a dull thud, then a sharp cry from beyond the door. A small dagger, its blade oddly shaped to fit a keyhole, was now embedded in the lock.

If he had aimed for that, his skill was terrifying.

"Peeking is a shameful habit," Enta said, sounding for all the world like he was the master of the room.

Zeeg swallowed the complaint rising to his lips. If this was an applicant, it wouldn't do to start off with an argument - no hunter would want to join a party that looked like it was about to fall apart.

"...Come in," Zeeg called, sitting up straight.

Enta rose soundlessly to his feet, positioning himself behind Zeeg with his hands clasped behind his back. Zeeg caught a glimpse of the twin swords at Enta's back but chose to ignore them for now.

The door creaked open hesitantly.

The figure that entered was more boy than man, his face still round with youth. Yet he was tall - taller than Zeeg by the width of a fist, by his quick reckoning. His brown eyes were half-lidded, giving him a perpetually drowsy look, and his short brown hair stuck up wildly, as if he'd just rolled out of bed.

One glance at his equipment, and Zeeg pegged him for a rookie.

His armor was crafted entirely from Velociprey and Velocidrome materials - tough but basic blue-scaled gear, from helm to greaves. When Zeeg had first arrived in town, he had worn even shabbier armor - but he had at least splurged on a decent weapon.

This boy, however, had a plain bone sword at his waist - a one-handed blade that looked more like a jagged saw than a weapon. A Bone Pick, or perhaps a Bone Spike, if Zeeg remembered the name correctly.

The boy glanced at Zeeg, then at Enta looming behind him, and hunched his shoulders before giving a timid bow.

"Um... is this the place recruiting for the Basarios hunt...?" he asked, voice so faint it seemed ready to vanish.

"Yeah-"

"It is indeed," Enta said, cutting off Zeeg without a hint of shame.

Zeeg shot him a look over his shoulder. Enta met his gaze, and nodded as if to say "Ah, right," but offered no apology.

Suppressing a sigh, Zeeg turned back to the boy.

He was still standing awkwardly by the door, clearly reluctant to approach. Zeeg understood - he must have been intimidated by their gear. After all, the Rathalos set Zeeg wore was no easy prize.

"Come on. Have a seat," Zeeg said, patting the floor in front of him. There was no point dragging out a chair at this stage.

The boy approached as if expecting a Velociprey to lunge from the shadows at any moment. He settled where Enta had been sitting before, back stiff, eyes briefly meeting Zeeg's before darting down to the floor.

Behind him, Enta exhaled softly through his nose.

Zeeg felt much the same. This boy wasn't necessarily cowardly, but he lacked confidence. That hesitation, that self-doubt - it could prove fatal in the hunt, where a moment's indecision could mean death.

If this were a simple Velociprey cull or a mushroom gathering quest, it would be another matter.

But this was a wyvern hunt. A Basarios. And if one of them faltered, it could cost them all their lives.

Just as Zeeg opened his mouth to refuse, the boy pulled a folded sheet of paper from the pouch at his waist, placed it on the floor, and pushed it toward him.

("A résumé?") Zeeg thought, but on closer look, it didn't seem like one.

Curious, he picked it up, broke the wax seal, and unfolded it. A quick glance told him it was a letter of introduction, issued by the Guild itself, requesting that Zeeg take charge of training a new recruit.

He couldn't fathom why the request had come to him, of all people. He had yet to accomplish anything noteworthy. Puzzled, he took a closer look - and noticed the seal stamped at the bottom. It wasn't from this city. It belonged to the Hunter's Guild of Minegarde.

"...Um, Miss Becky told me to bring this to you," the boy said hesitantly. "She said... it would be a great learning experience."

"Becky?" Zeeg repeated, raising an eyebrow. He glanced back down at the letter.

The wording was stiff and formal, just what he'd expect from official Guild correspondence - but at the very end, almost like an afterthought, there was a single casual line: ''"Take good care of him, okay?"'' The handwriting was unmistakably Becky's.

Memories stirred within him: the day he first arrived in Minegarde. Had the Guild Master not vouched for him back then, he never would have joined Elmeria's party - and without that chance, he doubted he'd have grown strong enough to be clad in Rathalos armor so soon.

Thinking on it, refusing would be the easy path. But could he live with that? Becky had gone out of her way to support him more times than he could count. To turn away now - to betray the trust she was placing in him - felt wrong.

"...Got a résumé?" Zeeg asked, lifting his gaze from the letter. It was only fair to at least take a look.

One couldn't judge a hunter by their armor alone. Some made it a point of pride to hunt wyverns in mediocre gear. This boy hardly seemed the type, but there was always a chance he had some hidden skill.

The boy nodded and produced a second sheet of paper. Zeeg accepted it and unfolded it.

This time, it really was a résumé.

A quick scan was enough to see that the boy's record was nearly blank. He had taken down a few Yian Kut-Ku solo, but those were more bird wyverns than true wyverns. Dangerous if underestimated, yes - but hardly a match for the real heavyweights.

Still, thinking back to his own record when he first came to Minegarde, Zeeg couldn't say the boy was any worse. If he could handle a Yian Kut-Ku alone, he might not be much help against a Basarios, but at least he wouldn't get in the way.

He checked the boy's name: Brass Lagoon. Hailing from Piniq, one of the small frontier villages near Minegarde. Zeeg had never been there himself, but he'd heard it was founded by retired hunters.

His eyes drifted to the age listed beneath the name - and widened in surprise.

''Sixteen''.

He had pegged the boy for older at first glance, but now that he knew, Brass suddenly seemed much younger, his expressions more boyish.

There weren't many who came to the city at that age. Zeeg himself had, but it was rare. Elmeria, he recalled, had been registered with the Guild even younger, though she'd had Gannon, her retainer, at her side.

Coming alone at sixteen, with no one to back him up - that took guts.

And at least on the surface, Brass seemed like a good-natured kid.

Hunters tended to be a rough bunch. There were plenty of good men and women among them, but there were just as many who would think nothing of exploiting rookies - gathering up greenhorns to use as bait, feeding their fiery spirits into easy victories.

Such types were despised, of course, but there was another school of thought: that the Guild was no place for amateurs, and those too naïve to survive deserved what they got.

True, the Guild sometimes smoothed the path for beginners - as it had for Zeeg - but that protection ended quickly. After that, a hunter's life and death were their own responsibility.

Looking at Brass now, he resembled nothing so much as an Aptanoth wandering haplessly into a hungry hunter's path. No wonder Becky had chased Zeeg all the way to Nusti to hand him this task. She expected him to return the favor she'd once shown him.

If Brass could make it through this first trial, the Guild would gain another capable hunter - and Becky had always said they could never have too many.

("But...") Zeeg frowned inwardly, looking at the weapon he carried: a sword and shield.

Fast enough, sure - but against wyverns, not exactly reliable.

A Yian Kut-Ku was one thing; one could get by with a basic weapon. But anything tougher, and it became a question of whether the blade could even pierce the hide.

If it were the Master Blade from Kokoto Village, the one Freda carried, even Rathalos shell could be split. But with something like a Bone Spike... most likely, the blade would bounce harmlessly off.

As he glanced back down at the résumé, Zeeg noticed a small notation he had missed before. Under ''Special Skills'', in faint letters: ''Combining (Advanced)''.

It was a skill often overlooked in hunts, but when used well, it could transform the entire field into an arsenal. Having someone adept at combining on a team was no small advantage.

''Still, what to do...''

Before he could make up his mind, a voice spoke from behind.

"I have no objection," Enta said.

Zeeg had planned to ask for his opinion, but being preempted like this left a sour taste. He gave a vague nod, folded up the résumé, and handed it back to Brass.

The boy accepted it carefully, almost reverently.

"Welcome aboard," Zeeg said, extending a hand.

Brass blinked, startled, then quickly grabbed Zeeg's gauntleted hand with his own, their armor clinking faintly.

"Th-thank you very much! I'll do my best!"

"No need to push yourself too hard," Zeeg said, giving him a small, reassuring smile. "The Basarios isn't an opponent you can afford to underestimate, but both its poison and sleep gases come with obvious tells before they spew. As long as you don't miss the signs, it's not something to fear. Handle it right, and it's easier than a Kut-Ku."

"R-really?"

Brass's wide-eyed disbelief was almost comical. Zeeg nodded firmly.

"It's tough, sure - but that's all. Just one thing... your Bone Pick might not cut through its hide. You're good at combining, right? I'll be counting on you for that too."

"Y-yes, sir!"

The boy's face lit up, cheeks flushing with excitement. His eyes gleamed with unshed tears, and he nodded so hard it seemed his helmet might topple off.

How long that enthusiasm would last, Zeeg couldn't say. Basarios was no Rathalos - but it was still a wyvern, through and through.

Zeeg produced the contract and handed it over for a signature.

Brass - who, by all appearances, was no rugged or battle-hardened youth - was an unknown quantity when it came to facing a true wyvern, hatchling or not. He might well freeze up... or worse, take a charge straight to the chest.

Keeping a firm hold on the boy's hand, Zeeg rose to his feet and helped Brass to stand. With how Brass stood taller than him, the sword and shield strapped to his back looked almost comically small, more like a dagger than a proper weapon. With a frame like his, a greatsword or a lance would surely suit him better. Still, switching weapons now would only hinder their hunt, so Zeeg decided to leave well enough alone.

"That makes three of us, then," Enta said, arms crossed, sweeping his lone eye over the group. "A greatsword, a sword-and-shield, and dual blades. All close-range fighters... Will we be adding one more to our ranks?"

Zeeg nodded. With this setup, what they really needed was a bowgunner. They could, of course, simply charge in like a pack of Velociprey, relying on brute force - but having a gunner would expand their tactical options considerably. A skilled hunter covering their backs would allow the frontliners to focus solely on the target ahead.

"Let's head to the gathering hall," Zeeg said, jabbing a thumb at the door. "We'll need to update the posting. ''One more - Bowgun users only.''"

"A ranged fighter, hmm..." Enta narrowed his lone eye. "I don't much care for them, but if it's your decision, I shall abide - ''Though shame may arise; silence falls upon the heart; peace in quiet reigns''."

"Bowgun... I'll do my best," Brass murmured vaguely, clenching his fist for reasons known only to himself.

Zeeg was tempted to ask what exactly he meant to "do his best" at - but decided against it as he grabbed his greatsword from against the wall. Better not to give the impression that every little thing had to be discussed and agreed upon. When the moment came, he didn't want Brass getting any ideas about second-guessing orders. They needed a bowgunner; if Brass had a problem with that, he was free to leave.

Completely unaware of Zeeg's silent calculus, Brass hurried after him and Enta.

They descended the stairs, passing a few hunters on the way down, but none of the faces were familiar. That wasn't surprising - both Zeeg and Brass were newcomers to town. Even Enta, it seemed, was not acquainted with anyone here, exchanging no greetings as they passed.

The moment they stepped out of the guest house, the unrelenting sun struck them with full force, searing their skin. The weather was too good - almost obnoxiously so.

As they made their way downhill toward the gathering hall, Zeeg caught sight of an odd figure loitering by the entrance. A girl, clad in a skirt flared wide in black and white, stood beneath a black parasol trimmed in white lace. At a glance, she might have passed for a tavern maid on an errand - if not for the battered, oversized travel case she carried in her free hand. The scuffed and dirty leather suggested a life spent constantly on the move.

Something about her tugged at Zeeg's memory. He slowed, frowning, trying to place the familiarity. That outfit... he had seen it somewhere before.

As he watched, the girl folded her parasol and disappeared into the gathering hall. He caught a glimpse of her profile - just a fleeting glance - but it was enough to notice the glint of glasses perched on her nose.

"Is something the matter?" Enta asked.

"Huh? No... it's nothing."

Zeeg shook his head. If he couldn't place it, it probably wasn't important. He brushed the thought aside and motioned for the others to move on. As they pushed open the gathering hall doors, the familiar crush of alcohol, smoke, and humanity washed over them. They waded through it, making for the bulletin board.

At the counter, Zeeg spotted the girl again, speaking with the guild receptionist - the one with the prosthetic eye. Maybe she was trying to get hired as a server.

At the board, Zeeg began searching for the notice he had posted earlier. It wasn't unusual for hunters to take down postings they were interested in, so it didn't surprise him that it wasn't exactly where he had left it.

"I think it was around here," Brass said, pointing.

Following his indication, Zeeg found the notice buried halfway down a thick stack of overlapping papers. It was barely visible - left untouched, surely no one else would show up today. Just retrieving it made the trip worthwhile.

Using the bulletin board itself as a writing surface, Zeeg crossed out the old posting and updated the notes section:

''"Seeking one more! Bowgun users only!"''

He pinned it back up, making sure to place it in the most prominent spot - right at the very top. There was just one day left before the deadline. If they didn't find a fourth by then, they would have to set out as a trio.

Against a Basarios, three hunters would still manage... probably.

Just as Zeeg secured the paper, something black flickered past. Before he could even register what had happened, the notice was plucked from the board and sent fluttering through the air - deftly caught by a gloved hand.

Neither Zeeg nor Enta had sensed the approach. Enta reacted instinctively, leaping back a full table's length, hands flashing toward his weapons. Brass, startled out of his wits, fell flat on his rear.

Zeeg turned sharply, just in time to see the fluttering paper land neatly in the left hand of the girl from outside. She balanced her black parasol on her right shoulder, moving with a fluid, almost dancer-like grace.

She read the notice, her blue eyes - magnified behind her glasses - scanning the words with a sharp, gleaming intensity. Her long black hair, curled into vertical rolls on either side of her head, swayed slightly as she read.

She looked to be around Zeeg's age. He opened his mouth, but before he could speak-

"...This posting - yours?" she asked, her voice hard and clear, like machalite struck against stone.

In that instant, it hit him: he remembered where he had seen her.

"You were at Kokoto-" he blurted.

At his words, her eyes flickered - a slight, unmistakable recognition.

So it ''was'' her.

Back when Zeeg had returned to Kokoto, bored while Elmeria was off mining for the Breath Core in the volcanic zones, he had seen this girl working at the village gathering hall. If he recalled correctly, the village chief had called her Vivi.

And she was a hunter, too.

He remembered now - when the Monoblos had reappeared near the village, there had been a frantic scramble among the hunters to claim the kill. Zeeg had gotten the mark, but it had simply been luck of patrol routes - not a matter of skill.

"Vivienne Sharon, at your service," the girl said, speaking both names like a formal introduction. "How fortunate - I was just looking for a quest I could join immediately. I don't know your companions, but you... I know you're someone I can serve without worry."

"S-serve...?" Zeeg stammered. "Listen, we're just looking for a Bowgun user-"

"Precisely why I am the perfect candidate," Vivi interrupted. "From the looks of you all, you're nothing but frontliners. Surely, the bowgunner you're seeking is someone meant to support the party - a light bowgun user, yes?"

"Well, yeah, that's true," Zeeg admitted, frowning. "But where's your bowgun, then?"

"Why, right here," Vivi said, as if the answer were obvious.

Without missing a beat, she extended the handle of her parasol. With a soft click, the tip opened up, revealing a gun barrel glinting from within. The frilled black parasol - ornate and delicate - was, astonishingly, a bowgun. Even Enta, witnessing it for the first time, let out a low hum of admiration.

"This is the Dark Parasol. It cannot use piercing or cluster shots, but in exchange, it can handle every type of support ammo."

As she spoke, she set down the battered travel case she had been carrying, unlatched it, and produced a folded piece of paper, which she offered to Zeeg. Taking it, he unfolded it to find a neatly written résumé - one that made her skill immediately clear.

Given the nature of the light bowgun, it was unlikely she'd worked many solo hunts, yet even so, the list was impressive: ten Rathalos, seven Plesioth, three Khezu - and, remarkably, two Monoblos.

The Monoblos, the One-Horned Wyvern, never appeared in guild-sanctioned hunting grounds where teams were permitted. In other words, these two were solo kills - taken down single-handedly, and with a light bowgun at that.

"Is there a problem?" Vivi asked.

There was none. Hunters of her caliber were not easy to come by, even if one went looking with a contract in hand. And even if their previous encounter had been brief, there was a certain comfort in having a familiar face from his home village.

"You're in," Zeeg said decisively, producing the contract and handing it to her.

Vivi collapsed the Dark Parasol with an elegant motion, accepted the document, and after scribbling her name at the bottom, pushed up the bridge of her glasses with two fingers. Her lips curved into a smile - so perfectly poised it seemed almost artificial - as she said,

"Pleased to serve you, ''Master''."

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Monster Hunter:Volume3 Chapter4

2025-06-20T20:24:51Z

Barnnn:

== Chapter 4 - Land of the Rock Wyvern ==

[[File:MH-v03-004.jpg|300px|thumb]]

Standing at the mouth of the ravine that led from base camp into Area 2, Zeeg could only let out a silent groan as he looked up at the massive black boulder planted squarely in their path.

According to the guild cart driver who had brought them to this volcanic region, a minor eruption just a few days prior had triggered a landslide that collapsed part of the cliff and blocked off the direct route into Area 2.

From the map, their only remaining option was a roundabout detour through a lava-filled cave - far from ideal.

The Basarios were known to inhabit Areas 2 and 3, with the majority of sightings reported in Area 2. The job details even stated that the trade caravan had been attacked in that very spot - which made this a hassle.

If the path were open, they could have dashed back to camp for treatment if they were poisoned - but a detour would render that tactic useless. They had brought some antidotes, of course, but they'd planned under the assumption that camp would be within quick reach. Their supply wasn't bottomless.

The obvious solution was not to get poisoned at all - but unexpected things happened. Especially - Zeeg glanced at Brass - the problem was this boy.

From the outset, Brass had been lugging around a pack stuffed to bursting with all manner of tools. The most egregious offenders were three books - not novels or anything trivial, but ''Books of Combos''. Zeeg himself had one, though he'd left it at the guest house. Brass claimed to have memorized the contents, yet insisted on bringing all three, calling them his lucky charms - said they made his mixing more successful just by being there.

Hunters were a superstitious bunch, to be fair. Zeeg still wore an ornament he'd made from a shard of the first Yian Kut-Ku scale he'd ever broken. He understood the sentiment. But three volumes were, in his view, plain excessive.

Brass hadn't forgotten anything else, either - he had pickaxes for mining, and even bug nets. Not just one of each, either - he'd brought as many as he could carry, and his pack bulged so much he was already out of breath after a short walk.

"Perhaps we could break open this path..." said Enta as he stepped forward and rapped the boulder with the back of his fist. The glossy black surface rang out with a clear note, echoing high into the cliffs above their camp. It was dense. Maybe a Large Barrel Bomb would do the trick... but using a precious item like that on a hunch didn't sit right with Zeeg.

"...Shall I give it a try?"

Enta's hands drifted to the dual blades at his waist.

Zeeg raised a hand. "Don't. If the blades chip, we'll be in trouble when the real fight starts. A slash won't even leave a scratch on rocks that color and tone."

"...Point taken," Enta replied, lips curving into a faint grin as he withdrew his hand in a fluid, almost theatrical motion.

Zeeg narrowed his eyes. He'd been tested.

Enta had known the rock wouldn't budge. The display had been for Zeeg's benefit - to see how he'd react. Within a hunting party, it made sense to size up one's allies' judgment. Rank and paperwork never told the whole story. Still, knowing didn't make it any less irritating.

Zeeg swallowed his annoyance and unrolled the map against the rough stone so everyone could see. He pointed to the area where the cliff had collapsed.

"...With the path to Area 2 blocked, we've got no choice but to go through the cave. Fortunately, we've got Cool Drinks in the supply box, so heatstroke shouldn't be a problem. First, though, let's check Area 3 - see if the Basarios wandered over there."

"A reasonable plan," Enta said with a nod, though his tone was so neutral Zeeg couldn't tell whether he meant it or was mocking him.

Zeeg kept his expression unreadable, but he caught himself thinking - ''No, that won't do''. He was wound too tight. Too focused on making this work. Pressure like that could cloud his judgment - and in the field, that led to one outcome: death.

He folded the map and tucked it into the flap of his boot, then turned to Brass.

The boy straightened as Zeeg's gaze landed on him. Standing tall like that, he was actually a bit taller than Zeeg. His armor - a full set of the blue-scaled Velociprey gear - looked fragile for a fight against a flying wyvern. And with all those tools weighing him down...

Zeeg sighed softly, jerking his chin toward the overstuffed pack.

"Brass. You'll have to leave some of your stuff behind."

"H-huh!?" The boy's expression was a portrait of shock. Zeeg had to stifle a snort. It's not like he'd told him to leave his sword behind. "B-but, without my tools, how would I-"

"I didn't say ''everything''. Ditch the pickaxes and bug nets - you won't have time for gathering. You'd be better off watching how we fight. I mean, you weren't supposed to even be on this quest, really - the only reason you're here is because the Guild in Minegarde put in a word for you. Don't waste the opportunity."

"Th-then! What about my Book of Combos!? I-I need those! Without them, I-I wouldn't know what to do!"

"Bring one."

"Just one!?"

"They're bulky. What's the point of hunting if you don't have space to carry anything you carve out? Would you be willing to trash the books then?"

Brass shook his head violently and hunched protectively over his pack, as if Zeeg might rip the books away by force. Zeeg didn't correct him. If fear got the boy to leave the extra volumes behind, then all the better.

"Go on. Drop it off."

With a resigned nod, Brass shuffled back toward the tent, slumping to his knees beside his pack and digging through it with exaggerated care.

Hunters came in all kinds. Most hunted to make a living, but some found meaning in collecting rare insects or discovering new species. Others became obsessed with acquiring every single piece of gear the world had to offer.

Brass would probably grow into one of those.

("Now, then...")

Zeeg used the lull to draw on his memory - trying to map out a plan for dealing with the Basarios. He'd previously faced the monster both solo and with a team - and now, the latter was far more relevant.

Back when he'd hunted with Elmeria's party, Gannon always acted as the decoy. Zeeg and Elmeria would slip through the opening he created, striking hard, while Fradio kept any other monsters from interfering. That had been their usual formation. Fradio's weapon, the Tankmage, couldn't fire support ammo like Antidote rounds, so it was vital for the team to read the Basarios' tells and avoid its poisonous attacks altogether.

But this time, there would be no decoy.

Zeeg's greatsword could be used like a shield in a pinch, but that wasn't its intended purpose. Enta's dual blades offered no defensive utility, and while Brass was the only one with a shield, pushing him straight into a flying wyvern's path was out of the question.

Vivi wielded a light bowgun - the Dark Parasol - capable of using support ammo Fradio couldn't, but in exchange, its attack power was relatively low. She couldn't be relied upon to deal with the smaller monsters that would inevitably scavenge the leftovers from a wounded Basarios.

In effect, it would be up to Zeeg and Enta to handle the hunt. Zeeg accepted that. He hadn't yet seen how Enta fought, but the way the man moved - swift, almost gliding - gave him a hunch. If he could rely on Enta for hit-and-run tactics, sweeping up stragglers and pulling the monster's focus, Zeeg could close in beneath the Basarios' legs, strike when the opening came, and retreat at the first sign of a windup. Once the poison had cleared, he'd go back in and repeat. A simple rhythm, but one that worked.

As for Vivi, she could stay back and provide recovery ammo to anyone injured. She might even help with crowd control, using paralysis, sleep, or poison rounds to tip the scales. Her weapon was high-spec, able to load nearly every type of ammo save for Water, Thunder, and Pierce rounds.

Before they departed, Zeeg had asked her to bring extra Antidote rounds. If she'd done as asked, it would make the hunt far more manageable. They wouldn't need to waste time dodging every poison cloud - he could just keep swinging.

"How many Antidote rounds do you have, Vivi?"

"I brought twenty, if that's enough," she replied.

More than enough. If they needed more than that, they had no business calling themselves hunters of their current rank - and the hunt would likely fail anyway.

Before long, Brass returned with slumped shoulders. Zeeg waited for him, then started forward without a word. Brass's pack was still bulging - he might've sneaked a second book in. Zeeg could have scolded him and made him leave it behind, but decided against it. Being too strict might snuff out what motivation Becky had instilled in the boy before entrusting him to them.

With Zeeg in the lead, they set out from the base camp, taking the right-hand path toward Area 1 with the river behind them. Their boots crunched over the gray soil as they moved, alert to their surroundings. The gravel near camp made too much noise - a frequent cause of unwanted attention - but at least there wasn't enough open ground for a wyvern to land nearby.

They filed down the narrow trail, emerging into a barren, ash-colored expanse. Legend had it this place had turned gray from years of volcanic ash raining down, seeping into the earth over countless generations.

A blot of red appeared in that colorless landscape - not lava, not flowers, but living muscle. Red-scaled, carnivorous Ioprey. Zeeg's brow twitched at the memory their appearance brought to mind: his last hunt with Elmeria's party.

"...Five of them," Enta murmured behind him, voice taut as a drawn bowstring. His tone made his message clear: ''We'll be coming back this way. Better to clear them out now.''

That was understandable. If the Basarios was holed up in Area 3, this would be their fallback route. Trying to retreat through an Ioprey pack while wounded would be a death sentence. They weren't just fast and vicious - they leaped like hellspawn and spat poison to boot.

"Be on guard," Enta said with a glint in his eye, "''Crimson swarm draws near; flames flow in the broken land; the first clash begins''."

He turned to Brass. His look said - ''Ready?''

Brass stiffened. His eyes widened, and for a moment, it seemed he would shake his head - then he stopped himself.

''Strange kid'', Zeeg thought. ''Coming on a hunt and trying to avoid a fight''.

"No one said you'd be doing it alone," he said dryly.

He tore open the wrapping on one of their rations - a whole hunk of meat or a proper meal would've been ideal, but supply meals like these were far more efficient - and devoured it in one bite. The boost to stamina and fullness would carry him through the hunt. Enta and Vivi followed suit. Brass hesitated, then with trembling hands, unwrapped his own and forced it down, visibly struggling to swallow.

It would take a few seconds for the nutrients to kick in. Zeeg turned back to scan the Ioprey pack... and nearly choked.

Enta was already moving. No stealth. No caution. Just striding toward the Ioprey as if he hadn't a care in the world. Zeeg reached out instinctively - but it was too late.

One of the Ioprey noticed him and shrieked, its shrill cry tearing through the air.

("Seriously!?")

Zeeg cursed under his breath, dropped the visor on his Rathalos Helm, and burst from cover. As he ran, he called to Brass-

"Let's go!"

-And drew his Lacerator Blade+, gripping the handle tight.

Enta drew his dual blades from his hips and stepped forward, his speed unreal for a motion that still looked like a walk. Zeeg was running, yet couldn't catch up - a disorienting feeling.

Before he could reach him, Enta was surrounded. Five Ioprey, all teeth and claws. There was no escape. Zeeg would have to carve a path in - if he made it in time.

A crack rang out behind him - the pop of igniting gunpowder - and a breeze coiled past his ear.

One of the Ioprey jerked as a neat hole appeared in the ridge above its eye. Flesh ruptured, blood sprayed, and the creature crumpled as though struck by an invisible hammer. Zeeg didn't need to turn around - Vivi's cover fire, sharp and precise as expected.

But one down meant four remained - still more than enough to tear Enta apart. The man wore the Shinobi armor series - sleek and light, but offering almost no real protection. Against Ioprey fangs and claws, it might as well have been paper.

Vivi's next shot would take time to aim. It wouldn't come fast enough.

The remaining Ioprey hunched low - then sprang into the air. Vivi managed to drop one mid-leap - but the other three came crashing down as a single mass of red onto Enta, threatening to crush him beneath their weight.

Zeeg's skin prickled with goosebumps, the sensation sharp enough to make him want to say aloud - ''No way!''

''He's dead'', was his first thought.

Anger came before grief.

''What the hell's with the dual blades bravado? All that big talk - and he goes and dies on our first damn hunt together!?''

A crushing weight pressed onto Zeeg's shoulders, though he knew full well he wasn't the one to blame. Enta had charged ahead without coordination. He told himself that, and repeated it in his mind. ''This isn't your fault. Enta brought it on himself.''

But the guilt didn't dissipate. It felt as though Enta's ghost was hanging from his arm, dragging him down. Still, he couldn't stop now. If he hesitated, if he didn't lift his sword and keep fighting, more of his party might end up dead.

Bowgun users were vulnerable up close. Brass was not safe, either - maybe he'd fought Ioprey before, but the ones in a random field and the ones in the Guild's designated hunting zones were in a different league entirely.

Gritting his teeth, Zeeg raised his Lacerator Blade+... and froze.

The Ioprey that had landed on Enta weren't moving. Not a twitch. They weren't tearing into him, nor preparing to strike again. They lay piled atop one another as though they'd been doused in sleeping gas.

Then, with a wet, slipping sound, the topmost Ioprey slid off its kin and hit the ground.

The other two followed, slumping over lifelessly. From beneath the collapsed carcasses, Enta emerged - kneeling, his dual blades crossed before his chest. He rose to his feet as if nothing had happened. At a glance, he bore no visible injuries. With a single elegant motion, he swung his blades once and sheathed them behind his back, folding his arms.

Zeeg stared, momentarily awestruck.

But the moment passed. The awe gave way to a fresh surge of rage.

''This bastard... After prompting Brass to get ready, he charges in without a damn word!?''

In a party hunt, coordination was everything. Everyone's specialty had to be used in harmony. And Enta, with his light armor, was not built for headlong assaults.

"Hey!" Zeeg barked, slinging his greatsword back over his shoulder and striding toward Enta with long, furious steps.

Relief - cold and fleeting - washed away the weight on his shoulders the moment he realized Enta was alive. But if he let that reckless behavior slide, the same thing could happen again. Zeeg wasn't about to take responsibility for a man who threw his own life away on a whim. Even if he had to beat some sense into him. Age didn't matter. Rank didn't matter.

But as that thought settled, his fury began to ebb.

''That's me'', he realized. ''That was me.''

No, he hadn't been that reckless. On his last hunt with Elmeria, he had followed her strategy. Well - until the end, when he'd challenged her plans and tried to act on his own.

Still... was it really so different?

If he had rushed in alone against that Rathian and died, Elmeria would've blamed herself. Even if she said otherwise, she would have regretted failing to stop him.

And maybe it wasn't just about sparing her that burden. Maybe it was about acknowledging that his own actions had put her in that position to begin with.

But that didn't mean Enta should get a free pass. Zeeg drew in a deep breath and steadied himself. Then, stepping over the Ioprey corpses, he came to a stop in front of Enta.

The man's single eye didn't smirk or shine with pride. There was no arrogance in the curve of his lips - no air of self-congratulation. He was comparatively short, lean, and composed. Zeeg stared into that single eye, feeling its weight.

"What the hell were you thinking?" Zeeg said, forcing the remnants of his anger into the words.

At his feet, the Ioprey he'd slain first had already begun to dissolve, its fluids bubbling up with the stench of rot.

Ioprey, Velociprey, Genprey - they all shared the same biological quirk. Upon death, their internal fluids reacted with air, hastening decomposition. Time was critical for carving materials, but if he stopped to scold Enta after harvesting, it would turn into a joke.

"You trying to get yourself killed? Just because they're Ioprey doesn't mean-"

"I had no such intention," Enta cut in flatly. "I acted because I was able. Nothing more. A mere five Ioprey are no threat to me. And... I wished to see your capabilities for myself."

"What?" Zeeg said, blinking.

"If you hadn't become angry at my actions, it would've meant you lacked the foresight to lead. But you ''did'' get angry - therefore, I trust you have the bigger picture in mind." Enta slowly uncrossed his arms. "One's true nature cannot be observed without hunting alongside them. Interviews and paperwork say next to nothing."

So it wasn't just Enta being judged - he had been testing Zeeg as well.

Obvious, in hindsight. Zeeg had thought he was the only one sizing others up, but that had never been the case.

He exhaled slowly. With the breath, the heat left his head, and clarity returned.

''Did I do the same to Elmeria?''

Was he constantly measuring her as a leader? Did she ever feel that?

Maybe.

If she had become cautious over time, that would've made sense - but that didn't excuse everything. Being too cautious was just as dangerous as being reckless. One couldn't avoid risk and expect to succeed in a hunt. What mattered was knowing where the line between life and death truly was.

"I get what you're saying," Zeeg said.

Enta's pupil contracted slightly, as if to say - ''Oh?''

"But this doesn't happen again. If you go rogue like that, it throws the rest of us off. I get it - you're fast. But if we don't coordinate, we won't survive against a flying wyvern. Not even you can think you'll take one down solo in a Guild-assigned hunt, right?"

"If ordered, I ''would'' do it," Enta replied. His gaze didn't waver. He wasn't boasting. His eye said the same message: ''I can, and if I must, I will''. "...But I understand. I will follow your lead - as long as I do not believe your strategy to be foolish."

"Well, you don't mince words, do you?"

"Politeness helps no one in the field - ''Lips sealed in shadow; what's buried rots in the dark; no one knows your truth'' - That is the way of things."

"...Yeah, sure."

At last, Zeeg found it in himself to smile - even if only a wry one.

Enta was right.

Nothing would ever be understood if left unsaid. Assuming others would understand without words was nothing more than wishful thinking - convenient fiction to ease one's own conscience. Some might insist otherwise, but that only meant they thought they'd been understood, not that they truly had.

In everyday life, such misunderstandings could sometimes smooth things over. But out in the field, in the hunt, assumptions only doubled the danger.

That, Zeeg thought, was the core of what Enta was trying to say... even if he could be wrong about that, too.

"...Still. That was some impressive marksmanship," Enta said suddenly, shifting the conversation without warning as he looked down at two of the fallen Ioprey.

Zeeg knew exactly who he meant. Vivi.

Her shot had been flawless - striking the skull, instantly killing the creatures. The Ioprey hadn't been stationary either; one had even been lunging straight for Enta when she'd fired, nailing it right between the eyes.

If Fradio's heavy bowgun was a spear, then Vivi's light bowgun was a needle. With her precision, she could shoot in the thick of battle without ever worrying about friendly fire, no matter how wild the melee.

"She's clearly had intensive training," Enta added, nodding slightly.

"You think so?" Zeeg replied.

"At that age, such skill doesn't come without discipline. I'd wager she had a bowgun in her hands before she could read - raised for it, like you, perhaps. What do they call that - gifted upbringing?"

Zeeg let out a dry breath. "If she was 'raised' for anything, I doubt it was a blessing. More likely she just didn't have a choice. Hunting was probably the only way forward."

Enta tilted his head. "The same goes for you?"

"Yeah," Zeeg said quietly. He looked down at the Ioprey as they crumbled completely, the wind scattering the remnants across the gray ash. "My village's whole livelihood revolves around hunting. Most people pick up a blade because they have to. There's no other path. I figure she's the same."

''Elmeria, raised a hunter, was the weird one out'', he thought - but even that, he wasn't so sure about anymore.

He'd always believed Elmeria was shaped by Gannon's guidance - what Enta might've called "gifted upbringing" - becoming a fearsome hunter at an age most were still swinging sticks at dummies. But the life of a hunter was harsh - perilous beyond measure. And Gannon had claimed to be indebted to her supposed father. If he had truly wanted to protect Elmeria, why had he led her into this life?

Sure, maybe Gannon had no other trade to pass on. But with his skill, he could've made enough to raise her safely without sending her into the jaws of death. He didn't have to turn her into a hunter.

"Compared to Lady Vivi, then, what do you make of ''that''?"

Enta's voice trailed in with a faint chuckle, snapping Zeeg out of his thoughts. He shouldn't waste time mulling over Elmeria. It wasn't like they'd be crossing paths again anytime soon - nor did he plan to.

"Huh? Make of what?"

Enta pointed behind Zeeg.

Zeeg turned - and was greeted by the sight of a backside poking out from behind a boulder. Loose, dark pants, a long waist-cloth swaying slightly - that was the Velociprey Tassets. Of course it was. There wasn't anyone else it could be. That backside belonged to Brass. Resting just above it were his sword - the Bone Spike - and shield, both still strapped to his back, untouched.

("So he turned tail on the Ioprey? Unbelievable...")

Zeeg stared, dumbfounded.

They weren't the easiest foes, true, but compared to a Yian Kut-Ku or a real wyvern, they were fodder. For Brass to cower behind a rock like that - without even drawing his sword - was pathetic. Zeeg couldn't imagine how this boy had ever taken down a Kut-Ku. He doubted the Guild would've been fooled, but still - it made him wonder if that résumé had been polished a little too hard.

Nearby, Vivi calmly maintained her Dark Parasol, seemingly unconcerned by Brass's retreat. She offered no reprimand, no judgment - just silence. That, too, struck Zeeg as a bit of a problem.

Zeeg walked over to the boulder and called out, "Hey."

Brass jumped, his backside twitching before he scrambled upright and peeked around the rock.

"Ah... I-it's over already...?" he said meekly.

His complexion was pale, his voice sheepish. Zeeg could also see a faint trace of lingering tension in his posture. And then, he noticed something - Brass was holding something in his hand.

"What's that you've got there?"

"Oh, this...?" Brass opened his palm without protest.

A cluster of hard, round plants sat in his hand - Huskberries.

Zeeg's eyes narrowed. ''Seriously? This kid was gathering materials while Enta and Vivi were fighting?''

"They're Huskberries," Brass said quickly, as if sensing the incoming scolding. "I... I thought I wouldn't be any help in the fight, so I figured I could at least collect some of these..."

Zeeg nearly dropped his jaw in disbelief.

Sure, Enta had stolen the spotlight with that display, leaving no room for interference - but still. To not even try drawing his blade and instead go gathering during combat? He'd never seen a hunter like this before.

"And what exactly were you planning to do with those?" Zeeg asked, still half in disbelief.

"Well... make ammo for Miss Vivi, of course," Brass said, blinking in confusion. "With some fluids from the fish near base camp, I can mix up Level 2 Pierce and Level 1 Crag shots..."

Zeeg had no idea. He knew what Huskberries were, of course, but he always discarded them the moment he picked them up. The only things he ever mixed were potions and bombs. He wasn't a gunner. Ammo synthesis had never even crossed his mind.

"Interesting," came Enta's voice, suddenly beside them - silent as a shadow. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "So you assessed the situation, saw where you could contribute, and acted accordingly... In other words, not cowardice."

"Well... I ''was'' scared," Brass admitted, flashing a stiff, nervous grin.

Zeeg could tell what the boy had been trying to do, at least. In that moment, with those monsters bearing down on Enta, even if Brass had drawn his weapon, it wouldn't have made a difference. Zeeg himself hadn't made it in time, and he was far more experienced. Worst case, Brass might've just gotten in Vivi's line of fire.

"Mixing's fine and all," Zeeg said, "But save it for when there aren't monsters around. You never know when we'll need your hands. If someone calls for a potion and you're elbow-deep in gathering, that's no help to anyone."

"...I'm sorry," Brass mumbled, head drooping.

Zeeg wasn't one for lectures - never had been - but this was part of mentoring a rookie. They were risking their lives together. That meant facing the ugly parts too. If Brass were hunting solo, Zeeg wouldn't have cared if he paused to forage mid-battle or tried to fish while a wyvern circled overhead. But in a hunting party, one person's careless move could get someone else killed.

"You better mean it. We're counting on you."

He gave Brass a light pat on the shoulder, then turned to head down the path leading into Area 3. According to the map, the narrow canyon ahead would open into a wide basin - the likely nesting ground of the Basarios they were tracking.

Glancing back over his shoulder, Zeeg spotted Brass shuffling behind with his back hunched, scanning the area like he still hoped to spot something worth gathering. Enta walked beside him with a stiff, almost mechanical grace, hardly moving his upper body. Trailing behind them was Vivi, twirling her open Dark Parasol like an actual parasol, the frilled edges swaying gently with each step.

It looked like some bizarre field trip.

Zeeg fought the urge to clutch his temples and tilted his face toward the sulfur-tinged sky, that high expanse of pale blue hanging overhead. He let out a silent sigh, barely more than a breath.

"''SO TASTY!''"

The shout rang out beneath the high blue sky, and a judge hurried over to the hunter who had called. He scrutinized the massive hunk of spit-roasted meat - bone-in and dripping with juices - then poked it with a finger, gave it a sniff, and gave a decisive nod.

"''SO TASTY!''"

He echoed the words with ceremonial flair, raising his flag. An attendant came sprinting in with a large metal platter, received the perfectly grilled Well-Done Steak, and hurried back toward base camp. The judge, without missing a beat, stamped the card hanging from the hunter's neck.

"''SO TASTY!''"

Another call echoed from somewhere else, and the judge turned on his heel and made for the next participant.

The hunter who had just completed his delivery took another hunk of Raw Meat from a nearby stack and set it on the Gourmet BBQ Spit, sliding it onto the rotating rod. He fitted the handle into place and immediately began turning it with a serious expression.

"...Young Mistress."

"Huh? Ah-!"

By the time Gannon's voice reached Elmeria, it was already too late. She hastily lifted the handle, but the meat was charred black, belching out a thick plume of smoke. The outside had carbonized completely, and the burnt crust flaked off the moment she shook it.

Sighing in defeat, Elmeria laid the Burnt Meat onto the cloth spread beside her. It was not the first piece to meet such a fate. More than ten others already lay there, forming a small mountain of failure.

She had joined the Meat Grill Festival in hopes of lifting her spirits. But far from cheering her up, the activity only deepened the gloom in her heart. Every time she grilled meat, her mind unavoidably drifted back to Zeeg. Even now, she could remember it all too clearly.

It had been during a Rathalos hunt - something she'd reluctantly agreed to take him on at the request of the Minegarde Guild Master. With little else for him to do, she had told Zeeg to grill some meat. He had spun the handle of the spit while humming the ''BBQ Song'' - the very first tune every novice hunter learns.

Not that it had actual lyrics. The song was more of a rhythmic hum that trained a hunter's body to recognize the perfect moment to lift the meat from the fire. The catchy tune was popular in taverns, where hunters would sling arms over shoulders and belt out their own nonsense verses, but no one actually sang it on the field.

Or so Elmeria had thought - until she met Zeeg.

Years had passed since then, and yet he never stopped singing that off-key song. She had told him to drop it at first - after all, making noise during a hunt could alert monsters to their presence - but in time, she gave up. Odd as it was, his tuneless humming had a way of easing the tension in the air.

And now she would never hear it again.

The realization struck her more heavily than she had expected. How had she not noticed until now? That even at a simple festival, the absence of that ridiculous song could leave her so hollow?

Another sigh escaped her lips. She slumped forward, letting the breath drain the last of her willpower. There was no point in grilling meat in this mood - no way it would ever come out well done like this.

Beside her, Gannon had also stopped turning his spit. From the corner of her eye, she saw him remove a still-rare piece of meat from the rod.

"...Don't let me stop you," she said. "Go ahead and grill."

"No need. I was... not particularly eager to do it anyway."

"...Right."

Another sigh built up in her chest, and this time she didn't fight it. As the breath left her, so did her resolve. A strange lethargy took hold, and even the hammer strapped to her back felt unbearably heavy.

"...Hey, Gannon." She stared into the flames of the makeshift campfire, voice little more than a murmur. "Do you think I've become... cowardly?"

"Are you still troubled by what Zeeg said?"

"...Honestly, yeah. I knew I'd been making mistakes lately. I can understand why he was frustrated. But - was I wrong? Please. Be honest."

Gannon fiddled silently with the spit handle he'd removed from the bone. There had been a time when he would've scolded her for even asking. Lately, though, he hardly offered his opinions at all. She had once thought that meant he'd come to recognize her as a fully-fledged hunter.

Now, she wasn't so sure.

Throughout her career, she had dismissed people from her party - but no one had ever cast her out.

"...You were not necessarily wrong, Young Mistress." His words were carefully measured. "However... your views and his ''have'' grown apart. That is all. Every hunter draws the line somewhere - how far to push, when to retreat. Zeeg had started to feel confident. After slaying a Monoblos and upgrading to Rathalos armor, he likely began to think he would not go down so easily. That outlook... clashed with your own. You believed in returning from a hunt unscathed. But Zeeg - he wanted to finish the job, even if it meant breaking a bone."

"...That's inefficient. Break a bone and you're out for months. Muscle loss, less training - it's no different from that Khezu girl with her hero complex."

"It is something many greenhorns go through."

"Wait. Are you saying Zeeg is still one, after all this time?"

Gannon, his fingers clasped together, his neck thick as a log, gave a slow nod. His face was still partially wrapped in bandages. The Rathian poison had reached his optic nerves and still hadn't completely left his system. According to the Guild's in-house doctors, full recovery was uncertain.

"But... he took down a Monoblos."

"Hunters are not judged by the size or species of the monsters they have hunted. The Guild's Hunter Rank might reflect skill level - but it does not define whether someone is truly seasoned or not. Are you familiar with the party called ''Crimson Avian Wings''?"

Of course she was. Four men, all close to fifty, known for hunting practically nothing but Yian Kut-Ku.

They'd been in the trade a long time, yet still wore full Kut-Ku armor - a production line without a helmet. None of them ever substituted helmets from other wyvern sets, either.

Their weapons told a similar story. The two greatsword users wielded the Iron Gospel katana. The lance wielder used a Babel Spear. The bowgunner carried a Grenade Launcher. All weapons crafted without a single flying wyvern part.

Many hunters mocked them for going after nothing but Kut-Ku.

Elmeria understood the sentiment - after all, she'd spent years hunting alongside Fradio, who was much the same. He always went after Gypceros when hunting solo. She didn't see it as something to deride; it was simply another way of doing things. That said, Fradio could take on other flying wyverns when he chose to. Which made him a different case entirely.

But Gannon - he saw things differently. He recognized their worth.

"...There are hunters who call them cowards, but they are not. They chose Yian Kut-Ku after long years of hunting. It is not that they can not hunt other wyverns. They simply would not. Very few know this, but it is the truth - those men were instrumental in repelling the Lao-Shan Lung time and time again. Even during the chaos in Minegarde, they fought valiantly, though few noticed. They are, in every sense of the word, seasoned hunters. It is not enough to just slay wyverns and chase a higher Hunter Rank. That sort of mindset leads to a short life. You, Young Mistress, may not be fully aware of it - but I believe you have sensed that truth, and that is why you have grown more cautious lately, yes?"

Had she? She wasn't sure. It was her own heart she was talking about, and yet she couldn't quite grasp it.

There was no doubt, however, that she didn't want Zeeg getting hurt.

She remembered shouting at him once, when he'd brushed off a fractured bone like it was a mere scrape. It angered her - because it felt like he truly believed that. Like he saw broken bones as no more than splinters.

Maybe that was why she'd pulled on the reins whenever he acted recklessly. ''Maybe''. But it wasn't the whole picture - surely not. She just didn't want to look too closely at what else might be there.

"...So," Elmeria said quietly, "you don't think I've gone soft? That I've stopped being a real hunter?"

"Not at all, Young Mistress," Gannon replied. "Zeeg still has a long way to go, but he too is a hunter. His life - or death - is his own to choose. You are not responsible for that. On the contrary, as a fellow hunter, you should respect his decisions."

A nearby hunter's cheerful voice rang out: "''SO TASTY!''"

Elmeria sighed as the smell of meat drifted over.

"...I know that. I know, logically. But still - if someone dies because I made the wrong call, I do feel responsible."

It wasn't as though no one had ever died on a hunt with her. True, Gannon had assured her she'd never lost someone due to a clear mistake in judgment. But even so - when death came, it came. And Elmeria had never forgotten any of them.

"At least when it comes to me, you don't need to worry."

She turned at the sound of Fradio's voice. He stood nearby, shoulders burdened with a mountain of raw meat. The scent of blood and gunpowder clung to him, strong and acrid. Judging by the thickness of the bones jutting from the slabs, it was raw Aptonoth meat. Their supplies must've run dry, and he'd gone out hunting to replenish them.

"If things really go south, I'll be the first to run," he said casually. "Well, unless it's a Gypceros. In that case, I'll die happily at her feet..."

''Ugh, not me'', Elmeria thought, though she didn't say it aloud. People had different tastes, sure, but she couldn't, for the life of her, see that thing as beautiful. The idea of being crushed beneath its feet or dying in agony from its poison made her stomach turn.

Whether Fradio failed to notice her revulsion or simply didn't care, he casually mounted a slab of meat on a Gourmet BBQ Spit, fitted the handle, and began turning it slowly over the flame.

"If words aren't enough to ease your worry, there's a simple solution," he said. "Go on a hunt. Bring someone else along if you like. Or go as the three of us used to. That'll show you how you truly feel - ah, ''SO TASTY!''"

Fradio raised the perfectly grilled meat, crisped and golden, and waved for the appraiser.

A moment later, the judge flew in to examine it, throat audibly gulping.

''"P-PERFECT!!"''

The shout was met with cheers and murmurs from the hunters nearby. "Perfect, huh?" someone echoed with a laugh. A perfectly grilled slab of meat was fittingly called Gourmet Steak - and folks had taken to giving it the ''PERFECT!'' call as an honorary mark of excellence when the cook hit it just right.

Fradio handed over the steak for delivery and received five stamps on the card that hung against his bare chest, then grabbed another cut of raw meat.

"If you want my opinion," he said, "you should go hunt a wyvern. There's no better way to see if you've lost your nerve. They're terrifying even on a normal day - if you're still sharp, you'll know it the moment you face one."

He was right.

Brooding wouldn't bring her answers, and no one else could hand her one on a platter. It was ''her'' issue. If she really had turned into a coward... she'd know the moment she stood before a wyvern.

("That's all it is,") she told herself. ("Just getting back to the way things were.")

That was all.

There was no need to think about Zeeg doing something reckless and dying. He had a clever streak, and he wasn't one to get swept up in some misguided sense of justice. If things got truly dangerous, he'd fall back. Just like Gannon had said - their standards were simply different. She didn't even want to imagine him dying.

Elmeria picked up a cut of raw meat, mounted it on the spit, and locked it into place. She pumped the bellows with her foot, fanning the flames into a steady roar.

As the fire licked at the surface of the meat, searing it to perfection, she slowly turned the handle - and, for the first time in what felt like ages, she softly began to hum the ''BBQ Song''.

Having passed through the sweltering cavern, Zeeg and the party emerged once more beneath the blue sky and into the gray, sun-baked expanse beyond.

They were struck speechless by the sight before them.

Just as they'd suspected, the Basarios was nowhere to be found in Area 3. Instead, a horde of Bullfango greeted them.

These boar-like monsters, each armed with massive tusks, were no threat alone - but en masse, they became dangerous. Dodge one charge, and another would blindside them. Before one could rise or even draw their weapon, they'd be trampled into the dirt.

If a wyvern showed up in the middle of that, it was practically a death sentence. Which was why every seasoned hunter knew to take the boars out first.

Zeeg and his comrades followed that logic.

Even Brass unsheathed his sword this time and managed to take one down. But it was Zeeg and Enta who did the bulk of the work.

Afterward, the party began inspecting each of the jagged rocks jutting from the ground, one by one.

Basarios, the monster they sought, was also known as the Invisible Wyvern. The name came from its habit of hiding beneath the earth, its basalt-like shell mimicking the volcanic stones that littered the area.

Though Basarios was hardly agile, it used this camouflage to ambush prey. When something approached, it would sense the vibrations and erupt from the ground in a sudden, violent assault. To draw one out, all a hunter needed was to toss a rock or sprint nearby - either would suffice to provoke a reaction.

Fortunately, the area was strewn with loose stones, so they could conserve their energy. Unfortunately, every outcropping they examined turned out to be nothing more than ordinary rock.

Reluctantly, they dragged Brass - who was still distracted by his desire to dig for ore - away from the spot and made their way through a lava-flooded cave. If not for that obstructive boulder, they would've reached Area 2 without issue.

What they found there stopped them cold.

"...What the hell is this...?"

It was the first thing Zeeg managed to say after the shock had passed.

There, sprawled across the ashen earth, was the massive corpse of a Basarios. It wasn't asleep. Its tiny eyes were lifeless, and its thick tongue lolled out of its mouth, discolored to a blackened crimson. The ground surrounding its body had been soaked not in the usual dull gray, but in dark red tinged with a venomous purple.

Blood - no doubt. And judging by the smell and the discoloration, fluids from the ruptured poison sacs in its body as well.

"It's dead, that much is clear," Enta said, stating the obvious. Anyone could see that. The real question was - ''who'' had killed it?

None of the local monsters - be they Ioprey or the herbivorous, turtle-like Apceros - could've done this. Neither species attacked flying wyverns to begin with. Ioprey venom had no effect on Basarios, and neither their fangs nor claws could pierce its thick shell. Apceros had powerful tails, akin to sledgehammers, but not powerful enough to bring down a beast like this.

Zeeg cautiously approached the corpse, wary of any lingering toxins. When he smelled no more, he circled the body, inspecting it closely - and then noticed something strange.

Part of the shell had been deliberately stripped away. The edges were clean, as though someone had slipped a sharp tool between the plates and peeled them away with precision.

''No'' - he didn't want to believe it, but there was no other explanation.

Someone had carved this monster.

And it wasn't the work of Ioprey or Apceros. No beast could perform such delicate work. Only humans - no, only hunters - could do this. But as far as Zeeg knew, their team was the only one dispatched here from the Hunter's Guild out of Nusti.

("...A drifter?")

Some hunters operated independently of the Guild, taking contracts without oversight. His hometown, Kokoto Village, was like that - though the Guild knew of it, the village itself wasn't under Guild control.

Still, few would risk hunting unsupervised in Guild-sanctioned territories. Doing so could provoke the Guild into sending Guild Knights.

Those private enforcers were surrounded by dark rumors. Hunters were sworn never to raise weapons against humans. But the Guild Knights - they were said to hunt people.

Even if those were just rumors, what hunter would willingly risk becoming their target?

And yet, here the Basarios lay - dead, its body mutilated, its shell harvested.

"These are hammer strikes," Enta muttered, brushing a hand along one of the crushed wing membranes. The film had been thoroughly pulped, torn apart - not with blades like greatswords or sword-and-shield, but with sheer blunt force.

"This wound here was caused by a Crag round," Vivi said from where she crouched near the beast's massive head. She brought her nose close and sniffed with precision. "A direct hit to the eye socket. The shell fractured from the inside out - the explosive must've detonated after penetration. I can smell blood, charred flesh, and gunpowder. No mistake."

There was no longer any doubt. Hunters had done this.

Brass, apparently unaware of the seriousness of the situation, circled the corpse with childlike fascination, gawking at the immense body of the juvenile Gravios.

"Well now - ''We arrived quite late; the wyvern lies still, cold stone; its breath had long gone'', eh?" Enta quipped.

"Now's not the time for jokes," Zeeg snapped.

"What do you mean? The contract is fulfilled. There's no issue."

"Are you serious?" Zeeg turned to him, astonished, but Enta's face betrayed nothing. "We didn't hunt this thing."

"But the client only requested that the Basarios be culled, yes? They didn't specify ''who'' had to do the culling." With that, Enta unsheathed his carving knife and slid it smoothly between two of the beast's remaining shells, popping a piece free with ease. "This is proof enough. Sadly, it seems the rare ores were taken already. Such is life."

"Wait - are you really planning to take credit for this!?"

"Wasn't our kill stolen? Whoever they were, this Basarios was ''our'' quarry. They stole the carve - and now you would have us give up the reward as well?"

Zeeg had no answer. Enta was right. They had been robbed - of the materials and possibly the payout. If this was deemed a failed hunt, they'd get neither reward nor even their upfront fee. That was hard to swallow.

However-

"I get your point. I really do. But if we report this as our kill, we'd be lying to the Guild. That's dangerous."

No amount of Zenny was worth ending up on the Guild Knights' hit list.

"Then what do you suggest?"

"We report exactly what we found. We take the Basarios shell as evidence, submit our findings, and leave the decision to the Guild. If they refuse to pay, I'll cover the reward myself."

"...You're ''admirably'' straightforward," Enta chuckled, handing him the carved shell.

Zeeg accepted it without a word. Though he didn't show it on his face, a deep breath of relief stirred quietly in his chest. A fight breaking out here would've been disastrous - especially with the long trek back to base camp still ahead of them.

Only now, as they turned to leave, did Zeeg recall that moment in the jungle - the bitter words exchanged with Elmeria, and the unease she'd worn so clearly on her face...

("What the hell was I even paying attention to then...?")

With a sigh, Zeeg tucked the shell under his arm and turned back toward the cave entrance, where molten lava cast an ominous glow. His feet felt heavier than they should have.

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Monster Hunter:Volume3 Chapter5

2025-06-20T20:24:06Z

Barnnn:

== Chapter 5 - Blossoming Pink, Blazing Azure ==

[[File:MH-v03-005.jpg|300px|thumb]]

"How goes the explanations?" Enta spoke before Zeeg even reached the table.

Zeeg's brow twitched slightly as he resumed his action, placing four hefty coin pouches down in front of the party. The clinking of Zenny should have stirred excitement in any typical hunter, but the others seated at the table showed little reaction.

Enta looked straight at Zeeg, not the money. Vivi sat upright, reading from a book without so much as glancing up. Brass, preoccupied with mixing ingredients, merely shot a disapproving glare at the vibration caused by the pouches hitting the table.

Zeeg took a seat. A server promptly arrived, placing mugs of beer before the four of them. He wasn't sure if Brass drank, but it was tradition to share a drink after returning from a hunt.

Before raising his mug, Zeeg distributed the pouches. He kept the bulging one for himself - it held the refund of the contract fee. The rest of the reward was split evenly.

The group proceeded to offer a half-hearted toast and each took a drink. Enta drained his mug in one go. Vivi didn't seem to mind the taste either. Brass took a tentative lick, like he was sampling medicine.

Wiping foam from his lip, Enta leaned forward. "Well?"

"They're looking into it," Zeeg replied, gesturing toward the counter with a tilt of his chin.

The Guild's one-eyed receptionist had said only that in response to his report. If they knew anything more, they weren't sharing. In the end, all Zeeg had learned was that the Guild was just as in the dark.

He'd expected some argument over the reward. But, just as Enta had interpreted, the client's request had been exactly as written: the Basarios needed to be eliminated. It didn't matter who delivered the finishing blow. The Guild had paid out without protest.

And more than that - they'd offered a little something extra.

Zeeg slid a sheet of paper onto the table.

"And what's this?" Enta asked.

"A quest form." Zeeg waited for them to lean in before elaborating. "It's the Guild's way of apologizing for the mess. We're being given priority on this one. Only thing is... the ''targets'' are no joke."

Enta narrowed his single eye, studying the paper with suspicion. Vivi's expression remained unreadable. Brass, however, widened his eyes in shock and looked around helplessly. Of course he was rattled. This wasn't a quest someone of his rank was ever meant to touch.

The targets were a mated pair: Rathalos and Rathian.

"They've nested near a ranch..." Enta observed.

"Yeah." Zeeg picked up the quest form again, skimming it once more. "A couple weeks ago, a Rathalos was sighted near a ranch situated between Nusti and Minegarde. Not long after, a Rathian was spotted in the nearby forest. Looks like they're nesting. Normally, the Guild wouldn't authorize a hunt during the mating period - but livestock are being killed, and if they run out of prey, there's a good chance they'll move into the city. That's why the Guild's making an exception."

"A Rathalos and a Rathian..." Enta said with a grin. "A ''tempting'' challenge."

"...You can't be serious..." Brass's large frame quivered like a soaked puppy. "Even just one of them is terrifying... but both, at once? A mated pair? There's no way we stand a chance..."

"It's not impossible."

Zeeg waited until the server had quietly laid out their meal before continuing. All at once, forks reached forward, spearing through thick slices of grilled Aptonoth meat layered with root vegetables and melting cheese.

He paused to eat, letting the sizzling juices and creamy cheese fill his mouth, wiping his fingers clean on a napkin before catching Brass's expectant gaze.

"Well, sure. Neither Rathalos nor Rathian are your average wyverns. If it's sheer size you're talking, Plesioth is bigger. For toughness, Gravios can't be topped. But when it comes to aggression, cunning, and the sheer instinct to kill... nothing beats a Rathalos. It's the flagship of the flying wyverns for a reason. Rathian's slightly weaker, but her venomous tail makes her even more of a headache. And they both get nastier during mating season."

Brass gave a helpless look, as if to say - ''See? I told you so.''

"But they ''can'' be hunted," Zeeg said firmly. "Taking them on together would be suicidal. So what do we do? Easy. We split them up. Mated pairs usually leave defense to the Rathalos. We exploit that instinct - bait him out alone and take him down first."

"Divide and conquer," Enta said, nodding as he popped a roasted yam into his mouth without even peeling it. "If we chip away at him bit by bit, just like carving meat off a bone, even the fiercest monsters are no worse than a herd of Aptonoth. Nothing to fear. I have no objection to accepting this quest. What say you, Lady Vivi?"

"I shall do as the Master wishes," she spoke without lifting her gaze, swallowing a neatly sliced piece of meat with ladylike grace behind her glasses.

No matter how many times he heard it, Zeeg still wasn't used to being addressed as ''Master''. He'd asked her to stop, once. Her reply had been curt, unequivocal - ''I must decline.''

Enta nodded once, then turned to Zeeg.

"What say you, Sir Zeeg?"

The idea had appeal. He wanted to try. But sending Brass up against the likes of a Rathalos and Rathian pair right from the start - that was far too much. Zeeg wouldn't have the luxury of watching over him. The answer, then, was obvious. He turned to the boy.

"...Brass, I'm sorry, but you'll have to-"

"I-I want to go too!" Brass interrupted, his voice ringing loud across the table. He must have known what was coming.

It wasn't what Zeeg had expected, but then again, the boy had never seen a Rathalos up close. That had to be it. He was only speaking out of ignorance. Once he laid eyes on one, heard that thunderous roar, saw the beast charge - he'd freeze up. Just like Zeeg had, his first time. He hadn't run, but he'd been paralyzed by fear, unable to do a thing.

"I won't get in the way! Please, just take me with you!"

"Look, this isn't-"

"Why not let him come?"

At Enta's words, Brass lit up with hope, while Zeeg furrowed his brow. But the one-eyed hunter remained unbothered, gesturing with a root vegetable soaked through with meat juices.

"If he's to be a hunter, he must face such foes eventually. It's a path no one can avoid. And it's our duty, as those ahead of him, to lead by example. The three of us should be more than enough. They don't appear to be anything more than a standard pair."

That was true. Some monsters were classified as ''Master Rank'', a designation for those who had grown stronger through surviving countless hunts - learning traps, adapting to tactics, and passing that knowledge to their offspring. Such monsters were far more dangerous, even among the same species. But this particular Rathalos and Rathian weren't noted as Master Rank in the quest listing.

Zeeg looked back at Brass.

The boy's eyes trembled, but there was no sign of retreat. He wouldn't back down. If that was a decision made as a hunter, then it deserved respect. After all, it was only because Elmeria had once taken Zeeg along for a special Rathalos hunt that he was here now.

"Alright, fine."

Brass's face lit up - but Zeeg wasn't about to let the matter drop just yet.

"''However!'' Don't get in our way. Don't expect us to protect you, either - we won't have the time. You're responsible for your own life. If you can handle that, you can come."

"Yes, sir!" Brass replied with such spirit that he seemed to think the matter was settled. He immediately dove into his meal, biting into it with gusto.

Watching him, Zeeg felt his own appetite shrivel. He set down his fork and forced himself to drink his beer - never a favorite of his - hoping it would help settle the weight growing in his gut.

''This thing'' was good for one thing only - getting a laugh. Elmeria stared down at the freshly - forged hammer, the Enormous Ham, and let out a sigh.

She hadn't won any awards at the Meat Grill Festival, in the end. But Fradio, who ''had'' taken a prize, was generous enough to hand over his winnings - a slab of King Meat. With that and a few spare BBQ Tickets left in her stash, she figured, why not? The result, however... wasn't exactly practical.

Theoretically, the sheer weight of the smoked meat attached to the handle might be enough to cave in a Mosswine's skull. But against a wyvern, she'd be lucky not to have it eaten out of her hands. Maybe, just maybe, it could work as a distraction in a tight spot. But, realistically, it was more suited for drawing a laugh - or for a weapon collector with a sense of humor.

Sure enough, the moment she stepped into the gathering hall, all eyes turned her way.

"Oi, what in the world is that!?" someone shouted, laughter erupting.

Well, of course they laughed. The Enormous Ham looked exactly like a giant bone-in ham. She shot a grin in the direction of the voice and called back, "Mind your business!" Laughing as she did, her mood lightened just a little. Maybe making the thing wasn't such a waste after all.

She approached the counter, where Becky looked up from her ledger. Her usual smile was there, but Elmeria could see the fatigue etched around her eyes. With the Guild Master still away, it was clear she'd been handling everything herself.

"What's the occasion?" Elmeria asked, bracing herself against the counter.

Becky glanced at the Enormous Ham on Elmeria's back, but said nothing. Normally, she would've made some quip by now, but there wasn't much room for humor on her face today.

"I've got a request," she said quietly, sliding a piece of paper across the counter. The red stamp on it read: ''URGENT''.

Emergency quests like this gave little time to prepare. They were risky, demanding, and usually the kind that others had already turned down. Elmeria picked up the paper, and soon Fradio and Gannon were peering over her shoulders to read.

"Eliminate a pair of Rathalos and Rathian..." Elmeria murmured.

The request detailed sightings of the wyvern pair attempting to nest in the forest near the ranchlands. Livestock had already begun to vanish. If nothing was done, the damage could easily spread to the city.

When a mated pair prepared to breed, their territory often expanded. If they chose to nest, the nearby settlement would fall squarely within range.

It was likely the Guild had tried to drive them off first. But once a wyvern picked a nesting ground, it rarely gave it up easily. This emergency quest was their last resort.

It was a fitting challenge - and, Elmeria realized, the perfect opportunity to prove whether she was still afraid or not.

She turned to Fradio and Gannon, lifting the quest paper. "I'm thinking of taking it. What do you two say?"

"No objections here," Fradio replied, chuckling deep in his throat. "Rathalos and Rathian - excellent. Not the same one, but I still owe that queen a favor."

Elmeria looked to Gannon. "You?"

"...Should we bring a fourth? Or go as three?"

"Huh, now that you mention it..."

They'd been running as a four-hunter team lately - filling the vacancy could make coordination easier. But bringing someone unfamiliar into a fight like this, against a pair of powerful wyverns, was just asking for disaster. They might hinder more than help.

"Actually, no," Elmeria decided. "The three of us will handle it. We'll split them up and take them down one at a time. That should be enough." With that, she turned back to Becky and slapped the request down onto the counter. "Quest's ours."

"Alright. Your name here," Becky said, offering a fountain pen.

Elmeria signed, then passed the paper to Gannon and Fradio to do the same. Once all three signatures were on the page, Becky nodded.

"You're all set. Departure's in an hour. Oh, and... are you actually using ''that''?"

She pointed to the Enormous Ham, and Elmeria promptly shrugged and shook her head.

"Are you kidding? Of course not! I just brought it along to show it off. I mean, I went through the trouble of making it - it'd be a waste not to give it a debut. You know what, how about you buy it off me? Imagine that - ''Local Ninja Brains Hunter With Hunk'a Ham!'' Everyone's gonna retell that story for years!"

"Hmm..."

Becky tapped a finger to her chin, head tilted. She looked like she was actually considering it.

"Well, if you want it, let me know. I'll give you priority."

"Sure thing," Becky said with her usual smile.

Elmeria gave her a wave then turned on her heel. No need to eat - no time, either. For once, she'd had a full breakfast and wasn't hungry in the slightest.

("Since we're up against Rathalos and Rathian, we'd better pack as many Flash Bombs as we can...")

Weaving through the crowd of day-drunk hunters, Elmeria could feel her instincts waking up. She was thinking like a hunter again, and it made her feel alive.

''Yes!'' This was who she really was - not the mopey shell she'd been since Zeeg's departure.

And this quest... this was her chance to make up for her earlier failures. To show Becky, who still believed in them, that her trust hadn't been misplaced.

("...Alright. Time to hunt!")

She drew a length of cord from her pouch, reached behind her, and tied up her long hair at the nape of her neck - tight. ''Very tight.''

Zeeg drew a deep breath as he watched the Guild boat disappear from the dock. The acrid stench of something burnt still lingered in the air. The base camp, hastily erected by the Guild in a secluded grove ringed by cliffs, now lay half-collapsed - its canvas tents scorched and crumbling.

The scent told him everything. This wasn't the aftermath of some ordinary fire - it had taken a direct hit from a fireball. The Guild burned repellents around the perimeter to keep flying wyverns away, but when they were agitated, those deterrents sometimes failed. Camps being attacked was practically unheard of - but it was said that wyverns grew especially volatile while nesting, and now Zeeg had seen the proof with his own eyes.

He placed their supplies where the fire hadn't reached and dropped to one knee, spreading the provided map on the ground in the center of the group. Wyvern nesting sites always shared certain topographical traits - so much so that they all started to feel carbon-copied. As with many times before, the likely den this time was a cave carved into the mountainside.

Area 1, just beyond the camp, and Area 8, known for its steep cliffs and vertical terrain, were unlikely to harbor the creatures. That left Areas 2 through 6, and Area 9 as probable hunting grounds. But before they could make any decisions, they needed to locate the targets first.

"...We search for Rathalos first," Zeeg said, sweeping his gaze across the team. "If we go after Rathian first, there's a chance he'll come looking for her - but the opposite doesn't happen."

The statement was basic knowledge for any seasoned hunter - but Zeeg hadn't said it for the veterans' sake. His eyes drifted to Brass, the youngest among them, and saw the boy nod solemnly. He understood.

"If we run into Rathian first, we back off. Focus on finding Rathalos. No lone wolf stunts - we move as a team. Once we find him, Vivi, hit him with a Paint shot."

Vivi adjusted her glasses and nodded, the black maid uniform she always wore fluttering slightly as she moved. Paint shots and Paintballs worked by tagging the wyvern with scent, but using them on multiple targets could scatter the scent trail, making it hard to track any one of them effectively.

"I'll draw his attention," Zeeg continued. "Enta, use that opening to strike. Vivi, you'll-"

"Hold," came Enta's voice - quiet, but impossible to ignore. Zeeg turned toward him. "Would it not be wiser to reverse our roles? Your armor is heavy. Add the weight of a greatsword and you're hardly built for evasion. It would be more efficient if I were the one to draw the wyvern's attention."

"Maybe, but if it taps you even once, you're done. That's too risky."

"This ''Shinobi'' armor I wear is not as fragile as it appears," Enta countered. "Light yet durable. Excellent fire resistance. I was made for disruption. Let me do my part. You stay ready to strike when the opening comes."

"Wait, no, listen." Zeeg raised a hand to stop him. "The most effective way to use a greatsword against a flying wyvern is to get under its belly and hit it hard. That kind of attack doesn't suit a skirmisher."

"Ah..." Enta stroked his chin. "...I hadn't considered that. Then we shall decide based on how the battle unfolds. The target is a living thing, after all. We must adapt to its movements, and to each other's. We both act as decoys and skirmishers - that is the best course."

Zeeg stifled a groan. Enta was clearly satisfied with his own reasoning. There was no time to argue further - if they were both set on playing bait, then so be it.

Turning to Brass, Zeeg found the boy pale with tension. No doubt the state of the ruined camp had rattled him.

"Hey, Brass," Zeeg called. The boy jolted, his broad shoulders trembling as he looked up. "...Don't engage. Not under any circumstances. I'm not trying to scare you - but if you charge a wyvern in that gear, you won't make it back. Whether it's Rathalos or Rathian, their fireballs are no joke. You've seen what one can do."

He gestured toward the charred remains of the tent, and Brass nodded silently. In a way, the attack had done them a favor - Zeeg no longer had to waste words convincing the boy to stay out of the fight. Then again, knowing Brass's personality, maybe it wouldn't have been necessary anyway.

"Back to the strategy - what do I do, Master?"

"Ah - right." Zeeg turned, sheepish. Enta's interruption had made him forget. He gave Vivi an apologetic glance.

"Vivi, you'll focus on support over offense. With your aim, I trust you can tag us with Recovery and Antidote shots even while we're dodging like hell."

Vivi nodded, and Zeeg folded up the map. Enta reached into his pack for the standard-issue rations, prompting Brass to scramble for his own. Zeeg tore into the bland, dry pack and forced it down with indifference.

Once everyone had eaten, Zeeg stood and licked the leftover grease from his lips.

"...Alright. Time to hunt!"

''Not our lucky day today'' - that was all Elmeria could think.

The forest-and-hills region supposedly claimed by the Rathian and Rathalos pair was a newly opened hunting ground. No proper camp had been established yet. As a result, the ranch that had filed the request served as a temporary base, and getting to the hunting grounds meant crossing the river by boat.

She had declined the ranch's offered meal - something about a warm welcome - and instead wasted no time departing, boarding the waiting vessel. But something was off.

"...Gannon. You feel it too, don't you?"

The horned helm turned, and Gannon nodded silently.

''I knew it,'' Elmeria mused, sweeping her eyes over the surroundings. She had sensed something was wrong even before crossing the river: there wasn't a single Aptonoth in sight.

The riverbank, usually lush with tender grass, made for an ideal feeding ground. It should have been teeming with the gentle herbivores. That there was none, was cause for concern.

And then there was the smell - Paintberry. Faint, but unmistakable.

They were supposed to be the only hunters assigned to this quest. So why the scent of a tracking item? Had a drifter slipped in to poach? If so, that was no small matter. If this rogue was working independently, that was one thing - but if the ranchers had hired them on the side, things could turn messy fast.

("But... if that were true, could they really have acted so naturally?")

The ranchers had greeted them with open arms, every bit the picture of a family eager for their arrival. If they'd been lying, they were masters of it - and Elmeria didn't think they were.

"Tch. What a nuisance..." she muttered, clicking her tongue.

Paintballs or Paint shots were only used when a wyvern had been spotted - someone had already made contact. And if worse came to worst, this could escalate into a clash between hunters.

Officially, raising a weapon against another hunter was forbidden. But that didn't mean they were about to stand there and watch someone steal your quarry. The proper response was to report the incident to the Guild and let them resolve it - but no one out in the field had the luxury of waiting for bureaucracy to catch up.

They reached the opposite shore. As Fradio disembarked and began tying off the boat, Elmeria inhaled deeply once more. That Paintberry scent was definitely coming from nearby.

Whether the local Aptonoth had been slaughtered by those trespassers or devoured by the wyverns themselves, the result was the same - no fresh meat to be gathered. They'd have to rely on what rations they'd brought and supplement the rest with fish.

Unfastening the pack at her waist, which swayed against the steel bustle of her armor like a blooming flower of iron, Elmeria pulled out the map and spread it open. From the markings, it seemed they were in what was referred to as Area 1.

Hunting grounds always looked the same after a while. Still, the scents riding the wind were coming from the right - opposite the forest. That was where the trail lay.

"It's awfully quiet, hmm?" Fradio spoke in a breezy tone, but the slitted eyes of his helmet narrowed as he scanned the horizon.

Indeed. Quiet. Far too quiet.

"...Let's go," Elmeria said.

A faint, smoldering sensation lit up deep in her chest. She slung her Breath Core over her back, then stepped onto the grassy slope - like a carpet rolled out by nature itself - and began ascending the path that led toward the hills.

Pushing through the lush forest where Felynes often wandered near a tranquil spring, Zeeg's party emerged onto a grassy plain atop a sheer cliff - only to stop dead in their tracks at the sudden boom that echoed across the air.

Then, a trailing arc of firelight blazed skyward. The scent of scorched air crept over them, acrid and familiar. Either a Rathalos or Rathian had unleashed a fireball.

But something didn't add up. The sound they'd heard just before - without question, that had been a bowgun. Which meant...

''There were other hunters out here.''

("Again!?")

Immediately before this, they'd run into a similar situation with that Basarios. What was Nusti's Guild even doing? Their party had secured the contract for this hunt fair and square. To be scooped like this - it was intolerable.

Zeeg glanced at Enta. The man's expression was rigid, jaw clenched. For all his easy words and measured calm, he clearly wasn't taking this theft-of-prey well. Vivi, too, had gone quiet, absently stroking the canopy of her Dark Parasol, a sharp glint simmering behind her glasses.

The fireball had risen from Area 4 - just beyond the presumed nesting ground.

Zeeg led the party up a slope between gouged cliffs, emerging into a wide clearing. Nothing was immediately visible. The path ahead twisted through Area 3 toward Area 4, but an enormous rock formation split the terrain like a trident, obstructing their view almost entirely.

The silence was unnatural.

After the gunshot and that fireball, there should've been chaos. But the forest was deathly still. Tensing, lowering their bodies, Zeeg and his comrades crept toward the rock and rounded it in silence, suppressing every hint of presence. They heard nothing - but the smell was there. The acrid sting of gunpowder. The scorched bite of burning grass. And... the stench of charred flesh.

There was no doubt. A wyvern was nearby.

Peering past the stone into the grove beyond, Zeeg felt the hairs on his arms rise. For a second, he thought his eyes had failed him. But no - he could feel it from the others, too. They were all seeing the same thing.

Two flying wyverns. A Rathalos and a Rathian.

And yet - they were ''wrong''. Not just in the way light fell across their scales, but in the very nature of their appearance.

The Rathalos was sheathed in blue plates, like the depths of an ocean, gleaming like cut jewels in the sunlight - nothing like the familiar crimson shell of the species. Beside it, the Rathian's verdant green was gone, replaced by a delicate pink that bloomed across her body like a field of cherry blossoms before spring's full flush.

The term that leaped to Zeeg's mind: ''subspecies''.

Occasionally, such mutations appeared in the wild. Though he'd never seen one himself, blue-scaled Yian Kut-Kus had been spotted in recent months. That was enough to make the rumors credible.

The two wyverns nuzzled each other's snouts, brushing together in a manner almost affectionate.

But when Zeeg lowered his eyes, his gut twisted into a cold, hard knot.

Hunters lay sprawled beneath the beasts, collapsed in tangled ruin.

He couldn't tell how many. Severed arms and legs lay strewn across the ground. Some bodies had been charred black. Nearby, a heavy bowgun - the Titan Launcher - was half-buried in the dirt. That must've been the source of the final shot.

A few paces off, he saw a shattered greatsword - likely an Iron Grace katana. Two hunters had died here. Perhaps more.

"Ahh!" A gasp - sharp, high-pitched - escaped someone behind him.

Zeeg clicked his tongue.

''Brass.''

The boy had never seen a man's corpse before.

("That idiot...!")

The wyverns reacted instantly. Twin gazes - pink and azure - snapped toward them.

Their cover had been blown.

Zeeg's hand flew to the handle of his Lacerator Blade+, and he charged from the undergrowth.

If either wyvern attacked first, Brass wouldn't survive the first blow.

The wyverns stared. A second later, a crack of igniting powder split the air - and a crimson splash erupted across Azure Rathalos' face. The stench of Paintberry spread.

The hunters who'd come before must've marked him, but the effect had long since faded.

A roar shook the very air. Zeeg felt his muscles lock up with primal fear - something no amount of training could ever dull.

With a quake of the earth, the Azure Rathalos surged forward.

Zeeg raised Lacerator Blade+ as a shield just in time. The impact tore through his arms and down his spine like a thunderbolt. The wyvern's momentum sent it sliding along the greatsword, glancing off and crashing over his head.

His arms were numb, but Zeeg forced life back into them, swinging upward.

The line of jagged blades caught the Rathalos' tail - only to bounce off, harmless.

("Damn it - it's tough!")

It wasn't his blade. He'd sharpened it just this morning, and it had cut through countless Rathalos hides. This subspecies... its shell was different. Unnaturally hard.

Another roar behind.

Zeeg whirled - and saw the Pink Rathian charging.

''No time to guard.''

He dove, rolling sideways as the pink blur thundered past.

With no sign of slowing, she slammed side-first into the Rathalos beside her. Sparks flew where the thorny protrusions of her jaw scraped against his blue-scaled hide.

The Azure Rathalos reared up on his hind legs and bellowed - rage incarnate.

His chest swelled, and blue scales around his throat began to shimmer.

The next instant, the world drew inward.

A moment of vacuum. Then a blinding glow behind the scales.

And then - flame.

The fireball streaked past, missing by inches. A tree was ripped from the ground and blown apart mid-air, its splinters burning as they fell.

Wind howled, a shockwave billowing through the clearing.

A cherry-pink shadow flew overhead. Dust and ash scattered.

''Thud.''

She landed behind the party, kicking up soil.

"Sir Zeeg!" Enta's voice rang out as he rushed to his side.

They stood back to back. Enta had already drawn his dual blades - the so-called ''Zanki'' - and held them in a cross-guard stance as he faced the Pink Rathian.

"We're in trouble..." Zeeg couldn't help but chuckle. It wasn't amusement. The laugh just came, unbidden. "This is the worst possible situation. We should fall back... but you think they're going to let us?"

"Not likely," Enta replied, grinning faintly. "If I may describe the stage on which we stand - ''Fierce petals of pink; spill from spring's hand, brightening; fields of waking green''."

"Ehh, not as good as your other ones," Zeeg muttered.

He wasn't angry at the inappropriately-timed poetry. His heart thundered so hard it hurt. His throat was ready to scream. His knees nearly gave out.

But still - he didn't want to run. Even knowing there was no winning this fight, his mind already churned with possibilities, plans. How to take them down.

Zeeg licked his dry lips slowly, watching the warning lash of the wyverns' tails.

"This way!"

At the sound of gunfire followed by two distinctly different roars, Elmeria and her comrades sprinted across the clifftop meadow of Area 3. The once-fading scent of Paintberry grew sharp again - someone had fired a Paint shot. Whoever it was, stealing another hunter's prey was unacceptable.

Charging up the slope between cliffs, Elmeria burst into the clearing marked on the map as an open plain - and froze. Crouching behind a rock was... a maid?

''Why a maid!?''

A girl was dressed in a black maid outfit, complete with a parasol trimmed in black frills. This was no picnic outing.

Nearby, a tall boy knelt, tending to something on the ground. Judging by his gear, he was a hunter, at least.

"Young Mistress - look," Gannon said, voice tense as he gripped her arm and pointed.

There, beyond a ridge of grass, was the sweeping tail of a wyvern. But not green, like a Rathian basking in dappled sunlight - this tail shimmered with the blush-pink hue of cherry blossoms.

"What an interesting discovery - here as well," Fradio called from the opposite path.

Glancing that way, Elmeria spotted another tail swaying back and forth - this one unmistakably Rathalos. But it gleamed in a deep blue.

''What in the world...?''

Neither Rathalos nor Rathian were supposed to come in those colors. Was this a sign of the mating season - temporary color shifts brought on by some biological state? Or were these entirely new subspecies?

"-Who are you people?"

The voice came from behind. Spinning around, Elmeria saw the black-clad maid standing tall, gazing straight at her. That parasol - no, now that she looked closely, it wasn't just that. It was a light bowgun.

''She was a hunter too!''

"I should be asking ''you'' that!" Elmeria snapped, keeping an eye on the unusually colored wyverns as she responded. "We're here on official assignment from the Hunter's Guild in Minegarde! Stand down and clear the area!"

But the maid shook her head.

"I'm afraid that won't do. We're here under a formal contract from the Hunter's Guild in Nusti. You're the ones who should retreat."

''What?''

Elmeria could make no sense of it. The girl's strange attire was baffling enough, but this - this was beyond reason.

A single hunting ground had always been the domain of a single Guild. She had never once heard of two Guilds being dispatched to the same site under separate contracts.

A roar shattered the moment. The Pink Rathian cried out, and a gust of wind tore through the narrow path.

"Whoaaa-!"

Amid the clamor, a voice reached her ears - one she couldn't ignore.

("Zeeg!?")

No... but she couldn't have misheard him. Elmeria's stomach twisted. She dashed over to the black maid and seized her puffy shoulder sleeve.

"...Is there a ''Zeeg Grandest'' among you!?"

The girl's black eyes narrowed behind her spectacles, studying her with intensity.

"There is. He's the one leading our hunting party."

''Of course he is...''

Another roar came, and a high-pitched metallic screech echoed across the plains. Then came the sound of rupturing air, and a wave of scorching heat filled the clearing. Flames surged, turning the skies crimson.

"Unhand me."

The maid yanked her arm free, flipped a grip affixed to the parasol's shaft, and pressed the butt of it to her shoulder. The moment she pulled the trigger, fire burst from the tip. She hadn't even aimed properly-

"Impressive," Fradio murmured. "You managed to make a light bowgun like the Dark Parasol hit so cleanly with such little preparation..."

''So Zeeg's got himself a new team...''

Seeing it with her own eyes - him, hunting with other comrades - it hit Elmeria harder than she'd expected. Even in the middle of a hunt, her resolve wavered.

Was it resentment? Betrayal? Maybe because, in some deep corner of her heart, she still thought of herself as the one who'd raised him.

"...Young Mistress." Gannon's voice was calm, grounded - as if he understood it all.

Elmeria blinked herself back to the moment.

''Right.''

This wasn't the time for feelings. She had to focus. Why were two Guilds given the same contract? They wouldn't find that answer here, bickering in the field.

There was only one thing a hunter should do now.

"Gannon! Fradio! Let's go! We're not letting them hog the quarry!"

Hand on the hilt of her Breath Core, Elmeria charged down the path to the left - where she glimpsed the Rathian's cherry-pink tail lashing through the air.

In midair, the Pink Rathian coiled like a whip and lashed out with her venomous tail. Zeeg took the hit on the flat of his Lacerator Blade+ and clicked his tongue.

''She's strong.''

Venom scattered like mist, shriveling the surrounding grass within seconds. The fumes alone stung his throat. Then, once the Pink Rathian landed, three fireballs came hurtling toward him. He deflected them with his broad blade, sending flames spraying out around him.

''No room to strike back.''

Behind him, Enta was faring no better.

The Azure Rathalos paralyzed its hunters' muscles with a roar, then rained fireballs from the sky. Any attempt to close the distance was met with a powerful tail sweep meant to keep them at bay.

Zeeg had never heard of Rathalos and Rathian hunting in concert, but there was no mistaking it now.

The Azure Rathalos wasn't going for the kill just yet - he was holding back, likely due to Vivi's precise suppressing fire. But Zeeg could feel it coming. The moment the pair rushed in from both flanks, even the Rathalos armor wouldn't hold up.

A roar tore through the air once more, paralyzing Zeeg where he stood.

Even in the grip of fear, sweat still clung to his skin. He fought to move, to wrench his body free of the unnatural stillness. The Pink Rathian crouched low, her frame tensed - her hind legs seemed thicker, swollen with power.

She was going to charge - no doubt the Rathalos from the rear would, as well.

A gunshot rang out - his one hope. But then came Enta's groan, and Zeeg understood. The shot hadn't stopped either monter. This was it.

''He was going to die.''

There was no bitterness in that thought. No despair. They had faced a monster of this caliber - such things were part of the life they'd chosen as hunters.

If he regretted anything, it was that he might never reconcile with Elmeria. They had parted on a fight.

("Seriously? That's the last thing I'm thinking about?")

A self-deprecating smile flickered on Zeeg's lips. And in that instant, as though the smirk had been some strange trigger, the earth behind the Azure Rathalos erupted in a spray of dirt. He could already picture how the spear-like tip of that extended jaw would pierce through him.

But then-!

"!?"

The Pink Rathian stumbled suddenly. She toppled onto her side, skidding across the ground as though shoved by an invisible force. The impact carved a deep scar in the earth before her body slammed into the cliffside. Her head snapped back in a violent jerk, and a shriek - not quite a roar - escaped her throat.

Behind him, Zeeg heard a deafening crack - but no gunfire. The explosion must have come from something else. The Azure Rathalos let out a pained, ragged roar.

Finally, Zeeg understood - Crag ammo. Of course. Vivi had fired a Crag shot. It didn't hit hard on impact - but after a brief delay, it exploded, tearing the target apart from within.

"Zeeg!"

He turned at the sound of that familiar voice, startled. A flash of metal and verdant green surged past him, charging straight toward the Pink Rathian. It was-

("Elmeria!?")

There was no mistaking her. A young Hunter clad in Rathian armor with the unmistakable Breath Core hammer on her back - there wasn't any other like her in the world.

And just beyond, he spotted another form: massive, horned, pushing the Pink Rathian's flank against the cliff to keep her pinned. That was Gannon!

"Talk later!" Elmeria shouted, holding her hammer at her side in a ready stance. "You go that way! We split the pay fifty-fifty!"

"Got it!"

The words came out naturally. Zeeg turned on his heel just in time to see Elmeria raise her Breath Core, aiming a vicious swing at the Pink Rathian's thrashing head.

"Enta!" He called out as he ran.

The Azure Rathalos was floundering, one wing shredded and struggling to take flight. It was a perfect opportunity.

Enta slipped into step beside him, his movements fluid as running water. He glanced briefly over his shoulder.

"...Who was that?"

"A friend! Leave the other one to them!"

"Understood."

With a sharp sidestep, Enta surged forward, swift as a river in flood. In the blink of an eye, he had outpaced Zeeg, slipping into the Rathalos's blind spot.

"Now is the time... to unleash the true power of dual blades!"

''Shring'' - steel hissed as the twin blades scraped together. Enta opened his eyes wide, both of them - ''he wasn't one-eyed at all!''

"Witness the swordplay of a demon!"

He danced.

No - he ''raged''. The word dance barely captured it. His blades whirled like twin tempests, tearing into the Azure Rathalos's armored scales.

A wing talon came loose, severed, and crashed into the scorched earth. Blood gushed in violent bursts, staining the grass crimson - but not a drop touched Enta's white garb.

His swordsmanship was astonishing.

The Azure Rathalos bellowed and swung its tail in a blind frenzy. Enta leaped back, narrowly avoiding the blow. His breathing was ragged now, one eye closed once more. After all that motion, the fatigue was only natural.

("Now it's my turn!")

Zeeg charged straight for the Azure Rathalos' leg as it tried to rise. He swung his Lacerator Blade+ in a wide arc, the fang-like blades biting deep into the tender meat behind the knee.

This time, the wyvern screamed.

"O-over here!"

The cry was faint amid the roar, but Zeeg turned to see Brass at the end of a narrow path, pale-faced and half-hidden behind Vivi, motioning frantically for them to run.

For a heartbeat, Zeeg hesitated - but then the reason struck him, and he bolted.

"Enta!" He called out, and Enta seemed to grasp the plan immediately.

They sprinted together, the thundering footfalls of the enraged Azure Rathalos pursuing them.

That was exactly what they wanted. It had taken the bait.

A moment later, the roar of a collapsing pit filled the air, shaking the ground. Zeeg glanced back. The Azure Rathalos had fallen into a Pitfall Trap and was now thrashing helplessly.

Brass must've set it.

"Well done!" Zeeg called to the boy.

Without breaking stride, he and Enta charged back in. Lacerator Blade+ and Zanki struck in unison, tearing the trapped wyvern's scales to shreds!

"And now... the ''finálé''," the calm, composed voice cut through the chaos.

A gunshot rang out. In the same instant, one of the Azure Rathalos' eyes burst - blood spraying as its head jerked back violently.

A beat later, its skull bulged grotesquely from within before rupturing in a thunderous explosion!

The Azure Rathalos wavered - then collapsed, its head slamming into the earth with a seismic thud. Blood poured from its nose and mouth, the Crag shot having detonated within its brain.

Off to the side, another death cry rang out - this one from the Pink Rathian. Elmeria's team had finished the job.

Zeeg let out a long breath and slid Lacerator Blade+ back onto his back. They'd made it.

If Elmeria and her group hadn't shown up, he would have died for sure. He had enough clarity to admit that.

But reflection could wait. For now-

Zeeg pulled a carving knife from his belt. ''Azure Rathalos''. There would no doubt be rare materials to harvest - scales, shells, wing - his heart beat faster at the thought.

Enta, Vivi, and Brass all held their own carving knives, looking to Zeeg for the signal. Their eyes gleamed with expectation.

Zeeg gave a nod, and they knelt beside the slain wyvern, careful and deliberate with each stroke, wasting nothing.

"''We hunt, and are prey; life turns on the endless wheel; a world without end''..."

Enta's soft voice, like a eulogy, accompanied the rhythm of their blades as they carved into the Azure Rathalos' flesh.

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Monster Hunter

2025-05-29T15:55:58Z

Barnnn:

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[[File:MH-v01-000.jpg|300px|thumb|Volume 1 Cover]]
'''Monster Hunter''' (モンスターハンター) is a Japanese light novel series based on Capcom's video game of the same name, published by '''Famitsu Bunko'''. It is written by '''Yuuki Rin''' (ゆうきりん) and illustrated by '''Koyama Shigeto''' (コヤマシゲト).

The series won the Best Novelization award from '''Kadokawa Shoten's Light Novel Award 2007''' ([http://shoten.kadokawa.co.jp/lightnovel-award/result.html ライトノベルアワード 2007]).

== Story Synopsis ==
It is an age when giant monsters rule the world of nature, freely roaming the land and soaring through the sky. In order to survive, humanity relies on the hunters, powerful warriors with the strength and intellect to fell such beasts.

Zeeg Grandest is one such hunter, albeit still a rookie. Through his meetings with numerous comrades and battles against powerful wyverns, the boy will learn what it truly means to be a Monster Hunter.

== Series Information ==

*'''Genre''': Action, Adventure, Fantasy
*'''Original Title''': モンスターハンター
*'''Common Abbreviations''': MH, MonHan (モンハン)
*'''Author''': Yuuki Rin
*'''Ilustrator''': Koyama Shigeto
*'''Published Volumes''': 4
*'''Series Status''': Completed

== Translation ==

=== [[Monster Hunter:Registration Page|Registration]] ===

Those who wish to contribute are asked to first notify a supervisor beforehand.

'''Translators are asked to [[Monster Hunter:Registration Page|register]] which chapters they're working on'''

=== Format Standards ===
'''Every Chapter (after editing) must conform to the general format guidelines.'''
* [[Format guideline|General Format/Style Guideline]]

=== Feedback ===
Please do provide us feedback in the [https://www.baka-tsuki.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=22415&view=viewpoll Feedback Thread].

== Updates ==
*May 30, 2025 - Volume 3 Chapters 1 and 2 Retranslation Uploaded
*May 1, 2025 - Volume 3 Chapter 5 and Epilogue Uploaded '''(Volume 3 Complete)'''
*April 30, 2025 - Volume 3 Chapter 4 Uploaded
*April 29, 2025 - Volume 3 Chapter 3 Uploaded
*March 15, 2018 - Volume 3 Chapter 2 Uploaded
*October 21, 2017 - Volume 3 Chapter 1 Uploaded
*September 9, 2017 - Volume 2 Afterword Uploaded
*August 28, 2017 - Volume 2 Epilogue Uploaded '''(Volume 2 Complete)'''
*August 27, 2017 - Volume 2 Chapter 5 Uploaded
*August 18, 2017 - Volume 2 Chapter 4 Uploaded
*July 30, 2017 - Volume 2 Chapter 3 Uploaded
*July 9, 2017 - Volume 2 Chapter 2 Uploaded
*June 25, 2017 - Volume 2 Chapter 1 Uploaded
*May 22, 2017 - Volume 2 Prologue Uploaded
*April 24, 2017 - Volume 1 Chapters 3, 4, 5, Epilogue, and Afterword Uploaded '''(Volume 1 Complete)'''
*April 23, 2017 - Project Page Created, Volume 1 Chapters 1 and 2 Uploaded

== Monster Hunter by Yuuki Rin ==
{| class="wikitable" width="280" ; style="float:left"
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=== [[Monster Hunter:Volume1|Volume 1 - Commandment of the Hunt]] ([http://www.mediafire.com/file/1xib5zl7b7z7661/Monster_Hunter_-_Volume_1.pdf PDF]) ===
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume1 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume1 Chapter1|Chapter 1 - Encounter at the Hunter's Guild]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume1 Chapter2|Chapter 2 - First Quest]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume1 Chapter3|Chapter 3 - Love Wyvern]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume1 Chapter4|Chapter 4 - Knight]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume1 Chapter5|Chapter 5 - Monster Hunter]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume1 Epilogue|Epilogue]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume1 Afterword|Afterword]]
</div>
</div>
|}

{| class="wikitable" width="280" ; style="float:left"
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|[[Image:MH-v02-000.jpg|border|200px]]
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=== [[Monster Hunter:Volume2|Volume 2 - Condition of a Hero]] ([http://www.mediafire.com/file/ylazh8tg3u621wm/Monster+Hunter+-+Volume+2.pdf PDF]) ===
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume2 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume2 Prologue|Prologue]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume2 Chapter1|Chapter 1 - Returning Home One Year Later]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume2 Chapter2|Chapter 2 - Their Days Off]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume2 Chapter3|Chapter 3 - Aspiring to Become a Hero]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume2 Chapter4|Chapter 4 - Gypceros's Signature Move]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume2 Chapter5|Chapter 5 - Albino Wyvern]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume2 Epilogue|Epilogue]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume2 Afterword|Afterword]]
</div>
</div>
|}

{| class="wikitable" width="280" ; style="float:left"
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=== [[Monster Hunter:Volume3|Volume 3 - Capacity of a Leader]] ===
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume3 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume3 Chapter1|Chapter 1 - Irritation]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume3 Chapter2|Chapter 2 - Setting off Alone]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume3 Chapter3|Chapter 3 - Interviews]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume3 Chapter4|Chapter 4 - Land of the Rock Wyvern]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume3 Chapter5|Chapter 5 - Blossoming Pink, Blazing Azure]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume3 Epilogue|Epilogue]]
</div>
</div>
|}

{| class="wikitable" width="280" ; style="float:left"
|- valign="top"
|[[Image:MH-v04-000.jpg|border|200px]]
|
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<div style="float: left; margin: 5px 20px">
=== [[Monster Hunter:Volume4|Volume 4 - Commemorations of the Hunt]] ===
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume4 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume4 Chapter1|Chapter 1 - Egg Run]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume4 Chapter2|Chapter 2 - Savior]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume4 Chapter3|Chapter 3 - Desert Sniper]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume4 Chapter4|Chapter 4 - Capriccio]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume4 Chapter5|Chapter 5 - Crimson Avian]]
</div>
</div>
|}

<br style="clear:both"/>

== Project Staff ==

* Project Administrator:
* Project Manager:

=== Translators ===
:* [[user:Barnnn|Barnnn]]

=== Editors ===

== Series Overview ==
*モンスターハンター狩りの掟　(June 19, 2004 ISBN 978-4-75-771874-6)
*モンスターハンター英雄の条件 (September 18, 2004 ISBN 978-4-75-772004-6)
*モンスターハンター長の資格 (June 20, 2005 ISBN 978-4-75-772320-7)
*モンスターハンター狩りの追憶 (March 30, 2006 ISBN 978-4-75-772666-6)

[[Category:Famitsu Bunko]]

[[Category:Light novel (English)]]

[[Category:Genre - Action]]
[[Category:Genre - Fantasy]]
[[Category:Genre - Adventure]]

Monster Hunter:Volume3 Chapter2

2025-05-29T15:54:42Z

Barnnn: whole text replaced with new translation

== Chapter 2 - Setting off Alone ==

[[File:MH-v03-002.jpg|300px|thumb]]

"Excuse me..."

Becky's reverie shattered at the distant call, dragging her back from the brink of sleep. She straightened, her consciousness knitting itself back together.

She had been on the verge of relishing a hearty meal - a giant Rathian egg roll, snatched away in an instant.

The registration book fell to the floor with a resounding thud. Through half-closed eyes, she watched as it flipped open.

''How many times now?''

Its edges bore the scars of numerous tumbles. It could have been a simple catch, even in her sleep, yet the prospect of someone making a fuss over her "ninja power" was too annoying for her to bother.

"Um..."

Yawning, she picked up the book, only to hear the voice once more.

She turned to see a young man standing at the counter.

He appeared to be eighteen or nineteen, a new face with a restless demeanor.

His youthful countenance, coupled with his above-average height and robust build, hinted at a respectable upbringing. Yet his slightly hunched posture unmistakably betrayed his lack of experience.

In this environment, such signs of innocence were dangerous. It was akin to hanging a board that read "novice," from his neck. Forming companions might prove challenging, and worse still, he risked falling prey to tasks surpassing his skill level, jeopardizing his very life.

Adjusting her hat, part of her standard uniform, Becky stood and faced the counter. Habitually, she wiped its surface, tarnished black by years of spilled drinks.

It was before sundown; few hunters visited at this hour, though some idled from dawn till dusk, forgoing hunts to drink away their days in the hall's perpetual miasma of alcohol and smoke - a potent blend capable of intoxicating patrons through mere ambiance.

The atmosphere heightened the boy's nerves, flushing his face red. His demeanor suggested an urban origin. Lately, an increasing influx of urban youth had arrived, captivated by the hunting trade and monster specimens displayed safely within city confines.

It was a matter of freedom. They possessed the autonomy to chart their own course in life, pursuing a future of their design, one they deemed worthy of risking everything for.

The Guild was willing to extend aid where possible.

Among them, hidden talents might yet emerge, becoming invaluable assets to the Guild. Thus, urban origins were never grounds for rejection.

"Welcome," Becky greeted warmly, her smile deepening the boy's blush - a good first impression.

His gaze briefly wandered to her chest, an expected, harmless innocence of youth. She harbored no offense, his swift correction endearing.

All things considered, he was a sight for sore eyes - among hunters, rowdy and unhinged types were more commonplace. Though she wouldn't lose to anyone in a fistfight, the constant vigilance required to maintain order in the hall posed a challenge.

"So, what business do you have in this city?"

"Ah, um... I'd like to register as a hunter, please..."

His words were barely audible, blending in with the drunken laughter and chatter, but it was better this way.

Among those who lingered without venturing into the wilds, Becky knew, was the sort who relished lecturing newcomers.

Most were harmless storytellers and unhelpful advice givers, while others peddled goods with dubious value - the latter would be promptly punted out by the staff.

The Guild Master had said to disregard them, yet Becky harbored a persistent desire to purge the Guild of such individuals herself.

Many also indulged in drinks on credit, evading payment until forced to face the consequences - a nice round of Becky's ass-kicking before she sent them away to work. Not all returned, a harsh reality of hunter life that darkened Becky's spirits with each occurrence.

From beneath the counter, Becky retrieved another registration book, opened it to the latest page, and slid it toward the boy.

"Take a moment to read through the terms and sign if you agree. Do you have an introduction letter?"

"No... Um... Was I supposed to bring one...?"

"No, it's not necessary - Just read ''everything'' carefully, alright?"

"Y-yes, ma'am..."

The boy obediently lowered his gaze to the registration book, absorbing its contents as instructed.

Observing his Velociprey armor, distinguished by its subdued blue tones, Becky contemplated his skill level - not a complete beginner, most likely. Yet caution advised against assumptions; the possibility remained that his gear was not crafted from materials he had personally gathered.

At his waist, the Bonespike one-handed sword, fashioned from monster bones, was lightweight and easy to wield, though it lacked the durability of metal counterparts. It held potential for enhancement, capable of manifesting the might of a fire wyvern if properly honed.

Shortly after, the boy nodded firmly, raised his gaze, and began looking around for something.

Becky passed him a quill and an ink bottle from the countertop. A faint, bashful smile played on the boy's lips as he accepted them and signed his name.

''Brass Lagoon.''

"Alright, Brass, now fill this in."

Becky retrieved yet another registration book and placed it before him.

Normally, the Guild Master personally processed new recruits, but today the job had fallen to Becky. The Guild Master, recovering from a night of heavy drinking, remained asleep in his quarters.

Brass confidently filled in the required information: age, gender, preferred weapon, prior hunting experience, miscellaneous - a standard profile.

The Guild tasked hunters with missions based on this information. While falsifying details posed no immediate problem, the consequences could prove deadly in the field.

"...Done."

"Alright, thanks."

Becky scanned the registration book. Brass, it turned out, was younger than she had assumed - only sixteen. Yet age posed no obstacle in this competitive realm. On the contrary, youth offered potential: time to develop skills and, should the want arise, the opportunity to pursue other paths in life.

On the prior hunting experience column, he had noted hunts of several Yian Kut-Kus in his home region.

"Ever been on a Rathalos hunt?" Becky asked, to which Brass anxiously shook his head.

"Um... Do I...?"

"Oh, no, no need."

Confirmed as a novice, his success would hinge on careful selection of hunting partners. In the miscellaneous column, he had indicated proficiency in support roles and possession of three Books of Combos.

"...If you don't mind me asking, Brass, why did you choose to become a hunter?" Becky inquired, her finger poised to close the registration book.

Motivations for seeking registration varied greatly among individuals. Most simply looked to earn their keep, but she sensed something unique about this boy.

"Um... I... I want to prove myself."

"Oh? In what way?"

"That I'm not a coward."

Despite his declaration, Brass still exuded the nervousness of a startled rabbit.

Indeed, this profession was no haven for the faint-hearted. It demanded courage to confront wyverns capable of swallowing a person whole in a single gulp.

Fear drained strength from limbs and immobilized the body. This phenomenon plagued hunters regardless of their mastery; an involuntary response of the flesh rather than a reflection of their resolve.

Facing a Rathalos would undoubtedly dispel any notions of cowardice - if he returned alive.

"Well, that's quite admirable."

Becky shut the registration book, a smile gracing her lips. Recognizing one's fears signaled promise in a hunter. Self-awareness was crucial; each survival in the field added to one's expertise. Yet, excessive caution risked stagnation and the damning label of cowardice.

"...Alright, your registration is complete. Your Hunter Rank may start at Ranger - the lowest level - but give it your best out there."

"Y-yes!"

This time, his flushed face likely stemmed not from shyness but rather a mix of anxiety, anticipation, and excitement.

Handing him his guild card, Becky directed him to the guest houses. It would be a modest surprise; accommodations for new hunters were hardly luxurious, akin to pigsties.

If Brass couldn't endure such conditions, he would struggle in a profession where camping out and going days without bathing were routine.

The boy clutched his guild card to his chest, bowed in gratitude, and gathered his belongings before making his way to the exit of the gathering hall.

As he left, four hunters entered, drawing Becky's attention and knitting her brows into a faint frown. The air grew heavy with unease.

Brass attempted to sidestep the group, but his luggage bumped into one of them. He quickly bowed in apology, though the hunters seemed oblivious to his presence.

Leading the group was a girl with a stern expression, a massive hammer - the rare Breath Core - slung across her back.

They were the party led by Elmeria Franport.

Behind her was veteran hunter Gannon Denon, clad in armor adorned with giant horns on the shoulder pads. Following him was Fradio Heart, distinguished by his perpetually worn Gypceros Cap; he had recently turned thirty according to the records. The last to enter was Zeeg Grandest, carrying his helmet in his arms, his face set in an ill-tempered scowl.

("I wonder what happened?")

Normally, those four didn't display such attitudes.

The other hunters, attuned to shifts in atmosphere, reacted to the tension. However, the ever-present commotions in the gathering hall somewhat mitigated the sense of unease.

The silent hostility between Elmeria and Zeeg was especially palpable, like iron bars melting in a furnace.

With expressions of discouragement, the quartet approached the counter, stopping directly before Becky. Dust clung to their armor, and a sour body odor mixed with the stench of alcohol, indicating they had come straight from the field.

"...Sorry, we failed," Elmeria said, as if casting off a burden.

Becky immediately understood she was referring to the Rathian hunting contract they had taken on.

Had they succeeded, their expressions would have been far more merry. Even Fradio, whose face remained hidden under his cap, had a noticeable change in the look of his eyes. Though he seemed amused by the group's dynamics, satisfaction was clearly absent.

"I see," Becky murmured, scanning under the counter for the quest registration book.

Such failures weren't uncommon. It might have felt unusual for the likes of Elmeria, but wyvern hunts rarely ended in success. They were perilous undertakings by nature.

A Rathian caring for its young was especially brutal, almost untouchable. And in this case, it was a Rathian that had just retired from motherhood, likely retaining its extra ferocity. Becky considered this but also recalled that this wasn't the first time Elmeria's party had failed to fulfill their requests.

If memory served her right, they had failed their previous quest and the one before that as well.

Becky opened the registration book and reviewed the quest details. One mission was to hunt two Basarios, the other to gather Powderstone. The Basarios quest had been abandoned halfway because Elmeria was injured, and during the Powderstone quest, they had run out of time, having spent too long fending off a Rathalos.

Setting the registration book down, Becky observed Elmeria and her team. The precise events were unclear, but the tension among them was palpable. Zeeg and Elmeria avoided each other's gaze, while Fradio appeared quite exasperated by the situation.

"Thanks for your hard work... But unfortunately, the contract fee can't be refunded. Better luck next time."

Elmeria nodded, her enthusiasm drained. She resembled an undefeated hunter suddenly trapped in a bottomless swamp of repeated defeats and disappointments.

Onlookers might assume all would be well with the veteran hunter Gannon Denon among them, but reality proved otherwise.

"Want something to drink?" Becky asked.

Elmeria barely glanced over her shoulder, ordering food and beer before heading to a table. Gannon and Fradio followed in silence. Watching them go, Zeeg clicked his tongue in annoyance but joined them, seating himself diagonally opposite Elmeria.

Becky passed the order for Aptonoth-Bullfango Ground Meat Sausage and Pickled Vegetables to the kitchen, then consulted the party's savings in an account book.

Hunters generally didn't carry their cash. Leaving it at the guesthouse risked theft, and losing it in the hunting grounds was a disaster they couldn't simply cry off.

To address this, the Guild offered to safekeep their money.

If hunters received their rewards directly, they tended to spend it all on food and drink immediately, which, while profitable for the gathering hall, left little for upgrading weapons and armor.

This increased the number of hunters unprepared for bigger challenges - an undesirable outcome for the Hunter's Guild.

Thus, to prevent unnecessary troubles and theft, the Guild offered to manage the hunters' payments in their stead.

Becky quickly flipped through the account book and checked Elmeria's balance.

She had spent a considerable amount restoring the Breath Core, leaving her savings below the average rookies' for a time. But now, her funds were back to a typical level.

The same was true for the other three.

Zeeg, in particular, seemed to have a goal in mind, evident from his accumulating savings and minimal spending. He was likely gathering what he needed directly from the hunting grounds.

A female Guild employee, clad in the Maiden set uniform, entered through the back door and placed a stack of report documents on the counter.

The report detailed the hunt from which Elmeria's team had just returned.

Showing little interest, Becky picked it up and skimmed through. According to the document, the cause of failure was excessive caution. The Rathian had escaped three times, and the party was unable to finish it off.

Surveying the details, Becky suspected Gannon's injury might have been another factor.

Under his helmet, his face was wrapped in bandages over his left eye. The report indicated he had been struck by Rathian poison. Though he had likely received prompt treatment, a long-term injury remained a possibility as the poison had affected his eye.

"Food's ready!" A voice called from the kitchen.

Becky closed the account book, stood up, and pushed open the hinged door to retrieve the food platter. It was brimming with grilled sausages, their aroma tantalizing. The slightest movement would cause the sausages' casings to burst, releasing savory juices and a sweet, meaty scent.

With one hand holding the platter, Becky deftly grabbed four mugs with the other, using one rim to knock off the beer barrel stopper and fill the mugs with frothy ale.

Once the mugs were full, she used one of their rims to replace the stopper, then pushed open the door between the counter and the hall with her hip, heading to the table where Zeeg and the others sat.

Everyone except Fradio had removed their helmets, but they apparently had yet to say a word to one another.

Despite the uneasy atmosphere, this was a common occurrence for parties returning from a failed quest.

"Sorry to keep you waiting. I've got some good stuff here to fill you up," Becky said, setting the platter on the glossy black table.

No matter how nauseatingly grim the mood, hunger always prevailed. Especially after nearly a week on the hunting grounds, where proper meals were out of the question.

Out there, the diet had consisted of little more than salt-cured meat or foraged mushrooms and honey.

These sausages, enhanced with a variety of spices, were a far cry from their meager rations.

And, of course, the beer was the crowning touch - moderately chilled and impossible to surpass.

As if on cue, the four hunters momentarily set aside their troubles and grabbed their mugs. They gulped down the golden nectar, frothy and bittersweet, with appreciative sighs.

"Kuhaah-!"

Elmeria let out a contented exhale, her mug slamming down on the table with little regard for any spilled beer.

Even Zeeg, who usually abstained from beer, drank with surprising gusto.

Becky, noting their mood, excused herself from their table and returned to the counter, pulling out a large teddy bear and cradling it in her arms.

It seemed, however, that Zeeg and the others were too absorbed in their thoughts to notice.

With forks in hand, they eagerly tackled the sausages, the sound of metal piercing the sizzling casings ringing clearly amid the lively din of the gathering hall.

A touch of color returned to Elmeria's otherwise somber face, her cheeks now flushed with a vivid rose.

Yet the silence lingered, an unfamiliar stillness that stood in stark contrast to the usual clamor following their quests.

When faced with failure, it's only natural to retreat into contemplation. Yet, something about today's silence felt different. It was simply... heavy.

Becky rested her chin on the teddy bear's head, her eyes drifting around. She noticed that most of the other hunters were watching Elmeria and her crew.

Here in Minegarde, these four were well-known, after all.

Elmeria, despite her youth, had earned a high Hunter Rank, and the Breath Core - an artifact so rare that it bordered on legend - was in her possession. No one had managed to recreate it with current technology. As for Zeeg, his defeat of a Monoblos alone was still talked about with awe, especially considering he had only started his career a year and a half ago.

Though young hunters were becoming more common, few had risen as quickly as these two had. Most didn't make it past the dangerous early years. Some fell in battle, others returned to their villages, and a few played it safe, taking their time to grow into the job.

But Elmeria and Zeeg - they were touched by luck. Natural talent played a part, yes, but it was the guidance of experienced hunters that had brought them to where they stood now.

And now, their recent failures had become the talk of the town.

The Guild, too, was watching them closely.

Points earned through quest completions contributed to each hunter's rank, but if a senior like Gannon did most of the work, the ranking system became less a reflection of individual skills and more a product of the team's effort. Yet, Becky didn't doubt Elmeria and Zeeg's abilities. If asked to write a report, she'd defend their competence. Her words would stand as proof, at least in part.

This time, they had been so close to finishing off the Rathian. The issue wasn't a lack of skill - it was the inability to take that final step.

Becky's gaze lingered on them, watching the silence stretch on, when a drunk hunter staggered from his seat, swaying toward the group.

The young man, his face flushed from drink, came closer. Becky recognized him as the one who had once tried to court Elmeria, only to be met with her cold indifference. He wore the Vespoid armor, crafted from the shells of giant bug monsters, and carried a lance and shield on his back.

Becky didn't intervene immediately. If things escalated to the point of weapons being drawn, she'd step in, of course - but hunters were used to brawling almost as much as they were to exchanging pleasantries.

"Ya guys~ Failed 'nother quest, eh~~?" the young man slurred, brushing his forelock out of his eyes.

Elmeria and Zeeg paused, their hands frozen mid-action, but he rambled on, oblivious to the tension.

"Like ay~e saiddd~ you should just join up with us~~ And then I- wiuugh-!?"

Two forks, both still skewering sausages, flew toward him with the precision of bowgunshots. Elmeria and Zeeg had thrown them in perfect unison, and if the sausages hadn't been on the tines, the forks might well have pierced his mouth. Realizing this, the young man's face drained of color. He tumbled backward, landing on his buttocks, his once-red complexion now ashen as he scrambled away from the table.

Elmeria and Zeeg both heaved a sigh, their hands reaching for the platter at the same moment, only to stop when their fingers brushed against each other. The pause was not borne of shyness - the way they glared at each other, eyes sharp and unwavering, gave the moment the air of a standoff between bitter adversaries.

"...So, you given any thought to what happened?" Zeeg broke the silence first, the words spilling out as if from a long-suppressed flood.

"''Thought''?" Elmeria's response was laced with contempt, a sharp snort escaping her nose. She licked the remnants of meat juice from her fingers, then casually wiped her hand on the table. "I don't have anything to reflect on."

"You seriously saying that?"

Zeeg's hands clenched into fists, his knuckles white against the wood of the table.

"What, you haven't figured it out? We end up like this because you decided to go off on your own!"

"When did I ever do that!?"

"When did you ever ''not''!?"

Zeeg's fist struck the table with a thud, and as though to retaliate, Elmeria's mug hit the tray with a resounding clang, sending the platter of sausages into the air.

The others at the table - the two adults - kept eating and drinking in silence, knowing better than to interfere unless things escalated further. Now, though, was not the time.

Ignoring the adults' entire presence, Elmeria and Zeeg locked eyes, leaning toward each other.

"What exactly did I do, huh?" Zeeg demanded, his voice sharp.

"You ''always'' jump in on your own!" Elmeria shot back. "Like with the Basarios hunt - didn't you just ignore what we said and keep swinging that damn sword? You completely wrecked our teamwork, and I ended up getting hurt because of it!!"

"That's because you didn't make things clear enough! Sure, taking them one by one is important, but do you think it's normal for us to not be able to finish even one after half a day? We had less time than usual on that quest! If you weren't happy with it, why didn't you step up and make a decision!?"

"Minimizing risk and maximizing the reward - that's what matters!" Elmeria's mug slammed down on the table again, her irritation spilling over. "Look, what's most important to hunters is coming back alive! And to keep everyone safe - it's obvious that takes time!"

"Yeah, well - there's a difference between prioritizing survival and being a coward!"

Elmeria stiffened, her eyes narrowing. "...So now you're calling me a coward?"

"Th-that's exactly what I'm saying!" Zeeg's voice faltered for a moment, as if he realized he'd gone too far, but his pride kept him from retreating.

Once the words were out, the floodgates had opened, and there was no stopping him now.

"You've been too damn careful lately!" His voice grew more heated. "You overthink everything, but you don't get it - there are things you can't plan for in the safety of the camp, things you can only learn when you're out there in the thick of it! Strategies are important, sure, but if the prey runs away, what good are all those plans? What's the point of being a hunter if you're not even hunting!?"

Elmeria's face reddened, but not from the alcohol. Her lips trembled, her teeth biting down hard as the flush spread across her cheeks, a deep, furious red, like ripened strawberries.

Zeeg averted his gaze from Elmeria and downed the rest of his beer in one swift motion. He grimaced, likely from the bitter taste still lingering on his tongue.

"...Tch, that's - I didn't even need you to say it," Elmeria muttered, her voice shaky.

Becky could tell it stemmed from something deeper than mere anger - she'd seen it before. The words Zeeg had spoken had struck a raw nerve.

Everything he'd said lined up too perfectly with the reports. Elmeria had been excessively cautious of late, a far cry from the bold, daring hunter she used to be.

Her role in the party had always been that of the fearless attacker, with Gannon backing her up to absorb the danger. If the main force hesitated, failure was inevitable.

"But-!!" Elmeria's voice wavered as her eyes began to glisten with the faintest sheen of tears. At first, it might have seemed like drunkenness, but a closer look revealed the vulnerability creeping in, threatening to spill over.

"The leader of this party is ''me''! I decide how we hunt! Don't you dare try to take control! This isn't your party! It's mine!!"

This time, Zeeg's expression shifted, his jaw tightening. He looked ready to spring from his seat and strike her at any moment.

Becky caught sight of Gannon, who, despite his apparent indifference, was keeping a close ear on the confrontation. His body was still, but the tension in his muscles spoke of readiness - a readiness to break some bones the moment things went too far.

Zeeg, perhaps sensing the threat from the large man, eventually sank back into his seat. He stared up at the ceiling, his breath deep and measured in an attempt to steady himself.

Reaching for the platter, he picked up a sausage and popped it into his mouth. He drained the last of his beer in one go, grimaced again, then stood up without a word.

"Wh-where do you think you're going?" Elmeria's voice wavered again, her confusion and frustration bubbling up.

"...Back to my room. I need a bath."

With that, Zeeg grabbed his Rathalos Helm and the luggage at his feet, turning away from the table. The Lacerator Blade+ on his back, caked with dirt, clinked as it swayed with his movement.

Elmeria didn't try to stop him.

Zeeg walked away without looking back, his face lost in thought. He didn't even acknowledge Becky as he passed - another rare occurrence. His focus seemed fixed on something far beyond the ''here and now''.

"What the... what's gotten into him?"

Elmeria's confusion still lingered as she drained her beer in one gulp, wiping away the foam around her lips. She glanced at Gannon and Fradio, seeking confirmation - and perhaps the reassurance that she hadn't been in the wrong.

As expected, Gannon gave a subtle nod, as if to say that Elmeria's actions were justified. Her expression softened, but Becky couldn't help but feel a twinge of unease at that attitude of theirs.

Gannon had always been lenient with Elmeria. He was her mentor, her protector, her loyal retainer - and while he was technically bound by duty to the aristocrats he had served, there was something more familial about their bond. Something that transcended mere obligation.

But he was getting too old for this - his years as a hunter were numbered. The day would come when Elmeria would need to stand on her own. Up until now, she'd been able to rely on Gannon's strength, but was she truly aware of that? Could she lead without him when the time came?

Listening to the leader was key to the success of a hunt. If each hunter acted alone, there would be no need for teams at all. But that didn't mean there was room for rigid rules or unquestioned authority. Hunters weren't bound by social status.

Even though the Guild had a ranking system, it wasn't meant to define one's worth. It simply ensured that each hunter took on tasks fitting their abilities. Lodgings and food were provided based on rank as well, not as a reflection of one's place in society, but rather as incentives - tokens of the Guild's faith in their members. A newcomer wouldn't even be able to afford the better rooms, anyway - keeping them out to begin with was a way of preventing unnecessary complaints.

Elmeria's attitude when speaking to Zeeg - her assertion of superiority - it was not at all subtle. It was no wonder Zeeg had grown angry. The problem wasn't just that Elmeria acted this way; it was that she didn't realize she was doing it. That was something Gannon should have kept in mind, though he remained silent, even nodding in approval of her actions. At this rate, Elmeria might never come to understand her own mistakes. And if she planned to continue as a hunter, that posed serious concerns for her future.

As for Fradio, he remained indifferent, seemingly untouched by the tension. He continued eating his sausages, slipping them beneath the rubber mask that hid his face from view.

The Guild had always respected its hunters' privacy, refusing to pry into their personal lives, which only deepened the mystery surrounding Fradio. Skill, above all, was what mattered. Becky, however, couldn't help but wonder about the man behind the mask.

"That guy just doesn't get it! Doesn't get it at all, does he!?" Elmeria's voice cut through the silence, her words aimed squarely at Gannon and Fradio, expecting agreement - but not response. "He's letting it go to his head! So he hunted a Monoblos, huh? So what!? If he can't even handle it after a year and a half with us, he should go back to the sticks! Right!? That stubborn little... stubborn... little...!!"

Her frown deepened, her forehead wrinkling as she slammed her mug down on the table with a force that made the wood creak. She lifted it high and waved it around.

"-Becky, more beer!"

"Coming right up."

Becky tucked her Sleepy Bear behind the counter and moved to collect the empty mugs.

"Anyone else want a refill?" she called, and several hands at other tables were raised in answer.

Turning back to the counter, she signaled to the other waitresses to gather the mugs. Their skirts, a bit shorter than hers, swished as they moved between tables, confirming orders. Becky made her way back to Elmeria's table and took the empty mug from her hand with a smile.

"Beer refill, right? ...Want some food to go with it?"

"Damn it all!" Zeeg's voice cracked through the room as he hurled his luggage at the wall.

The leather bag hit with a blunt thud, its contents rattling inside before it collapsed to the floor. Potion bottles rattled, some of them likely broken, but Zeeg paid no mind to the mess. His frustration was all-consuming, and the need to release his anger overrode any thought of consequence.

But throwing a bag did little to ease the rage within him. It continued to burn like molten rock, rising in waves that were impossible to quell.

His eyes locked onto the bed before him, its neat, well-made surface mocking him. A flicker of temptation stirred - he reached for the handle of his greatsword, fingers curling around the hilt as he glared at the bed, imagining how it would feel to cleave it in two. A single blow would be equal to a wyvern's bite, sending shards of wood flying, and the feathers from the mattress would scatter through the air. The thought of watching such destruction might have soothed him - if only for a moment.

But the thought passed just as quickly. Cleaning up the aftermath would only add to the weight on his shoulders.

The room he rented, the Bishop Room, was filled with fine furniture and high-quality appliances. It would be easy to destroy it all, but given the mounting expenses he already faced, adding to them would be nothing short of reckless.

With a resigned sigh, Zeeg set his greatsword aside and hung it carefully on the wall before sinking into the chair.

Though lighter than metal armor, the Rathalos set, made from wyvern shells, still carried a weight that tugged at his body. The chair creaked under his shift, as if it might break at any moment. Zeeg had little patience for discomfort, but he didn't want to lie down on the bed still wearing his dusty armor.

"Damn it..." he muttered, dropping his helmet onto the round table and pulling off the leather strap that held his hair in place. His dark hair fell free, thick with the scent of sweat and dust. It felt greasy and clung uncomfortably to his skin.

He noticed how long it had grown, the strands brushing against his cheeks, reminding him of his earlier days.

The strap, still in his hand, was the same one he had used since leaving his village. A damaged scale from the first Yian Kut-Ku he had slain decorated it - a token of his earlier triumphs.

When he thought back to those days, he couldn't help but feel a mixture of pride and embarrassment. He had been so immature then, so full of ambition, so eager to prove himself. But now, with the weight of experience behind him, how did he feel about who he had become?

What did he think of himself?

To be able to hunt a Monoblos on his own had been a mark of progress. He wasn't one to boast, but the wyvern's remains were proof enough of his skills. And yet, the recognition he had earned didn't bring the satisfaction it once might have. Occasionally, he even received requests from clients who specifically sought him out. But those jobs felt... hollow.

Now that he'd hunted almost every known monster at least once, each hunt was beginning to blur together.

The Plesioth, with its gargantuan size. The armor-plated Gravios. He had taken down many Basarios and Rathians, though the latter hunts had proven less successful of late. Even his transport of Wyvern Eggs had grown repetitive - the same tasks over and over again.

("Yeah... It's getting boring,") Zeeg thought to himself, swaying slightly in his chair, the creaks growing louder.

He glanced out the window, where a small black speck moved across the wide expanse of blue sky. From the size, he could tell it was a Yian Kut-Ku, probably driven away from the hunting grounds by other hunters. It wouldn't come anywhere near the city, of course.

Suddenly, Zeeg's thoughts shifted to Freda.

Freda Esgrand, a girl from his village, was a solitary hunter who had earned the recognition of Kokoto's legendary Hero. She had been entrusted with his sword, a symbol of her worth.

Adorned in armor crafted from the pale white hides of the Khezu, she had become an icon, a symbol of perseverance to many hunters, her unwavering determination sparking hope within them.

Yet, that same determination made her unsuited for hunting alongside others. Her refusal to yield, her resolve to never give up, was a double-edged sword. It could lead her comrades to their deaths, or worse, her own.

Despite this, she clung to her dream of becoming a hero. Even after the people hailed her as a new champion, she did not rest. She continued to hone her skills, to swing her sword, driven by a desire to help those in need.

Once, Freda had told Zeeg that it was harder for a hunter to keep being just a hunter. Those words, also spoken by the Hero of Kokoto, had stuck with him.

Now, Zeeg understood their weight.

Though he had achieved some measure of success in hunting, he found little satisfaction in it. The gratification that once came so easily now felt distant, as if he had grown numb to his victories. The risks remained, of course - one slip-up, one moment of carelessness, could end his life - but he had begun to grow accustomed to them.

("And that's no good at all.")

Zeeg recognized that his respect for the monsters he hunted was beginning to fade.

Lately, he had been hunting for little more than money and materials for his weapon.

This, he realized, was a betrayal of the hunter's original philosophy: to take lives only in the service of humanity's survival. That was the commandment he had embraced.

The thought crossed his mind then - maybe it was time to stop hunting, to find another way to live. But as soon as the notion settled in his mind, it was as if the ground beneath him had opened into an endless chasm.

A cold sweat broke out across his skin.

It was a different kind of fear from facing a wyvern, but it gripped him just the same.

It reminded him that there was no escaping his path. No other life he could possibly choose.

To stop being a hunter would mean the end of everything. His life would crumble into an empty shell. It was far too soon for that. As long as his body could keep moving, he would press on, dying only when his strength failed him on the hunting grounds.

That, he realized, was his ideal life as a hunter.

("Damn it, I'm too damn young to be having a mid-life crisis!") He scolded himself, embarrassed at the thought of an eighteen-year-old brat complaining about the mundanity of life as though he knew everything.

He gathered his thoughts, determined to uncover the source of his discontent.

It didn't take long to trace it back - there was no need to search far into the past.

Half a year ago, after he had hunted the Monoblos alone, he had been genuinely content with his life. The thrill of that victory had filled him with a rush that still made his heart race just to remember.

That was the moment when life had felt the most full.

And so, Zeeg traced the change. It was after that point - when the hunts with his team started to go wrong. The failures had been gradual at first, but recently, they had escalated.

He also remembered when he first started to feel frustrated with Elmeria's strategies. Her cautiousness, her unwillingness to take risks, had begun to bother him.

Normally, he and Elmeria would argue often, but recently, their disputes had become less playful and more serious, touching on matters that required real consideration.

Yet, no matter how much he argued, Elmeria would never listen. Gannon, as always, sided with her, and Fradio seemed to take no side at all.

All Fradio cared about was playing around with Gypceros, so much so that he seemed indifferent to the need for new weapons or armor - unless, of course, they were made from Gypceros's unique Rubbery Hides. In a way, his lack of concern for the team's failures made sense.

But Zeeg was different.

What frustrated him the most was the sting of rejection - like being struck by Ioprey poison - his suggestions dismissed even though he was certain they would improve things.

It was then that Zeeg remembered Elmeria's words back at the gathering hall, and a thought struck him with sudden clarity.

''"This isn't your party! It's mine!!"''

That was what she had said.

Indeed, this was her party. She was the one in charge.

Elmeria decided what requests they would take and which ones they wouldn't, though she did, in theory, welcome input from others. But ultimately, the final decision always rested with her.

And Zeeg, joining her party, had technically been the Guild Master's doing. It only made sense that Elmeria called the shots when it came to their strategies.

("Oh, come on, how could I have missed something so simple?")

Zeeg felt the fog in his mind lift as the realization hit him. It was like a ghost that had been possessing him down had finally slipped away.

It was simple, really. If he didn't like the way things were going, there was nothing stopping him from leaving. No contracts, no binding agreements.

And then, he could form his own party - one where he was the leader, hunting on his own terms.

The thought thrilled him. He stood up, unable to contain the surge of excitement that he hadn't felt in quite a while.

His own party. The idea was irresistible.

He imagined it - his party, with a distinct hunting philosophy. He could create something as iconic as the Crimson Avian Wings, renowned for their mastery over Yian Kut-Ku, or the Giant Spiders, who only hunted neopterons. There were others too, those who dedicated themselves to hunting particular wyverns like Khezu or Gypceros.

For Zeeg, the wyvern he considered his true rival was Rathalos. The Rathalos - the wyvern of wyverns.

To Zeeg, it was the ultimate challenge, the one adversary that would always test him, no matter how many times he faced it. Even the smallest lapse in concentration could cost him a limb or his life. Only in battle with such a foe did his blood truly boil with excitement.

If he wanted to build a party that would challenge such a mighty opponent, it wouldn't be enough to focus only on individual strength. His team would need to be trained together, learning to work as one unit. That, too, was part of the thrill.

Perhaps Elmeria was after something similar for her own party - though, in the end, they had each been striving for something different. Or perhaps they had simply drifted apart along the way.

It was unfortunate, but it was the way things had turned out.

And that was why Zeeg no longer felt at home.

("Alright! I'll form a party of my own! One that's truly mine - on my own terms!")

The future looked bright - but Zeeg knew that assembling a new team in this city would not be easy.

Elmeria's party was renowned here, and skilled hunters would be hesitant to join a boy who had just left her ranks.

It was painful to admit, but it made sense. Who wouldn't want to be part of Elmeria's party over his?

Though this realization annoyed him, Zeeg found himself remarkably calm. Could this be the kind of clarity that comes with becoming more seasoned as a hunter?

He bent down and retrieved the leather bag he'd thrown against the wall, inspecting its contents. Fortunately, none of the bottles had broken. The only other items inside were a change of clothes and some equipment maintenance tools.

The materials from his last hunt were being sent separately, and there was no immediate need for them. A delayed delivery wasn't a problem.

He pulled out the necessary items from his item box and packed them carefully into the bag. Then, opening the Guild Handbook, Zeeg began searching for information on other cities.

The closer to Minegarde, the better.

The area surrounding Minegarde was known for its excellent hunting grounds. Though not necessarily the same ones managed by the local Guild, they lay within fertile lands, rich with opportunity.

He paused, wondering if Elmeria would be disappointed in him for leaving. But the thought didn't linger long. He was convinced she wouldn't be.

Zeeg shook his head, brushing the thoughts aside, and sat cross-legged on the floor, diving back into the handbook with renewed focus.

Elmeria groaned as the morning light cut through her eyelids, piercing her skull like needles.

She tried to lift her arm, feeling as though it were weighed down by the hands of ten people, struggling to shield her eyes from the blinding daylight.

A long exhale escaped her lips, but it did nothing to banish the overwhelming stench of alcohol that assaulted her senses.

It was as if she'd been dunked into a barrel of beer, her blood turned to fermented liquid gold.

"Young Mistress, I believe it is time for you to wake up."

Even Gannon's normally soothing voice now felt like a hammer striking a metal basin. The sound rang from her head, down into her stomach, sending waves of nausea through her.

She knew exactly how she had ended up in this miserable state.

Too much to drink. Far too much.

She had stayed in the gathering hall well past dinner, neglecting to bathe, drinking until the line between memory and oblivion blurred.

She couldn't even remember how much she had consumed - or what she had done or said during that time.

As she slowly got up, she realized her armor had been removed, though her undershirt remained, stained and unkempt. Even Gannon wouldn't have dared to remove her clothes.

And Elmeria, of course, would never have allowed herself to be seen in such a state - not even by a foster parent. Especially not by a foster parent.

In any case, at that moment, Elmeria was a complete wreck.

Her undershirt was stained and reeked of beer, likely from spills she had caused herself. That was probably why, when she first awoke, she felt as if she had been trapped inside a barrel of the stuff.

There were also dark red stains, probably blood, though it was unclear whether it was her own or someone else's. From the quantity, it was clear it hadn't come from a monster.

As she attempted to gather her hair, something caught her fingers.

Her hair was matted with dirt, dried alcohol, and something else she couldn't quite identify. The thought of trying to fix it made her feel an intense sense of dread. It would take far too much effort - far more than she cared to deal with at the moment.

She turned her swollen eyes toward the window, and there was Gannon in his usual dress suit, opening the curtains and tying them up neatly with strings. His face was wrapped in fresh bandages, the neatness of the wrapping stark against the sloppy way she had tended to him before. She winced at the thought.

"Would you like me to prepare breakfast?" he asked.

The mere thought of food made her stomach churn. She wanted to throw up the remnants of last night, but strangely, nothing came up. It seemed her body had already processed whatever it had taken in.

"No... just... water," Elmeria croaked, her voice hoarse and unrecognizable.

She was startled by the sound of it. Her mouth felt sticky, as though it hadn't seen moisture in far too long. Gannon placed a pitcher and a small cup on the table, pouring the water and handing it to her. She drank greedily, feeling the coolness spread throughout her mouth, though there was still that faint, strange taste lingering in her throat.

"What's wrong with me...?" she muttered, almost to herself, as Gannon poured another cup of water.

"A slight overconsumption of beer, I would presume," he replied, his tone dry but gentle. "Your behavior was... less than admirable."

"...Sorry," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Normally, she was meticulous about her drinking. She had always known her limits, sipping moderately even during large gatherings. But last night... last night had been different. She couldn't seem to stop, not with Zeeg's attitude constantly nagging at her thoughts.

It wasn't that Elmeria didn't care about the team's recent failures - she did. But she saw things differently than Zeeg. To him, perhaps her caution seemed like cowardice, but to her, nothing was worse than the idea of ending a hunt with someone injured, or worse, dead.

If Zeeg had slain that Rathian but lost an arm in the process, what would that victory even mean? It might be worth it if such hunts were rare, once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, but for hunters like them, whose lives depended on the next hunt, that kind of price wasn't worth paying.

If it meant losing a part of her body just to succeed, she would rather choose failure.

That was the way she saw it. It was her duty.

But why didn't he understand that? The frustration churned inside her, and before she realized it, she had ordered herself another drink to try to wash it down.

She passed the empty cup to Gannon with a long, tired sigh.

She would have to talk to Zeeg. If she didn't - if she didn't make him understand that she wasn't just being a coward, she was certain he would get hurt, and badly. She made up her mind. She would do it, but first...

She needed to take a bath.

There was no way she was going anywhere, especially not to confront Zeeg, while smelling like this. The boy would never let her live it down - he'd probably make some mocking comment, or worse. It would be unbearable.

"Gannon, could you prepare the bath?"

"At once."

Gannon bowed and exited the room, making his way to the guest house manager. The Queen Rooms offered a private bathroom for tenants, should they wish to use it.

Elmeria sighed deeply once more. Then, as she turned, the sound of laughter reached her ears from the direction of the window.

Fradio was perched there, his usual gear lending him the air of an executioner about to swing an axe, crouched on the window frame like a mischievous primate.

"Late to rise today, aren't we?" he teased.

"Yeah. Got a bit too carried away last night," Elmeria admitted, rubbing her temples. "I didn't even manage to bathe... It's dreadful."

"Quite the state you're in," Fradio observed dryly.

"I know, I know... You don't need to rub it in."

Elmeria pouted in irritation. The last hunt had offered no chance to cleanse herself properly. Had it been in the Forest and Hills, she might have managed, but the Jungle was another story entirely. The air had been thick and muggy, the temperature sweltering, and the river water - far from clear.

"You doing alright, Fradio?" she asked, eyeing him suspiciously.

"Me? Of course. I didn't drink much, and I had a proper breakfast - scrambled eggs, sliced sausages, and plenty of cheese-"

"W-wait, stop!" Elmeria interjected, holding up her hands in a panic. The mere description made her stomach churn.

She searched her mind for any recollection of Fradio's drinking habits the previous night, but came up blank. He could be suffering from a hangover still, though with that helmet of his, she couldn't read his expression.

The nausea eased a bit, and Elmeria licked her lips, trying to shake off the unease.

"Oh, by the way... Where's that guy?"

"Who?" Fradio blinked, his head tilting slightly beneath his helmet, the sharp, goat-like horns making his posture even more curious.

Elmeria felt irritation surge again. He was playing dumb, acting as though he didn't know exactly who she meant. Fradio always positioned himself between her and the others, mediating, though his true enjoyment often came from the reactions he stirred with his teasing.

"...Zeeg. Where is he? He hasn't shown his face, and if he's just too embarrassed to come because of his attitude, well, I suppose I'll forgive him."

"Ah, him..." Fradio's red eyes seemed to glimmer behind his mask as he answered casually, "I'm afraid he already left town."

Elmeria froze, her mind struggling to catch up with the words.

''Left town? Was he out for a walk or something? No, that wasn't right - Fradio wouldn't have phrased it that way...''

"Wh-what do you mean, ''left''?" Elmeria's voice tightened in disbelief as she found herself standing by the window.

Fradio's eyes gleamed with a hint of amusement. "He caught the first carriage out this morning. It wasn't one from the Hunter's Guild, so he might've gone back to his village..."

Reaching beneath his mask, Fradio scratched his chin, as if the whole situation were some kind of puzzle he was savoring.

When the words finally sank in - he ''actually'' left - Elmeria's fury ignited like wildfire. Without a second thought, she bolted from her room, as though she might outrun the storm inside her.

"That... that Goddamned idiot-!"

Her anger coiled around her chest like a wyvern's tail, tight and seething.

"Young Mistress!?"

Gannon's voice reached her, but she didn't pause. She didn't have time for pleasantries or explanations. Elmeria dashed down the corridor, her footsteps heavy, each stride sounding like a hunter stamping dirt off the soles of their boots. She reached the Bishop Room where Zeeg had been staying and, without hesitation, slammed her fist against the door.

She knew, of course, that he was gone - but something compelled her to check anyway. Perhaps, against all odds, he had returned. Perhaps there would be some sign he hadn't run off entirely.

But as expected, no answer came.

But maybe - just maybe - he had rushed back in a hurry and had fallen asleep again. Elmeria raised her hand to knock once more, but the sound of approaching footsteps stopped her. The manager of the guest house appeared, his eyes wide with concern from the racket she had caused.

"If you're looking for the hunter who stayed in that room," he said quickly, "he left this morning!"

"Tell me where he went!" Elmeria demanded, grabbing the manager by his collar. His face flushed a deep red, as though the desert heat had suddenly struck him. Elmeria wasn't sure why she was so angry, only that she couldn't seem to control it.

"I-I don't know! Wouldn't it be better to ask Becky!? She's the one who handles the comings and goings of the hunters, not me!"

Elmeria's teeth clenched. With a sharp click of her tongue, she shoved the manager aside, though she did so with more force than she had intended. He staggered back, slamming against the door, and let out a small groan of pain as he crumpled to the floor.

Ignoring him entirely, Elmeria turned on her heel and descended another flight of stairs. Lower-ranked hunters peeked out of their rooms, curious about the disturbance, but quickly averted their gazes when they met her fiery stare. She stormed past them, out of the guest house and into the bright midday light.

The clear sky above seemed to mock her with the reminder that it was already past noon. As if in response to the rising tide of frustration, Elmeria's head throbbed painfully, a sharp pain pulsing as though there was a heart beating inside her skull. Normally, the commotion of the marketplace would have been a welcome distraction, but today, it only grated against her ears. She pushed through it, each step a battle against her own senses.

Her mind was consumed by one thing: Zeeg had left, and she had no idea why.

With determination fueling her, Elmeria flung open the door to the gathering hall, only to be immediately assaulted by the stench of tobacco and stale alcohol. It was a sickening smell, and her stomach turned, threatening to rebel. The day drinkers all turned their eyes toward her, no doubt shocked by her appearance. She hadn't looked in a mirror, but the expressions she met told her everything she needed to know - she must have looked like a corpse.

She limped to the counter, clinging to it for support as she locked eyes with Becky - whose carefree demeanor was like a slap in the face today.

"I'm guessing you're looking for Zeeg," Becky said, her tone knowing, almost too calm. "But sorry, but I can't tell you where he went."

"Why not!?" Elmeria shouted, slamming her fist on the countertop. The impact made the entire hall fall silent, as if it was turned into a wyvern's lair.

Becky merely shrugged, her indifference infuriating.

"Did Zeeg ask you not to say anything...?" Elmeria's voice faltered for a moment - for reasons she couldn't explain, she asked it almost fearfully, her anger momentarily giving way to uncertainty.

Becky paused, her expression unreadable, before she nodded.

A sudden weakness swept over Elmeria, draining the strength from her knees. She felt the urge to sink to the floor, yet, somehow, she remained standing - propped up only by her hands clutching the countertop. A swirl of emotions, none of them anger or frustration, sapped what little energy she had left. She felt humiliated.

"I knew something was off when he left without a word," Becky said as she grasped Elmeria's arm to steady her. "But I'm sure he thought it through. It would have been hard for him to part ways with you all, don't you think?"

"Then why did he leave in the first place!?" Elmeria's voice trembled with confusion. "Doesn't that seem strange to you!?"

She still couldn't make sense of it. Sure, they'd fought - a big argument, at that - but it wasn't as though that was anything new. Leaving the party without a word, just walking away from everything... it didn't sit right with her.

"Without us, he'd have been torn apart by some monster by now! I can't believe he's repaid us by doing this! What a disgrace to the hunters' code of loyalty!"

Becky let out a long, slow sigh. "I'm not saying I don't get where you're coming from, but Zeeg didn't break any Guild rules. You know how it goes - hunters team up for the hunt, but once the quest ends, the party is dissolved. It's by the book. After that, each hunter is free to choose their next team, or if they're not interested, to go their own way."

Elmeria shot her a sharp look, her eyes narrowing as she barely contained her frustration.

She knew that. Of course she knew that. It was the same technicality they'd all heard a thousand times. She wasn't angry at Becky, but at the situation, at the senselessness of it all.

"Elmeria," Becky said, her tone turning serious, "do you really not know why he did it?"

"No, I... I don't."

It wasn't out of stubbornness. She was admitting she truly didn't know. The arguments - those were part of the daily routine. Yesterday's fight wasn't the reason. It couldn't be. After all, there had been worse. Like the time they had both thrown hands, and it had taken Gannon to break them up.

Becky leaned forward on the counter, glancing around, ensuring no one else could hear. She lowered her voice to a near whisper.

"Yesterday, you said something to him, didn't you? Something like, ''This isn't your party, it's mine.''"

A knot tightened in Elmeria's stomach. She did remember saying that.

But it felt like such an obvious statement - a fact, nothing more. What was the issue?

Becky's troubled expression only deepened. "That's exactly it," she grumbled. "Zeeg must have realized he wouldn't be able to hunt the way he wanted to if he stayed with your party. That's what the fight yesterday was about, wasn't it?"

The pieces fell into place.

Lately, Elmeria had been growing increasingly frustrated with Zeeg's tendency to act on his own whims. But now, she realized he was just as irritated with her.

"...That idiot just doesn't get it," Elmeria muttered, the words sharp, as if she were spitting them out.

Of course, he didn't understand - not the way she did. Not what it truly meant to lead a party.

It wasn't just about giving orders or taking the lead on a hunt. It was about shouldering the responsibility for others' lives.

Hunters, by nature, were individuals. They were ultimately responsible for their own survival. But when they teamed up for a hunt, the decisions of the leader held weight beyond their own life - they could mean life or death for everyone involved.

A leader wasn't obligated to carry the burden of every injury or death, but the wound would remain, buried deep within. Zeeg, naïve as he was, had no idea how heavy that burden could be.

"I know what you're thinking, Elmeria. But you also know you can't control how Zeeg feels, right? Every hunter wants their own party eventually. It's just his time, that's all. And honestly, for now, I think it's probably for the best."

"...What do you mean?" Elmeria asked, her voice trailing off.

"Well... aren't your recent failures a result of being too careful? Trying too hard to protect Zeeg from danger?"

Elmeria's skin prickled at the words.

She had never considered it that way before. She tried to laugh it off, but the tension in her neck and the stiffness of her posture betrayed her. Her face may have said otherwise, but her body had already confirmed Becky's words.

Becky gently rested her hand on Elmeria's, her touch soft and sympathetic.

"It's not like you won't see him again. But right now, things are a little too awkward, don't you think? I'd suggest giving him some space for a while. This time apart might be important for him too, to figure things out on his own."

Elmeria could feel the weight of Becky's advice settle into her chest.

What she meant was, if Zeeg truly wanted a party of his own, Elmeria couldn't stand in the way. If she did, he might act out of spite, out of frustration with her.

She understood that, fully.

But understanding didn't make the ache in her heart any less raw. She didn't feel any more at peace. So, without a word, Elmeria ordered a beer, then another. She drank in silence, pushing the thoughts aside, letting the alcohol blur the edges of her mind until the sun set.

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Monster Hunter:Volume3 Chapter1

2025-05-29T15:51:33Z

Barnnn: whole text replaced with new translation

== Chapter 1 - Irritation ==

[[File:MH-v03-001.jpg|300px|thumb]]

Here, there was no soothing feel of fresh grass brushing one's cheeks, only the discomfort of insect fangs piercing through the gaps in one's armor.

The jungle's temperature was stifling. Cool breezes from the nearby river provided some relief, but the air remained oppressively hot.

While technically on the same level, the jungle's heat differed from the desert's dry swelter, feeling like an additional layer of soaked clothing clinging to the skin.

Zeeg Grandest found it curious that armor crafted from fire wyvern shells, while excellent at blocking external heat, also efficiently dispersed internal warmth. If it weren't for this feature, he wouldn't have been able to stay hidden in the bushes for the past hour, awaiting his prey.

An entire day had passed since the hunt began. According to the Hunter's Guild contract, less than an hour remained before the carriage would arrive to collect them.

If that happened, the hunt would be deemed a failure - a prospect the party was determined to avoid. Losing the quest's contract fee was disappointing, but their reputation was of greater concern. Consecutive failures would mean fewer quality hunting requests.

Moreover, the wyvern population was sparse. A request to hunt a wyvern was made only in dire circumstances, so naturally, the Guild assigned such quests to the most capable hunters.

While a hunter's rank played a role, recent achievements were given priority. Prolonged absences from hunting led to rusty skills. Even a high rank meant little if it had been years since the hunter last faced a wyvern.

Zeeg currently belonged to a party renowned for its prestigious achievements. They had hunted a wide variety of wyverns, and at just eighteen, Zeeg owned a rare armor set crafted from the scales and shells of the formidable fire wyvern Rathalos.

He knew, of course, that this was not a feat achieved by his strength alone, but through the combined efforts of his comrades.

Without moving any other part of his body, Zeeg shifted his gaze to the left, toward the base of the cliff.

From the bushes, a pair of sand-colored horns jutted upwards, as if to pierce the sky.

These horns adorned the shoulder pads of the Diablo Mail, a piece of armor crafted from the horns and shells of the desert-dwelling wyvern Diablos.

The large man wearing this armor had fortified his entire upper body with it, while his lower body was protected by armor made from the shells of the Gravios, also known as the armor wyvern.

Despite being encased in heavy armor, he was far from a coward - that much was evident from the Field Horn hanging at his waist.

Manufactured with unique engineering techniques, the horn emitted a sound that drew the attention of monsters.

Only those who had faced wyverns before could truly appreciate the courage required to blow the horn in the presence of such beasts.

That large man, still active in his hunting career at the age of sixty, was Gannon Denon. Though his originally black hair was now streaked with white, his physical strength remained undiminished.

Gannon's Diablo Spear might not possess special attributes like the Hellfire Lance, which could emit flames and scorch its targets, but its superior sharpness allowed it to pierce through tougher wyvern scales.

Beyond the shoulder pads, a pair of small horns shook - a feature of Gannon's helmet. Though Zeeg could not see the man's face, he felt the weight of an intimidating stare directed at him; he quickly turned his gaze back to the front.

Their prey this time would descend from the sky, but the threats they faced were not confined to that alone.

In addition to the sky, there were three entrances to their current position: a log bridge across the river, a large opening in the cliff, and a narrow path between the river and the cliff.

Fortunately, the giant insect monsters like Vespoids and Hornetaurs, which seemed to multiply endlessly no matter how many were slain, were absent today.

Zeeg couldn't decide if this was due to a change in the climate or an omen of things to come, but it certainly made their task easier.

Normally, they would have to contend with these giant bugs, each the size of large dogs, with carapaces as sharp as knives and needles that injected paralyzing toxins.

Hearing a faint rustling, Zeeg turned his gaze toward the river. ''"Think of the Neopterons and they doth appear"'' - something like that had happened before.

However, this time, the movement in the patch of damp grass was not caused by a bug.

A giant flower seemed to bloom among the lush greenery, its spike-shaped petals gleaming with a metallic silver sheen.

No, that was no flower.

In the jungle, there were giant flowers that emitted the scent of rotten flesh, but just as Gannon's armor was not a monster, this was no flower. It was the waistpiece of an armor set designed to resemble one.

This piece was crafted from materials obtained from the female fire wyvern Rathian, fashioned to look like an elegant evening dress made of steel. Although the waist armor worn by this girl was weaker in terms of defense compared to her previous gear, it offered the advantage of reduced weight.

Still, Zeeg suspected there was another reason why this girl, Elmeria Franport, a year younger than him, had switched to armor with lower defense.

The timing of her change to the Rathian set had coincided with Zeeg's switch to his newly acquired Rathalos set. It was clear she didn't want to wear the same armor as him.

In fact, one of their comrades, Fradio Heart, had already joked about it, saying,

''"Hehehe... Matching armor sets, I see..."''

Even if he meant no harm, it had left both Zeeg and Elmeria feeling embarrassed and awkward. Still, Zeeg couldn't fathom that being enough reason to change armor, especially when it was a matter of life and death.

("...Seriously, does she dislike it that much?")

Zeeg often found himself irked when he saw that armor. It wasn't just because of its appearance, but also because of the girl wearing it.

In Elmeria's hands was a unique hunk of metal - a hammer, which seemed too heavy for her slender arms.

The hammer was a difficult weapon to master, focusing on powerful, pulverizing swings while completely neglecting defense. Despite this, Elmeria chose to forego some parts of her armor for better mobility; even a single hit from a monster could prove fatal.

The only reason she could adopt such a risky, attack-focused style was because she hunted in a party, with Gannon drawing the monsters' attacks away from her.

("...Isn't she becoming more of a coward lately?") Zeeg thought as he furtively observed her profile and her long blonde hair, tied at the nape of her neck.

He couldn't shake the feeling that Elmeria's recent decisions had been overly cautious. While it was a leader's duty to ensure the safety of their comrades and know when to retreat - for only then would they be considered a proper hunter - there was a fine line between prudence and cowardice.

During this hunt, they had seen many opportunities to strike. Yet, Elmeria had always opted for the safest route, avoiding any risks.

Even when Zeeg insisted things would go well, she dismissed his suggestions. She would insist on using medicine for the slightest wounds, ones that could almost be ignored.

("...I'm not just some little brat, dammit...")

From Elmeria's perspective, she probably didn't consider him even halfway experienced enough to make such calls. But Zeeg knew his own body and capabilities well.

Suppressing the urge to click his tongue in annoyance, he redirected his focus ahead.

If he continued dwelling on such thoughts, he wouldn't be able to act effectively at the crucial moment - a moment that could decide between life and death.

Suddenly, a faint sound of grass being stepped on reached his ears, and Zeeg held his breath.

As faint as it was, he knew Gannon and Elmeria had also heard it.

He strained his eyes, peering into the darkness beyond the large opening in the cliff. Having just adjusted to the brightness, it took a moment for his vision to focus.

Gradually, he discerned the orange hue of a rotting fruit emerging from the shadows.

Of course, the darkness itself wasn't literally rotting.

A short gasp escaped Zeeg's throat, and he felt the damp sweat forming under his red armor.

The color took shape, revealing a crested head protruding from the darkness.

("It just has to be Ioprey...") Zeeg groaned from the depths of his abdomen.

These creatures were the most troublesome among small carnivores. Their throats housed Poison Sacs, and they hunted by repeatedly spitting poison at their prey, weakening them before swarming with numbers.

And the one that had just appeared wasn't alone.

One crested head after another emerged from the opening in the cliff, each one sniffing the air for the scent of prey.

Five in total - under normal circumstances, this number wouldn't be worrisome.

But now was a very bad time. The plan was for Fradio to lure their real target here. If a melee broke out in this location, even an Iodrome would pose a significant threat.

Zeeg lifted his waist slightly and reached for the handle of his greatsword, the Lacerator Blade+, but stopped when he felt a piercing glare from behind.

Turning carefully to avoid detection by the Iopreys, Zeeg's eyes met Elmeria's unsparing blue-green gaze. Her message was clear: "Don't make a move."

Zeeg responded with some gestures, suggesting, "It would be better for us to take them down first." Even Gannon's formidable Diablo armor wouldn't protect against poison, and handling the Iopreys while fighting their real target would be too much.

Elmeria replied, to his astonishment - she raised a finger and pointed to the riverbank.

("Step aside!?")

As if reading his mind, Elmeria nodded. She wanted them to withdraw and wait for the Iopreys to leave.

She wasn't joking, apparently.

Right now, Fradio should be in the process of luring the real target from its nest to this location. The distant sounds of his heavy bowgun echoed through the jungle, and the trained noses of hunters could detect the distinct scent of Paint Bullets he had fired.

Any second now, it would be here.

This was undoubtedly their last chance for this hunt. If it fell apart at the last moment because of some Iopreys, the frustration would be unbearable.

Zeeg, averting his gaze from Elmeria, moved silently and reached for his Lacerator Blade+ with his gauntleted hand. He heard a reproachful hiss from behind. Elmeria was clearly exhaling through her teeth in a menacing manner as a warning, but he pretended not to notice.

At that moment, the Iopreys broke into a commotion, their cries filling the air.

Zeeg thought they had been discovered, but that wasn't the case. Observing the Ioprey pack splitting left and right as if to make way for something, he peered curiously into the darkness once more.

A prominent violet crest, dense with poison, emerged from the shadows, towering about two heads higher than the Iopreys. Beneath its head, a large swollen throat sac swelled. From the other side of the small hill, it glared menacingly at the Ioprey pack with eyes that gleamed like drops of golden ink.

("So there's an Iodrome as well...") Zeeg thought, feeling impatience burning in his chest.

Iopreys usually acted in independent groups, but sometimes they followed a certain creature as their leader - an Iodrome. While its size wasn't as formidable as other wyverns, its toughness was on par with Yian Kut-Kus.

Iopreys primarily preyed on giant bugs, but any creature that disturbed their territory would face their resistance. This area, unquestionably, was one of their prime feeding grounds.

Even if the group decided to retreat, they wouldn't escape unnoticed. The sharp-sighted Iodrome ensured that staying hidden was not an option, either.

They could let their real target, expected to appear soon, engage the Iopreys, but that strategy was fraught with uncertainty.

Besides, if they leaped into the ensuing chaos, all the monsters would inevitably turn their attention to them instead.

("Gotta get rid of them now,") Zeeg decided.

While Elmeria led the group, none of the other hunters were beneath her. They had all contributed to the contract fee and the hunt itself. If the request went unfulfilled, Zeeg would lose his share of the fee and damage his reputation. He couldn't afford to let that happen.

Gripping the handle of his Lacerator Blade+, Zeeg rose to his feet. ''"No!"'' Elmeria's sharp cry mingled with the river's flow, but he paid it no mind.

Now no decision was needed; with her outburst, Elmeria had unwittingly given away her location.

Zeeg surged forward, the wind brushing the grassy-scented sweat from his skin. Once in range, he stopped, twisted his waist to unhinge the sword from his back, gripped and pulled the handle, then brought the blade down in an overhead slash.

Retractable blades sprang from the sword's body like wyvern fangs, embedding themselves in the head of an Ioprey and pinning it to the damp earth.

He yanked his weapon up and spun in a sweeping arc, splitting the Ioprey's skull. The blade cleaved through another Ioprey's legs, tearing flesh and bone.

With a shriek, the Ioprey collapsed.

The remaining Iopreys screamed in unison. Zeeg listened to their high-pitched cries as he raised his sword for another overhead slash, decapitating another Ioprey.

Amidst the gushing body fluids, Zeeg took advantage of his sword's recoil to execute a sideways evasive roll.

Where Zeeg had stood moments ago, the ground was now stained with blood and bluish-purple toxin. The once vibrant greenery wilted and discolored before his eyes.

Springing up, he swiftly sliced through the neck of another Ioprey. The creature fell, its crested head spinning in the air before landing at his feet. Noticing the neck swell, Zeeg leaped aside as a mix of toxin and saliva sprayed a nearby tree, causing it to smolder and emit white smoke.

''So far, so good'', he thought, but then the clear sky suddenly darkened.

A fierce gust of wind blew in from the front, followed by a thunderous roar that shook the hot, damp atmosphere, sending ripples across the river's surface.

("It's here!")

Zeeg gripped his sword tightly and peered through his helmet's visor.

The creature spread its wings, a powerful gust dispersing the poisonous mists and swaying the branches of the trees.

The Iodrome raised its head and cried out, a declaration of its claim to this territory.

But then, a head on a long neck descended from the sky, clamping down on the Iodrome's neck and silencing it in an instant.

The Iodrome's neck swelled and then exploded. As toxin splattered everywhere, some of the larger creature's scales appeared burnt, with violet fluid dripping from its mouth, yet it seemed unscathed.

The Iopreys scattered, attempting escape as the large, jungle-green creature descended with a mighty swoop. Zeeg had already managed to get out of the way.

One of the Iopreys was crushed underfoot, its amber eyes popping out, its internal organs spilling from its mouth.

Another Ioprey was struck by the creature's tail and knocked into the river, never to resurface.

As if to drown out the rushing water, the creature's roar reverberated through the area - it was Rathian, a female fire wyvern, often hailed as the queen of the jungle.

Zeeg's body stiffened, awe-struck by her menacing presence. Though he had hunted Rathian many times before, he always felt the same paralyzing fear in moments like this.

Such fear was fundamental to every person.

A certain saying circulated among hunters: if one no longer felt that fear, it was time to retire, for those without fear of the hunt were without fear of death.

True or not, Zeeg could never shake the uneasiness that froze his movements against his will.

Zeeg clicked his tongue in frustration as the Rathian turned her gaze toward him. Her golden eyes locked onto Zeeg's as the latter crouched on one knee behind the bushes.

From her gaping maw, the remnants of the crushed Iodrome head fell to the ground, blood and toxin pooling beneath. It was as if she was telling him he would be next.

With another deafening roar, the wyvern's voice knocked Zeeg onto his buttocks.

The giant maw opened wide before him, revealing the pitch-black abyss of her throat. Beyond was a faint flicker of light, like a fireplace being kindled.

The stench of blood permeated the air - the same scent of death that clung to him and the Iodrome alike.

Living or dead, felt all the same in this moment.

While he remained frozen, wondering if he would be devoured, the sound of a Field Horn echoed through the jungle. That sound was a beacon of courage for hunters, and a trigger of fear and rage for their prey.

The Rathian immediately reacted, her attention diverted toward the cliff.

Gannon dropped the Field Horn, then readied his lance and shield, both forged from the unyielding shells of Diablos.

The Rathian roared again and charged forward. Earth and debris sprayed from the damp ground, creating ripples as they splashed into the river. The spike jutting from the monster's lower jaw, rumored to be used for nurturing her young, clashed with Gannon's shield, scattering sparks. Relentless, the Rathian drove Gannon towards the cliff.

"You started this, so don't just sit there!!"

Hearing the angry shout, Zeeg turned to see Elmeria slipping past the Rathian's thrashing tail, aiming to reach the other side.

With a powerful swing, she brought down her hammer - a seemingly half-broken weapon - striking the Rathian's leg.

The hammer's exposed core glowed, and the impact sent a shockwave through the Rathian's body, causing her scales to bristle and some to eject, followed by spurts of blood.

The wyvern shrieked in pain, raising her poisonous barbed tail.

The tail bent and lashed like a whip; Zeeg knew instantly it was dangerous.

Elmeria, still caught in the follow-through of her swing, hadn't yet recovered her stance. The tail was undoubtedly aimed at her.

Sheathing his greatsword, Zeeg sprinted through the space between the wyvern's legs, his fear prickling his skin. One wrong move from those massive feet, and he would be crushed.

Elmeria's eyes widened in surprise, questioning his actions.

There was no time to explain. Out of the corner of his eye, Zeeg saw the Rathian's tail poised to strike Elmeria.

He lunged at her, intending to push her out of harm's way.

Beneath him, she let out a startled scream - and punched his head.

Zeeg felt the strike through his helmet, simultaneously with a crushing blow to his back from the tail he was shielding her from.

("Oh c'mon...!!")

Zeeg groaned, pain radiating through his neck. He had been struck from above and below at the same time. Considering Elmeria could wield a giant hammer with ease, her strength was formidable, akin to a wyvern's attack.

"S- Sorr-"

Before the apology was complete, Zeeg sprang to his feet and swung his greatsword at the Rathian, driven by frustration from his injuries incurred while saving someone.

But his blade met only air.

The Rathian soared, performing a powerful midair somersault. Zeeg raised his sword defensively as the tail gouged the ground, creating a small pond where river water pooled. Sparks flew as the barbs clashed against his sword.

Potent toxin, far stronger than that of Ioprey, sprayed from the wounds on the tail. It splattered on Zeeg's sword and armor, sending up hissing steam.

A muffled cry reached his ears.

Turning, Zeeg saw Gannon on his knees, clutching one eye. Smoke rose from his helmet around the injured area. He had been hit by the Rathian's poison.

Elmeria's face paled as she broke into a run.

"You idiot!" Zeeg shouted, but his voice likely failed to reach her.

At that moment, Zeeg caught the distinct scent of rotten eggs and looked skyward.

The Rathian landed on the opposite riverbank and took a deep breath, sucking in air through her nostrils.

"Elme-"

Zeeg knew he wouldn't make it in time, so he could only shout a warning.

The Rathian's throat glowed red, and a massive fireball erupted from her open maw. It exploded on impact, engulfing Gannon and Elmeria in a fiery vortex.

Zeeg covered his face, but the force of the explosion still hurled him to the ground. Hot wind blasted his body, the heat seeping through his armor, lightly burning his hair and skin.

He rolled into the river, hearing the sizzle of water evaporating on his armor, then scrambled to his feet.

A whirlwind swept through the area, dispersing smoke and quenching flames.

The once verdant earth now lay scorched and blackened, trees reduced to charcoal. The acrid scent of burnt wood hung heavy in the air, and even the water in the small pond left by the Rathian evaporated under the intense heat.

Yet amidst this devastation, Gannon and Elmeria remained unscathed.

The large man had shielded Elmeria instinctively, his shield now coated in soot from the blast. Relieved to find them safe, Zeeg exhaled deeply and turned his gaze once more.

Above them, the Rathian spread its wings and ascended higher, beyond the reach of his sword. Her injured leg dripped crimson blood across the terrain.

For a fleeting moment, Zeeg's sight locked with her golden eyes.

The wyvern, revered as the jungle's queen, let loose another roar as she adjusted its flight path with powerful wingbeats. Zeeg swiftly reached for the leather pouch at his waist, withdrawing a Flash Bomb, but seeing the Rathian no longer facing him, he reluctantly held back.

The queen departed silently, despite her bloodied, dangling right leg. All that remained was the gust from her wings and the lingering stench of charred aftermath.

Zeeg knew exactly why the team had failed to finish her off - it was Elmeria rushing to Gannon's aid.

That moment marked the breakdown of their teamwork.

Gannon had played his decoy role flawlessly, evident in how he deflected the fireball meant for him. It was Zeeg and Elmeria's task to capitalize on openings with focused attacks, but Elmeria had forsaken that strategy in her haste to assist Gannon.

And now they faced the consequences.

A seething frustration brewed in Zeeg's chest, akin to a Rathalos ready to unleash fireballs. But now was not the time for anger. They still had to see this through to the end.

Sealing his leather pouch, Zeeg turned toward Gannon.

"...You alright?"

"I am."

Despite all signs pointing to him being in pain, Gannon's voice remained resolute.

On the other side of Gannon's shield, Elmeria lifted her gaze.

Her complexion was even paler than usual.

The fireball had singed her blonde hair, and fear flickered in her eyes, though Zeeg found no fault in her response.

Even the most seasoned hunter could not completely banish fear.

But her actions just now were uncharacteristic.

"...Glad to hear that, Gannon."

With a courteous nod, Zeeg pivoted away and started walking across the dry, blackened earth.

"W-wait! Where do you think you're going!?"

At Elmeria's protest, Zeeg turned his head without breaking his stride.

"Isn't it obvious? I'm going after it."

He could still smell the Paintberry juice on the Rathian.

Judging by its strength, the wyvern was likely headed beyond the opening in the cliff, where dense vegetation provided cover.

Though not an easy place for wielding his greatsword, the same hindrance applied to the Rathian.

While the wyvern's natural camouflage blended decently with the surroundings, making it an ideal hiding spot, Zeeg felt he held the upper hand - thick foliage would shield him from her fireballs and poisoned tail.

"N-no!"

Zeeg had anticipated her objection; he clicked his tongue as he halted.

''What did she mean, no?''

Elmeria's strike had clearly shattered the Rathian's knee joint. The manner of her retreat confirmed that.

If he pursued now, he might defeat her before the Guild staffer arrived to pick them up.

"Gannon needs treatment! You help too, Zeeg! We're taking him back to basecamp!"

"...Is it really that bad, Gannon?" Zeeg asked the man himself, not Elmeria.

Gannon leaned on his lance, thrust into the ground. Half of his face was inflamed and turning violet, his injured eyelid badly swollen.

Elmeria removed his helmet and used clean water from her canteen, not the river, to rinse his eye. Applying the antidote, vapor rose as the medicine kicked in, easing the swelling and discoloration.

"How are you feeling?"

"...Fine now," Gannon replied, attempting to stand, but Elmeria's firm grip on his shoulder held him down.

She turned to Zeeg, her eyes ablaze with frustration.

"Help me out here, Zeeg."

Her words were a request, but her tone bordered on command. Zeeg felt a thread snap in his mind - the thread that held his patience.

"...You've gotta be kidding," Zeeg spat.

Elmeria's expression hardened instantly. It was a mirror; Zeeg knew he was making the same face. Despite that, he couldn't stay silent. Opening his visor, he met Elmeria's gaze with a dark intensity.

"Don't you get it? If we let it escape now, this hunt is over."

This was their final opportunity. Yet, while they argued, the wyvern likely recovered, and their ride back was nearing. Zeeg couldn't fathom facing the pitying and disdainful gazes in the gathering hall should they fail.

"Gannon's eye can't be replaced!" Elmeria snapped, her resolve as unyielding as Machalite, leaving no room for debate.

But Zeeg couldn't simply comply.

Born and raised in the village of the legendary Hero of Kokoto, he faced relentless expectations. Success brought job offers; failure tarnished his village's honor.

Even asserting "I am who I am" wouldn't divert the community's scrutiny.

"Gannon said he's fine!"

"He'd say that even if he wasn't!"

''He wouldn't'' - Zeeg thought, but he held his tongue. Nothing he said could sway Elmeria now. Gannon was a seasoned hunter to the core. While he'd go to great lengths to protect Elmeria, he wasn't the type to bluff in this kind of situation.

"...Okay, you do what you want."

Zeeg closed his visor, turned away from them, and strode off.

"And where do you think you're going!?"

"Isn't it obvious? I'm going after it. In its current state, I can handle it alone. I can't let this chance slip away."

"Stop right there!"

Light footsteps echoed as Elmeria ran after Zeeg, positioning herself between him and the opening in the cliff, the Breath Core strapped to her back. Zeeg admired her speed in carrying such a load, but it did nothing to quell his frustration.

"...Let me go."

"You are ''not'' doing this. We're heading back to camp, and you're coming with us."

"Enough already!"

Zeeg tore off his Rathalos Helm and flung it to the scorched ground. Elmeria remained undeterred, and Zeeg regretted his childish outburst. Retrieving his helmet now would only make things more awkward. He seethed at how Elmeria seemed to read his every thought.

"Why did we come here in the first place!? Wasn't it to hunt the Rathian!? And now you want to abandon everything we've worked for these past days!?"

"I never said that! But hunters must know when to stop! If Gannon loses his eye, could you bear the responsibility!?"

"Isn't that why I said I'll go alone!? ''You'' take Gannon back to camp!"

"Now without my approval, you're not!"

Her words struck like a slap. Zeeg felt dismissed, as if his ability to hunt the Rathian alone was in question.

While wyverns in Guild-designated hunting grounds were tougher than those near villages, Zeeg had proven himself capable by taking down the one-horned wyvern, Monoblos, solo. The wounded Rathian posed a challenge, but not an insurmountable one.

"...Out of my way!"

Admitting his earlier outburst was regrettable, Zeeg retrieved his helmet and held it under his arm. He tried to lightly push past Elmeria with his free arm, but her imposing stance, weighted by the Breath Core, made his effort futile.

A defiant glint flashed in her eyes. ''"You think those skinny arms can push me aside, when I face wyverns head-on without fear?"'' Zeeg imagined her thoughts.

"You..."

"Your attitude doesn't scare me. Who do you think I am? Since you joined us, your life has been my responsibility. If you go and get yourself killed, it's ''my'' problem. Do you really think you're a top-tier hunter now? Hunting a Monoblos doesn't make you special - not in my party."

Zeeg realized arguing was futile. He wondered when she had become so hard-headed, but he couldn't pinpoint a specific moment. Perhaps the change had been gradual, like being slowly poisoned by Ioprey venom.

People rarely noticed the slow changes in their long-time companions, and when they finally did, it took them by complete surprise - Zeeg recalled hearing something like that once.

"Are you sure you want to keep arguing? This is hardly the time and place," came a calm voice tinged with coldness.

Zeeg turned to see a man approaching along the riverbank.

He wore an ashen grey helmet with curled horns pointing back, giving the impression of a demon. The rest of his body was clad in similar gear made from the hides of the poison bird wyvern Gypceros, except for his bare torso, which gave him the look of an executioner. His appearance was unforgettable, even at a glance.

Holstered on his back was the Tankmage, a type of heavy bowgun with parts also crafted from Gypceros's Rubbery Hides.

"It's not a big deal. We're heading back to camp for a while," Elmeria said.

"Oh? So we're giving up on the Rathian?" Under the Gypceros hide mask, Fradio's eyes narrowed.

"I never said that. We need to check Gannon's injuries first, then-"

"We don't have time for this," Zeeg interrupted. "If we retreat now, its wounds will heal while we're gone. It's now or never if we want to finish the hunt. If you're taking Gannon back to camp, go ahead. But I'm going after the Rathian."

"Didn't I already tell you that you can't!?" Elmeria snapped.

Zeeg turned back to her. "Why not!? No one put you in charge of me! This isn't like back when the Guild had you to babysit me when we first met! If you have a brilliant plan to finish the hunt after we all go back to camp, then let's hear it!"

"That's..." Elmeria bit her lip, her face betraying the absence of any plan. Her insistence on retreat was solely driven by her desire to get Gannon back to camp.

Zeeg understood the bond between them went beyond mere comradeship. But that didn't change the task at hand.

Their mission was to complete the hunt.

Returning alive was what ultimately mattered, of course, but obsessing over it at every turn only hindered their chances of success. Hunters couldn't endure the disgrace of being labeled cowards.

"...What do you say, Fradio?" Zeeg asked, casting a sharp glance at Elmeria, who had lowered her eyes.

Even while turned away, he sensed Fradio's movements. Perhaps he was crossing his arms or scratching his chin beneath the mask - a chin whose shape was a mystery, under a face no one had ever seen.

"Well... if you're asking whether or not to abandon the hunt, I'd say we have no choice but to abandon."

Elmeria's expression brightened, her eyes clearly conveying an "I told you so."

Zeeg found himself irritated. In a way, his expectations had been met - it made sense for Fradio to side with her at the end of the day. After all, they had both hunted under Elmeria's leadership for a long time, making her judgment naturally more influential. However, Zeeg remained steadfast in his belief that her decision this time was wrong.

What Fradio said next, however, was unexpected:

"We're already out of time - look."

Fradio pointed upward. At that precise moment, as if summoned by his words, a signal flare's white smoke ascended from the base camp into the clear blue sky. The escort carriage had arrived. They had wasted more time here than they realized.

Another failure.

No reward money, no precious materials they could have earned.

It was a hard blow, especially since Zeeg had been saving for a new weapon. Moreover, it had been a long time since they'd received a request for such a high-difficulty wyvern hunt.

This chance was one they couldn't afford to miss.

The feeling of irritation wouldn't dissipate. All the time spent arguing could have been used to finish the hunt.

"...Damn it all!"

Zeeg's foot struck the parched, scorched earth, sending blackened soil cascading into the river, where it stirred countless ripples.

In the distance, the Rathian's roar echoed, mocking the shallow-mindedness of its tiny hunters.

<noinclude>
{{SimpleNav}}
</noinclude>

Monster Hunter

2025-04-30T23:28:36Z

Barnnn:

<vote type=1 /><small>{{furigana|'''Do you follow this series? Rate it!'''|Only available to registered users. [[Special:CreateAccount|Register here]]}}</small><br>

{{Status|Active}}

[[File:MH-v01-000.jpg|300px|thumb|Volume 1 Cover]]
'''Monster Hunter''' (モンスターハンター) is a Japanese light novel series based on Capcom's video game of the same name, published by '''Famitsu Bunko'''. It is written by '''Yuuki Rin''' (ゆうきりん) and illustrated by '''Koyama Shigeto''' (コヤマシゲト).

The series won the Best Novelization award from '''Kadokawa Shoten's Light Novel Award 2007''' ([http://shoten.kadokawa.co.jp/lightnovel-award/result.html ライトノベルアワード 2007]).

== Story Synopsis ==
It is an age when giant monsters rule the world of nature, freely roaming the land and soaring through the sky. In order to survive, humanity relies on the hunters, powerful warriors with the strength and intellect to fell such beasts.

Zeeg Grandest is one such hunter, albeit still a rookie. Through his meetings with numerous comrades and battles against powerful wyverns, the boy will learn what it truly means to be a Monster Hunter.

== Series Information ==

*'''Genre''': Action, Adventure, Fantasy
*'''Original Title''': モンスターハンター
*'''Common Abbreviations''': MH, MonHan (モンハン)
*'''Author''': Yuuki Rin
*'''Ilustrator''': Koyama Shigeto
*'''Published Volumes''': 4
*'''Series Status''': Completed

== Translation ==

=== [[Monster Hunter:Registration Page|Registration]] ===

Those who wish to contribute are asked to first notify a supervisor beforehand.

'''Translators are asked to [[Monster Hunter:Registration Page|register]] which chapters they're working on'''

=== Format Standards ===
'''Every Chapter (after editing) must conform to the general format guidelines.'''
* [[Format guideline|General Format/Style Guideline]]

=== Feedback ===
Please do provide us feedback in the [https://www.baka-tsuki.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=22415&view=viewpoll Feedback Thread].

== Updates ==
*May 1, 2025 - Volume 3 Chapter 5 and Epilogue Uploaded '''(Volume 3 Complete)'''
*April 30, 2025 - Volume 3 Chapter 4 Uploaded
*April 29, 2025 - Volume 3 Chapter 3 Uploaded
*March 15, 2018 - Volume 3 Chapter 2 Uploaded
*October 21, 2017 - Volume 3 Chapter 1 Uploaded
*September 9, 2017 - Volume 2 Afterword Uploaded
*August 28, 2017 - Volume 2 Epilogue Uploaded '''(Volume 2 Complete)'''
*August 27, 2017 - Volume 2 Chapter 5 Uploaded
*August 18, 2017 - Volume 2 Chapter 4 Uploaded
*July 30, 2017 - Volume 2 Chapter 3 Uploaded
*July 9, 2017 - Volume 2 Chapter 2 Uploaded
*June 25, 2017 - Volume 2 Chapter 1 Uploaded
*May 22, 2017 - Volume 2 Prologue Uploaded
*April 24, 2017 - Volume 1 Chapters 3, 4, 5, Epilogue, and Afterword Uploaded '''(Volume 1 Complete)'''
*April 23, 2017 - Project Page Created, Volume 1 Chapters 1 and 2 Uploaded

== Monster Hunter by Yuuki Rin ==
{| class="wikitable" width="280" ; style="float:left"
|- valign="top"
|[[Image:MH-v01-000.jpg|border|200px]]
|
<div style="float: left; width:700px;">
<div style="float: left; margin: 5px 20px">
=== [[Monster Hunter:Volume1|Volume 1 - Commandment of the Hunt]] ([http://www.mediafire.com/file/1xib5zl7b7z7661/Monster_Hunter_-_Volume_1.pdf PDF]) ===
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume1 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume1 Chapter1|Chapter 1 - Encounter at the Hunter's Guild]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume1 Chapter2|Chapter 2 - First Quest]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume1 Chapter3|Chapter 3 - Love Wyvern]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume1 Chapter4|Chapter 4 - Knight]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume1 Chapter5|Chapter 5 - Monster Hunter]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume1 Epilogue|Epilogue]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume1 Afterword|Afterword]]
</div>
</div>
|}

{| class="wikitable" width="280" ; style="float:left"
|- valign="top"
|[[Image:MH-v02-000.jpg|border|200px]]
|
<div style="float: left; width:700px;">
<div style="float: left; margin: 5px 20px">
=== [[Monster Hunter:Volume2|Volume 2 - Condition of a Hero]] ([http://www.mediafire.com/file/ylazh8tg3u621wm/Monster+Hunter+-+Volume+2.pdf PDF]) ===
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume2 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume2 Prologue|Prologue]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume2 Chapter1|Chapter 1 - Returning Home One Year Later]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume2 Chapter2|Chapter 2 - Their Days Off]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume2 Chapter3|Chapter 3 - Aspiring to Become a Hero]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume2 Chapter4|Chapter 4 - Gypceros's Signature Move]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume2 Chapter5|Chapter 5 - Albino Wyvern]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume2 Epilogue|Epilogue]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume2 Afterword|Afterword]]
</div>
</div>
|}

{| class="wikitable" width="280" ; style="float:left"
|- valign="top"
|[[Image:MH-v03-000.jpg|border|200px]]
|
<div style="float: left; width:700px;">
<div style="float: left; margin: 5px 20px">
=== [[Monster Hunter:Volume3|Volume 3 - Capacity of a Leader]] ===
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume3 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume3 Chapter1|Chapter 1 - Irritation]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume3 Chapter2|Chapter 2 - Setting off Alone]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume3 Chapter3|Chapter 3 - Interviews]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume3 Chapter4|Chapter 4 - Land of the Rock Wyvern]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume3 Chapter5|Chapter 5 - Blossoming Pink, Blazing Azure]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume3 Epilogue|Epilogue]]
</div>
</div>
|}

{| class="wikitable" width="280" ; style="float:left"
|- valign="top"
|[[Image:MH-v04-000.jpg|border|200px]]
|
<div style="float: left; width:700px;">
<div style="float: left; margin: 5px 20px">
=== [[Monster Hunter:Volume4|Volume 4 - Commemorations of the Hunt]] ===
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume4 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume4 Chapter1|Chapter 1 - Egg Run]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume4 Chapter2|Chapter 2 - Savior]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume4 Chapter3|Chapter 3 - Desert Sniper]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume4 Chapter4|Chapter 4 - Capriccio]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume4 Chapter5|Chapter 5 - Crimson Avian]]
</div>
</div>
|}

<br style="clear:both"/>

== Project Staff ==

* Project Administrator:
* Project Manager:

=== Translators ===
:* [[user:Barnnn|Barnnn]]

=== Editors ===

== Series Overview ==
*モンスターハンター狩りの掟　(June 19, 2004 ISBN 978-4-75-771874-6)
*モンスターハンター英雄の条件 (September 18, 2004 ISBN 978-4-75-772004-6)
*モンスターハンター長の資格 (June 20, 2005 ISBN 978-4-75-772320-7)
*モンスターハンター狩りの追憶 (March 30, 2006 ISBN 978-4-75-772666-6)

[[Category:Famitsu Bunko]]

[[Category:Light novel (English)]]

[[Category:Genre - Action]]
[[Category:Genre - Fantasy]]
[[Category:Genre - Adventure]]

File:MH-v04-000.jpg

2025-04-30T23:27:26Z

Barnnn:

Monster Hunter

2025-04-30T17:11:49Z

Barnnn: /* Updates */

<vote type=1 /><small>{{furigana|'''Do you follow this series? Rate it!'''|Only available to registered users. [[Special:CreateAccount|Register here]]}}</small><br>

{{Status|Active}}

[[File:MH-v01-000.jpg|300px|thumb|Volume 1 Cover]]
'''Monster Hunter''' (モンスターハンター) is a Japanese light novel series based on Capcom's video game of the same name, published by '''Famitsu Bunko'''. It is written by '''Yuuki Rin''' (ゆうきりん) and illustrated by '''Koyama Shigeto''' (コヤマシゲト).

The series won the Best Novelization award from '''Kadokawa Shoten's Light Novel Award 2007''' ([http://shoten.kadokawa.co.jp/lightnovel-award/result.html ライトノベルアワード 2007]).

== Story Synopsis ==
It is an age when giant monsters rule the world of nature, freely roaming the land and soaring through the sky. In order to survive, humanity relies on the hunters, powerful warriors with the strength and intellect to fell such beasts.

Zeeg Grandest is one such hunter, albeit still a rookie. Through his meetings with numerous comrades and battles against powerful wyverns, the boy will learn what it truly means to be a Monster Hunter.

== Series Information ==

*'''Genre''': Action, Adventure, Fantasy
*'''Original Title''': モンスターハンター
*'''Common Abbreviations''': MH, MonHan (モンハン)
*'''Author''': Yuuki Rin
*'''Ilustrator''': Koyama Shigeto
*'''Published Volumes''': 4
*'''Series Status''': Completed

== Translation ==

=== [[Monster Hunter:Registration Page|Registration]] ===

Those who wish to contribute are asked to first notify a supervisor beforehand.

'''Translators are asked to [[Monster Hunter:Registration Page|register]] which chapters they're working on'''

=== Format Standards ===
'''Every Chapter (after editing) must conform to the general format guidelines.'''
* [[Format guideline|General Format/Style Guideline]]

=== Feedback ===
Please do provide us feedback in the [https://www.baka-tsuki.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=22415&view=viewpoll Feedback Thread].

== Updates ==
*May 1, 2025 - Volume 3 Chapter 5 and Epilogue Uploaded '''(Volume 3 Complete)'''
*April 30, 2025 - Volume 3 Chapter 4 Uploaded
*April 29, 2025 - Volume 3 Chapter 3 Uploaded
*March 15, 2018 - Volume 3 Chapter 2 Uploaded
*October 21, 2017 - Volume 3 Chapter 1 Uploaded
*September 9, 2017 - Volume 2 Afterword Uploaded
*August 28, 2017 - Volume 2 Epilogue Uploaded '''(Volume 2 Complete)'''
*August 27, 2017 - Volume 2 Chapter 5 Uploaded
*August 18, 2017 - Volume 2 Chapter 4 Uploaded
*July 30, 2017 - Volume 2 Chapter 3 Uploaded
*July 9, 2017 - Volume 2 Chapter 2 Uploaded
*June 25, 2017 - Volume 2 Chapter 1 Uploaded
*May 22, 2017 - Volume 2 Prologue Uploaded
*April 24, 2017 - Volume 1 Chapters 3, 4, 5, Epilogue, and Afterword Uploaded '''(Volume 1 Complete)'''
*April 23, 2017 - Project Page Created, Volume 1 Chapters 1 and 2 Uploaded

== Monster Hunter by Yuuki Rin ==
{| class="wikitable" width="280" ; style="float:left"
|- valign="top"
|[[Image:MH-v01-000.jpg|border|200px]]
|
<div style="float: left; width:700px;">
<div style="float: left; margin: 5px 20px">
=== [[Monster Hunter:Volume1|Volume 1 - Commandment of the Hunt]] ([http://www.mediafire.com/file/1xib5zl7b7z7661/Monster_Hunter_-_Volume_1.pdf PDF]) ===
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume1 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume1 Chapter1|Chapter 1 - Encounter at the Hunter's Guild]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume1 Chapter2|Chapter 2 - First Quest]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume1 Chapter3|Chapter 3 - Love Wyvern]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume1 Chapter4|Chapter 4 - Knight]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume1 Chapter5|Chapter 5 - Monster Hunter]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume1 Epilogue|Epilogue]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume1 Afterword|Afterword]]
</div>
</div>
|}

{| class="wikitable" width="280" ; style="float:left"
|- valign="top"
|[[Image:MH-v02-000.jpg|border|200px]]
|
<div style="float: left; width:700px;">
<div style="float: left; margin: 5px 20px">
=== [[Monster Hunter:Volume2|Volume 2 - Condition of a Hero]] ([http://www.mediafire.com/file/ylazh8tg3u621wm/Monster+Hunter+-+Volume+2.pdf PDF]) ===
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume2 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume2 Prologue|Prologue]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume2 Chapter1|Chapter 1 - Returning Home One Year Later]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume2 Chapter2|Chapter 2 - Their Days Off]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume2 Chapter3|Chapter 3 - Aspiring to Become a Hero]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume2 Chapter4|Chapter 4 - Gypceros's Signature Move]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume2 Chapter5|Chapter 5 - Albino Wyvern]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume2 Epilogue|Epilogue]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume2 Afterword|Afterword]]
</div>
</div>
|}

{| class="wikitable" width="280" ; style="float:left"
|- valign="top"
|[[Image:MH-v03-000.jpg|border|200px]]
|
<div style="float: left; width:700px;">
<div style="float: left; margin: 5px 20px">
=== [[Monster Hunter:Volume3|Volume 3 - Capacity of a Leader]] ===
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume3 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume3 Chapter1|Chapter 1 - Irritation]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume3 Chapter2|Chapter 2 - Setting off Alone]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume3 Chapter3|Chapter 3 - Interviews]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume3 Chapter4|Chapter 4 - Land of the Rock Wyvern]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume3 Chapter5|Chapter 5 - Blossoming Pink, Blazing Azure]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume3 Epilogue|Epilogue]]
</div>
</div>
|}

<br style="clear:both"/>

== Project Staff ==

* Project Administrator:
* Project Manager:

=== Translators ===
:* [[user:Barnnn|Barnnn]]

=== Editors ===

== Series Overview ==
*モンスターハンター狩りの掟　(June 19, 2004 ISBN 978-4-75-771874-6)
*モンスターハンター英雄の条件 (September 18, 2004 ISBN 978-4-75-772004-6)
*モンスターハンター長の資格 (June 20, 2005 ISBN 978-4-75-772320-7)
*モンスターハンター狩りの追憶 (March 30, 2006 ISBN 978-4-75-772666-6)

[[Category:Famitsu Bunko]]

[[Category:Light novel (English)]]

[[Category:Genre - Action]]
[[Category:Genre - Fantasy]]
[[Category:Genre - Adventure]]

Monster Hunter:Volume3

2025-04-30T17:10:56Z

Barnnn: Created page with "==Novel Illustrations== {{:Monster Hunter:Volume3 Illustrations}} {{:Monster Hunter:Volume3 Chapter1}} {{:Monster Hunter:Volume3 Chapter2}} {{:Monster Hunter:Volume3 Chapter3}..."

==Novel Illustrations==
{{:Monster Hunter:Volume3 Illustrations}}
{{:Monster Hunter:Volume3 Chapter1}}
{{:Monster Hunter:Volume3 Chapter2}}
{{:Monster Hunter:Volume3 Chapter3}}
{{:Monster Hunter:Volume3 Chapter4}}
{{:Monster Hunter:Volume3 Chapter5}}
{{:Monster Hunter:Volume3 Epilogue}}

<noinclude>
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; padding: 0.2em; border-collapse: collapse;"
|-
| Back to [[Monster Hunter:Volume2|Volume 2]]
| Return to [[Monster Hunter|Main Page]]
| Forward to [[Monster Hunter:Volume4|Volume 4]]
|-
|}
</noinclude>

Monster Hunter:Volume3 Epilogue

2025-04-30T17:07:02Z

Barnnn: Created page with "== Epilogue == "Sorry, everyone." With her hands pressed together in apology, Becky gave a slight bow to the two groups of hunters in the Minegarde gathering hall - Zeeg's p..."

== Epilogue ==

"Sorry, everyone."

With her hands pressed together in apology, Becky gave a slight bow to the two groups of hunters in the Minegarde gathering hall - Zeeg's party of four and Elmeria's party of three.

"The Guild really messed up this time. It turned into a double - no, triple booking."

"What do you mean?" Elmeria asked, frowning.

Zeeg and Gannon looked equally interested, but the rest of their comrades were too busy digging into the extravagant dishes they'd ordered - courtesy of the Guild's tab - to pay much attention.

"Well," Becky began, "that hunting ground and the volcanic region to the west were being claimed by two other Guilds besides Minegarde. All of them wanted the rights to manage it. Our Guild Master had gone off to a coordination meeting to sort it all out, but in the middle of that, an emergency quest came through. By the time it reached me, I just assumed we'd been granted jurisdiction, so I went ahead and asked you to take the job..."

"So the other cities thought the same thing," Elmeria cut in, suspicion narrowing her eyes. "Becky, you didn't know we'd run into another hunting party on the job, did you?"

"Of course not!" Becky waved both hands frantically. "That would've been a disaster - I know that! I'd never... But honestly, I'm really glad it was Zeeg who took the quest from Nusti."

"...Thanks." Zeeg gave a small nod, then risked a glance at Elmeria.

They still hadn't exchanged a proper word since the hunt. The chance had come up more than once, yet every time they were face-to-face, nothing came out.

He knew what he needed to say. Now that he had a party of his own, he finally understood how much Elmeria had carried, how harsh his words had been when he hadn't known any better.

He should just say it - put his feelings into words and apologize. But it wasn't that easy. Embarrassment, guilt, awkwardness - all of it choked the words in his throat.

"But it's all settled now," Becky continued, flashing them a smile. "Those hunting grounds are officially under Minegarde jurisdiction. I guarantee nothing like that will happen again."

"You'd better," Elmeria muttered as she pulled a pouch toward her, its contents clinking faintly.

Becky gave a confident "Of course!" before stepping away to the counter, where a hunter had flagged her down - likely for a registration or quest contract. The pouch contained hush money, more or less - compensation to keep things quiet.

With Becky gone, the lively conversation at the table evaporated. Elmeria turned back to her food, not once looking Zeeg's way. Not that she wanted to. And that, more than anything, made it worse.

With nothing else to do, Zeeg focused on his meal. The food, at least, was excellent - Guild-grade apologies came with premium flavor - but he couldn't enjoy it.

To be honest, he wanted to team up with Elmeria's group again. But after what he'd said - and how he'd left, without a word - how could he possibly ask that now?

("No. I can't leave it like this.")

Zeeg clenched his fork. He owed her an apology, no matter what came after. If he couldn't even do that, he'd be no better than a child.

"E-Elmeria!"

The name came out louder than he'd intended. Every head at the table turned. He nearly said ''"Never mind,"'' but he knew if he backed out now, it really would be over. He swallowed hard, along with his pride.

"I... I wanna say... sorry."

"For what?" she asked without looking up.

"For... leaving like that. Without saying anything."

"Hmph. I wasn't that bothered. But... I'll listen, since you're offering."

For a moment, Zeeg thought ''("That's all?")'' But then he caught Fradio stifling a grin. That attitude - brushing it off like it was nothing - that was just Elmeria's way of covering up.

Zeeg felt a quiet relief settle over him.

"Yeah... I really am sorry."

He reached for a piece of grilled fish, forked off a tender bite slick with sauce, and tossed it into his mouth. There were things he'd learned from leading a party of his own - things he'd need to talk to her about. Whether or not they ever teamed up again, at least now they could talk.

"Well then..."

The first to rise was Enta.

They'd already introduced their new comrade earlier. It was clear from the carriage ride back to town that Elmeria's group had never seen dual blades in action before. They'd bombarded Enta with questions all the way, fascinated by his unusual form.

Enta, it turned out, kept one eye closed at all times - not out of habit, but as part of his training. It was a way to conserve strength, to build up for the ''Demonic Transformation'', the technique that unleashed his full potential.

Of course, that didn't mean anyone could just copy him and expect the same results. Trying to fight with one eye closed would only wreck one's depth perception - and get them taken out before they even landed a hit.

"...I shall take my leave," Enta said with a polite bow and his usual formal tone.

Zeeg paused, his hand halfway to another bite. He hadn't expected that. They hadn't discussed what came next, exactly, but after two hunts together, he'd assumed they'd keep teaming up for a while.

"Intensive training awaits - for I have a student now."

"A student!?"

When Enta turned to his side, Brass offered a faint, sheepish smile in return. ''So that was it''. Zeeg understood - he couldn't fault the feeling. Dual blades were, after all, a more advanced offshoot of the sword-and-shield. Anyone who had seen skill like that up close would feel inspired to try it themselves.

"Well, it's much sooner than expected, but I guess this is where we part ways, Brass."

"Uh... I'm sorry."

Brass bowed his head apologetically. Elmeria gave a casual wave with her fork.

"No need to be sorry," she said. "Unlike ''certain people'', at least you're saying goodbye properly. ''Right?''"

"...Tch."

Zeeg had no choice but to offer a wry smile. Still, with Brass leaving, they would need to recruit again. He hadn't yet asked what Vivi intended to do, but if she stayed, her skills would be a great help.

That said, he had no plans to return to Nusti to look for new companions. He much preferred Minegarde - the city he was already familiar with.

Ultimately, he wanted to form a party with Elmeria again, but that would make five. By long-standing tradition, a hunting party was capped at four members. A shame, but there was no way around it. He couldn't bring himself to push Vivi out just because he wanted to go back.

"Ah, this makes perfect timing..." Fradio suddenly commented.

Everyone turned to see his face partially hidden beneath the executioner-like visage of his Gypceros Cap.

"What do you mean?" Elmeria tilted her head.

"Well," Fradio began, "due to some rather ''stupid'' business, I'll be heading to the capital for a while. During my absence, I was wondering what to do about the empty slot in our group. Zeeg and the young lady - if you two are willing to step in, that would be most helpful."

"W-wait just a second! You didn't tell me any of this!"

"Indeed. I'm announcing this now - for the first time."

Elmeria faltered, letting out an exasperated sigh. "...Why are ''boys'' always like this?"

"Hehehe... So, what do you say? Zeeg? And you, young lady?"

"I'm fine with it... if Elmeria is," Zeeg replied, glancing toward her.

Vivi, seated beside him, dabbed the corner of her mouth with a handkerchief and looked at Elmeria through the glint of her glasses.

"I don't mind either. So, then, shall we say... she's my new Master?"

"P-please don't call me that - I mean, ''Master''? Seriously!?"

"Don't mind me. It's merely a personal quirk."

"A... quirk?"

Elmeria gave her a bewildered look, clearly unsure how to respond.

"Hehehe..." Fradio chuckled. "Hunters truly are a strange breed."

"Like you're one to talk!"

Elmeria's lightning-quick retort left Zeeg in stitches. Brass chuckled as well, and even Gannon's rocky features cracked the faintest hint of a smile. Vivi, unsure what was so amusing, simply wore her usual impassive - or perhaps mildly annoyed - expression. A very Vivi reaction.

Wiping away a tear that had welled up despite himself, Zeeg felt his heart already leaping toward the next hunt. It was a shame to see Fradio go, but there were no hard feelings. No broken ties.

The road ahead was uncertain, but for now, he was simply glad to run the hunt again - side by side with Elmeria.

Enta crossed his arms and turned to Zeeg. And for the first time, he cracked a genuine smile.

'''''"Parting winds may blow; yet every path once broken; curves back home again."'''''

<noinclude>
{{SimpleNav}}
</noinclude>

Monster Hunter:Volume3 Chapter3

2025-04-30T16:26:11Z

Barnnn:

== Chapter 3 - Interviews ==

[[File:MH-v03-003.jpg|300px|thumb]]

Zeeg stepped down from the carriage and found himself honestly disappointed by the scenery. It had not changed for the better - in fact, it hadn't changed much if at all.

Two days had passed, jostled about on the road from Minegarde. Now, with his backside aching, he finally laid eyes on the city of Nusti - and it looked so much like Minegarde that it gave him the strange, unsettling feeling of having traveled in a wide circle, only to arrive back where he had started.

Passing through a crowded marketplace bathed in the blood-red light of sunset, he found the same familiar layout: the workshop and gathering hall lined up along the edge of a cliff, a narrow road leading off to what looked like a guest house beyond.

For a hunter's first job in a new city, guild registration was a must. Pushing open the gathering hall door, Zeeg was immediately assaulted by the thick, heady air - a stench of alcohol and the body heat of too many people packed together. Even someone like Zeeg, who usually didn't flinch at much, felt lightheaded from it.

If all the dew of the jungle were made from liquor, he thought, it might smell like this.

No one stopped their drinking, but he could feel their eyes on him. Judging him, measuring him up by the look of his armor and weapons.

The gathering hall was dim even during the day, but the flickering candlelight caught on the crimson carapace of Zeeg's Rathalos armor, setting it aglow. The Lacerator Blade+ slung across his back, its blade stained a dark, bloodlike red, threw back the light in a way that made a few of the hunters squint against the glare.

He headed straight for the counter. As he approached, a woman seated behind it abruptly rose to her feet, surprising him.

She stood at least a head taller than him.

Her face was sharply beautiful, her nose a clean, straight line - but one of her eyes was a dull, lifeless orb. A prosthetic, he realized at once. Her body was solidly built, sturdy enough that the maid uniform she wore seemed almost comical on her. Zeeg wisely kept that opinion to himself.

"Nice gear," she said bluntly, not even bothering to properly look at him. "First time in a city guild?"

"No," Zeeg replied shortly.

He dug into his bag and pulled out the résumé Becky had prepared for him, sliding it across the counter. It bore the guild's official seal; with this, his Hunter Rank would carry over without the need to re-earn it from scratch.

The woman took the document, scanned it with barely a flicker of expression, and handed it back without so much as a nod.

It was a résumé that listed no small number of accomplishments - or so Zeeg thought. But judging from the woman's indifferent expression, it might as well have been a list of trash.

She scribbled something into the guild ledger, closed it with a snap, and dashed off a few strokes onto a small card before tossing it carelessly onto the counter. His guild registration card. Without it, he wouldn't be able to accept even a single quest.

"...Thanks," Zeeg muttered, giving a slight bow as he stepped away from the counter.

The woman didn't respond. She had already opened her book again, utterly uninterested.

''What a cold-hearted woman'', Zeeg thought with a grimace.

For a moment, Becky's warm smile flashed in his mind, and a wave of homesickness for Minegarde washed over him. Zeeg shook his head fiercely. He couldn't afford to get sentimental - not when he was about to form his own hunting party.

Steeling himself, he made his way to the bulletin board set up next to the counter. It held two types of postings: available quests, and notices recruiting companions for already accepted ones.

The system was exactly the same as back in Minegarde.

Zeeg scanned the list of quests. There were plenty to choose from - likely because Nusti was still a relatively new city, and the hunting grounds under its jurisdiction hadn't yet been thoroughly tamed.

("Guess I'll take this one.")

He chose a Basarios hunt and tore the quest sheet from the board.

Basarios, the Rock Wyvern, was a juvenile form of the Gravios. Though its shell could be carved into tough armor and hammers, it didn't have much practical use for those uninterested. Still, Basarios were known to cause trouble by mimicking rocks, lying in wait along trade routes.

This time was no different. A merchant caravan had reported a Basarios nesting along a volcanic pass.

It would be a good test of any potential party members.

Zeeg judged Basarios to be about the next level of threat after a Yian Kut-Ku - tough, sure, but not overwhelmingly dangerous. Its movements were sluggish, and as long as they avoided a direct hit from its fiery attacks, it wasn't anything to fear.

If a hunter struggled against a Basarios, they weren't someone Zeeg wanted in his party.

("Last time we fought two at once. One should be easy.")

Clutching the quest slip, Zeeg returned to the counter and slapped it down - loudly enough to make sure he was noticed.

The woman sighed heavily, clearly irritated, and shut her book with a thump before turning to him. Curious, Zeeg caught a glimpse of the book's cover: ''Bestiary of the Hunt'', embossed in gold lettering.

"What is it?"

"I want to recruit partners for this quest," Zeeg said, "and I need a guest house room, too."

The woman skimmed the quest sheet, gave him a brief, disinterested look, and stamped it with the guild's official seal before shoving it back at him. Without a word, she flipped open the ledger again, checked something, and muttered,

"...Bishop Thirty-Five."

Then, without another glance, she returned to her book.

Zeeg knew the procedure well enough, but it still grated on him. Clicking his tongue in annoyance, he stomped back to the bulletin board, pinned the quest sheet to the recruitment section, and scribbled underneath his room's number and a message:

''"Seeking long-term hunting partners! From Kokoto Village!"''

Mentioning Kokoto Village - and by extension its legendary village chief - was a gamble.

It might attract opportunists looking to ride his coattails, but just maybe, it would draw serious, skilled hunters worthy of the name.

"...Alright," Zeeg muttered.

Hoisting his bag onto his shoulder, he left the gathering hall behind.

By the time he was making his way toward the guest house, his mind buzzing with thoughts of what kind of people might answer his call, the rude woman at the counter was already a forgotten annoyance.

"So, what now?" Fradio asked, breaking the heavy silence.

Elmeria, clearly in a foul mood, said nothing. Neither did Gannon, still wrapped in bandages. The noise of the gathering hall, thick with the clatter of utensils and lively conversation, wasn't enough to drown out their voices, but neither companion seemed inclined to speak.

It had been a week since Zeeg had left their party, and still Elmeria showed no sign of taking on a new quest. Fradio understood the reason well enough - she was holding out hope that Zeeg might return - but even so, his arms were beginning to itch for action.

If this standoff dragged on much longer, he thought, he might as well head out alone and enjoy a date with a Gypceros.

"We're not exactly hurting for money, but Sir Gannon's injuries are healing nicely," Fradio continued, trying to coax some response. "I'd say it's about time we got back to the hunt, wouldn't you?"

Gannon turned his unbandaged eye toward Elmeria. She, however, only stared into the blood-dark surface of the wine pooled in her goblet, unmoving.

She looked thinner than before, the soft curve of her cheeks having hollowed out slightly. Fradio hoped she hadn't started losing muscle mass. Lifting the edge of his mask just enough to drink, he sipped his own wine, savoring the rich flavor of the fruit sharpened by a pleasant astringency. He waited, but Elmeria said nothing.

It wasn't sorrow he saw in her. No, the emotion simmering just beneath the surface was anger - anger directed at herself for misspeaking, and at Zeeg for leaving without a word.

Zeeg's departure had been clumsy, to say the least. If they had been nothing more than a temporary hunting party assembled for a single mission, a silent farewell over a mug of beer might have sufficed.

But they had been together since Zeeg had first arrived in Minegarde. After so much time, he owed them at least a proper goodbye, no matter how awkward.

"Still sulking, Ellie?"

The teasing voice floated down along with a clatter of dishes. Fradio turned to see Becky standing there, smiling mischievously.

"I'm not sulking," Elmeria snapped.

She reached out, grabbed a freshly-served skewer of grilled Aptonoth meat, and bit into it savagely. Juices dripped from the seared flesh, and she hissed a quick "Hot!" as she licked the sizzling fat from her lips.

Fradio helped himself to a skewer as well, stripping the meat from the stick and neatly cutting it into small pieces with his knife and fork before slipping a bite beneath his mask. The meat was rich, the spice blend mingling perfectly with the sweet, fatty edge of the skin.

The slight toughness betrayed the fact that it had come from a wild Aptonoth, but that only added to its flavor.

"C'mon, no need to act tough," Becky said, her voice light with mockery.

Elmeria shot her a glare, her eyes faintly glassy from the wine. Her appetite had dwindled, but her drinking had certainly increased.

"Shut up," Elmeria muttered. "I'm not pretending. If anything, I'm glad he's gone. It's thanks to him we've been screwing up so much lately."

"So you're still planning to keep hunting?" Becky pressed.

"Of course I am!"

Snatching up her goblet, Elmeria drained it in one go and refilled it without hesitation.

"I'm just saying, none of the current quests look worth taking. I'm not going to waste my time hunting Yian Kut-Ku or gathering Special Mushrooms. And as for a Khezu-"

Fradio shook his head.

He had once been swallowed whole by one of those grotesque, sightless wyverns, and the memory still made his skin crawl. Compared to the vibrant, delicate beauty of a Gypceros, a Khezu - with its pallid skin and preference for damp, shadowy places - was nothing but an abomination.

"Yeah. He's in no shape for it," Elmeria continued, "And besides, maybe it's not a bad thing to take it easy once in a while. Unless you have something interesting lined up?"

"Well..." Becky said, placing a single sheet of paper onto the table, "maybe I do."

Fradio leaned in alongside Elmeria to read it.

"...Meat Grill Festival?" Elmeria echoed incredulously.

Sure enough, the paper read, ''"Calling All Hunters! Grand Opening! The 18th Annual Meat Grill Festival!!"''

Elmeria gave Becky an exasperated look.

"What the hell is this?"

"Exactly what it says," Becky replied brightly. "It's a competition to see who can grill the most Well-Done Steaks. Raw meat must be gathered on-site, of course. The winner gets a special prize: a piece of King Meat! Doesn't that sound perfect for you, Ellie?"

"King Meat, huh..."

Elmeria frowned, considering.

It was, admittedly, a tempting prize - for a hammer user. King Meat was a key material used to craft the Enormous Ham, a weapon both whimsical and sought-after.

Elmeria already possessed a Breath Core and didn't need the Enormous Ham, and the crafting costs were steep - but King Meat was rare enough that simply having it would be worth bragging about.

Besides, Fradio could always meet up with his beloved Gypceros later.

The Meat Grill Festival, on the other hand, wouldn't come around again until next year.

"It ''does'' sound like fun," Fradio said, earning Elmeria's groan. "Come now, there's no other quest we're excited about anyway. Besides, grilling meat is one of a hunter's basic skills. Maybe it's a good time to go back to basics and sharpen our instincts. Sir Gannon's not fully recovered, either - we could use some easy targets like Aptonoth or Bullfango to ease back into things, yes?"

Elmeria turned to Gannon.

The large man, his face still heavily bandaged, gave her a solemn nod.

She might not realize it, but Fradio had noticed - Gannon had lost weight since being poisoned by the Rathian.

The poison itself shouldn't have lingered; Rathian toxins didn't stay in the body long.

No, this was a result of a deeper issue - a wound to the spirit.

Failing to dodge that poisonous tail strike had shaken him badly.

It was said that the moment one became conscious of their own aging, they truly began to grow old.

And Gannon, after all, was already sixty.

By rights, he should have retired to a peaceful village, regaling the local children with tales of his exploits.

Yet here he was, still fighting.

"You know what," Elmeria said at last. "Let's do it."

She grabbed the paper and waved it at Becky.

"As Fradio said, there's nothing else worth doing right now. I'll come kill some time. Besides, carrying around an Enormous Ham would be hilarious."

Becky's smile widened. Without missing a beat, she turned toward the bustling gathering hall, raised her voice, and declared,

"Attention, everyone! Elmeria Franport - pride and joy of Minegarde - will be participating in the Meat Grill Festival! Who else wants to join? Especially hammer users - you won't want to miss out on the fabulous prize: the King Meat, perfect for crafting your very own Enormous Ham!"

Realizing she had just been used for promotional purposes, Elmeria's eyes widened.

Becky shot her a mischievous grin before turning back toward the counter, ready to register the flood of eager participants now waving their arms.

"...Now ''that'' is stage presence," Fradio muttered.

He took a deep drink of wine and speared another piece of juicy Aptonoth meat with his fork, chuckling as the hot juices burst free.

Zeeg watched the departing hunter's back disappear beyond the door, then slumped heavily into a chair with a long, exhausted sigh.

That made fifteen now. Fifteen interviews, and not a single one had resulted in a new comrade. There had been a few who looked capable enough, but not one he could truly call a partner.

The trip to the Volcano was scheduled for the day after tomorrow. If he couldn't find anyone by then, he would have no choice but to set out alone.

Against a Basarios, he could probably manage if he fought cautiously. But that wasn't the point - he hadn't come all the way to this town just to do everything by himself.

Still, Zeeg found himself surprised by just how draining these interviews had been.

He could get a rough sense of a hunter's skill from their equipment, sure, but so far not a single applicant had shown up wearing Rathalos or Rathian gear.

The best-equipped hunter he'd seen wore a full set of Cephalos armor, made from the scales of sand-dwelling monsters - but she'd made it quite clear she intended to lead the team herself. He had politely shown her the door.

''Maybe it was my age after all'', he thought with a wry grimace.

Most hunters with real ability were well into their late twenties or older.

Hunters like himself, Elmeria, or Freda - who had managed to earn wyvern gear while still in their teens - were rare.

Not that he was arrogant enough to think himself some prodigy.

Maybe once, in the past. But now he understood all too well - without the help of his comrades, he never would have made it this far.

Luck might let him take down one monster, maybe two. But to hunt enough for a full set of weapons and armor - that took something more tangible.

Even so, Zeeg didn't feel any desire to partner with hunters much older than himself. If they were like Gannon - silent and watchful - that would be fine. But if they started barking orders, well... he might as well stick with Elmeria.

Maybe trying to find someone around his own age, willing to take on a Basarios, had been setting the bar too high from the start.

It might be smarter to treat this hunt as a one-off. Afterward, he could lower the difficulty - take a quest for a Yian Kut-Ku or something - and try recruiting again.

A sharp pain twinged in his stomach, and he remembered he hadn't eaten all morning.

The first applicant had shown up before breakfast, and there had been no break since.

Rubbing his aching temple, Zeeg rose from his chair.

When he'd joined Elmeria's party, it had been by the Guild Master's recommendation - there had been no formal interview like this.

Still, she must have gone through something similar at some point. Was she still doing it even now? The thought brushed across his mind like a cold wind, but he shook it off.

In any case, he needed food. The guest house would prepare a special meal if he asked, but it came at a steep price.

With most of his money earmarked for a new weapon, he couldn't afford luxuries right now.

It would be cheaper to roast some raw meat himself.

He fished his BBQ Spit out of his pack and turned toward the balcony to set it up...

"Excuse me!"

...Only to freeze as a voice spoke from beyond the door, startlingly close.

Zeeg almost dropped the spit on his foot.

Usually, he could sense when someone approached, even before they knocked - but this time, he had noticed nothing.

As he hesitated, the voice came again.

"Forgive the intrusion! Might this be the room of Sir Zeeg Grandest? I saw the notice on the board and wished to speak with you."

The speaker's voice was low, distinctly male, and oddly formal - but Zeeg managed to catch the gist.

Another applicant, apparently.

"Ah - yeah!"

Setting the BBQ Spit hurriedly on the table, Zeeg checked his gear.

Something about the man's voice demanded it.

He always conducted interviews in full armor, and expected the same of his applicants.

It was the quickest way to judge a hunter's ability outside the field.

His Lacerator Blade+ was hanging on the wall nearby.

Usually, hunters carried their weapons too.

Someone who skimped on weaponry in favor of flashy armor tended to be overly cautious. And the reverse - Zeeg winced, remembering his younger self - suggested reckless impatience.

"So - uh, yeah. Come in!"

He deliberately used a slightly rough tone.

Better to establish from the outset who would be leading the party.

If someone couldn't handle a little bluntness, they wouldn't survive working with him.

"Excuse me," the voice repeated - and the door swung open.

The man who entered was tall, with dark skin and a lithe build, moving without so much as a whisper of footsteps.

Even a wyvern would struggle to notice someone like that.

He stopped a good distance inside the room, standing casually - but there was not a single gap in his stance.

His hair, a muted gray, was slicked back and tied behind him, much like Zeeg's own.

His one open eye was blue and ringed with strange concentric lines rather than a vertical slit - and the other was closed, perhaps the mark of an old wound.

His armor... if it could even be called that, was strange.

He wore plain white clothes, reinforced only in vulnerable spots like the shoulders, elbows, throat, and waist, with thin plates that looked more decorative than functional.

His loose, ballooning trousers were tucked into black boots, and strange patterns were painted along the hems.

But what truly drew the eye was the weapon on his back.

It resembled a wyvern's talon - a pair of talons, in fact.

They looked almost like twin one-handed swords, but distinct from any weapon Zeeg knew.

"You've noticed my blades," the man said smoothly, a thin sprig of some herb clamped between his lips.

He smiled faintly, his expression calm and easygoing, and Zeeg guessed he was in his mid-twenties.

"Those aren't... sword-and-shield, are they?" Zeeg asked cautiously.

"Indeed not," the man replied, nodding as if approving the question. "These are my beloved blades - Zanki. I am a wielder of dual blades."

"Dual blades...?"

"Just so - ''Youth's ignorance blooms; no shame in the mind's pure soil; learning comes with time'' - as the saying goes."

The peculiar rhythm of the words made Zeeg blink.

Was he being insulted just now? It was hard to tell.

"That was a ''senryū''," the man explained, his open eye narrowing.

Zeeg was even more confused.

Did he just say ''ryū'' - dragon?

Was this ''Zanki'' weapon crafted from some monster he'd never heard of?

The man seemed to catch his bewilderment and chuckled softly.

"Heh... Though I say ''ryū'', I do not speak of wyverns. Senryū is a form of wordplay from my homeland."

"I... see?"

The man straightened and gave a formal, shallow bow.

"Forgive my late introduction. I am Entarō. If it pleases you, call me Enta."

"Huh... yeah, sure..."

Zeeg found himself a little overwhelmed.

Even Entarō's name had a unique ring to it.

Still, for all the man's flowery phrasing, his words were clear enough, and Zeeg had no trouble understanding him.

"Uh, well... why don't you have a seat?"

Zeeg, desperate to regain control of the conversation, gestured toward a chair. But Enta merely raised a hand.

"Nay, I shall decline."

At first, Zeeg thought he meant to remain standing, but instead, the man - who had introduced himself as Enta - sat cross-legged directly on the floor. Somehow, the way he settled there fit so naturally, he looked less like a man and more like a bronze statue that had stood there for years, untouched by time.

Feeling awkward about being the only one sitting properly, Zeeg followed suit, lowering himself to the floor as well. It was uncomfortable; whenever he took breaks out on a hunt, he always used a folding chair that came with his BBQ Spit kit. Sitting on the bare ground felt foreign.

"So, uh... you saw the notice on the board, right?" Zeeg asked.

"Indeed," Enta replied with a courteous nod.

"Getting right to it... what's your Hunter Rank?"

"My rank is ''Samurai''. And yourself?"

For a moment, Zeeg thought he saw the gleam of a blade flash in Enta's open eye, and he swallowed hard. The sheer pressure coming off the man made it feel like a wrong answer might literally cost him his head.

"M-me? I'm a ''Strider''..."

"Oh-ho!"

With a sudden spark of enthusiasm, Enta's lone eye widened. Startled, Zeeg nearly reached for his greatsword on the wall. Was the man trying to startle him, just to enjoy the reaction?

But Enta merely shook his head slowly and said,

"To think that one so young surpasses even I in rank! I am most impressed."

Still seated cross-legged, he bent low in a deep, skillful bow.

And he stayed there.

After a long, awkward silence, Zeeg began to wonder if the man had fallen asleep, but just as he was about to check, Enta finally lifted his head once more.

Trying to keep his balance in this strange conversation, Zeeg felt slightly dizzy.

"A-anyway," he tried, "you said 'young' - but do you even know how old I am?"

"I do not, but I venture to guess... eighteen years?"

Dead on.

Sure, nobody looking at him would mistake him for forty or fifty, but to peg his age exactly was still impressive. Maybe it was just a lucky guess... or maybe not.

"And you?" Zeeg asked. "How old are you?"

"This year, I have reached twenty-five," Enta declared. "Five years ago, I drifted to this land, learned of the way of hunters, and was immediately captivated. It is the perfect vocation for my training."

"Training?" Zeeg parroted.

"Indeed. I strive to hone my blade and become a peerless swordmaster. In these peaceful times, there are precious few places where one can engage in honest, life-or-death battle. Yet in the life of a hunter, that spirit endures. There is no better arena for perfecting one's skill."

"But then, why'd you want to form a party? Wouldn't solo hunting fit your training better?"

"An astute question," Enta said, folding his arms and nodding. He then leaned forward, lowering his voice conspiratorially.

Zeeg, caught by the sudden shift, leaned forward too.

"...In truth, I have another ambition. Forming a party is but a means to that end - I wish to spread the glory of dual blades far and wide."

Zeeg straightened up in surprise. That wasn't exactly something anyone needed to whisper about. If anything, he could have shouted it from the rooftops.

But Enta, oblivious to Zeeg's thoughts, nodded emphatically to himself.

"The best way is to show others firsthand the brilliance of the dual blades! Especially the younger hunters like yourself - once you witness their magnificence, you too will surely be tempted to wield them!"

Even with that passionate speech, Zeeg remained unconvinced. He had no intention of abandoning the greatsword he had wielded since before he officially became a hunter.

Besides, dual blades... weren't they just two small swords?

Worse, they had no shield. Greatswords and heavy bowguns could block with their massive frames, and even hammers could compensate for their lack of defense with overwhelming power.

But dual blades - their cutting edge didn't seem particularly impressive, nor did they offer any means of defense. Zeeg couldn't imagine they were easy to use at all.

As if reading his mind, Enta fixed him with a sharp gaze and chuckled.

"Heh... I know exactly what you are thinking - ''Two blades side by side; yet both are weak, unrefined; a pair, not the best'' - That is what every hunter thinks... Until they see my technique for themselves!"

With a loud slap to his knee, Enta beamed.

"Once you see me slicing through Basarios's rock-hard hide like it were ''sashimi'', you'll be singing a different tune! You'll envy the dual blades, mark my words! Behold! Witness the blade dance of a ''demon''!"

Suddenly, without rising from his cross-legged position, Enta drew both swords from the sheaths strapped to his back. Their polished blades gleamed menacingly under the light.

"H-hey! What the hell are you doing!?" Zeeg cried, jolting back.

Snapped from his theatrics, Enta blinked his lone eye, mumbled an apology, and hastily resheathed his weapons.

This was no laughing matter.

Had Zeeg not spoken up, he might have been the one carved into neat little slices, not Basarios. There was a dangerous aura about Enta, no doubt about it. A strange one, too.

"...Right. So, uh, your résumé?" Zeeg prompted, trying to regain focus.

"Here it is."

From within his robes, Enta produced a folded sheet of paper and handed it over.

It bore the official seal of the Hunter's Guild. Listed on it were records of all the quests Enta had undertaken - monster hunts, transport missions, and the like. The entries weren't arranged chronologically but by category: wyvern species and their respective numbers hunted, goods delivered for transport requests, and the tallies of successes and failures.

A quick scan was enough to tell Zeeg that Enta was no slouch. His record against wyverns in particular was impressive - far beyond what an average hunter could boast.

Still, something felt off.

Judging by the list, Enta had likely been bouncing between different parties, focusing almost exclusively on wyvern hunts.

That wasn't what Zeeg had in mind for his group. He had made that clear with the notice on the guild board.

But Enta had probably applied because this mission involved a wyvern - specifically, a Basarios.

Turning him away would be simple enough. But Zeeg hesitated. He had only just been thinking that maybe, this time, the group would be a one-shot team - handle the mission and disband.

Unlike when he had joined Elmeria's team, this group would be full of first-timers working together. No telling what their real skills were like.

Jumping straight into a wyvern hunt under those circumstances... maybe it was reckless after all.

Still, canceling the quest outright would leave a bad impression with the Guild. If word got around that he had pulled out without a good reason, future requests might dry up - especially important ones.

And Enta's résumé - it even showed prior hunts against Basarios. Five of them.

That wasn't a huge number compared to his other quarry, but it was enough to earn respect.

Zeeg steeled himself, folding the résumé and handing it back to Enta.

"Alright. I'll be counting on you," he said.

"Understood," Enta replied.

Taking the résumé, Enta tucked it away inside his robes. Zeeg then pulled out the contract for the Basarios hunt. Every member of the hunting party had to sign it before submitting it to the Guild - only then could they officially depart.

Producing a brush-like writing tool, Enta scrawled a strange set of characters beneath Zeeg's signature: 炎太郎.

"Is that your name?" Zeeg asked, tilting his head.

"It is written in a script not used in Schrade," Enta explained, stowing the brush once more. "The Guild has permitted us to use our own country's writing, so I choose to do so. 炎 for 'En,' 太 for 'Ta,' and 郎 for 'Rō'."

"Huh..." Zeeg muttered, staring intently at the signature. It looked more like a drawing than a name. He had heard stories that the world stretched far beyond the Kingdom of Schrade, but this was his first time encountering a piece of it with his own eyes.

"So then," Enta said, glancing about the room, "where are the other hunters?"

"Ah, well... there aren't any yet. You're the first," Zeeg admitted.

"Ah, I see. In that case, allow me to assist in selecting the others. It is a matter of life and death, after all."

"Uh, wait, that's-"

Zeeg faltered. Enta quirked an eyebrow at him.

"Was that unwelcome?" he asked, his voice calm but probing.

"No, it's not that," Zeeg said quickly, hesitated a moment, then added, "It's just... Well, I don't mean to ignore your opinion, but this is my party. I want to choose the members myself."

"I see... That is understandable. I shall leave the final decision to you."

"Yeah. I appreciate it."

Zeeg felt a relief far deeper than words could express. He had made his choice - he didn't want to have it overturned and be forced to start all over again. Now, just two more members to find.

The weight on his shoulders lessened a little. Part of it was simply having found one companion already, but more importantly, he had decided that this party was only for this hunt. If they got along, they could continue together. If not, no harm done.

Seeking a long-term team from the outset had been a mistake.

Thinking back, even when he had joined Elmeria's party, it had been intended as a one-time learning experience. After that hunt - where he had contributed almost nothing - and a morning of a strange incident, she had invited him to join her again. Their long association afterward had been the exception, not the rule.

Feeling clearer, Zeeg was about to fold up the contract when he sensed a presence outside the door. Unlike Enta's arrival, this was someone more... normal. The presence halted in front of the door - and stayed there. No knock came.

("What the...?") Zeeg tilted his head. At that instant, Enta, still seated cross-legged, drew something from his coat and flicked it over his shoulder without even turning around.

There was a dull thud, then a sharp cry from beyond the door. A small dagger, its blade oddly shaped to fit a keyhole, was now embedded in the lock.

If he had aimed for that, his skill was terrifying.

"Peeking is a shameful habit," Enta said, sounding for all the world like he was the master of the room.

Zeeg swallowed the complaint rising to his lips. If this was an applicant, it wouldn't do to start off with an argument - no hunter would want to join a party that looked like it was about to fall apart.

"...Come in," Zeeg called, sitting up straight.

Enta rose soundlessly to his feet, positioning himself behind Zeeg with his hands clasped behind his back. Zeeg caught a glimpse of the twin swords at Enta's back but chose to ignore them for now.

The door creaked open hesitantly.

The figure that entered was more boy than man, his face still round with youth. Yet he was tall - taller than Zeeg by the width of a fist, by his quick reckoning. His brown eyes were half-lidded, giving him a perpetually drowsy look, and his short brown hair stuck up wildly, as if he'd just rolled out of bed.

One glance at his equipment, and Zeeg pegged him for a rookie.

His armor was crafted entirely from Velociprey and Velocidrome materials - tough but basic blue-scaled gear, from helm to greaves. When Zeeg had first arrived in town, he had worn even shabbier armor - but he had at least splurged on a decent weapon.

This boy, however, had a plain bone sword at his waist - a one-handed blade that looked more like a jagged saw than a weapon. A Bone Pick, or perhaps a Bone Spike, if Zeeg remembered the name correctly.

The boy glanced at Zeeg, then at Enta looming behind him, and hunched his shoulders before giving a timid bow.

"Um... is this the place recruiting for the Basarios hunt...?" he asked, voice so faint it seemed ready to vanish.

"Yeah-"

"It is indeed," Enta said, cutting off Zeeg without a hint of shame.

Zeeg shot him a look over his shoulder. Enta met his gaze, and nodded as if to say "Ah, right," but offered no apology.

Suppressing a sigh, Zeeg turned back to the boy.

He was still standing awkwardly by the door, clearly reluctant to approach. Zeeg understood - he must have been intimidated by their gear. After all, the Rathalos set Zeeg wore was no easy prize.

"Come on. Have a seat," Zeeg said, patting the floor in front of him. There was no point dragging out a chair at this stage.

The boy approached as if expecting a Velociprey to lunge from the shadows at any moment. He settled where Enta had been sitting before, back stiff, eyes briefly meeting Zeeg's before darting down to the floor.

Behind him, Enta exhaled softly through his nose.

Zeeg felt much the same. This boy wasn't necessarily cowardly, but he lacked confidence. That hesitation, that self-doubt - it could prove fatal in the hunt, where a moment's indecision could mean death.

If this were a simple Velociprey cull or a mushroom gathering quest, it would be another matter.

But this was a wyvern hunt. A Basarios. And if one of them faltered, it could cost them all their lives.

Just as Zeeg opened his mouth to refuse, the boy pulled a folded sheet of paper from the pouch at his waist, placed it on the floor, and pushed it toward him.

("A résumé?") Zeeg thought, but on closer look, it didn't seem like one.

Curious, he picked it up, broke the wax seal, and unfolded it. A quick glance told him it was a letter of introduction, issued by the Guild itself, requesting that Zeeg take charge of training a new recruit.

He couldn't fathom why the request had come to him, of all people. He had yet to accomplish anything noteworthy. Puzzled, he took a closer look - and noticed the seal stamped at the bottom. It wasn't from this city. It belonged to the Hunter's Guild of Minegarde.

"...Um, Miss Becky told me to bring this to you," the boy said hesitantly. "She said... it would be a great learning experience."

"Becky?" Zeeg repeated, raising an eyebrow. He glanced back down at the letter.

The wording was stiff and formal, just what he'd expect from official Guild correspondence - but at the very end, almost like an afterthought, there was a single casual line: ''"Take good care of him, okay?"'' The handwriting was unmistakably Becky's.

Memories stirred within him: the day he first arrived in Minegarde. Had the Guild Master not vouched for him back then, he never would have joined Elmeria's party - and without that chance, he doubted he'd have grown strong enough to be clad in Rathalos armor so soon.

Thinking on it, refusing would be the easy path. But could he live with that? Becky had gone out of her way to support him more times than he could count. To turn away now - to betray the trust she was placing in him - felt wrong.

"...Got a résumé?" Zeeg asked, lifting his gaze from the letter. It was only fair to at least take a look.

One couldn't judge a hunter by their armor alone. Some made it a point of pride to hunt wyverns in mediocre gear. This boy hardly seemed the type, but there was always a chance he had some hidden skill.

The boy nodded and produced a second sheet of paper. Zeeg accepted it and unfolded it.

This time, it really was a résumé.

A quick scan was enough to see that the boy's record was nearly blank. He had taken down a few Yian Kut-Ku solo, but those were more bird wyverns than true wyverns. Dangerous if underestimated, yes - but hardly a match for the real heavyweights.

Still, thinking back to his own record when he first came to Minegarde, Zeeg couldn't say the boy was any worse. If he could handle a Yian Kut-Ku alone, he might not be much help against a Basarios, but at least he wouldn't get in the way.

He checked the boy's name: Brass Lagoon. Hailing from Piniq, one of the small frontier villages near Minegarde. Zeeg had never been there himself, but he'd heard it was founded by retired hunters.

His eyes drifted to the age listed beneath the name - and widened in surprise.

''Sixteen''.

He had pegged the boy for older at first glance, but now that he knew, Brass suddenly seemed much younger, his expressions more boyish.

There weren't many who came to the city at that age. Zeeg himself had, but it was rare. Elmeria, he recalled, had been registered with the Guild even younger, though she'd had Gannon, her retainer, at her side.

Coming alone at sixteen, with no one to back him up - that took guts.

And at least on the surface, Brass seemed like a good-natured kid.

Hunters tended to be a rough bunch. There were plenty of good men and women among them, but there were just as many who would think nothing of exploiting rookies - gathering up greenhorns to use as bait, feeding their fiery spirits into easy victories.

Such types were despised, of course, but there was another school of thought: that the Guild was no place for amateurs, and those too naïve to survive deserved what they got.

True, the Guild sometimes smoothed the path for beginners - as it had for Zeeg - but that protection ended quickly. After that, a hunter's life and death were their own responsibility.

Looking at Brass now, he resembled nothing so much as an Aptanoth wandering haplessly into a hungry hunter's path. No wonder Becky had chased Zeeg all the way to Nusti to hand him this task. She expected him to return the favor she'd once shown him.

If Brass could make it through this first trial, the Guild would gain another capable hunter - and Becky had always said they could never have too many.

("But...") Zeeg frowned inwardly, looking at the weapon he carried: a sword and shield.

Fast enough, sure - but against wyverns, not exactly reliable.

A Yian Kut-Ku was one thing; one could get by with a basic weapon. But anything tougher, and it became a question of whether the blade could even pierce the hide.

If it were the Master Blade from Kokoto Village, the one Freda carried, even Rathalos shell could be split. But with something like a Bone Spike... most likely, the blade would bounce harmlessly off.

As he glanced back down at the résumé, Zeeg noticed a small notation he had missed before. Under ''Special Skills'', in faint letters: ''Combining (Advanced)''.

It was a skill often overlooked in hunts, but when used well, it could transform the entire field into an arsenal. Having someone adept at combining on a team was no small advantage.

''Still, what to do...''

Before he could make up his mind, a voice spoke from behind.

"I have no objection," Enta said.

Zeeg had planned to ask for his opinion, but being preempted like this left a sour taste. He gave a vague nod, folded up the résumé, and handed it back to Brass.

The boy accepted it carefully, almost reverently.

"Welcome aboard," Zeeg said, extending a hand.

Brass blinked, startled, then quickly grabbed Zeeg's gauntleted hand with his own, their armor clinking faintly.

"Th-thank you very much! I'll do my best!"

"No need to push yourself too hard," Zeeg said, giving him a small, reassuring smile. "The Basarios isn't an opponent you can afford to underestimate, but both its poison and sleep gases come with obvious tells before they spew. As long as you don't miss the signs, it's not something to fear. Handle it right, and it's easier than a Kut-Ku."

"R-really?"

Brass's wide-eyed disbelief was almost comical. Zeeg nodded firmly.

"It's tough, sure - but that's all. Just one thing... your Bone Pick might not cut through its hide. You're good at combining, right? I'll be counting on you for that too."

"Y-yes, sir!"

The boy's face lit up, cheeks flushing with excitement. His eyes gleamed with unshed tears, and he nodded so hard it seemed his helmet might topple off.

How long that enthusiasm would last, Zeeg couldn't say. Basarios was no Rathalos - but it was still a wyvern, through and through.

Zeeg produced the contract and handed it over for a signature.

Brass - who, by all appearances, was no rugged or battle-hardened youth - was an unknown quantity when it came to facing a true wyvern, hatchling or not. He might well freeze up... or worse, take a charge straight to the chest.

Keeping a firm hold on the boy's hand, Zeeg rose to his feet and helped Brass to stand. With how Brass stood taller than him, the sword and shield strapped to his back looked almost comically small, more like a dagger than a proper weapon. With a frame like his, a greatsword or a lance would surely suit him better. Still, switching weapons now would only hinder their hunt, so Zeeg decided to leave well enough alone.

"That makes three of us, then," Enta said, arms crossed, sweeping his lone eye over the group. "A greatsword, a sword-and-shield, and dual blades. All close-range fighters... Will we be adding one more to our ranks?"

Zeeg nodded. With this setup, what they really needed was a bowgunner. They could, of course, simply charge in like a pack of Velociprey, relying on brute force - but having a gunner would expand their tactical options considerably. A skilled hunter covering their backs would allow the frontliners to focus solely on the target ahead.

"Let's head to the gathering hall," Zeeg said, jabbing a thumb at the door. "We'll need to update the posting. ''One more - Bowgun users only.''"

"A ranged fighter, hmm..." Enta narrowed his lone eye. "I don't much care for them, but if it's your decision, I shall abide - ''Though shame may arise; silence falls upon the heart; peace in quiet reigns''."

"Bowgun... I'll do my best," Brass murmured vaguely, clenching his fist for reasons known only to himself.

Zeeg was tempted to ask what exactly he meant to "do his best" at - but decided against it as he grabbed his greatsword from against the wall. Better not to give the impression that every little thing had to be discussed and agreed upon. When the moment came, he didn't want Brass getting any ideas about second-guessing orders. They needed a bowgunner; if Brass had a problem with that, he was free to leave.

Completely unaware of Zeeg's silent calculus, Brass hurried after him and Enta.

They descended the stairs, passing a few hunters on the way down, but none of the faces were familiar. That wasn't surprising - both Zeeg and Brass were newcomers to town. Even Enta, it seemed, was not acquainted with anyone here, exchanging no greetings as they passed.

The moment they stepped out of the guest house, the unrelenting sun struck them with full force, searing their skin. The weather was too good - almost obnoxiously so.

As they made their way downhill toward the gathering hall, Zeeg caught sight of an odd figure loitering by the entrance. A girl, clad in a skirt flared wide in black and white, stood beneath a black parasol trimmed in white lace. At a glance, she might have passed for a tavern maid on an errand - if not for the battered, oversized travel case she carried in her free hand. The scuffed and dirty leather suggested a life spent constantly on the move.

Something about her tugged at Zeeg's memory. He slowed, frowning, trying to place the familiarity. That outfit... he had seen it somewhere before.

As he watched, the girl folded her parasol and disappeared into the gathering hall. He caught a glimpse of her profile - just a fleeting glance - but it was enough to notice the glint of glasses perched on her nose.

"Is something the matter?" Enta asked.

"Huh? No... it's nothing."

Zeeg shook his head. If he couldn't place it, it probably wasn't important. He brushed the thought aside and motioned for the others to move on. As they pushed open the gathering hall doors, the familiar crush of alcohol, smoke, and humanity washed over them. They waded through it, making for the bulletin board.

At the counter, Zeeg spotted the girl again, speaking with the guild receptionist - the one with the prosthetic eye. Maybe she was trying to get hired as a server.

At the board, Zeeg began searching for the notice he had posted earlier. It wasn't unusual for hunters to take down postings they were interested in, so it didn't surprise him that it wasn't exactly where he had left it.

"I think it was around here," Brass said, pointing.

Following his indication, Zeeg found the notice buried halfway down a thick stack of overlapping papers. It was barely visible - left untouched, surely no one else would show up today. Just retrieving it made the trip worthwhile.

Using the bulletin board itself as a writing surface, Zeeg crossed out the old posting and updated the notes section:

''"Seeking one more! Bowgun users only!"''

He pinned it back up, making sure to place it in the most prominent spot - right at the very top. There was just one day left before the deadline. If they didn't find a fourth by then, they would have to set out as a trio.

Against a Basarios, three hunters would still manage... probably.

Just as Zeeg secured the paper, something black flickered past. Before he could even register what had happened, the notice was plucked from the board and sent fluttering through the air - deftly caught by a gloved hand.

Neither Zeeg nor Enta had sensed the approach. Enta reacted instinctively, leaping back a full table's length, hands flashing toward his weapons. Brass, startled out of his wits, fell flat on his rear.

Zeeg turned sharply, just in time to see the fluttering paper land neatly in the left hand of the girl from outside. She balanced her black parasol on her right shoulder, moving with a fluid, almost dancer-like grace.

She read the notice, her blue eyes - magnified behind her glasses - scanning the words with a sharp, gleaming intensity. Her long black hair, curled into vertical rolls on either side of her head, swayed slightly as she read.

She looked to be around Zeeg's age. He opened his mouth, but before he could speak-

"...This posting - yours?" she asked, her voice hard and clear, like machalite struck against stone.

In that instant, it hit him: he remembered where he had seen her.

"You were at Kokoto-" he blurted.

At his words, her eyes flickered - a slight, unmistakable recognition.

So it ''was'' her.

Back when Zeeg had returned to Kokoto, bored while Elmeria was off mining for the Breath Core in the volcanic zones, he had seen this girl working at the village gathering hall. If he recalled correctly, the village chief had called her Vivi.

And she was a hunter, too.

He remembered now - when the Monoblos had reappeared near the village, there had been a frantic scramble among the hunters to claim the kill. Zeeg had gotten the mark, but it had simply been luck of patrol routes - not a matter of skill.

"Vivienne Sharon, at your service," the girl said, speaking both names like a formal introduction. "How fortunate - I was just looking for a quest I could join immediately. I don't know your companions, but you... I know you're someone I can serve without worry."

"S-serve...?" Zeeg stammered. "Listen, we're just looking for a Bowgun user-"

"Precisely why I am the perfect candidate," Vivi interrupted. "From the looks of you all, you're nothing but frontliners. Surely, the bowgunner you're seeking is someone meant to support the party - a light bowgun user, yes?"

"Well, yeah, that's true," Zeeg admitted, frowning. "But where's your bowgun, then?"

"Why, right here," Vivi said, as if the answer were obvious.

Without missing a beat, she extended the handle of her parasol. With a soft click, the tip opened up, revealing a gun barrel glinting from within. The frilled black parasol - ornate and delicate - was, astonishingly, a bowgun. Even Enta, witnessing it for the first time, let out a low hum of admiration.

"This is the Dark Parasol. It cannot use piercing or cluster shots, but in exchange, it can handle every type of support ammo."

As she spoke, she set down the battered travel case she had been carrying, unlatched it, and produced a folded piece of paper, which she offered to Zeeg. Taking it, he unfolded it to find a neatly written résumé - one that made her skill immediately clear.

Given the nature of the light bowgun, it was unlikely she'd worked many solo hunts, yet even so, the list was impressive: ten Rathalos, seven Plesioth, three Khezu - and, remarkably, two Monoblos.

The Monoblos, the One-Horned Wyvern, never appeared in guild-sanctioned hunting grounds where teams were permitted. In other words, these two were solo kills - taken down single-handedly, and with a light bowgun at that.

"Is there a problem?" Vivi asked.

There was none. Hunters of her caliber were not easy to come by, even if one went looking with a contract in hand. And even if their previous encounter had been brief, there was a certain comfort in having a familiar face from his home village.

"You're in," Zeeg said decisively, producing the contract and handing it to her.

Vivi collapsed the Dark Parasol with an elegant motion, accepted the document, and after scribbling her name at the bottom, pushed up the bridge of her glasses with two fingers. Her lips curved into a smile - so perfectly poised it seemed almost artificial - as she said,

"Pleased to serve you, ''Master''."

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Monster Hunter:Volume3 Chapter5

2025-04-30T14:33:57Z

Barnnn:

== Chapter 5 - Blossoming Pink, Blazing Azure ==

[[File:MH-v03-005.jpg|300px|thumb]]

"How goes the explanations?" Enta spoke before Zeeg even reached the table.

Zeeg's brow twitched slightly as he resumed his action, placing four hefty coin pouches down in front of the party. The clinking of Zenny should have stirred excitement in any typical hunter, but the others seated at the table showed little reaction.

Enta looked straight at Zeeg, not the money. Vivi sat upright, reading from a book without so much as glancing up. Brass, preoccupied with mixing ingredients, merely shot a disapproving glare at the vibration caused by the pouches hitting the table.

Zeeg took a seat. A server promptly arrived, placing mugs of beer before the four of them. He wasn't sure if Brass drank, but it was tradition to share a drink after returning from a hunt.

Before raising his mug, Zeeg distributed the pouches. He kept the bulging one for himself - it held the refund of the contract fee. The rest of the reward was split evenly.

The group proceeded to offer a half-hearted toast and each took a drink. Enta drained his mug in one go. Vivi didn't seem to mind the taste either. Brass took a tentative lick, like he was sampling medicine.

Wiping foam from his lip, Enta leaned forward. "Well?"

"They're looking into it," Zeeg replied, gesturing toward the counter with a tilt of his chin.

The Guild's one-eyed receptionist had said only that in response to his report. If they knew anything more, they weren't sharing. In the end, all Zeeg had learned was that the Guild was just as in the dark.

He'd expected some argument over the reward. But, just as Enta had interpreted, the client's request had been exactly as written: the Basarios needed to be eliminated. It didn't matter who delivered the finishing blow. The Guild had paid out without protest.

And more than that - they'd offered a little something extra.

Zeeg slid a sheet of paper onto the table.

"And what's this?" Enta asked.

"A quest form." Zeeg waited for them to lean in before elaborating. "It's the Guild's way of apologizing for the mess. We're being given priority on this one. Only thing is... the ''targets'' are no joke."

Enta narrowed his single eye, studying the paper with suspicion. Vivi's expression remained unreadable. Brass, however, widened his eyes in shock and looked around helplessly. Of course he was rattled. This wasn't a quest someone of his rank was ever meant to touch.

The targets were a mated pair: Rathalos and Rathian.

"They've nested near a ranch..." Enta observed.

"Yeah." Zeeg picked up the quest form again, skimming it once more. "A couple weeks ago, a Rathalos was sighted near a ranch situated between Nusti and Minegarde. Not long after, a Rathian was spotted in the nearby forest. Looks like they're nesting. Normally, the Guild wouldn't authorize a hunt during the mating period - but livestock are being killed, and if they run out of prey, there's a good chance they'll move into the city. That's why the Guild's making an exception."

"A Rathalos and a Rathian..." Enta said with a grin. "A ''tempting'' challenge."

"...You can't be serious..." Brass's large frame quivered like a soaked puppy. "Even just one of them is terrifying... but both, at once? A mated pair? There's no way we stand a chance..."

"It's not impossible."

Zeeg waited until the server had quietly laid out their meal before continuing. All at once, forks reached forward, spearing through thick slices of grilled Aptonoth meat layered with root vegetables and melting cheese.

He paused to eat, letting the sizzling juices and creamy cheese fill his mouth, wiping his fingers clean on a napkin before catching Brass's expectant gaze.

"Well, sure. Neither Rathalos nor Rathian are your average wyverns. If it's sheer size you're talking, Plesioth is bigger. For toughness, Gravios can't be topped. But when it comes to aggression, cunning, and the sheer instinct to kill... nothing beats a Rathalos. It's the flagship of the flying wyverns for a reason. Rathian's slightly weaker, but her venomous tail makes her even more of a headache. And they both get nastier during mating season."

Brass gave a helpless look, as if to say - ''See? I told you so.''

"But they ''can'' be hunted," Zeeg said firmly. "Taking them on together would be suicidal. So what do we do? Easy. We split them up. Mated pairs usually leave defense to the Rathalos. We exploit that instinct - bait him out alone and take him down first."

"Divide and conquer," Enta said, nodding as he popped a roasted yam into his mouth without even peeling it. "If we chip away at him bit by bit, just like carving meat off a bone, even the fiercest monsters are no worse than a herd of Aptonoth. Nothing to fear. I have no objection to accepting this quest. What say you, Lady Vivi?"

"I shall do as the Master wishes," she spoke without lifting her gaze, swallowing a neatly sliced piece of meat with ladylike grace behind her glasses.

No matter how many times he heard it, Zeeg still wasn't used to being addressed as ''Master''. He'd asked her to stop, once. Her reply had been curt, unequivocal - ''I must decline.''

Enta nodded once, then turned to Zeeg.

"What say you, Sir Zeeg?"

The idea had appeal. He wanted to try. But sending Brass up against the likes of a Rathalos and Rathian pair right from the start - that was far too much. Zeeg wouldn't have the luxury of watching over him. The answer, then, was obvious. He turned to the boy.

"...Brass, I'm sorry, but you'll have to-"

"I-I want to go too!" Brass interrupted, his voice ringing loud across the table. He must have known what was coming.

It wasn't what Zeeg had expected, but then again, the boy had never seen a Rathalos up close. That had to be it. He was only speaking out of ignorance. Once he laid eyes on one, heard that thunderous roar, saw the beast charge - he'd freeze up. Just like Zeeg had, his first time. He hadn't run, but he'd been paralyzed by fear, unable to do a thing.

"I won't get in the way! Please, just take me with you!"

"Look, this isn't-"

"Why not let him come?"

At Enta's words, Brass lit up with hope, while Zeeg furrowed his brow. But the one-eyed hunter remained unbothered, gesturing with a root vegetable soaked through with meat juices.

"If he's to be a hunter, he must face such foes eventually. It's a path no one can avoid. And it's our duty, as those ahead of him, to lead by example. The three of us should be more than enough. They don't appear to be anything more than a standard pair."

That was true. Some monsters were classified as ''Master Rank'', a designation for those who had grown stronger through surviving countless hunts - learning traps, adapting to tactics, and passing that knowledge to their offspring. Such monsters were far more dangerous, even among the same species. But this particular Rathalos and Rathian weren't noted as Master Rank in the quest listing.

Zeeg looked back at Brass.

The boy's eyes trembled, but there was no sign of retreat. He wouldn't back down. If that was a decision made as a hunter, then it deserved respect. After all, it was only because Elmeria had once taken Zeeg along for a special Rathalos hunt that he was here now.

"Alright, fine."

Brass's face lit up - but Zeeg wasn't about to let the matter drop just yet.

"''However!'' Don't get in our way. Don't expect us to protect you, either - we won't have the time. You're responsible for your own life. If you can handle that, you can come."

"Yes, sir!" Brass replied with such spirit that he seemed to think the matter was settled. He immediately dove into his meal, biting into it with gusto.

Watching him, Zeeg felt his own appetite shrivel. He set down his fork and forced himself to drink his beer - never a favorite of his - hoping it would help settle the weight growing in his gut.

''This thing'' was good for one thing only - getting a laugh. Elmeria stared down at the freshly - forged hammer, the Enormous Ham, and let out a sigh.

She hadn't won any awards at the Meat Grill Festival, in the end. But Fradio, who ''had'' taken a prize, was generous enough to hand over his winnings - a slab of King Meat. With that and a few spare BBQ Tickets left in her stash, she figured, why not? The result, however... wasn't exactly practical.

Theoretically, the sheer weight of the smoked meat attached to the handle might be enough to cave in a Mosswine's skull. But against a wyvern, she'd be lucky not to have it eaten out of her hands. Maybe, just maybe, it could work as a distraction in a tight spot. But, realistically, it was more suited for drawing a laugh - or for a weapon collector with a sense of humor.

Sure enough, the moment she stepped into the gathering hall, all eyes turned her way.

"Oi, what in the world is that!?" someone shouted, laughter erupting.

Well, of course they laughed. The Enormous Ham looked exactly like a giant bone-in ham. She shot a grin in the direction of the voice and called back, "Mind your business!" Laughing as she did, her mood lightened just a little. Maybe making the thing wasn't such a waste after all.

She approached the counter, where Becky looked up from her ledger. Her usual smile was there, but Elmeria could see the fatigue etched around her eyes. With the Guild Master still away, it was clear she'd been handling everything herself.

"What's the occasion?" Elmeria asked, bracing herself against the counter.

Becky glanced at the Enormous Ham on Elmeria's back, but said nothing. Normally, she would've made some quip by now, but there wasn't much room for humor on her face today.

"I've got a request," she said quietly, sliding a piece of paper across the counter. The red stamp on it read: ''URGENT''.

Emergency quests like this gave little time to prepare. They were risky, demanding, and usually the kind that others had already turned down. Elmeria picked up the paper, and soon Fradio and Gannon were peering over her shoulders to read.

"Eliminate a pair of Rathalos and Rathian..." Elmeria murmured.

The request detailed sightings of the wyvern pair attempting to nest in the forest near the ranchlands. Livestock had already begun to vanish. If nothing was done, the damage could easily spread to the city.

When a mated pair prepared to breed, their territory often expanded. If they chose to nest, the nearby settlement would fall squarely within range.

It was likely the Guild had tried to drive them off first. But once a wyvern picked a nesting ground, it rarely gave it up easily. This emergency quest was their last resort.

It was a fitting challenge - and, Elmeria realized, the perfect opportunity to prove whether she was still afraid or not.

She turned to Fradio and Gannon, lifting the quest paper. "I'm thinking of taking it. What do you two say?"

"No objections here," Fradio replied, chuckling deep in his throat. "Rathalos and Rathian - excellent. Not the same one, but I still owe that queen a favor."

Elmeria looked to Gannon. "You?"

"...Should we bring a fourth? Or go as three?"

"Huh, now that you mention it..."

They'd been running as a four-hunter team lately - filling the vacancy could make coordination easier. But bringing someone unfamiliar into a fight like this, against a pair of powerful wyverns, was just asking for disaster. They might hinder more than help.

"Actually, no," Elmeria decided. "The three of us will handle it. We'll split them up and take them down one at a time. That should be enough." With that, she turned back to Becky and slapped the request down onto the counter. "Quest's ours."

"Alright. Your name here," Becky said, offering a fountain pen.

Elmeria signed, then passed the paper to Gannon and Fradio to do the same. Once all three signatures were on the page, Becky nodded.

"You're all set. Departure's in an hour. Oh, and... are you actually using ''that''?"

She pointed to the Enormous Ham, and Elmeria promptly shrugged and shook her head.

"Are you kidding? Of course not! I just brought it along to show it off. I mean, I went through the trouble of making it - it'd be a waste not to give it a debut. You know what, how about you buy it off me? Imagine that - ''Local Ninja Brains Hunter With Hunk'a Ham!'' Everyone's gonna retell that story for years!"

"Hmm..."

Becky tapped a finger to her chin, head tilted. She looked like she was actually considering it.

"Well, if you want it, let me know. I'll give you priority."

"Sure thing," Becky said with her usual smile.

Elmeria gave her a wave then turned on her heel. No need to eat - no time, either. For once, she'd had a full breakfast and wasn't hungry in the slightest.

("Since we're up against Rathalos and Rathian, we'd better pack as many Flash Bombs as we can...")

Weaving through the crowd of day-drunk hunters, Elmeria could feel her instincts waking up. She was thinking like a hunter again, and it made her feel alive.

''Yes!'' This was who she really was - not the mopey shell she'd been since Zeeg's departure.

And this quest... this was her chance to make up for her earlier failures. To show Becky, who still believed in them, that her trust hadn't been misplaced.

("...Alright. Time to hunt!")

She drew a length of cord from her pouch, reached behind her, and tied up her long hair at the nape of her neck - tight. ''Very tight.''

Zeeg drew a deep breath as he watched the Guild boat disappear from the dock. The acrid stench of something burnt still lingered in the air. The base camp, hastily erected by the Guild in a secluded grove ringed by cliffs, now lay half-collapsed - its canvas tents scorched and crumbling.

The scent told him everything. This wasn't the aftermath of some ordinary fire - it had taken a direct hit from a fireball. The Guild burned repellents around the perimeter to keep flying wyverns away, but when they were agitated, those deterrents sometimes failed. Camps being attacked was practically unheard of - but it was said that wyverns grew especially volatile while nesting, and now Zeeg had seen the proof with his own eyes.

He placed their supplies where the fire hadn't reached and dropped to one knee, spreading the provided map on the ground in the center of the group. Wyvern nesting sites always shared certain topographical traits - so much so that they all started to feel carbon-copied. As with many times before, the likely den this time was a cave carved into the mountainside.

Area 1, just beyond the camp, and Area 8, known for its steep cliffs and vertical terrain, were unlikely to harbor the creatures. That left Areas 2 through 6, and Area 9 as probable hunting grounds. But before they could make any decisions, they needed to locate the targets first.

"...We search for Rathalos first," Zeeg said, sweeping his gaze across the team. "If we go after Rathian first, there's a chance he'll come looking for her - but the opposite doesn't happen."

The statement was basic knowledge for any seasoned hunter - but Zeeg hadn't said it for the veterans' sake. His eyes drifted to Brass, the youngest among them, and saw the boy nod solemnly. He understood.

"If we run into Rathian first, we back off. Focus on finding Rathalos. No lone wolf stunts - we move as a team. Once we find him, Vivi, hit him with a Paint shot."

Vivi adjusted her glasses and nodded, the black maid uniform she always wore fluttering slightly as she moved. Paint shots and Paintballs worked by tagging the wyvern with scent, but using them on multiple targets could scatter the scent trail, making it hard to track any one of them effectively.

"I'll draw his attention," Zeeg continued. "Enta, use that opening to strike. Vivi, you'll-"

"Hold," came Enta's voice - quiet, but impossible to ignore. Zeeg turned toward him. "Would it not be wiser to reverse our roles? Your armor is heavy. Add the weight of a greatsword and you're hardly built for evasion. It would be more efficient if I were the one to draw the wyvern's attention."

"Maybe, but if it taps you even once, you're done. That's too risky."

"This ''Shinobi'' armor I wear is not as fragile as it appears," Enta countered. "Light yet durable. Excellent fire resistance. I was made for disruption. Let me do my part. You stay ready to strike when the opening comes."

"Wait, no, listen." Zeeg raised a hand to stop him. "The most effective way to use a greatsword against a flying wyvern is to get under its belly and hit it hard. That kind of attack doesn't suit a skirmisher."

"Ah..." Enta stroked his chin. "...I hadn't considered that. Then we shall decide based on how the battle unfolds. The target is a living thing, after all. We must adapt to its movements, and to each other's. We both act as decoys and skirmishers - that is the best course."

Zeeg stifled a groan. Enta was clearly satisfied with his own reasoning. There was no time to argue further - if they were both set on playing bait, then so be it.

Turning to Brass, Zeeg found the boy pale with tension. No doubt the state of the ruined camp had rattled him.

"Hey, Brass," Zeeg called. The boy jolted, his broad shoulders trembling as he looked up. "...Don't engage. Not under any circumstances. I'm not trying to scare you - but if you charge a wyvern in that gear, you won't make it back. Whether it's Rathalos or Rathian, their fireballs are no joke. You've seen what one can do."

He gestured toward the charred remains of the tent, and Brass nodded silently. In a way, the attack had done them a favor - Zeeg no longer had to waste words convincing the boy to stay out of the fight. Then again, knowing Brass's personality, maybe it wouldn't have been necessary anyway.

"Back to the strategy - what do I do, Master?"

"Ah - right." Zeeg turned, sheepish. Enta's interruption had made him forget. He gave Vivi an apologetic glance.

"Vivi, you'll focus on support over offense. With your aim, I trust you can tag us with Recovery and Antidote shots even while we're dodging like hell."

Vivi nodded, and Zeeg folded up the map. Enta reached into his pack for the standard-issue rations, prompting Brass to scramble for his own. Zeeg tore into the bland, dry pack and forced it down with indifference.

Once everyone had eaten, Zeeg stood and licked the leftover grease from his lips.

"...Alright. Time to hunt!"

''Not our lucky day today'' - that was all Elmeria could think.

The forest-and-hills region supposedly claimed by the Rathian and Rathalos pair was a newly opened hunting ground. No proper camp had been established yet. As a result, the ranch that had filed the request served as a temporary base, and getting to the hunting grounds meant crossing the river by boat.

She had declined the ranch's offered meal - something about a warm welcome - and instead wasted no time departing, boarding the waiting vessel. But something was off.

"...Gannon. You feel it too, don't you?"

The horned helm turned, and Gannon nodded silently.

''I knew it,'' Elmeria mused, sweeping her eyes over the surroundings. She had sensed something was wrong even before crossing the river: there wasn't a single Aptonoth in sight.

The riverbank, usually lush with tender grass, made for an ideal feeding ground. It should have been teeming with the gentle herbivores. That there was none, was cause for concern.

And then there was the smell - Paintberry. Faint, but unmistakable.

They were supposed to be the only hunters assigned to this quest. So why the scent of a tracking item? Had a drifter slipped in to poach? If so, that was no small matter. If this rogue was working independently, that was one thing - but if the ranchers had hired them on the side, things could turn messy fast.

("But... if that were true, could they really have acted so naturally?")

The ranchers had greeted them with open arms, every bit the picture of a family eager for their arrival. If they'd been lying, they were masters of it - and Elmeria didn't think they were.

"Tch. What a nuisance..." she muttered, clicking her tongue.

Paintballs or Paint shots were only used when a wyvern had been spotted - someone had already made contact. And if worse came to worst, this could escalate into a clash between hunters.

Officially, raising a weapon against another hunter was forbidden. But that didn't mean they were about to stand there and watch someone steal your quarry. The proper response was to report the incident to the Guild and let them resolve it - but no one out in the field had the luxury of waiting for bureaucracy to catch up.

They reached the opposite shore. As Fradio disembarked and began tying off the boat, Elmeria inhaled deeply once more. That Paintberry scent was definitely coming from nearby.

Whether the local Aptonoth had been slaughtered by those trespassers or devoured by the wyverns themselves, the result was the same - no fresh meat to be gathered. They'd have to rely on what rations they'd brought and supplement the rest with fish.

Unfastening the pack at her waist, which swayed against the steel bustle of her armor like a blooming flower of iron, Elmeria pulled out the map and spread it open. From the markings, it seemed they were in what was referred to as Area 1.

Hunting grounds always looked the same after a while. Still, the scents riding the wind were coming from the right - opposite the forest. That was where the trail lay.

"It's awfully quiet, hmm?" Fradio spoke in a breezy tone, but the slitted eyes of his helmet narrowed as he scanned the horizon.

Indeed. Quiet. Far too quiet.

"...Let's go," Elmeria said.

A faint, smoldering sensation lit up deep in her chest. She slung her Breath Core over her back, then stepped onto the grassy slope - like a carpet rolled out by nature itself - and began ascending the path that led toward the hills.

Pushing through the lush forest where Felynes often wandered near a tranquil spring, Zeeg's party emerged onto a grassy plain atop a sheer cliff - only to stop dead in their tracks at the sudden boom that echoed across the air.

Then, a trailing arc of firelight blazed skyward. The scent of scorched air crept over them, acrid and familiar. Either a Rathalos or Rathian had unleashed a fireball.

But something didn't add up. The sound they'd heard just before - without question, that had been a bowgun. Which meant...

''There were other hunters out here.''

("Again!?")

Immediately before this, they'd run into a similar situation with that Basarios. What was Nusti's Guild even doing? Their party had secured the contract for this hunt fair and square. To be scooped like this - it was intolerable.

Zeeg glanced at Enta. The man's expression was rigid, jaw clenched. For all his easy words and measured calm, he clearly wasn't taking this theft-of-prey well. Vivi, too, had gone quiet, absently stroking the canopy of her Dark Parasol, a sharp glint simmering behind her glasses.

The fireball had risen from Area 4 - just beyond the presumed nesting ground.

Zeeg led the party up a slope between gouged cliffs, emerging into a wide clearing. Nothing was immediately visible. The path ahead twisted through Area 3 toward Area 4, but an enormous rock formation split the terrain like a trident, obstructing their view almost entirely.

The silence was unnatural.

After the gunshot and that fireball, there should've been chaos. But the forest was deathly still. Tensing, lowering their bodies, Zeeg and his comrades crept toward the rock and rounded it in silence, suppressing every hint of presence. They heard nothing - but the smell was there. The acrid sting of gunpowder. The scorched bite of burning grass. And... the stench of charred flesh.

There was no doubt. A wyvern was nearby.

Peering past the stone into the grove beyond, Zeeg felt the hairs on his arms rise. For a second, he thought his eyes had failed him. But no - he could feel it from the others, too. They were all seeing the same thing.

Two flying wyverns. A Rathalos and a Rathian.

And yet - they were ''wrong''. Not just in the way light fell across their scales, but in the very nature of their appearance.

The Rathalos was sheathed in blue plates, like the depths of an ocean, gleaming like cut jewels in the sunlight - nothing like the familiar crimson shell of the species. Beside it, the Rathian's verdant green was gone, replaced by a delicate pink that bloomed across her body like a field of cherry blossoms before spring's full flush.

The term that leaped to Zeeg's mind: ''subspecies''.

Occasionally, such mutations appeared in the wild. Though he'd never seen one himself, blue-scaled Yian Kut-Kus had been spotted in recent months. That was enough to make the rumors credible.

The two wyverns nuzzled each other's snouts, brushing together in a manner almost affectionate.

But when Zeeg lowered his eyes, his gut twisted into a cold, hard knot.

Hunters lay sprawled beneath the beasts, collapsed in tangled ruin.

He couldn't tell how many. Severed arms and legs lay strewn across the ground. Some bodies had been charred black. Nearby, a heavy bowgun - the Titan Launcher - was half-buried in the dirt. That must've been the source of the final shot.

A few paces off, he saw a shattered greatsword - likely an Iron Grace katana. Two hunters had died here. Perhaps more.

"Ahh!" A gasp - sharp, high-pitched - escaped someone behind him.

Zeeg clicked his tongue.

''Brass.''

The boy had never seen a corpse before.

("That idiot...!")

The wyverns reacted instantly. Twin gazes - pink and azure - snapped toward them.

Their cover had been blown.

Zeeg's hand flew to the handle of his Lacerator Blade+, and he charged from the undergrowth.

If either wyvern attacked first, Brass wouldn't survive the first blow.

The wyverns stared. A second later, a crack of igniting powder split the air - and a crimson splash erupted across Azure Rathalos' face. The stench of Paintberry spread.

The hunters who'd come before must've marked him, but the effect had long since faded.

A roar shook the very air. Zeeg felt his muscles lock up with primal fear - something no amount of training could ever dull.

With a quake of the earth, the Azure Rathalos surged forward.

Zeeg raised Lacerator Blade+ as a shield just in time. The impact tore through his arms and down his spine like a thunderbolt. The wyvern's momentum sent it sliding along the greatsword, glancing off and crashing over his head.

His arms were numb, but Zeeg forced life back into them, swinging upward.

The line of jagged blades caught the Rathalos' tail - only to bounce off, harmless.

("Damn it - it's tough!")

It wasn't his blade. He'd sharpened it just this morning, and it had cut through countless Rathalos hides. This subspecies... its shell was different. Unnaturally hard.

Another roar behind.

Zeeg whirled - and saw the Pink Rathian charging.

''No time to guard.''

He dove, rolling sideways as the pink blur thundered past.

With no sign of slowing, she slammed side-first into the Rathalos beside her. Sparks flew where the thorny protrusions of her jaw scraped against his blue-scaled hide.

The Azure Rathalos reared up on his hind legs and bellowed - rage incarnate.

His chest swelled, and blue scales around his throat began to shimmer.

The next instant, the world drew inward.

A moment of vacuum. Then a blinding glow behind the scales.

And then - flame.

The fireball streaked past, missing by inches. A tree was ripped from the ground and blown apart mid-air, its splinters burning as they fell.

Wind howled, a shockwave billowing through the clearing.

A cherry-pink shadow flew overhead. Dust and ash scattered.

''Thud.''

She landed behind the party, kicking up soil.

"Sir Zeeg!" Enta's voice rang out as he rushed to his side.

They stood back to back. Enta had already drawn his dual blades - the so-called ''Zanki'' - and held them in a cross-guard stance as he faced the Pink Rathian.

"We're in trouble..." Zeeg couldn't help but chuckle. It wasn't amusement. The laugh just came, unbidden. "This is the worst possible situation. We should fall back... but you think they're going to let us?"

"Not likely," Enta replied, grinning faintly. "If I may describe the stage on which we stand - ''Fierce petals of pink; spill from spring's hand, brightening; fields of waking green''."

"Ehh, not as good as your other ones," Zeeg muttered.

He wasn't angry at the inappropriately-timed poetry. His heart thundered so hard it hurt. His throat was ready to scream. His knees nearly gave out.

But still - he didn't want to run. Even knowing there was no winning this fight, his mind already churned with possibilities, plans. How to take them down.

Zeeg licked his dry lips slowly, watching the warning lash of the wyverns' tails.

"This way!"

At the sound of gunfire followed by two distinctly different roars, Elmeria and her comrades sprinted across the clifftop meadow of Area 3. The once-fading scent of Paintberry grew sharp again - someone had fired a Paint shot. Whoever it was, stealing another hunter's prey was unacceptable.

Charging up the slope between cliffs, Elmeria burst into the clearing marked on the map as an open plain - and froze. Crouching behind a rock was... a maid?

''Why a maid!?''

A girl was dressed in a black maid outfit, complete with a parasol trimmed in black frills. This was no picnic outing.

Nearby, a tall boy knelt, tending to something on the ground. Judging by his gear, he was a hunter, at least.

"Young Mistress - look," Gannon said, voice tense as he gripped her arm and pointed.

There, beyond a ridge of grass, was the sweeping tail of a wyvern. But not green, like a Rathian basking in dappled sunlight - this tail shimmered with the blush-pink hue of cherry blossoms.

"What an interesting discovery - here as well," Fradio called from the opposite path.

Glancing that way, Elmeria spotted another tail swaying back and forth - this one unmistakably Rathalos. But it gleamed in a deep blue.

''What in the world...?''

Neither Rathalos nor Rathian were supposed to come in those colors. Was this a sign of the mating season - temporary color shifts brought on by some biological state? Or were these entirely new subspecies?

"-Who are you people?"

The voice came from behind. Spinning around, Elmeria saw the black-clad maid standing tall, gazing straight at her. That parasol - no, now that she looked closely, it wasn't just that. It was a light bowgun.

''She was a hunter too!''

"I should be asking ''you'' that!" Elmeria snapped, keeping an eye on the unusually colored wyverns as she responded. "We're here on official assignment from the Hunter's Guild in Minegarde! Stand down and clear the area!"

But the maid shook her head.

"I'm afraid that won't do. We're here under a formal contract from the Hunter's Guild in Nusti. You're the ones who should retreat."

''What?''

Elmeria could make no sense of it. The girl's strange attire was baffling enough, but this - this was beyond reason.

A single hunting ground had always been the domain of a single Guild. She had never once heard of two Guilds being dispatched to the same site under separate contracts.

A roar shattered the moment. The Pink Rathian cried out, and a gust of wind tore through the narrow path.

"Whoaaa-!"

Amid the clamor, a voice reached her ears - one she couldn't ignore.

("Zeeg!?")

No... but she couldn't have misheard him. Elmeria's stomach twisted. She dashed over to the black maid and seized her puffy shoulder sleeve.

"...Is there a ''Zeeg Grandest'' among you!?"

The girl's black eyes narrowed behind her spectacles, studying her with intensity.

"There is. He's the one leading our hunting party."

''Of course he is...''

Another roar came, and a high-pitched metallic screech echoed across the plains. Then came the sound of rupturing air, and a wave of scorching heat filled the clearing. Flames surged, turning the skies crimson.

"Unhand me."

The maid yanked her arm free, flipped a grip affixed to the parasol's shaft, and pressed the butt of it to her shoulder. The moment she pulled the trigger, fire burst from the tip. She hadn't even aimed properly-

"Impressive," Fradio murmured. "You managed to make a light bowgun like the Dark Parasol hit so cleanly with such little preparation..."

''So Zeeg's got himself a new team...''

Seeing it with her own eyes - him, hunting with other comrades - it hit Elmeria harder than she'd expected. Even in the middle of a hunt, her resolve wavered.

Was it resentment? Betrayal? Maybe because, in some deep corner of her heart, she still thought of herself as the one who'd raised him.

"...Young Mistress." Gannon's voice was calm, grounded - as if he understood it all.

Elmeria blinked herself back to the moment.

''Right.''

This wasn't the time for feelings. She had to focus. Why were two Guilds given the same contract? They wouldn't find that answer here, bickering in the field.

There was only one thing a hunter should do now.

"Gannon! Fradio! Let's go! We're not letting them hog the quarry!"

Hand on the hilt of her Breath Core, Elmeria charged down the path to the left - where she glimpsed the Rathian's cherry-pink tail lashing through the air.

In midair, the Pink Rathian coiled like a whip and lashed out with her venomous tail. Zeeg took the hit on the flat of his Lacerator Blade+ and clicked his tongue.

''She's strong.''

Venom scattered like mist, shriveling the surrounding grass within seconds. The fumes alone stung his throat. Then, once the Pink Rathian landed, three fireballs came hurtling toward him. He deflected them with his broad blade, sending flames spraying out around him.

''No room to strike back.''

Behind him, Enta was faring no better.

The Azure Rathalos paralyzed its hunters' muscles with a roar, then rained fireballs from the sky. Any attempt to close the distance was met with a powerful tail sweep meant to keep them at bay.

Zeeg had never heard of Rathalos and Rathian hunting in concert, but there was no mistaking it now.

The Azure Rathalos wasn't going for the kill just yet - he was holding back, likely due to Vivi's precise suppressing fire. But Zeeg could feel it coming. The moment the pair rushed in from both flanks, even the Rathalos armor wouldn't hold up.

A roar tore through the air once more, paralyzing Zeeg where he stood.

Even in the grip of fear, sweat still clung to his skin. He fought to move, to wrench his body free of the unnatural stillness. The Pink Rathian crouched low, her frame tensed - her hind legs seemed thicker, swollen with power.

She was going to charge - no doubt the Rathalos from the rear would, as well.

A gunshot rang out - his one hope. But then came Enta's groan, and Zeeg understood. The shot hadn't stopped either monter. This was it.

''He was going to die.''

There was no bitterness in that thought. No despair. They had faced a monster of this caliber - such things were part of the life they'd chosen as hunters.

If he regretted anything, it was that he might never reconcile with Elmeria. They had parted on a fight.

("Seriously? That's the last thing I'm thinking about?")

A self-deprecating smile flickered on Zeeg's lips. And in that instant, as though the smirk had been some strange trigger, the earth behind the Azure Rathalos erupted in a spray of dirt. He could already picture how the spear-like tip of that extended jaw would pierce through him.

But then-!

"!?"

The Pink Rathian stumbled suddenly. She toppled onto her side, skidding across the ground as though shoved by an invisible force. The impact carved a deep scar in the earth before her body slammed into the cliffside. Her head snapped back in a violent jerk, and a shriek - not quite a roar - escaped her throat.

Behind him, Zeeg heard a deafening crack - but no gunfire. The explosion must have come from something else. The Azure Rathalos let out a pained, ragged roar.

Finally, Zeeg understood - Crag ammo. Of course. Vivi had fired a Crag shot. It didn't hit hard on impact - but after a brief delay, it exploded, tearing the target apart from within.

"Zeeg!"

He turned at the sound of that familiar voice, startled. A flash of metal and verdant green surged past him, charging straight toward the Pink Rathian. It was-

("Elmeria!?")

There was no mistaking her. A young Hunter clad in Rathian armor with the unmistakable Breath Core hammer on her back - there wasn't any other like her in the world.

And just beyond, he spotted another form: massive, horned, pushing the Pink Rathian's flank against the cliff to keep her pinned. That was Gannon!

"Talk later!" Elmeria shouted, holding her hammer at her side in a ready stance. "You go that way! We split the pay fifty-fifty!"

"Got it!"

The words came out naturally. Zeeg turned on his heel just in time to see Elmeria raise her Breath Core, aiming a vicious swing at the Pink Rathian's thrashing head.

"Enta!" He called out as he ran.

The Azure Rathalos was floundering, one wing shredded and struggling to take flight. It was a perfect opportunity.

Enta slipped into step beside him, his movements fluid as running water. He glanced briefly over his shoulder.

"...Who was that?"

"A friend! Leave the other one to them!"

"Understood."

With a sharp sidestep, Enta surged forward, swift as a river in flood. In the blink of an eye, he had outpaced Zeeg, slipping into the Rathalos's blind spot.

"Now is the time... to unleash the true power of dual blades!"

''Shring'' - steel hissed as the twin blades scraped together. Enta opened his eyes wide, both of them - ''he wasn't one-eyed at all!''

"Witness the swordplay of a demon!"

He danced.

No - he ''raged''. The word dance barely captured it. His blades whirled like twin tempests, tearing into the Azure Rathalos's armored scales.

A wing talon came loose, severed, and crashed into the scorched earth. Blood gushed in violent bursts, staining the grass crimson - but not a drop touched Enta's white garb.

His swordsmanship was astonishing.

The Azure Rathalos bellowed and swung its tail in a blind frenzy. Enta leaped back, narrowly avoiding the blow. His breathing was ragged now, one eye closed once more. After all that motion, the fatigue was only natural.

("Now it's my turn!")

Zeeg charged straight for the Azure Rathalos' leg as it tried to rise. He swung his Lacerator Blade+ in a wide arc, the fang-like blades biting deep into the tender meat behind the knee.

This time, the wyvern screamed.

"O-over here!"

The cry was faint amid the roar, but Zeeg turned to see Brass at the end of a narrow path, pale-faced and half-hidden behind Vivi, motioning frantically for them to run.

For a heartbeat, Zeeg hesitated - but then the reason struck him, and he bolted.

"Enta!" He called out, and Enta seemed to grasp the plan immediately.

They sprinted together, the thundering footfalls of the enraged Azure Rathalos pursuing them.

That was exactly what they wanted. It had taken the bait.

A moment later, the roar of a collapsing pit filled the air, shaking the ground. Zeeg glanced back. The Azure Rathalos had fallen into a Pitfall Trap and was now thrashing helplessly.

Brass must've set it.

"Well done!" Zeeg called to the boy.

Without breaking stride, he and Enta charged back in. Lacerator Blade+ and Zanki struck in unison, tearing the trapped wyvern's scales to shreds!

"And now... the ''finálé''," the calm, composed voice cut through the chaos.

A gunshot rang out. In the same instant, one of the Azure Rathalos' eyes burst - blood spraying as its head jerked back violently.

A beat later, its skull bulged grotesquely from within before rupturing in a thunderous explosion!

The Azure Rathalos wavered - then collapsed, its head slamming into the earth with a seismic thud. Blood poured from its nose and mouth, the Crag shot having detonated within its brain.

Off to the side, another death cry rang out - this one from the Pink Rathian. Elmeria's team had finished the job.

Zeeg let out a long breath and slid Lacerator Blade+ back onto his back. They'd made it.

If Elmeria and her group hadn't shown up, he would have died for sure. He had enough clarity to admit that.

But reflection could wait. For now-

Zeeg pulled a carving knife from his belt. ''Azure Rathalos''. There would no doubt be rare materials to harvest - scales, shells, wing - his heart beat faster at the thought.

Enta, Vivi, and Brass all held their own carving knives, looking to Zeeg for the signal. Their eyes gleamed with expectation.

Zeeg gave a nod, and they knelt beside the slain wyvern, careful and deliberate with each stroke, wasting nothing.

"''We hunt, and are prey; life turns on the endless wheel; a world without end''..."

Enta's soft voice, like a eulogy, accompanied the rhythm of their blades as they carved into the Azure Rathalos' flesh.

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Monster Hunter

2025-04-30T14:29:09Z

Barnnn:

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[[File:MH-v01-000.jpg|300px|thumb|Volume 1 Cover]]
'''Monster Hunter''' (モンスターハンター) is a Japanese light novel series based on Capcom's video game of the same name, published by '''Famitsu Bunko'''. It is written by '''Yuuki Rin''' (ゆうきりん) and illustrated by '''Koyama Shigeto''' (コヤマシゲト).

The series won the Best Novelization award from '''Kadokawa Shoten's Light Novel Award 2007''' ([http://shoten.kadokawa.co.jp/lightnovel-award/result.html ライトノベルアワード 2007]).

== Story Synopsis ==
It is an age when giant monsters rule the world of nature, freely roaming the land and soaring through the sky. In order to survive, humanity relies on the hunters, powerful warriors with the strength and intellect to fell such beasts.

Zeeg Grandest is one such hunter, albeit still a rookie. Through his meetings with numerous comrades and battles against powerful wyverns, the boy will learn what it truly means to be a Monster Hunter.

== Series Information ==

*'''Genre''': Action, Adventure, Fantasy
*'''Original Title''': モンスターハンター
*'''Common Abbreviations''': MH, MonHan (モンハン)
*'''Author''': Yuuki Rin
*'''Ilustrator''': Koyama Shigeto
*'''Published Volumes''': 4
*'''Series Status''': Completed

== Translation ==

=== [[Monster Hunter:Registration Page|Registration]] ===

Those who wish to contribute are asked to first notify a supervisor beforehand.

'''Translators are asked to [[Monster Hunter:Registration Page|register]] which chapters they're working on'''

=== Format Standards ===
'''Every Chapter (after editing) must conform to the general format guidelines.'''
* [[Format guideline|General Format/Style Guideline]]

=== Feedback ===
Please do provide us feedback in the [https://www.baka-tsuki.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=22415&view=viewpoll Feedback Thread].

== Updates ==
*May 1, 2025 - Volume 3 Chapter 5 Uploaded
*April 30, 2025 - Volume 3 Chapter 4 Uploaded
*April 29, 2025 - Volume 3 Chapter 3 Uploaded
*March 15, 2018 - Volume 3 Chapter 2 Uploaded
*October 21, 2017 - Volume 3 Chapter 1 Uploaded
*September 9, 2017 - Volume 2 Afterword Uploaded
*August 28, 2017 - Volume 2 Epilogue Uploaded '''(Volume 2 Complete)'''
*August 27, 2017 - Volume 2 Chapter 5 Uploaded
*August 18, 2017 - Volume 2 Chapter 4 Uploaded
*July 30, 2017 - Volume 2 Chapter 3 Uploaded
*July 9, 2017 - Volume 2 Chapter 2 Uploaded
*June 25, 2017 - Volume 2 Chapter 1 Uploaded
*May 22, 2017 - Volume 2 Prologue Uploaded
*April 24, 2017 - Volume 1 Chapters 3, 4, 5, Epilogue, and Afterword Uploaded '''(Volume 1 Complete)'''
*April 23, 2017 - Project Page Created, Volume 1 Chapters 1 and 2 Uploaded

== Monster Hunter by Yuuki Rin ==
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=== [[Monster Hunter:Volume1|Volume 1 - Commandment of the Hunt]] ([http://www.mediafire.com/file/1xib5zl7b7z7661/Monster_Hunter_-_Volume_1.pdf PDF]) ===
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume1 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume1 Chapter1|Chapter 1 - Encounter at the Hunter's Guild]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume1 Chapter2|Chapter 2 - First Quest]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume1 Chapter3|Chapter 3 - Love Wyvern]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume1 Chapter4|Chapter 4 - Knight]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume1 Chapter5|Chapter 5 - Monster Hunter]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume1 Epilogue|Epilogue]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume1 Afterword|Afterword]]
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=== [[Monster Hunter:Volume2|Volume 2 - Condition of a Hero]] ([http://www.mediafire.com/file/ylazh8tg3u621wm/Monster+Hunter+-+Volume+2.pdf PDF]) ===
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume2 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume2 Prologue|Prologue]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume2 Chapter1|Chapter 1 - Returning Home One Year Later]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume2 Chapter2|Chapter 2 - Their Days Off]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume2 Chapter3|Chapter 3 - Aspiring to Become a Hero]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume2 Chapter4|Chapter 4 - Gypceros's Signature Move]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume2 Chapter5|Chapter 5 - Albino Wyvern]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume2 Epilogue|Epilogue]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume2 Afterword|Afterword]]
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=== [[Monster Hunter:Volume3|Volume 3 - Capacity of a Leader]] ===
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume3 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume3 Chapter1|Chapter 1 - Irritation]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume3 Chapter2|Chapter 2 - Setting off Alone]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume3 Chapter3|Chapter 3 - Interviews]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume3 Chapter4|Chapter 4 - Land of the Rock Wyvern]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume3 Chapter5|Chapter 5 - Blossoming Pink, Blazing Azure]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume3 Epilogue|Epilogue]]
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<br style="clear:both"/>

== Project Staff ==

* Project Administrator:
* Project Manager:

=== Translators ===
:* [[user:Barnnn|Barnnn]]

=== Editors ===

== Series Overview ==
*モンスターハンター狩りの掟　(June 19, 2004 ISBN 978-4-75-771874-6)
*モンスターハンター英雄の条件 (September 18, 2004 ISBN 978-4-75-772004-6)
*モンスターハンター長の資格 (June 20, 2005 ISBN 978-4-75-772320-7)
*モンスターハンター狩りの追憶 (March 30, 2006 ISBN 978-4-75-772666-6)

[[Category:Famitsu Bunko]]

[[Category:Light novel (English)]]

[[Category:Genre - Action]]
[[Category:Genre - Fantasy]]
[[Category:Genre - Adventure]]

Monster Hunter:Volume3 Chapter5

2025-04-30T14:28:06Z

Barnnn: Created page with "== Chapter 5 - Blossoming Pink, Blazing Azure == thumb "How goes the explanations?" Enta spoke before Zeeg even reached the table. Zeeg's brow..."

== Chapter 5 - Blossoming Pink, Blazing Azure ==

[[File:MH-v03-005.jpg|300px|thumb]]

"How goes the explanations?" Enta spoke before Zeeg even reached the table.

Zeeg's brow twitched slightly as he resumed his action, placing four hefty coin pouches down in front of the party. The clinking of Zenny should have stirred excitement in any typical hunter, but the others seated at the table showed little reaction.

Enta looked straight at Zeeg, not the money. Vivi sat upright, reading from a book without so much as glancing up. Brass, preoccupied with mixing ingredients, merely shot a disapproving glare at the vibration caused by the pouches hitting the table.

Zeeg took a seat. A server promptly arrived, placing mugs of beer before the four of them. He wasn't sure if Brass drank, but it was tradition to share a drink after returning from a hunt.

Before raising his mug, Zeeg distributed the pouches. He kept the bulging one for himself - it held the refund of the contract fee. The rest of the reward was split evenly.

The group proceeded to offer a half-hearted toast and each took a drink. Enta drained his mug in one go. Vivi didn't seem to mind the taste either. Brass took a tentative lick, like he was sampling medicine.

Wiping foam from his lip, Enta leaned forward. "Well?"

"They're looking into it," Zeeg replied, gesturing toward the counter with a tilt of his chin.

The Guild's one-eyed receptionist had said only that in response to his report. If they knew anything more, they weren't sharing. In the end, all Zeeg had learned was that the Guild was just as in the dark.

He'd expected some argument over the reward. But, just as Enta had interpreted, the client's request had been exactly as written: the Basarios needed to be eliminated. It didn't matter who delivered the finishing blow. The Guild had paid out without protest.

And more than that - they'd offered a little something extra.

Zeeg slid a sheet of paper onto the table.

"And what's this?" Enta asked.

"A quest form." Zeeg waited for them to lean in before elaborating. "It's the Guild's way of apologizing for the mess. We're being given priority on this one. Only thing is... the ''targets'' are no joke."

Enta narrowed his single eye, studying the paper with suspicion. Vivi's expression remained unreadable. Brass, however, widened his eyes in shock and looked around helplessly. Of course he was rattled. This wasn't a quest someone of his rank was ever meant to touch.

The targets were a mated pair: Rathalos and Rathian.

"They've nested near a ranch..." Enta observed.

"Yeah." Zeeg picked up the quest form again, skimming it once more. "A couple weeks ago, a Rathalos was sighted near a ranch situated between Nusti and Minegarde. Not long after, a Rathian was spotted in the nearby forest. Looks like they're nesting. Normally, the Guild wouldn't authorize a hunt during the mating period - but livestock are being killed, and if they run out of prey, there's a good chance they'll move into the city. That's why the Guild's making an exception."

"A Rathalos and a Rathian..." Enta said with a grin. "A ''tempting'' challenge."

"...You can't be serious..." Brass's large frame quivered like a soaked puppy. "Even just one of them is terrifying... but both, at once? A mated pair? There's no way we stand a chance..."

"It's not impossible."

Zeeg waited until the server had quietly laid out their meal before continuing. All at once, forks reached forward, spearing through thick slices of grilled Aptonoth meat layered with root vegetables and melting cheese.

He paused to eat, letting the sizzling juices and creamy cheese fill his mouth, wiping his fingers clean on a napkin before catching Brass's expectant gaze.

"Well, sure. Neither Rathalos nor Rathian are your average wyverns. If it's sheer size you're talking, Plesioth is bigger. For toughness, Gravios can't be topped. But when it comes to aggression, cunning, and the sheer instinct to kill... nothing beats a Rathalos. It's the flagship of the flying wyverns for a reason. Rathian's slightly weaker, but her venomous tail makes her even more of a headache. And they both get nastier during mating season."

Brass gave a helpless look, as if to say - ''See? I told you so.''

"But they ''can'' be hunted," Zeeg said firmly. "Taking them on together would be suicidal. So what do we do? Easy. We split them up. Mated pairs usually leave defense to the Rathalos. We exploit that instinct - bait him out alone and take him down first."

"Divide and conquer," Enta said, nodding as he popped a roasted yam into his mouth without even peeling it. "If we chip away at him bit by bit, just like carving meat off a bone, even the fiercest monsters are no worse than a herd of Aptonoth. Nothing to fear. I have no objection to accepting this quest. What say you, Lady Vivi?"

"I shall do as the Master wishes," she spoke without lifting her gaze, swallowing a neatly sliced piece of meat with ladylike grace behind her glasses.

No matter how many times he heard it, Zeeg still wasn't used to being addressed as ''Master''. He'd asked her to stop, once. Her reply had been curt, unequivocal - ''I must decline.''

Enta nodded once, then turned to Zeeg.

"What say you, Sir Zeeg?"

The idea had appeal. He wanted to try. But sending Brass up against the likes of a Rathalos and Rathian pair right from the start - that was far too much. Zeeg wouldn't have the luxury of watching over him. The answer, then, was obvious. He turned to the boy.

"...Brass, I'm sorry, but you'll have to-"

"I-I want to go too!" Brass interrupted, his voice ringing loud across the table. He must have known what was coming.

It wasn't what Zeeg had expected, but then again, the boy had never seen a Rathalos up close. That had to be it. He was only speaking out of ignorance. Once he laid eyes on one, heard that thunderous roar, saw the beast charge - he'd freeze up. Just like Zeeg had, his first time. He hadn't run, but he'd been paralyzed by fear, unable to do a thing.

"I won't get in the way! Please, just take me with you!"

"Look, this isn't-"

"Why not let him come?"

At Enta's words, Brass lit up with hope, while Zeeg furrowed his brow. But the one-eyed hunter remained unbothered, gesturing with a root vegetable soaked through with meat juices.

"If he's to be a hunter, he must face such foes eventually. It's a path no one can avoid. And it's our duty, as those ahead of him, to lead by example. The three of us should be more than enough. They don't appear to be anything more than a standard pair."

That was true. Some monsters were classified as ''Master Rank'', a designation for those who had grown stronger through surviving countless hunts - learning traps, adapting to tactics, and passing that knowledge to their offspring. Such monsters were far more dangerous, even among the same species. But this particular Rathalos and Rathian weren't noted as Master Rank in the quest listing.

Zeeg looked back at Brass.

The boy's eyes trembled, but there was no sign of retreat. He wouldn't back down. If that was a decision made as a hunter, then it deserved respect. After all, it was only because Elmeria had once taken Zeeg along for a special Rathalos hunt that he was here now.

"Alright, fine."

Brass's face lit up - but Zeeg wasn't about to let the matter drop just yet.

"''However!'' Don't get in our way. Don't expect us to protect you, either - we won't have the time. You're responsible for your own life. If you can handle that, you can come."

"Yes, sir!" Brass replied with such spirit that he seemed to think the matter was settled. He immediately dove into his meal, biting into it with gusto.

Watching him, Zeeg felt his own appetite shrivel. He set down his fork and forced himself to drink his beer - never a favorite of his - hoping it would help settle the weight growing in his gut.

''This thing'' was good for one thing only - getting a laugh. Elmeria stared down at the freshly - forged hammer, the Enormous Ham, and let out a sigh.

She hadn't won any awards at the Meat Grill Festival, in the end. But Fradio, who ''had'' taken a prize, was generous enough to hand over his winnings - a slab of King Meat. With that and a few spare BBQ Tickets left in her stash, she figured, why not? The result, however... wasn't exactly practical.

Theoretically, the sheer weight of the smoked meat attached to the handle might be enough to cave in a Mosswine's skull. But against a wyvern, she'd be lucky not to have it eaten out of her hands. Maybe, just maybe, it could work as a distraction in a tight spot. But, realistically, it was more suited for drawing a laugh - or for a weapon collector with a sense of humor.

Sure enough, the moment she stepped into the gathering hall, all eyes turned her way.

"Oi, what in the world is that!?" someone shouted, laughter erupting.

Well, of course they laughed. The Enormous Ham looked exactly like a giant bone-in ham. She shot a grin in the direction of the voice and called back, "Mind your business!" Laughing as she did, her mood lightened just a little. Maybe making the thing wasn't such a waste after all.

She approached the counter, where Becky looked up from her ledger. Her usual smile was there, but Elmeria could see the fatigue etched around her eyes. With the Guild Master still away, it was clear she'd been handling everything herself.

"What's the occasion?" Elmeria asked, bracing herself against the counter.

Becky glanced at the Enormous Ham on Elmeria's back, but said nothing. Normally, she would've made some quip by now, but there wasn't much room for humor on her face today.

"I've got a request," she said quietly, sliding a piece of paper across the counter. The red stamp on it read: ''URGENT''.

Emergency quests like this gave little time to prepare. They were risky, demanding, and usually the kind that others had already turned down. Elmeria picked up the paper, and soon Fradio and Gannon were peering over her shoulders to read.

"Eliminate a pair of Rathalos and Rathian..." Elmeria murmured.

The request detailed sightings of the wyvern pair attempting to nest in the forest near the ranchlands. Livestock had already begun to vanish. If nothing was done, the damage could easily spread to the city.

When a mated pair prepared to breed, their territory often expanded. If they chose to nest, the nearby settlement would fall squarely within range.

It was likely the Guild had tried to drive them off first. But once a wyvern picked a nesting ground, it rarely gave it up easily. This emergency quest was their last resort.

It was a fitting challenge - and, Elmeria realized, the perfect opportunity to prove whether she was still afraid or not.

She turned to Fradio and Gannon, lifting the quest paper. "I'm thinking of taking it. What do you two say?"

"No objections here," Fradio replied, chuckling deep in his throat. "Rathalos and Rathian - excellent. Not the same one, but I still owe that queen a favor."

Elmeria looked to Gannon. "You?"

"...Should we bring a fourth? Or go as three?"

"Huh, now that you mention it..."

They'd been running as a four-hunter team lately - filling the vacancy could make coordination easier. But bringing someone unfamiliar into a fight like this, against a pair of powerful wyverns, was just asking for disaster. They might hinder more than help.

"Actually, no," Elmeria decided. "The three of us will handle it. We'll split them up and take them down one at a time. That should be enough." With that, she turned back to Becky and slapped the request down onto the counter. "Quest's ours."

"Alright. Your name here," Becky said, offering a fountain pen.

Elmeria signed, then passed the paper to Gannon and Fradio to do the same. Once all three signatures were on the page, Becky nodded.

"You're all set. Departure's in an hour. Oh, and... are you actually using ''that''?"

She pointed to the Enormous Ham, and Elmeria promptly shrugged and shook her head.

"Are you kidding? Of course not! I just brought it along to show it off. I mean, I went through the trouble of making it - it'd be a waste not to give it a debut. You know what, how about you buy it off me? Imagine that - ''Local Ninja Brains Hunter With Hunk'a Ham!'' Everyone's gonna retell that story for years!"

"Hmm..."

Becky tapped a finger to her chin, head tilted. She looked like she was actually considering it.

"Well, if you want it, let me know. I'll give you priority."

"Sure thing," Becky said with her usual smile.

Elmeria gave her a wave then turned on her heel. No need to eat - no time, either. For once, she'd had a full breakfast and wasn't hungry in the slightest.

("Since we're up against Rathalos and Rathian, we'd better pack as many Flash Bombs as we can...")

Weaving through the crowd of day-drunk hunters, Elmeria could feel her instincts waking up. She was thinking like a hunter again, and it made her feel alive.

''Yes!'' This was who she really was - not the mopey shell she'd been since Zeeg's departure.

And this quest... this was her chance to make up for her earlier failures. To show Becky, who still believed in them, that her trust hadn't been misplaced.

("...Alright. Time to hunt!")

She drew a length of cord from her pouch, reached behind her, and tied up her long hair at the nape of her neck - tight. ''Very tight.''

Zeeg drew a deep breath as he watched the Guild boat disappear from the dock. The acrid stench of something burnt still lingered in the air. The base camp, hastily erected by the Guild in a secluded grove ringed by cliffs, now lay half-collapsed - its canvas tents scorched and crumbling.

The scent told him everything. This wasn't the aftermath of some ordinary fire - it had taken a direct hit from a fireball. The Guild burned repellents around the perimeter to keep flying wyverns away, but when they were agitated, those deterrents sometimes failed. Camps being attacked was practically unheard of - but it was said that wyverns grew especially volatile while nesting, and now Zeeg had seen the proof with his own eyes.

He placed their supplies where the fire hadn't reached and dropped to one knee, spreading the provided map on the ground in the center of the group. Wyvern nesting sites always shared certain topographical traits - so much so that they all started to feel carbon-copied. As with many times before, the likely den this time was a cave carved into the mountainside.

Area 1, just beyond the camp, and Area 8, known for its steep cliffs and vertical terrain, were unlikely to harbor the creatures. That left Areas 2 through 6, and Area 9 as probable hunting grounds. But before they could make any decisions, they needed to locate the targets first.

"...We search for Rathalos first," Zeeg said, sweeping his gaze across the team. "If we go after Rathian first, there's a chance he'll come looking for her - but the opposite doesn't happen."

The statement was basic knowledge for any seasoned hunter - but Zeeg hadn't said it for the veterans' sake. His eyes drifted to Brass, the youngest among them, and saw the boy nod solemnly. He understood.

"If we run into Rathian first, we back off. Focus on finding Rathalos. No lone wolf stunts - we move as a team. Once we find him, Vivi, hit him with a Paint shot."

Vivi adjusted her glasses and nodded, the black maid uniform she always wore fluttering slightly as she moved. Paint shots and Paintballs worked by tagging the wyvern with scent, but using them on multiple targets could scatter the scent trail, making it hard to track any one of them effectively.

"I'll draw his attention," Zeeg continued. "Enta, use that opening to strike. Vivi, you'll-"

"Hold," came Enta's voice - quiet, but impossible to ignore. Zeeg turned toward him. "Would it not be wiser to reverse our roles? Your armor is heavy. Add the weight of a greatsword and you're hardly built for evasion. It would be more efficient if I were the one to draw the wyvern's attention."

"Maybe, but if it taps you even once, you're done. That's too risky."

"This ''Shinobi'' armor I wear is not as fragile as it appears," Enta countered. "Light yet durable. Excellent fire resistance. I was made for disruption. Let me do my part. You stay ready to strike when the opening comes."

"Wait, no, listen." Zeeg raised a hand to stop him. "The most effective way to use a greatsword against a flying wyvern is to get under its belly and hit it hard. That kind of attack doesn't suit a skirmisher."

"Ah..." Enta stroked his chin. "...I hadn't considered that. Then we shall decide based on how the battle unfolds. The target is a living thing, after all. We must adapt to its movements, and to each other's. We both act as decoys and skirmishers - that is the best course."

Zeeg stifled a groan. Enta was clearly satisfied with his own reasoning. There was no time to argue further - if they were both set on playing bait, then so be it.

Turning to Brass, Zeeg found the boy pale with tension. No doubt the state of the ruined camp had rattled him.

"Hey, Brass," Zeeg called. The boy jolted, his broad shoulders trembling as he looked up. "...Don't engage. Not under any circumstances. I'm not trying to scare you - but if you charge a wyvern in that gear, you won't make it back. Whether it's Rathalos or Rathian, their fireballs are no joke. You've seen what one can do."

He gestured toward the charred remains of the tent, and Brass nodded silently. In a way, the attack had done them a favor - Zeeg no longer had to waste words convincing the boy to stay out of the fight. Then again, knowing Brass's personality, maybe it wouldn't have been necessary anyway.

"Back to the strategy - what do I do, Master?"

"Ah - right." Zeeg turned, sheepish. Enta's interruption had made him forget. He gave Vivi an apologetic glance.

"Vivi, you'll focus on support over offense. With your aim, I trust you can tag us with Recovery and Antidote shots even while we're dodging like hell."

Vivi nodded, and Zeeg folded up the map. Enta reached into his pack for the standard-issue rations, prompting Brass to scramble for his own. Zeeg tore into the bland, dry pack and forced it down with indifference.

Once everyone had eaten, Zeeg stood and licked the leftover grease from his lips.

"...Alright. Time to hunt!"

''Not our lucky day today'' - that was all Elmeria could think.

The forest-and-hills region supposedly claimed by the Rathian and Rathalos pair was a newly opened hunting ground. No proper camp had been established yet. As a result, the ranch that had filed the request served as a temporary base, and getting to the hunting grounds meant crossing the river by boat.

She had declined the ranch's offered meal - something about a warm welcome - and instead wasted no time departing, boarding the waiting vessel. But something was off.

"...Gannon. You feel it too, don't you?"

The horned helm turned, and Gannon nodded silently.

''I knew it,'' Elmeria mused, sweeping her eyes over the surroundings. She had sensed something was wrong even before crossing the river: there wasn't a single Aptonoth in sight.

The riverbank, usually lush with tender grass, made for an ideal feeding ground. It should have been teeming with the gentle herbivores. That there was none, was cause for concern.

And then there was the smell - Paintberry. Faint, but unmistakable.

They were supposed to be the only hunters assigned to this quest. So why the scent of a tracking item? Had a drifter slipped in to poach? If so, that was no small matter. If this rogue was working independently, that was one thing - but if the ranchers had hired them on the side, things could turn messy fast.

("But... if that were true, could they really have acted so naturally?")

The ranchers had greeted them with open arms, every bit the picture of a family eager for their arrival. If they'd been lying, they were masters of it - and Elmeria didn't think they were.

"Tch. What a nuisance..." she muttered, clicking her tongue.

Paintballs or Paint shots were only used when a wyvern had been spotted - someone had already made contact. And if worse came to worst, this could escalate into a clash between hunters.

Officially, raising a weapon against another hunter was forbidden. But that didn't mean they were about to stand there and watch someone steal your quarry. The proper response was to report the incident to the Guild and let them resolve it - but no one out in the field had the luxury of waiting for bureaucracy to catch up.

They reached the opposite shore. As Fradio disembarked and began tying off the boat, Elmeria inhaled deeply once more. That Paintberry scent was definitely coming from nearby.

Whether the local Aptonoth had been slaughtered by those trespassers or devoured by the wyverns themselves, the result was the same - no fresh meat to be gathered. They'd have to rely on what rations they'd brought and supplement the rest with fish.

Unfastening the pack at her waist, which swayed against the steel bustle of her armor like a blooming flower of iron, Elmeria pulled out the map and spread it open. From the markings, it seemed they were in what was referred to as Area 1.

Hunting grounds always looked the same after a while. Still, the scents riding the wind were coming from the right - opposite the forest. That was where the trail lay.

"It's awfully quiet, hmm?" Fradio spoke in a breezy tone, but the slitted eyes of his helmet narrowed as he scanned the horizon.

Indeed. Quiet. Far too quiet.

"...Let's go," Elmeria said.

A faint, smoldering sensation lit up deep in her chest. She slung her Breath Core over her back, then stepped onto the grassy slope - like a carpet rolled out by nature itself - and began ascending the path that led toward the hills.

Pushing through the lush forest where Felynes often wandered near a tranquil spring, Zeeg's party emerged onto a grassy plain atop a sheer cliff - only to stop dead in their tracks at the sudden boom that echoed across the air.

Then, a trailing arc of firelight blazed skyward. The scent of scorched air crept over them, acrid and familiar. Either a Rathalos or Rathian had unleashed a fireball.

But something didn't add up. The sound they'd heard just before - without question, that had been a bowgun. Which meant...

''There were other hunters out here.''

("Again!?")

Immediately before this, they'd run into a similar situation with that Basarios. What was Nusti's Guild even doing? Their party had secured the contract for this hunt fair and square. To be scooped like this - it was intolerable.

Zeeg glanced at Enta. The man's expression was rigid, jaw clenched. For all his easy words and measured calm, he clearly wasn't taking this theft-of-prey well. Vivi, too, had gone quiet, absently stroking the canopy of her Dark Parasol, a sharp glint simmering behind her glasses.

The fireball had risen from Area 4 - just beyond the presumed nesting ground.

Zeeg led the party up a slope between gouged cliffs, emerging into a wide clearing. Nothing was immediately visible. The path ahead twisted through Area 3 toward Area 4, but an enormous rock formation split the terrain like a trident, obstructing their view almost entirely.

The silence was unnatural.

After the gunshot and that fireball, there should've been chaos. But the forest was deathly still. Tensing, lowering their bodies, Zeeg and his comrades crept toward the rock and rounded it in silence, suppressing every hint of presence. They heard nothing - but the smell was there. The acrid sting of gunpowder. The scorched bite of burning grass. And... the stench of charred flesh.

There was no doubt. A wyvern was nearby.

Peering past the stone into the grove beyond, Zeeg felt the hairs on his arms rise. For a second, he thought his eyes had failed him. But no - he could feel it from the others, too. They were all seeing the same thing.

Two flying wyverns. A Rathalos and a Rathian.

And yet - they were ''wrong''. Not just in the way light fell across their scales, but in the very nature of their appearance.

The Rathalos was sheathed in blue plates, like the depths of an ocean, gleaming like cut jewels in the sunlight - nothing like the familiar crimson shell of the species. Beside it, the Rathian's verdant green was gone, replaced by a delicate pink that bloomed across her body like a field of cherry blossoms before spring's full flush.

The term that leaped to Zeeg's mind: ''subspecies''.

Occasionally, such mutations appeared in the wild. Though he'd never seen one himself, blue-scaled Yian Kut-Kus had been spotted in recent months. That was enough to make the rumors credible.

The two wyverns nuzzled each other's snouts, brushing together in a manner almost affectionate.

But when Zeeg lowered his eyes, his gut twisted into a cold, hard knot.

Hunters lay sprawled beneath the beasts, collapsed in tangled ruin.

He couldn't tell how many. Severed arms and legs lay strewn across the ground. Some bodies had been charred black. Nearby, a heavy bowgun - the Titan Launcher - was half-buried in the dirt. That must've been the source of the final shot.

A few paces off, he saw a shattered greatsword - likely an Iron Grace katana. Two hunters had died here. Perhaps more.

"Ahh!" A gasp - sharp, high-pitched - escaped someone behind him.

Zeeg clicked his tongue.

''Brass.''

The boy had never seen a corpse before.

("That idiot...!")

The wyverns reacted instantly. Twin gazes - pink and azure - snapped toward them.

Their cover had been blown.

Zeeg's hand flew to the handle of his Lacerator Blade+, and he charged from the undergrowth.

If either wyvern attacked first, Brass wouldn't survive the first blow.

The wyverns stared. A second later, a crack of igniting powder split the air - and a crimson splash erupted across Azure Rathalos' face. The stench of Paintberry spread.

The hunters who'd come before must've marked him, but the effect had long since faded.

A roar shook the very air. Zeeg felt his muscles lock up with primal fear - something no amount of training could ever dull.

With a quake of the earth, the Azure Rathalos surged forward.

Zeeg raised Lacerator Blade+ as a shield just in time. The impact tore through his arms and down his spine like a thunderbolt. The wyvern's momentum sent it sliding along the greatsword, glancing off and crashing over his head.

His arms were numb, but Zeeg forced life back into them, swinging upward.

The line of jagged blades caught the Rathalos' tail - only to bounce off, harmless.

("Damn it - it's tough!")

It wasn't his blade. He'd sharpened it just this morning, and it had cut through countless Rathalos hides. This subspecies... its shell was different. Unnaturally hard.

Another roar behind.

Zeeg whirled - and saw the Pink Rathian charging.

''No time to guard.''

He dove, rolling sideways as the pink blur thundered past.

With no sign of slowing, she slammed side-first into the Rathalos beside her. Sparks flew where the thorny protrusions of her jaw scraped against his blue-scaled hide.

The Azure Rathalos reared up on his hind legs and bellowed - rage incarnate.

His chest swelled, and blue scales around his throat began to shimmer.

The next instant, the world drew inward.

A moment of vacuum. Then a blinding glow behind the scales.

And then - flame.

The fireball streaked past, missing by inches. A tree was ripped from the ground and blown apart mid-air, its splinters burning as they fell.

Wind howled, a shockwave billowing through the clearing.

A cherry-pink shadow flew overhead. Dust and ash scattered.

''Thud.''

She landed behind the party, kicking up soil.

"Sir Zeeg!" Enta's voice rang out as he rushed to his side.

They stood back to back. Enta had already drawn his dual blades - the so-called ''Zanki'' - and held them in a cross-guard stance as he faced the Pink Rathian.

"We're in trouble..." Zeeg couldn't help but chuckle. It wasn't amusement. The laugh just came, unbidden. "This is the worst possible situation. We should fall back... but you think they're going to let us?"

"Not likely," Enta replied, grinning faintly. "If I may describe the stage on which we stand - ''Fierce petals of pink; spill from spring's hand, brightening; fields of waking green''."

"Ehh, not as good as your other ones," Zeeg muttered.

He wasn't angry at the inappropriately-timed poetry. His heart thundered so hard it hurt. His throat was ready to scream. His knees nearly gave out.

But still - he didn't want to run. Even knowing there was no winning this fight, his mind already churned with possibilities, plans. How to take them down.

Zeeg licked his dry lips slowly, watching the warning lash of the wyverns' tails.

"This way!"

At the sound of gunfire followed by two distinctly different roars, Elmeria and her comrades sprinted across the clifftop meadow of Area 3. The once-fading scent of Paintberry grew sharp again - someone had fired a Paint shot. Whoever it was, stealing another hunter's prey was unacceptable.

Charging up the slope between cliffs, Elmeria burst into the clearing marked on the map as an open plain - and froze. Crouching behind a rock was... a maid?

''Why a maid!?''

A girl was dressed in a black maid outfit, complete with a parasol trimmed in black frills. This was no picnic outing.

Nearby, a tall boy knelt, tending to something on the ground. Judging by his gear, he was a hunter, at least.

"Young Mistress - look," Gannon said, voice tense as he gripped her arm and pointed.

There, beyond a ridge of grass, was the sweeping tail of a wyvern. But not green, like a Rathian basking in dappled sunlight - this tail shimmered with the blush-pink hue of cherry blossoms.

"What an interesting discovery - here as well," Fradio called from the opposite path.

Glancing that way, Elmeria spotted another tail swaying back and forth - this one unmistakably Rathalos. But it gleamed in a deep blue.

''What in the world...?''

Neither Rathalos nor Rathian were supposed to come in those colors. Was this a sign of the mating season - temporary color shifts brought on by some biological state? Or were these entirely new subspecies?

"-Who are you people?"

The voice came from behind. Spinning around, Elmeria saw the black-clad maid standing tall, gazing straight at her. That parasol - no, now that she looked closely, it wasn't just that. It was a light bowgun.

''She was a hunter too!''

"I should be asking ''you'' that!" Elmeria snapped, keeping an eye on the unusually colored wyverns as she responded. "We're here on official assignment from the Hunter's Guild in Minegarde! Stand down and clear the area!"

But the maid shook her head.

"I'm afraid that won't do. We're here under a formal contract from the Hunter's Guild in Nusti. You're the ones who should retreat."

''What?''

Elmeria could make no sense of it. The girl's strange attire was baffling enough, but this - this was beyond reason.

A single hunting ground had always been the domain of a single Guild. She had never once heard of two Guilds being dispatched to the same site under separate contracts.

A roar shattered the moment. The Pink Rathian cried out, and a gust of wind tore through the narrow path.

"Whoaaa-!"

Amid the clamor, a voice reached her ears - one she couldn't ignore.

("Zeeg!?")

No... but she couldn't have misheard him. Elmeria's stomach twisted. She dashed over to the black maid and seized her puffy shoulder sleeve.

"...Is there a ''Zeeg Grandest'' among you!?"

The girl's black eyes narrowed behind her spectacles, studying her with intensity.

"There is. He's the one leading our hunting party."

''Of course he is...''

Another roar came, and a high-pitched metallic screech echoed across the plains. Then came the sound of rupturing air, and a wave of scorching heat filled the clearing. Flames surged, turning the skies crimson.

"Unhand me."

The maid yanked her arm free, flipped a grip affixed to the parasol's shaft, and pressed the butt of it to her shoulder. The moment she pulled the trigger, fire burst from the tip. She hadn't even aimed properly-

"Impressive," Fradio murmured. "You managed to make a light bowgun like the Dark Parasol hit so cleanly with such little preparation..."

''So Zeeg's got himself a new team...''

Seeing it with her own eyes - him, hunting with other comrades - it hit Elmeria harder than she'd expected. Even in the middle of a hunt, her resolve wavered.

Was it resentment? Betrayal? Maybe because, in some deep corner of her heart, she still thought of herself as the one who'd raised him.

"...Young Mistress." Gannon's voice was calm, grounded - as if he understood it all.

Elmeria blinked herself back to the moment.

''Right.''

This wasn't the time for feelings. She had to focus. Why were two Guilds given the same contract? They wouldn't find that answer here, bickering in the field.

There was only one thing a hunter should do now.

"Gannon! Fradio! Let's go! We're not letting them hog the quarry!"

Hand on the hilt of her Breath Core, Elmeria charged down the path to the left - where she glimpsed the Rathian's cherry-pink tail lashing through the air.

In midair, the Pink Rathian coiled like a whip and lashed out with her venomous tail. Zeeg took the hit on the flat of his Lacerator Blade+ and clicked his tongue.

''She's strong.''

Venom scattered like mist, shriveling the surrounding grass within seconds. The fumes alone stung his throat. Then, once the Pink Rathian landed, three fireballs came hurtling toward him. He deflected them with his broad blade, sending flames spraying out around him.

''No room to strike back.''

Behind him, Enta was faring no better.

The Azure Rathalos paralyzed its hunters' muscles with a roar, then rained fireballs from the sky. Any attempt to close the distance was met with a powerful tail sweep meant to keep them at bay.

Zeeg had never heard of Rathalos and Rathian hunting in concert, but there was no mistaking it now.

The Azure Rathalos wasn't going for the kill just yet - he was holding back, likely due to Vivi's precise suppressing fire. But Zeeg could feel it coming. The moment the pair rushed in from both flanks, even the Rathalos armor wouldn't hold up.

A roar tore through the air once more, paralyzing Zeeg where he stood.

Even in the grip of fear, sweat still clung to his skin. He fought to move, to wrench his body free of the unnatural stillness. The Pink Rathian crouched low, her frame tensed - her hind legs seemed thicker, swollen with power.

She was going to charge - no doubt the Rathalos from the rear would, as well.

A gunshot rang out - his one hope. But then came Enta's groan, and Zeeg understood. The shot hadn't stopped either monter. This was it.

''He was going to die.''

There was no bitterness in that thought. No despair. They had faced a monster of this caliber - such things were part of the life they'd chosen as hunters.

If he regretted anything, it was that he might never reconcile with Elmeria. They had parted on a fight.

("Seriously? That's the last thing I'm thinking about?")

A self-deprecating smile flickered on Zeeg's lips. And in that instant, as though the smirk had been some strange trigger, the earth behind the Azure Rathalos erupted in a spray of dirt. He could already picture how the spear-like tip of that extended jaw would pierce through him.

But then-!

"!?"

The Pink Rathian stumbled suddenly. She toppled onto her side, skidding across the ground as though shoved by an invisible force. The impact carved a deep scar in the earth before her body slammed into the cliffside. Her head snapped back in a violent jerk, and a shriek - not quite a roar - escaped her throat.

Behind him, Zeeg heard a deafening crack - but no gunfire. The explosion must have come from something else. The Azure Rathalos let out a pained, ragged roar.

Finally, Zeeg understood - Crag ammo. Of course. Vivi had fired a Crag shot. It didn't hit hard on impact - but after a brief delay, it exploded, tearing the target apart from within.

"Zeeg!"

He turned at the sound of that familiar voice, startled. A flash of metal and verdant green surged past him, charging straight toward the Pink Rathian. It was-

("Elmeria!?")

There was no mistaking her. A young Hunter clad in Rathian armor with the unmistakable Breath Core hammer on her back - there wasn't any other like her in the world.

And just beyond, he spotted another form: massive, horned, pushing the Pink Rathian's flank against the cliff to keep her pinned. That was Gannon!

"Talk later!" Elmeria shouted, holding her hammer at her side in a ready stance. "You go that way! We split the pay fifty-fifty!"

"Got it!"

The words came out naturally. Zeeg turned on his heel just in time to see Elmeria raise her Breath Core, aiming a vicious swing at the Pink Rathian's thrashing head.

"Enta!" He called out as he ran.

The Azure Rathalos was floundering, one wing shredded and struggling to take flight. It was a perfect opportunity.

Enta slipped into step beside him, his movements fluid as running water. He glanced briefly over his shoulder.

"...Who was that?"

"A friend! Leave the other one to them!"

"Understood."

With a sharp sidestep, Enta surged forward, swift as a river in flood. In the blink of an eye, he had outpaced Zeeg, slipping into the Rathalos's blind spot.

"Now is the time... to unleash the true power of dual blades!"

''Shring'' - steel hissed as the twin blades scraped together. Enta opened his eyes wide, both of them - ''he wasn't one-eyed at all!''

"Witness the swordplay of a demon!"

He danced.

No - he ''raged''. The word dance barely captured it. His blades whirled like twin tempests, tearing into the Azure Rathalos's armored scales.

A wing talon came loose, severed, and crashed into the scorched earth. Blood gushed in violent bursts, staining the grass crimson - but not a drop touched Enta's white garb.

His swordsmanship was astonishing.

The Azure Rathalos bellowed and swung its tail in a blind frenzy. Enta leaped back, narrowly avoiding the blow. His breathing was ragged now, one eye closed once more. After all that motion, the fatigue was only natural.

("Now it's my turn!")

Zeeg charged straight for the Azure Rathalos' leg as it tried to rise. He swung his Lacerator Blade+ in a wide arc, the fang-like blades biting deep into the tender meat behind the knee.

This time, the wyvern screamed.

"O-over here!"

The cry was faint amid the roar, but Zeeg turned to see Brass at the end of a narrow path, pale-faced and half-hidden behind Vivi, motioning frantically for them to run.

For a heartbeat, Zeeg hesitated - but then the reason struck him, and he bolted.

"Enta!" He called out, and Enta seemed to grasp the plan immediately.

They sprinted together, the thundering footfalls of the enraged Azure Rathalos pursuing them.

That was exactly what they wanted. It had taken the bait.

A moment later, the roar of a collapsing pit filled the air, shaking the ground. Zeeg glanced back. The Azure Rathalos had fallen into a Pitfall Trap and was now thrashing helplessly.

Brass must've set it.

"Well done!" Zeeg called to the boy.

Without breaking stride, he and Enta charged back in. Lacerator Blade+ and Zanki struck in unison, tearing the trapped wyvern's scales to shreds!

"And now... the ''finálé''," the calm, composed voice cut through the chaos.

A gunshot rang out. In the same instant, one of the Azure Rathalos' eyes burst - blood spraying as its head jerked back violently.

A beat later, its skull bulged grotesquely from within before rupturing in a thunderous explosion!

The Azure Rathalos wavered - then collapsed, its head slamming into the earth with a seismic thud. Blood poured from its nose and mouth, the Crag shot having detonated within its brain.

Off to the side, another death cry rang out - this one from the Pink Rathian. Elmeria's team had finished the job.

Zeeg let out a long breath and slid Lacerator Blade+ back onto his back. They'd made it.

If Elmeria and her group hadn't shown up, he would have died for sure. He had enough clarity to admit that.

But reflection could wait. For now -

Zeeg pulled a carving knife from his belt. ''Azure Rathalos''. There would no doubt be rare materials to harvest - scales, shells, wing - his heart beat faster at the thought.

Enta, Vivi, and Brass all held their own carving knives, looking to Zeeg for the signal. Their eyes gleamed with expectation.

Zeeg gave a nod, and they knelt beside the slain wyvern, careful and deliberate with each stroke, wasting nothing.

"''We hunt, and are prey; life turns on the endless wheel; a world without end''..."

Enta's soft voice, like a eulogy, accompanied the rhythm of their blades as they carved into the Azure Rathalos' flesh.

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Monster Hunter

2025-04-30T03:02:57Z

Barnnn:

<vote type=1 /><small>{{furigana|'''Do you follow this series? Rate it!'''|Only available to registered users. [[Special:CreateAccount|Register here]]}}</small><br>

{{Status|Active}}

[[File:MH-v01-000.jpg|300px|thumb|Volume 1 Cover]]
'''Monster Hunter''' (モンスターハンター) is a Japanese light novel series based on Capcom's video game of the same name, published by '''Famitsu Bunko'''. It is written by '''Yuuki Rin''' (ゆうきりん) and illustrated by '''Koyama Shigeto''' (コヤマシゲト).

The series won the Best Novelization award from '''Kadokawa Shoten's Light Novel Award 2007''' ([http://shoten.kadokawa.co.jp/lightnovel-award/result.html ライトノベルアワード 2007]).

== Story Synopsis ==
It is an age when giant monsters rule the world of nature, freely roaming the land and soaring through the sky. In order to survive, humanity relies on the hunters, powerful warriors with the strength and intellect to fell such beasts.

Zeeg Grandest is one such hunter, albeit still a rookie. Through his meetings with numerous comrades and battles against powerful wyverns, the boy will learn what it truly means to be a Monster Hunter.

== Series Information ==

*'''Genre''': Action, Adventure, Fantasy
*'''Original Title''': モンスターハンター
*'''Common Abbreviations''': MH, MonHan (モンハン)
*'''Author''': Yuuki Rin
*'''Ilustrator''': Koyama Shigeto
*'''Published Volumes''': 4
*'''Series Status''': Completed

== Translation ==

=== [[Monster Hunter:Registration Page|Registration]] ===

Those who wish to contribute are asked to first notify a supervisor beforehand.

'''Translators are asked to [[Monster Hunter:Registration Page|register]] which chapters they're working on'''

=== Format Standards ===
'''Every Chapter (after editing) must conform to the general format guidelines.'''
* [[Format guideline|General Format/Style Guideline]]

=== Feedback ===
Please do provide us feedback in the [https://www.baka-tsuki.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=22415&view=viewpoll Feedback Thread].

== Updates ==
*April 30, 2025 - Volume 3 Chapter 4 Uploaded
*April 29, 2025 - Volume 3 Chapter 3 Uploaded
*March 15, 2018 - Volume 3 Chapter 2 Uploaded
*October 21, 2017 - Volume 3 Chapter 1 Uploaded
*September 9, 2017 - Volume 2 Afterword Uploaded
*August 28, 2017 - Volume 2 Epilogue Uploaded '''(Volume 2 Complete)'''
*August 27, 2017 - Volume 2 Chapter 5 Uploaded
*August 18, 2017 - Volume 2 Chapter 4 Uploaded
*July 30, 2017 - Volume 2 Chapter 3 Uploaded
*July 9, 2017 - Volume 2 Chapter 2 Uploaded
*June 25, 2017 - Volume 2 Chapter 1 Uploaded
*May 22, 2017 - Volume 2 Prologue Uploaded
*April 24, 2017 - Volume 1 Chapters 3, 4, 5, Epilogue, and Afterword Uploaded '''(Volume 1 Complete)'''
*April 23, 2017 - Project Page Created, Volume 1 Chapters 1 and 2 Uploaded

== Monster Hunter by Yuuki Rin ==
{| class="wikitable" width="280" ; style="float:left"
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=== [[Monster Hunter:Volume1|Volume 1 - Commandment of the Hunt]] ([http://www.mediafire.com/file/1xib5zl7b7z7661/Monster_Hunter_-_Volume_1.pdf PDF]) ===
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume1 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume1 Chapter1|Chapter 1 - Encounter at the Hunter's Guild]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume1 Chapter2|Chapter 2 - First Quest]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume1 Chapter3|Chapter 3 - Love Wyvern]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume1 Chapter4|Chapter 4 - Knight]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume1 Chapter5|Chapter 5 - Monster Hunter]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume1 Epilogue|Epilogue]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume1 Afterword|Afterword]]
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=== [[Monster Hunter:Volume2|Volume 2 - Condition of a Hero]] ([http://www.mediafire.com/file/ylazh8tg3u621wm/Monster+Hunter+-+Volume+2.pdf PDF]) ===
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume2 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume2 Prologue|Prologue]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume2 Chapter1|Chapter 1 - Returning Home One Year Later]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume2 Chapter2|Chapter 2 - Their Days Off]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume2 Chapter3|Chapter 3 - Aspiring to Become a Hero]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume2 Chapter4|Chapter 4 - Gypceros's Signature Move]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume2 Chapter5|Chapter 5 - Albino Wyvern]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume2 Epilogue|Epilogue]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume2 Afterword|Afterword]]
</div>
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|}

{| class="wikitable" width="280" ; style="float:left"
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=== [[Monster Hunter:Volume3|Volume 3 - Capacity of a Leader]] ===
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume3 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume3 Chapter1|Chapter 1 - Irritation]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume3 Chapter2|Chapter 2 - Setting off Alone]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume3 Chapter3|Chapter 3 - Interviews]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume3 Chapter4|Chapter 4 - Land of the Rock Wyvern]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume3 Chapter5|Chapter 5]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume3 Epilogue|Epilogue]]
</div>
</div>
|}

<br style="clear:both"/>

== Project Staff ==

* Project Administrator:
* Project Manager:

=== Translators ===
:* [[user:Barnnn|Barnnn]]

=== Editors ===

== Series Overview ==
*モンスターハンター狩りの掟　(June 19, 2004 ISBN 978-4-75-771874-6)
*モンスターハンター英雄の条件 (September 18, 2004 ISBN 978-4-75-772004-6)
*モンスターハンター長の資格 (June 20, 2005 ISBN 978-4-75-772320-7)
*モンスターハンター狩りの追憶 (March 30, 2006 ISBN 978-4-75-772666-6)

[[Category:Famitsu Bunko]]

[[Category:Light novel (English)]]

[[Category:Genre - Action]]
[[Category:Genre - Fantasy]]
[[Category:Genre - Adventure]]

Monster Hunter:Volume3 Chapter4

2025-04-30T03:01:22Z

Barnnn: Created page with "== Chapter 4 - Land of the Rock Wyvern == thumb Standing at the mouth of the ravine that led from base camp into Area 2, Zeeg could only let ou..."

== Chapter 4 - Land of the Rock Wyvern ==

[[File:MH-v03-004.jpg|300px|thumb]]

Standing at the mouth of the ravine that led from base camp into Area 2, Zeeg could only let out a silent groan as he looked up at the massive black boulder planted squarely in their path.

According to the guild cart driver who had brought them to this volcanic region, a minor eruption just a few days prior had triggered a landslide that collapsed part of the cliff and blocked off the direct route into Area 2.

From the map, their only remaining option was a roundabout detour through a lava-filled cave - far from ideal.

The Basarios were known to inhabit Areas 2 and 3, with the majority of sightings reported in Area 2. The job details even stated that the trade caravan had been attacked in that very spot - which made this a hassle.

If the path were open, they could have dashed back to camp for treatment if they were poisoned - but a detour would render that tactic useless. They had brought some antidotes, of course, but they'd planned under the assumption that camp would be within quick reach. Their supply wasn't bottomless.

The obvious solution was not to get poisoned at all - but unexpected things happened. Especially - Zeeg glanced at Brass - the problem was this boy.

From the outset, Brass had been lugging around a pack stuffed to bursting with all manner of tools. The most egregious offenders were three books - not novels or anything trivial, but ''Books of Combos''. Zeeg himself had one, though he'd left it at the guest house. Brass claimed to have memorized the contents, yet insisted on bringing all three, calling them his lucky charms - said they made his mixing more successful just by being there.

Hunters were a superstitious bunch, to be fair. Zeeg still wore an ornament he'd made from a shard of the first Yian Kut-Ku scale he'd ever broken. He understood the sentiment. But three volumes were, in his view, plain excessive.

Brass hadn't forgotten anything else, either - he had pickaxes for mining, and even bug nets. Not just one of each, either - he'd brought as many as he could carry, and his pack bulged so much he was already out of breath after a short walk.

"Perhaps we could break open this path..." said Enta as he stepped forward and rapped the boulder with the back of his fist. The glossy black surface rang out with a clear note, echoing high into the cliffs above their camp. It was dense. Maybe a Large Barrel Bomb would do the trick... but using a precious item like that on a hunch didn't sit right with Zeeg.

"...Shall I give it a try?"

Enta's hands drifted to the dual blades at his waist.

Zeeg raised a hand. "Don't. If the blades chip, we'll be in trouble when the real fight starts. A slash won't even leave a scratch on rocks that color and tone."

"...Point taken," Enta replied, lips curving into a faint grin as he withdrew his hand in a fluid, almost theatrical motion.

Zeeg narrowed his eyes. He'd been tested.

Enta had known the rock wouldn't budge. The display had been for Zeeg's benefit - to see how he'd react. Within a hunting party, it made sense to size up one's allies' judgment. Rank and paperwork never told the whole story. Still, knowing didn't make it any less irritating.

Zeeg swallowed his annoyance and unrolled the map against the rough stone so everyone could see. He pointed to the area where the cliff had collapsed.

"...With the path to Area 2 blocked, we've got no choice but to go through the cave. Fortunately, we've got Cool Drinks in the supply box, so heatstroke shouldn't be a problem. First, though, let's check Area 3 - see if the Basarios wandered over there."

"A reasonable plan," Enta said with a nod, though his tone was so neutral Zeeg couldn't tell whether he meant it or was mocking him.

Zeeg kept his expression unreadable, but he caught himself thinking - ''No, that won't do''. He was wound too tight. Too focused on making this work. Pressure like that could cloud his judgment - and in the field, that led to one outcome: death.

He folded the map and tucked it into the flap of his boot, then turned to Brass.

The boy straightened as Zeeg's gaze landed on him. Standing tall like that, he was actually a bit taller than Zeeg. His armor - a full set of the blue-scaled Velociprey gear - looked fragile for a fight against a flying wyvern. And with all those tools weighing him down...

Zeeg sighed softly, jerking his chin toward the overstuffed pack.

"Brass. You'll have to leave some of your stuff behind."

"H-huh!?" The boy's expression was a portrait of shock. Zeeg had to stifle a snort. It's not like he'd told him to leave his sword behind. "B-but, without my tools, how would I-"

"I didn't say ''everything''. Ditch the pickaxes and bug nets - you won't have time for gathering. You'd be better off watching how we fight. I mean, you weren't supposed to even be on this quest, really - the only reason you're here is because the Guild in Minegarde put in a word for you. Don't waste the opportunity."

"Th-then! What about my Book of Combos!? I-I need those! Without them, I-I wouldn't know what to do!"

"Bring one."

"Just one!?"

"They're bulky. What's the point of hunting if you don't have space to carry anything you carve out? Would you be willing to trash the books then?"

Brass shook his head violently and hunched protectively over his pack, as if Zeeg might rip the books away by force. Zeeg didn't correct him. If fear got the boy to leave the extra volumes behind, then all the better.

"Go on. Drop it off."

With a resigned nod, Brass shuffled back toward the tent, slumping to his knees beside his pack and digging through it with exaggerated care.

Hunters came in all kinds. Most hunted to make a living, but some found meaning in collecting rare insects or discovering new species. Others became obsessed with acquiring every single piece of gear the world had to offer.

Brass would probably grow into one of those.

("Now, then...")

Zeeg used the lull to draw on his memory - trying to map out a plan for dealing with the Basarios. He'd previously faced the monster both solo and with a team - and now, the latter was far more relevant.

Back when he'd hunted with Elmeria's party, Gannon always acted as the decoy. Zeeg and Elmeria would slip through the opening he created, striking hard, while Fradio kept any other monsters from interfering. That had been their usual formation. Fradio's weapon, the Tankmage, couldn't fire support ammo like Antidote rounds, so it was vital for the team to read the Basarios' tells and avoid its poisonous attacks altogether.

But this time, there would be no decoy.

Zeeg's greatsword could be used like a shield in a pinch, but that wasn't its intended purpose. Enta's dual blades offered no defensive utility, and while Brass was the only one with a shield, pushing him straight into a flying wyvern's path was out of the question.

Vivi wielded a light bowgun - the Dark Parasol - capable of using support ammo Fradio couldn't, but in exchange, its attack power was relatively low. She couldn't be relied upon to deal with the smaller monsters that would inevitably scavenge the leftovers from a wounded Basarios.

In effect, it would be up to Zeeg and Enta to handle the hunt. Zeeg accepted that. He hadn't yet seen how Enta fought, but the way the man moved - swift, almost gliding - gave him a hunch. If he could rely on Enta for hit-and-run tactics, sweeping up stragglers and pulling the monster's focus, Zeeg could close in beneath the Basarios' legs, strike when the opening came, and retreat at the first sign of a windup. Once the poison had cleared, he'd go back in and repeat. A simple rhythm, but one that worked.

As for Vivi, she could stay back and provide recovery ammo to anyone injured. She might even help with crowd control, using paralysis, sleep, or poison rounds to tip the scales. Her weapon was high-spec, able to load nearly every type of ammo save for Water, Thunder, and Pierce rounds.

Before they departed, Zeeg had asked her to bring extra Antidote rounds. If she'd done as asked, it would make the hunt far more manageable. They wouldn't need to waste time dodging every poison cloud - he could just keep swinging.

"How many Antidote rounds do you have, Vivi?"

"I brought twenty, if that's enough," she replied.

More than enough. If they needed more than that, they had no business calling themselves hunters of their current rank - and the hunt would likely fail anyway.

Before long, Brass returned with slumped shoulders. Zeeg waited for him, then started forward without a word. Brass's pack was still bulging - he might've sneaked a second book in. Zeeg could have scolded him and made him leave it behind, but decided against it. Being too strict might snuff out what motivation Becky had instilled in the boy before entrusting him to them.

With Zeeg in the lead, they set out from the base camp, taking the right-hand path toward Area 1 with the river behind them. Their boots crunched over the gray soil as they moved, alert to their surroundings. The gravel near camp made too much noise - a frequent cause of unwanted attention - but at least there wasn't enough open ground for a wyvern to land nearby.

They filed down the narrow trail, emerging into a barren, ash-colored expanse. Legend had it this place had turned gray from years of volcanic ash raining down, seeping into the earth over countless generations.

A blot of red appeared in that colorless landscape - not lava, not flowers, but living muscle. Red-scaled, carnivorous Ioprey. Zeeg's brow twitched at the memory their appearance brought to mind: his last hunt with Elmeria's party.

"...Five of them," Enta murmured behind him, voice taut as a drawn bowstring. His tone made his message clear: ''We'll be coming back this way. Better to clear them out now.''

That was understandable. If the Basarios was holed up in Area 3, this would be their fallback route. Trying to retreat through an Ioprey pack while wounded would be a death sentence. They weren't just fast and vicious - they leaped like hellspawn and spat poison to boot.

"Be on guard," Enta said with a glint in his eye, "''Crimson swarm draws near; flames flow in the broken land; the first clash begins''."

He turned to Brass. His look said - ''Ready?''

Brass stiffened. His eyes widened, and for a moment, it seemed he would shake his head - then he stopped himself.

''Strange kid'', Zeeg thought. ''Coming on a hunt and trying to avoid a fight''.

"No one said you'd be doing it alone," he said dryly.

He tore open the wrapping on one of their rations - a whole hunk of meat or a proper meal would've been ideal, but supply meals like these were far more efficient - and devoured it in one bite. The boost to stamina and fullness would carry him through the hunt. Enta and Vivi followed suit. Brass hesitated, then with trembling hands, unwrapped his own and forced it down, visibly struggling to swallow.

It would take a few seconds for the nutrients to kick in. Zeeg turned back to scan the Ioprey pack... and nearly choked.

Enta was already moving. No stealth. No caution. Just striding toward the Ioprey as if he hadn't a care in the world. Zeeg reached out instinctively - but it was too late.

One of the Ioprey noticed him and shrieked, its shrill cry tearing through the air.

("Seriously!?")

Zeeg cursed under his breath, dropped the visor on his Rathalos Helm, and burst from cover. As he ran, he called to Brass-

"Let's go!"

-And drew his Lacerator Blade+, gripping the handle tight.

Enta drew his dual blades from his hips and stepped forward, his speed unreal for a motion that still looked like a walk. Zeeg was running, yet couldn't catch up - a disorienting feeling.

Before he could reach him, Enta was surrounded. Five Ioprey, all teeth and claws. There was no escape. Zeeg would have to carve a path in - if he made it in time.

A crack rang out behind him - the pop of igniting gunpowder - and a breeze coiled past his ear.

One of the Ioprey jerked as a neat hole appeared in the ridge above its eye. Flesh ruptured, blood sprayed, and the creature crumpled as though struck by an invisible hammer. Zeeg didn't need to turn around - Vivi's cover fire, sharp and precise as expected.

But one down meant four remained - still more than enough to tear Enta apart. The man wore the Shinobi armor series - sleek and light, but offering almost no real protection. Against Ioprey fangs and claws, it might as well have been paper.

Vivi's next shot would take time to aim. It wouldn't come fast enough.

The remaining Ioprey hunched low - then sprang into the air. Vivi managed to drop one mid-leap - but the other three came crashing down as a single mass of red onto Enta, threatening to crush him beneath their weight.

Zeeg's skin prickled with goosebumps, the sensation sharp enough to make him want to say aloud - ''No way!''

''He's dead'', was his first thought.

Anger came before grief.

''What the hell's with the dual blades bravado? All that big talk - and he goes and dies on our first damn hunt together!?''

A crushing weight pressed onto Zeeg's shoulders, though he knew full well he wasn't the one to blame. Enta had charged ahead without coordination. He told himself that, and repeated it in his mind. ''This isn't your fault. Enta brought it on himself.''

But the guilt didn't dissipate. It felt as though Enta's ghost was hanging from his arm, dragging him down. Still, he couldn't stop now. If he hesitated, if he didn't lift his sword and keep fighting, more of his party might end up dead.

Bowgun users were vulnerable up close. Brass was not safe, either - maybe he'd fought Ioprey before, but the ones in a random field and the ones in the Guild's designated hunting zones were in a different league entirely.

Gritting his teeth, Zeeg raised his Lacerator Blade+... and froze.

The Ioprey that had landed on Enta weren't moving. Not a twitch. They weren't tearing into him, nor preparing to strike again. They lay piled atop one another as though they'd been doused in sleeping gas.

Then, with a wet, slipping sound, the topmost Ioprey slid off its kin and hit the ground.

The other two followed, slumping over lifelessly. From beneath the collapsed carcasses, Enta emerged - kneeling, his dual blades crossed before his chest. He rose to his feet as if nothing had happened. At a glance, he bore no visible injuries. With a single elegant motion, he swung his blades once and sheathed them behind his back, folding his arms.

Zeeg stared, momentarily awestruck.

But the moment passed. The awe gave way to a fresh surge of rage.

''This bastard... After prompting Brass to get ready, he charges in without a damn word!?''

In a party hunt, coordination was everything. Everyone's specialty had to be used in harmony. And Enta, with his light armor, was not built for headlong assaults.

"Hey!" Zeeg barked, slinging his greatsword back over his shoulder and striding toward Enta with long, furious steps.

Relief - cold and fleeting - washed away the weight on his shoulders the moment he realized Enta was alive. But if he let that reckless behavior slide, the same thing could happen again. Zeeg wasn't about to take responsibility for a man who threw his own life away on a whim. Even if he had to beat some sense into him. Age didn't matter. Rank didn't matter.

But as that thought settled, his fury began to ebb.

''That's me'', he realized. ''That was me.''

No, he hadn't been that reckless. On his last hunt with Elmeria, he had followed her strategy. Well - until the end, when he'd challenged her plans and tried to act on his own.

Still... was it really so different?

If he had rushed in alone against that Rathian and died, Elmeria would've blamed herself. Even if she said otherwise, she would have regretted failing to stop him.

And maybe it wasn't just about sparing her that burden. Maybe it was about acknowledging that his own actions had put her in that position to begin with.

But that didn't mean Enta should get a free pass. Zeeg drew in a deep breath and steadied himself. Then, stepping over the Ioprey corpses, he came to a stop in front of Enta.

The man's single eye didn't smirk or shine with pride. There was no arrogance in the curve of his lips - no air of self-congratulation. He was short, lean, and composed. Zeeg stared into that single eye, feeling its weight.

"What the hell were you thinking?" Zeeg said, forcing the remnants of his anger into the words.

At his feet, the Ioprey he'd slain first had already begun to dissolve, its fluids bubbling up with the stench of rot.

Ioprey, Velociprey, Genprey - they all shared the same biological quirk. Upon death, their internal fluids reacted with air, hastening decomposition. Time was critical for carving materials, but if he stopped to scold Enta after harvesting, it would turn into a joke.

"You trying to get yourself killed? Just because they're Ioprey doesn't mean-"

"I had no such intention," Enta cut in flatly. "I acted because I was able. Nothing more. A mere five Ioprey are no threat to me. And... I wished to see your capabilities for myself."

"What?" Zeeg said, blinking.

"If you hadn't become angry at my actions, it would've meant you lacked the foresight to lead. But you ''did'' get angry - therefore, I trust you have the bigger picture in mind." Enta slowly uncrossed his arms. "One's true nature cannot be observed without hunting alongside them. Interviews and paperwork say next to nothing."

So it wasn't just Enta being judged - he had been testing Zeeg as well.

Obvious, in hindsight. Zeeg had thought he was the only one sizing others up, but that had never been the case.

He exhaled slowly. With the breath, the heat left his head, and clarity returned.

''Did I do the same to Elmeria?''

Was he constantly measuring her as a leader? Did she ever feel that?

Maybe.

If she had become cautious over time, that would've made sense - but that didn't excuse everything. Being too cautious was just as dangerous as being reckless. One couldn't avoid risk and expect to succeed in a hunt. What mattered was knowing where the line between life and death truly was.

"I get what you're saying," Zeeg said.

Enta's pupil contracted slightly, as if to say - ''Oh?''

"But this doesn't happen again. If you go rogue like that, it throws the rest of us off. I get it - you're fast. But if we don't coordinate, we won't survive against a flying wyvern. Not even you can think you'll take one down solo in a Guild-assigned hunt, right?"

"If ordered, I ''would'' do it," Enta replied. His gaze didn't waver. He wasn't boasting. His eye said the same message: ''I can, and if I must, I will''. "...But I understand. I will follow your lead - as long as I do not believe your strategy to be foolish."

"Well, you don't mince words, do you?"

"Politeness helps no one in the field - ''Lips sealed in shadow; what's buried rots in the dark; no one knows your truth'' - That is the way of things."

"...Yeah, sure."

At last, Zeeg found it in himself to smile - even if only a wry one.

Enta was right.

Nothing would ever be understood if left unsaid. Assuming others would understand without words was nothing more than wishful thinking - convenient fiction to ease one's own conscience. Some might insist otherwise, but that only meant they thought they'd been understood, not that they truly had.

In everyday life, such misunderstandings could sometimes smooth things over. But out in the field, in the hunt, assumptions only doubled the danger.

That, Zeeg thought, was the core of what Enta was trying to say... even if he could be wrong about that, too.

"...Still. That was some impressive marksmanship," Enta said suddenly, shifting the conversation without warning as he looked down at two of the fallen Ioprey.

Zeeg knew exactly who he meant. Vivi.

Her shot had been flawless - striking the skull, instantly killing the creatures. The Ioprey hadn't been stationary either; one had even been lunging straight for Enta when she'd fired, nailing it right between the eyes.

If Fradio's heavy bowgun was a spear, then Vivi's light bowgun was a needle. With her precision, she could shoot in the thick of battle without ever worrying about friendly fire, no matter how wild the melee.

"She's clearly had intensive training," Enta added, nodding slightly.

"You think so?" Zeeg replied.

"At that age, such skill doesn't come without discipline. I'd wager she had a bowgun in her hands before she could read - raised for it, like you, perhaps. What do they call that - gifted upbringing?"

Zeeg let out a dry breath. "If she was 'raised' for anything, I doubt it was a blessing. More likely she just didn't have a choice. Hunting was probably the only way forward."

Enta tilted his head. "The same goes for you?"

"Yeah," Zeeg said quietly. He looked down at the Ioprey as they crumbled completely, the wind scattering the remnants across the gray ash. "My village's whole livelihood revolves around hunting. Most people pick up a blade because they have to. There's no other path. I figure she's the same."

''Elmeria, raised a hunter, was the weird one out'', he thought - but even that, he wasn't so sure about anymore.

He'd always believed Elmeria was shaped by Gannon's guidance - what Enta might've called "gifted upbringing" - becoming a fearsome hunter at an age most were still swinging sticks at dummies. But the life of a hunter was harsh - perilous beyond measure. And Gannon had claimed to be indebted to her supposed father. If he had truly wanted to protect Elmeria, why had he led her into this life?

Sure, maybe Gannon had no other trade to pass on. But with his skill, he could've made enough to raise her safely without sending her into the jaws of death. He didn't have to turn her into a hunter.

"Compared to Lady Vivi, then, what do you make of ''that''?"

Enta's voice trailed in with a faint chuckle, snapping Zeeg out of his thoughts. He shouldn't waste time mulling over Elmeria. It wasn't like they'd be crossing paths again anytime soon - nor did he plan to.

"Huh? Make of what?"

Enta pointed behind Zeeg.

Zeeg turned - and was greeted by the sight of a backside poking out from behind a boulder. Loose, dark pants, a long waist-cloth swaying slightly - that was the Velociprey Tassets. Of course it was. There wasn't anyone else it could be. That backside belonged to Brass. Resting just above it were his sword - the Bone Spike - and shield, both still strapped to his back, untouched.

("So he turned tail on the Ioprey? Unbelievable...")

Zeeg stared, dumbfounded.

They weren't the easiest foes, true, but compared to a Yian Kut-Ku or a real wyvern, they were fodder. For Brass to cower behind a rock like that - without even drawing his sword - was pathetic. Zeeg couldn't imagine how this boy had ever taken down a Kut-Ku. He doubted the Guild would've been fooled, but still - it made him wonder if that résumé had been polished a little too hard.

Nearby, Vivi calmly maintained her Dark Parasol, seemingly unconcerned by Brass's retreat. She offered no reprimand, no judgment - just silence. That, too, struck Zeeg as a bit of a problem.

Zeeg walked over to the boulder and called out, "Hey."

Brass jumped, his backside twitching before he scrambled upright and peeked around the rock.

"Ah... I-it's over already...?" he said meekly.

His complexion was pale, his voice sheepish. Zeeg could also see a faint trace of lingering tension in his posture. And then, he noticed something - Brass was holding something in his hand.

"What's that you've got there?"

"Oh, this...?" Brass opened his palm without protest.

A cluster of hard, round plants sat in his hand - Huskberries.

Zeeg's eyes narrowed. ''Seriously? This kid was gathering materials while Enta and Vivi were fighting?''

"They're Huskberries," Brass said quickly, as if sensing the incoming scolding. "I... I thought I wouldn't be any help in the fight, so I figured I could at least collect some of these..."

Zeeg nearly dropped his jaw in disbelief.

Sure, Enta had stolen the spotlight with that display, leaving no room for interference - but still. To not even try drawing his blade and instead go gathering during combat? He'd never seen a hunter like this before.

"And what exactly were you planning to do with those?" Zeeg asked, still half in disbelief.

"Well... make ammo for Miss Vivi, of course," Brass said, blinking in confusion. "With some fluids from the fish near base camp, I can mix up Level 2 Pierce and Level 1 Crag shots..."

Zeeg had no idea. He knew what Huskberries were, of course, but he always discarded them the moment he picked them up. The only things he ever mixed were potions and bombs. He wasn't a gunner. Ammo synthesis had never even crossed his mind.

"Interesting," came Enta's voice, suddenly beside them - silent as a shadow. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "So you assessed the situation, saw where you could contribute, and acted accordingly... In other words, not cowardice."

"Well... I ''was'' scared," Brass admitted, flashing a stiff, nervous grin.

Zeeg could tell what the boy had been trying to do, at least. In that moment, with those monsters bearing down on Enta, even if Brass had drawn his weapon, it wouldn't have made a difference. Zeeg himself hadn't made it in time, and he was far more experienced. Worst case, Brass might've just gotten in Vivi's line of fire.

"Mixing's fine and all," Zeeg said, "But save it for when there aren't monsters around. You never know when we'll need your hands. If someone calls for a potion and you're elbow-deep in gathering, that's no help to anyone."

"...I'm sorry," Brass mumbled, head drooping.

Zeeg wasn't one for lectures - never had been - but this was part of mentoring a rookie. They were risking their lives together. That meant facing the ugly parts too. If Brass were hunting solo, Zeeg wouldn't have cared if he paused to forage mid-battle or tried to fish while a wyvern circled overhead. But in a hunting party, one person's careless move could get someone else killed.

"You better mean it. We're counting on you."

He gave Brass a light pat on the shoulder, then turned to head down the path leading into Area 3. According to the map, the narrow canyon ahead would open into a wide basin - the likely nesting ground of the Basarios they were tracking.

Glancing back over his shoulder, Zeeg spotted Brass shuffling behind with his back hunched, scanning the area like he still hoped to spot something worth gathering. Enta walked beside him with a stiff, almost mechanical grace, hardly moving his upper body. Trailing behind them was Vivi, twirling her open Dark Parasol like an actual parasol, the frilled edges swaying gently with each step.

It looked like some bizarre field trip.

Zeeg fought the urge to clutch his temples and tilted his face toward the sulfur-tinged sky, that high expanse of pale blue hanging overhead. He let out a silent sigh, barely more than a breath.

"''SO TASTY!''"

The shout rang out beneath the high blue sky, and a judge hurried over to the hunter who had called. He scrutinized the massive hunk of spit-roasted meat - bone-in and dripping with juices - then poked it with a finger, gave it a sniff, and gave a decisive nod.

"''SO TASTY!''"

He echoed the words with ceremonial flair, raising his flag. An attendant came sprinting in with a large metal platter, received the perfectly grilled Well-Done Steak, and hurried back toward base camp. The judge, without missing a beat, stamped the card hanging from the hunter's neck.

"''SO TASTY!''"

Another call echoed from somewhere else, and the judge turned on his heel and made for the next participant.

The hunter who had just completed his delivery took another hunk of Raw Meat from a nearby stack and set it on the Gourmet BBQ Spit, sliding it onto the rotating rod. He fitted the handle into place and immediately began turning it with a serious expression.

"...Young Mistress."

"Huh? Ah-!"

By the time Gannon's voice reached Elmeria, it was already too late. She hastily lifted the handle, but the meat was charred black, belching out a thick plume of smoke. The outside had carbonized completely, and the burnt crust flaked off the moment she shook it.

Sighing in defeat, Elmeria laid the Burnt Meat onto the cloth spread beside her. It was not the first piece to meet such a fate. More than ten others already lay there, forming a small mountain of failure.

She had joined the Meat Grill Festival in hopes of lifting her spirits. But far from cheering her up, the activity only deepened the gloom in her heart. Every time she grilled meat, her mind unavoidably drifted back to Zeeg. Even now, she could remember it all too clearly.

It had been during a Rathalos hunt - something she'd reluctantly agreed to take him on at the request of the Minegarde Guild Master. With little else for him to do, she had told Zeeg to grill some meat. He had spun the handle of the spit while humming the ''BBQ Song'' - the very first tune every novice hunter learns.

Not that it had actual lyrics. The song was more of a rhythmic hum that trained a hunter's body to recognize the perfect moment to lift the meat from the fire. The catchy tune was popular in taverns, where hunters would sling arms over shoulders and belt out their own nonsense verses, but no one actually sang it on the field.

Or so Elmeria had thought - until she met Zeeg.

Years had passed since then, and yet he never stopped singing that off-key song. She had told him to drop it at first - after all, making noise during a hunt could alert monsters to their presence - but in time, she gave up. Odd as it was, his tuneless humming had a way of easing the tension in the air.

And now she would never hear it again.

The realization struck her more heavily than she had expected. How had she not noticed until now? That even at a simple festival, the absence of that ridiculous song could leave her so hollow?

Another sigh escaped her lips. She slumped forward, letting the breath drain the last of her willpower. There was no point in grilling meat in this mood - no way it would ever come out well done like this.

Beside her, Gannon had also stopped turning his spit. From the corner of her eye, she saw him remove a still-rare piece of meat from the rod.

"...Don't let me stop you," she said. "Go ahead and grill."

"No need. I was... not particularly eager to do it anyway."

"...Right."

Another sigh built up in her chest, and this time she didn't fight it. As the breath left her, so did her resolve. A strange lethargy took hold, and even the hammer strapped to her back felt unbearably heavy.

"...Hey, Gannon." She stared into the flames of the makeshift campfire, voice little more than a murmur. "Do you think I've become... cowardly?"

"Are you still troubled by what Zeeg said?"

"...Honestly, yeah. I knew I'd been making mistakes lately. I can understand why he was frustrated. But - was I wrong? Please. Be honest."

Gannon fiddled silently with the spit handle he'd removed from the bone. There had been a time when he would've scolded her for even asking. Lately, though, he hardly offered his opinions at all. She had once thought that meant he'd come to recognize her as a fully-fledged hunter.

Now, she wasn't so sure.

Throughout her career, she had dismissed people from her party - but no one had ever cast her out.

"...You were not necessarily wrong, Young Mistress." His words were carefully measured. "However... your views and his ''have'' grown apart. That is all. Every hunter draws the line somewhere - how far to push, when to retreat. Zeeg had started to feel confident. After slaying a Monoblos and upgrading to Rathalos armor, he likely began to think he would not go down so easily. That outlook... clashed with your own. You believed in returning from a hunt unscathed. But Zeeg - he wanted to finish the job, even if it meant breaking a bone."

"...That's inefficient. Break a bone and you're out for months. Muscle loss, less training - it's no different from that Khezu girl with her hero complex."

"It is something many greenhorns go through."

"Wait. Are you saying Zeeg is still one, after all this time?"

Gannon, his fingers clasped together, his neck thick as a log, gave a slow nod. His face was still partially wrapped in bandages. The Rathian poison had reached his optic nerves and still hadn't completely left his system. According to the Guild's in-house doctors, full recovery was uncertain.

"But... he took down a Monoblos."

"Hunters are not judged by the size or species of the monsters they have hunted. The Guild's Hunter Rank might reflect skill level - but it does not define whether someone is truly seasoned or not. Are you familiar with the party called ''Crimson Avian Wings''?"

Of course she was. Four men, all close to fifty, known for hunting practically nothing but Yian Kut-Ku.

They'd been in the trade a long time, yet still wore full Kut-Ku armor - a production line without a helmet. None of them ever substituted helmets from other wyvern sets, either.

Their weapons told a similar story. The two greatsword users wielded the Iron Gospel katana. The lance wielder used a Babel Spear. The bowgunner carried a Grenade Launcher. All weapons crafted without a single flying wyvern part.

Many hunters mocked them for going after nothing but Kut-Ku.

Elmeria understood the sentiment - after all, she'd spent years hunting alongside Fradio, who was much the same. He always went after Gypceros when hunting solo. She didn't see it as something to deride; it was simply another way of doing things. That said, Fradio could take on other flying wyverns when he chose to. Which made him a different case entirely.

But Gannon - he saw things differently. He recognized their worth.

"...There are hunters who call them cowards, but they are not. They chose Yian Kut-Ku after long years of hunting. It is not that they can not hunt other wyverns. They simply would not. Very few know this, but it is the truth - those men were instrumental in repelling the Lao-Shan Lung time and time again. Even during the chaos in Minegarde, they fought valiantly, though few noticed. They are, in every sense of the word, seasoned hunters. It is not enough to just slay wyverns and chase a higher Hunter Rank. That sort of mindset leads to a short life. You, Young Mistress, may not be fully aware of it - but I believe you have sensed that truth, and that is why you have grown more cautious lately, yes?"

Had she? She wasn't sure. It was her own heart she was talking about, and yet she couldn't quite grasp it.

There was no doubt, however, that she didn't want Zeeg getting hurt.

She remembered shouting at him once, when he'd brushed off a fractured bone like it was a mere scrape. It angered her - because it felt like he truly believed that. Like he saw broken bones as no more than splinters.

Maybe that was why she'd pulled on the reins whenever he acted recklessly. ''Maybe''. But it wasn't the whole picture - surely not. She just didn't want to look too closely at what else might be there.

"...So," Elmeria said quietly, "you don't think I've gone soft? That I've stopped being a real hunter?"

"Not at all, Young Mistress," Gannon replied. "Zeeg still has a long way to go, but he too is a hunter. His life - or death - is his own to choose. You are not responsible for that. On the contrary, as a fellow hunter, you should respect his decisions."

A nearby hunter's cheerful voice rang out: "''SO TASTY!''"

Elmeria sighed as the smell of meat drifted over.

"...I know that. I know, logically. But still - if someone dies because I made the wrong call, I do feel responsible."

It wasn't as though no one had ever died on a hunt with her. True, Gannon had assured her she'd never lost someone due to a clear mistake in judgment. But even so - when death came, it came. And Elmeria had never forgotten any of them.

"At least when it comes to me, you don't need to worry."

She turned at the sound of Fradio's voice. He stood nearby, shoulders burdened with a mountain of raw meat. The scent of blood and gunpowder clung to him, strong and acrid. Judging by the thickness of the bones jutting from the slabs, it was raw Aptonoth meat. Their supplies must've run dry, and he'd gone out hunting to replenish them.

"If things really go south, I'll be the first to run," he said casually. "Well, unless it's a Gypceros. In that case, I'll die happily at her feet..."

''Ugh, not me'', Elmeria thought, though she didn't say it aloud. People had different tastes, sure, but she couldn't, for the life of her, see that thing as beautiful. The idea of being crushed beneath its feet or dying in agony from its poison made her stomach turn.

Whether Fradio failed to notice her revulsion or simply didn't care, he casually mounted a slab of meat on a Gourmet BBQ Spit, fitted the handle, and began turning it slowly over the flame.

"If words aren't enough to ease your worry, there's a simple solution," he said. "Go on a hunt. Bring someone else along if you like. Or go as the three of us used to. That'll show you how you truly feel - ah, ''SO TASTY!''"

Fradio raised the perfectly grilled meat, crisped and golden, and waved for the appraiser.

A moment later, the judge flew in to examine it, throat audibly gulping.

''"P-PERFECT!!"''

The shout was met with cheers and murmurs from the hunters nearby. "Perfect, huh?" someone echoed with a laugh. A perfectly grilled slab of meat was fittingly called Gourmet Steak - and folks had taken to giving it the ''PERFECT!'' call as an honorary mark of excellence when the cook hit it just right.

Fradio handed over the steak for delivery and received five stamps on the card that hung against his bare chest, then grabbed another cut of raw meat.

"If you want my opinion," he said, "you should go hunt a wyvern. There's no better way to see if you've lost your nerve. They're terrifying even on a normal day - if you're still sharp, you'll know it the moment you face one."

He was right.

Brooding wouldn't bring her answers, and no one else could hand her one on a platter. It was ''her'' issue. If she really had turned into a coward... she'd know the moment she stood before a wyvern.

("That's all it is,") she told herself. ("Just getting back to the way things were.")

That was all.

There was no need to think about Zeeg doing something reckless and dying. He had a clever streak, and he wasn't one to get swept up in some misguided sense of justice. If things got truly dangerous, he'd fall back. Just like Gannon had said - their standards were simply different. She didn't even want to imagine him dying.

Elmeria picked up a cut of raw meat, mounted it on the spit, and locked it into place. She pumped the bellows with her foot, fanning the flames into a steady roar.

As the fire licked at the surface of the meat, searing it to perfection, she slowly turned the handle - and, for the first time in what felt like ages, she softly began to hum the ''BBQ Song''.

Having passed through the sweltering cavern, Zeeg and the party emerged once more beneath the blue sky and into the gray, sun-baked expanse beyond.

They were struck speechless by the sight before them.

Just as they'd suspected, the Basarios was nowhere to be found in Area 3. Instead, a horde of Bullfango greeted them.

These boar-like monsters, each armed with massive tusks, were no threat alone - but en masse, they became dangerous. Dodge one charge, and another would blindside them. Before one could rise or even draw their weapon, they'd be trampled into the dirt.

If a wyvern showed up in the middle of that, it was practically a death sentence. Which was why every seasoned hunter knew to take the boars out first.

Zeeg and his comrades followed that logic.

Even Brass unsheathed his sword this time and managed to take one down. But it was Zeeg and Enta who did the bulk of the work.

Afterward, the party began inspecting each of the jagged rocks jutting from the ground, one by one.

Basarios, the monster they sought, was also known as the Invisible Wyvern. The name came from its habit of hiding beneath the earth, its basalt-like shell mimicking the volcanic stones that littered the area.

Though Basarios was hardly agile, it used this camouflage to ambush prey. When something approached, it would sense the vibrations and erupt from the ground in a sudden, violent assault. To draw one out, all a hunter needed was to toss a rock or sprint nearby - either would suffice to provoke a reaction.

Fortunately, the area was strewn with loose stones, so they could conserve their energy. Unfortunately, every outcropping they examined turned out to be nothing more than ordinary rock.

Reluctantly, they dragged Brass - who was still distracted by his desire to dig for ore - away from the spot and made their way through a lava-flooded cave. If not for that obstructive boulder, they would've reached Area 2 without issue.

What they found there stopped them cold.

"...What the hell is this...?"

It was the first thing Zeeg managed to say after the shock had passed.

There, sprawled across the ashen earth, was the massive corpse of a Basarios. It wasn't asleep. Its tiny eyes were lifeless, and its thick tongue lolled out of its mouth, discolored to a blackened crimson. The ground surrounding its body had been soaked not in the usual dull gray, but in dark red tinged with a venomous purple.

Blood - no doubt. And judging by the smell and the discoloration, fluids from the ruptured poison sacs in its body as well.

"It's dead, that much is clear," Enta said, stating the obvious. Anyone could see that. The real question was - ''who'' had killed it?

None of the local monsters - be they Ioprey or the herbivorous, turtle-like Apceros - could've done this. Neither species attacked flying wyverns to begin with. Ioprey venom had no effect on Basarios, and neither their fangs nor claws could pierce its thick shell. Apceros had powerful tails, akin to sledgehammers, but not powerful enough to bring down a beast like this.

Zeeg cautiously approached the corpse, wary of any lingering toxins. When he smelled no more, he circled the body, inspecting it closely - and then noticed something strange.

Part of the shell had been deliberately stripped away. The edges were clean, as though someone had slipped a sharp tool between the plates and peeled them away with precision.

''No'' - he didn't want to believe it, but there was no other explanation.

Someone had carved this monster.

And it wasn't the work of Ioprey or Apceros. No beast could perform such delicate work. Only humans - no, only hunters - could do this. But as far as Zeeg knew, their team was the only one dispatched here from the Hunter's Guild out of Nusti.

("...A drifter?")

Some hunters operated independently of the Guild, taking contracts without oversight. His hometown, Kokoto Village, was like that - though the Guild knew of it, the village itself wasn't under Guild control.

Still, few would risk hunting unsupervised in Guild-sanctioned territories. Doing so could provoke the Guild into sending Guild Knights.

Those private enforcers were surrounded by dark rumors. Hunters were sworn never to raise weapons against humans. But the Guild Knights - they were said to hunt people.

Even if those were just rumors, what hunter would willingly risk becoming their target?

And yet, here the Basarios lay - dead, its body mutilated, its shell harvested.

"These are hammer strikes," Enta muttered, brushing a hand along one of the crushed wing membranes. The film had been thoroughly pulped, torn apart - not with blades like greatswords or sword-and-shield, but with sheer blunt force.

"This wound here was caused by a Crag round," Vivi said from where she crouched near the beast's massive head. She brought her nose close and sniffed with precision. "A direct hit to the eye socket. The shell fractured from the inside out - the explosive must've detonated after penetration. I can smell blood, charred flesh, and gunpowder. No mistake."

There was no longer any doubt. Hunters had done this.

Brass, apparently unaware of the seriousness of the situation, circled the corpse with childlike fascination, gawking at the immense body of the juvenile Gravios.

"Well now - ''We arrived quite late; the wyvern lies still, cold stone; its breath had long gone'', eh?" Enta quipped.

"Now's not the time for jokes," Zeeg snapped.

"What do you mean? The contract is fulfilled. There's no issue."

"Are you serious?" Zeeg turned to him, astonished, but Enta's face betrayed nothing. "We didn't hunt this thing."

"But the client only requested that the Basarios be culled, yes? They didn't specify ''who'' had to do the culling." With that, Enta unsheathed his carving knife and slid it smoothly between two of the beast's remaining shells, popping a piece free with ease. "This is proof enough. Sadly, it seems the rare ores were taken already. Such is life."

"Wait - are you really planning to take credit for this!?"

"Wasn't our kill stolen? Whoever they were, this Basarios was ''our'' quarry. They stole the carve - and now you would have us give up the reward as well?"

Zeeg had no answer. Enta was right. They had been robbed - of the materials and possibly the payout. If this was deemed a failed hunt, they'd get neither reward nor even their upfront fee. That was hard to swallow.

However-

"I get your point. I really do. But if we report this as our kill, we'd be lying to the Guild. That's dangerous."

No amount of Zenny was worth ending up on the Guild Knights' hit list.

"Then what do you suggest?"

"We report exactly what we found. We take the Basarios shell as evidence, submit our findings, and leave the decision to the Guild. If they refuse to pay, I'll cover the reward myself."

"...You're ''admirably'' straightforward," Enta chuckled, handing him the carved shell.

Zeeg accepted it without a word. Though he didn't show it on his face, a deep breath of relief stirred quietly in his chest. A fight breaking out here would've been disastrous - especially with the long trek back to base camp still ahead of them.

Only now, as they turned to leave, did Zeeg recall that moment in the jungle - the bitter words exchanged with Elmeria, and the unease she'd worn so clearly on her face...

("What the hell was I even paying attention to then...?")

With a sigh, Zeeg tucked the shell under his arm and turned back toward the cave entrance, where molten lava cast an ominous glow. His feet felt heavier than they should have.

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Monster Hunter:Volume3 Chapter3

2025-04-30T00:19:36Z

Barnnn:

== Chapter 3 - Interviews ==

[[File:MH-v03-003.jpg|300px|thumb]]

Zeeg stepped down from the carriage and found himself honestly disappointed by the scenery. It had not changed for the better - in fact, it hadn't changed much if at all.

Two days had passed, jostled about on the road from Minegarde. Now, with his backside aching, he finally laid eyes on the city of Nusti - and it looked so much like Minegarde that it gave him the strange, unsettling feeling of having traveled in a wide circle, only to arrive back where he had started.

Passing through a crowded marketplace bathed in the blood-red light of sunset, he found the same familiar layout: the workshop and gathering hall lined up along the edge of a cliff, a narrow road leading off to what looked like a guest house beyond.

For a hunter's first job in a new city, guild registration was a must. Pushing open the gathering hall door, Zeeg was immediately assaulted by the thick, heady air - a stench of alcohol and the body heat of too many people packed together. Even someone like Zeeg, who usually didn't flinch at much, felt lightheaded from it.

If all the dew of the jungle were made from liquor, he thought, it might smell like this.

No one stopped their drinking, but he could feel their eyes on him. Judging him, measuring him up by the look of his armor and weapons.

The gathering hall was dim even during the day, but the flickering candlelight caught on the crimson carapace of Zeeg's Rathalos armor, setting it aglow. The Lacerator Blade+ slung across his back, its blade stained a dark, bloodlike red, threw back the light in a way that made a few of the hunters squint against the glare.

He headed straight for the counter. As he approached, a woman seated behind it abruptly rose to her feet, surprising him.

She stood at least a head taller than him.

Her face was sharply beautiful, her nose a clean, straight line - but one of her eyes was a dull, lifeless orb. A prosthetic, he realized at once. Her body was solidly built, sturdy enough that the maid uniform she wore seemed almost comical on her. Zeeg wisely kept that opinion to himself.

"Nice gear," she said bluntly, not even bothering to properly look at him. "First time in a city guild?"

"No," Zeeg replied shortly.

He dug into his bag and pulled out the résumé Becky had prepared for him, sliding it across the counter. It bore the guild's official seal; with this, his Hunter Rank would carry over without the need to re-earn it from scratch.

The woman took the document, scanned it with barely a flicker of expression, and handed it back without so much as a nod.

It was a résumé that listed no small number of accomplishments - or so Zeeg thought. But judging from the woman's indifferent expression, it might as well have been a list of trash.

She scribbled something into the guild ledger, closed it with a snap, and dashed off a few strokes onto a small card before tossing it carelessly onto the counter. His guild registration card. Without it, he wouldn't be able to accept even a single quest.

"...Thanks," Zeeg muttered, giving a slight bow as he stepped away from the counter.

The woman didn't respond. She had already opened her book again, utterly uninterested.

''What a cold-hearted woman'', Zeeg thought with a grimace.

For a moment, Becky's warm smile flashed in his mind, and a wave of homesickness for Minegarde washed over him. Zeeg shook his head fiercely. He couldn't afford to get sentimental - not when he was about to form his own hunting party.

Steeling himself, he made his way to the bulletin board set up next to the counter. It held two types of postings: available quests, and notices recruiting companions for already accepted ones.

The system was exactly the same as back in Minegarde.

Zeeg scanned the list of quests. There were plenty to choose from - likely because Nusti was still a relatively new city, and the hunting grounds under its jurisdiction hadn't yet been thoroughly tamed.

("Guess I'll take this one.")

He chose a Basarios hunt and tore the quest sheet from the board.

Basarios, the Rock Wyvern, was a juvenile form of the Gravios. Though its shell could be carved into tough armor and hammers, it didn't have much practical use for those uninterested. Still, Basarios were known to cause trouble by mimicking rocks, lying in wait along trade routes.

This time was no different. A merchant caravan had reported a Basarios nesting along a volcanic pass.

It would be a good test of any potential party members.

Zeeg judged Basarios to be about the next level of threat after a Yian Kut-Ku - tough, sure, but not overwhelmingly dangerous. Its movements were sluggish, and as long as they avoided a direct hit from its fiery attacks, it wasn't anything to fear.

If a hunter struggled against a Basarios, they weren't someone Zeeg wanted in his party.

("Last time we fought two at once. One should be easy.")

Clutching the quest slip, Zeeg returned to the counter and slapped it down - loudly enough to make sure he was noticed.

The woman sighed heavily, clearly irritated, and shut her book with a thump before turning to him. Curious, Zeeg caught a glimpse of the book's cover: ''Bestiary of the Hunt'', embossed in gold lettering.

"What is it?"

"I want to recruit partners for this quest," Zeeg said, "and I need a guest house room, too."

The woman skimmed the quest sheet, gave him a brief, disinterested look, and stamped it with the guild's official seal before shoving it back at him. Without a word, she flipped open the ledger again, checked something, and muttered,

"...Bishop Thirty-Five."

Then, without another glance, she returned to her book.

Zeeg knew the procedure well enough, but it still grated on him. Clicking his tongue in annoyance, he stomped back to the bulletin board, pinned the quest sheet to the recruitment section, and scribbled underneath his room's number and a message:

''"Seeking long-term hunting partners! From Kokoto Village!"''

Mentioning Kokoto Village - and by extension its legendary village chief - was a gamble.

It might attract opportunists looking to ride his coattails, but just maybe, it would draw serious, skilled hunters worthy of the name.

"...Alright," Zeeg muttered.

Hoisting his bag onto his shoulder, he left the gathering hall behind.

By the time he was making his way toward the guest house, his mind buzzing with thoughts of what kind of people might answer his call, the rude woman at the counter was already a forgotten annoyance.

"So, what now?" Fradio asked, breaking the heavy silence.

Elmeria, clearly in a foul mood, said nothing. Neither did Gannon, still wrapped in bandages. The noise of the gathering hall, thick with the clatter of utensils and lively conversation, wasn't enough to drown out their voices, but neither companion seemed inclined to speak.

It had been a week since Zeeg had left their party, and still Elmeria showed no sign of taking on a new quest. Fradio understood the reason well enough - she was holding out hope that Zeeg might return - but even so, his arms were beginning to itch for action.

If this standoff dragged on much longer, he thought, he might as well head out alone and enjoy a date with a Gypceros.

"We're not exactly hurting for money, but Sir Gannon's injuries are healing nicely," Fradio continued, trying to coax some response. "I'd say it's about time we got back to the hunt, wouldn't you?"

Gannon turned his unbandaged eye toward Elmeria. She, however, only stared into the blood-dark surface of the wine pooled in her goblet, unmoving.

She looked thinner than before, the soft curve of her cheeks having hollowed out slightly. Fradio hoped she hadn't started losing muscle mass. Lifting the edge of his mask just enough to drink, he sipped his own wine, savoring the rich flavor of the fruit sharpened by a pleasant astringency. He waited, but Elmeria said nothing.

It wasn't sorrow he saw in her. No, the emotion simmering just beneath the surface was anger - anger directed at herself for misspeaking, and at Zeeg for leaving without a word.

Zeeg's departure had been clumsy, to say the least. If they had been nothing more than a temporary hunting party assembled for a single mission, a silent farewell over a mug of ale might have sufficed.

But they had been together since Zeeg had first arrived in Minegarde. After so much time, he owed them at least a proper goodbye, no matter how awkward.

"Still sulking, Ellie?"

The teasing voice floated down along with a clatter of dishes. Fradio turned to see Becky standing there, smiling mischievously.

"I'm not sulking," Elmeria snapped.

She reached out, grabbed a freshly-served skewer of grilled Aptonoth meat, and bit into it savagely. Juices dripped from the seared flesh, and she hissed a quick "Hot!" as she licked the sizzling fat from her lips.

Fradio helped himself to a skewer as well, stripping the meat from the stick and neatly cutting it into small pieces with his knife and fork before slipping a bite beneath his mask. The meat was rich, the spice blend mingling perfectly with the sweet, fatty edge of the skin.

The slight toughness betrayed the fact that it had come from a wild Aptonoth, but that only added to its flavor.

"C'mon, no need to act tough," Becky said, her voice light with mockery.

Elmeria shot her a glare, her eyes faintly glassy from the wine. Her appetite had dwindled, but her drinking had certainly increased.

"Shut up," Elmeria muttered. "I'm not pretending. If anything, I'm glad he's gone. It's thanks to him we've been screwing up so much lately."

"So you're still planning to keep hunting?" Becky pressed.

"Of course I am!"

Snatching up her goblet, Elmeria drained it in one go and refilled it without hesitation.

"I'm just saying, none of the current quests look worth taking. I'm not going to waste my time hunting Yian Kut-Ku or gathering Special Mushrooms. And as for a Khezu-"

Fradio shook his head.

He had once been swallowed whole by one of those grotesque, sightless wyverns, and the memory still made his skin crawl. Compared to the vibrant, delicate beauty of a Gypceros, a Khezu - with its pallid skin and preference for damp, shadowy places - was nothing but an abomination.

"Yeah. He's in no shape for it," Elmeria continued, "And besides, maybe it's not a bad thing to take it easy once in a while. Unless you have something interesting lined up?"

"Well..." Becky said, placing a single sheet of paper onto the table, "maybe I do."

Fradio leaned in alongside Elmeria to read it.

"...Meat Grill Festival?" Elmeria echoed incredulously.

Sure enough, the paper read, ''"Calling All Hunters! Grand Opening! The 18th Annual Meat Grill Festival!!"''

Elmeria gave Becky an exasperated look.

"What the hell is this?"

"Exactly what it says," Becky replied brightly. "It's a competition to see who can grill the most Well-Done Steaks. Raw meat must be gathered on-site, of course. The winner gets a special prize: a piece of King Meat! Doesn't that sound perfect for you, Ellie?"

"King Meat, huh..."

Elmeria frowned, considering.

It was, admittedly, a tempting prize - for a hammer user. King Meat was a key material used to craft the Enormous Ham, a weapon both whimsical and sought-after.

Elmeria already possessed a Breath Core and didn't need the Enormous Ham, and the crafting costs were steep - but King Meat was rare enough that simply having it would be worth bragging about.

Besides, Fradio could always meet up with his beloved Gypceros later.

The Meat Grill Festival, on the other hand, wouldn't come around again until next year.

"It ''does'' sound like fun," Fradio said, earning Elmeria's groan. "Come now, there's no other quest we're excited about anyway. Besides, grilling meat is one of a hunter's basic skills. Maybe it's a good time to go back to basics and sharpen our instincts. Sir Gannon's not fully recovered, either - we could use some easy targets like Aptonoth or Bullfango to ease back into things, yes?"

Elmeria turned to Gannon.

The large man, his face still heavily bandaged, gave her a solemn nod.

She might not realize it, but Fradio had noticed - Gannon had lost weight since being poisoned by the Rathian.

The poison itself shouldn't have lingered; Rathian toxins didn't stay in the body long.

No, this was a result of a deeper issue - a wound to the spirit.

Failing to dodge that poisonous tail strike had shaken him badly.

It was said that the moment one became conscious of their own aging, they truly began to grow old.

And Gannon, after all, was already sixty.

By rights, he should have retired to a peaceful village, regaling the local children with tales of his exploits.

Yet here he was, still fighting.

"You know what," Elmeria said at last. "Let's do it."

She grabbed the paper and waved it at Becky.

"As Fradio said, there's nothing else worth doing right now. I'll come kill some time. Besides, carrying around an Enormous Ham would be hilarious."

Becky's smile widened. Without missing a beat, she turned toward the bustling gathering hall, raised her voice, and declared,

"Attention, everyone! Elmeria Franport - pride and joy of Minegarde - will be participating in the Meat Grill Festival! Who else wants to join? Especially hammer users - you won't want to miss out on the fabulous prize: the King Meat, perfect for crafting your very own Enormous Ham!"

Realizing she had just been used for promotional purposes, Elmeria's eyes widened.

Becky shot her a mischievous grin before turning back toward the counter, ready to register the flood of eager participants now waving their arms.

"...Now ''that'' is stage presence," Fradio muttered.

He took a deep drink of wine and speared another piece of juicy Aptonoth meat with his fork, chuckling as the hot juices burst free.

Zeeg watched the departing hunter's back disappear beyond the door, then slumped heavily into a chair with a long, exhausted sigh.

That made fifteen now. Fifteen interviews, and not a single one had resulted in a new comrade. There had been a few who looked capable enough, but not one he could truly call a partner.

The trip to the Volcano was scheduled for the day after tomorrow. If he couldn't find anyone by then, he would have no choice but to set out alone.

Against a Basarios, he could probably manage if he fought cautiously. But that wasn't the point - he hadn't come all the way to this town just to do everything by himself.

Still, Zeeg found himself surprised by just how draining these interviews had been.

He could get a rough sense of a hunter's skill from their equipment, sure, but so far not a single applicant had shown up wearing Rathalos or Rathian gear.

The best-equipped hunter he'd seen wore a full set of Cephalos armor, made from the scales of sand-dwelling monsters - but she'd made it quite clear she intended to lead the team herself. He had politely shown her the door.

''Maybe it was my age after all'', he thought with a wry grimace.

Most hunters with real ability were well into their late twenties or older.

Hunters like himself, Elmeria, or Freda - who had managed to earn wyvern gear while still in their teens - were rare.

Not that he was arrogant enough to think himself some prodigy.

Maybe once, in the past. But now he understood all too well - without the help of his comrades, he never would have made it this far.

Luck might let him take down one monster, maybe two. But to hunt enough for a full set of weapons and armor - that took something more tangible.

Even so, Zeeg didn't feel any desire to partner with hunters much older than himself. If they were like Gannon - silent and watchful - that would be fine. But if they started barking orders, well... he might as well stick with Elmeria.

Maybe trying to find someone around his own age, willing to take on a Basarios, had been setting the bar too high from the start.

It might be smarter to treat this hunt as a one-off. Afterward, he could lower the difficulty - take a quest for a Yian Kut-Ku or something - and try recruiting again.

A sharp pain twinged in his stomach, and he remembered he hadn't eaten all morning.

The first applicant had shown up before breakfast, and there had been no break since.

Rubbing his aching temple, Zeeg rose from his chair.

When he'd joined Elmeria's party, it had been by the Guild Master's recommendation - there had been no formal interview like this.

Still, she must have gone through something similar at some point. Was she still doing it even now? The thought brushed across his mind like a cold wind, but he shook it off.

In any case, he needed food. The guest house would prepare a special meal if he asked, but it came at a steep price.

With most of his money earmarked for a new weapon, he couldn't afford luxuries right now.

It would be cheaper to roast some raw meat himself.

He fished his BBQ Spit out of his pack and turned toward the balcony to set it up...

"Excuse me!"

...Only to freeze as a voice spoke from beyond the door, startlingly close.

Zeeg almost dropped the spit on his foot.

Usually, he could sense when someone approached, even before they knocked - but this time, he had noticed nothing.

As he hesitated, the voice came again.

"Forgive the intrusion! Might this be the room of Sir Zeeg Grandest? I saw the notice on the board and wished to speak with you."

The speaker's voice was low, distinctly male, and oddly formal - but Zeeg managed to catch the gist.

Another applicant, apparently.

"Ah - yeah!"

Setting the BBQ Spit hurriedly on the table, Zeeg checked his gear.

Something about the man's voice demanded it.

He always conducted interviews in full armor, and expected the same of his applicants.

It was the quickest way to judge a hunter's ability outside the field.

His Lacerator Blade+ was hanging on the wall nearby.

Usually, hunters carried their weapons too.

Someone who skimped on weaponry in favor of flashy armor tended to be overly cautious. And the reverse - Zeeg winced, remembering his younger self - suggested reckless impatience.

"So - uh, yeah. Come in!"

He deliberately used a slightly rough tone.

Better to establish from the outset who would be leading the party.

If someone couldn't handle a little bluntness, they wouldn't survive working with him.

"Excuse me," the voice repeated - and the door swung open.

The man who entered was tall, with dark skin and a lithe build, moving without so much as a whisper of footsteps.

Even a wyvern would struggle to notice someone like that.

He stopped a good distance inside the room, standing casually - but there was not a single gap in his stance.

His hair, a muted gray, was slicked back and tied behind him, much like Zeeg's own.

His one open eye was blue and ringed with strange concentric lines rather than a vertical slit - and the other was closed, perhaps the mark of an old wound.

His armor... if it could even be called that, was strange.

He wore plain white clothes, reinforced only in vulnerable spots like the shoulders, elbows, throat, and waist, with thin plates that looked more decorative than functional.

His loose, ballooning trousers were tucked into black boots, and strange patterns were painted along the hems.

But what truly drew the eye was the weapon on his back.

It resembled a wyvern's talon - a pair of talons, in fact.

They looked almost like twin one-handed swords, but distinct from any weapon Zeeg knew.

"You've noticed my blades," the man said smoothly, a thin sprig of some herb clamped between his lips.

He smiled faintly, his expression calm and easygoing, and Zeeg guessed he was in his mid-twenties.

"Those aren't... sword-and-shield, are they?" Zeeg asked cautiously.

"Indeed not," the man replied, nodding as if approving the question. "These are my beloved blades - Zanki. I am a wielder of dual blades."

"Dual blades...?"

"Just so - ''Youth's ignorance blooms; no shame in the mind's pure soil; learning comes with time'' - as the saying goes."

The peculiar rhythm of the words made Zeeg blink.

Was he being insulted just now? It was hard to tell.

"That was a ''senryū''," the man explained, his open eye narrowing.

Zeeg was even more confused.

Did he just say ''ryū'' - dragon?

Was this ''Zanki'' weapon crafted from some monster he'd never heard of?

The man seemed to catch his bewilderment and chuckled softly.

"Heh... Though I say ''ryū'', I do not speak of wyverns. Senryū is a form of wordplay from my homeland."

"I... see?"

The man straightened and gave a formal, shallow bow.

"Forgive my late introduction. I am Entarō. If it pleases you, call me Enta."

"Huh... yeah, sure..."

Zeeg found himself a little overwhelmed.

Even Entarō's name had a unique ring to it.

Still, for all the man's flowery phrasing, his words were clear enough, and Zeeg had no trouble understanding him.

"Uh, well... why don't you have a seat?"

Zeeg, desperate to regain control of the conversation, gestured toward a chair. But Enta merely raised a hand.

"Nay, I shall decline."

At first, Zeeg thought he meant to remain standing, but instead, the man - who had introduced himself as Enta - sat cross-legged directly on the floor. Somehow, the way he settled there fit so naturally, he looked less like a man and more like a bronze statue that had stood there for years, untouched by time.

Feeling awkward about being the only one sitting properly, Zeeg followed suit, lowering himself to the floor as well. It was uncomfortable; whenever he took breaks out on a hunt, he always used a folding chair that came with his BBQ Spit kit. Sitting on the bare ground felt foreign.

"So, uh... you saw the notice on the board, right?" Zeeg asked.

"Indeed," Enta replied with a courteous nod.

"Getting right to it... what's your Hunter Rank?"

"My rank is ''Samurai''. And yourself?"

For a moment, Zeeg thought he saw the gleam of a blade flash in Enta's open eye, and he swallowed hard. The sheer pressure coming off the man made it feel like a wrong answer might literally cost him his head.

"M-me? I'm a ''Strider''..."

"Oh-ho!"

With a sudden spark of enthusiasm, Enta's lone eye widened. Startled, Zeeg nearly reached for his greatsword on the wall. Was the man trying to startle him, just to enjoy the reaction?

But Enta merely shook his head slowly and said,

"To think that one so young surpasses even I in rank! I am most impressed."

Still seated cross-legged, he bent low in a deep, skillful bow.

And he stayed there.

After a long, awkward silence, Zeeg began to wonder if the man had fallen asleep, but just as he was about to check, Enta finally lifted his head once more.

Trying to keep his balance in this strange conversation, Zeeg felt slightly dizzy.

"A-anyway," he tried, "you said 'young' - but do you even know how old I am?"

"I do not, but I venture to guess... eighteen years?"

Dead on.

Sure, nobody looking at him would mistake him for forty or fifty, but to peg his age exactly was still impressive. Maybe it was just a lucky guess... or maybe not.

"And you?" Zeeg asked. "How old are you?"

"This year, I have reached twenty-five," Enta declared. "Five years ago, I drifted to this land, learned of the way of hunters, and was immediately captivated. It is the perfect vocation for my training."

"Training?" Zeeg parroted.

"Indeed. I strive to hone my blade and become a peerless swordmaster. In these peaceful times, there are precious few places where one can engage in honest, life-or-death battle. Yet in the life of a hunter, that spirit endures. There is no better arena for perfecting one's skill."

"But then, why'd you want to form a party? Wouldn't solo hunting fit your training better?"

"An astute question," Enta said, folding his arms and nodding. He then leaned forward, lowering his voice conspiratorially.

Zeeg, caught by the sudden shift, leaned forward too.

"...In truth, I have another ambition. Forming a party is but a means to that end - I wish to spread the glory of dual blades far and wide."

Zeeg straightened up in surprise. That wasn't exactly something anyone needed to whisper about. If anything, he could have shouted it from the rooftops.

But Enta, oblivious to Zeeg's thoughts, nodded emphatically to himself.

"The best way is to show others firsthand the brilliance of the dual blades! Especially the younger hunters like yourself - once you witness their magnificence, you too will surely be tempted to wield them!"

Even with that passionate speech, Zeeg remained unconvinced. He had no intention of abandoning the greatsword he had wielded since before he officially became a hunter.

Besides, dual blades... weren't they just two small swords?

Worse, they had no shield. Greatswords and heavy bowguns could block with their massive frames, and even hammers could compensate for their lack of defense with overwhelming power.

But dual blades - their cutting edge didn't seem particularly impressive, nor did they offer any means of defense. Zeeg couldn't imagine they were easy to use at all.

As if reading his mind, Enta fixed him with a sharp gaze and chuckled.

"Heh... I know exactly what you are thinking - ''Two blades side by side; yet both are weak, unrefined; a pair, not the best'' - That is what every hunter thinks... Until they see my technique for themselves!"

With a loud slap to his knee, Enta beamed.

"Once you see me slicing through Basarios's rock-hard hide like it were ''sashimi'', you'll be singing a different tune! You'll envy the dual blades, mark my words! Behold! Witness the blade dance of a ''demon''!"

Suddenly, without rising from his cross-legged position, Enta drew both swords from the sheaths strapped to his back. Their polished blades gleamed menacingly under the light.

"H-hey! What the hell are you doing!?" Zeeg cried, jolting back.

Snapped from his theatrics, Enta blinked his lone eye, mumbled an apology, and hastily resheathed his weapons.

This was no laughing matter.

Had Zeeg not spoken up, he might have been the one carved into neat little slices, not Basarios. There was a dangerous aura about Enta, no doubt about it. A strange one, too.

"...Right. So, uh, your résumé?" Zeeg prompted, trying to regain focus.

"Here it is."

From within his robes, Enta produced a folded sheet of paper and handed it over.

It bore the official seal of the Hunter's Guild. Listed on it were records of all the quests Enta had undertaken - monster hunts, transport missions, and the like. The entries weren't arranged chronologically but by category: wyvern species and their respective numbers hunted, goods delivered for transport requests, and the tallies of successes and failures.

A quick scan was enough to tell Zeeg that Enta was no slouch. His record against wyverns in particular was impressive - far beyond what an average hunter could boast.

Still, something felt off.

Judging by the list, Enta had likely been bouncing between different parties, focusing almost exclusively on wyvern hunts.

That wasn't what Zeeg had in mind for his group. He had made that clear with the notice on the guild board.

But Enta had probably applied because this mission involved a wyvern - specifically, a Basarios.

Turning him away would be simple enough. But Zeeg hesitated. He had only just been thinking that maybe, this time, the group would be a one-shot team - handle the mission and disband.

Unlike when he had joined Elmeria's team, this group would be full of first-timers working together. No telling what their real skills were like.

Jumping straight into a wyvern hunt under those circumstances... maybe it was reckless after all.

Still, canceling the quest outright would leave a bad impression with the Guild. If word got around that he had pulled out without a good reason, future requests might dry up - especially important ones.

And Enta's résumé - it even showed prior hunts against Basarios. Five of them.

That wasn't a huge number compared to his other quarry, but it was enough to earn respect.

Zeeg steeled himself, folding the résumé and handing it back to Enta.

"Alright. I'll be counting on you," he said.

"Understood," Enta replied.

Taking the résumé, Enta tucked it away inside his robes. Zeeg then pulled out the contract for the Basarios hunt. Every member of the hunting party had to sign it before submitting it to the Guild - only then could they officially depart.

Producing a brush-like writing tool, Enta scrawled a strange set of characters beneath Zeeg's signature: 炎太郎.

"Is that your name?" Zeeg asked, tilting his head.

"It is written in a script not used in Schrade," Enta explained, stowing the brush once more. "The Guild has permitted us to use our own country's writing, so I choose to do so. 炎 for 'En,' 太 for 'Ta,' and 郎 for 'Rō'."

"Huh..." Zeeg muttered, staring intently at the signature. It looked more like a drawing than a name. He had heard stories that the world stretched far beyond the Kingdom of Schrade, but this was his first time encountering a piece of it with his own eyes.

"So then," Enta said, glancing about the room, "where are the other hunters?"

"Ah, well... there aren't any yet. You're the first," Zeeg admitted.

"Ah, I see. In that case, allow me to assist in selecting the others. It is a matter of life and death, after all."

"Uh, wait, that's-"

Zeeg faltered. Enta quirked an eyebrow at him.

"Was that unwelcome?" he asked, his voice calm but probing.

"No, it's not that," Zeeg said quickly, hesitated a moment, then added, "It's just... Well, I don't mean to ignore your opinion, but this is my party. I want to choose the members myself."

"I see... That is understandable. I shall leave the final decision to you."

"Yeah. I appreciate it."

Zeeg felt a relief far deeper than words could express. He had made his choice - he didn't want to have it overturned and be forced to start all over again. Now, just two more members to find.

The weight on his shoulders lessened a little. Part of it was simply having found one companion already, but more importantly, he had decided that this party was only for this hunt. If they got along, they could continue together. If not, no harm done.

Seeking a long-term team from the outset had been a mistake.

Thinking back, even when he had joined Elmeria's party, it had been intended as a one-time learning experience. After that hunt - where he had contributed almost nothing - and a morning of a strange incident, she had invited him to join her again. Their long association afterward had been the exception, not the rule.

Feeling clearer, Zeeg was about to fold up the contract when he sensed a presence outside the door. Unlike Enta's arrival, this was someone more... normal. The presence halted in front of the door - and stayed there. No knock came.

("What the...?") Zeeg tilted his head. At that instant, Enta, still seated cross-legged, drew something from his coat and flicked it over his shoulder without even turning around.

There was a dull thud, then a sharp cry from beyond the door. A small dagger, its blade oddly shaped to fit a keyhole, was now embedded in the lock.

If he had aimed for that, his skill was terrifying.

"Peeking is a shameful habit," Enta said, sounding for all the world like he was the master of the room.

Zeeg swallowed the complaint rising to his lips. If this was an applicant, it wouldn't do to start off with an argument - no hunter would want to join a party that looked like it was about to fall apart.

"...Come in," Zeeg called, sitting up straight.

Enta rose soundlessly to his feet, positioning himself behind Zeeg with his hands clasped behind his back. Zeeg caught a glimpse of the twin swords at Enta's back but chose to ignore them for now.

The door creaked open hesitantly.

The figure that entered was more boy than man, his face still round with youth. Yet he was tall - taller than Zeeg by the width of a fist, by his quick reckoning. His brown eyes were half-lidded, giving him a perpetually drowsy look, and his short brown hair stuck up wildly, as if he'd just rolled out of bed.

One glance at his equipment, and Zeeg pegged him for a rookie.

His armor was crafted entirely from Velociprey and Velocidrome materials - tough but basic blue-scaled gear, from helm to greaves. When Zeeg had first arrived in town, he had worn even shabbier armor - but he had at least splurged on a decent weapon.

This boy, however, had a plain bone sword at his waist - a one-handed blade that looked more like a jagged saw than a weapon. A Bone Pick, or perhaps a Bone Spike, if Zeeg remembered the name correctly.

The boy glanced at Zeeg, then at Enta looming behind him, and hunched his shoulders before giving a timid bow.

"Um... is this the place recruiting for the Basarios hunt...?" he asked, voice so faint it seemed ready to vanish.

"Yeah-"

"It is indeed," Enta said, cutting off Zeeg without a hint of shame.

Zeeg shot him a look over his shoulder. Enta met his gaze, and nodded as if to say "Ah, right," but offered no apology.

Suppressing a sigh, Zeeg turned back to the boy.

He was still standing awkwardly by the door, clearly reluctant to approach. Zeeg understood - he must have been intimidated by their gear. After all, the Rathalos set Zeeg wore was no easy prize.

"Come on. Have a seat," Zeeg said, patting the floor in front of him. There was no point dragging out a chair at this stage.

The boy approached as if expecting a Velociprey to lunge from the shadows at any moment. He settled where Enta had been sitting before, back stiff, eyes briefly meeting Zeeg's before darting down to the floor.

Behind him, Enta exhaled softly through his nose.

Zeeg felt much the same. This boy wasn't necessarily cowardly, but he lacked confidence. That hesitation, that self-doubt - it could prove fatal in the hunt, where a moment's indecision could mean death.

If this were a simple Velociprey cull or a mushroom gathering quest, it would be another matter.

But this was a wyvern hunt. A Basarios. And if one of them faltered, it could cost them all their lives.

Just as Zeeg opened his mouth to refuse, the boy pulled a folded sheet of paper from the pouch at his waist, placed it on the floor, and pushed it toward him.

("A résumé?") Zeeg thought, but on closer look, it didn't seem like one.

Curious, he picked it up, broke the wax seal, and unfolded it. A quick glance told him it was a letter of introduction, issued by the Guild itself, requesting that Zeeg take charge of training a new recruit.

He couldn't fathom why the request had come to him, of all people. He had yet to accomplish anything noteworthy. Puzzled, he took a closer look - and noticed the seal stamped at the bottom. It wasn't from this city. It belonged to the Hunter's Guild of Minegarde.

"...Um, Miss Becky told me to bring this to you," the boy said hesitantly. "She said... it would be a great learning experience."

"Becky?" Zeeg repeated, raising an eyebrow. He glanced back down at the letter.

The wording was stiff and formal, just what he'd expect from official Guild correspondence - but at the very end, almost like an afterthought, there was a single casual line: ''"Take good care of him, okay?"'' The handwriting was unmistakably Becky's.

Memories stirred within him: the day he first arrived in Minegarde. Had the Guild Master not vouched for him back then, he never would have joined Elmeria's party - and without that chance, he doubted he'd have grown strong enough to be clad in Rathalos armor so soon.

Thinking on it, refusing would be the easy path. But could he live with that? Becky had gone out of her way to support him more times than he could count. To turn away now - to betray the trust she was placing in him - felt wrong.

"...Got a résumé?" Zeeg asked, lifting his gaze from the letter. It was only fair to at least take a look.

One couldn't judge a hunter by their armor alone. Some made it a point of pride to hunt wyverns in mediocre gear. This boy hardly seemed the type, but there was always a chance he had some hidden skill.

The boy nodded and produced a second sheet of paper. Zeeg accepted it and unfolded it.

This time, it really was a résumé.

A quick scan was enough to see that the boy's record was nearly blank. He had taken down a few Yian Kut-Ku solo, but those were more bird wyverns than true wyverns. Dangerous if underestimated, yes - but hardly a match for the real heavyweights.

Still, thinking back to his own record when he first came to Minegarde, Zeeg couldn't say the boy was any worse. If he could handle a Yian Kut-Ku alone, he might not be much help against a Basarios, but at least he wouldn't get in the way.

He checked the boy's name: Brass Lagoon. Hailing from Piniq, one of the small frontier villages near Minegarde. Zeeg had never been there himself, but he'd heard it was founded by retired hunters.

His eyes drifted to the age listed beneath the name - and widened in surprise.

''Sixteen''.

He had pegged the boy for older at first glance, but now that he knew, Brass suddenly seemed much younger, his expressions more boyish.

There weren't many who came to the city at that age. Zeeg himself had, but it was rare. Elmeria, he recalled, had been registered with the Guild even younger, though she'd had Gannon, her retainer, at her side.

Coming alone at sixteen, with no one to back him up - that took guts.

And at least on the surface, Brass seemed like a good-natured kid.

Hunters tended to be a rough bunch. There were plenty of good men and women among them, but there were just as many who would think nothing of exploiting rookies - gathering up greenhorns to use as bait, feeding their fiery spirits into easy victories.

Such types were despised, of course, but there was another school of thought: that the Guild was no place for amateurs, and those too naïve to survive deserved what they got.

True, the Guild sometimes smoothed the path for beginners - as it had for Zeeg - but that protection ended quickly. After that, a hunter's life and death were their own responsibility.

Looking at Brass now, he resembled nothing so much as an Aptanoth wandering haplessly into a hungry hunter's path. No wonder Becky had chased Zeeg all the way to Nusti to hand him this task. She expected him to return the favor she'd once shown him.

If Brass could make it through this first trial, the Guild would gain another capable hunter - and Becky had always said they could never have too many.

("But...") Zeeg frowned inwardly, looking at the weapon he carried: a sword and shield.

Fast enough, sure - but against wyverns, not exactly reliable.

A Yian Kut-Ku was one thing; one could get by with a basic weapon. But anything tougher, and it became a question of whether the blade could even pierce the hide.

If it were the Master Blade from Kokoto Village, the one Freda carried, even Rathalos shell could be split. But with something like a Bone Spike... most likely, the blade would bounce harmlessly off.

As he glanced back down at the résumé, Zeeg noticed a small notation he had missed before. Under ''Special Skills'', in faint letters: ''Combining (Advanced)''.

It was a skill often overlooked in hunts, but when used well, it could transform the entire field into an arsenal. Having someone adept at combining on a team was no small advantage.

''Still, what to do...''

Before he could make up his mind, a voice spoke from behind.

"I have no objection," Enta said.

Zeeg had planned to ask for his opinion, but being preempted like this left a sour taste. He gave a vague nod, folded up the résumé, and handed it back to Brass.

The boy accepted it carefully, almost reverently.

"Welcome aboard," Zeeg said, extending a hand.

Brass blinked, startled, then quickly grabbed Zeeg's gauntleted hand with his own, their armor clinking faintly.

"Th-thank you very much! I'll do my best!"

"No need to push yourself too hard," Zeeg said, giving him a small, reassuring smile. "The Basarios isn't an opponent you can afford to underestimate, but both its poison and sleep gases come with obvious tells before they spew. As long as you don't miss the signs, it's not something to fear. Handle it right, and it's easier than a Kut-Ku."

"R-really?"

Brass's wide-eyed disbelief was almost comical. Zeeg nodded firmly.

"It's tough, sure - but that's all. Just one thing... your Bone Pick might not cut through its hide. You're good at combining, right? I'll be counting on you for that too."

"Y-yes, sir!"

The boy's face lit up, cheeks flushing with excitement. His eyes gleamed with unshed tears, and he nodded so hard it seemed his helmet might topple off.

How long that enthusiasm would last, Zeeg couldn't say. Basarios was no Rathalos - but it was still a wyvern, through and through.

Zeeg produced the contract and handed it over for a signature.

Brass - who, by all appearances, was no rugged or battle-hardened youth - was an unknown quantity when it came to facing a true wyvern, hatchling or not. He might well freeze up... or worse, take a charge straight to the chest.

Keeping a firm hold on the boy's hand, Zeeg rose to his feet and helped Brass to stand. With how Brass stood taller than him, the sword and shield strapped to his back looked almost comically small, more like a dagger than a proper weapon. With a frame like his, a greatsword or a lance would surely suit him better. Still, switching weapons now would only hinder their hunt, so Zeeg decided to leave well enough alone.

"That makes three of us, then," Enta said, arms crossed, sweeping his lone eye over the group. "A greatsword, a sword-and-shield, and dual blades. All close-range fighters... Will we be adding one more to our ranks?"

Zeeg nodded. With this setup, what they really needed was a bowgunner. They could, of course, simply charge in like a pack of Velociprey, relying on brute force - but having a gunner would expand their tactical options considerably. A skilled hunter covering their backs would allow the frontliners to focus solely on the target ahead.

"Let's head to the gathering hall," Zeeg said, jabbing a thumb at the door. "We'll need to update the posting. ''One more - Bowgun users only.''"

"A ranged fighter, hmm..." Enta narrowed his lone eye. "I don't much care for them, but if it's your decision, I shall abide - ''Though shame may arise; silence falls upon the heart; peace in quiet reigns''."

"Bowgun... I'll do my best," Brass murmured vaguely, clenching his fist for reasons known only to himself.

Zeeg was tempted to ask what exactly he meant to "do his best" at - but decided against it as he grabbed his greatsword from against the wall. Better not to give the impression that every little thing had to be discussed and agreed upon. When the moment came, he didn't want Brass getting any ideas about second-guessing orders. They needed a bowgunner; if Brass had a problem with that, he was free to leave.

Completely unaware of Zeeg's silent calculus, Brass hurried after him and Enta.

They descended the stairs, passing a few hunters on the way down, but none of the faces were familiar. That wasn't surprising - both Zeeg and Brass were newcomers to town. Even Enta, it seemed, was not acquainted with anyone here, exchanging no greetings as they passed.

The moment they stepped out of the guest house, the unrelenting sun struck them with full force, searing their skin. The weather was too good - almost obnoxiously so.

As they made their way downhill toward the gathering hall, Zeeg caught sight of an odd figure loitering by the entrance. A girl, clad in a skirt flared wide in black and white, stood beneath a black parasol trimmed in white lace. At a glance, she might have passed for a tavern maid on an errand - if not for the battered, oversized travel case she carried in her free hand. The scuffed and dirty leather suggested a life spent constantly on the move.

Something about her tugged at Zeeg's memory. He slowed, frowning, trying to place the familiarity. That outfit... he had seen it somewhere before.

As he watched, the girl folded her parasol and disappeared into the gathering hall. He caught a glimpse of her profile - just a fleeting glance - but it was enough to notice the glint of glasses perched on her nose.

"Is something the matter?" Enta asked.

"Huh? No... it's nothing."

Zeeg shook his head. If he couldn't place it, it probably wasn't important. He brushed the thought aside and motioned for the others to move on. As they pushed open the gathering hall doors, the familiar crush of alcohol, smoke, and humanity washed over them. They waded through it, making for the bulletin board.

At the counter, Zeeg spotted the girl again, speaking with the guild receptionist - the one with the prosthetic eye. Maybe she was trying to get hired as a server.

At the board, Zeeg began searching for the notice he had posted earlier. It wasn't unusual for hunters to take down postings they were interested in, so it didn't surprise him that it wasn't exactly where he had left it.

"I think it was around here," Brass said, pointing.

Following his indication, Zeeg found the notice buried halfway down a thick stack of overlapping papers. It was barely visible - left untouched, surely no one else would show up today. Just retrieving it made the trip worthwhile.

Using the bulletin board itself as a writing surface, Zeeg crossed out the old posting and updated the notes section:

''"Seeking one more! Bowgun users only!"''

He pinned it back up, making sure to place it in the most prominent spot - right at the very top. There was just one day left before the deadline. If they didn't find a fourth by then, they would have to set out as a trio.

Against a Basarios, three hunters would still manage... probably.

Just as Zeeg secured the paper, something black flickered past. Before he could even register what had happened, the notice was plucked from the board and sent fluttering through the air - deftly caught by a gloved hand.

Neither Zeeg nor Enta had sensed the approach. Enta reacted instinctively, leaping back a full table's length, hands flashing toward his weapons. Brass, startled out of his wits, fell flat on his rear.

Zeeg turned sharply, just in time to see the fluttering paper land neatly in the left hand of the girl from outside. She balanced her black parasol on her right shoulder, moving with a fluid, almost dancer-like grace.

She read the notice, her blue eyes - magnified behind her glasses - scanning the words with a sharp, gleaming intensity. Her long black hair, curled into vertical rolls on either side of her head, swayed slightly as she read.

She looked to be around Zeeg's age. He opened his mouth, but before he could speak-

"...This posting - yours?" she asked, her voice hard and clear, like machalite struck against stone.

In that instant, it hit him: he remembered where he had seen her.

"You were at Kokoto-" he blurted.

At his words, her eyes flickered - a slight, unmistakable recognition.

So it ''was'' her.

Back when Zeeg had returned to Kokoto, bored while Elmeria was off mining for the Breath Core in the volcanic zones, he had seen this girl working at the village gathering hall. If he recalled correctly, the village chief had called her Vivi.

And she was a hunter, too.

He remembered now - when the Monoblos had reappeared near the village, there had been a frantic scramble among the hunters to claim the kill. Zeeg had gotten the mark, but it had simply been luck of patrol routes - not a matter of skill.

"Vivienne Sharon, at your service," the girl said, speaking both names like a formal introduction. "How fortunate - I was just looking for a quest I could join immediately. I don't know your companions, but you... I know you're someone I can serve without worry."

"S-serve...?" Zeeg stammered. "Listen, we're just looking for a Bowgun user-"

"Precisely why I am the perfect candidate," Vivi interrupted. "From the looks of you all, you're nothing but frontliners. Surely, the bowgunner you're seeking is someone meant to support the party - a light bowgun user, yes?"

"Well, yeah, that's true," Zeeg admitted, frowning. "But where's your bowgun, then?"

"Why, right here," Vivi said, as if the answer were obvious.

Without missing a beat, she extended the handle of her parasol. With a soft click, the tip opened up, revealing a gun barrel glinting from within. The frilled black parasol - ornate and delicate - was, astonishingly, a bowgun. Even Enta, witnessing it for the first time, let out a low hum of admiration.

"This is the Dark Parasol. It cannot use piercing or cluster shots, but in exchange, it can handle every type of support ammo."

As she spoke, she set down the battered travel case she had been carrying, unlatched it, and produced a folded piece of paper, which she offered to Zeeg. Taking it, he unfolded it to find a neatly written résumé - one that made her skill immediately clear.

Given the nature of the light bowgun, it was unlikely she'd worked many solo hunts, yet even so, the list was impressive: ten Rathalos, seven Plesioth, three Khezu - and, remarkably, two Monoblos.

The Monoblos, the One-Horned Wyvern, never appeared in guild-sanctioned hunting grounds where teams were permitted. In other words, these two were solo kills - taken down single-handedly, and with a light bowgun at that.

"Is there a problem?" Vivi asked.

There was none. Hunters of her caliber were not easy to come by, even if one went looking with a contract in hand. And even if their previous encounter had been brief, there was a certain comfort in having a familiar face from his home village.

"You're in," Zeeg said decisively, producing the contract and handing it to her.

Vivi collapsed the Dark Parasol with an elegant motion, accepted the document, and after scribbling her name at the bottom, pushed up the bridge of her glasses with two fingers. Her lips curved into a smile - so perfectly poised it seemed almost artificial - as she said,

"Pleased to serve you, ''Master''."

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Monster Hunter:Volume3 Chapter3

2025-04-29T01:41:52Z

Barnnn:

== Chapter 3 - Interviews ==

[[File:MH-v03-003.jpg|300px|thumb]]

Zeeg stepped down from the carriage and found himself honestly disappointed by the scenery. It had not changed for the better - in fact, it hadn't changed much if at all.

Two days had passed, jostled about on the road from Minegarde. Now, with his backside aching, he finally laid eyes on the city of Nusti - and it looked so much like Minegarde that it gave him the strange, unsettling feeling of having traveled in a wide circle, only to arrive back where he had started.

Passing through a crowded marketplace bathed in the blood-red light of sunset, he found the same familiar layout: the workshop and gathering hall lined up along the edge of a cliff, a narrow road leading off to what looked like a guest house beyond.

For a hunter's first job in a new city, guild registration was a must. Pushing open the gathering hall door, Zeeg was immediately assaulted by the thick, heady air - a stench of alcohol and the body heat of too many people packed together. Even someone like Zeeg, who usually didn't flinch at much, felt lightheaded from it.

If all the dew of the jungle were made from liquor, he thought, it might smell like this.

No one stopped their drinking, but he could feel their eyes on him. Judging him, measuring him up by the look of his armor and weapons.

The gathering hall was dim even during the day, but the flickering candlelight caught on the crimson carapace of Zeeg's Rathalos armor, setting it aglow. The Lacerator Blade+ slung across his back, its blade stained a dark, bloodlike red, threw back the light in a way that made a few of the hunters squint against the glare.

He headed straight for the counter. As he approached, a woman seated behind it abruptly rose to her feet, surprising him.

She stood at least a head taller than him.

Her face was sharply beautiful, her nose a clean, straight line - but one of her eyes was a dull, lifeless orb. A prosthetic, he realized at once. Her body was solidly built, sturdy enough that the maid uniform she wore seemed almost comical on her. Zeeg wisely kept that opinion to himself.

"Nice gear," she said bluntly, not even bothering to properly look at him. "First time in a city guild?"

"No," Zeeg replied shortly.

He dug into his bag and pulled out the résumé Becky had prepared for him, sliding it across the counter. It bore the guild's official seal; with this, his Hunter Rank would carry over without the need to re-earn it from scratch.

The woman took the document, scanned it with barely a flicker of expression, and handed it back without so much as a nod.

It was a résumé that listed no small number of accomplishments - or so Zeeg thought. But judging from the woman's indifferent expression, it might as well have been a list of trash.

She scribbled something into the guild ledger, closed it with a snap, and dashed off a few strokes onto a small card before tossing it carelessly onto the counter. His guild registration card. Without it, he wouldn't be able to accept even a single quest.

"...Thanks," Zeeg muttered, giving a slight bow as he stepped away from the counter.

The woman didn't respond. She had already opened her book again, utterly uninterested.

''What a cold-hearted woman'', Zeeg thought with a grimace.

For a moment, Becky's warm smile flashed in his mind, and a wave of homesickness for Minegarde washed over him. Zeeg shook his head fiercely. He couldn't afford to get sentimental - not when he was about to form his own hunting party.

Steeling himself, he made his way to the bulletin board set up next to the counter. It held two types of postings: available quests, and notices recruiting companions for already accepted ones.

The system was exactly the same as back in Minegarde.

Zeeg scanned the list of quests. There were plenty to choose from - likely because Nusti was still a relatively new city, and the hunting grounds under its jurisdiction hadn't yet been thoroughly tamed.

("Guess I'll take this one.")

He chose a Basarios hunt and tore the quest sheet from the board.

Basarios, the Rock Wyvern, was a juvenile form of the Gravios. Though its shell could be carved into tough armor and hammers, it didn't have much practical use for those uninterested. Still, Basarios were known to cause trouble by mimicking rocks, lying in wait along trade routes.

This time was no different. A merchant caravan had reported a Basarios nesting along a volcanic pass.

It would be a good test of any potential party members.

Zeeg judged Basarios to be about the next level of threat after a Yian Kut-Ku - tough, sure, but not overwhelmingly dangerous. Its movements were sluggish, and as long as they avoided a direct hit from its fiery attacks, it wasn't anything to fear.

If a hunter struggled against a Basarios, they weren't someone Zeeg wanted in his party.

("Last time we fought two at once. One should be easy.")

Clutching the quest slip, Zeeg returned to the counter and slapped it down - loudly enough to make sure he was noticed.

The woman sighed heavily, clearly irritated, and shut her book with a thump before turning to him. Curious, Zeeg caught a glimpse of the book's cover: ''Bestiary of the Hunt'', embossed in gold lettering.

"What is it?"

"I want to recruit partners for this quest," Zeeg said, "and I need a guest house room, too."

The woman skimmed the quest sheet, gave him a brief, disinterested look, and stamped it with the guild's official seal before shoving it back at him. Without a word, she flipped open the ledger again, checked something, and muttered,

"...Bishop Thirty-Five."

Then, without another glance, she returned to her book.

Zeeg knew the procedure well enough, but it still grated on him. Clicking his tongue in annoyance, he stomped back to the bulletin board, pinned the quest sheet to the recruitment section, and scribbled underneath his room's number and a message:

''"Seeking long-term hunting partners! From Kokoto Village!"''

Mentioning Kokoto Village - and by extension its legendary village chief - was a gamble.

It might attract opportunists looking to ride his coattails, but just maybe, it would draw serious, skilled hunters worthy of the name.

"...Alright," Zeeg muttered.

Hoisting his bag onto his shoulder, he left the gathering hall behind.

By the time he was making his way toward the guest house, his mind buzzing with thoughts of what kind of people might answer his call, the rude woman at the counter was already a forgotten annoyance.

"So, what now?" Fradio asked, breaking the heavy silence.

Elmeria, clearly in a foul mood, said nothing. Neither did Gannon, still wrapped in bandages. The noise of the gathering hall, thick with the clatter of utensils and lively conversation, wasn't enough to drown out their voices, but neither companion seemed inclined to speak.

It had been a week since Zeeg had left their party, and still Elmeria showed no sign of taking on a new quest. Fradio understood the reason well enough - she was holding out hope that Zeeg might return - but even so, his arms were beginning to itch for action.

If this standoff dragged on much longer, he thought, he might as well head out alone and enjoy a date with a Gypceros.

"We're not exactly hurting for money, but Sir Gannon's injuries are healing nicely," Fradio continued, trying to coax some response. "I'd say it's about time we got back to the hunt, wouldn't you?"

Gannon turned his unbandaged eye toward Elmeria. She, however, only stared into the blood-dark surface of the wine pooled in her goblet, unmoving.

She looked thinner than before, the soft curve of her cheeks having hollowed out slightly. Fradio hoped she hadn't started losing muscle mass. Lifting the edge of his mask just enough to drink, he sipped his own wine, savoring the rich flavor of the fruit sharpened by a pleasant astringency. He waited, but Elmeria said nothing.

It wasn't sorrow he saw in her. No, the emotion simmering just beneath the surface was anger - anger directed at herself for misspeaking, and at Zeeg for leaving without a word.

Zeeg's departure had been clumsy, to say the least. If they had been nothing more than a temporary hunting party assembled for a single mission, a silent farewell over a mug of ale might have sufficed.

But they had been together since Zeeg had first arrived in Minegarde. After so much time, he owed them at least a proper goodbye, no matter how awkward.

"Still sulking, Ellie?"

The teasing voice floated down along with a clatter of dishes. Fradio turned to see Becky standing there, smiling mischievously.

"I'm not sulking," Elmeria snapped.

She reached out, grabbed a freshly-served skewer of grilled Aptonoth meat, and bit into it savagely. Juices dripped from the seared flesh, and she hissed a quick "Hot!" as she licked the sizzling fat from her lips.

Fradio helped himself to a skewer as well, stripping the meat from the stick and neatly cutting it into small pieces with his knife and fork before slipping a bite beneath his mask. The meat was rich, the spice blend mingling perfectly with the sweet, fatty edge of the skin.

The slight toughness betrayed the fact that it had come from a wild Aptonoth, but that only added to its flavor.

"C'mon, no need to act tough," Becky said, her voice light with mockery.

Elmeria shot her a glare, her eyes faintly glassy from the wine. Her appetite had dwindled, but her drinking had certainly increased.

"Shut up," Elmeria muttered. "I'm not pretending. If anything, I'm glad he's gone. It's thanks to him we've been screwing up so much lately."

"So you're still planning to keep hunting?" Becky pressed.

"Of course I am!"

Snatching up her goblet, Elmeria drained it in one go and refilled it without hesitation.

"I'm just saying, none of the current quests look worth taking. I'm not going to waste my time hunting Yian Kut-Ku or gathering Special Mushrooms. And as for a Khezu-"

Fradio shook his head.

He had once been swallowed whole by one of those grotesque, sightless wyverns, and the memory still made his skin crawl. Compared to the vibrant, delicate beauty of a Gypceros, a Khezu - with its pallid skin and preference for damp, shadowy places - was nothing but an abomination.

"Yeah. He's in no shape for it," Elmeria continued, "And besides, maybe it's not a bad thing to take it easy once in a while. Unless you have something interesting lined up?"

"Well..." Becky said, placing a single sheet of paper onto the table, "maybe I do."

Fradio leaned in alongside Elmeria to read it.

"...Meat Grill Festival?" Elmeria echoed incredulously.

Sure enough, the paper read, ''"Calling All Hunters! Grand Opening! The 18th Annual Meat Grill Festival!!"''

Elmeria gave Becky an exasperated look.

"What the hell is this?"

"Exactly what it says," Becky replied brightly. "It's a competition to see who can grill the most Well-Done Steaks. Raw meat must be gathered on-site, of course. The winner gets a special prize: a piece of King Meat! Doesn't that sound perfect for you, Ellie?"

"King Meat, huh..."

Elmeria frowned, considering.

It was, admittedly, a tempting prize - for a hammer user. King Meat was a key material used to craft the Enormous Ham, a weapon both whimsical and sought-after.

Elmeria already possessed a Breath Core and didn't need the Enormous Ham, and the crafting costs were steep - but King Meat was rare enough that simply having it would be worth bragging about.

Besides, Fradio could always meet up with his beloved Gypceros later.

The Meat Grill Festival, on the other hand, wouldn't come around again until next year.

"It ''does'' sound like fun," Fradio said, earning Elmeria's groan. "Come now, there's no other quest we're excited about anyway. Besides, grilling meat is one of a hunter's basic skills. Maybe it's a good time to go back to basics and sharpen our instincts. Sir Gannon's not fully recovered, either - we could use some easy targets like Aptonoth or Bullfango to ease back into things, yes?"

Elmeria turned to Gannon.

The large man, his face still heavily bandaged, gave her a solemn nod.

She might not realize it, but Fradio had noticed - Gannon had lost weight since being poisoned by the Rathian.

The poison itself shouldn't have lingered; Rathian toxins didn't stay in the body long.

No, this was a result of a deeper issue - a wound to the spirit.

Failing to dodge that poisonous tail strike had shaken him badly.

It was said that the moment one became conscious of their own aging, they truly began to grow old.

And Gannon, after all, was already sixty.

By rights, he should have retired to a peaceful village, regaling the local children with tales of his exploits.

Yet here he was, still fighting.

"You know what," Elmeria said at last. "Let's do it."

She grabbed the paper and waved it at Becky.

"As Fradio said, there's nothing else worth doing right now. I'll come kill some time. Besides, carrying around an Enormous Ham would be hilarious."

Becky's smile widened. Without missing a beat, she turned toward the bustling gathering hall, raised her voice, and declared,

"Attention, everyone! Elmeria Franport - pride and joy of Minegarde - will be participating in the Meat Grill Festival! Who else wants to join? Especially hammer users - you won't want to miss out on the fabulous prize: the King Meat, perfect for crafting your very own Enormous Ham!"

Realizing she had just been used for promotional purposes, Elmeria's eyes widened.

Becky shot her a mischievous grin before turning back toward the counter, ready to register the flood of eager participants now waving their arms.

"...Now ''that'' is stage presence," Fradio muttered.

He took a deep drink of wine and speared another piece of juicy Aptonoth meat with his fork, chuckling as the hot juices burst free.

Zeeg watched the departing hunter's back disappear beyond the door, then slumped heavily into a chair with a long, exhausted sigh.

That made fifteen now. Fifteen interviews, and not a single one had resulted in a new comrade. There had been a few who looked capable enough, but not one he could truly call a partner.

The trip to the Volcano was scheduled for the day after tomorrow. If he couldn't find anyone by then, he would have no choice but to set out alone.

Against a Basarios, he could probably manage if he fought cautiously. But that wasn't the point - he hadn't come all the way to this town just to do everything by himself.

Still, Zeeg found himself surprised by just how draining these interviews had been.

He could get a rough sense of a hunter's skill from their equipment, sure, but so far not a single applicant had shown up wearing Rathalos or Rathian gear.

The best-equipped hunter he'd seen wore a full set of Cephalos armor, made from the scales of sand-dwelling monsters - but she'd made it quite clear she intended to lead the team herself. He had politely shown her the door.

''Maybe it was my age after all'', he thought with a wry grimace.

Most hunters with real ability were well into their late twenties or older.

Hunters like himself, Elmeria, or Freda - who had managed to earn wyvern gear while still in their teens - were rare.

Not that he was arrogant enough to think himself some prodigy.

Maybe once, in the past. But now he understood all too well - without the help of his comrades, he never would have made it this far.

Luck might let him take down one monster, maybe two. But to hunt enough for a full set of weapons and armor - that took something more tangible.

Even so, Zeeg didn't feel any desire to partner with hunters much older than himself. If they were like Gannon - silent and watchful - that would be fine. But if they started barking orders, well... he might as well stick with Elmeria.

Maybe trying to find someone around his own age, willing to take on a Basarios, had been setting the bar too high from the start.

It might be smarter to treat this hunt as a one-off. Afterward, he could lower the difficulty - take a quest for a Yian Kut-Ku or something - and try recruiting again.

A sharp pain twinged in his stomach, and he remembered he hadn't eaten all morning.

The first applicant had shown up before breakfast, and there had been no break since.

Rubbing his aching temple, Zeeg rose from his chair.

When he'd joined Elmeria's party, it had been by the Guild Master's recommendation - there had been no formal interview like this.

Still, she must have gone through something similar at some point. Was she still doing it even now? The thought brushed across his mind like a cold wind, but he shook it off.

In any case, he needed food. The guest house would prepare a special meal if he asked, but it came at a steep price.

With most of his money earmarked for a new weapon, he couldn't afford luxuries right now.

It would be cheaper to roast some raw meat himself.

He fished his BBQ Spit out of his pack and turned toward the balcony to set it up...

"Excuse me!"

...Only to freeze as a voice spoke from beyond the door, startlingly close.

Zeeg almost dropped the spit on his foot.

Usually, he could sense when someone approached, even before they knocked - but this time, he had noticed nothing.

As he hesitated, the voice came again.

"Forgive the intrusion! Might this be the room of Sir Zeeg Grandest? I saw the notice on the board and wished to speak with you."

The speaker's voice was low, distinctly male, and oddly formal - but Zeeg managed to catch the gist.

Another applicant, apparently.

"Ah - yeah!"

Setting the BBQ Spit hurriedly on the table, Zeeg checked his gear.

Something about the man's voice demanded it.

He always conducted interviews in full armor, and expected the same of his applicants.

It was the quickest way to judge a hunter's ability outside the field.

His Lacerator Blade+ was hanging on the wall nearby.

Usually, hunters carried their weapons too.

Someone who skimped on weaponry in favor of flashy armor tended to be overly cautious. And the reverse - Zeeg winced, remembering his younger self - suggested reckless impatience.

"So - uh, yeah. Come in!"

He deliberately used a slightly rough tone.

Better to establish from the outset who would be leading the party.

If someone couldn't handle a little bluntness, they wouldn't survive working with him.

"Excuse me," the voice repeated - and the door swung open.

The man who entered was tall, with dark skin and a lithe build, moving without so much as a whisper of footsteps.

Even a wyvern would struggle to notice someone like that.

He stopped a good distance inside the room, standing casually - but there was not a single gap in his stance.

His hair, a muted gray, was slicked back and tied behind him, much like Zeeg's own.

His one open eye was blue and ringed with strange concentric lines rather than a vertical slit - and the other was closed, perhaps the mark of an old wound.

His armor... if it could even be called that, was strange.

He wore plain white clothes, reinforced only in vulnerable spots like the shoulders, elbows, throat, and waist, with thin plates that looked more decorative than functional.

His loose, ballooning trousers were tucked into black boots, and strange patterns were painted along the hems.

But what truly drew the eye was the weapon on his back.

It resembled a wyvern's talon - a pair of talons, in fact.

They looked almost like twin one-handed swords, but distinct from any weapon Zeeg knew.

"You've noticed my blades," the man said smoothly, a thin sprig of some herb clamped between his lips.

He smiled faintly, his expression calm and easygoing, and Zeeg guessed he was in his mid-twenties.

"Those aren't... sword-and-shield, are they?" Zeeg asked cautiously.

"Indeed not," the man replied, nodding as if approving the question. "These are my beloved blades - Zanki. I am a wielder of dual blades."

"Dual blades...?"

"Just so - ''Youth's ignorance blooms; no shame in the mind's pure soil; learning comes with time'' - as the saying goes."

The peculiar rhythm of the words made Zeeg blink.

Was he being insulted just now? It was hard to tell.

"That was a ''senryū''," the man explained, his open eye narrowing.

Zeeg was even more confused.

Did he just say ''ryū'' - dragon?

Was this ''Zanki'' weapon crafted from some monster he'd never heard of?

The man seemed to catch his bewilderment and chuckled softly.

"Heh... Though I say ''ryū'', I do not speak of wyverns. Senryū is a form of wordplay from my homeland."

"I... see?"

The man straightened and gave a formal, shallow bow.

"Forgive my late introduction. I am Entarō. If it pleases you, call me Enta."

"Huh... yeah, sure..."

Zeeg found himself a little overwhelmed.

Even Entarō's name had a unique ring to it.

Still, for all the man's flowery phrasing, his words were clear enough, and Zeeg had no trouble understanding him.

"Uh, well... why don't you have a seat?"

Zeeg, desperate to regain control of the conversation, gestured toward a chair. But Enta merely raised a hand.

"Nay, I shall decline."

At first, Zeeg thought he meant to remain standing, but instead, the man - who had introduced himself as Enta - sat cross-legged directly on the floor. Somehow, the way he settled there fit so naturally, he looked less like a man and more like a bronze statue that had stood there for years, untouched by time.

Feeling awkward about being the only one sitting properly, Zeeg followed suit, lowering himself to the floor as well. It was uncomfortable; whenever he took breaks out on a hunt, he always used a folding chair that came with his BBQ Spit kit. Sitting on the bare ground felt foreign.

"So, uh... you saw the notice on the board, right?" Zeeg asked.

"Indeed," Enta replied with a courteous nod.

"Getting right to it... what's your Hunter Rank?"

"My rank is ''Samurai''. And yourself?"

For a moment, Zeeg thought he saw the gleam of a blade flash in Enta's open eye, and he swallowed hard. The sheer pressure coming off the man made it feel like a wrong answer might literally cost him his head.

"M-me? I'm a ''Strider''..."

"Oh-ho!"

With a sudden spark of enthusiasm, Enta's lone eye widened. Startled, Zeeg nearly reached for his greatsword on the wall. Was the man trying to startle him, just to enjoy the reaction?

But Enta merely shook his head slowly and said,

"To think that one so young surpasses even I in rank! I am most impressed."

Still seated cross-legged, he bent low in a deep, skillful bow.

And he stayed there.

After a long, awkward silence, Zeeg began to wonder if the man had fallen asleep, but just as he was about to check, Enta finally lifted his head once more.

Trying to keep his balance in this strange conversation, Zeeg felt slightly dizzy.

"A-anyway," he tried, "you said 'young' - but do you even know how old I am?"

"I do not, but I venture to guess... eighteen years?"

Dead on.

Sure, nobody looking at him would mistake him for forty or fifty, but to peg his age exactly was still impressive. Maybe it was just a lucky guess... or maybe not.

"And you?" Zeeg asked. "How old are you?"

"This year, I have reached twenty-five," Enta declared. "Five years ago, I drifted to this land, learned of the way of hunters, and was immediately captivated. It is the perfect vocation for my training."

"Training?" Zeeg parroted.

"Indeed. I strive to hone my blade and become a peerless swordmaster. In these peaceful times, there are precious few places where one can engage in honest, life-or-death battle. Yet in the life of a hunter, that spirit endures. There is no better arena for perfecting one's skill."

"But then, why'd you want to form a party? Wouldn't solo hunting fit your training better?"

"An astute question," Enta said, folding his arms and nodding. He then leaned forward, lowering his voice conspiratorially.

Zeeg, caught by the sudden shift, leaned forward too.

"...In truth, I have another ambition. Forming a party is but a means to that end - I wish to spread the glory of dual blades far and wide."

Zeeg straightened up in surprise. That wasn't exactly something anyone needed to whisper about. If anything, he could have shouted it from the rooftops.

But Enta, oblivious to Zeeg's thoughts, nodded emphatically to himself.

"The best way is to show others firsthand the brilliance of the dual blades! Especially the younger hunters like yourself - once you witness their magnificence, you too will surely be tempted to wield them!"

Even with that passionate speech, Zeeg remained unconvinced. He had no intention of abandoning the greatsword he had wielded since before he officially became a hunter.

Besides, dual blades... weren't they just two small swords?

Worse, they had no shield. Greatswords and heavy bowguns could block with their massive frames, and even hammers could compensate for their lack of defense with overwhelming power.

But dual blades - their cutting edge didn't seem particularly impressive, nor did they offer any means of defense. Zeeg couldn't imagine they were easy to use at all.

As if reading his mind, Enta fixed him with a sharp gaze and chuckled.

"Heh... I know exactly what you are thinking - ''Two blades side by side; yet both are weak, unrefined; a pair, not the best'' - That is what every hunter thinks... Until they see my technique for themselves!"

With a loud slap to his knee, Enta beamed.

"Once you see me slicing through Basarios's rock-hard hide like it were ''sashimi'', you'll be singing a different tune! You'll envy the dual blades, mark my words! Behold! Witness the blade dance of a ''demon''!"

Suddenly, without rising from his cross-legged position, Enta drew both swords from the sheaths strapped to his back. Their polished blades gleamed menacingly under the light.

"H-hey! What the hell are you doing!?" Zeeg cried, jolting back.

Snapped from his theatrics, Enta blinked his lone eye, mumbled an apology, and hastily resheathed his weapons.

This was no laughing matter.

Had Zeeg not spoken up, he might have been the one carved into neat little slices, not Basarios. There was a dangerous aura about Enta, no doubt about it. A strange one, too.

"...Right. So, uh, your résumé?" Zeeg prompted, trying to regain focus.

"Here it is."

From within his robes, Enta produced a folded sheet of paper and handed it over.

It bore the official seal of the Hunter's Guild. Listed on it were records of all the quests Enta had undertaken - monster hunts, transport missions, and the like. The entries weren't arranged chronologically but by category: wyvern species and their respective numbers hunted, goods delivered for transport requests, and the tallies of successes and failures.

A quick scan was enough to tell Zeeg that Enta was no slouch. His record against wyverns in particular was impressive - far beyond what an average hunter could boast.

Still, something felt off.

Judging by the list, Enta had likely been bouncing between different parties, focusing almost exclusively on wyvern hunts.

That wasn't what Zeeg had in mind for his group. He had made that clear with the notice on the guild board.

But Enta had probably applied because this mission involved a wyvern - specifically, a Basarios.

Turning him away would be simple enough. But Zeeg hesitated. He had only just been thinking that maybe, this time, the group would be a one-shot team - handle the mission and disband.

Unlike when he had joined Elmeria's team, this group would be full of first-timers working together. No telling what their real skills were like.

Jumping straight into a wyvern hunt under those circumstances... maybe it was reckless after all.

Still, canceling the quest outright would leave a bad impression with the Guild. If word got around that he had pulled out without a good reason, future requests might dry up - especially important ones.

And Enta's résumé - it even showed prior hunts against Basarios. Five of them.

That wasn't a huge number compared to his other quarry, but it was enough to earn respect.

Zeeg steeled himself, folding the résumé and handing it back to Enta.

"Alright. I'll be counting on you," he said.

"Understood," Enta replied.

Taking the résumé, Enta tucked it away inside his robes. Zeeg then pulled out the contract for the Basarios hunt. Every member of the hunting party had to sign it before submitting it to the Guild - only then could they officially depart.

Producing a brush-like writing tool, Enta scrawled a strange set of characters beneath Zeeg's signature: 炎太郎.

"Is that your name?" Zeeg asked, tilting his head.

"It is written in a script not used in Schrade," Enta explained, stowing the brush once more. "The Guild has permitted us to use our own country's writing, so I choose to do so. 炎 for 'En,' 太 for 'Ta,' and 郎 for 'Rō'."

"Huh..." Zeeg muttered, staring intently at the signature. It looked more like a drawing than a name. He had heard stories that the world stretched far beyond the Kingdom of Schrade, but this was his first time encountering a piece of it with his own eyes.

"So then," Enta said, glancing about the room, "where are the other hunters?"

"Ah, well... there aren't any yet. You're the first," Zeeg admitted.

"Ah, I see. In that case, allow me to assist in selecting the others. It is a matter of life and death, after all."

"Uh, wait, that's-"

Zeeg faltered. Enta quirked an eyebrow at him.

"Was that unwelcome?" he asked, his voice calm but probing.

"No, it's not that. I'd appreciate the help," Zeeg said quickly, hesitated a moment, then added, "It's just... Well, I don't mean to ignore your opinion, but this is my party. I want to choose the members myself."

"I see... That is understandable. I shall leave the final decision to you."

Zeeg felt a relief far deeper than words could express. He had made his choice - he didn't want to have it overturned and be forced to start all over again. Now, just two more members to find.

The weight on his shoulders lessened a little. Part of it was simply having found one companion already, but more importantly, he had decided that this party was only for this hunt. If they got along, they could continue together. If not, no harm done.

Seeking a long-term team from the outset had been a mistake.

Thinking back, even when he had joined Elmeria's party, it had been intended as a one-time learning experience. After that hunt - where he had contributed almost nothing - and a morning of a strange incident, she had invited him to join her again. Their long association afterward had been the exception, not the rule.

Feeling clearer, Zeeg was about to fold up the contract when he sensed a presence outside the door. Unlike Enta's arrival, this was someone more... normal. The presence halted in front of the door - and stayed there. No knock came.

("What the...?") Zeeg tilted his head. At that instant, Enta, still seated cross-legged, drew something from his coat and flicked it over his shoulder without even turning around.

There was a dull thud, then a sharp cry from beyond the door. A small dagger, its blade oddly shaped to fit a keyhole, was now embedded in the lock.

If he had aimed for that, his skill was terrifying.

"Peeking is a shameful habit," Enta said, sounding for all the world like he was the master of the room.

Zeeg swallowed the complaint rising to his lips. If this was an applicant, it wouldn't do to start off with an argument - no hunter would want to join a party that looked like it was about to fall apart.

"...Come in," Zeeg called, sitting up straight.

Enta rose soundlessly to his feet, positioning himself behind Zeeg with his hands clasped behind his back. Zeeg caught a glimpse of the twin swords at Enta's back but chose to ignore them for now.

The door creaked open hesitantly.

The figure that entered was more boy than man, his face still round with youth. Yet he was tall - taller than Zeeg by the width of a fist, by his quick reckoning. His brown eyes were half-lidded, giving him a perpetually drowsy look, and his short brown hair stuck up wildly, as if he'd just rolled out of bed.

One glance at his equipment, and Zeeg pegged him for a rookie.

His armor was crafted entirely from Velociprey and Velocidrome materials - tough but basic blue-scaled gear, from helm to greaves. When Zeeg had first arrived in town, he had worn even shabbier armor - but he had at least splurged on a decent weapon.

This boy, however, had a plain bone sword at his waist - a one-handed blade that looked more like a jagged saw than a weapon. A Bone Pick, or perhaps a Bone Spike, if Zeeg remembered the name correctly.

The boy glanced at Zeeg, then at Enta looming behind him, and hunched his shoulders before giving a timid bow.

"Um... is this the place recruiting for the Basarios hunt...?" he asked, voice so faint it seemed ready to vanish.

"Yeah-"

"It is indeed," Enta said, cutting off Zeeg without a hint of shame.

Zeeg shot him a look over his shoulder. Enta met his gaze, and nodded as if to say "Ah, right," but offered no apology.

Suppressing a sigh, Zeeg turned back to the boy.

He was still standing awkwardly by the door, clearly reluctant to approach. Zeeg understood - he must have been intimidated by their gear. After all, the Rathalos set Zeeg wore was no easy prize.

"Come on. Have a seat," Zeeg said, patting the floor in front of him. There was no point dragging out a chair at this stage.

The boy approached as if expecting a Velociprey to lunge from the shadows at any moment. He settled where Enta had been sitting before, back stiff, eyes briefly meeting Zeeg's before darting down to the floor.

Behind him, Enta exhaled softly through his nose.

Zeeg felt much the same. This boy wasn't necessarily cowardly, but he lacked confidence. That hesitation, that self-doubt - it could prove fatal in the hunt, where a moment's indecision could mean death.

If this were a simple Velociprey cull or a mushroom gathering quest, it would be another matter.

But this was a wyvern hunt. A Basarios. And if one of them faltered, it could cost them all their lives.

Just as Zeeg opened his mouth to refuse, the boy pulled a folded sheet of paper from the pouch at his waist, placed it on the floor, and pushed it toward him.

("A résumé?") Zeeg thought, but on closer look, it didn't seem like one.

Curious, he picked it up, broke the wax seal, and unfolded it. A quick glance told him it was a letter of introduction, issued by the Guild itself, requesting that Zeeg take charge of training a new recruit.

He couldn't fathom why the request had come to him, of all people. He had yet to accomplish anything noteworthy. Puzzled, he took a closer look - and noticed the seal stamped at the bottom. It wasn't from this city. It belonged to the Hunter's Guild of Minegarde.

"...Um, Miss Becky told me to bring this to you," the boy said hesitantly. "She said... it would be a great learning experience."

"Becky?" Zeeg repeated, raising an eyebrow. He glanced back down at the letter.

The wording was stiff and formal, just what he'd expect from official Guild correspondence - but at the very end, almost like an afterthought, there was a single casual line: ''"Take good care of him, okay?"'' The handwriting was unmistakably Becky's.

Memories stirred within him: the day he first arrived in Minegarde. Had the Guild Master not vouched for him back then, he never would have joined Elmeria's party - and without that chance, he doubted he'd have grown strong enough to be clad in Rathalos armor so soon.

Thinking on it, refusing would be the easy path. But could he live with that? Becky had gone out of her way to support him more times than he could count. To turn away now - to betray the trust she was placing in him - felt wrong.

"...Got a résumé?" Zeeg asked, lifting his gaze from the letter. It was only fair to at least take a look.

One couldn't judge a hunter by their armor alone. Some made it a point of pride to hunt wyverns in mediocre gear. This boy hardly seemed the type, but there was always a chance he had some hidden skill.

The boy nodded and produced a second sheet of paper. Zeeg accepted it and unfolded it.

This time, it really was a résumé.

A quick scan was enough to see that the boy's record was nearly blank. He had taken down a few Yian Kut-Ku solo, but those were more bird wyverns than true wyverns. Dangerous if underestimated, yes - but hardly a match for the real heavyweights.

Still, thinking back to his own record when he first came to Minegarde, Zeeg couldn't say the boy was any worse. If he could handle a Yian Kut-Ku alone, he might not be much help against a Basarios, but at least he wouldn't get in the way.

He checked the boy's name: Brass Lagoon. Hailing from Piniq, one of the small frontier villages near Minegarde. Zeeg had never been there himself, but he'd heard it was founded by retired hunters.

His eyes drifted to the age listed beneath the name - and widened in surprise.

''Sixteen''.

He had pegged the boy for older at first glance, but now that he knew, Brass suddenly seemed much younger, his expressions more boyish.

There weren't many who came to the city at that age. Zeeg himself had, but it was rare. Elmeria, he recalled, had been registered with the Guild even younger, though she'd had Gannon, her retainer, at her side.

Coming alone at sixteen, with no one to back him up - that took guts.

And at least on the surface, Brass seemed like a good-natured kid.

Hunters tended to be a rough bunch. There were plenty of good men and women among them, but there were just as many who would think nothing of exploiting rookies - gathering up greenhorns to use as bait, feeding their fiery spirits into easy victories.

Such types were despised, of course, but there was another school of thought: that the Guild was no place for amateurs, and those too naïve to survive deserved what they got.

True, the Guild sometimes smoothed the path for beginners - as it had for Zeeg - but that protection ended quickly. After that, a hunter's life and death were their own responsibility.

Looking at Brass now, he resembled nothing so much as an Aptanoth wandering haplessly into a hungry hunter's path. No wonder Becky had chased Zeeg all the way to Nusti to hand him this task. She expected him to return the favor she'd once shown him.

If Brass could make it through this first trial, the Guild would gain another capable hunter - and Becky had always said they could never have too many.

("But...") Zeeg frowned inwardly, looking at the weapon he carried: a sword and shield.

Fast enough, sure - but against wyverns, not exactly reliable.

A Yian Kut-Ku was one thing; one could get by with a basic weapon. But anything tougher, and it became a question of whether the blade could even pierce the hide.

If it were the Master Blade from Kokoto Village, the one Freda carried, even Rathalos shell could be split. But with something like a Bone Spike... most likely, the blade would bounce harmlessly off.

As he glanced back down at the résumé, Zeeg noticed a small notation he had missed before. Under ''Special Skills'', in faint letters: ''Combining (Advanced)''.

It was a skill often overlooked in hunts, but when used well, it could transform the entire field into an arsenal. Having someone adept at combining on a team was no small advantage.

''Still, what to do...''

Before he could make up his mind, a voice spoke from behind.

"I have no objection," Enta said.

Zeeg had planned to ask for his opinion, but being preempted like this left a sour taste. He gave a vague nod, folded up the résumé, and handed it back to Brass.

The boy accepted it carefully, almost reverently.

"Welcome aboard," Zeeg said, extending a hand.

Brass blinked, startled, then quickly grabbed Zeeg's gauntleted hand with his own, their armor clinking faintly.

"Th-thank you very much! I'll do my best!"

"No need to push yourself too hard," Zeeg said, giving him a small, reassuring smile. "The Basarios isn't an opponent you can afford to underestimate, but both its poison and sleep gases come with obvious tells before they spew. As long as you don't miss the signs, it's not something to fear. Handle it right, and it's easier than a Kut-Ku."

"R-really?"

Brass's wide-eyed disbelief was almost comical. Zeeg nodded firmly.

"It's tough, sure - but that's all. Just one thing... your Bone Pick might not cut through its hide. You're good at combining, right? I'll be counting on you for that too."

"Y-yes, sir!"

The boy's face lit up, cheeks flushing with excitement. His eyes gleamed with unshed tears, and he nodded so hard it seemed his helmet might topple off.

How long that enthusiasm would last, Zeeg couldn't say. Basarios was no Rathalos - but it was still a wyvern, through and through.

Zeeg produced the contract and handed it over for a signature.

Brass - who, by all appearances, was no rugged or battle-hardened youth - was an unknown quantity when it came to facing a true wyvern, hatchling or not. He might well freeze up... or worse, take a charge straight to the chest.

Keeping a firm hold on the boy's hand, Zeeg rose to his feet and helped Brass to stand. With how Brass stood taller than him, the sword and shield strapped to his back looked almost comically small, more like a dagger than a proper weapon. With a frame like his, a greatsword or a lance would surely suit him better. Still, switching weapons now would only hinder their hunt, so Zeeg decided to leave well enough alone.

"That makes three of us, then," Enta said, arms crossed, sweeping his lone eye over the group. "A greatsword, a sword-and-shield, and dual blades. All close-range fighters... Will we be adding one more to our ranks?"

Zeeg nodded. With this setup, what they really needed was a bowgunner. They could, of course, simply charge in like a pack of Velociprey, relying on brute force - but having a gunner would expand their tactical options considerably. A skilled hunter covering their backs would allow the frontliners to focus solely on the target ahead.

"Let's head to the gathering hall," Zeeg said, jabbing a thumb at the door. "We'll need to update the posting. ''One more - Bowgun users only.''"

"A ranged fighter, hmm..." Enta narrowed his lone eye. "I don't much care for them, but if it's your decision, I shall abide - ''Though shame may arise; silence falls upon the heart; peace in quiet reigns''."

"Bowgun... I'll do my best," Brass murmured vaguely, clenching his fist for reasons known only to himself.

Zeeg was tempted to ask what exactly he meant to "do his best" at - but decided against it as he grabbed his greatsword from against the wall. Better not to give the impression that every little thing had to be discussed and agreed upon. When the moment came, he didn't want Brass getting any ideas about second-guessing orders. They needed a bowgunner; if Brass had a problem with that, he was free to leave.

Completely unaware of Zeeg's silent calculus, Brass hurried after him and Enta.

They descended the stairs, passing a few hunters on the way down, but none of the faces were familiar. That wasn't surprising - both Zeeg and Brass were newcomers to town. Even Enta, it seemed, was not acquainted with anyone here, exchanging no greetings as they passed.

The moment they stepped out of the guest house, the unrelenting sun struck them with full force, searing their skin. The weather was too good - almost obnoxiously so.

As they made their way downhill toward the gathering hall, Zeeg caught sight of an odd figure loitering by the entrance. A girl, clad in a skirt flared wide in black and white, stood beneath a black parasol trimmed in white lace. At a glance, she might have passed for a tavern maid on an errand - if not for the battered, oversized travel case she carried in her free hand. The scuffed and dirty leather suggested a life spent constantly on the move.

Something about her tugged at Zeeg's memory. He slowed, frowning, trying to place the familiarity. That outfit... he had seen it somewhere before.

As he watched, the girl folded her parasol and disappeared into the gathering hall. He caught a glimpse of her profile - just a fleeting glance - but it was enough to notice the glint of glasses perched on her nose.

"Is something the matter?" Enta asked.

"Huh? No... it's nothing."

Zeeg shook his head. If he couldn't place it, it probably wasn't important. He brushed the thought aside and motioned for the others to move on. As they pushed open the gathering hall doors, the familiar crush of alcohol, smoke, and humanity washed over them. They waded through it, making for the bulletin board.

At the counter, Zeeg spotted the girl again, speaking with the guild receptionist - the one with the prosthetic eye. Maybe she was trying to get hired as a server.

At the board, Zeeg began searching for the notice he had posted earlier. It wasn't unusual for hunters to take down postings they were interested in, so it didn't surprise him that it wasn't exactly where he had left it.

"I think it was around here," Brass said, pointing.

Following his indication, Zeeg found the notice buried halfway down a thick stack of overlapping papers. It was barely visible - left untouched, surely no one else would show up today. Just retrieving it made the trip worthwhile.

Using the bulletin board itself as a writing surface, Zeeg crossed out the old posting and updated the notes section:

''"Seeking one more! Bowgun users only!"''

He pinned it back up, making sure to place it in the most prominent spot - right at the very top. There was just one day left before the deadline. If they didn't find a fourth by then, they would have to set out as a trio.

Against a Basarios, three hunters would still manage... probably.

Just as Zeeg secured the paper, something black flickered past. Before he could even register what had happened, the notice was plucked from the board and sent fluttering through the air - deftly caught by a gloved hand.

Neither Zeeg nor Enta had sensed the approach. Enta reacted instinctively, leaping back a full table's length, hands flashing toward his weapons. Brass, startled out of his wits, fell flat on his rear.

Zeeg turned sharply, just in time to see the fluttering paper land neatly in the left hand of the girl from outside. She balanced her black parasol on her right shoulder, moving with a fluid, almost dancer-like grace.

She read the notice, her blue eyes - magnified behind her glasses - scanning the words with a sharp, gleaming intensity. Her long black hair, curled into vertical rolls on either side of her head, swayed slightly as she read.

She looked to be around Zeeg's age. He opened his mouth, but before he could speak-

"...This posting - yours?" she asked, her voice hard and clear, like malachite struck against stone.

In that instant, it hit him: he remembered where he had seen her.

"You were at Kokoto-" he blurted.

At his words, her eyes flickered - a slight, unmistakable recognition.

So it ''was'' her.

Back when Zeeg had returned to Kokoto, bored while Elmeria was off mining for the Breath Core in the volcanic zones, he had seen this girl working at the village gathering hall. If he recalled correctly, the village chief had called her Vivi.

And she was a hunter, too.

He remembered now - when the Monoblos had reappeared near the village, there had been a frantic scramble among the hunters to claim the kill. Zeeg had gotten the mark, but it had simply been luck of patrol routes - not a matter of skill.

"Vivienne Sharon, at your service," the girl said, speaking both names like a formal introduction. "How fortunate - I was just looking for a quest I could join immediately. I don't know your companions, but you... I know you're someone I can serve without worry."

"S-serve...?" Zeeg stammered. "Listen, we're just looking for a Bowgun user-"

"Precisely why I am the perfect candidate," Vivi interrupted. "From the looks of you all, you're nothing but frontliners. Surely, the bowgunner you're seeking is someone meant to support the party - a light bowgun user, yes?"

"Well, yeah, that's true," Zeeg admitted, frowning. "But where's your bowgun, then?"

"Why, right here," Vivi said, as if the answer were obvious.

Without missing a beat, she extended the handle of her parasol. With a soft click, the tip opened up, revealing a gun barrel glinting from within. The frilled black parasol - ornate and delicate - was, astonishingly, a bowgun. Even Enta, witnessing it for the first time, let out a low hum of admiration.

"This is the Dark Parasol. It cannot use piercing or cluster shots, but in exchange, it can handle every type of support ammo."

As she spoke, she set down the battered travel case she had been carrying, unlatched it, and produced a folded piece of paper, which she offered to Zeeg. Taking it, he unfolded it to find a neatly written résumé - one that made her skill immediately clear.

Given the nature of the light bowgun, it was unlikely she'd worked many solo hunts, yet even so, the list was impressive: ten Rathalos, seven Plesioth, three Khezu - and, remarkably, two Monoblos.

The Monoblos, the One-Horned Wyvern, never appeared in guild-sanctioned hunting grounds where teams were permitted. In other words, these two were solo kills - taken down single-handedly, and with a light bowgun at that.

"Is there a problem?" Vivi asked.

There was none. Hunters of her caliber were not easy to come by, even if one went looking with a contract in hand. And even if their previous encounter had been brief, there was a certain comfort in having a familiar face from his home village.

"You're in," Zeeg said decisively, producing the contract and handing it to her.

Vivi collapsed the Dark Parasol with an elegant motion, accepted the document, and after scribbling her name at the bottom, pushed up the bridge of her glasses with two fingers. Her lips curved into a smile - so perfectly poised it seemed almost artificial - as she said,

"Pleased to serve you, ''Master''."

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Monster Hunter:Volume3 Chapter3

2025-04-29T01:39:45Z

Barnnn:

== Chapter 3 - Interviews ==

[[File:MH-v03-003.jpg|300px|thumb]]

Zeeg stepped down from the carriage and found himself honestly disappointed by the scenery. It had not changed for the better - in fact, it hadn't changed much if at all.

Two days had passed, jostled about on the road from Minegarde. Now, with his backside aching, he finally laid eyes on the city of Nusti - and it looked so much like Minegarde that it gave him the strange, unsettling feeling of having traveled in a wide circle, only to arrive back where he had started.

Passing through a crowded marketplace bathed in the blood-red light of sunset, he found the same familiar layout: the workshop and gathering hall lined up along the edge of a cliff, a narrow road leading off to what looked like a guest house beyond.

For a hunter's first job in a new city, guild registration was a must. Pushing open the gathering hall door, Zeeg was immediately assaulted by the thick, heady air - a stench of alcohol and the body heat of too many people packed together. Even someone like Zeeg, who usually didn't flinch at much, felt lightheaded from it.

If all the dew of the jungle were made from liquor, he thought, it might smell like this.

No one stopped their drinking, but he could feel their eyes on him. Judging him, measuring him up by the look of his armor and weapons.

The gathering hall was dim even during the day, but the flickering candlelight caught on the crimson carapace of Zeeg's Rathalos armor, setting it aglow. The Lacerator Blade+ slung across his back, its blade stained a dark, bloodlike red, threw back the light in a way that made a few of the hunters squint against the glare.

He headed straight for the counter. As he approached, a woman seated behind it abruptly rose to her feet, surprising him.

She stood at least a head taller than him.

Her face was sharply beautiful, her nose a clean, straight line - but one of her eyes was a dull, lifeless orb. A prosthetic, he realized at once. Her body was solidly built, sturdy enough that the maid uniform she wore seemed almost comical on her. Zeeg wisely kept that opinion to himself.

"Nice gear," she said bluntly, not even bothering to properly look at him. "First time in a city guild?"

"No," Zeeg replied shortly.

He dug into his bag and pulled out the résumé Becky had prepared for him, sliding it across the counter. It bore the guild's official seal; with this, his Hunter Rank would carry over without the need to re-earn it from scratch.

The woman took the document, scanned it with barely a flicker of expression, and handed it back without so much as a nod.

It was a résumé that listed no small number of accomplishments - or so Zeeg thought. But judging from the woman's indifferent expression, it might as well have been a list of trash.

She scribbled something into the guild ledger, closed it with a snap, and dashed off a few strokes onto a small card before tossing it carelessly onto the counter. His guild registration card. Without it, he wouldn't be able to accept even a single quest.

"...Thanks," Zeeg muttered, giving a slight bow as he stepped away from the counter.

The woman didn't respond. She had already opened her book again, utterly uninterested.

''What a cold-hearted woman'', Zeeg thought with a grimace.

For a moment, Becky's warm smile flashed in his mind, and a wave of homesickness for Minegarde washed over him. Zeeg shook his head fiercely. He couldn't afford to get sentimental - not when he was about to form his own hunting party.

Steeling himself, he made his way to the bulletin board set up next to the counter. It held two types of postings: available quests, and notices recruiting companions for already accepted ones.

The system was exactly the same as back in Minegarde.

Zeeg scanned the list of quests. There were plenty to choose from - likely because Nusti was still a relatively new city, and the hunting grounds under its jurisdiction hadn't yet been thoroughly tamed.

("Guess I'll take this one.")

He chose a Basarios hunt and tore the quest sheet from the board.

Basarios, the Rock Wyvern, was a juvenile form of the Gravios. Though its shell could be carved into tough armor and hammers, it didn't have much practical use for those uninterested. Still, Basarios were known to cause trouble by mimicking rocks, lying in wait along trade routes.

This time was no different. A merchant caravan had reported a Basarios nesting along a volcanic pass.

It would be a good test of any potential party members.

Zeeg judged Basarios to be about the next level of threat after a Yian Kut-Ku - tough, sure, but not overwhelmingly dangerous. Its movements were sluggish, and as long as they avoided a direct hit from its fiery attacks, it wasn't anything to fear.

If a hunter struggled against a Basarios, they weren't someone Zeeg wanted in his party.

("Last time we fought two at once. One should be easy.")

Clutching the quest slip, Zeeg returned to the counter and slapped it down - loudly enough to make sure he was noticed.

The woman sighed heavily, clearly irritated, and shut her book with a thump before turning to him. Curious, Zeeg caught a glimpse of the book's cover: ''Bestiary of the Hunt'', embossed in gold lettering.

"What is it?"

"I want to recruit partners for this quest," Zeeg said, "and I need a guest house room, too."

The woman skimmed the quest sheet, gave him a brief, disinterested look, and stamped it with the guild's official seal before shoving it back at him. Without a word, she flipped open the ledger again, checked something, and muttered,

"...Bishop Thirty-Five."

Then, without another glance, she returned to her book.

Zeeg knew the procedure well enough, but it still grated on him. Clicking his tongue in annoyance, he stomped back to the bulletin board, pinned the quest sheet to the recruitment section, and scribbled underneath his room's number and a message:

''"Seeking long-term hunting partners! From Kokoto Village!"''

Mentioning Kokoto Village - and by extension its legendary village chief - was a gamble.

It might attract opportunists looking to ride his coattails, but just maybe, it would draw serious, skilled hunters worthy of the name.

"...Alright," Zeeg muttered.

Hoisting his bag onto his shoulder, he left the gathering hall behind.

By the time he was making his way toward the guest house, his mind buzzing with thoughts of what kind of people might answer his call, the rude woman at the counter was already a forgotten annoyance.

"So, what now?" Fradio asked, breaking the heavy silence.

Elmeria, clearly in a foul mood, said nothing. Neither did Gannon, still wrapped in bandages. The noise of the gathering hall, thick with the clatter of utensils and lively conversation, wasn't enough to drown out their voices, but neither companion seemed inclined to speak.

It had been a week since Zeeg had left their party, and still Elmeria showed no sign of taking on a new quest. Fradio understood the reason well enough - she was holding out hope that Zeeg might return - but even so, his arms were beginning to itch for action.

If this standoff dragged on much longer, he thought, he might as well head out alone and enjoy a date with a Gypceros.

"We're not exactly hurting for money, but Sir Gannon's injuries are healing nicely," Fradio continued, trying to coax some response. "I'd say it's about time we got back to the hunt, wouldn't you?"

Gannon turned his unbandaged eye toward Elmeria. She, however, only stared into the blood-dark surface of the wine pooled in her goblet, unmoving.

She looked thinner than before, the soft curve of her cheeks having hollowed out slightly. Fradio hoped she hadn't started losing muscle mass. Lifting the edge of his mask just enough to drink, he sipped his own wine, savoring the rich flavor of the fruit sharpened by a pleasant astringency. He waited, but Elmeria said nothing.

It wasn't sorrow he saw in her. No, the emotion simmering just beneath the surface was anger - anger directed at herself for misspeaking, and at Zeeg for leaving without a word.

Zeeg's departure had been clumsy, to say the least. If they had been nothing more than a temporary hunting party assembled for a single mission, a silent farewell over a mug of ale might have sufficed.

But they had been together since Zeeg had first arrived in Minegarde. After so much time, he owed them at least a proper goodbye, no matter how awkward.

"Still sulking, Ellie?"

The teasing voice floated down along with a clatter of dishes. Fradio turned to see Becky standing there, smiling mischievously.

"I'm not sulking," Elmeria snapped.

She reached out, grabbed a freshly-served skewer of grilled Aptonoth meat, and bit into it savagely. Juices dripped from the seared flesh, and she hissed a quick "Hot!" as she licked the sizzling fat from her lips.

Fradio helped himself to a skewer as well, stripping the meat from the stick and neatly cutting it into small pieces with his knife and fork before slipping a bite beneath his mask. The meat was rich, the spice blend mingling perfectly with the sweet, fatty edge of the skin.

The slight toughness betrayed the fact that it had come from a wild Aptonoth, but that only added to its flavor.

"C'mon, no need to act tough," Becky said, her voice light with mockery.

Elmeria shot her a glare, her eyes faintly glassy from the wine. Her appetite had dwindled, but her drinking had certainly increased.

"Shut up," Elmeria muttered. "I'm not pretending. If anything, I'm glad he's gone. It's thanks to him we've been screwing up so much lately."

"So you're still planning to keep hunting?" Becky pressed.

"Of course I am!"

Snatching up her goblet, Elmeria drained it in one go and refilled it without hesitation.

"I'm just saying, none of the current quests look worth taking. I'm not going to waste my time hunting Yian Kut-Ku or gathering Special Mushrooms. And as for a Khezu-"

Fradio shook his head.

He had once been swallowed whole by one of those grotesque, sightless wyverns, and the memory still made his skin crawl. Compared to the vibrant, delicate beauty of a Gypceros, a Khezu - with its pallid skin and preference for damp, shadowy places - was nothing but an abomination.

"Yeah. He's in no shape for it," Elmeria continued, "And besides, maybe it's not a bad thing to take it easy once in a while. Unless you have something interesting lined up?"

"Well..." Becky said, placing a single sheet of paper onto the table, "maybe I do."

Fradio leaned in alongside Elmeria to read it.

"...Meat Grill Festival?" Elmeria echoed incredulously.

Sure enough, the paper read, ''"Calling All Hunters! Grand Opening! The 18th Annual Meat Grill Festival!!"''

Elmeria gave Becky an exasperated look.

"What the hell is this?"

"Exactly what it says," Becky replied brightly. "It's a competition to see who can grill the most Well-Done Steaks. Raw meat must be gathered on-site, of course. The winner gets a special prize: a piece of King Meat! Doesn't that sound perfect for you, Ellie?"

"King Meat, huh..."

Elmeria frowned, considering.

It was, admittedly, a tempting prize - for a hammer user. King Meat was a key material used to craft the Enormous Ham, a weapon both whimsical and sought-after.

Elmeria already possessed a Breath Core and didn't need the Enormous Ham, and the crafting costs were steep - but King Meat was rare enough that simply having it would be worth bragging about.

Besides, Fradio could always meet up with his beloved Gypceros later.

The Meat Grill Festival, on the other hand, wouldn't come around again until next year.

"It ''does'' sound like fun," Fradio said, earning Elmeria's groan. "Come now, there's no other quest we're excited about anyway. Besides, grilling meat is one of a hunter's basic skills. Maybe it's a good time to go back to basics and sharpen our instincts. Sir Gannon's not fully recovered, either - we could use some easy targets like Aptonoth or Bullfango to ease back into things, yes?"

Elmeria turned to Gannon.

The large man, his face still heavily bandaged, gave her a solemn nod.

She might not realize it, but Fradio had noticed - Gannon had lost weight since being poisoned by the Rathian.

The poison itself shouldn't have lingered; Rathian toxins didn't stay in the body long.

No, this was a result of a deeper issue - a wound to the spirit.

Failing to dodge that poisonous tail strike had shaken him badly.

It was said that the moment one became conscious of their own aging, they truly began to grow old.

And Gannon, after all, was already sixty.

By rights, he should have retired to a peaceful village, regaling the local children with tales of his exploits.

Yet here he was, still fighting.

"You know what," Elmeria said at last. "Let's do it."

She grabbed the paper and waved it at Becky.

"As Fradio said, there's nothing else worth doing right now. I'll come kill some time. Besides, carrying around an Enormous Ham would be hilarious."

Becky's smile widened. Without missing a beat, she turned toward the bustling gathering hall, raised her voice, and declared,

"Attention, everyone! Elmeria Franport - pride and joy of Minegarde - will be participating in the Meat Grill Festival! Who else wants to join? Especially hammer users - you won't want to miss out on the fabulous prize: the King Meat, perfect for crafting your very own Enormous Ham!"

Realizing she had just been used for promotional purposes, Elmeria's eyes widened.

Becky shot her a mischievous grin before turning back toward the counter, ready to register the flood of eager participants now waving their arms.

"...Now ''that'' is stage presence," Fradio muttered.

He took a deep drink of wine and speared another piece of juicy Aptonoth meat with his fork, chuckling as the hot juices burst free.

Zeeg watched the departing hunter's back disappear beyond the door, then slumped heavily into a chair with a long, exhausted sigh.

That made fifteen now. Fifteen interviews, and not a single one had resulted in a new comrade. There had been a few who looked capable enough, but not one he could truly call a partner.

The trip to the Volcano was scheduled for the day after tomorrow. If he couldn't find anyone by then, he would have no choice but to set out alone.

Against a Basarios, he could probably manage if he fought cautiously. But that wasn't the point - he hadn't come all the way to this town just to do everything by himself.

Still, Zeeg found himself surprised by just how draining these interviews had been.

He could get a rough sense of a hunter's skill from their equipment, sure, but so far not a single applicant had shown up wearing Rathalos or Rathian gear.

The best-equipped hunter he'd seen wore a full set of Cephalos armor, made from the scales of sand-dwelling monsters - but she'd made it quite clear she intended to lead the team herself. He had politely shown her the door.

''Maybe it was my age after all'', he thought with a wry grimace.

Most hunters with real ability were well into their late twenties or older.

Hunters like himself, Elmeria, or Freda - who had managed to earn wyvern gear while still in their teens - were rare.

Not that he was arrogant enough to think himself some prodigy.

Maybe once, in the past. But now he understood all too well - without the help of his comrades, he never would have made it this far.

Luck might let him take down one monster, maybe two. But to hunt enough for a full set of weapons and armor - that took something more tangible.

Even so, Zeeg didn't feel any desire to partner with hunters much older than himself. If they were like Gannon - silent and watchful - that would be fine. But if they started barking orders, well... he might as well stick with Elmeria.

Maybe trying to find someone around his own age, willing to take on a Basarios, had been setting the bar too high from the start.

It might be smarter to treat this hunt as a one-off. Afterward, he could lower the difficulty - take a quest for a Yian Kut-Ku or something - and try recruiting again.

A sharp pain twinged in his stomach, and he remembered he hadn't eaten all morning.

The first applicant had shown up before breakfast, and there had been no break since.

Rubbing his aching temple, Zeeg rose from his chair.

When he'd joined Elmeria's party, it had been by the Guild Master's recommendation - there had been no formal interview like this.

Still, she must have gone through something similar at some point. Was she still doing it even now? The thought brushed across his mind like a cold wind, but he shook it off.

In any case, he needed food. The guest house would prepare a special meal if he asked, but it came at a steep price.

With most of his money earmarked for a new weapon, he couldn't afford luxuries right now.

It would be cheaper to roast some raw meat himself.

He fished his BBQ Spit out of his pack and turned toward the balcony to set it up...

"Excuse me!"

...Only to freeze as a voice spoke from beyond the door, startlingly close.

Zeeg almost dropped the spit on his foot.

Usually, he could sense when someone approached, even before they knocked - but this time, he had noticed nothing.

As he hesitated, the voice came again.

"Forgive the intrusion! Might this be the room of Sir Zeeg Grandest? I saw the notice on the board and wished to speak with you."

The speaker's voice was low, distinctly male, and oddly formal - but Zeeg managed to catch the gist.

Another applicant, apparently.

"Ah - yeah!"

Setting the BBQ Spit hurriedly on the table, Zeeg checked his gear.

Something about the man's voice demanded it.

He always conducted interviews in full armor, and expected the same of his applicants.

It was the quickest way to judge a hunter's ability outside the field.

His Lacerator Blade+ was hanging on the wall nearby.

Usually, hunters carried their weapons too.

Someone who skimped on weaponry in favor of flashy armor tended to be overly cautious. And the reverse - Zeeg winced, remembering his younger self - suggested reckless impatience.

"So - uh, yeah. Come in!"

He deliberately used a slightly rough tone.

Better to establish from the outset who would be leading the party.

If someone couldn't handle a little bluntness, they wouldn't survive working with him.

"Excuse me," the voice repeated - and the door swung open.

The man who entered was tall, with dark skin and a lithe build, moving without so much as a whisper of footsteps.

Even a wyvern would struggle to notice someone like that.

He stopped a good distance inside the room, standing casually - but there was not a single gap in his stance.

His hair, a muted gray, was slicked back and tied behind him, much like Zeeg's own.

His one open eye was blue and ringed with strange concentric lines rather than a vertical slit - and the other was closed, perhaps the mark of an old wound.

His armor... if it could even be called that, was strange.

He wore plain white clothes, reinforced only in vulnerable spots like the shoulders, elbows, throat, and waist, with thin plates that looked more decorative than functional.

His loose, ballooning trousers were tucked into black boots, and strange patterns were painted along the hems.

But what truly drew the eye was the weapon on his back.

It resembled a wyvern's talon - a pair of talons, in fact.

They looked almost like twin one-handed swords, but distinct from any weapon Zeeg knew.

"You've noticed my blades," the man said smoothly, a thin sprig of some herb clamped between his lips.

He smiled faintly, his expression calm and easygoing, and Zeeg guessed he was in his mid-twenties.

"Those aren't... sword-and-shield, are they?" Zeeg asked cautiously.

"Indeed not," the man replied, nodding as if approving the question. "These are my beloved blades - Zanki. I am a wielder of dual blades."

"Dual blades...?"

"Just so - ''Youth's ignorance blooms; no shame in the mind's pure soil; learning comes with time'' - as the saying goes."

The peculiar rhythm of the words made Zeeg blink.

Was he being insulted just now? It was hard to tell.

"That was a ''senryū''," the man explained, his open eye narrowing.

Zeeg was even more confused.

Did he just say ''ryū'' - dragon?

Was this ''Zanki'' weapon crafted from some monster he'd never heard of?

The man seemed to catch his bewilderment and chuckled softly.

"Heh... Though I say ''ryū'', I do not speak of wyverns. Senryū is a form of wordplay from my homeland."

"I... see?"

The man straightened and gave a formal, shallow bow.

"Forgive my late introduction. I am Entarō. If it pleases you, call me Enta."

"Huh... yeah, sure..."

Zeeg found himself a little overwhelmed.

Even Entarō's name had a unique ring to it.

Still, for all the man's flowery phrasing, his words were clear enough, and Zeeg had no trouble understanding him.

"Uh, well... why don't you have a seat?"

Zeeg, desperate to regain control of the conversation, gestured toward a chair. But Enta merely raised a hand.

"Nay, I shall decline."

At first, Zeeg thought he meant to remain standing, but instead, the man - who had introduced himself as Enta - sat cross-legged directly on the floor. Somehow, the way he settled there fit so naturally, he looked less like a man and more like a bronze statue that had stood there for years, untouched by time.

Feeling awkward about being the only one sitting properly, Zeeg followed suit, lowering himself to the floor as well. It was uncomfortable; whenever he took breaks out on a hunt, he always used a folding chair that came with his BBQ Spit kit. Sitting on the bare ground felt foreign.

"So, uh... you saw the notice on the board, right?" Zeeg asked.

"Indeed," Enta replied with a courteous nod.

"Getting right to it... what's your Hunter Rank?"

"My rank is ''Samurai''. And yourself?"

For a moment, Zeeg thought he saw the gleam of a blade flash in Enta's open eye, and he swallowed hard. The sheer pressure coming off the man made it feel like a wrong answer might literally cost him his head.

"M-me? I'm a ''Strider''..."

"Oh-ho!"

With a sudden spark of enthusiasm, Enta's lone eye widened. Startled, Zeeg nearly reached for the greatsword strapped to his back. Was the man trying to startle him, just to enjoy the reaction?

But Enta merely shook his head slowly and said,

"To think that one so young surpasses even I in rank! I am most impressed."

Still seated cross-legged, he bent low in a deep, skillful bow.

And he stayed there.

After a long, awkward silence, Zeeg began to wonder if the man had fallen asleep, but just as he was about to check, Enta finally lifted his head once more.

Trying to keep his balance in this strange conversation, Zeeg felt slightly dizzy.

"A-anyway," he tried, "you said 'young' - but do you even know how old I am?"

"I do not, but I venture to guess... eighteen years?"

Dead on.

Sure, nobody looking at him would mistake him for forty or fifty, but to peg his age exactly was still impressive. Maybe it was just a lucky guess... or maybe not.

"And you?" Zeeg asked. "How old are you?"

"This year, I have reached twenty-five," Enta declared. "Five years ago, I drifted to this land, learned of the way of hunters, and was immediately captivated. It is the perfect vocation for my training."

"Training?" Zeeg parroted.

"Indeed. I strive to hone my blade and become a peerless swordmaster. In these peaceful times, there are precious few places where one can engage in honest, life-or-death battle. Yet in the life of a hunter, that spirit endures. There is no better arena for perfecting one's skill."

"But then, why'd you want to form a party? Wouldn't solo hunting fit your training better?"

"An astute question," Enta said, folding his arms and nodding. He then leaned forward, lowering his voice conspiratorially.

Zeeg, caught by the sudden shift, leaned forward too.

"...In truth, I have another ambition. Forming a party is but a means to that end - I wish to spread the glory of dual blades far and wide."

Zeeg straightened up in surprise. That wasn't exactly something anyone needed to whisper about. If anything, he could have shouted it from the rooftops.

But Enta, oblivious to Zeeg's thoughts, nodded emphatically to himself.

"The best way is to show others firsthand the brilliance of the dual blades! Especially the younger hunters like yourself - once you witness their magnificence, you too will surely be tempted to wield them!"

Even with that passionate speech, Zeeg remained unconvinced. He had no intention of abandoning the greatsword he had wielded since before he officially became a hunter.

Besides, dual blades... weren't they just two small swords?

Worse, they had no shield. Greatswords and heavy bowguns could block with their massive frames, and even hammers could compensate for their lack of defense with overwhelming power.

But dual blades - their cutting edge didn't seem particularly impressive, nor did they offer any means of defense. Zeeg couldn't imagine they were easy to use at all.

As if reading his mind, Enta fixed him with a sharp gaze and chuckled.

"Heh... I know exactly what you are thinking - ''Two blades side by side; yet both are weak, unrefined; a pair, not the best'' - That is what every hunter thinks... Until they see my technique for themselves!"

With a loud slap to his knee, Enta beamed.

"Once you see me slicing through Basarios's rock-hard hide like it were ''sashimi'', you'll be singing a different tune! You'll envy the dual blades, mark my words! Behold! Witness the blade dance of a ''demon''!"

Suddenly, without rising from his cross-legged position, Enta drew both swords from the sheaths strapped to his back. Their polished blades gleamed menacingly under the light.

"H-hey! What the hell are you doing!?" Zeeg cried, jolting back.

Snapped from his theatrics, Enta blinked his lone eye, mumbled an apology, and hastily resheathed his weapons.

This was no laughing matter.

Had Zeeg not spoken up, he might have been the one carved into neat little slices, not Basarios. There was a dangerous aura about Enta, no doubt about it. A strange one, too.

"...Right. So, uh, your résumé?" Zeeg prompted, trying to regain focus.

"Here it is."

From within his robes, Enta produced a folded sheet of paper and handed it over.

It bore the official seal of the Hunter's Guild. Listed on it were records of all the quests Enta had undertaken - monster hunts, transport missions, and the like. The entries weren't arranged chronologically but by category: wyvern species and their respective numbers hunted, goods delivered for transport requests, and the tallies of successes and failures.

A quick scan was enough to tell Zeeg that Enta was no slouch. His record against wyverns in particular was impressive - far beyond what an average hunter could boast.

Still, something felt off.

Judging by the list, Enta had likely been bouncing between different parties, focusing almost exclusively on wyvern hunts.

That wasn't what Zeeg had in mind for his group. He had made that clear with the notice on the guild board.

But Enta had probably applied because this mission involved a wyvern - specifically, a Basarios.

Turning him away would be simple enough. But Zeeg hesitated. He had only just been thinking that maybe, this time, the group would be a one-shot team - handle the mission and disband.

Unlike when he had joined Elmeria's team, this group would be full of first-timers working together. No telling what their real skills were like.

Jumping straight into a wyvern hunt under those circumstances... maybe it was reckless after all.

Still, canceling the quest outright would leave a bad impression with the Guild. If word got around that he had pulled out without a good reason, future requests might dry up - especially important ones.

And Enta's résumé - it even showed prior hunts against Basarios. Five of them.

That wasn't a huge number compared to his other quarry, but it was enough to earn respect.

Zeeg steeled himself, folding the résumé and handing it back to Enta.

"Alright. I'll be counting on you," he said.

"Understood," Enta replied.

Taking the résumé, Enta tucked it away inside his robes. Zeeg then pulled out the contract for the Basarios hunt. Every member of the hunting party had to sign it before submitting it to the Guild - only then could they officially depart.

Producing a brush-like writing tool, Enta scrawled a strange set of characters beneath Zeeg's signature: 炎太郎.

"Is that your name?" Zeeg asked, tilting his head.

"It is written in a script not used in Schrade," Enta explained, stowing the brush once more. "The Guild has permitted us to use our own country's writing, so I choose to do so. 炎 for 'En,' 太 for 'Ta,' and 郎 for 'Rō'."

"Huh..." Zeeg muttered, staring intently at the signature. It looked more like a drawing than a name. He had heard stories that the world stretched far beyond the Kingdom of Schrade, but this was his first time encountering a piece of it with his own eyes.

"So then," Enta said, glancing about the room, "where are the other hunters?"

"Ah, well... there aren't any yet. You're the first," Zeeg admitted.

"Ah, I see. In that case, allow me to assist in selecting the others. It is a matter of life and death, after all."

"Uh, wait, that's-"

Zeeg faltered. Enta quirked an eyebrow at him.

"Was that unwelcome?" he asked, his voice calm but probing.

"No, it's not that. I'd appreciate the help," Zeeg said quickly, hesitated a moment, then added, "It's just... Well, I don't mean to ignore your opinion, but this is my party. I want to choose the members myself."

"I see... That is understandable. I shall leave the final decision to you."

Zeeg felt a relief far deeper than words could express. He had made his choice - he didn't want to have it overturned and be forced to start all over again. Now, just two more members to find.

The weight on his shoulders lessened a little. Part of it was simply having found one companion already, but more importantly, he had decided that this party was only for this hunt. If they got along, they could continue together. If not, no harm done.

Seeking a long-term team from the outset had been a mistake.

Thinking back, even when he had joined Elmeria's party, it had been intended as a one-time learning experience. After that hunt - where he had contributed almost nothing - and a morning of a strange incident, she had invited him to join her again. Their long association afterward had been the exception, not the rule.

Feeling clearer, Zeeg was about to fold up the contract when he sensed a presence outside the door. Unlike Enta's arrival, this was someone more... normal. The presence halted in front of the door - and stayed there. No knock came.

("What the...?") Zeeg tilted his head. At that instant, Enta, still seated cross-legged, drew something from his coat and flicked it over his shoulder without even turning around.

There was a dull thud, then a sharp cry from beyond the door. A small dagger, its blade oddly shaped to fit a keyhole, was now embedded in the lock.

If he had aimed for that, his skill was terrifying.

"Peeking is a shameful habit," Enta said, sounding for all the world like he was the master of the room.

Zeeg swallowed the complaint rising to his lips. If this was an applicant, it wouldn't do to start off with an argument - no hunter would want to join a party that looked like it was about to fall apart.

"...Come in," Zeeg called, sitting up straight.

Enta rose soundlessly to his feet, positioning himself behind Zeeg with his hands clasped behind his back. Zeeg caught a glimpse of the twin swords at Enta's back but chose to ignore them for now.

The door creaked open hesitantly.

The figure that entered was more boy than man, his face still round with youth. Yet he was tall - taller than Zeeg by the width of a fist, by his quick reckoning. His brown eyes were half-lidded, giving him a perpetually drowsy look, and his short brown hair stuck up wildly, as if he'd just rolled out of bed.

One glance at his equipment, and Zeeg pegged him for a rookie.

His armor was crafted entirely from Velociprey and Velocidrome materials - tough but basic blue-scaled gear, from helm to greaves. When Zeeg had first arrived in town, he had worn even shabbier armor - but he had at least splurged on a decent weapon.

This boy, however, had a plain bone sword at his waist - a one-handed blade that looked more like a jagged saw than a weapon. A Bone Pick, or perhaps a Bone Spike, if Zeeg remembered the name correctly.

The boy glanced at Zeeg, then at Enta looming behind him, and hunched his shoulders before giving a timid bow.

"Um... is this the place recruiting for the Basarios hunt...?" he asked, voice so faint it seemed ready to vanish.

"Yeah-"

"It is indeed," Enta said, cutting off Zeeg without a hint of shame.

Zeeg shot him a look over his shoulder. Enta met his gaze, and nodded as if to say "Ah, right," but offered no apology.

Suppressing a sigh, Zeeg turned back to the boy.

He was still standing awkwardly by the door, clearly reluctant to approach. Zeeg understood - he must have been intimidated by their gear. After all, the Rathalos set Zeeg wore was no easy prize.

"Come on. Have a seat," Zeeg said, patting the floor in front of him. There was no point dragging out a chair at this stage.

The boy approached as if expecting a Velociprey to lunge from the shadows at any moment. He settled where Enta had been sitting before, back stiff, eyes briefly meeting Zeeg's before darting down to the floor.

Behind him, Enta exhaled softly through his nose.

Zeeg felt much the same. This boy wasn't necessarily cowardly, but he lacked confidence. That hesitation, that self-doubt - it could prove fatal in the hunt, where a moment's indecision could mean death.

If this were a simple Velociprey cull or a mushroom gathering quest, it would be another matter.

But this was a wyvern hunt. A Basarios. And if one of them faltered, it could cost them all their lives.

Just as Zeeg opened his mouth to refuse, the boy pulled a folded sheet of paper from the pouch at his waist, placed it on the floor, and pushed it toward him.

("A résumé?") Zeeg thought, but on closer look, it didn't seem like one.

Curious, he picked it up, broke the wax seal, and unfolded it. A quick glance told him it was a letter of introduction, issued by the Guild itself, requesting that Zeeg take charge of training a new recruit.

He couldn't fathom why the request had come to him, of all people. He had yet to accomplish anything noteworthy. Puzzled, he took a closer look - and noticed the seal stamped at the bottom. It wasn't from this city. It belonged to the Hunter's Guild of Minegarde.

"...Um, Miss Becky told me to bring this to you," the boy said hesitantly. "She said... it would be a great learning experience."

"Becky?" Zeeg repeated, raising an eyebrow. He glanced back down at the letter.

The wording was stiff and formal, just what he'd expect from official Guild correspondence - but at the very end, almost like an afterthought, there was a single casual line: ''"Take good care of him, okay?"'' The handwriting was unmistakably Becky's.

Memories stirred within him: the day he first arrived in Minegarde. Had the Guild Master not vouched for him back then, he never would have joined Elmeria's party - and without that chance, he doubted he'd have grown strong enough to be clad in Rathalos armor so soon.

Thinking on it, refusing would be the easy path. But could he live with that? Becky had gone out of her way to support him more times than he could count. To turn away now - to betray the trust she was placing in him - felt wrong.

"...Got a résumé?" Zeeg asked, lifting his gaze from the letter. It was only fair to at least take a look.

One couldn't judge a hunter by their armor alone. Some made it a point of pride to hunt wyverns in mediocre gear. This boy hardly seemed the type, but there was always a chance he had some hidden skill.

The boy nodded and produced a second sheet of paper. Zeeg accepted it and unfolded it.

This time, it really was a résumé.

A quick scan was enough to see that the boy's record was nearly blank. He had taken down a few Yian Kut-Ku solo, but those were more bird wyverns than true wyverns. Dangerous if underestimated, yes - but hardly a match for the real heavyweights.

Still, thinking back to his own record when he first came to Minegarde, Zeeg couldn't say the boy was any worse. If he could handle a Yian Kut-Ku alone, he might not be much help against a Basarios, but at least he wouldn't get in the way.

He checked the boy's name: Brass Lagoon. Hailing from Piniq, one of the small frontier villages near Minegarde. Zeeg had never been there himself, but he'd heard it was founded by retired hunters.

His eyes drifted to the age listed beneath the name - and widened in surprise.

''Sixteen''.

He had pegged the boy for older at first glance, but now that he knew, Brass suddenly seemed much younger, his expressions more boyish.

There weren't many who came to the city at that age. Zeeg himself had, but it was rare. Elmeria, he recalled, had been registered with the Guild even younger, though she'd had Gannon, her retainer, at her side.

Coming alone at sixteen, with no one to back him up - that took guts.

And at least on the surface, Brass seemed like a good-natured kid.

Hunters tended to be a rough bunch. There were plenty of good men and women among them, but there were just as many who would think nothing of exploiting rookies - gathering up greenhorns to use as bait, feeding their fiery spirits into easy victories.

Such types were despised, of course, but there was another school of thought: that the Guild was no place for amateurs, and those too naïve to survive deserved what they got.

True, the Guild sometimes smoothed the path for beginners - as it had for Zeeg - but that protection ended quickly. After that, a hunter's life and death were their own responsibility.

Looking at Brass now, he resembled nothing so much as an Aptanoth wandering haplessly into a hungry hunter's path. No wonder Becky had chased Zeeg all the way to Nusti to hand him this task. She expected him to return the favor she'd once shown him.

If Brass could make it through this first trial, the Guild would gain another capable hunter - and Becky had always said they could never have too many.

("But...") Zeeg frowned inwardly, looking at the weapon he carried: a sword and shield.

Fast enough, sure - but against wyverns, not exactly reliable.

A Yian Kut-Ku was one thing; one could get by with a basic weapon. But anything tougher, and it became a question of whether the blade could even pierce the hide.

If it were the Master Blade from Kokoto Village, the one Freda carried, even Rathalos shell could be split. But with something like a Bone Spike... most likely, the blade would bounce harmlessly off.

As he glanced back down at the résumé, Zeeg noticed a small notation he had missed before. Under ''Special Skills'', in faint letters: ''Combining (Advanced)''.

It was a skill often overlooked in hunts, but when used well, it could transform the entire field into an arsenal. Having someone adept at combining on a team was no small advantage.

''Still, what to do...''

Before he could make up his mind, a voice spoke from behind.

"I have no objection," Enta said.

Zeeg had planned to ask for his opinion, but being preempted like this left a sour taste. He gave a vague nod, folded up the résumé, and handed it back to Brass.

The boy accepted it carefully, almost reverently.

"Welcome aboard," Zeeg said, extending a hand.

Brass blinked, startled, then quickly grabbed Zeeg's gauntleted hand with his own, their armor clinking faintly.

"Th-thank you very much! I'll do my best!"

"No need to push yourself too hard," Zeeg said, giving him a small, reassuring smile. "The Basarios isn't an opponent you can afford to underestimate, but both its poison and sleep gases come with obvious tells before they spew. As long as you don't miss the signs, it's not something to fear. Handle it right, and it's easier than a Kut-Ku."

"R-really?"

Brass's wide-eyed disbelief was almost comical. Zeeg nodded firmly.

"It's tough, sure - but that's all. Just one thing... your Bone Pick might not cut through its hide. You're good at combining, right? I'll be counting on you for that too."

"Y-yes, sir!"

The boy's face lit up, cheeks flushing with excitement. His eyes gleamed with unshed tears, and he nodded so hard it seemed his helmet might topple off.

How long that enthusiasm would last, Zeeg couldn't say. Basarios was no Rathalos - but it was still a wyvern, through and through.

Zeeg produced the contract and handed it over for a signature.

Brass - who, by all appearances, was no rugged or battle-hardened youth - was an unknown quantity when it came to facing a true wyvern, hatchling or not. He might well freeze up... or worse, take a charge straight to the chest.

Keeping a firm hold on the boy's hand, Zeeg rose to his feet and helped Brass to stand. With how Brass stood taller than him, the sword and shield strapped to his back looked almost comically small, more like a dagger than a proper weapon. With a frame like his, a greatsword or a lance would surely suit him better. Still, switching weapons now would only hinder their hunt, so Zeeg decided to leave well enough alone.

"That makes three of us, then," Enta said, arms crossed, sweeping his lone eye over the group. "A greatsword, a sword-and-shield, and dual blades. All close-range fighters... Will we be adding one more to our ranks?"

Zeeg nodded. With this setup, what they really needed was a bowgunner. They could, of course, simply charge in like a pack of Velociprey, relying on brute force - but having a gunner would expand their tactical options considerably. A skilled hunter covering their backs would allow the frontliners to focus solely on the target ahead.

"Let's head to the gathering hall," Zeeg said, jabbing a thumb at the door. "We'll need to update the posting. ''One more - Bowgun users only.''"

"A ranged fighter, hmm..." Enta narrowed his lone eye. "I don't much care for them, but if it's your decision, I shall abide - ''Though shame may arise; silence falls upon the heart; peace in quiet reigns''."

"Bowgun... I'll do my best," Brass murmured vaguely, clenching his fist for reasons known only to himself.

Zeeg was tempted to ask what exactly he meant to "do his best" at - but decided against it as he grabbed his greatsword from against the wall. Better not to give the impression that every little thing had to be discussed and agreed upon. When the moment came, he didn't want Brass getting any ideas about second-guessing orders. They needed a bowgunner; if Brass had a problem with that, he was free to leave.

Completely unaware of Zeeg's silent calculus, Brass hurried after him and Enta.

They descended the stairs, passing a few hunters on the way down, but none of the faces were familiar. That wasn't surprising - both Zeeg and Brass were newcomers to town. Even Enta, it seemed, was not acquainted with anyone here, exchanging no greetings as they passed.

The moment they stepped out of the guest house, the unrelenting sun struck them with full force, searing their skin. The weather was too good - almost obnoxiously so.

As they made their way downhill toward the gathering hall, Zeeg caught sight of an odd figure loitering by the entrance. A girl, clad in a skirt flared wide in black and white, stood beneath a black parasol trimmed in white lace. At a glance, she might have passed for a tavern maid on an errand - if not for the battered, oversized travel case she carried in her free hand. The scuffed and dirty leather suggested a life spent constantly on the move.

Something about her tugged at Zeeg's memory. He slowed, frowning, trying to place the familiarity. That outfit... he had seen it somewhere before.

As he watched, the girl folded her parasol and disappeared into the gathering hall. He caught a glimpse of her profile - just a fleeting glance - but it was enough to notice the glint of glasses perched on her nose.

"Is something the matter?" Enta asked.

"Huh? No... it's nothing."

Zeeg shook his head. If he couldn't place it, it probably wasn't important. He brushed the thought aside and motioned for the others to move on. As they pushed open the gathering hall doors, the familiar crush of alcohol, smoke, and humanity washed over them. They waded through it, making for the bulletin board.

At the counter, Zeeg spotted the girl again, speaking with the guild receptionist - the one with the prosthetic eye. Maybe she was trying to get hired as a server.

At the board, Zeeg began searching for the notice he had posted earlier. It wasn't unusual for hunters to take down postings they were interested in, so it didn't surprise him that it wasn't exactly where he had left it.

"I think it was around here," Brass said, pointing.

Following his indication, Zeeg found the notice buried halfway down a thick stack of overlapping papers. It was barely visible - left untouched, surely no one else would show up today. Just retrieving it made the trip worthwhile.

Using the bulletin board itself as a writing surface, Zeeg crossed out the old posting and updated the notes section:

''"Seeking one more! Bowgun users only!"''

He pinned it back up, making sure to place it in the most prominent spot - right at the very top. There was just one day left before the deadline. If they didn't find a fourth by then, they would have to set out as a trio.

Against a Basarios, three hunters would still manage... probably.

Just as Zeeg secured the paper, something black flickered past. Before he could even register what had happened, the notice was plucked from the board and sent fluttering through the air - deftly caught by a gloved hand.

Neither Zeeg nor Enta had sensed the approach. Enta reacted instinctively, leaping back a full table's length, hands flashing toward his weapons. Brass, startled out of his wits, fell flat on his rear.

Zeeg turned sharply, just in time to see the fluttering paper land neatly in the left hand of the girl from outside. She balanced her black parasol on her right shoulder, moving with a fluid, almost dancer-like grace.

She read the notice, her blue eyes - magnified behind her glasses - scanning the words with a sharp, gleaming intensity. Her long black hair, curled into vertical rolls on either side of her head, swayed slightly as she read.

She looked to be around Zeeg's age. He opened his mouth, but before he could speak-

"...This posting - yours?" she asked, her voice hard and clear, like malachite struck against stone.

In that instant, it hit him: he remembered where he had seen her.

"You were at Kokoto-" he blurted.

At his words, her eyes flickered - a slight, unmistakable recognition.

So it ''was'' her.

Back when Zeeg had returned to Kokoto, bored while Elmeria was off mining for the Breath Core in the volcanic zones, he had seen this girl working at the village gathering hall. If he recalled correctly, the village chief had called her Vivi.

And she was a hunter, too.

He remembered now - when the Monoblos had reappeared near the village, there had been a frantic scramble among the hunters to claim the kill. Zeeg had gotten the mark, but it had simply been luck of patrol routes - not a matter of skill.

"Vivienne Sharon, at your service," the girl said, speaking both names like a formal introduction. "How fortunate - I was just looking for a quest I could join immediately. I don't know your companions, but you... I know you're someone I can serve without worry."

"S-serve...?" Zeeg stammered. "Listen, we're just looking for a Bowgun user-"

"Precisely why I am the perfect candidate," Vivi interrupted. "From the looks of you all, you're nothing but frontliners. Surely, the bowgunner you're seeking is someone meant to support the party - a light bowgun user, yes?"

"Well, yeah, that's true," Zeeg admitted, frowning. "But where's your bowgun, then?"

"Why, right here," Vivi said, as if the answer were obvious.

Without missing a beat, she extended the handle of her parasol. With a soft click, the tip opened up, revealing a gun barrel glinting from within. The frilled black parasol - ornate and delicate - was, astonishingly, a bowgun. Even Enta, witnessing it for the first time, let out a low hum of admiration.

"This is the Dark Parasol. It cannot use piercing or cluster shots, but in exchange, it can handle every type of support ammo."

As she spoke, she set down the battered travel case she had been carrying, unlatched it, and produced a folded piece of paper, which she offered to Zeeg. Taking it, he unfolded it to find a neatly written résumé - one that made her skill immediately clear.

Given the nature of the light bowgun, it was unlikely she'd worked many solo hunts, yet even so, the list was impressive: ten Rathalos, seven Plesioth, three Khezu - and, remarkably, two Monoblos.

The Monoblos, the One-Horned Wyvern, never appeared in guild-sanctioned hunting grounds where teams were permitted. In other words, these two were solo kills - taken down single-handedly, and with a light bowgun at that.

"Is there a problem?" Vivi asked.

There was none. Hunters of her caliber were not easy to come by, even if one went looking with a contract in hand. And even if their previous encounter had been brief, there was a certain comfort in having a familiar face from his home village.

"You're in," Zeeg said decisively, producing the contract and handing it to her.

Vivi collapsed the Dark Parasol with an elegant motion, accepted the document, and after scribbling her name at the bottom, pushed up the bridge of her glasses with two fingers. Her lips curved into a smile - so perfectly poised it seemed almost artificial - as she said,

"Pleased to serve you, ''Master''."

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Monster Hunter

2025-04-29T01:34:47Z

Barnnn:

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{{Status|Halted}}

[[File:MH-v01-000.jpg|300px|thumb|Volume 1 Cover]]
'''Monster Hunter''' (モンスターハンター) is a Japanese light novel series based on Capcom's video game of the same name, published by '''Famitsu Bunko'''. It is written by '''Yuuki Rin''' (ゆうきりん) and illustrated by '''Koyama Shigeto''' (コヤマシゲト).

The series won the Best Novelization award from '''Kadokawa Shoten's Light Novel Award 2007''' ([http://shoten.kadokawa.co.jp/lightnovel-award/result.html ライトノベルアワード 2007]).

== Story Synopsis ==
It is an age when giant monsters rule the world of nature, freely roaming the land and soaring through the sky. In order to survive, humanity relies on the hunters, powerful warriors with the strength and intellect to fell such beasts.

Zeeg Grandest is one such hunter, albeit still a rookie. Through his meetings with numerous comrades and battles against powerful wyverns, the boy will learn what it truly means to be a Monster Hunter.

== Series Information ==

*'''Genre''': Action, Adventure, Fantasy
*'''Original Title''': モンスターハンター
*'''Common Abbreviations''': MH, MonHan (モンハン)
*'''Author''': Yuuki Rin
*'''Ilustrator''': Koyama Shigeto
*'''Published Volumes''': 4
*'''Series Status''': Completed

== Translation ==

=== [[Monster Hunter:Registration Page|Registration]] ===

Those who wish to contribute are asked to first notify a supervisor beforehand.

'''Translators are asked to [[Monster Hunter:Registration Page|register]] which chapters they're working on'''

=== Format Standards ===
'''Every Chapter (after editing) must conform to the general format guidelines.'''
* [[Format guideline|General Format/Style Guideline]]

=== Feedback ===
Please do provide us feedback in the [https://www.baka-tsuki.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=22415&view=viewpoll Feedback Thread].

== Updates ==
*April 29, 2025 - Volume 3 Chapter 3 Uploaded
*March 15, 2018 - Volume 3 Chapter 2 Uploaded
*October 21, 2017 - Volume 3 Chapter 1 Uploaded
*September 9, 2017 - Volume 2 Afterword Uploaded
*August 28, 2017 - Volume 2 Epilogue Uploaded '''(Volume 2 Complete)'''
*August 27, 2017 - Volume 2 Chapter 5 Uploaded
*August 18, 2017 - Volume 2 Chapter 4 Uploaded
*July 30, 2017 - Volume 2 Chapter 3 Uploaded
*July 9, 2017 - Volume 2 Chapter 2 Uploaded
*June 25, 2017 - Volume 2 Chapter 1 Uploaded
*May 22, 2017 - Volume 2 Prologue Uploaded
*April 24, 2017 - Volume 1 Chapters 3, 4, 5, Epilogue, and Afterword Uploaded '''(Volume 1 Complete)'''
*April 23, 2017 - Project Page Created, Volume 1 Chapters 1 and 2 Uploaded

== Monster Hunter by Yuuki Rin ==
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=== [[Monster Hunter:Volume1|Volume 1 - Commandment of the Hunt]] ([http://www.mediafire.com/file/1xib5zl7b7z7661/Monster_Hunter_-_Volume_1.pdf PDF]) ===
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume1 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume1 Chapter1|Chapter 1 - Encounter at the Hunter's Guild]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume1 Chapter2|Chapter 2 - First Quest]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume1 Chapter3|Chapter 3 - Love Wyvern]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume1 Chapter4|Chapter 4 - Knight]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume1 Chapter5|Chapter 5 - Monster Hunter]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume1 Epilogue|Epilogue]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume1 Afterword|Afterword]]
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=== [[Monster Hunter:Volume2|Volume 2 - Condition of a Hero]] ([http://www.mediafire.com/file/ylazh8tg3u621wm/Monster+Hunter+-+Volume+2.pdf PDF]) ===
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume2 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume2 Prologue|Prologue]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume2 Chapter1|Chapter 1 - Returning Home One Year Later]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume2 Chapter2|Chapter 2 - Their Days Off]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume2 Chapter3|Chapter 3 - Aspiring to Become a Hero]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume2 Chapter4|Chapter 4 - Gypceros's Signature Move]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume2 Chapter5|Chapter 5 - Albino Wyvern]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume2 Epilogue|Epilogue]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume2 Afterword|Afterword]]
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=== [[Monster Hunter:Volume3|Volume 3 - Capacity of a Leader]] ===
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume3 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume3 Chapter1|Chapter 1 - Irritation]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume3 Chapter2|Chapter 2 - Setting off Alone]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume3 Chapter3|Chapter 3 - Interviews]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume3 Chapter4|Chapter 4]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume3 Chapter5|Chapter 5]]
::* [[Monster Hunter:Volume3 Epilogue|Epilogue]]
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== Project Staff ==

* Project Administrator:
* Project Manager:

=== Translators ===
:* [[user:Barnnn|Barnnn]]

=== Editors ===

== Series Overview ==
*モンスターハンター狩りの掟　(June 19, 2004 ISBN 978-4-75-771874-6)
*モンスターハンター英雄の条件 (September 18, 2004 ISBN 978-4-75-772004-6)
*モンスターハンター長の資格 (June 20, 2005 ISBN 978-4-75-772320-7)
*モンスターハンター狩りの追憶 (March 30, 2006 ISBN 978-4-75-772666-6)

[[Category:Famitsu Bunko]]

[[Category:Light novel (English)]]

[[Category:Genre - Action]]
[[Category:Genre - Fantasy]]
[[Category:Genre - Adventure]]

Monster Hunter:Volume3 Chapter3

2025-04-29T01:33:46Z

Barnnn: Created page with "== Chapter 3 - Interviews == thumb Zeeg stepped down from the carriage and found himself honestly disappointed by the scenery. It had not chang..."

== Chapter 3 - Interviews ==

[[File:MH-v03-003.jpg|300px|thumb]]

Zeeg stepped down from the carriage and found himself honestly disappointed by the scenery. It had not changed for the better - in fact, it hadn't changed much if at all.

Two days had passed, jostled about on the road from Minegarde. Now, with his backside aching, he finally laid eyes on the city of Nusti - and it looked so much like Minegarde that it gave him the strange, unsettling feeling of having traveled in a wide circle, only to arrive back where he had started.

Passing through a crowded marketplace bathed in the blood-red light of sunset, he found the same familiar layout: the workshop and gathering hall lined up along the edge of a cliff, a narrow road leading off to what looked like a guest house beyond.

For a hunter's first job in a new city, guild registration was a must. Pushing open the gathering hall door, Zeeg was immediately assaulted by the thick, heady air - a stench of alcohol and the body heat of too many people packed together. Even someone like Zeeg, who usually didn't flinch at much, felt lightheaded from it.

If all the dew of the jungle were made from liquor, he thought, it might smell like this.

No one stopped their drinking, but he could feel their eyes on him. Judging him, measuring him up by the look of his armor and weapons.

The gathering hall was dim even during the day, but the flickering candlelight caught on the crimson carapace of Zeeg's Rathalos armor, setting it aglow. The Lacerator Blade+ slung across his back, its blade stained a dark, bloodlike red, threw back the light in a way that made a few of the hunters squint against the glare.

He headed straight for the counter. As he approached, a woman seated behind it abruptly rose to her feet, surprising him.

She stood at least a head taller than him.

Her face was sharply beautiful, her nose a clean, straight line - but one of her eyes was a dull, lifeless orb. A prosthetic, he realized at once. Her body was solidly built, sturdy enough that the maid uniform she wore seemed almost comical on her. Zeeg wisely kept that opinion to himself.

"Nice gear," she said bluntly, not even bothering to properly look at him. "First time in a city guild?"

"No," Zeeg replied shortly.

He dug into his bag and pulled out the résumé Becky had prepared for him, sliding it across the counter. It bore the guild's official seal; with this, his Hunter Rank would carry over without the need to re-earn it from scratch.

The woman took the document, scanned it with barely a flicker of expression, and handed it back without so much as a nod.

It was a résumé that listed no small number of accomplishments - or so Zeeg thought. But judging from the woman's indifferent expression, it might as well have been a list of trash.

She scribbled something into the guild ledger, closed it with a snap, and dashed off a few strokes onto a small card before tossing it carelessly onto the counter. His guild registration card. Without it, he wouldn't be able to accept even a single quest.

"...Thanks," Zeeg muttered, giving a slight bow as he stepped away from the counter.

The woman didn't respond. She had already opened her book again, utterly uninterested.

''What a cold-hearted woman'', Zeeg thought with a grimace.

For a moment, Becky's warm smile flashed in his mind, and a wave of homesickness for Minegarde washed over him. Zeeg shook his head fiercely. He couldn't afford to get sentimental - not when he was about to form his own hunting party.

Steeling himself, he made his way to the bulletin board set up next to the counter. It held two types of postings: available quests, and notices recruiting companions for already accepted ones.

The system was exactly the same as back in Minegarde.

Zeeg scanned the list of quests. There were plenty to choose from - likely because Nusti was still a relatively new city, and the hunting grounds under its jurisdiction hadn't yet been thoroughly tamed.

("Guess I'll take this one.")

He chose a Basarios hunt and tore the quest sheet from the board.

Basarios, the Rock Wyvern, was a juvenile form of the Gravios. Though its shell could be carved into tough armor and hammers, it didn't have much practical use for those uninterested. Still, Basarios were known to cause trouble by mimicking rocks, lying in wait along trade routes.

This time was no different. A merchant caravan had reported a Basarios nesting along a volcanic pass.

It would be a good test of any potential party members.

Zeeg judged Basarios to be about the next level of threat after a Yian Kut-Ku - tough, sure, but not overwhelmingly dangerous. Its movements were sluggish, and as long as they avoided a direct hit from its fiery attacks, it wasn't anything to fear.

If a hunter struggled against a Basarios, they weren't someone Zeeg wanted in his party.

("Last time we fought two at once. One should be easy.")

Clutching the quest slip, Zeeg returned to the counter and slapped it down - loudly enough to make sure he was noticed.

The woman sighed heavily, clearly irritated, and shut her book with a thump before turning to him. Curious, Zeeg caught a glimpse of the book's cover: ''Bestiary of the Hunt'', embossed in gold lettering.

"What is it?"

"I want to recruit partners for this quest," Zeeg said, "and I need a guest house room, too."

The woman skimmed the quest sheet, gave him a brief, disinterested look, and stamped it with the guild's official seal before shoving it back at him. Without a word, she flipped open the ledger again, checked something, and muttered,

"...Bishop Thirty-Five."

Then, without another glance, she returned to her book.

Zeeg knew the procedure well enough, but it still grated on him. Clicking his tongue in annoyance, he stomped back to the bulletin board, pinned the quest sheet to the recruitment section, and scribbled underneath his room's number and a message:

''"Seeking long-term hunting partners! From Kokoto Village!"''

Mentioning Kokoto Village - and by extension its legendary village chief - was a gamble.

It might attract opportunists looking to ride his coattails, but just maybe, it would draw serious, skilled hunters worthy of the name.

"...Alright," Zeeg muttered.

Hoisting his bag onto his shoulder, he left the gathering hall behind.

By the time he was making his way toward the guest house, his mind buzzing with thoughts of what kind of people might answer his call, the rude woman at the counter was already a forgotten annoyance.

"So, what now?" Fradio asked, breaking the heavy silence.

Elmeria, clearly in a foul mood, said nothing. Neither did Gannon, still wrapped in bandages. The noise of the gathering hall, thick with the clatter of utensils and lively conversation, wasn't enough to drown out their voices, but neither companion seemed inclined to speak.

It had been a week since Zeeg had left their party, and still Elmeria showed no sign of taking on a new quest. Fradio understood the reason well enough - she was holding out hope that Zeeg might return - but even so, his arms were beginning to itch for action.

If this standoff dragged on much longer, he thought, he might as well head out alone and enjoy a date with a Gypceros.

"We're not exactly hurting for money, but Sir Gannon's injuries are healing nicely," Fradio continued, trying to coax some response. "I'd say it's about time we got back to the hunt, wouldn't you?"

Gannon turned his unbandaged eye toward Elmeria. She, however, only stared into the blood-dark surface of the wine pooled in her goblet, unmoving.

She looked thinner than before, the soft curve of her cheeks having hollowed out slightly. Fradio hoped she hadn't started losing muscle mass. Lifting the edge of his mask just enough to drink, he sipped his own wine, savoring the rich flavor of the fruit sharpened by a pleasant astringency. He waited, but Elmeria said nothing.

It wasn't sorrow he saw in her. No, the emotion simmering just beneath the surface was anger - anger directed at herself for misspeaking, and at Zeeg for leaving without a word.

Zeeg's departure had been clumsy, to say the least. If they had been nothing more than a temporary hunting party assembled for a single mission, a silent farewell over a mug of ale might have sufficed.

But they had been together since Zeeg had first arrived in Minegarde. After so much time, he owed them at least a proper goodbye, no matter how awkward.

"Still sulking, Ellie?"

The teasing voice floated down along with a clatter of dishes. Fradio turned to see Becky standing there, smiling mischievously.

"I'm not sulking," Elmeria snapped.

She reached out, grabbed a freshly-served skewer of grilled Aptonoth meat, and bit into it savagely. Juices dripped from the seared flesh, and she hissed a quick "Hot!" as she licked the sizzling fat from her lips.

Fradio helped himself to a skewer as well, stripping the meat from the stick and neatly cutting it into small pieces with his knife and fork before slipping a bite beneath his mask. The meat was rich, the spice blend mingling perfectly with the sweet, fatty edge of the skin.

The slight toughness betrayed the fact that it had come from a wild Aptonoth, but that only added to its flavor.

"C'mon, no need to act tough," Becky said, her voice light with mockery.

Elmeria shot her a glare, her eyes faintly glassy from the wine. Her appetite had dwindled, but her drinking had certainly increased.

"Shut up," Elmeria muttered. "I'm not pretending. If anything, I'm glad he's gone. It's thanks to him we've been screwing up so much lately."

"So you're still planning to keep hunting?" Becky pressed.

"Of course I am!"

Snatching up her goblet, Elmeria drained it in one go and refilled it without hesitation.

"I'm just saying, none of the current quests look worth taking. I'm not going to waste my time hunting Yian Kut-Ku or gathering Special Mushrooms. And as for a Khezu-"

Fradio shook his head.

He had once been swallowed whole by one of those grotesque, sightless wyverns, and the memory still made his skin crawl. Compared to the vibrant, delicate beauty of a Gypceros, a Khezu - with its pallid skin and preference for damp, shadowy places - was nothing but an abomination.

"Yeah. He's in no shape for it," Elmeria continued, "And besides, maybe it's not a bad thing to take it easy once in a while. Unless you have something interesting lined up?"

"Well..." Becky said, placing a single sheet of paper onto the table, "maybe I do."

Fradio leaned in alongside Elmeria to read it.

"...Meat Grill Festival?" Elmeria echoed incredulously.

Sure enough, the paper read, ''"Calling All Hunters! Grand Opening! The 18th Annual Meat Grill Festival!!"''

Elmeria gave Becky an exasperated look.

"What the hell is this?"

"Exactly what it says," Becky replied brightly. "It's a competition to see who can grill the most Well-Done Steaks. Raw meat must be gathered on-site, of course. The winner gets a special prize: a piece of King Meat! Doesn't that sound perfect for you, Ellie?"

"King Meat, huh..."

Elmeria frowned, considering.

It was, admittedly, a tempting prize - for a hammer user. King Meat was a key material used to craft the Enormous Ham, a weapon both whimsical and sought-after.

Elmeria already possessed a Breath Core and didn't need the Enormous Ham, and the crafting costs were steep - but King Meat was rare enough that simply having it would be worth bragging about.

Besides, Fradio could always meet up with his beloved Gypceros later.

The Meat Grill Festival, on the other hand, wouldn't come around again until next year.

"It ''does'' sound like fun," Fradio said, earning Elmeria's groan. "Come now, there's no other quest we're excited about anyway. Besides, grilling meat is one of a hunter's basic skills. Maybe it's a good time to go back to basics and sharpen our instincts. Sir Gannon's not fully recovered, either - we could use some easy targets like Aptonoth or Bullfango to ease back into things, yes?"

Elmeria turned to Gannon.

The large man, his face still heavily bandaged, gave her a solemn nod.

She might not realize it, but Fradio had noticed - Gannon had lost weight since being poisoned by the Rathian.

The poison itself shouldn't have lingered; Rathian toxins didn't stay in the body long.

No, this was a result of a deeper issue - a wound to the spirit.

Failing to dodge that poisonous tail strike had shaken him badly.

It was said that the moment one became conscious of their own aging, they truly began to grow old.

And Gannon, after all, was already sixty.

By rights, he should have retired to a peaceful village, regaling the local children with tales of his exploits.

Yet here he was, still fighting.

"You know what," Elmeria said at last. "Let's do it."

She grabbed the paper and waved it at Becky.

"As Fradio said, there's nothing else worth doing right now. I'll come kill some time. Besides, carrying around an Enormous Ham would be hilarious."

Becky's smile widened. Without missing a beat, she turned toward the bustling gathering hall, raised her voice, and declared,

"Attention, everyone! Elmeria Franport - pride and joy of Minegarde - will be participating in the Meat Grill Festival! Who else wants to join? Especially hammer users - you won't want to miss out on the fabulous prize: the King Meat, perfect for crafting your very own Enormous Ham!"

Realizing she had just been used for promotional purposes, Elmeria's eyes widened.

Becky shot her a mischievous grin before turning back toward the counter, ready to register the flood of eager participants now waving their arms.

"...Now ''that'' is stage presence," Fradio muttered.

He took a deep drink of wine and speared another piece of juicy Aptonoth meat with his fork, chuckling as the hot juices burst free.

Zeeg watched the departing hunter's back disappear beyond the door, then slumped heavily into a chair with a long, exhausted sigh.

That made fifteen now. Fifteen interviews, and not a single one had resulted in a new comrade. There had been a few who looked capable enough, but not one he could truly call a partner.

The trip to the Volcano was scheduled for the day after tomorrow. If he couldn't find anyone by then, he would have no choice but to set out alone.

Against a Basarios, he could probably manage if he fought cautiously. But that wasn't the point - he hadn't come all the way to this town just to do everything by himself.

Still, Zeeg found himself surprised by just how draining these interviews had been.

He could get a rough sense of a hunter's skill from their equipment, sure, but so far not a single applicant had shown up wearing Rathalos or Rathian gear.

The best-equipped hunter he'd seen wore a full set of Cephalos armor, made from the scales of sand-dwelling monsters - but she'd made it quite clear she intended to lead the team herself. He had politely shown her the door.

''Maybe it was my age after all'', he thought with a wry grimace.

Most hunters with real ability were well into their late twenties or older.

Hunters like himself, Elmeria, or Freda - who had managed to earn wyvern gear while still in their teens - were rare.

Not that he was arrogant enough to think himself some prodigy.

Maybe once, in the past. But now he understood all too well - without the help of his comrades, he never would have made it this far.

Luck might let him take down one monster, maybe two. But to hunt enough for a full set of weapons and armor - that took something more tangible.

Even so, Zeeg didn't feel any desire to partner with hunters much older than himself. If they were like Gannon - silent and watchful - that would be fine. But if they started barking orders, well... he might as well stick with Elmeria.

Maybe trying to find someone around his own age, willing to take on a Basarios, had been setting the bar too high from the start.

It might be smarter to treat this hunt as a one-off. Afterward, he could lower the difficulty - take a quest for a Yian Kut-Ku or something - and try recruiting again.

A sharp pain twinged in his stomach, and he remembered he hadn't eaten all morning.

The first applicant had shown up before breakfast, and there had been no break since.

Rubbing his aching temple, Zeeg rose from his chair.

When he'd joined Elmeria's party, it had been by the Guild Master's recommendation - there had been no formal interview like this.

Still, she must have gone through something similar at some point. Was she still doing it even now? The thought brushed across his mind like a cold wind, but he shook it off.

In any case, he needed food. The guest house would prepare a special meal if he asked, but it came at a steep price.

With most of his money earmarked for a new weapon, he couldn't afford luxuries right now.

It would be cheaper to roast some raw meat himself.

He fished his BBQ Spit out of his pack and turned toward the balcony to set it up...

"Excuse me!"

...Only to freeze as a voice spoke from beyond the door, startlingly close.

Zeeg almost dropped the spit on his foot.

Usually, he could sense when someone approached, even before they knocked - but this time, he had noticed nothing.

As he hesitated, the voice came again.

"Forgive the intrusion! Might this be the room of Sir Zeeg Grandest? I saw the notice on the board and wished to speak with you."

The speaker's voice was low, distinctly male, and oddly formal - but Zeeg managed to catch the gist.

Another applicant, apparently.

"Ah - yeah!"

Setting the BBQ Spit hurriedly on the table, Zeeg checked his gear.

Something about the man's voice demanded it.

He always conducted interviews in full armor, and expected the same of his applicants.

It was the quickest way to judge a hunter's ability outside the field.

His Lacerator Blade+ was hanging on the wall nearby.

Usually, hunters carried their weapons too.

Someone who skimped on weaponry in favor of flashy armor tended to be overly cautious. And the reverse - Zeeg winced, remembering his younger self - suggested reckless impatience.

"So - uh, yeah. Come in!"

He deliberately used a slightly rough tone.

Better to establish from the outset who would be leading the party.

If someone couldn't handle a little bluntness, they wouldn't survive working with him.

"Excuse me," the voice repeated - and the door swung open.

The man who entered was tall, with dark skin and a lithe build, moving without so much as a whisper of footsteps.

Even a wyvern would struggle to notice someone like that.

He stopped a good distance inside the room, standing casually - but there was not a single gap in his stance.

His hair, a muted gray, was slicked back and tied behind him, much like Zeeg's own.

His one open eye was blue and ringed with strange concentric lines rather than a vertical slit - and the other was closed, perhaps the mark of an old wound.

His armor... if it could even be called that, was strange.

He wore plain white clothes, reinforced only in vulnerable spots like the shoulders, elbows, throat, and waist, with thin plates that looked more decorative than functional.

His loose, ballooning trousers were tucked into black boots, and strange patterns were painted along the hems.

But what truly drew the eye was the weapon on his back.

It resembled a wyvern's talon - a pair of talons, in fact.

They looked almost like twin one-handed swords, but distinct from any weapon Zeeg knew.

"You've noticed my blades," the man said smoothly, a thin sprig of some herb clamped between his lips.

He smiled faintly, his expression calm and easygoing, and Zeeg guessed he was in his mid-twenties.

"Those aren't... sword-and-shield, are they?" Zeeg asked cautiously.

"Indeed not," the man replied, nodding as if approving the question. "These are my beloved blades - Zanki. I am a wielder of dual blades."

"Dual blades...?"

"Just so - ''Youth's ignorance blooms; no shame in the mind's pure soil; learning comes with time'' - as the saying goes."

The peculiar rhythm of the words made Zeeg blink.

Was he being insulted just now? It was hard to tell.

"That was a ''senryū''," the man explained, his open eye narrowing.

Zeeg was even more confused.

Did he just say ''ryū'' - dragon?

Was this ''Zanki'' weapon crafted from some monster he'd never heard of?

The man seemed to catch his bewilderment and chuckled softly.

"Heh... Though I say ''ryū'', I do not speak of wyverns. Senryū is a form of wordplay from my homeland."

"I... see?"

The man straightened and gave a formal, shallow bow.

"Forgive my late introduction. I am Entarō. If it pleases you, call me Enta."

"Huh... yeah, sure..."

Zeeg found himself a little overwhelmed.

Even Entarō's name had a unique ring to it.

Still, for all the man's flowery phrasing, his words were clear enough, and Zeeg had no trouble understanding him.

"Uh, well... why don't you have a seat?"

Zeeg, desperate to regain control of the conversation, gestured toward a chair. But Enta merely raised a hand.

"Nay, I shall decline."

At first, Zeeg thought he meant to remain standing, but instead, the man - who had introduced himself as Enta - sat cross-legged directly on the floor. Somehow, the way he settled there fit so naturally, he looked less like a man and more like a bronze statue that had stood there for years, untouched by time.

Feeling awkward about being the only one sitting properly, Zeeg followed suit, lowering himself to the floor as well. It was uncomfortable; whenever he took breaks out on a hunt, he always used a folding chair that came with his BBQ Spit kit. Sitting on the bare ground felt foreign.

"So, uh... you saw the notice on the board, right?" Zeeg asked.

"Indeed," Enta replied with a courteous nod.

"Getting right to it... what's your Hunter Rank?"

"My rank is ''Samurai''. And yourself?"

For a moment, Zeeg thought he saw the gleam of a blade flash in Enta's open eye, and he swallowed hard. The sheer pressure coming off the man made it feel like a wrong answer might literally cost him his head.

"M-me? I'm a ''Strider''..."

"Oh-ho!"

With a sudden spark of enthusiasm, Enta's lone eye widened. Startled, Zeeg nearly reached for the greatsword strapped to his back. Was the man trying to startle him, just to enjoy the reaction?

But Enta merely shook his head slowly and said,

"To think that one so young surpasses even I in rank! I am most impressed."

Still seated cross-legged, he bent low in a deep, skillful bow.

And he stayed there.

After a long, awkward silence, Zeeg began to wonder if the man had fallen asleep, but just as he was about to check, Enta finally lifted his head once more.

Trying to keep his balance in this strange conversation, Zeeg felt slightly dizzy.

"A-anyway," he tried, "you said 'young' - but do you even know how old I am?"

"I do not, but I venture to guess... eighteen years?"

Dead on.

Sure, nobody looking at him would mistake him for forty or fifty, but to peg his age exactly was still impressive. Maybe it was just a lucky guess... or maybe not.

"And you?" Zeeg asked. "How old are you?"

"This year, I have reached twenty-five," Enta declared. "Five years ago, I drifted to this land, learned of the way of hunters, and was immediately captivated. It is the perfect vocation for my training."

"Training?" Zeeg parroted.

"Indeed. I strive to hone my blade and become a peerless swordmaster. In these peaceful times, there are precious few places where one can engage in honest, life-or-death battle. Yet in the life of a hunter, that spirit endures. There is no better arena for perfecting one's skill."

"But then, why'd you want to form a party? Wouldn't solo hunting fit your training better?"

"An astute question," Enta said, folding his arms and nodding. He then leaned forward, lowering his voice conspiratorially.

Zeeg, caught by the sudden shift, leaned forward too.

"...In truth, I have another ambition. Forming a party is but a means to that end - I wish to spread the glory of dual blades far and wide."

Zeeg straightened up in surprise. That wasn't exactly something anyone needed to whisper about. If anything, he could have shouted it from the rooftops.

But Enta, oblivious to Zeeg's thoughts, nodded emphatically to himself.

"The best way is to show others firsthand the brilliance of the dual blades! Especially the younger hunters like yourself - once you witness their magnificence, you too will surely be tempted to wield them!"

Even with that passionate speech, Zeeg remained unconvinced. He had no intention of abandoning the greatsword he had wielded since before he officially became a hunter.

Besides, dual blades... weren't they just two small swords?

Worse, they had no shield. Greatswords and heavy bowguns could block with their massive frames, and even hammers could compensate for their lack of defense with overwhelming power.

But dual blades - their cutting edge didn't seem particularly impressive, nor did they offer any means of defense. Zeeg couldn't imagine they were easy to use at all.

As if reading his mind, Enta fixed him with a sharp gaze and chuckled.

"Heh... I know exactly what you are thinking - ''Two blades side by side; yet both are weak, unrefined; a pair, not the best'' - That is what every hunter thinks... Until they see my technique for themselves!"

With a loud slap to his knee, Enta beamed.

"Once you see me slicing through Basarios's rock-hard hide like it were ''sashimi'', you'll be singing a different tune! You'll envy the dual blades, mark my words! Behold! Witness the blade dance of a ''demon''!"

Suddenly, without rising from his cross-legged position, Enta drew both swords from the sheaths strapped to his back. Their polished blades gleamed menacingly under the light.

"H-hey! What the hell are you doing!?" Zeeg cried, jolting back.

Snapped from his theatrics, Enta blinked his lone eye, mumbled an apology, and hastily resheathed his weapons.

This was no laughing matter.

Had Zeeg not spoken up, he might have been the one carved into neat little slices, not Basarios. There was a dangerous aura about Enta, no doubt about it. A strange one, too.

"...Right. So, uh, your résumé?" Zeeg prompted, trying to regain focus.

"Here it is."

From within his robes, Enta produced a folded sheet of paper and handed it over.

It bore the official seal of the Hunter's Guild. Listed on it were records of all the quests Enta had undertaken - monster hunts, transport missions, and the like. The entries weren't arranged chronologically but by category: wyvern species and their respective numbers hunted, goods delivered for transport requests, and the tallies of successes and failures.

A quick scan was enough to tell Zeeg that Enta was no slouch. His record against wyverns in particular was impressive - far beyond what an average hunter could boast.

Still, something felt off.

Judging by the list, Enta had likely been bouncing between different parties, focusing almost exclusively on wyvern hunts.

That wasn't what Zeeg had in mind for his group. He had made that clear with the notice on the guild board.

But Enta had probably applied because this mission involved a wyvern - specifically, a Basarios.

Turning him away would be simple enough. But Zeeg hesitated. He had only just been thinking that maybe, this time, the group would be a one-shot team - handle the mission and disband.

Unlike when he had joined Elmeria's team, this group would be full of first-timers working together. No telling what their real skills were like.

Jumping straight into a wyvern hunt under those circumstances... maybe it was reckless after all.

Still, canceling the quest outright would leave a bad impression with the Guild. If word got around that he had pulled out without a good reason, future requests might dry up - especially important ones.

And Enta's résumé - it even showed prior hunts against Basarios. Five of them.

That wasn't a huge number compared to his other quarry, but it was enough to earn respect.

Zeeg steeled himself, folding the résumé and handing it back to Enta.

"Alright. I'll be counting on you," he said.

"Understood," Enta replied.

Taking the résumé, Enta tucked it away inside his robes. Zeeg then pulled out the contract for the Basarios hunt. Every member of the hunting party had to sign it before submitting it to the Guild - only then could they officially depart.

Producing a brush-like writing tool, Enta scrawled a strange set of characters beneath Zeeg's signature: 炎太郎.

"Is that your name?" Zeeg asked, tilting his head.

"It is written in a script not used in Schrade," Enta explained, stowing the brush once more. "The Guild has permitted us to use our own country's writing, so I choose to do so. 炎 for 'En,' 太 for 'Ta,' and 郎 for 'Rō'."

"Huh..." Zeeg muttered, staring intently at the signature. It looked more like a drawing than a name. He had heard stories that the world stretched far beyond the Kingdom of Schrade, but this was his first time encountering a piece of it with his own eyes.

"So then," Enta said, glancing about the room, "where are the other hunters?"

"Ah, well... there aren't any yet. You're the first," Zeeg admitted.

"Ah, I see. In that case, allow me to assist in selecting the others. It is a matter of life and death, after all."

"Uh, wait, that's-"

Zeeg faltered. Enta quirked an eyebrow at him.

"Was that unwelcome?" he asked, his voice calm but probing.

"No, it's not that. I'd appreciate the help," Zeeg said quickly, hesitated a moment, then added, "It's just... Well, I don't mean to ignore your opinion, but this is my party. I want to choose the members myself."

"I see... That is understandable. I shall leave the final decision to you."

Zeeg felt a relief far deeper than words could express. He had made his choice - he didn't want to have it overturned and be forced to start all over again. Now, just two more members to find.

The weight on his shoulders lessened a little. Part of it was simply having found one companion already, but more importantly, he had decided that this party was only for this hunt. If they got along, they could continue together. If not, no harm done.

Seeking a long-term team from the outset had been a mistake.

Thinking back, even when he had joined Elmeria's party, it had been intended as a one-time learning experience. After that hunt - where he had contributed almost nothing - and a morning of a strange incident, she had invited him to join her again. Their long association afterward had been the exception, not the rule.

Feeling clearer, Zeeg was about to fold up the contract when he sensed a presence outside the door. Unlike Enta's arrival, this was someone more... normal. The presence halted in front of the door - and stayed there. No knock came.

("What the...?") Zeeg tilted his head. At that instant, Enta, still seated cross-legged, drew something from his coat and flicked it over his shoulder without even turning around.

There was a dull thud, then a sharp cry from beyond the door. A small dagger, its blade oddly shaped to fit a keyhole, was now embedded in the lock.

If he had aimed for that, his skill was terrifying.

"Peeking is a shameful habit," Enta said, sounding for all the world like he was the master of the room.

Zeeg swallowed the complaint rising to his lips. If this was an applicant, it wouldn't do to start off with an argument - no hunter would want to join a party that looked like it was about to fall apart.

"...Come in," Zeeg called, sitting up straight.

Enta rose soundlessly to his feet, positioning himself behind Zeeg with his hands clasped behind his back. Zeeg caught a glimpse of the twin swords at Enta's back but chose to ignore them for now.

The door creaked open hesitantly.

The figure that entered was more boy than man, his face still round with youth. Yet he was tall - taller than Zeeg by the width of a fist, by his quick reckoning. His brown eyes were half-lidded, giving him a perpetually drowsy look, and his short brown hair stuck up wildly, as if he'd just rolled out of bed.

One glance at his equipment, and Zeeg pegged him for a rookie.

His armor was crafted entirely from Velociprey and Velocidrome materials - tough but basic blue-scaled gear, from helm to greaves. When Zeeg had first arrived in town, he had worn even shabbier armor - but he had at least splurged on a decent weapon.

This boy, however, had a plain bone sword at his waist - a one-handed blade that looked more like a jagged saw than a weapon. A Bone Pick, or perhaps a Bone Spike, if Zeeg remembered the name correctly.

The boy glanced at Zeeg, then at Enta looming behind him, and hunched his shoulders before giving a timid bow.

"Um... is this the place recruiting for the Basarios hunt...?" he asked, voice so faint it seemed ready to vanish.

"Yeah-"

"It is indeed," Enta said, cutting off Zeeg without a hint of shame.

Zeeg shot him a look over his shoulder. Enta met his gaze, and nodded as if to say "Ah, right," but offered no apology.

Suppressing a sigh, Zeeg turned back to the boy.

He was still standing awkwardly by the door, clearly reluctant to approach. Zeeg understood - he must have been intimidated by their gear. After all, the Rathalos set Zeeg wore was no easy prize.

"Come on. Have a seat," Zeeg said, patting the floor in front of him. There was no point dragging out a chair at this stage.

The boy approached as if expecting a Velociprey to lunge from the shadows at any moment. He settled where Enta had been sitting before, back stiff, eyes briefly meeting Zeeg's before darting down to the floor.

Behind him, Enta exhaled softly through his nose.

Zeeg felt much the same. This boy wasn't necessarily cowardly, but he lacked confidence. That hesitation, that self-doubt - it could prove fatal in the hunt, where a moment's indecision could mean death.

If this were a simple Velociprey cull or a mushroom gathering quest, it would be another matter.

But this was a wyvern hunt. A Basarios. And if one of them faltered, it could cost them all their lives.

Just as Zeeg opened his mouth to refuse, the boy pulled a folded sheet of paper from the pouch at his waist, placed it on the floor, and pushed it toward him.

("A résumé?") Zeeg thought, but on closer look, it didn't seem like one.

Curious, he picked it up, broke the wax seal, and unfolded it. A quick glance told him it was a letter of introduction, issued by the Guild itself, requesting that Zeeg take charge of training a new recruit.

He couldn't fathom why the request had come to him, of all people. He had yet to accomplish anything noteworthy. Puzzled, he took a closer look - and noticed the seal stamped at the bottom. It wasn't from this city. It belonged to the Hunter's Guild of Minegarde.

"...Um, Miss Becky told me to bring this to you," the boy said hesitantly. "She said... it would be a great learning experience."

"Becky?" Zeeg repeated, raising an eyebrow. He glanced back down at the letter.

The wording was stiff and formal, just what he'd expect from official Guild correspondence - but at the very end, almost like an afterthought, there was a single casual line: ''"Take good care of him, okay?"'' The handwriting was unmistakably Becky's.

Memories stirred within him: the day he first arrived in Minegarde. Had the Guild Master not vouched for him back then, he never would have joined Elmeria's party - and without that chance, he doubted he'd have grown strong enough to be clad in Rathalos armor so soon.

Thinking on it, refusing would be the easy path. But could he live with that? Becky had gone out of her way to support him more times than he could count. To turn away now - to betray the trust she was placing in him - felt wrong.

"...Got a résumé?" Zeeg asked, lifting his gaze from the letter. It was only fair to at least take a look.

One couldn't judge a hunter by their armor alone. Some made it a point of pride to hunt wyverns in mediocre gear. This boy hardly seemed the type, but there was always a chance he had some hidden skill.

The boy nodded and produced a second sheet of paper. Zeeg accepted it and unfolded it.

This time, it really was a résumé.

A quick scan was enough to see that the boy's record was nearly blank. He had taken down a few Yian Kut-Ku solo, but those were more bird wyverns than true wyverns. Dangerous if underestimated, yes - but hardly a match for the real heavyweights.

Still, thinking back to his own record when he first came to Minegarde, Zeeg couldn't say the boy was any worse. If he could handle a Yian Kut-Ku alone, he might not be much help against a Basarios, but at least he wouldn't get in the way.

He checked the boy's name: Brass Lagoon. Hailing from Piniq, one of the small frontier villages near Minegarde. Zeeg had never been there himself, but he'd heard it was founded by retired hunters.

His eyes drifted to the age listed beneath the name - and widened in surprise.

''Sixteen''.

He had pegged the boy for older at first glance, but now that he knew, Brass suddenly seemed much younger, his expressions more boyish.

There weren't many who came to the city at that age. Zeeg himself had, but it was rare. Elmeria, he recalled, had been registered with the Guild even younger, though she'd had Gannon, her retainer, at her side.

Coming alone at sixteen, with no one to back him up - that took guts.

And at least on the surface, Brass seemed like a good-natured kid.

Hunters tended to be a rough bunch. There were plenty of good men and women among them, but there were just as many who would think nothing of exploiting rookies - gathering up greenhorns to use as bait, feeding their fiery spirits into easy victories.

Such types were despised, of course, but there was another school of thought: that the Guild was no place for amateurs, and those too naïve to survive deserved what they got.

True, the Guild sometimes smoothed the path for beginners - as it had for Zeeg - but that protection ended quickly. After that, a hunter's life and death were their own responsibility.

Looking at Brass now, he resembled nothing so much as an Aptanoth wandering haplessly into a hungry hunter's path. No wonder Becky had chased Zeeg all the way to Nusti to hand him this task. She expected him to return the favor she'd once shown him.

If Brass could make it through this first trial, the Guild would gain another capable hunter - and Becky had always said they could never have too many.

("But...") Zeeg frowned inwardly, looking at the weapon he carried: a sword and shield.

Fast enough, sure - but against wyverns, not exactly reliable.

A Yian Kut-Ku was one thing; one could get by with a basic weapon. But anything tougher, and it became a question of whether the blade could even pierce the hide.

If it were the Master Blade from Kokoto Village, the one Freda carried, even Rathalos shell could be split. But with something like a Bone Spike... most likely, the blade would bounce harmlessly off.

As he glanced back down at the résumé, Zeeg noticed a small notation he had missed before. Under ''Special Skills'', in faint letters: ''Combining (Advanced)''.

It was a skill often overlooked in hunts, but when used well, it could transform the entire field into an arsenal. Having someone adept at combining on a team was no small advantage.

''Still, what to do...''

Before he could make up his mind, a voice spoke from behind.

"I have no objection," Enta said.

Zeeg had planned to ask for his opinion, but being preempted like this left a sour taste. He gave a vague nod, folded up the résumé, and handed it back to Brass.

The boy accepted it carefully, almost reverently.

"Welcome aboard," Zeeg said, extending a hand.

Brass blinked, startled, then quickly grabbed Zeeg's gauntleted hand with his own, their armor clinking faintly.

"Th-thank you very much! I'll do my best!"

"No need to push yourself too hard," Zeeg said, giving him a small, reassuring smile. "The Basarios isn't an opponent you can afford to underestimate, but both its poison and sleep gases come with obvious tells before they spew. As long as you don't miss the signs, it's not something to fear. Handle it right, and it's easier than a Kut-Ku."

"R-really?"

Brass's wide-eyed disbelief was almost comical. Zeeg nodded firmly.

"It's tough, sure - but that's all. Just one thing... your Bone Pick might not cut through its hide. You're good at combining, right? I'll be counting on you for that too."

"Y-yes, sir!"

The boy's face lit up, cheeks flushing with excitement. His eyes gleamed with unshed tears, and he nodded so hard it seemed his helmet might topple off.

How long that enthusiasm would last, Zeeg couldn't say. Basarios was no Rathalos - but it was still a wyvern, through and through.

Zeeg produced the contract and handed it over for a signature.

Brass - who, by all appearances, was no rugged or battle-hardened youth - was an unknown quantity when it came to facing a true wyvern, hatchling or not. He might well freeze up... or worse, take a charge straight to the chest.

Keeping a firm hold on the boy's hand, Zeeg rose to his feet and helped Brass to stand. With how Brass stood taller than him, the sword and shield strapped to his back looked almost comically small, more like a dagger than a proper weapon. With a frame like his, a greatsword or a lance would surely suit him better. Still, switching weapons now would only hinder their hunt, so Zeeg decided to leave well enough alone.

"That makes three of us, then," Enta said, arms crossed, sweeping his lone eye over the group. "A greatsword, a sword-and-shield, and dual blades. All close-range fighters... Will we be adding one more to our ranks?"

Zeeg nodded. With this setup, what they really needed was a bowgunner. They could, of course, simply charge in like a pack of Velociprey, relying on brute force - but having a gunner would expand their tactical options considerably. A skilled hunter covering their backs would allow the frontliners to focus solely on the target ahead.

"Let's head to the gathering hall," Zeeg said, jabbing a thumb at the door. "We'll need to update the posting. ''One more - Bowgun users only.''"

"A ranged fighter, hmm..." Enta narrowed his lone eye. "I don't much care for them, but if it's your decision, I shall abide - ''Though shame may arise; silence falls upon the heart; peace in quiet reigns''."

"Bowgun... I'll do my best," Brass murmured vaguely, clenching his fist for reasons known only to himself.

Zeeg was tempted to ask what exactly he meant to "do his best" at - but decided against it as he grabbed his greatsword from against the wall. Better not to give the impression that every little thing had to be discussed and agreed upon. When the moment came, he didn't want Brass getting any ideas about second-guessing orders. They needed a bowgunner; if Brass had a problem with that, he was free to leave.

Completely unaware of Zeeg's silent calculus, Brass hurried after him and Enta.

They descended the stairs, passing a few hunters on the way down, but none of the faces were familiar. That wasn't surprising - both Zeeg and Brass were newcomers to town. Even Enta, it seemed, was not acquainted with anyone here, exchanging no greetings as they passed.

The moment they stepped out of the guest house, the unrelenting sun struck them with full force, searing their skin. The weather was too good - almost obnoxiously so.

As they made their way downhill toward the gathering hall, Zeeg caught sight of an odd figure loitering by the entrance. A girl, clad in a skirt flared wide in black and white, stood beneath a black parasol trimmed in white lace. At a glance, she might have passed for a tavern maid on an errand - if not for the battered, oversized travel case she carried in her free hand. The scuffed and dirty leather suggested a life spent constantly on the move.

Something about her tugged at Zeeg's memory. He slowed, frowning, trying to place the familiarity. That outfit... he had seen it somewhere before.

As he watched, the girl folded her parasol and disappeared into the gathering hall. He caught a glimpse of her profile - just a fleeting glance - but it was enough to notice the glint of glasses perched on her nose.

"Is something the matter?" Enta asked.

"Huh? No... it's nothing."

Zeeg shook his head. If he couldn't place it, it probably wasn't important. He brushed the thought aside and motioned for the others to move on. As they pushed open the gathering hall doors, the familiar crush of alcohol, smoke, and humanity washed over them. They waded through it, making for the bulletin board.

At the counter, Zeeg spotted the girl again, speaking with the guild receptionist - the one with the prosthetic eye. Maybe she was trying to get hired as a server.

At the board, Zeeg began searching for the notice he had posted earlier. It wasn't unusual for hunters to take down postings they were interested in, so it didn't surprise him that it wasn't exactly where he had left it.

"I think it was around here," Brass said, pointing.

Following his indication, Zeeg found the notice buried halfway down a thick stack of overlapping papers. It was barely visible - left untouched, surely no one else would show up today. Just retrieving it made the trip worthwhile.

Using the bulletin board itself as a writing surface, Zeeg crossed out the old posting and updated the notes section:

''"Seeking one more! Bowgun users only!"''

He pinned it back up, making sure to place it in the most prominent spot - right at the very top. There was just one day left before the deadline. If they didn't find a fourth by then, they would have to set out as a trio.

Against a Basarios, three hunters would still manage... probably.

Just as Zeeg secured the paper, something black flickered past. Before he could even register what had happened, the notice was plucked from the board and sent fluttering through the air - deftly caught by a gloved hand.

Neither Zeeg nor Enta had sensed the approach. Enta reacted instinctively, leaping back a full table's length, hands flashing toward his weapons. Brass, startled out of his wits, fell flat on his rear.

Zeeg turned sharply, just in time to see the fluttering paper land neatly in the left hand of the girl from outside. She balanced her black parasol on her right shoulder, moving with a fluid, almost dancer-like grace.

She read the notice, her blue eyes - magnified behind her glasses - scanning the words with a sharp, gleaming intensity. Her long black hair, curled into vertical rolls on either side of her head, swayed slightly as she read.

She looked to be around Zeeg's age. He opened his mouth, but before he could speak-

"...This posting - yours?" she asked, her voice hard and clear, like malachite struck against stone.

In that instant, it hit him: he remembered where he had seen her.

"You were at Kokoto-" he blurted.

At his words, her eyes flickered - a slight, unmistakable recognition.

So it ''was'' her.

Back when Zeeg had returned to Kokoto, bored while Elmeria was off mining for the Breath Core in the volcanic zones, he had seen this girl working at the village gathering hall. If he recalled correctly, the village chief had called her Vivi.

And she was a hunter, too.

He remembered now - when the Monoblos had reappeared near the village, there had been a frantic scramble among the hunters to claim the kill. Zeeg had gotten the mark, but it had simply been luck of patrol routes - not a matter of skill.

"Vivienne Sharon, at your service," the girl said, speaking both names like a formal introduction. "How fortunate - I was just looking for a quest I could join immediately. I don't know your companions, but you... I know you're someone I can serve without worry."

"S-serve...?" Zeeg stammered. "Listen, we're just looking for a Bowgun user-"

"Precisely why I am the perfect candidate," Vivi interrupted. "From the looks of you all, you're nothing but frontliners. Surely, the bowgunner you're seeking is someone meant to support the party - a light bowgun user, yes?"

"Well, yeah, that's true," Zeeg admitted, frowning. "But where's your bowgun, then?"

"Why, right here," Vivi said, as if the answer were obvious.

Without missing a beat, she extended the handle of her parasol. With a soft click, the tip opened up, revealing a gun barrel glinting from within. The frilled black parasol - ornate and delicate - was, astonishingly, a bowgun. Even Enta, witnessing it for the first time, let out a low hum of admiration.

"This is the Dark Parasol. It cannot use piercing or cluster shots, but in exchange, it can handle every type of support ammo."

As she spoke, she set down the battered travel case she had been carrying, unlatched it, and produced a folded piece of paper, which she offered to Zeeg. Taking it, he unfolded it to find a neatly written résumé - one that made her skill immediately clear.

Given the nature of the light bowgun, it was unlikely she'd worked many solo hunts, yet even so, the list was impressive: ten Rathalos, seven Plesioth, three Khezu - and, remarkably, two Monoblos.

The Monoblos, the One-Horned Wyvern, never appeared in guild-sanctioned hunting grounds where teams were permitted. In other words, these two were solo kills - taken down single-handedly, and with a light bowgun at that.

"Is there a problem?" Vivi asked.

There was none. Hunters of her caliber were not easy to come by, even if one went looking with a contract in hand. And even if their previous encounter had been brief, there was a certain comfort in having a familiar face from his home village.

"You're in," Zeeg said decisively, producing the contract and handing it to her.

Vivi collapsed the Dark Parasol with an elegant motion, accepted the document, and after scribbling her name at the bottom, pushed up the bridge of her glasses with two fingers. Her lips curved into a smile - so perfectly poised it seemed almost artificial - as she said,

"Pleased to serve you, ''Master''."

Monster Hunter:Volume1 Chapter1

2018-09-20T03:39:06Z

Barnnn: typo

== Chapter 1 - Encounter at the Hunter's Guild ==

Those of the later generations would look back to the world centuries ago, and they would call it an age of violence. However, the earth, the sky, and the people who live in those lands, were brilliant and full of life. The world had a much simpler rule of living then than it is now. That is, to hunt, or be hunted.

People gathered in this land, whether it was to live another day, to test the limits of their abilities, or to amass wealth and fame. They set their fiery sights to the magnificent creatures flying freely in the blue sky, never to be reached by man. The very symbol of power and life... Wyverns.

Day after day, they risked their lives in the battlefields, wrapped in the sounds of swords clashing with flesh and the smell of gunpowder smoke.

“Awesome... So this is a city...”

Blurted the boy, Zeeg Grandest, before realizing that people around him were chuckling at his astonishment. Slightly red with embarrassment, he bit his lip and readjusted the luggage on his shoulder. The leather bag collided with the great sword on his back, sounding a dull metallic ring.

The great sword was called Buster Blade, a metal sword forged from a large amount of Iron Ores and Earth Crystals. Its length was comparable to Zeeg’s height, and it was so heavy that it needed to be held with two hands to be used properly, but the weight provided the sword with great destructive power.

There were metal great swords other than the Buster Blade. For example, the Iron Katana, superior in terms of both appearance and power, but created from the rarer Machalite Ores. In the area around Zeeg’s village, such ores were fairly hard to come by.

(“Man, it’s so cool...”)

Catching sight of the Iron Katana ‘Gospel’ on a passerby's back, all Zeeg could do was stare enviously he passed by.

(“But... from now on, things will be different! Just you wait... I’ll be famous in no time!”)

Simultaneously with the sound of a string breaking, Zeeg’s hair strap fell to the ground, and he reached to pick it up. Attached to the string was a scale of the bird wyvern Yian Kut-Ku, which he kept as a trophy from his first successful hunt. After replacing the string and putting the old one away in the pocket of his blue pants, he wiped his hair, which got quite dusty from the long trip. Although he wanted to take a bath and get some rest soon, the first thing a hunter must do when entering a city was to register at an organization known as “Guild”.

“Hey, out of the way!”

Hearing the shout, Zeeg quickly made way for the owner of the voice.

Multiple muscular men were carrying large barrels from the transport bridge’s gondola, the same one Zeeg had been on until a few moments ago, and headed to the plaza.

(“Jeez... what’s their problem?”)

Mildly annoyed, Zeeg rebalanced himself and walked after those men.

This city was built by carving a hole in a massive rock mountain. The main method of getting up here was to take the transport bridge’s gondola. As for the purpose of building a city in such a barren land, it was rumored that the reason was to keep the uniqueness of the “Hunter’s Guild” that was based here.

Hunters are strong, therefore they have many enemies-- so said the Village Chief. Sometimes, they would be attacked by wyverns that got their eggs stolen from them, and sometimes the land owners would hire knights to attack them out of fear-- those kinds of things.

(“I never saw those kinds of things happen though.”)

Zeeg reminisced about his boringly peaceful village and the Chief, a frail, elderly man who could barely walk without a cane. It was hard to believe that he had been a hunter so famous that numerous hunters, including Zeeg’s parents, gathered around him, resulting in the establishment of a village.

Although Zeeg was born and raised in that village, his parents had hailed from the far east, traveling over numerous mountains. He never knew what the country was called, because they had died when they went out hunting, before they had a chance to tell him their full story. The two of them had felled the horned wyvern Diablos at the desert far away from the village, but succumbed to their injuries during their return trip.

The day he learned the news of their death, Zeeg had decided to become a hunter to earn his living. The village was not exactly well-off, so children without parents supporting them will have to do their share of work in exchange for food and shelter.

Zeeg had started hunting only recently, after turning sixteen. Before then, the only jobs he got were to prepare base camps and guard supply item transports.

(“But I’m a professional now!”)

While exploring the city full of hunters, Zeeg was itching to take on a quest, as he was feeling highly confident. Although the Village Chief had told him “you are not prepared yet,” or something along those lines, just a few months after being offered hunting jobs, he was able to fell the bird wyvern Yian Kut-Ku swiftly, setting a new record time in the village. When he brought back Kut-Ku Webbings and Screamers as proof of his successful hunt, he was highly praised by the villagers, but frowned still upon by the Chief.

(“It’s his old age, I guess...”)

He was probably jealous that he doesn’t have the strength to fight anymore, so he gets grumpy over every little thing. That was the best reason Zeeg could think of.

After walking on a narrow path along the side of the mountain, Zeeg reached the plaza. On the stone wall, three cannons were installed, all their barrels pointing up into the sky. It was common knowledge that they were purposed for intercepting invading wyverns.

However, their purpose was to repel, not kill. For this reason, the cannonballs were specially modified to emit sound waves or stinky smells that wyverns dislike.

(“I don’t really get the point...”)

In a city like this, there should not be a need for those costly tools. The hunters here should be able to take care of an invading wyvern or two, he thought. Moreover, as he looked around, he saw numerous hunters wearing armor made from wyvern parts, which he recognized only from the books he read. Those armor pieces are solid proof that those hunters have hunted wyverns before.

(“Just a little more time... and I’ll also be considered a first-class hunter!”)

Filled with pride and confidence, Zeeg walked past the dried-up fountain to the entrance of the gathering hall, made from drilling a hole in the mountain. To his sides, there were some simple rain sheds set up, with the barrels the muscular men from earlier were carrying placed inside.

Walking into the entranceway signified by a hanging giant beer mug, Zeeg was met with the overwhelming smell of alcohol, food, and tobacco. The smoke was so thick that he thought he was walking into a fog.

Almost no one paid attention to Zeeg. Some turned to look, but it was as if they were looking at something insignificant, like pebbles or weed on the road.

(“What’s up with them?”)

Zeeg felt a little disappointed.

Even if it’s a small village, he’s famed as the one who set a new record time for hunting Yian Kut-Ku. Rumors of his exploit should have reached the outside world somehow. It’s rare for a hunter at this age to use a great sword, you know. Well, at least in the village, that is.

“Hey.”

As a man called him from behind, Zeeg feels a streak of joy, thinking that someone who heard rumors of his achievement has come to greet him. So you’re finally here! I heard about you! The rising star! Those were the words that he expected to hear, but...

“You’re blocking the entrance, kid. Out of the way.”

Those words flew into Zeeg’s ears from behind as he was bumped on his shoulder. Initially intending to voice a complaint, he fell silent after seeing those people.

The other party is a group of seasoned hunters. One can easily tell by looking at the worn-out Kut-Ku armor sets, equipped by all four men.

“It’s the Crimson Avian Wings.”

Someone said out loud.

(“So it’s these guys...”)

Zeeg gulped upon hearing the name. He heard that they are a group of extremely skilled hunters who specialize in hunting Yian Kut-Ku. But on the other hand, they were also viewed as cowards who refuse to hunt other wyverns. Among the customers, some looked at the party insultingly. Zeeg, however, doesn’t see them in that way.

Three men sat down at a table, the fourth man headed to the counter. The female receptionist wearing a red uniform with white sleeves took the order of four beers, swiftly poured alcohol into the mugs, and then placed them on the countertop. The man paid for the beer and took the mugs back to his group.

(“Right, registration.”)

Zeeg took a deep breath, then walked past the Crimson Avian Wings to the counter.

“Welcome!”

The female receptionist welcomed Zeeg in a friendly manner, slightly lifting his spirits.

“I’ve never seen you here before. You’re new here, right? Where are you from?”

As Zeeg told her the name of his village, the gathering hall suddenly fell silent.

(“What?”)

After a short while, something caused a knocking sound, and the customers started talking among themselves again, as if the brief silence was just an illusion.

Zeeg turned to the source of the sound and saw a familiar figure of a small man sitting on the counter, hanging his legs.

(“Village Chief!? Wait, no... he’s different.”)

The old man bore an uncanny resemblance to the Village Chief. Not to the point of being identical twins, but it was still surprising that two unrelated people could look so similar.

“Then, what business do you have in this city?”

“Eh? Ah... give me a second.”

Zeeg hurriedly turned to answer the woman’s question, then put his luggage down, opened up his bag, pulled out the Village Chief’s introduction letter, and handed it to her.

“I want to register at this guild.”

The letter was handed to the receptionist, but she seemed to have no intention of accepting it. Instead, she pointed to the elderly man, now smoking from his pipe in a carefree manner.

“If it’s that, you’ll need to hand it to him, not me.”

“That... person?”

Zeeg almost called him an old man, but fortunately stopped himself in time. Dragging his luggage along so that it wouldn't be lost, he walked to the elderly man.

“With you, right? I want to register at this guild. I also have an introduction letter.”

Zeeg handed him the letter, and the old man took it in a leisurely manner before slowly opening it up and reading the contents with his small, bead-like eyes.

“Hmm...”

After he finished reading, the letter was folded and put into his bag. He then took out a book from behind the counter and opened it in front of Zeeg.

“Name, age, gender, most proficient weapon.”

“Anything else?”

The elderly man said nothing, and instead blew ring-shaped smoke out of his mouth, signaling Zeeg to get it over with as soon as possible.

Zeeg made an irritated face to show his dissatisfaction, but complied with the old man. With a quill, he wrote in the book: “Zeeg Grandest, 16 years old, Male, Great Sword”. Just after he finished writing, the elder pulled the book away from him as if he was taking back a stolen possession, and passed it to the receptionist.

“Becky, please go make his guild card for me.”

(“So her name is Becky, huh...”)

The woman smiled at the boy, as if she knew he was watching. Slightly blushing, Zeeg turned away to hide his embarrassment. He was met with the side view of the elder’s head, which really does look like the Village Chief.

“What about his Hunter Rank, Guild Master?”

The old man opened one eye in response to Becky’s question.

“Rookie should be enough.”

“Wha-!”

Zeeg’s face turned red with a different reason from before. Among the ranks of hunters, “Rookie” was the second lowest. Hunters who would only get requests to gather raw meat or special mushrooms, or were not proficient enough to use weapons without hurting themselves, would be classified as either “Rangers” or “Rookies”.

“W... Wait a second!”

Zeeg slammed his hand on the counter.

“I was able to hunt the Yian Kut-Ku by myself, you know! Then why-”

As he said that, a group hunters from behind burst out laughing. Others just banged their beer mugs on the table, while some clapped loudly, but almost all of them were smirking with amusement.

One of them, a hunter with a massive hammer placed beside him, turned around and started speaking.

“Hey kid, I’ll educate you. For this place, hunting Yian Kut-Ku is a job for newbies, not something to be proud about!”

The man said as he glanced at the Crimson Avian Wings. He expected them to say something, but was completely ignored as the four men chugged their beer without any reaction whatsoever.

Irritated at their attitude, the man grabbed his hammer, before another person told him to calm down. The man hesitated, and upon realizing that the whole gathering hall was watching him, sat down.

“Well, what he said.”

The elder took the guild card from Becky and placed it in front of Zeeg.

“Being able to hunt the Yian Kut-Ku isn’t something to boast about, but a mere qualification for registering at this guild. It’s a different story if you’re able to do it in a few minutes like the Crimson Avian Wings though... Can you do that?”

“I know, I know...”

All Zeeg could do was grab his guild card, much to his chagrin.

(“It’s so dirty...”)

Led by a male receptionist, Zeeg arrived at his room on the first floor; the boy groaned in his mind upon seeing its interior.

The bed was crudely made by stuffing in some straws. Other than that, the room contained only an item box, a table, and a chair. It was not so different from a pig’s coop.

''“Oink”''

And one was actually living there, no less.

The pig wears a white and blue striped shirt. It walked around as if it owned the place.

“Hey... can I eat this thing if I’m hungry?”

Zeeg asked while pointing at the pig, and it cried out in shock.

“Absolutely not! This pig was brought in by the Guild Master as moral support for the hunters, who face difficult quests day after day. Eating it would be-”

“That’s just silly...”

Zeeg threw his bag on the bed, and thick puffs of dust flew up. It’s like people here don’t know what it means to clean. If one slept on a bed like this, they would itch like crazy from being bitten by the louse.

“What about food?”

“If you have the ingredients, we have a free cooking service right over here. You can also order food at the gathering hall.”

“Hm... I’ll go eat over there for today then. I didn’t bring any ingredients with me.”

“Certainly, sir.”

The man bowed once, then disappeared behind the curtains. The pig, which was supposed to follow him, instead slipped under the bed, showing no sign of coming out again.

Zeeg hanged his Buster Blade on the wall. In this room, the only part that resembles a hunter’s room is the neatly organized weapons rack.

Starting to feel itchy on his buttocks while sitting on the bed, he moved to sit on the chair instead.

“Dammit...”

Zeeg still feels a little bitter about what happened earlier.

He understood that there were plenty of hunters superior to him. Even so, he was fairly confident in himself, and expected to be acknowledged.

But this is what he got-- a filthy little room, even worse than his own room back home.

Met with these conditions, Zeeg was reminded that being a hunter is not an easy job.

Many children aspire to become a hunter, but most parents, Zeeg’s included, were opposed to the idea.

They had long passed away, so no one could stop him from being one, but Zeeg never forgot what his parents used to say: “Don’t expect anything from this job”. He understood those words when he became a hunter. The money may be good, but the work was harsh.

“Hunters” were people who accept requests, be it to gather materials or hunt down wyverns. Accepting their quest, they would head out to the vast world of nature with their trusty weapon in hand, alone or with companions. Exploring jungles, deserts, or even volcanoes, they faced dangerous beasts multiple times their size. Day after day, their lives placed on a fine line between life and death.

However, that did not mean the job was legal. The hunter occupation, and the existence of a guild that unifies them, were not officially accepted by the kingdom.

The reason was that among hunters, some were strong enough to fell wyverns by themselves. This means their strength was comparable to an army of thousands. It was natural that the aristocrats would fear these people, and the possibility of them banding together to cause an uprising. This was possibly one of the reasons why the guild was based in a remote location, far from the capital.

However, most hunters have no intention of ruling a country. Just as the Village Chief used to say-- “Hunters are like rulers of their very own kingdom”.

The hunters’ purposes in life are varied. Many started out to earn their living like Zeeg, but they will eventually discover their true calling. Some pursue fame, to be hailed as warriors who could fell wyverns by themselves. Others seek irreplaceable bonds, forged on the unforgiving battlefields. There also exist those who collect rare weapons and technologies.

Of course, there were some who have yet to find themselves, hunting just to make ends meet. Zeeg, like them, hadn't found his purpose yet, but he felt that if he continued being a hunter, he would definitely find it someday.

Surely, that was what everyone thinks. However, there were also many who would never find anything, stuck at the lowest rank until the day they died.

(“I won’t end up like them. I swear, I’ll definitely make a name for myself!”)

Zeeg made a vow for the second time. The first time was when he learned of the death of his parents. Whether or not his parents have found anything in their lives, he will never know.

Now that he thought about it, the rooms being left in this condition might help new hunters to reflect, and to renew their determination.

Looking out the window, it was still early in the day, and he was not yet hungry.

(“Guess I’ll sharpen my weapon...”)

In the hunting grounds, a hunter’s life depends on his weapon.

As he took out a whetstone from his bag and detached the Buster Blade from the wall, Zeeg could hear the striped pig’s snoring from beneath the bed.

“Right now, these are the only quests for your skill level.”

Becky lined up several request papers on the countertop.

With just a glimpse, Zeeg knew that those were quests for beginners. Zeeg slammed his fist on the papers with no intention to hide his dissatisfaction.

“What’s the meaning of this? Deliver 12 Kelbi Horns? 15 Special Mushrooms? Slay 50 Vespoids? Aren’t these quests for rookies?”

Zeeg yelled with all his voice, but all Becky did was shrug once in acknowledgement.

“Well, aren’t you skill a rookie?”

“I was-”

“Yeah, yeah. Was the fastest Yian Kut-Ku hunter in your village, right? Sorry, but achievements in a small village like that aren’t things to boast about. More importantly, do you have enough money to pay for the contract fees? The better the job, the higher the fee, you know.”

Rendered speechless, Zeeg reached for the money bag tied tightly to his waist and counted the coins. Right now, he has about 150 Zenny, not even enough to pay the fees for a Yian Kut-Ku hunt. Even then, he didn’t want to go back to collecting mushrooms again after coming all this way.

“I’m just saying, but you can’t put these payments on your tab, alright? It’s a different story if your rank is a bit higher though. I might pitch in and help a little, but for you... I don’t think I can just yet.”

Becky giggled a little.

“No one will think poorly of you for doing this, you know. For now, just do some gathering quests. You’ve always been hunting alone, right? Things are different when teaming up with other people. Even the distribution of supply items needs to be discussed thoroughly. If you keep that mindset, you’ll end up being an obstruction. There were even cases of hunters having their licenses revoked for being disruptive, too.”

“Hm... That sounds like a bother...”

Zeeg expressed his honest opinion, resulting in a flick on his forehead from Becky.

“Now, don’t talk carelessly like that. Even though they aren’t listening, everyone can hear you. You’ll end up having difficulty finding teammates in the future.”

“That hurt...”

Rubbing his forehead, Zeeg took a look around the gathering hall.

It is around dinnertime, so the hall is more crowded than before. Tobacco smoke and smells of alcohol are also stronger, to the point that Zeeg feels a little drunk just by being here.

A person boasted loudly about their hunting exploits. Another sang some songs with their broken voice. Even a few were sound asleep. Everyone seemed to be minding their own businesses, with no sign of acknowledging what Zeeg said earlier.

However, each and every one of them are hunters. Their hearing senses are honed to the point that they won’t miss even a single breaking branch in the thick forest.

Zeeg turned back to the counter, still rubbing his forehead.

“But aren’t there some hunters who hunt by themselves?”

“There are, but... most of them are the ones who chose to go solo after being with a team for some time, and thought that hunting alone is more to their liking. You haven’t decided on which style you prefer, right? Moreover, monsters around here are tougher and more intelligent compared to the countryside. If you went in expecting them to be the same, you’ll soon be finding yourself in a grave. I’ve seen many rookies make that mistake.”

“Hm... and why is that? Do they eat better prey?”

“Who knows? Well, Guild Master used to say that it’s because the hunters are strong-- ah, here's your order.”

While thinking about what Becky said, a chunky Aptonoth steak was served in front of Zeeg.

Aptonoths are classified as herbivores. While they are more than 10 meters long on average, they are docile in nature. Zeeg has hunted many of them for their meat and bones. When threatened, they would normally run away for safety, but some will attempt to fight back using its tail. They are not to be underestimated, since their tail whips are quite powerful.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Zeeg asked while slicing his rare steak, with red meat juices flowing out as the knife dug into the meat.

Becky poured some honey into a mug of Kelbi milk, then moved herself a little closer to Zeeg.

“Well... hunters aren’t always successful in their hunts, right? If a monster was able to survive from being hunted and gave birth to some offsprings, the offsprings will grow up stronger. As a result, in areas where there are powerful hunters, the monsters will also be tougher-- something like that.”

“Huh...”

Zeeg stuffed his cheeks with meat. Even though it does not have any special seasoning, the steak was so delicious, as if it was melting in his mouth.

“Delicious! I’ve never eaten Aptonoth meat this good!”

“Really? That great!”

“Yeah! Aptonoth meat are usually tougher than this! Don’t tell me it’s an infant-”

Zeeg froze, his knife and fork still in his hands.

Among hunters, hunting infant monsters are strictly forbidden. There have been rumors, that offenders would be the ones who get cooked instead as punishment.

Although such a policy was not considered law in the kingdom, it could be enforced all the same. At least, that was what Zeeg used to hear-- about there being hunters that hunt down rule breakers.

“Now now, of course not.”

Becky laughed.

“This is domesticated meat. They are made by capturing some wild Aptonoths, waiting for them to produce offsprings, and raising those babies up with nutritious food. When they fully grow, we eat their meat. A traveling merchant has been nagging us to try them for a while, so we purchased a batch to see how they do.”

“Hmm...”

Zeeg took a few more bites. The more he ate, the more his taste buds felt weird from the unnatural amount of fat.

“I don’t know how to explain this, but it feels kinda weird...”

“Everyone else says that. I guess it’s good for only the first bite? Anyway, thanks for trying it out. We’ll probably not buy another batch. Oh, and that one’s my treat, so you don’t have to pay. Want some wild Aptonoth steak instead?”

“No thanks. I’ll finish this one. Domesticated, huh? No matter where it’s from, I think it’s a waste to throw away food.”

Hearing that, Becky smiled happily.

“You really are a hunter, huh...”

“What'd you mean by that?”

While eating some baked potatoes with his steak, a solid sound came from outside the gathering hall’s entrance. The atmosphere suddenly became so heavy that Zeeg had to turn around and look.

He was so surprised at the sight that he almost choked on his meat.

A large man, over two meters tall, stood there. But his height was nothing special, since among hunters, people with large builds are fairly common. His armor was the thing that was special.

Two enormous horns extended from his shoulder pads, intimidating those around him. The helmet also has two smaller horns attached to the sides, pointing upwards. It was no mistake-- his equipment was the Diablo set, made with materials from the desert-dwelling horned wyverns Diablos and Monoblos.

Moreover, it was a full set, which could not be obtained by slaying just one or two of them. To get the materials, one had to hunt down many, breaking off their horns and cutting off their tails.

On the man’s back hung a lance that, at a glance, looked like a wyvern’s tail.

(“It’s the Hellfire...”)

The Hellfire lance, created from a wyvern’s tail, looked so thin that it could snap in half at any moment. Its main components, Fire Wyvern Marrows and Inferno Sacs, gave it the fire attribute, enabling it to generate intense heat. Included in the set was a shield capable of blocking the hottest flames.

The large man’s old age was signified by the wrinkles at the end of his eyes and white hair mixed in with his black eyebrows.

He was apparently a famous hunter around here, judging from the fiery sight of numerous eyes focused on him. They looked on with envy and respect, both in regards to his equipment and rank.

However, that was not the only surprising thing.

Two more people followed the large man, one of them carrying the Diablos Maul, a massive blunt weapon forged from the tail of a horned wyvern.

On top of the sight of such a weapon, Zeeg was also surprised by its owner.

It was a little girl.

Her age should be about the same as Zeeg’s, and her height was about twenty centimeters shorter. She had a pretty face, but her blue eyes seemed to send out an intimidating aura. Her long, blonde hair was separated equally on two sides of her head and tied together at each end.

Additionally, she had a weird choice of equipment, not wearing a helmet and body armor. She couldn’t have forgotten them at her room, because it looked like she had just returned from a hunt, and her waist, arm, and leg pieces were still properly equipped.

Those armor pieces were from the Rathalos set, created with parts of the male fire wyvern. The armor served as a great indicator of its wearer’s high hunter rank.

No matter how much he thought about it, Zeeg could not understand why she was wearing just a long-sleeved shirt instead of armor.

The girl glanced to her side, and the hunters in her line of sight turned away. She then let out an arrogant snort.

And then, there was another person.

This man also had a weird choice of equipment.

Like the girl, he had no armor equipped on his chest. He did not even have a shirt on, leaving his red, sunburned chest bare. Other than his torso, he was equipped with the Gypceros armor set.

These equipments were created from the rubbery hides of Gypceros, a wyvern capable of emitting flashes of light from the crest on its head. The elasticity of its materials were so great that the pieces could barely be classified as armor. Out of them, the cap stood out the most. It had bent horns similar to a sheep’s, and the hides covered all of the wearer’s face, save for the eyes. The design reminded Zeeg of an executioner’s mask.

On his back was the high-grade heavy bowgun Tankmage, specially modified for increased attack power. This meant his role in the party was not merely to support.

The three of them headed straight to the counter. They totally ignored Zeeg, not even turning to look at his face.

The girl stepped ahead and placed a dusty leather bag on the counter.

“Here are the requested materials.”

Becky wiped her hands with a towel before taking out some documents, and double-checked them.

She nodded, stamped the documents with a seal, and threw the leather bag into a box.

“Item receipt confirmed. Thank you for your hard work-- Would you like to eat something?”

“I’ll make something at my room, so I’ll just have a beer.”

The girl said with a straight face.

(“Beer? Seriously?”)

For a second, Zeeg thought how unfitting it was for her, and the girl turned to face him as if she could read his mind. With her large, blue pupils, she scanned Zeeg from head to toe--

And let out another arrogant snort.

Realizing that he was being insulted, Zeeg’s face turned red with anger. Not caring who the other person is, he banged the knife’s handle on the metal plate, and stood up.

(“!?”)

But a split second later, the world turned upside down. Before he knew it, Zeeg was staring at the gathering hall’s ceiling. The pain soon followed, running all over his back. It hurt so much that he shed a tear.

Zeeg felt so humiliated to cry in front of a girl like this.

The person who threw Zeeg down was not the girl, but the large man in the Diablo armor.

“...Apologies.”

The large man said while pulling Zeeg back up on his feet.

Zeeg dried his tears with his shirt’s sleeves. When he turned around, he was met with the overwhelming figure of the large man, but the intimidating aura seemed to have disappeared. The girl was now hidden behind the large man. It was as if they used a body switching technique to instantly change places.

“Are you okay?”

The man in the Gypceros cap approached, looking at Zeeg from behind his mask. Judging from the voice, he was still young.

“I’m sorry about him. When he thinks the young lady is threatened, he would always act in reflex to defend her.”

“Yeah, it really is a problem.”

The girl crossed her arms.

“That kid wouldn’t be able to hit me, no matter how much he tried.”

“Wha-- what did you say!?”

Zeeg shouted, only for his voice to be reflected back by the large man’s armor.

The girl leaned on the counter with her arm guard, before turning to Zeeg.

“Who’s this kid, Becky?”

“He’s a new recruit.”

“Hmm...”

She squinted and scanned Zeeg from head to toe once more.

“...You balance is awful.”

“What!?’

“Heh, struck a nerve, did I? You’re registered at this guild, which means you’ve successfully hunted a Yian Kut-Ku, right? Even so, what’s up with your equipment? Leather Headgear, Chainmail Vest, Hunter’s Vambraces, Leather Belt, and Blue Pants? I can’t believe there are people who mix things up so badly. Don’t tell me you spent all your money on weapons?”

“That’s right~!”

Before Zeeg could say anything, Becky blurted out, clapping her hands. The girl shrugged as if to say that it was nothing worth praising.

“I knew it... Judging from the scratches on your shoulder pad, you’re a great sword user, aren't you? Those scratches were caused by your unrefined fighting stance. You’re one of those people who just think ‘hit it until it dies’, right? Do you even utilize traps? I’m betting you don’t.”

Bull’s eye. Zeeg had never bothered with such things. Having been able to get through every job up until now just by using his Buster Blade, he didn't see the point.

“And what’s wrong about that!? What about you? With all that talk about balance, but you don’t even wear your body armor! Your vital spots are all exposed!”

“You just don’t get it, do you?”

Shaking her head and letting out a sigh, the girl turned to the counter.

“Becky... I really feel sorry for you, having to deal with rookies like this. Giving requests to this guy is almost like feeding him to the monsters, you know?”

Becky giggled at the girl’s grumbles.

“The guild never refuses people with courage. Of course, it is up to them whether they will end up as monster food, or a splendid hunter.”

“Jeez... You never change, huh?”

She said while sleeking up her hair with her dusty arm guard.

“Hey, you never answered my question! Before criticizing others, explain your equipment!”

The girl turned to Zeeg, putting hands on her hips-- She seemed highly confident in herself.

“You really are a rookie, huh? You’ve never hunted with anyone else before, right?”

“And how's that wrong?”

“Of course it is. If you keep up with that self-centered mindset, you’re bound to expose your party to danger. Don't you understand? Hunting in groups isn’t the same as going alone. Everyone has to do their part. Even though my party prioritizes attack power, each of us has clearly defined roles. First off, him...”

She patted the large man’s waist.

“Gannon’s role is to fight on the front lines, distracting the monster from other party members by using Field Horns. That's why he’s fully equipped to maximize defense.”

The man named Gannon nodded firmly.

“As for my role in the party, it is to charge up my power, wait for openings, and deal powerful blows. For maximum speed and mobility, I chose to not wear a chest piece. As for the helmet, it narrows my field of vision. I need good aim to successfully land my blows, after all.”

With the back of her hand, the girl lightly knocked the other man’s bare chest.

“Mobility is the same reason that Fradio doesn’t wear a chest piece. His primary role is to intercept smaller monsters that could distract Gannon, so he always has to be on the move. As for the mask, well... It’s just his personal preference.”

The man nodded lightly.

“Gypceros... they’re absolutely wonderful, don’t you agree? The sticky sensation when its hides touches your skin! Their cute, wacky movements, like animals frolicking in water! ...What do you think? Would you like to join me as a fellow Gypceros fan?”

He approached so suddenly that Zeeg had to move away.

“I... I’ll pass...”

Upon hearing the answer, the man named Fradio narrowed his eyes under the mask. “Is that so...,” he muttered to himself, and then backed away. He seemed genuinely sad.

“Then, why do you wear those heavy arm guards? Wouldn’t you be better off without them?”

Hearing that, the girl shook her head at Zeeg’s ignorance.

“You really don’t know anything, huh? Do you really think armor are only for defending its wearer from attacks?”

“They’re not?”

“They’re not, you idiot! They reduce the strain on the wearer’s body when lifting weapons, and also lessen the shock on the joints when attacking! You don’t know this even though you use a great sword!? That’s the reason why your movements are so sluggish!”

“H...how did you--”

“Of course I know! You probably use a sword from the Buster line, right? The balance between the sword’s weight and your Blue Pants are all wrong! That’s why I said your balance was awful-- Well, if you want to become monster food that much, I won’t stop you. But...”

The girl extended her hand.

“...What?”

“Tuition fees. Just enough for my beer will be fine. It’s rare to hear such a knowledgeable lecture from veterans at this price, you know? Consider yourself lucky.”

“You’ve got to be kidding! The one who started ranting was you! More importantly, I don’t even know you guys!”

As Zeeg said that, the gathering hall was filled with a brief moment of silence, followed by a unified burst of laughter.

“Hey hey! This guy doesn’t know? Seriously?”

“Now that’s surprising. I can’t believe there was anyone who don’t know of this gang.”

“Hey, can't blame the guy. He’s still a rookie from the countryside, right? It’s not strange.”

“Yeah, yeah. I think so.”

Red with embarrassment, Zeeg banged his hand on the counter.

“Oh c’mon! I’ve heard of even the Crimson Avian Wings! I don’t know about these guys because they’re just not famous!”

The laughter was even louder than before, with a few people laughing while rolling on the floor.

“Did you seriously just say that?”

The girl said before turning to Becky.

“Tell him about us, Becky.”

Becky looked at the girl with a bored expression on her face, as if an annoying job was thrown her way.

“Zeeg, this is Elmeria Franport, 15 years old. Her hunter rank is ‘Wyvern Slayer’.”

Zeeg’s strength disappeared from his legs.

“Wyvern Slayer!?”

“That’s right. With that rank, they have access to the queen guest house. Anyway, the man next to Ellie is Mr. Gannon Denon. As you can see, he’s a lance user. The two of them have been paired up since they registered at this guild, so his rank is the same-- Wyvern Slayer. Their skills are guaranteed. Hmm? What with that face? Were you thinking that the reason Ellie got to her rank was because of Mr. Gannon’s help?”

He nodded, and that instant--

“Whoa-!”

[[File:MH-v01-039.jpg|300px|thumb]]

The head of the massive Diablos Maul swung down, narrowly missing Zeeg’s face. It crushed the stone chair in front of him and sent a cracking echo around the gathering hall.

“You better can it, rookie!”

It was an attack from the girl-- Elmeria.

Zeeg’s face turned blue. The weapon had enough power to pulverize a wyvern’s head-- not to mention a human’s.

Elmeria lifted the hammer up and rested it on her shoulder. The weight caused her to slightly adjust her stance.

“I was able to reach this rank with my own abilities! Isn’t that right, Gannon?”

“...That is the truth.”

The large man nodded.

He did not seem to be lying. Her attack was too fast for Zeeg to keep up with his eyes; all he perceived of it was a shockwave.

“Ellie? You’re going to pay for the repairs, right?”

Becky said, smiling. Elmeria then made a grumpy face in response.

“He was the one who provoked me, so he pays! End of story!”

“W...wait a second! This nonsense--”

Zeeg protested, but fell silent when Elmeria gripped her hammer’s handle.

“See? No complaints from him.”

“Oh dear... No way around it, then...”

Becky sighed.

“But with his skill level, it would take many quests for him to get enough money... The stone component is actually quite expensive, you know. What should I do?”

“That is simple.”

Zeeg turned to look at the owner of the voice and saw a small old man-- who looked very similar to his Village’s Chief-- sitting on the counter, sweeping away the gray smoke around him until his figure could be seen clearly.

He moved to sit closer to Zeeg and gasped for some air.

“Becky, you know, that job? Aren’t we supposed to ask them to take that one quest?”

“Huh? Ah... yes.”

Becky took out a piece of paper from behind the counter.

“What's this?”

Elmeria moved in for a closer look.

“It’s an urgent quest-- Here.”

“Let’s see... Hunt a Rathalos?”

Zeeg’s ears opened wide in response to the name. A Rathalos hunt! He had always wanted to try going on one.

“Um... I'll--”

“You can’t do it.”

About to raise his hand, Zeeg was stopped by Elmeria. The girl pretended to not notice Zeeg’s upset reaction. She placed the request paper back on the counter.

“We’ve had enough of the Rathalos for now. How about asking someone else? There should be plenty of hunters wanting to take a crack at it, right?”

“That's true, but there’s a reason we can’t afford to fail this one--”

Becky lowered her voice.

“The client is from the royal court.”

“For real?”

Becky nodded.

“Ten days from now, the royalty will be holding a ‘hunt’ at Arnest Forest. Well, their ‘hunt’ is just a game though, unlike what you guys do. Problem is, near the designated grounds, a Rathalos has apparently set up a nest. They want us to get rid of it.”

“Can’t we just chase it away? There’s no need to kill it.”

“If you did that, it has a chance to come back, right? If it returned while the nobles were hunting, it would be a big problem, so they want it killed. Well, that’s pretty much the details for this quest.”

“Hmm...”

Elmeria smirked while rubbing her chin.

“Alright, we accept. It’s nice to do some good deeds for the royalty once in a while.”

“No no, wait a second.”

Elmeria reached for the paper, but her hand was blocked by the elder’s staff.

“This is the quest that we want you to take care of, yes, but can you also listen to this old man’s request?”

Elmeria hunched her shoulders.

“What is it?”

“Nothing difficult, really. When you head out, I want you to let the boy tag along.”

Zeeg and Elmeria’s eyes open wide upon hearing the sudden proposal.

“Now, now. I understand that you might be dissatisfied.”

The old man spoke up before anyone could voice a complaint.

“But you see, the Chief of this boy’s hometown asked me to take care of him... And the fastest way to teach him is to let him learn from the experience of a real hunt. If it’s your party, letting this kid tag along shouldn’t be much of a problem, am I right?”

“You gotta be kidding!”

Elmeria glanced at Zeeg, eyes narrowed.

“Bring a rookie like him along on a Rathalos Hunt? If he did something stupid, the three of us would be dead too, you know!? If you want to die that much, go do it yourself!”

“Now, don’t say that. It’ll be fine. I’ll have him promise to not do anything and just watch.”

“W...wait! Just watching is a bit--”

Zeeg voiced his complaint, but stopped as the old man glared at him. The sharp, intimidating glint in the Guild Master’s eyes was all it took to shut Zeeg up.

The elder then went back to his cheerful face and turned to Elmeria.

“See? He promised. If he does something disruptive, then just do anything with him. You can throw him into a Pitfall Trap, or feed him to the Rathalos. But only if he breaks the promise. Oh, I'll also have some bonus for you. How about this much?”

The old man fiddled with an abacus and showed it to the girl.

For a moment, Zeeg noticed a sparkle in her eyes.

“Hmm...”

Elmeria squinted and turned to Zeeg, before patting Gannon’s back.

“What should we do? Guild Master insisted that much.”

“I do not mind.”

“Then it's a deal. We will hunt the Rathalos under those terms. For today, I want to eat, drink, and sleep in a fluffy bed. I won’t let anyone get in my way, alright? We leave tomorrow at noon.”

Everyone nodded.

Zeeg’s opinion was left unheard to the whole company. He tried raising his voice, but no one would hear him out at this point.

And then--

“Um... I haven’t been introduced yet...”

The man in the executioner’s mask-- the one called Fradio-- humbly raised his hand.

“Ah, apologies.”

Becky clapped her hands once in front of her chest, then turned to Zeeg and smiled.

“This is Fradio Heart, a gunner, ranked ‘Wyvern Slayer’ like the other two. People of his skill level are very hard to come by, you know. As for his favorite thing--”

Fradio proudly raised his bare chest and spoke up.

“--Gypceros!”

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Monster Hunter:Volume1 Chapter1

2018-09-14T22:15:23Z

Barnnn:

== Chapter 1 - Encounter at the Hunter's Guild ==

Those of the later generations looked back to the world centuries ago. It was a violent age. However, the earth, the sky, and the people who live in those lands, were brilliant and full of life. The world had a much simpler rule of living then than it is now. That is, to hunt, or be hunted.

People gathered in this land, whether it was to live another day, to test the limits of their abilities, or to amass wealth and fame. They set their fiery sights to the magnificent creatures flying freely in the blue sky, never to be reached by man. The very symbol of power and life... Wyverns.

Day after day, they risked their lives in the battlefields, wrapped in the sounds of swords clashing with flesh and the smell of gunpowder smoke.

“Awesome... So this is a city...”

Blurted the boy, Zeeg Grandest, before realizing that people around him were chuckling at his astonishment. Slightly red with embarrassment, he bit his lip and readjusted the luggage on his shoulder. The leather bag collided with the great sword on his back, sounding a dull metallic ring.

The great sword was called Buster Blade, a metal sword forged from a large amount of Iron Ores and Earth Crystals. Its length was comparable to Zeeg’s height, and it was so heavy that it needed to be held with two hands to be used properly, but the weight provided the sword with great destructive power.

There were metal great swords other than the Buster Blade. For example, the Iron Katana, superior in terms of both appearance and power, but created from the rarer Machalite Ores. In the area around Zeeg’s village, such ores were fairly hard to come by.

(“Man, it’s so cool...”)

Catching sight of the Iron Katana ‘Gospel’ on a passerby's back, all Zeeg could do was stare enviously he passed by.

(“But... from now on, things will be different! Just you wait... I’ll be famous in no time!”)

Simultaneously with the sound of a string breaking, Zeeg’s hair strap fell to the ground, and he reached to pick it up. Attached to the string was a scale of the bird wyvern Yian Kut-Ku, which he kept as a trophy from his first successful hunt. After replacing the string and putting the old one away in the pocket of his blue pants, he wiped his hair, which got quite dusty from the long trip. Although he wanted to take a bath and get some rest soon, the first thing a hunter must do when entering a city was to register at an organization known as “Guild”.

“Hey, out of the way!”

Hearing the shout, Zeeg quickly made way for the owner of the voice.

Multiple muscular men were carrying large barrels from the transport bridge’s gondola, the same one Zeeg had been on until a few moments ago, and headed to the plaza.

(“Jeez... what’s their problem?”)

Mildly annoyed, Zeeg rebalanced himself and walked after those men.

This city was built by carving a hole in a massive rock mountain. The main method of getting up here was to take the transport bridge’s gondola. As for the purpose of building a city in such a barren land, it was rumored that the reason was to keep the uniqueness of the “Hunter’s Guild” that was based here.

Hunters are strong, therefore they have many enemies-- so said the Village Chief. Sometimes, they would be attacked by wyverns that got their eggs stolen from them, and sometimes the land owners would hire knights to attack them out of fear-- those kinds of things.

(“I never saw those kinds of things happen though.”)

Zeeg reminisced about his boringly peaceful village and the Chief, a frail, elderly man who could barely walk without a cane. It was hard to believe that he had been a hunter so famous that numerous hunters, including Zeeg’s parents, gathered around him, resulting in the establishment of a village.

Although Zeeg was born and raised in that village, his parents had hailed from the far east, traveling over numerous mountains. He never knew what the country was called, because they had died when they went out hunting, before they had a chance to tell him their full story. The two of them had felled the horned wyvern Diablos at the desert far away from the village, but succumbed to their injuries during their return trip.

The day he learned the news of their death, Zeeg had decided to become a hunter to earn his living. The village was not exactly well-off, so children without parents supporting them will have to do their share of work in exchange for food and shelter.

Zeeg had started hunting only recently, after turning sixteen. Before then, the only jobs he got were to prepare base camps and guard supply item transports.

(“But I’m a professional now!”)

While exploring the city full of hunters, Zeeg was itching to take on a quest, as he was feeling highly confident. Although the Village Chief had told him “you are not prepared yet,” or something along those lines, just a few months after being offered hunting jobs, he was able to fell the bird wyvern Yian Kut-Ku swiftly, setting a new record time in the village. When he brought back Kut-Ku Webbings and Screamers as proof of his successful hunt, he was highly praised by the villagers, but frowned still upon by the Chief.

(“It’s his old age, I guess...”)

He was probably jealous that he doesn’t have the strength to fight anymore, so he gets grumpy over every little thing. That was the best reason Zeeg could think of.

After walking on a narrow path along the side of the mountain, Zeeg reached the plaza. On the stone wall, three cannons were installed, all their barrels pointing up into the sky. It was common knowledge that they were purposed for intercepting invading wyverns.

However, their purpose was to repel, not kill. For this reason, the cannonballs were specially modified to emit sound waves or stinky smells that wyverns dislike.

(“I don’t really get the point...”)

In a city like this, there should not be a need for those costly tools. The hunters here should be able to take care of an invading wyvern or two, he thought. Moreover, as he looked around, he saw numerous hunters wearing armor made from wyvern parts, which he recognized only from the books he read. Those armor pieces are solid proof that those hunters have hunted wyverns before.

(“Just a little more time... and I’ll also be considered a first-class hunter!”)

Filled with pride and confidence, Zeeg walked past the dried-up fountain to the entrance of the gathering hall, made from drilling a hole in the mountain. To his sides, there were some simple rain sheds set up, with the barrels the muscular men from earlier were carrying placed inside.

Walking into the entranceway signified by a hanging giant beer mug, Zeeg was met with the overwhelming smell of alcohol, food, and tobacco. The smoke was so thick that he thought he was walking into a fog.

Almost no one paid attention to Zeeg. Some turned to look, but it was as if they were looking at something insignificant, like pebbles or weed on the road.

(“What’s up with them?”)

Zeeg felt a little disappointed.

Even if it’s a small village, he’s famed as the one who set a new record time for hunting Yian Kut-Ku. Rumors of his exploit should have reached the outside world somehow. It’s rare for a hunter at this age to use a great sword, you know. Well, at least in the village, that is.

“Hey.”

As a man called him from behind, Zeeg feels a streak of joy, thinking that someone who heard rumors of his achievement has come to greet him. So you’re finally here! I heard about you! The rising star! Those were the words that he expected to hear, but...

“You’re blocking the entrance, kid. Out of the way.”

Those words flew into Zeeg’s ears from behind as he was bumped on his shoulder. Initially intending to voice a complaint, he fell silent after seeing those people.

The other party is a group of seasoned hunters. One can easily tell by looking at the worn-out Kut-Ku armor sets, equipped by all four men.

“It’s the Crimson Avian Wings.”

Someone said out loud.

(“So it’s these guys...”)

Zeeg gulped upon hearing the name. He heard that they are a group of extremely skilled hunters who specialize in hunting Yian Kut-Ku. But on the other hand, they were also viewed as cowards who refuse to hunt other wyverns. Among the customers, some looked at the party insultingly. Zeeg, however, doesn’t see them in that way.

Three men sat down at a table, the fourth man headed to the counter. The female receptionist wearing a red uniform with white sleeves took the order of four beers, swiftly poured alcohol into the mugs, and then placed them on the countertop. The man paid for the beer and took the mugs back to his group.

(“Right, registration.”)

Zeeg took a deep breath, then walked past the Crimson Avian Wings to the counter.

“Welcome!”

The female receptionist welcomed Zeeg in a friendly manner, slightly lifting his spirits.

“I’ve never seen you here before. You’re new here, right? Where are you from?”

As Zeeg told her the name of his village, the gathering hall suddenly fell silent.

(“What?”)

After a short while, something caused a knocking sound, and the customers started talking among themselves again, as if the brief silence was just an illusion.

Zeeg turned to the source of the sound and saw a familiar figure of a small man sitting on the counter, hanging his legs.

(“Village Chief!? Wait, no... he’s different.”)

The old man bore an uncanny resemblance to the Village Chief. Not to the point of being identical twins, but it was still surprising that two unrelated people could look so similar.

“Then, what business do you have in this city?”

“Eh? Ah... give me a second.”

Zeeg hurriedly turned to answer the woman’s question, then put his luggage down, opened up his bag, pulled out the Village Chief’s introduction letter, and handed it to her.

“I want to register at this guild.”

The letter was handed to the receptionist, but she seemed to have no intention of accepting it. Instead, she pointed to the elderly man, now smoking from his pipe in a carefree manner.

“If it’s that, you’ll need to hand it to him, not me.”

“That... person?”

Zeeg almost called him an old man, but fortunately stopped himself in time. Dragging his luggage along so that it wouldn't be lost, he walked to the elderly man.

“With you, right? I want to register at this guild. I also have an introduction letter.”

Zeeg handed him the letter, and the old man took it in a leisurely manner before slowly opening it up and reading the contents with his small, bead-like eyes.

“Hmm...”

After he finished reading, the letter was folded and put into his bag. He then took out a book from behind the counter and opened it in front of Zeeg.

“Name, age, gender, most proficient weapon.”

“Anything else?”

The elderly man said nothing, and instead blew ring-shaped smoke out of his mouth, signaling Zeeg to get it over with as soon as possible.

Zeeg made an irritated face to show his dissatisfaction, but complied with the old man. With a quill, he wrote in the book: “Zeeg Grandest, 16 years old, Male, Great Sword”. Just after he finished writing, the elder pulled the book away from him as if he was taking back a stolen possession, and passed it to the receptionist.

“Becky, please go make his guild card for me.”

(“So her name is Becky, huh...”)

The woman smiled at the boy, as if she knew he was watching. Slightly blushing, Zeeg turned away to hide his embarrassment. He was met with the side view of the elder’s head, which really does look like the Village Vhief.

“What about his Hunter Rank, Guild Master?”

The old man opened one eye in response to Becky’s question.

“Rookie should be enough.”

“Wha-!”

Zeeg’s face turned red with a different reason from before. Among the ranks of hunters, “Rookie” was the second lowest. Hunters who would only get requests to gather raw meat or special mushrooms, or were not proficient enough to use weapons without hurting themselves, would be classified as either “Rangers” or “Rookies”.

“W... Wait a second!”

Zeeg slammed his hand on the counter.

“I was able to hunt the Yian Kut-Ku by myself, you know! Then why-”

As he said that, a group hunters from behind burst out laughing. Others just banged their beer mugs on the table, while some clapped loudly, but almost all of them were smirking with amusement.

One of them, a hunter with a massive hammer placed beside him, turned around and started speaking.

“Hey kid, I’ll educate you. For this place, hunting Yian Kut-Ku is a job for newbies, not something to be proud about!”

The man said as he glanced at the Crimson Avian Wings. He expected them to say something, but was completely ignored as the four men chugged their beer without any reaction whatsoever.

Irritated at their attitude, the man grabbed his hammer, before another person told him to calm down. The man hesitated, and upon realizing that the whole gathering hall was watching him, sat down.

“Well, what he said.”

The elder took the guild card from Becky and placed it in front of Zeeg.

“Being able to hunt the Yian Kut-Ku isn’t something to boast about, but a mere qualification for registering at this guild. It’s a different story if you’re able to do it in a few minutes like the Crimson Avian Wings though... Can you do that?”

“I know, I know...”

All Zeeg could do was grab his guild card, much to his chagrin.

(“It’s so dirty...”)

Led by a male receptionist, Zeeg arrived at his room on the first floor; the boy groaned in his mind upon seeing its interior.

The bed was crudely made by stuffing in some straws. Other than that, the room contained only an item box, a table, and a chair. It was not so different from a pig’s coop.

''“Oink”''

And one was actually living there, no less.

The pig wears a white and blue striped shirt. It walked around as if it owned the place.

“Hey... can I eat this thing if I’m hungry?”

Zeeg asked while pointing at the pig, and it cried out in shock.

“Absolutely not! This pig was brought in by the Guild Master as moral support for the hunters, who face difficult quests day after day. Eating it would be-”

“That’s just silly...”

Zeeg threw his bag on the bed, and thick puffs of dust flew up. It’s like people here don’t know what it means to clean. If one slept on a bed like this, they would itch like crazy from being bitten by the louse.

“What about food?”

“If you have the ingredients, we have a free cooking service right over here. You can also order food at the gathering hall.”

“Hm... I’ll go eat over there for today then. I didn’t bring any ingredients with me.”

“Certainly, sir.”

The man bowed once, then disappeared behind the curtains. The pig, which was supposed to follow him, instead slipped under the bed, showing no sign of coming out again.

Zeeg hanged his Buster Blade on the wall. In this room, the only part that resembles a hunter’s room is the neatly organized weapons rack.

Starting to feel itchy on his buttocks while sitting on the bed, he moved to sit on the chair instead.

“Dammit...”

Zeeg still feels a little bitter about what happened earlier.

He understood that there were plenty of hunters superior to him. Even so, he was fairly confident in himself, and expected to be acknowledged.

But this is what he got-- a filthy little room, even worse than his own room back home.

Met with these conditions, Zeeg was reminded that being a hunter is not an easy job.

Many children aspire to become a hunter, but most parents, Zeeg’s included, were opposed to the idea.

They had long passed away, so no one could stop him from being one, but Zeeg never forgot what his parents used to say: “Don’t expect anything from this job”. He understood those words when he became a hunter. The money may be good, but the work was harsh.

“Hunters” were people who accept requests, be it to gather materials or hunt down wyverns. Accepting their quest, they would head out to the vast world of nature with their trusty weapon in hand, alone or with companions. Exploring jungles, deserts, or even volcanoes, they faced dangerous beasts multiple times their size. Day after day, their lives placed on a fine line between life and death.

However, that did not mean the job was legal. The hunter occupation, and the existence of a guild that unifies them, were not officially accepted by the kingdom.

The reason was that among hunters, some were strong enough to fell wyverns by themselves. This means their strength was comparable to an army of thousands. It was natural that the aristocrats would fear these people, and the possibility of them banding together to cause an uprising. This was possibly one of the reasons why the guild was based in a remote location, far from the capital.

However, most hunters have no intention of ruling a country. Just as the Village Chief used to say-- “Hunters are like rulers of their very own kingdom”.

The hunters’ purposes in life are varied. Many started out to earn their living like Zeeg, but they will eventually discover their true calling. Some pursue fame, to be hailed as warriors who could fell wyverns by themselves. Others seek irreplaceable bonds, forged on the unforgiving battlefields. There also exist those who collect rare weapons and technologies.

Of course, there were some who have yet to find themselves, hunting just to make ends meet. Zeeg, like them, hadn't found his purpose yet, but he felt that if he continued being a hunter, he would definitely find it someday.

Surely, that was what everyone thinks. However, there were also many who would never find anything, stuck at the lowest rank until the day they died.

(“I won’t end up like them. I swear, I’ll definitely make a name for myself!”)

Zeeg made a vow for the second time. The first time was when he learned of the death of his parents. Whether or not his parents have found anything in their lives, he will never know.

Now that he thought about it, the rooms being left in this condition might help new hunters to reflect, and to renew their determination.

Looking out the window, it was still early in the day, and he was not yet hungry.

(“Guess I’ll sharpen my weapon...”)

In the hunting grounds, a hunter’s life depends on his weapon.

As he took out a whetstone from his bag and detached the Buster Blade from the wall, Zeeg could hear the striped pig’s snoring from beneath the bed.

“Right now, these are the only quests for your skill level.”

Becky lined up several request papers on the countertop.

With just a glimpse, Zeeg knew that those were quests for beginners. Zeeg slammed his fist on the papers with no intention to hide his dissatisfaction.

“What’s the meaning of this? Deliver 12 Kelbi Horns? 15 Special Mushrooms? Slay 50 Vespoids? Aren’t these quests for rookies?”

Zeeg yelled with all his voice, but all Becky did was shrug once in acknowledgement.

“Well, aren’t you skill a rookie?”

“I was-”

“Yeah, yeah. Was the fastest Yian Kut-Ku hunter in your village, right? Sorry, but achievements in a small village like that aren’t things to boast about. More importantly, do you have enough money to pay for the contract fees? The better the job, the higher the fee, you know.”

Rendered speechless, Zeeg reached for the money bag tied tightly to his waist and counted the coins. Right now, he has about 150 Zenny, not even enough to pay the fees for a Yian Kut-Ku hunt. Even then, he didn’t want to go back to collecting mushrooms again after coming all this way.

“I’m just saying, but you can’t put these payments on your tab, alright? It’s a different story if your rank is a bit higher though. I might pitch in and help a little, but for you... I don’t think I can just yet.”

Becky giggled a little.

“No one will think poorly of you for doing this, you know. For now, just do some gathering quests. You’ve always been hunting alone, right? Things are different when teaming up with other people. Even the distribution of supply items needs to be discussed thoroughly. If you keep that mindset, you’ll end up being an obstruction. There were even cases of hunters having their licenses revoked for being disruptive, too.”

“Hm... That sounds like a bother...”

Zeeg expressed his honest opinion, resulting in a flick on his forehead from Becky.

“Now, don’t talk carelessly like that. Even though they aren’t listening, everyone can hear you. You’ll end up having difficulty finding teammates in the future.”

“That hurt...”

Rubbing his forehead, Zeeg took a look around the gathering hall.

It is around dinnertime, so the hall is more crowded than before. Tobacco smoke and smells of alcohol are also stronger, to the point that Zeeg feels a little drunk just by being here.

A person boasted loudly about their hunting exploits. Another sang some songs with their broken voice. Even a few were sound asleep. Everyone seemed to be minding their own businesses, with no sign of acknowledging what Zeeg said earlier.

However, each and every one of them are hunters. Their hearing senses are honed to the point that they won’t miss even a single breaking branch in the thick forest.

Zeeg turned back to the counter, still rubbing his forehead.

“But aren’t there some hunters who hunt by themselves?”

“There are, but... most of them are the ones who chose to go solo after being with a team for some time, and thought that hunting alone is more to their liking. You haven’t decided on which style you prefer, right? Moreover, monsters around here are tougher and more intelligent compared to the countryside. If you went in expecting them to be the same, you’ll soon be finding yourself in a grave. I’ve seen many rookies make that mistake.”

“Hm... and why is that? Do they eat better prey?”

“Who knows? Well, Guild Master used to say that it’s because the hunters are strong-- ah, here's your order.”

While thinking about what Becky said, a chunky Aptonoth steak was served in front of Zeeg.

Aptonoths are classified as herbivores. While they are more than 10 meters long on average, they are docile in nature. Zeeg has hunted many of them for their meat and bones. When threatened, they would normally run away for safety, but some will attempt to fight back using its tail. They are not to be underestimated, since their tail whips are quite powerful.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Zeeg asked while slicing his rare steak, with red meat juices flowing out as the knife dug into the meat.

Becky poured some honey into a mug of Kelbi milk, then moved herself a little closer to Zeeg.

“Well... hunters aren’t always successful in their hunts, right? If a monster was able to survive from being hunted and gave birth to some offsprings, the offsprings will grow up stronger. As a result, in areas where there are powerful hunters, the monsters will also be tougher-- something like that.”

“Huh...”

Zeeg stuffed his cheeks with meat. Even though it does not have any special seasoning, the steak was so delicious, as if it was melting in his mouth.

“Delicious! I’ve never eaten Aptonoth meat this good!”

“Really? That great!”

“Yeah! Aptonoth meat are usually tougher than this! Don’t tell me it’s an infant-”

Zeeg froze, his knife and fork still in his hands.

Among hunters, hunting infant monsters is strictly forbidden. There have been rumors that offenders would be the ones who get cooked instead as punishment.

Although such a policy was not considered law in the kingdom, it could be enforced all the same. At least, that was what Zeeg used to hear-- about there being hunters that hunt down rule breakers.

“Now now, of course not.”

Becky laughed.

“This is domesticated meat. They are made by capturing some wild Aptonoths, waiting for them to produce offsprings, and raising those babies up with nutritious food. When they fully grow, we eat their meat. A traveling merchant has been nagging us to try them for a while, so we purchased a batch to see how they do.”

“Hmm...”

Zeeg took a few more bites. The more he ate, the more his taste buds felt weird from the unnatural amount of fat.

“I don’t know how to explain this, but it feels kinda weird...”

“Everyone else says that. I guess it’s good for only the first bite? Anyway, thanks for trying it out. We’ll probably not buy another batch. Oh, and that one’s my treat, so you don’t have to pay. Want some wild Aptonoth steak instead?”

“No thanks. I’ll finish this one. Domesticated, huh? No matter where it’s from, I think it’s a waste to throw away food.”

Hearing that, Becky smiled happily.

“You really are a hunter, huh...”

“What'd you mean by that?”

While eating some baked potatoes with his steak, a solid sound came from outside the gathering hall’s entrance. The atmosphere suddenly became so heavy that Zeeg had to turn around and look.

He was so surprised at the sight that he almost choked on his meat.

A large man, over two meters tall, stood there. But his height was nothing special, since among hunters, people with large builds are fairly common. His armor was the thing that was special.

Two enormous horns extended from his shoulder pads, intimidating those around him. The helmet also has two smaller horns attached to the sides, pointing upwards. It was no mistake-- his equipment was the Diablo set, made with materials from the desert-dwelling horned wyverns Diablos and Monoblos.

Moreover, it was a full set, which could not be obtained by slaying just one or two of them. To get the materials, one had to hunt down many, breaking off their horns and cutting off their tails.

On the man’s back hung a lance that, at a glance, looked like a wyvern’s tail.

(“It’s the Hellfire...”)

The Hellfire lance, created from a wyvern’s tail, looked so thin that it could snap in half at any moment. Its main components, Fire Wyvern Marrows and Inferno Sacs, gave it the fire attribute, enabling it to generate intense heat. Included in the set was a shield capable of blocking the hottest flames.

The large man’s old age was signified by the wrinkles at the end of his eyes and white hair mixed in with his black eyebrows.

He was apparently a famous hunter around here, judging from the fiery sight of numerous eyes focused on him. They looked on with envy and respect, both in regards to his equipment and rank.

However, that was not the only surprising thing.

Two more people followed the large man, one of them carrying the Diablos Maul, a massive blunt weapon forged from the tail of a horned wyvern.

On top of the sight of such a weapon, Zeeg was also surprised by its owner.

It was a little girl.

Her age should be about the same as Zeeg’s, and her height was about twenty centimeters shorter. She had a pretty face, but her blue eyes seemed to send out an intimidating aura. Her long, blonde hair was separated equally on two sides of her head and tied together at each end.

Additionally, she had a weird choice of equipment, not wearing a helmet and body armor. She couldn’t have forgotten them at her room, because it looked like she had just returned from a hunt, and her waist, arm, and leg pieces were still properly equipped.

Those armor pieces were from the Rathalos set, created with parts of the male fire wyvern. The armor served as a great indicator of its wearer’s high hunter rank.

No matter how much he thought about it, Zeeg could not understand why she was wearing just a long-sleeved shirt instead of armor.

The girl glanced to her side, and the hunters in her line of sight turned away. She then let out an arrogant snort.

And then, there was another person.

This man also had a weird choice of equipment.

Like the girl, he had no armor equipped on his chest. He did not even have a shirt on, leaving his red, sunburned chest bare. Other than his torso, he was equipped with the Gypceros armor set.

These equipments were created from the rubbery hides of Gypceros, a wyvern capable of emitting flashes of light from the crest on its head. The elasticity of its materials were so great that the pieces could barely be classified as armor. Out of them, the cap stood out the most. It had bent horns similar to a sheep’s, and the hides covered all of the wearer’s face, save for the eyes. The design reminded Zeeg of an executioner’s mask.

On his back was the high-grade heavy bowgun Tankmage, specially modified for increased attack power. This meant his role in the party was not merely to support.

The three of them headed straight to the counter. They totally ignored Zeeg, not even turning to look at his face.

The girl stepped ahead and placed a dusty leather bag on the counter.

“Here are the requested materials.”

Becky wiped her hands with a towel before taking out some documents, and double-checked them.

She nodded, stamped the documents with a seal, and threw the leather bag into a box.

“Item receipt confirmed. Thank you for your hard work-- Would you like to eat something?”

“I’ll make something at my room, so I’ll just have a beer.”

The girl said with a straight face.

(“Beer? Seriously?”)

For a second, Zeeg thought how unfitting it was for her, and the girl turned to face him as if she could read his mind. With her large, blue pupils, she scanned Zeeg from head to toe--

And let out another arrogant snort.

Realizing that he was being insulted, Zeeg’s face turned red with anger. Not caring who the other person is, he banged the knife’s handle on the metal plate, and stood up.

(“!?”)

But a split second later, the world turned upside down. Before he knew it, Zeeg was staring at the gathering hall’s ceiling. The pain soon followed, running all over his back. It hurt so much that he shed a tear.

Zeeg felt so humiliated to cry in front of a girl like this.

The person who threw Zeeg down was not the girl, but the large man in the Diablo armor.

“...Apologies.”

The large man said while pulling Zeeg back up on his feet.

Zeeg dried his tears with his shirt’s sleeves. When he turned around, he was met with the overwhelming figure of the large man, but the intimidating aura seemed to have disappeared. The girl was now hidden behind the large man. It was as if they used a body switching technique to instantly change places.

“Are you okay?”

The man in the Gypceros cap approached, looking at Zeeg from behind his mask. Judging from the voice, he was still young.

“I’m sorry about him. When he thinks the young lady is threatened, he would always act in reflex to defend her.”

“Yeah, it really is a problem.”

The girl crossed her arms.

“That kid wouldn’t be able to hit me, no matter how much he tried.”

“Wha-- what did you say!?”

Zeeg shouted, only for his voice to be reflected back by the large man’s armor.

The girl leaned on the counter with her arm guard, before turning to Zeeg.

“Who’s this kid, Becky?”

“He’s a new recruit.”

“Hmm...”

She squinted and scanned Zeeg from head to toe once more.

“...You balance is awful.”

“What!?’

“Heh, struck a nerve, did I? You’re registered at this guild, which means you’ve successfully hunted a Yian Kut-Ku, right? Even so, what’s up with your equipment? Leather Headgear, Chainmail Vest, Hunter’s Vambraces, Leather Belt, and Blue Pants? I can’t believe there are people who mix things up so badly. Don’t tell me you spent all your money on weapons?”

“That’s right~!”

Before Zeeg could say anything, Becky blurted out, clapping her hands. The girl shrugged as if to say that it was nothing worth praising.

“I knew it... Judging from the scratches on your shoulder pad, you’re a great sword user, aren't you? Those scratches were caused by your unrefined fighting stance. You’re one of those people who just think ‘hit it until it dies’, right? Do you even utilize traps? I’m betting you don’t.”

Bull’s eye. Zeeg had never bothered with such things. Having been able to get through every job up until now just by using his Buster Blade, he didn't see the point.

“And what’s wrong about that!? What about you? With all that talk about balance, but you don’t even wear your body armor! Your vital spots are all exposed!”

“You just don’t get it, do you?”

Shaking her head and letting out a sigh, the girl turned to the counter.

“Becky... I really feel sorry for you, having to deal with rookies like this. Giving requests to this guy is almost like feeding him to the monsters, you know?”

Becky giggled at the girl’s grumbles.

“The guild never refuses people with courage. Of course, it is up to them whether they will end up as monster food, or a splendid hunter.”

“Jeez... You never change, huh?”

She said while sleeking up her hair with her dusty arm guard.

“Hey, you never answered my question! Before criticizing others, explain your equipment!”

The girl turned to Zeeg, putting hands on her hips-- She seemed highly confident in herself.

“You really are a rookie, huh? You’ve never hunted with anyone else before, right?”

“And how's that wrong?”

“Of course it is. If you keep up with that self-centered mindset, you’re bound to expose your party to danger. Don't you understand? Hunting in groups isn’t the same as going alone. Everyone has to do their part. Even though my party prioritizes attack power, each of us has clearly defined roles. First off, him...”

She patted the large man’s waist.

“Gannon’s role is to fight on the front lines, distracting the monster from other party members by using Field Horns. That's why he’s fully equipped to maximize defense.”

The man named Gannon nodded firmly.

“As for my role in the party, it is to charge up my power, wait for openings, and deal powerful blows. For maximum speed and mobility, I chose to not wear a chest piece. As for the helmet, it narrows my field of vision. I need good aim to successfully land my blows, after all.”

With the back of her hand, the girl lightly knocked the other man’s bare chest.

“Mobility is the same reason that Fradio doesn’t wear a chest piece. His primary role is to intercept smaller monsters that could distract Gannon, so he always has to be on the move. As for the mask, well... It’s just his personal preference.”

The man nodded lightly.

“Gypceros... they’re absolutely wonderful, don’t you agree? The sticky sensation when its hides touches your skin! Their cute, wacky movements, like animals frolicking in water! ...What do you think? Would you like to join me as a fellow Gypceros fan?”

He approached so suddenly that Zeeg had to move away.

“I... I’ll pass...”

Upon hearing the answer, the man named Fradio narrowed his eyes under the mask. “Is that so...,” he muttered to himself, and then backed away. He seemed genuinely sad.

“Then, why do you wear those heavy arm guards? Wouldn’t you be better off without them?”

Hearing that, the girl shook her head at Zeeg’s ignorance.

“You really don’t know anything, huh? Do you really think armor are only for defending its wearer from attacks?”

“They’re not?”

“They’re not, you idiot! They reduce the strain on the wearer’s body when lifting weapons, and also lessen the shock on the joints when attacking! You don’t know this even though you use a great sword!? That’s the reason why your movements are so sluggish!”

“H...how did you--”

“Of course I know! You probably use a sword from the Buster line, right? The balance between the sword’s weight and your Blue Pants are all wrong! That’s why I said your balance was awful-- Well, if you want to become monster food that much, I won’t stop you. But...”

The girl extended her hand.

“...What?”

“Tuition fees. Just enough for my beer will be fine. It’s rare to hear such a knowledgeable lecture from veterans at this price, you know? Consider yourself lucky.”

“You’ve got to be kidding! The one who started ranting was you! More importantly, I don’t even know you guys!”

As Zeeg said that, the gathering hall was filled with a brief moment of silence, followed by a unified burst of laughter.

“Hey hey! This guy doesn’t know? Seriously?”

“Now that’s surprising. I can’t believe there was anyone who don’t know of this gang.”

“Hey, can't blame the guy. He’s still a rookie from the countryside, right? It’s not strange.”

“Yeah, yeah. I think so.”

Red with embarrassment, Zeeg banged his hand on the counter.

“Oh c’mon! I’ve heard of even the Crimson Avian Wings! I don’t know about these guys because they’re just not famous!”

The laughter was even louder than before, with a few people laughing while rolling on the floor.

“Did you seriously just say that?”

The girl said before turning to Becky.

“Tell him about us, Becky.”

Becky looked at the girl with a bored expression on her face, as if an annoying job was thrown her way.

“Zeeg, this is Elmeria Franport, 15 years old. Her hunter rank is ‘Wyvern Slayer’.”

Zeeg’s strength disappeared from his legs.

“Wyvern Slayer!?”

“That’s right. With that rank, they have access to the queen guest house. Anyway, the man next to Ellie is Mr. Gannon Denon. As you can see, he’s a lance user. The two of them have been paired up since they registered at this guild, so his rank is the same-- Wyvern Slayer. Their skills are guaranteed. Hmm? What with that face? Were you thinking that the reason Ellie got to her rank was because of Mr. Gannon’s help?”

He nodded, and that instant--

“Whoa-!”

[[File:MH-v01-039.jpg|300px|thumb]]

The head of the massive Diablos Maul swung down, narrowly missing Zeeg’s face. It crushed the stone chair in front of him and sent a cracking echo around the gathering hall.

“You better can it, rookie!”

It was an attack from the girl-- Elmeria.

Zeeg’s face turned blue. The weapon had enough power to pulverize a wyvern’s head-- not to mention a human’s.

Elmeria lifted the hammer up and rested it on her shoulder. The weight caused her to slightly adjust her stance.

“I was able to reach this rank with my own abilities! Isn’t that right, Gannon?”

“...That is the truth.”

The large man nodded.

He did not seem to be lying. Her attack was too fast for Zeeg to keep up with his eyes; all he perceived of it was a shockwave.

“Ellie? You’re going to pay for the repairs, right?”

Becky said, smiling. Elmeria then made a grumpy face in response.

“He was the one who provoked me, so he pays! End of story!”

“W...wait a second! This nonsense--”

Zeeg protested, but fell silent when Elmeria gripped her hammer’s handle.

“See? No complaints from him.”

“Oh dear... No way around it, then...”

Becky sighed.

“But with his skill level, it would take many quests for him to get enough money... The stone component is actually quite expensive, you know. What should I do?”

“That is simple.”

Zeeg turned to look at the owner of the voice and saw a small old man-- who looked very similar to his Village’s Chief-- sitting on the counter, sweeping away the gray smoke around him until his figure could be seen clearly.

He moved to sit closer to Zeeg and gasped for some air.

“Becky, you know, that job? Aren’t we supposed to ask them to take that one quest?”

“Huh? Ah... yes.”

Becky took out a piece of paper from behind the counter.

“What's this?”

Elmeria moved in for a closer look.

“It’s an urgent quest-- Here.”

“Let’s see... Hunt a Rathalos?”

Zeeg’s ears opened wide in response to the name. A Rathalos hunt! He had always wanted to try going on one.

“Um... I'll--”

“You can’t do it.”

About to raise his hand, Zeeg was stopped by Elmeria. The girl pretended to not notice Zeeg’s upset reaction. She placed the request paper back on the counter.

“We’ve had enough of the Rathalos for now. How about asking someone else? There should be plenty of hunters wanting to take a crack at it, right?”

“That's true, but there’s a reason we can’t afford to fail this one--”

Becky lowered her voice.

“The client is from the royal court.”

“For real?”

Becky nodded.

“Ten days from now, the royalty will be holding a ‘hunt’ at Arnest Forest. Well, their ‘hunt’ is just a game though, unlike what you guys do. Problem is, near the designated grounds, a Rathalos has apparently set up a nest. They want us to get rid of it.”

“Can’t we just chase it away? There’s no need to kill it.”

“If you did that, it has a chance to come back, right? If it returned while the nobles were hunting, it would be a big problem, so they want it killed. Well, that’s pretty much the details for this quest.”

“Hmm...”

Elmeria smirked while rubbing her chin.

“Alright, we accept. It’s nice to do some good deeds for the royalty once in a while.”

“No no, wait a second.”

Elmeria reached for the paper, but her hand was blocked by the elder’s staff.

“This is the quest that we want you to take care of, yes, but can you also listen to this old man’s request?”

Elmeria hunched her shoulders.

“What is it?”

“Nothing difficult, really. When you head out, I want you to let the boy tag along.”

Zeeg and Elmeria’s eyes open wide upon hearing the sudden proposal.

“Now, now. I understand that you might be dissatisfied.”

The old man spoke up before anyone could voice a complaint.

“But you see, the Chief of this boy’s hometown asked me to take care of him... And the fastest way to teach him is to let him learn from the experience of a real hunt. If it’s your party, letting this kid tag along shouldn’t be much of a problem, am I right?”

“You gotta be kidding!”

Elmeria glanced at Zeeg, eyes narrowed.

“Bring a rookie like him along on a Rathalos Hunt? If he did something stupid, the three of us would be dead too, you know!? If you want to die that much, go do it yourself!”

“Now, don’t say that. It’ll be fine. I’ll have him promise to not do anything and just watch.”

“W...wait! Just watching is a bit--”

Zeeg voiced his complaint, but stopped as the old man glared at him. The sharp, intimidating glint in the Guild Master’s eyes was all it took to shut Zeeg up.

The elder then went back to his cheerful face and turned to Elmeria.

“See? He promised. If he does something disruptive, then just do anything with him. You can throw him into a Pitfall Trap, or feed him to the Rathalos. But only if he breaks the promise. Oh, I'll also have some bonus for you. How about this much?”

The old man fiddled with an abacus and showed it to the girl.

For a moment, Zeeg noticed a sparkle in her eyes.

“Hmm...”

Elmeria squinted and turned to Zeeg, before patting Gannon’s back.

“What should we do? Guild Master insisted that much.”

“I do not mind.”

“Then it's a deal. We will hunt the Rathalos under those terms. For today, I want to eat, drink, and sleep in a fluffy bed. I won’t let anyone get in my way, alright? We leave tomorrow at noon.”

Everyone nodded.

Zeeg’s opinion was left unheard to the whole company. He tried raising his voice, but no one would hear him out at this point.

And then--

“Um... I haven’t been introduced yet...”

The man in the executioner’s mask-- the one called Fradio-- humbly raised his hand.

“Ah, apologies.”

Becky clapped her hands once in front of her chest, then turned to Zeeg and smiled.

“This is Fradio Heart, a gunner, ranked ‘Wyvern Slayer’ like the other two. People of his skill level are very hard to come by, you know. As for his favorite thing--”

Fradio proudly raised his bare chest and spoke up.

“--Gypceros!”

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Monster Hunter:Volume2 Chapter5

2018-09-05T20:43:52Z

Barnnn: Minor revision

== Chapter 5 - Albino Wyvern ==

The surrounding area was filled with a burning smell, with white smoke aside from fog drifting from the multitude of corpses half-submerged in water.

Deep red skin and swollen head- they were small bipedal carnivore monsters, the kind that spit poison from sacs inside their throats.

All six of them, dead.

“These things are...”

Zeeg looked around, unable to comprehend the scene.

There were no external wounds on the Iopreys’ bodies. However, their eyes were ruptured, and trails of lingering white smoke originated from their mouths, where their feces were vomited out.

Undoubtedly, the burning smell in this area was from the Iopreys’ corpses.

However, burnt spots were nowhere to be found. The environment included.

If this were to be caused by a Rathalos or Rathian, then it would have been a fireball attack, which would have scorched the skin, evaporated the water dry, and burnt the earth black.

But nothing was out of the ordinary, except for the collapsed Iopreys.

“Khezu...”

Upon hearing Freda’s words, Zeeg turned to her. She was kneeling down in front of a puddle, looking at something.

Going near her, he could see soil piled up in a cone shape with a flat top.

“Khezu’s that white wyvern, right? And this was caused by that thing?”

Freda nodded.

“Among you people, is there anyone who has fought a Khezu?”

Elmeria and Gannon raised their hands.

“-With that said, we didn’t defeat it though.”

“Eh, really?”

As Zeeg asked in surprised, Elmeria pouted in annoyance.

“N-never mind that! That time, our quest was to dig Coal... While we were immersed in swinging our pickaxes in the jungle’s cave, it just jumped out at us so suddenly. I just don’t wanna talk about how repulsive and disgusting it was-”

Elmeria crossed her arms, her body shaking as if having chills.

“We got out of there on the double... What’s with that look, Zeeg!? We didn’t think that thing would be there, and we didn’t bring a lot of medicine because we had to carry the coal! –M...more importantly, how do you even know for sure that this was caused by a Khezu!?”

Freda pointed at the cone-shaped soil pile on the ground.

“This is a mark from being clung onto by a Khezu’s tail. Besides, there’s also how the Iopreys died. That couldn’t have been caused by anything but a Khezu.”

“Well, why’s that?”

“Khezu releases the light of death. It’s what people at the armory calls ‘electricity’; if you touch it, the lightest effect would be loss of stamina and momentary paralysis, but in the worst case your body would be burnt from the inside- Like these Iopreys.”

“...Now that’s not very appealing.”

Zeeg shivered. Then, as a shadow cast over him from above, Zeeg was prompted by his hunter instincts to look up at the sky.

“!”

As he caught what was there in his sights, the boy had goosebumps. As usual, the clouds are floating low, with no sign of the thunders stopping. In that sky, a “ghost” flew through.

On a body so white that it seemed to be melting into the fog, small wings that shouldn’t have been able to support its thick body extended; it was undoubtedly the appearance of a wyvern.

But there was no head on its neck!

However-

“Khezu!”

Freda unsheathed the Heroic Blade from her waist.

“Eh-!?”

-''BWOOOOOH...''

A bizarre roar sounded from its headless neck. However, it did not seem to have any intention to land, but rather keep its altitude as it slowly flew away.

(“That’s a Khezu...?”)

Zeeg focused his eyes. However, he could not get a good look due to the fog’s obstruction.

“Gannon, that’s-!!”

Raising her voice in shock, Elmeria pointed at the Khezu.

“It’s captured something!”

“Young mistress, the binoculars.”

“R-right!”

Elmeria took out a pair of binoculars from her bag in a hurry and looked through it, then raised her voice once again.

“-Fradio!”

“Wait, what!?”

Zeeg strained his eyes once more.

He still couldn’t get a good look, but surely, he could see that the headless wyvern does have something in its grasp. It was something in ashen grey- That’s right, like Fradio’s Gypceros armor.

Freda ran off- headed in the same direction the wyvern was flying towards.

“Ah- Wait!”

Zeeg went after her in a panic. Right after the boy, Elmeria and Gannon followed.

“What’re we going to do!?”

“We’re going to help him. Khezus don’t eat when they’re outside of caves. If it’s now, then we might make it in time.”

While he kept on running, Zeeg turned to look at Elmeria and Gannon.

The girl had an unamused expression on her face, as if she felt that she was being dragged around to places by Freda, but of course, she had no objections as it was for the sake of saving Fradio.

“Uwah-!”

As they came out of the tall grass, Genpreys were there. Five of them. As the ferocious monsters became aware of Zeeg’s group, they cried out loudly to each other, then made a leap for their targets all at once.

“Zeeg!”

Prompted by Elmeria’s voice to look forward, the boy could see the Khezu slowly start its descent on solid ground. Perhaps there is an entrance to a cave there. Their nests may differ in location, but in structure, most wyverns’ nests closely resemble each other.

“Out of the way!”

Zeeg unsheathed his Ravager Blade+ from his back, pulled on the handle to bring out the fang blades, then brought down the sword right on the head of a Genprey that was rushing at him.

Its blood sprayed into the puddle, causing ripples.

The Genprey was cut clean as its internal organs scattered from the cross section; its life ended in one attack.

“If it’s these things, then I have no complaints about making this baby’s debut!”

Standing slightly apart from the group, Elmeria let the Breath Core on her waist drop into her hand, then made a swing with precise timing at the two Genpreys jumping at her.

A heavy impact sounded as the broken half of the hammer smashed a Genprey’s side. The monster’s body shook vigorously in the air as an explosion occurred on the opposite side of the hammer’s hit.

“Haah!”

The hammer pierced through the Genprey’s body, ripping it in half. The arc of its swing then met with the other Genprey, pulverizing it in an instant.

“-! Awesome~!”

Stopping her swing, Elmeria exclaimed in delight.

-GYAH!

Zeeg turned around as he heard another Genprey raise its voice.

Freda was fighting it.

She narrowly dodged the lunging jaw of a Genprey before immediately turning around and cut its neck with the blade of her one-handed sword.

The Genprey’s head was cut clean, falling over Freda’s shoulder into the puddle with a splash.

(“Whoa...”)

Zeeg was thoroughly fascinated by Freda’s flawless movement and excellent swordplay.

But while he wasn’t paying attention, a sudden gust blew at him.

“GYAH!”

Zeeg hadn’t noticed that the last monster of the pack was sneaking up on him, with its cry in deathly agony bringing the boy back to his senses. Bubbling blood gushed out of the Genprey’s mouth as its white scaly abdomen was pierced by the Diablo Spear.

“...Do not let your guard down.”

Dealing the blow with silent movements unfitting of his large build, Gannon then spoke up. Zeeg gulped in nervousness, knowing that he would have been bitten in the neck if the large man were to be even slightly slower.

“S-sorry...”

Gannon swiped the Genprey’s body off his lance, then made a step towards the cave.

Zeeg sheathed his great sword and went after the leading man. Elmeria and Freda also followed in line.

Regrettably, there wasn’t enough time for them to carve materials from the Genpreys. What takes priority right now is saving Fradio- or more accurately, the hunter in Gypceros equipment who could have been him.

Although Elmeria did shout out earlier that it was Fradio, she mustn’t have been certain.

That is because, even when seen from a distance, the gunner in the Khezu’s clutch definitely had the Gypceros Cap on.

The four finally arriving at an opening in the rock face, they stopped and stood there. A cold atmosphere oozed out from beyond the blue darkness.

“Freda, you have any advice for us? You’ve fought that thing before, right?”

“Many times.”

Freda answered while checking her Heroic Blade’s sharpness.

“His body doesn’t have any scales, and is instead fully covered in a special mucus. That mucus sticks to bladed weapons to dull their edge, and also serves to disperse impact from blunt weapons.”

“How annoying.”

“Hm. Also, when his body shines in white and blue, get away. It’s the sign of an electric emission attack. If you take it head-on, you might end up the same as those Iopreys earlier.”

“What about breath attacks?”

Zeeg enquired white taking out a whetstone, then nimbly polishing the fangs of his Ravager Blade+, one by one.

“He can spit lightning balls- a sphere-shaped light mass packed with electricity. If it hits, you’d most definitely die on the spot. The movement sign of him performing this attack is a raised-up neck, the same as other wyverns. His line of fire won’t change after he starts doing that, so just run to the side. And then, you’ll also need to pay attention when he clings to the ceiling and drips his saliva. It’s highly acidic, and can melt all the way to your bones.”

“Not just disgusting in looks but also fighting style, huh.”

“You think so? I think he’s lovely- like something out of a fairy tale.”

Elmeria looked at Freda, eyes narrowed.

“...You- don’t tell me... You like Khezu?”

Freda did not give an answer.

However, Zeeg thought that it is very likely the case. She referred to the wyvern as a “he” in the same manner as how Fradio referred to the Gypceros as a “she”, and the girl is also fully equipped with Khezu equipment.

“Seriously? –No, it’s not that I care about what wyverns you like or anything, but you can fight, right? I don’t want you to say something like you feel sorry for it in the case when we need to kill it, you know.”

“...If it’s that, then you should have known the answer after seeing my equipment.”

Elmeria stared at Freda for a moment before letting out a sigh.

“You’re the same as Fradio even in that aspect, huh.”

“The same?”

“You see, Fradio-” Zeeg spoke up, “He likes the Gypceros a whole lot. He even insisted on using equipment made from that wyvern, not changing to better things even when he had plenty of money and materials for them.”

Freda nodded, as if to state her agreement.

“There’s one more thing you need to know when fighting him. Flash Bombs won’t work. It’s because his eyes have regressed greatly. The methods he uses for finding prey are currently unknown. It’s said that he does not do it by listening to sound, but by sensing smell and temperature.”

“But that does not mean it does not have a sense of hearing.”

Gannon spoke up while surveying the darkness ahead.

“I have encountered it once during my youth, and it responded to the sound of the Field Horn used by one of my friends, for it to direct its attention to them so that I could escape.”

As for what happened to that friend of his, one would know just by looking at his facial expression even if he doesn’t say anything.

“If we can get its attention, then it’s all good- Alright, shall we?”

Zeeg and the others nodded.

Stepping out of hiding, the group ran head first into the cave with Gannon as the vanguard.

They surveyed their surroundings without stopping their feet.

Something resembling ivy dangled from the ceiling, and there were white mushrooms growing here and there. The interior’s walls emitted a blue glow. On the wall to their left-hand side, they could see a large opening that leads deeper into the darkness.

(“There!”)

From that hole, a slimy white tail poked out.

Elmeria and the others seemed to have noticed it as well.

As usual, Gannon leads the way. The Khezu still hasn’t noticed the group. It stood there, turning its back to its pursuers. What it is currently doing in the dark may very well be eating, but the hunters forcibly rid themselves of such thoughts.

Zeeg reached for the handle of his great sword, preparing to charge ahead like usual.

Elmeria detached the Breath Core from her waist, still holding it behind her.

Freda held her shield up, while drawing her Heroic Blade with her other hand.

-Finally, a Field Horn has been blown!

Its sound echoed throughout the cave. From the hole in the wall, the Khezu turned its seemingly headless neck around.

(“Geh-!”)

Never before has Zeeg seen a wyvern so repulsive.

Immediately at the end of its neck was something resembling a face with only a pair of lips. It gave an impression of a badly wrinkled frankfurter that had been cut open on its tip.

While the Khezu shook its body and waved its neck, extending it outside the hole.

The neck was frightfully stretchy.

Its skin stretched out as much as it could, showing its gums and rows of sharp teeth at its end. Saliva dripped from the space between its teeth, steaming as they created small punctures in the cave’s rock floor.

(“Where’s Fradio?”)

While the boy was looking around for him, the Khezu spread its small wings and kicked down on the ground, making a jump with the intention of dropping its body on Gannon.

A gunner hunter in Gypceros equipment was held in its foot!

“Nuh-!”

Gannon raised up his Diablos Carapace Shield just in time to defend against the talons of the monster’s other foot. The heels of his Gravios Greaves broke the rock surface as they dug into the ground.

Although in an unstable stance, Gannon grabbed his Diablo Spear and jabbed its pointed end at the Khezu, aiming at the leg that the monster was using to hold its prey.

-''BWOOOOOH!''

Sounding its bizarre roar, the Khezu’s saliva sprinkled all over the as it thrashed around, flinging away its prey. The gunner hunter in Gypceros equipment struck the Ice Crystal wall, scattering a faint glow before falling down to the ground.

Currently however, the group doesn’t have the time to go help the person up.

Zeeg grasped the handle of his sword tightly as he ran towards the Khezu.

Elmeria charged up her strength as she ran off, and Gannon covered his front with his shield, advancing towards the Khezu in order to draw its attention.

The white wyvern readjusted its stance and stretched its neck towards Gannon. However, its aim seemed to be off, as its neck missed the man, extending past him.

“Gannon, behind you!”

Gannon turned around as he heard Elmeria’s panicked exclamation.

The unbelievably long neck curled back and opened its red mouth as it prepared to devour the large man from behind.

(“I won’t make it in time!”)

Zeeg felt a chill run down his spine. However-

“Kuh-!”

The sharp teeth were met with symbols of red and blue wyverns on Freda’s small shield, effectively stopped by her guard.

However, half of the girl’s arm was stuck in the monster’s mouth!

Freda moaned as the wyvern’s teeth wedged into her arm, its saliva steaming as it melted away her vambraces.

“Freda-!”

Zeeg ran ahead in an arc, unsheathing his Ravager Blade+ and swung it down at his target’s wing. Although his sword bounced back in an instant due to the mucus on the monster’s skin, the blade was able to cut its wing membranes, tearing it apart as the Khezu collapsed and hit the wall.

“Eat this!”

Elmeria waved her hammer as she ran in.

She’ll definitely hit its head, was what Zeeg thought.

However, the Khezu instantly shortened its neck, causing the Breath Core’s swing to shred the air as it banged on the crystal wall. A tremor could be felt throughout the whole cave along with a thunderous echo, as the impact left a large round hole on the wall.

Parts of the wall and ceiling then crumbled.

“Tch.”

Elmeria pulled her hammer out of the wall, then raised it for an overhead swing.

It was then that the Khezu stuck its tail on the ground, standing there as its white body started to glow in blue.

“This is bad- Run!”

Freda shouted as she hopped back, Zeeg rolled away to the side, but Elmeria couldn’t respond in time due to her body already fully committing to her strike.

Zeeg looked on with dazzled eyes, maybe because he hit his head while rolling.

“Young mistress!”

While hopping away, Gannon forced his body to change direction back forward, then used the giant horn on his Diablo Mail to grab Elmeria by the sleeve of her doublet, then threw her backwards.

Then sounded a crackle similar to a seed busting open as it fell into fire, as flashes of bluish-white lightning dispersed in a circumference around the Khezu.

Gannon ate that attack in full, his body springing up frantically like a fish out of water. He was then thrown out of the snares of lightning, tumbling into a pool of water.

“Gannon!”

With a shout that may as well be a scream, Elmeria rushed up to the large man, grabbing his arm in an attempt to drag him up.

She could not do so due to his weight, however.

Freda ran up to them and lent a hand. This time the Khezu, with its tail still grounded, stretched its body all the way up to the ceiling. A white radiance could be seen in its abdomen, running up its neck!

“Watch out!”

Zeeg shouted.

Freda turned around, and after discerning that dodging would be futile, readied her shield and sprung out in front of Elmeria and Gannon.

The Khezu then released an electric ball from its mouth, with Freda taking a direct hit!

The whole cave was briefly illuminated in a bluish-white radiance.

Then as the light subsided, Freda, Elmeria, and Gannon were found collapsed on the ground, not moving a muscle.

The Khezu wasn’t there.

“Dammit!”

As Zeeg was rushing to their aid, a hand stopped him.

Turning around, he was met with the pair of eyes looking at him from inside the executioner-like Gypceros cap, worn by the gunner in Gypceros equipment.

Having seen that, the boy was fully convinced that it is indeed Fradio.

“...Please run away.”

The voice was faint, but surely, that was what he said.

There’s no way I’ll do that- was what Zeeg intended to say, but he was thrusted away by Fradio before he could do so.

Zeeg looked on as he fell over on his back.

In the spot he was standing on just a moment ago, the Khezu jumped down! The rock floor cracked as it landed, fragments of Ice Crystals glittering as they scattered.

Finally able to stop his tumbling now that that he fell into a pool of water, Zeeg raised his face up from the water and was met with a sight horrific beyond words.

-Fradio is being eaten alive!

The Khezu is swallowing the man whole, starting from his feet. The state of him slowly being swallowed down the monster’s throat could be seen from above its translucent skin.

“Please, run away! Hurry! Everyone-”

Completely swallowing Fradio down, the Khezu’s swelled up significantly as the man was trapped inside its stomach, locked in a Fetal position.

The white wyvern sprung up and clung to the ceiling, then began its retreat towards a hole in the wall that apparently leads deeper into its nest.

A great sword is unable to reach all the way up to the ceiling.

At any rate, Zeeg understood fully that he’s unable to do anything by himself in the current situation.

Keeping his eyes on the Khezu, Zeeg crept towards Elmeria and the others. In his head, the boy was trying to shake off negative thoughts, such as the possibility of their internal organs having been cooked well-done like those Iopreys from earlier.

“Elmeria! Freda! Gannon!”

Zeeg shook up the bodies of those three.

Although there was a burnt smell, it was not as bad as when they found the Iopreys. The only apparent external effect was only a small amount of burnt hair.

The first one to regain consciousness was Elmeria.

“Elmeria!”

“Zeeg...? What happened-”

“Fradio was eaten by the Khezu! But he’s still alive! He’ll be digested if we don’t hurry and help him out!”

With a face like she had just sprung awake from a dream, Elmeria looked up at the ceiling.

The Khezu was searching for the entrance to its nest. But that hole had caved in due to Elmeria’s previous missed strike. The wyvern pushed its mouth against the collapsed lump of rock again and again.

After making some observation, the girl then turned around to Gannon, seeing that although he is still alive, he still hasn’t recovered from the paralysis effect and was inflicted a few burn injuries. Reaching into her backpack, the girl groaned as she found that all of the medicine bottles inside had shattered.

“...We’re getting out of here.”

“What-”

“While the Khezu is preoccupied with Fradio inside its stomach, we’ll be retreating to the basecamp for some time to find our bearings.”

Zeeg grabbed Elmeria by the collar.

“Are you seriously saying that!? You’re leaving Fradio here just like this!? We won’t make it back in time! If it’s medicine, I have some right here-”

Zeeg reached for his bag, and upon realizing that it was soaked as he opened it, he noticed that two out of four bottles he brought with him had shattered.

“If we fight in this state, we’ll all die-”

Speaking as if she was forcing those words out, tears welled up in Elmeria’s eyes.

“If we were able to help him out but at the cost of you, Gannon, or me dying, then what’s the point!? You think Fradio will be thankful for that!? He’s a hunter! Like all of us! He... he understands...”

Other than tightening his grip of the girl’s collar, Zeeg did not give any response.

The voice of Fradio’s previous statement rang in his ears.

Yes, the man surely told him- to run away.

“Let her do what she wants.”

Who muttered those words white struggling to stand up was none other than Freda.

As a sign that her wounds must have opened up again, blood welled up on the bandage wrapped around her head. Blood also seeped from her arm where she was bitten earlier.

“I will not turn back.”

Elmeria glared at Freda with a look as if the anger in her eyes was bursting into flames.

“...Still keeping up the hero act, huh.”

“Say whatever you want. I’ve decided that I will never turn back. Sure, it’s possible that he had already prepared himself. But if I turn away from him, despair will surely well up inside him as he abandons all hope of salvation. If it’s his fate to die here, then at the very least, I want him to not lose hope until the very end. I want to be the one keeping those feelings ignited in the hearts of people, and for that, I will never turn back.”

Freda started limping towards the Khezu.

Zeeg noticed that the girl’s breath was mixed with a burnt stink. Meaning, although she guarded the electric ball attack with her shield, she didn’t come out of it unscathed.

“Freda!”

Zeeg tossed her one of the potion bottles he has left. She caught it and looked on with a puzzled look on her face, before chugging it all down in one go.

Zeeg then forced the other bottle into Elmeria’s hands.

“Elmeria. I get what you’re saying. As a hunter, what you chose was probably the right decision. But still, I can’t do it. you see, I have a feeling that if I leave Fradio behind, I’ll regret it for the rest of my life. That- that’s what I don’t want.”

As Zeeg stood up, he looked at the girl in her eyes, before turning on his heels as if to break away.

Freda looked up at the Khezu, holding in her hand the empty bottle she just drank from.

And then- It was flung up.

The bottle hit the Khezu’s head and bounced back down, shattering to pieces as it hit the ground. Its pale white neck, seemingly able to stretch and bend freely in any direction, turned to Freda.

“Get over here.”

The Khezu separated its talons from the ceiling. Its white, giant body then dropped down directly above Freda.

The girl dodged with minimum movement, while at the same time swinging her sword. Blood gushed from the base of the monster’s neck as the sharp blade lacerated its wrinkled skin.

The Khezu thrashed around, letting out a wild scream.

Freda promptly raised her shield.

With a groan, the monster tackled! Freda was knocked away by the blow, her back hitting hard on the Ice Crystal wall.

By holding on to the thick crystal protrusions, the girl was somehow able to keep herself from falling to her knees.

-''BWOOOOOH...''

Letting a howl out its throat as if to announce its victory, the Khezu trembled as it changed direction, causing tremors with each step as it approached Freda.

“Hey!”

Zeeg shouted.

The Khezu stopped its feet and turned its neck.

The boy could identify Fradio beyond the translucent skin of the monster’s inflated abdomen.

The man’s eyes under his cap showed signs of doubt, but surely, hope of living through this predicament welled up inside him.

Zeeg pulled on the handle of his Ravager Blade+. Fangs of steel sprung out all in a row, giving off a sinister sheen.

Staining his waist, Zeeg then put all his strength into a sideway sweeping swing.

He just can’t afford to aim for the monster’s abdomen.

The blades wedged into the Khezu’s leg, tearing off flesh.

The wyvern staggered as it let out a shriek so grating that it could destroy one’s eardrums.

''Another strike!''

Zeeg defended himself from the thrashing enemy, while at the same time positioning his great sword for another strike in the leg.

However, the Khezu crouched down so low that it could have crushed Fradio inside it, then spontaneously sprung up.

The great sword missed its mark, and the Khezu flipped itself upside down in midair, wedging the talons of its uninjured leg into the rock ceiling, then hanged itself down directly above Zeeg.

As Zeeg felt something tapping his back, a burning pain ran through his skin, causing the boy to squeal in agony.

“Hop backwards, face up!”

Moving his body in reflex to Freda’s voice, Zeeg fell on his back into the pool of water.

He could hear the sound of something dissolving as the pain in his back was relieved.

(“Acid spit!”)

After gritting his teeth and standing up, Zeeg glared at the ceiling. His hand fumbled around for some rocks. If the enemy doesn’t come down from there, then there’s nothing else he can do.

The situation made Zeeg feel deep gratitude for having had a gunner. And that is all the more reason that he can’t afford to lose Fradio here.

But as he lifted his arm, the skin on his back was ripped open, making him unable to exert any force.

(“Dammit!”)

Zeeg shook off his welling tears. Then-

A dull thud echoed along with an impact that gave an impression of a horned wyvern’s rush, as a giant horn pierced through the Khezu’s wing membranes, staking it to the ceiling.

That is- the Diablo Spear!

Zeeg turned around and saw Gannon, losing consciousness with half of his body still raised up in a throwing pose.

Its bearings distorted, the Khezu let out a shriek.

With its talons separated from the ceiling, the Khezu’s staked wing broke as it could not bear the weight of its whole body, causing it to plummet down on its back along with the lance.

Zeeg broke into a run!

Elmeria rushed forward with hammer in hand! Freda as well!

The Khezu got up and attempted to make its escape, limping away.

Zeeg slipped past the monster’s tail, aiming for its uninjured leg as he made a side sweeping swing.

Razor-edged fangs of steel tore its way through the Khezu’s protective mucus layer, firmly digging into its leg!

Feeling an intense pain running through his back, Zeeg dropped his great sword and collapsed on the spot.

He knew for sure that the skin on his back had already torn off.

Still, Zeeg’s previous attack had a significant effect, as the Khezu was toppled, falling into the pool of water with a splash and landing on its shredded wing.

Freda rushed in with the ferocity of a tempest, thrusting the Heroic Blade into the Khezu’s throat and dragged it along in one go, dissecting the monster from neck to tail.

Paying no mind to the various body fluids that gushing out, the girl reached her arm inside and dragged Fradio out!

In a coughing fit, the man fell to the ground along with a continuous stream of gastric juices. Freda then dragged the man away from the Khezu.

-''GWAAAAAH-''

The Khezu’s spontaneous outcry shook the air like a violent electric shock.

“Shut up already!!”

Pinning down its writhing neck, Elmeria brought down the Breath Core on it with all her might.

A mysterious force rippled the monster’s soft and flabby skin, all the way from head to tail.

And with that- the Khezu ceased all movement.

“Kuh...”

Zeeg bore with the pain as he got himself back up, eventually managing to sit up cross-legged. He then took off his Ioprey Helm and took in a deep breath. Honestly, that was a close call. If the monster were able to dodge the boy’s last attack, then things might have turned out differently.

As Zeeg slowly stabilized his respiration, he could see Elmeria approaching.

Zeeg felt nervous.

Although he didn’t think what he chose to do was wrong, he did go against the girl’s decision.

Elmeria knelt on one knee, showing an expression of displeasure as she examined the boy’s back.

“...That’s going to leave a mark.”

“Eh, I’ll be fine.”

“Well, scars like there are like award medals for hunters, after all.”

“What about Gannon?”

“He’s fine.”

Elmeria took the bag from her waist and squeezed it on top of the boy’s wound. Drops of potion that soaked the bag seeped into the wound, easing the boy’s pain slightly.

“...Now, I don’t think my decision was incorrect.”

While returning the bag to her waist, Elmeria muttered.

“That was a gamble with lives on the line. It’s good and all that we won, but it’s definitely not what a hunter should do.”

“-That’s right.”

Turning to the source of that voice, they could see Fradio stepping towards them, with Freda supporting him. Parts of his Gypceros equipment had been melted out of shape.

“Fradio!”

Zeeg picked up his Ravager Blade+ and used it as an improvised walking stick, leaning on it as he stood up.

With someone who was just being digested by the Khezu up until a moment ago still standing up, the boy couldn’t afford to sit around.

Although his back still hurts, he could keep standing up with Elmeria’s support.

Frado gave Zeeg and the others with a reproaching look.

“Whatever would I do if any of you guys ended up dead from that kind of behavior? –Well, I am thankful, of course.”

“You alright there?”

“Yes. Well, I did break a few ribs, and my skin was cut and got festered. But that was noting. My wounds were infected so I figured that I needed antidotes for first-aid treatment, but when I went out to gather materials, I was surrounded by Iopreys and attacked by the Khezu-”

“What about burns? Those Iopreys got their insides burnt to a crisp, you know.”

“Ah, I’m fine in that regard. Gypceros’s Rubbery Hides are highly resistant to electricity. Well, that did save me, but I never thought that I’d end up getting to experience being eaten alive. I’m glad that its gastric juices haven’t fully started working yet.”

Zeeg felt relieved. If the man is able to run his mouth like that, then he definitely is alright.

“I’ll be fine by myself now. Thank you, little miss...”

Fradio expressed his thanks to Freda as he moved his body away. He had been in a restless state since earlier, and it seemed that he could not endure it anymore. Maybe it was because of Freda’s Khezu equipment.

“Freda Esgrand.”

As Elmeria called her by full name, Freda looked at her caller. Most of the bandage on her head had already turned deep red. Although she looks a lot better now compared to earlier, blood is still dripping from her left hand where she had been bitten.

“You have my thanks. As a result of your actions, Fradio was saved.”

“......”

“But... From now on, you should never party up with anybody else again.”

“Elmeria!”

Zeeg was astonished. He questioned those words said by the girl.

However, Elmeria paid the boy no heed as she continued.

“Surely, your sword inspires hope in people. It makes them forget thoughts of giving up. It makes them muster up their courage. I think it’s a good influence on those ordinary people you defend. Surely, when they see you standing up against monsters, strength would return to their exhausted legs, and they would rush to your aid so that everyone would return together alive.”

“I’ve always thought that it is what I wanted.”

“I knew you’d say that. But hunters are different from ordinary people. Take too much medicine, and it’ll become poison. When they see you, even in situations they know full well that they have to quit, they’d surely stand tall to the end together with you. –Still, even if you know all this, you still won’t stop going down that path, right?”

“Yeah.”

“And that’s why I said what I said. Your ideals are praiseworthy and all, but it will get your comrades killed. You can’t possibly keep winning forever in this gamble.”

“I knew you’d say that.”

Freda wiped off the drop of blood that ran down from her bandage.

“I think that’s that the Kokoto Village Chief tried to teach me when he sent me to Minegarde along with Zeeg. And what was written in his letter to the Guild Master must have been for me to party up with someone and successfully complete a request.”

“And for just that, we had to go through a near-death experience... That won’t do at all.”

Although Elmeria said that, her voice sounded gentle.

“Well, since that damn Guild Master forked up 10,000 Zenny just like that, I already knew that there’s some hidden agenda.”

Freda smiled.

“Thanks for the warning. As you advised, this will be the last time I join a party.”

“That’s for the good of everyone involved.”

“Right.”

Freda moved away from Fradio and knelt down in front of the Khezu’s corpse, then took out her hunter-issued carving knife and stripped off a sheet of the creature's Flabby Hide.

It was the very moment that reminded everyone that she’s certainly a hunter.

“...Alright, I’ll be going.”

The girl said as she stood up.

“Eh!?”

Zeeg was taken by surprise.

“You’re going already-”

“Isn’t it bad luck for five hunters to be out together?”

Zeeg was at a loss of words.

Although it is just a superstitious belief, but it was during a 5-member hunt when the Hero of Kokoto lost his fiancée. Hunters avoid being in groups of five as a result, no matter the situation.

“That’s why I’m going on ahead, back to basecamp.”

“B-but, your wounds-”

“I’ll manage. You guys are too injured to have someone break off from the group to help me as well, right? Two of you guys need to be supported in order to move, after all.”

That was the truth. At the very least, Gannon needs to be supported up by Zeeg, and Fradio needs Elmeria.

“Don’t worry. I’ve always been in this by myself.”

As Freda came closer and looked at Zeeg with her unobscured eye, the boy’s heart throbbed.

Freda the Frowner- The face of that girl certainly remains unchanged.

“Still, I glad that for the very first and very last hunt together, I was able to spend it with you.”

The girl’s face moved closer, and their lips made contact.

Zeeg felt pain running through his arms, so great that they could have been torn apart, but he paid it no mind.

It was just an instant.

Their connected lips then silently separated, in the same manner as when they came into contact.

“...Goodbye, Zeeg.”

Freda walked past the boy and exited the cave, leaving him behind the image of a faint smile. She never turned her face around. Only the rear view of her white Khezu armor remained.

Zeeg licked his lips.

His first kiss, shared with Freda, had the faint taste of blood.

“Gwuoh--!”

A thump sounded as stars scattered right inside the boy’s eyes.

He knew that a solid fist had been brought down on the top of his head, but he needed a little more time until he fully realized it.

Elmeria snorted arrogantly while waving her fist.

“What was that for--!”

“It’s because you were spacing out! Get your act together! It’ll be annoying if we don’t get back to the basecamp before it gets dark, you know!”

“What’s up with her? Jeez...”

While grumbling to himself, Zeeg fastened his Ioprey Helm to his waist, picked up the Diablo Spear, and went to Gannon to lend him a shoulder.

“...Sorry for the trouble.”

Gannon expressed his gratitude to Zeeg in a straightforward manner as he stood up, albeit with an apparently puzzled expression painted on his face.

Elmeria lent Fradio her shoulder and walked up to the other two, then gave the boy another glare.

(“I just don’t get it.”)

However, Zeeg did not inquire anyone for the reason. He simply did not want to spark any arguments for the time being.

As all four members made their exit from the cave, night had already started its fall, apparent from the encroaching darkness.

Staying wary of any Ioprey or Genprey encounters, Zeeg and the others walked off, their destination being the basecamp.

“Good grief... I truly want to wash my body right now, more than anything.”

Slowly walking on, Fradio spoke up with a sigh.

“How was it? The experience of being eaten alive by the loathsome Khezu.”

In response to Elmeria’s sarcastic question,

“...Surely, it was the worst ever experience in my life.”

Fradio gave that answer.

The answer felt so genuine and relatable that Elmeria could not help but break into laughter. It was as if she had completely forgotten the motives behind hitting Zeeg’s head earlier.

For that reason, Zeeg also joined in the laughing, forgetting that he had just been hit. He thought of it as making an oath to not ask her why the girl did what she did.

Roars of thunder could be heard in the distance as the night approached with the deepening fog.

Zeeg and the others made it safely back to the basecamp, but Freda was nowhere to be found.

They instead met another hunting party that had arranged to use the basecamp, with them explaining that the girl had borrowed a boat and already departed.

--However, nobody was surprised.

They had a feeling that it would turn out like this. After all, the girl had already said her goodbye.

Even so, Elmeria had a bitter expression painted on her face. She was probably thinking about how the words she spoke earlier could have been what drove Freda away.

Elmeria, staring at the darkened river, was given a pat on her shoulder from Zeeg.

“...We’ll meet her again, somewhere out there.”

“Not like I care or anything.”

Turning away from the river, Elmeria looked at Zeeg before suddenly wiping the boy’s lips with her thumb.

“Wha--! What was that for--!”

“--It’s all bloody.”

With an expression showing that she was angry for some reason, Elmeria wiped her thumb on her thigh before nudging Zeeg’s arm.

“Hey, aren’t you also injured? Go get some medicine and I’ll apply them for you.”

He totally forgot.

And as he recalled, he felt as if his back were being torn off.

“Right... I’ll leave it to you.”

With that, Elmeria went back to her usual expression, written with sarcastic remarks like “what would you do without me?”, before lightly grabbing Zeeg’s arm and walking onwards.

Members of two the parties, gathered around the bonfire, had already started to drink. The boy and the girl walked on, welcomed by the warm radiance of fire and the merry laughter among comrades.

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Monster Hunter:Volume3 Chapter2

2018-08-30T08:19:01Z

Barnnn: Minor revision

== Chapter 2 - Setting off Alone ==

[[File:MH-v03-002.jpg|300px|thumb]]

"Excuse me..."

Called upon by a distant voice from beyond the dream world, Becky straightend up as she felt her consciousness being pulled back together.

Just a little longer and she would have gotten to eat that extra-large rolled Rathian egg, but it was taken away at the last moment.

A registration book dropped loudly onto the floor. With sleepy eyes, she looked on as it filpped open.

She wondered, how many times has it been now?

It had fallen so many times that the corners were all dented. Although it would not be so difficult even in her sleep to grab it while it was falling, it would be annoying if someone were to make a fuss out of it.

As she picked up the registration book and yawned casually, the same voice could be heard once again.

Turning around, she noticed a young man, standing in front of the gathering hall's counter.

His approximate age should be... eighteen or nineteen? He was a new face, and seemed to be quite restless as he cautiously minded his surroundings.

His face had a childish look, and he seemed to be well-raised, with tall stature and solid build.

Not only that, his way of standing with a bent back made him stand out unnecessarily.

In this kind of place, looking like that is dangerous. It was like having a sign saying "I'm a newbie!" hanging from one's neck. He might have difficulties in finding companions, but worse than that, he might lose his life from being tricked into doing something beyond his level.

Becky readjusted her hat, one included as a set with her uniform, before standing up and turning to face the counter. She then habitually wiped the counter's surface, which had gained a black luster from absorbing a multitude of alcohol over the years.

While visiting hunters at this time were scarce as it was before sundown, there were those who had been here all day, loitering and drinking since morning without heading off to hunt. The hall's interior reeked of tobacco smoke and alcohol all year long, which could make some people drunk from the atmosphere alone.

Because of that, the boy's face going all red was not from nervousness alone. And judging from his demeanor, he seemed to be from some urban area. As of late, more and more young ones with such origins seemed to be turning up. They were the kind who came with admiration of the hunting occupation, as there have been increased opportunities of seeing monsters in the safety of cities.

That in itself is not a bad thing. They own their lives and the right to choose their path. They have the fortune to work towards a future of their own choosing, one in which they see enough value to risk their lives for.

For them, the guild will offer as much assistance as it can.

There is always the possibility that skilled hunters are hiding among those people, and ones with such skills will be a great asset to the guild. For that reason, being from an urban area is never a reason for the guild to turn someone away.

"Welcome."

As Becky said with a smile, the boy reddened up even more-- a favorable impression for her.

It just couldn't be helped that the boy's line of sight has dropped down to the woman's chest. It is only natural for boys his age, and the boy himself turned away soon enough. She finds this kind of innocence to be quite likeable.

Among hunters, there are many who is of the rowdy, uninhibited types. Although she could take care of them if they were to come forward, she wouldn't be able to keep the gathering hall under control if she were to worry about every little thing.

"So, on what businesses have you come here today?"

"Ah, um... I'd like to register as a hunter, please..."

It was hard to comprehend those words as his voice blended in with all the background drunken laughter, but it was better that way.

That is because, among those who don't head out to hunt, there are ones who will never miss an opportunity to lecture newcomers.

The types that tries to scam newcomers into buying stuff would be promptly thrown out, but most are of the type that do nothing but boast about their past exploits or give unhelpful advice.

The Guild Master told her to just ignore them, but Becky herself had always wanted to do rid the guild of those people.

Another reason is that most of them are the type to drink on the tab.

When it was time to pay up, she would kick their arses and send them away to work on a suitable quest, but among them are those who would leave without ever coming back.

Such is a possibility of a hunter's life, but it dampens her mood all the same when it happens.

Becky took out a different registration book from under the counter, opened it to a new page, placed it on the countertop, and pushed it toward the boy.

"Read what's written here, then sign if you agree to comply with all the terms, alright? Do you have an introduction letter?"

"No... Um... Am I supposed to bring one...?"

"No, no, you don't have to-- Anyway, make sure you read everything carefully."

"Y-- Yes..."

The boy cast his eyes down on the registration book and started reading intently, just as he was told to.

Seeing that his equipment was of the Velociprey set, apparent from their dull blue color, he seemed to not be a complete beginner. Still, one must not jump to conclusions. There still is the possibility that they were not manufactured from materials he had gathered himself.

The weapon on his waist was the Bonespike, a one-handed sword.

Its primary components were monster bones, making it lightweight and wieldy, but less durable than metal swords. However, it has upgrade potential, able to be turned into the embodiment of a fire wyvern's power if done right.

Before long, the boy nodded vigorously, raised his face up, and began looking around for something.

Becky passed him the fountain pen and ink bottle that was on the countertop. A faint, bashful smile appeared on the boy's lips as he received them and signed down his name.

He is called Brass Lagoon, apparently.

"Alright, Brass, next up is this."

Becky took out a yet another registration book, placing it before the boy.

Under normal circumstances, handling new guild registrations would be the Guild Master's job, but it was entrusted to Becky for today. The Guild Master has had too much to drink the previous day, and is now still asleep in his room.

Brass wrote down his information as the book prompted him to, showing no doubts in them. Age, gender, and most proficient weapon-- the basic profile.

The guild would assign jobs to hunters based on those information. There are no particular issues with writing down false information, but if that were the case, they might end up paying for it with their lives.

"...Done."

"Alright, thanks."

Becky took the registration book and scanned it over. Brass was younger than what his first impression suggested, being only sixteen years of age. But of course, hunters of that age are not nonexistent. Besides, this world is a competition, and starting early is sure to give an advantage, or at least, the chance to do over.

On the column for past hunting experience, it was written that he had hunted several Yian Kut-Kus back at his home region.

"Have you ever been on a Rathalos hunt?"

As Becky asked that, Brass anxiously knit his brows and shook his head.

"Um... Do I have to...?"

"No, no."

And so it's confirmed that he's a genuine beginner. If he doesn't carefully choose who he teams up with, it'll be all downhill from there. Furthermore, in the miscellaneous column, he'd written that he's handy for support roles, and that he has three Books of Combos with him.

"...So, why have you become a hunter?"

Becky asked as she was about to close the registration book. The reasons for coming to register as hunters greatly depend on each individual. Although they're generally here to make a living, she had a feeling that this boy is different.

"Um... I... I'm here to prove something."

"Prove? Prove what?"

"That I'm not a coward."

Although the boy declared as such, his demeanor was still that of a frightened rabbit.

Surely, this line of work is not where cowards thrive. It requires a great deal of courage to face wyverns large enough to swallow a person in one gulp.

Fear saps strength away from the limbs, and takes away freedom of movement from the body. Such is what happens to hunters no matter their degree of mastery, as they are involuntary reactions of the flesh, not impulses of the heart.

It is understandable that if he had the courage to face a Rathalos, then he would not be called a coward. But of course, he has to come back from it alive, too.

"Hey, that not bad at all."

Becky closed the registration book and smiled. Ones who are aware of their own fears are ones with the makings of a good hunter. That is because they know who themselves are. If he comes back alive, his experiences will accumulate well-- But then again, if he were to be overly cautious, then that would truly make him a coward.

"...Alright, you're all set with the registration. Your hunter rank may still be Ranger-- the lowest level-- but do your best out there."

"Y-- Yes!"

This time, his face being red was probably not due to shyness, but rather anxiety, anticipation, and excitement.

Becky then passed him his guild card and told him where to find the guest house. He would be surprised, that is for sure.

The rooms to accommodate new hunters are more or less equal to animal coops, after all.

If he is unable to stand just that, then he would be unfit for the hunter's line of work, where one has to camp out and go multiple days straight without bathing while out hunting.

The boy took the guild card and held it to his chest, said his thanks and bowed, then picked up his luggage and headed for the gathering hall's exit.

Seeing the hunters who entered at the same time as the boy made his exit, Becky's brows curled into a faint frown.

The air was heavy, filled with the mood of uneasiness.

Brass tried to avoid them, but his luggage bumped into one among them. The boy bowed to apologize, but it seemed like the group had not noticed him at all.

Leading the crew was a girl with a stern expression painted on her face, and a massive hammer, the rare Breath Core, on her back.

They were the party led by Elmeria Franport.

Behind her was the veteran hunter Gannon Denon, wearing armor with giant horns on its shoulder pads. Following him was Fradio Heart, the hunter who never takes off that Gypceros Cap of his; he had recently turned thirty according to the registration. The last to enter was Zeeg Grandest, carrying his helmet in his arms, with an ill-tempered expression.

("I wonder what happened?")

Usually, those four are not the type of hunters to show such attitudes.

The other hunters reacted to them, sensitive to the irregularity in the atmosphere. But it was somewhat mitigated by the fact that commotions are commonplace in the gathering hall.

The split between Elmeria and Zeeg were especially bad. They were like melting iron bars.

With the expression of discouragement of their faces, the quartet headed straight for the counter, stopping right before Becky. They probably came in here right after arriving in town. It was apparent from the dust on their armor, and their sour body odor that came mixed in with the stink alcohol.

"...Sorry, we failed."

Elmeria said, as if just throwing it out.

Becky immediately knew that she was referring to the Rathian subjugation contract, which they committed to.

Of course, if they were successful, their expressions would be far more merry compared how they looked when they came in. Even for Fradio, whose facial expression remains unseen, a difference be noticed from the look in his eyes. Although he seems to be finding amusement in the current group dynamics, he certainly is not satisfied with it.

"I see."

Becky said, while picking out the quest registration book.

This kind of thing is not that big of a deal. It may be unusual for the likes of Elmeria, but wyvern hunts usually do not end in success. They are just that dangerous, so to speak.

A Rathian that is taking care of its young are especially brutal, to the point of being untouchable. And in this case, it was a Rathian that had just retired from its motherhood, which would probably mean its extra ferocity still remained-- That was what Becky thought, but she recalled that this is not the only time Elmeria's party has not been able to fulfill their requests.

If memory serves her right, they must have failed their previous quest, and the one before that as well.

Becky opened the registration book and checked the quest details. One quest was to hunt two Basarios, and the other was to gather Powderstone. The Bararios quest was abandoned mid-way because Elmeria was injured, and during the Powderstone quest, they seemed to have timed out due to spending too much time driving away a Rathalos.

Putting down the registration book, Becky then looked at Elmeria and her team. Although what exactly happened remained a mystery, the accumulated friction among them was apparent. Zeeg and Elmeria were not even looking at each other at all, and Fradio seemed to be quite fed up with such state of affairs.

"Thanks for your hard work... But too bad, the contract fee can't be refunded. Do your best next time, too."

Elmeria nodded, without a shred of enthusiasm. In a plausible state of an undefeated hunter who suffered repeated defeats, as if being stuck in a bottomless swamp of disappointment.

One would think things will be fine since they have the veteran hunter Gannon Denon with them, but as it turns out, it is not necessarily the case.

"Want something to drink?"

As Becky asked her, Elmeria only ordered some food and alcohol over her shoulder and headed to a table. Gannon and Fradio followed her, saying nothing. Looking at them go, Zeeg clicked his tongue in annoyance, but went after them all the same, taking a seat diagonally opposite to Elmeria.

Becky passed the order of Aptonoth-Bullfango Ground Meat Sausage and Pickled Vegetables to the kitchen, then took a look at the party's savings in an account book.

In general, hunters do not carry their cash with them. The possibility of theft exists if they were left at the guest house, and if they were lost at the hunting grounds, it wouldn't be something one could just cry off.

And because of that, the guild offers its services to keep and manage their money.

For the most part, if the hunters were directly paid their rewards, the money would be all turned into alcohol and food, right on the spot.

Although it is profitable for the gathering hall, there would be none left for upgrading weapons and armor, increasing the number of hunters who are unable to tackle bigger challenges.

Such circumstance is undesirable for the Hunter's Guild.

So for that reason, and also to avoid unnecessary trouble among hunters as result of theft, the guild offers to temporarily keep their money and manage their payments in their place.

Becky swiftly flipped over the account book and checked Elmeria's balance.

She had sunk a considerable amount into polishing up the Breath Core, resulting in her savings going below even those of the average rookies for a time, but right now it seems to have come back to the usual level.

The same goes for the other three.

Especially Zeeg, who seems to have some sort of goal he is working toward, apparent from his accumulating savings and him barely doing any shopping. He is probably gathering what he needs on-site.

A female guild employee, wearing the uniform called the Maiden set, came in through the back door and placed a set of report documents on the counter.

The report concerns the hunt which Elmeria's team had just came back from.

Showing little interest, Becky picked it up and scanned it over. According to what had been written, the cause of failure was being too cautious. Apparently, the Rathian got away as much as three times, and the party was not able to finish it in the end.

Looking at the whole picture, Becky suspected that Gannon's injury was perhaps another reason.

Under the helmet, his face could be seen wrapped in bandages over the left eye. Hit by Rathian poison, according to the written report. Although he must have received prompt treatment, things are still uncertain, since it did get into his eye.

"Food's ready!"

Called by a voice from the kitchen, Becky closed the account book and stood up, pushed open the hinged door, and took the food platter. It was filled to the brim with grilled sausages, giving off quite the nice smell. Only a slight movement of the platter would cause the sausages' casing to burst open, sending meat juices gushing out, and also causing the uniquely sweet smell of meat to drift off.

Becky held the platter with one hand, and with the other, she nimbly picked up four mugs by their ears, used one of their rims to knock off the beer barrel stopper, then filled the mugs with the alcohol that came pouring out.

When all the mugs were filled, she used one of their rims again to put the stopper back in place, then pushed open with her rear the hinged door between the counter and the hall, and headed to the table where Zeeg and the others were seated.

Each one of them-- except Fradio-- had already taken off their helmets, but it seems that they still have not said a word to each other.

Although an air of uneasiness is surrounding them, it is quite a normal occurrence for parties that had just returned from a failed quest.

"Sorry to have kept you waiting. These are some good stuff for filling up your stomachs with, eh?"

Becky said, and placed the platter on the shiny black table.

No matter how bad one's mood, even if to the point of nauseating, hunger always prevail. Even more so if one has not had a proper meal for close to a week while they were out at the hunting grounds.

The most they could have eaten out there would be grilled salt-cured meat, or mushrooms and honey gathered on-site.

They were nothing compared to these sausages, which had been brought to its best flavors by a variety of spices.

And above all else, this place has the booze.

Moderately chilled beer-- it is the one thing that can not be surpassed.

The four hunters dropped all their thoughts, even if only briefly, as they picked up their mugs. They chugged down the contents-- the golden nectar under the thick bubbling cloud, so bitter yet so sweet.

"Kuhaah--!"

Exhaling in a manner that made her look like an old lady, Elmeria banged her mug down on the table, paying no mind to any beer that might have spilled off.

Even Zeeg, who usually does not even drink beer, is drinking quite a lot today.

Seeing them in that state, Becky broke off from their table and headed back to the counter, pulling out a large teddy bear and holding it in her arms.

But it seemed that Zeeg and the others had not noticed her doing so.

Each of them, with forks in hand, started tackling the sausages. The sound of those forks piercing the smoking hot casings could be clearly heard, even in the bustling gathering hall.

Life returned to Elmeria's disheartened face, her cheeks turning back to the color of brilliant rose red.

Even so, all of them still kept silent, which is quite the unusual occurrence.

When one is faced with failure, it is only natural that they would spend time to reflect in silence. But it doesn't seem to be the case for the team, at least for today.

Becky rested her chin on the teddy bear's head and looked around, noticing that most of the other hunters were staring intently at Zeeg and the crew.

In this City of Minegarde, those four are quite famous.

Not only had Elmeria attained a high Hunter Rank at such a yound age, she had also obtained the Breath Core, a hammer so rare that it might as well be considered a myth, not to mention that it was yet to be recreated by current technology. As for Zeeg, he was able defeat a Monoblos by himself-- an impressive feat considering that he had started his career just a year and a half prior.

Although young hunters have been increasing in number lately, there are not many who soared up the ladders like those two. Before getting to that point, most of them would lose their lives, give up and return to their hometown, or play it safe and gradually sharpen their skills.

But those two were blessed with luck. Natural talent also playd a part, of course, but without skilled senior hunters to guide them on their way, they probably wouldn't have come close to the level they currently are on.

And because of that, their recent string of failures are catching the interest of everyone.

That includes the guild, too.

Since the points that dictate each hunter's ranks were automatically granted for every party member upon completing a quest, if someone like Gannon were to do the most work, then the raking system would not be indicative of each individual's skills.

But of course, Becky herself doesn't doubt Elmeria and Zeeg's individual skills, and if she were to be ordered to write up a report, she would write it as such. Her opinion would act as a verification of their abilities, at least to an extent.

Besides, they were only one step away from finishing off the Rathian. The problem was that they couldn't take that one last step.

As Becky watched over them dragging on their silence, she noticed one drunk hunter swaying up from his seat, approaching the four.

The hunter was a young one, his face in deep red due to intoxication.

Becky recalled that the young man once tried to court Elmeria, which only resulted in him being given the cold shoulder. His armor was of the Vespoid set, crafted from shells of the giant bug monster Vespoid, and on his back was a set of lance and shield.

This time, Becky doesn't intervene immediately. She would come forward if the fight escalated to the point of weapons being drawn, of course, but hunters are as used to fist fights as saying their greetings.

"Ya guys~ Failed 'nother quest, eh~~?"

The young man said, brushing up the forelock that got in the way of his eyes. Elmeria and Zeeg stopped their hands. The young man rambled on, unaware of the situation.

"Like ay~e saiddd~ you should just join up with us~~ And thennn~ I-- wiuugh--!?"

Two forks, both with sausages still on them, flew into his gaping mouth like straight arrows.

They were thrown at the same time by Elmeria and Zeeg, with magnificent precision. If the sausages weren't still on them, they probably would have pierced the inside of the young man's mouth. And probably because he had come to such realization, the young man fell on his buttocks, his face changing from red to pale blue as he swiftly backed away.

Elmeria and Zeeg both let out a sigh, then, at the same time, reached out to the platter, stopping as their hands bumped into each other. This time, it was not due to feelings like shyness.

Considering the manner in which they were glaring at each other, the impression one could get from the scene was a standoff between mutual enemies.

"...So, you reflected on any of that?"

Zeeg was the first to fire a shot. His words gave the impression of bottled up feelings finally bursting off.

"Reflect?"

Elmeria returned fire, letting out an arrogant snort. Licking off the meat juices from her fingers, she then wiped her hand on the table.

"I don't have anything I need to be reflecting on."

"What do you mean?"

Zeeg's hands, rested on the table, clenched into fists.

"What, you don't know? Didn't we end up like this because you were acting on your own?"

"And when did I act on my own!?"

"Well, didn't you totally do that!?"

Zeeg knocked his fist on the table, and as if doing so in retaliation, Elmeria banged her mug on a wooden tray.

The platter and the sausages in it sprung up, but the two adults of the group paid it no mind as they continued eating and drinking in silence. They would definitely intervene when push comes to shove, but now is not the time.

Ignoring that those two adults were even there, Zeeg and Elmeria both leaned forward as they glared at each other.

"What did I do, huh!?"

"Well aren't you the one who always jump in on your own!? Like when we were hunting the Basarios, didn't you ignore what we said and kept on swinging that sword!? Thanks to that, our teamwork was totally ruined! And I also got hurt!!"

"Wasn't that because you didn't say things clearly!? I mean, sure, cornering them one by one is important! But isn't it ridiculous when we can't finish off even one of them after half a day!? We had less time than usual to do that quest, you know!? If you're not satisfied, then why didn't you be more decisive!?"

"Isn't that obviously to minimize danger and maximize benefits!? Don't you get it!?"

To vent off her frustration, Elmeria banged her mug on the table again and again.

"Look, what's most important to hunters is to come back alive! And to make sure everyone's safe, isn't it obvious that it'd take up more time!?"

"Yeah, that's right! But--! There's a difference between prioritizing survival and being a coward, you know!"

Elmeria stiffened up slightly.

"...So you're saying I'm a coward...?"

"Th-- That's right!"

As he said that, Zeeg's face suggested self-awareness of going too far, but he was probably too stubborn to pull back from what he'd decided to do. After the first word was out, all the

feelings he'd bottled up burst forth, as if a dam had been breached. He was unstoppable.

"You've been way too careful lately! You're thinking about so many things in your head, but aren't there a lot more that you wouldn't know for sure if you're not in the real action!?

Planning things through back at camp is important and all, but if our prey ran away, then what good would all those strategies do!? What is the purpose of us hunters!? Isn't it to hunt things!?"

Elmeria's face turned redder and redder. But not due to alcohol. Those lips of hers quivered, turning red like strawberry as she bit them down.

Zeeg averted his eyes from the girl and chugged down his beer. He then scowled, likely because of the bitter taste.

"...Th-- That kind of thing-- You didn't even need to tell me..."

Before long, Elmeria spoke up in a shivering voice. Becky observed that her shaking must be coming from something other than anger.

That is because Zeeg's words totally hit bull's eye.

They all line up with the report documents, which stated that Elmeria's recent actions have been overly cautious.

She used to lean more toward the daring type.

And in the first place, the party was supposed to be relying on Gannon to draw the monsters' attention, and also to compensate for Elmeria's boldness. If the primary attacker were to chicken out, then getting good results would surely be difficult.

"But--!!"

As Elmeria said that, her eyes slightly watered up. At first glance, one might say that she's just drunk, but looking more closely, it's also possible that she was on the verge of bursting into tears.

"The party's leader is me! I'm the one who decides how we hunt! Don't get any ideas!! This isn't your party! It's mine!!"

This time, the one whose facial expression changed was Zeeg.

He could get up and punch Elmeria at any moment now-- That was what his expression suggested.

Becky then noticed Gannon, who seems to be pretending to not hear a thing, but is actually keeping a sharp ear on the situation, and is clearly prepared to break a few bones in an instant if the boy were to make a move.

Although it's unknown whether or not Zeeg is aware of the large man, he soon sat back down and looked up at the ceiling, then took a deep, slow breath.

He then reached for the platter, picking up a sausage and popped it into his mouth, then made a bitter face as he chugged down all of his remaining beer in one go. After all that, he stood up from his seat.

"Wh-- Where do you think you're going?"

Elmeria's voice was audibly discomposed. She's likely wondering why the boy is standing up all of a sudden.

"...Back to my room. I'm taking a bath."

Saying that, Zeeg picked up his Rathalos Helm and the luggage at his feet, then turned away from the table. The Lacerator Blade+ on his back, plastered with dirt, rang a metallic chime as it swayed around.

Elmeria did nothing to stop him.

Zeeg walk away alone without looking back again, exiting the gathering hall.

He didn't greet Becky on his way out-- another rare occurrence. Although she definitely was there, the boy probably didn't notice her. His face suggested that he was lost deep in thought.

"...What the-- What's up with him?"

Elmeria chugged down her beer, then wiped off the bubbles around her mouth. Then, she looked at Gannon and Fradio. She was looking for reassurance that she was not in the wrong.

And just as she expected, Gannon nodded as if to say that the girl was right. Elmeria's expression lightened up, but Becky felt apprehensive about such an attitude.

Gannon has always had quite a soft spot for Elmeria.

Although he's just technically carrying on his duty for the aristocrats to whom he's indebted, in a prectical sense, their relationship seem to be one between a mentor and his student. But on the other hand, the relationship between a young mistress and a loyal retainer is still there. Not absolute obedience, but quite close to it.

But he's getting too old for this.

There's no way he can be a hunter forever. The day will come when Elmeria has to lead her party by herself. Up to now, there are many times when things went well only because she's had Gannon there to watch her back. But is the girl aware of that?

Surely, listening to what the leader says is key to a successful hunt. If each individual were to act on their own, then there wouldn't be any reason to team up.

But that doesn't mean rigid rules could be enforced. There are no social statuses for hunters, after all.

Even though the guild has a ranking system, it was created so that one could only accept jobs appropriate for them, and not as a social status. The differences in lodgings and food, too, were enforced as motivation factors for hunters, and a way for the guild to show confidence in them. And still, a beginner wouldn't even be able to pay rent for the better rooms anyway. Preventing them from renting in the first place also serves as a preemptive measure to unwanted complaints.

From Elmeria's attitude when she spoke to Zeeg, she was obviously putting him lower than herself. It was natural that Zeeg would get angry. The girl not realizing that she was doing so is a problem, and it falls to Gannon to be mindful of such things.

But he didn't say anything about it, and even went so far as to nod in approval to the girl's actions. At this rate, she would never realize her mistakes. Which raises some concerns of danger down the line, if she intends to keep on being a hunter.

As for Fradio, he's still doing things at his own leisure, as if unconcerned by the exchange that had just happened. Still eating the sausages, inserting them under that rubber mask of his, so as to not show his face.

Because the guild has always held the policy of not prying into hunters' personal backgrounds, the man remains an enigma. But all that matters is his skill. Though Becky herself has to admit that she's curious.

"That guy just doesn't get it! He doesn't get it at all! Right!?"

Elmeria leaned further and further forward in Gannon and Fradio's direction, expecting them to agree with her, but she also seemed to not be expecting them to reply.

"He's letting things go to his head! Hunted a Monoblos!? So what!? If he can't hunt one after sticking with us for a year and a half, then he'd be better off going back to the sticks! Isn't that right!? That stubborn little... stubborn... little...!!"

Frowning so hard that her forehead wrinkled, Elmeria banged her mug loudly on the table. She then held it up high and waved it around.

"--Becky, bring me more beer!"

"Alright, coming right up."

Becky tucked her Sleepy Bear away on the other side of the counter, then stepped out to collect the empty mugs. "Anyone else want refills?" she asked, and the customers on other tables here and there raised their hands.

She then turned back to the counter, signaling other waitresses to come out and collect the mugs.

The skirt of their uniforms were slightly shorter than Becky's. As they went around to confirm the orders of other tables, Becky came to take the mug off Elmeria's hand and smiled,

"Beer refill for you, right? ...Want to order some food to go with it, too?"

"Damn it all!"

Zeeg shouted as he threw the luggage he was carrying at the wall.

Without bouncing back, a blunt impact sounded as the leather bag fell to the floor.

Some medicine bottles inside could have been broken, but the boy paid it no mind. His priority was on venting his irritation.

But that did nothing to cool down his anger, which continued to erupt forth like molten rock.

Catching sight of the properly made bed, Zeeg's fingers wriggled. He raised his hand, reached for his back, took hold of his great sword's handle, and glared at the bed.

He wondered, how would he feel if he were to smash the bed to pieces with a sword as powerful as a wyvern's jaw? Chips of wood would scatter around, and the mattress' plumage would disperse in the air. Looking at such a scene could help calm his nerves.

But the boy ceased such thoughts. Considering the clean-up afterwards, it'd result in more trouble than it's worth.

Where Zeeg is currently staying is called the Bishop Room, decorated with a good amount of high-grade appliances and furniture. It's easy to break them to pieces, but as the boy is currently burdened by expenses left and right, it would hurt to increase them.

Sighing heavily, Zeeg took the great sword off his back and hung it on the wall, then took a seat on the chair.

Although the Rathalos armor is lightweight compared to metal armor due to being created primarily from wyvern shells, it is quite heavy nonetheless. The chair creaked faintly, as if it was about to scream. The boy felt that it could break apart if he moved his body too much, but he didn't want to lay down on the bed while wearing dirty armor.

("Dammit...")

Putting his helmet down on the round table, Zeeg then unfastened his hair strap. The dusty black hair was let down, releasing a greasy stink and making the boy feel itchy as it touched his cheeks.

He noticed that his hair has grown quite long.

The hair strap in his palm was one of the things be brought with him when he first left the village. It was decorated with a scale of the first Yian Kut-Ku he had defeated.

Compared to back then, he has improved quite a lot, if he says so himself. He felt like writhing in embarrassment as he recalled his immaturity, like a fruit on the verge of ripening, so full of hope and energy.

Compared to back then, what about now?

What opinion does he have on himself?

Being able to hunt a Monoblos by himself at least suggests that he has skills. Not that he's meaning to boast, but he has proof of it in the form of the wyvern's remains. He's also earned enough recognition that he'd recieved some requests of which the clients wanted to be done by him specifically.

But he's seeing no fun in them.

He has a feeling that at this point, he'd hunted every known monster at least once.

The piscine wyvern Plesioth, said to boast the largest size among all wyverns, and even the armor wyvern Gravios. He had also hunted a number of Basarios and Rathians, even though the latest attempts at them failed.

The requests are also becoming repetitive. At this point, he couldn't even count how many Wyvern Eggs he'd transported.

("Man, it sure is getting boring...")

Swaying his body around on the creaking chair, Zeeg looked out through the window. A small black spot could be seen on the blue sky. Judging from its size, the boy assessed that it was a Yian Kut-Ku. Probably chased off by hunters somewhere out there, but there's no way it's coming to the city.

And suddenly, the boy thought about Freda.

A girl from the same village, Freda Esgrand is a lone hunter who was acknowledged by the legendary hunter of Kokoto, and was granted his sword.

Hunting in armor made from pale white hides of the Khezu, she had become an emotional inspiration for many hunters with her unrelenting determination.

However, that determination of hers is not fit for hunting together with others. Being determined to never give up-- That is what could lead to the death of her comrades, or even herself.

Despite that, she has never lost her goal of becoming a hero. Even after she was acknowledged by the people as a new hero, she continues to sharpen her skills and swing her sword in order to help those in need.

Freda once said to Zeeg that it's even more difficult for a hunter to keep on being just a hunter. Those are also the words of the Hero of Kokoto.

Those words proved to be true.

Although he has been fairly successful in hunting, he certainly fees less gratitude for such victories. Letting his guard down could still cost his life, of course. But he's starting to get used to even such risks.

("And that's no good at all.")

The boy also felt that the respect he once held for the monsters' lives has been waning.

Particularly the recent times, during which he's been hunting only for money and materials for his weapon.

And that goes against the original philosophy of hunters, which is to take lives only so that one's own kind could survive-- That was what he thought.

Maybe it's time to stop being a hunter and look for another way to live life-- Just as the boy considered it, he felt as if he was plunged down a dark, bottomless pit at his feet.

He broke into cold sweat.

It was a different feeling from when he was facing wyverns, but he was scared of it all the same.

It reminded him that there's no way he could possibly stop.

That there's no other way of life he could possibly choose.

Stop being a hunter, and his life ends-- What's left is only an empty shell. It's way too soon for that. Move on as long as his body is able, and dying in exhaustion at the hunting grounds.

That was the boy's ideal life of a hunter.

("C'mon, this isn't the time and place to complain about being bored!")

If one thinks so, then it'd be better to look for the reason and deal away with it.

Zeeg scolded himself, feeling quite embarrassed for being an eighteen-year-old brat who thinks he already knows everything in the world.

Pulling himself together, the boy tried to find out since when did he think things are becoming boring, and soon realized that there was no need to go so far back.

Half a year ago, when he hunted the Monoblos all alone, he was very much satisfied with his life.

Even while recalling it, his heart pounded in excitement.

Which would mean the when he'd started to feel bored would be after that point.

And so Zeeg remembered.

It was around the time his team's hunts started to not go well.

Although the real failures were from the latest few times, there were also a few close calls before then.

Around the same time, he also started feeling annoyed that Elmeria's strategies were becoming cowardly.

Normally, Zeeg and Elmeria would frequently get into minor arguments, but recently, it escalated way beyond the point of being able to laugh off.

The topics also changed. Changed to things concerning their hunts. Things that must be given serious thought.

But no matter how much input Zeeg gave, Elmeria would never listen to him. Gannon would always take her side, of course, and Fradio would always be fine whichever way.

All Fradio cares about is playing around with Gypceros, to the point that he doesn't seem to even want new weapons and armor-- unless they're new models created from Gypceros's Rubbery Hides, which makes him likely to be unconcerned about the team's failures.

But Zeeg was different.

Most importantly, it felt like he'd been hit with Ioprey poison, not getting his suggestions accepted even though he thought things would go better that way.

Zeeg then suddenly recalled what Elmeria said back at the gathering hall, feeling that he has finally thought of a way.

--This isn't your party! It's mine!!

That's what she said.

It's a party led by Elmeria, so she's naturally the one who calls the shots.

She's the one who looks for requests, and the one who decides whether or not to accept them. Although she does accept everyone's opinions to an extent, she is still the one who makes the final decision.

And in the first place, Zeeg being added to her party was something which stemmed off from the Guild Master's personal intervention. It's only natural that the girl is the one who decides their strategies.

("Oh c'mon, isn't it so simple?")

Zeeg felt clear-headed, as if something that's been possessing him had finally slipped off. As if the fog in his head had instantly lifted.

It was actually so simple. If he isn't liking it, then he'd be better off bowing out. It's not like he's being bound by any legal force or formal contract.

And then, he could make a new party-- A party with him as the leader, hunting in the way he wants.

Zeeg stood up, unable to contain the excitement in his heart-- the excitement he hasn't felt in quite a while.

His own party-- those words sounded so enchanting.

The boy has an interest in making a name for his party by making it one with a specific hunting policy, like the Crimson Avian Wings who have mastered the art of hunting Yian Kut-Ku, or the Giant Spiders who hold the policy of fighting neopterons exclusively.

There are also those who are wildly enthusiastic about specific wyverns such as Khezu or Gypceros. As for Zeeg himself, the wyvern he considers to be his most worthy opponent would be Rathalos.

The Rathalos, the wyvern of wyverns. The boy strongly regarded it as such.

No matter how many times one has faced it, they run the risk of losing a limb or even their life if they let their guard down for even a moment. Only when Zeeg faced such an opponent would his lukewarm blood boil in excitement.

If that's what he's going to be satisfied with, then his party would have to be trained through numerous smaller quests. Not the training of each individual, but training to work together as a party. Still, that is also part of the fun.

Perhaps the same was true for what Elmeria had been striving for in her party.

It's unfortunate, but that was not the same as what the boy had been striving for. Or rather, they have ended up not being the same along the way.

Still, it is what it is.

And that is why the boy isn't feeling at home.

("Alright! I'll create a party of my very own! In the way that I want it to be!")

However, gathering new comerades in this city would prove to be difficult.

Elmeria's party is quite famous around these parts. Skilled hunters would be wary of joining up with the boy who had just left such a team.

It pains him to admit it, but it's only natural that one would want to join Elmeria's party over his.

Althought it's quite an annoying thing he's thinking about, the boy is perfectly calm. Could this be what they call becoming more like a hunter?

Zeeg picked up the leather bag that he had thrown at the wall, checking its contents. Luckily, no bottles had been broken. Though the only other things in it were a change of clothes and tools for equipment maintenance.

Materials obtained during the hunt are being transported back separately, but he's not in immediate need to use anything. Them being delivered a little later is no problem at all.

Taking out the necessary items out of the item box and packing them into the bag, Zeeg then opened up the Guild Handbook and looked up the information on the other cities.

The closer to Minegarde, the better.

That is because there are many good hunting grounds around these parts. Although not same hunting grounds as the ones managed by this city's guild, they are still in the region of fertile lands.

The boy then wondered if Elmeria would be disappointed in him for leaving, but he was also convinced that it would not be the case.

Zeeg shook his head, sat down cross-legged on the floor, then kept on reading the handbook with much enthusiasm.

Elmeria groaned as light pierced through her eyelids. She felt as if her head had been stabbed by sharp needles.

She tried to lift her arm, heavy as it it had was being held down by ten people, to block her eyes from the light.

As she slowly breathed out, she was assaulted by the terrible stink of alcohol.

It's as if she'd been thrown into a beer barrel. As if the blood in her body had been fermented into the golden fluid.

"Young Mistress, I think it is about time you woke up."

Today, even Gannon's perfectly soothing voice sounded like a hammer knocking on a metal basin. The sound rang from her head down to her stomach.

The girl knew full well how she ended up in such a state.

That is, she's had too much to drink last night.

After all, she had stayed at the gathering hall way up to dinnertime without even bathing, binge drinking until she had forgotten what came next.

She could not even recall how much she had drank. Nor what she had been doing and saying during the time.

Getting up, she noticed that her armor had been removed, but her dirty undershirt had been left on as is. Of course, even Gannon would not dare to remove the girl's clothes.

And Elmeria herself would definitely be opposed to let herself be seen naked, not even by a foster parent-- Or rather, especially a foster parent.

At any rate, right now, she is a total mess.

Her undershirt was all stained and reeked of beer, likely because she spilled them herself. This is definitely the reason she felt like she had been in a beer barrel when she first woke up.

There were also dark red stains, likely blood, but unknown whether they were of herself or other people. From the quantity, there was no way it was from a monster.

When the girl tried to sweep her hair up, something struck her fingers.

Stuck to her hair were dirt and dried alcohol-- and also some other thing she could not quite make out. It will take a lot of effort to get it back into shape-- The girl felt bored even thinking about the process.

Turning around to the window with swollen eyes, she could see Gannon in his usual dress suit, opening the curtains and tying them up with strings. His face was still wrapped in bandages, but it looks like they'd been replaced with new ones. The wrapping was neat and firm, unlike when Elmeria wrapped them for him.

"Would you like me to prepare some food?"

Only thinking about eating made the girl feel sick in her stomach, wanting to vomit out all the old stuff in there. But maybe because what she ate and drank last night had all digested, nothing came rushing out.

"No, I don't, but... Water..."

Whimpering out a hoarse voice that did not even seem like her own, Elmeria was shocked. She felt stringy on the inside of her mouth. Gannon brought with him a pitcher and a small cup, pouring the water into the cup before passing it to the girl. She drank it, feeling the coolness spread throughout her mouth, and another faint, strange taste in her throat.

"...What's wrong with me?"

The girl asked while she was poured another cup of water.

"Slight overconsumption of beer, I would presume. Your demeanor was... less than admirable."

"Sorry."

The girl apologized meekly. Normally, she would never forget to watch her drinking limit. She had been drinking moderately most of the time, even. But last night, she just could not stop. She would get riled up every time when thinking of Zeeg's attitude.

And of course, it was not that Elmeria does not care about the team's recent failures.

She might be seen as overly cautious from Zeeg's point of view, but for the girl, there was nothing better than ending things with nobody being injured.

For example, if the boy were to finish off the Rathian alone but lose an arm in the process, the victory would not be worth it.

It might have been worth the price if the hunt were something that happens only once in a lifetime, but not for hunters who need to keep on hunting.

If she had to overdo things to the point of losing parts of her body, she would rather choose failure.

It is her job, after all.

She wondered, why did he not get it? That was what grinded her gears, and before she knew it, she ended up trying to drink it off.

Passing her cup to Gannon, the girl let out a sigh.

After this, she most likely would need to talk it over with him. If she does not clearly tell Zeeg that she was not being a coward, he will get seriously hurt sooner or later. The girl decided to do so.

But before that, she would need to take a bath first.

There is no way she would go anywhere while reeking of alcohol like this. Especially going to confront Zeeg. No one knows what kind of jokes the boy would make-- Anyways, it is just unpleasant.

"Gannon, could you go heat up the bath?"

"Immediately."

Gannon bowed, then went out of the room, headed to meet the manager of the guest houses. Here, there is a separate bathroom for tenants of Queen Rooms to use, if they wish to do so.

Letting out another long sigh, Elmeria then turned around as she heard laughter from the direction of the window.

It was Fradio, in his usual equipment that gave off the impression of an executioner who is about to bring down the axe, crouching on the window frame like a monkey.

"I see that you're quite late to get up today."

"Got a little too much to drink, you see. I didn't even bathe... It's the worst."

"You're in quite the terrible shape, yes."

"I know, I know. You don't even have to tell me that."

Elmeria pouted.

While out on the last hunt, she did not get to properly clean her body either. She might have managed somehow if it was a hunt in places with clean water like the Forest and Hills, but the last hunt took place in the Jungle. The air was damp, the temperature was high, and the river water was far from clean.

"You alright there, Fradio?"

"Me? But of course. I didn't drink much, you see. I also took a bath and made sure to eat my breakfast. I had scrambled eggs and sliced sausages grilled in plenty of cheese--"

"W-- Wait-- Stop!"

Elmeria raised her hands in a panic. Even listening to just that explanation made her feel sick in the stomach. The girl searched her memory to see whether or not did Fradio really not drink much, but she came up with nothing.

By chance, he could still be suffering hangover, but with his face hidden under that helmet, no one would be able to read his expression.

Feeling her nausea subside somewhat, Elmeria licked her lips a few times.

"Oh, yeah-- ...Where's that guy, by the way?"

"That guy?"

Fradio's red eyes blinked, and his head under the helmet decorated with goat-like horns tilted slightly.

Elmeria felt irritated once again. He's definitely feigning ignorance when he should be knowing full well what she was talking about. The man is one who would always stand between Elmeria and other people, mediating their relationships, but on the other hand, he has quite a bad habit of finding enjoyment in people's reactions to him messing with them.

"...I was talking about Zeeg. He hasn't shown his face yet, but if he's reflected on his attitude and isn't coming because he's to embarrassed... Well, I guess I'll have no choice but to forgive him."

"If it's him, he already went out of town."

Elmeria blinked in confusion.

Although those words were clearly delivered to her ears, it took a while for her body to react and shape the contents together into something comprehensible.

''Went out of town? What'd he mean, went out? Out for a walk or something? No, if that's the case, then Fradio wouldn't have said it in that manner''--

"Wh-- What's the meaning of this!?"

Before she knew it, the girl was already standing right next to the window. Under the glossy, rubbery mask, the look in Fradio's red eyes suggested that he's finding amusement in the situation.

"He went away somewhere this morning, on the first departing carriage. It wasn't a Hunter's Guild carriage, so he might have just went back to his village..."

Fradio reached under his mask and scratched his chin.

Went out of town! --As those words finally sank in and were fully interpreted, Elmeria immediately rushed out of her room. ''In other words, that guy ran away!''

"That-- That idiot--!"

Anger coiled around her chest like a wyvern's tail.

"Young Mistress, where--"

Ignoring the words of Gannon, whom she passed by at the room's entrance, Elmeria went out to the corridor. She ran on, rushing down the stairs heavily like a hunter knocking dirt off the soles of their shoes, then stopping at the Bishop Room Zeeg was renting.

She clenched her fist and knocked on the door, as if to smash it to pieces.

Although she knew full well that he had already left, she could not help but come check this place first because she had thought that he might have come back.

But there was no reply, as one would expect.

But perhaps he was in a hurry to come back and already fell asleep again. If so, then she would knock until he wakes up-- As Elmeria was about to raise her hand again, she was stopped by the manager, who came running upon hearing all the noise.

"If you're looking for the hunter who was using that room, he'd already moved out this morning!"

"Tell me where he went!"

Elmeria grabbed the manager by the collar of his shirt. The man's face immediately turned red, as if he had been left drying out in the desert. The girl was not even sure why she was this angry. All she knew was that she could not calm down.

"I-- I don't know! Wouldn't it be better to go ask Becky!? She's the one who manages the hunters going in and going out, not me!"

Clicking her tongue, Elmeria then let go of the manager, but in a manner closer to shoving him aside.

Although she had intended to do it lightly, she unintentionally exerted a little too much force. His back hitting the door, the man then moaned in pain as he laid there.

Turning her back on him, Elmeria then rushed down another flight of stairs. The lower-ranked hunters peeked out of their rooms to see what was going on, then promptly looked the other way as the girl turned to glare at them. And so, she exited the guest house.

As bright light shone down from the clear blue sky, as if to inform the girl that it was already past noon.

She felt dizziness and a streak of sharp pain as her head throbbed, as if there was another heart beating inside it. Although she would normally find the commotion in the market be likeable, right now those sounds only served to grate her ears. She plowed her way through the noise, putting up with them the best she could.

Her anger at Zeeg for leaving without saying a word, and the question of why he did so, were the things that kept her feet moving.

Elmeria swung open the gathering hall's door and went inside, then immediately felt like vomiting as she was hit with the stink of tobacco and alcohol.

All the daytime drinkers directed their lines of sight at the girl. Likely because her face was in a shambles. Although she herself had yet to look in the mirror, judging from the looks she got, she must have looked as broken as a corpse.

Heading straight to the counter, Becky waved her hand as she saw her. The woman's carefree attitude, too, was rubbing Elmeria the wrong way today.

Managing to limp her way there, the girl clung on to the counter and looked at Becky. The woman's expression suggested that she already knew what the girl wanted to ask.

"Sorry, but I can't tell you where Zeeg went."

"Why not!?"

As Elmeria slammed her fist on the shiny black countertop, the whole gathering hall fell silent, as if it was turned into a wyvern's lair. Becky was unfazed, only shugging her shoulders.

"Did Zeeg ask you not to...?"

The girl asked, for some reason, in a fearful voice. Becky thought about it for a while before saying yes.

Feeling strength draining from her knees, Elmeria felt like sitting down on the spot. She felt humiliated, that she was still barely standing only thanks to her hands clinging to the countertop. She felt a myriad of emotions, none of which were anger nor frustration, draining away the strength from her body.

"Now, I knew something was up when he left without saying a word, but I'm sure he thought it through."

Becky said, as she helped Elmeria stay up by grabbing her arm.

"It'd be quite hard for him to part ways with you guys otherwise, don't you think?"

"Then why'd he even go away in the first place!? Isn't that strange!?"

The girl just does not get it.

Sure, they did get into a big argument, so it was understandable that he would not want to meet her for the time being. But leaving the party without saying anything and going away from this city just like that was quite excessive.

"Without us, he would've been eaten by some monster already! I can't believe he's returning the favor by doing this! What a disgrace to the hunters' reputation of loyalty!"

Becky sighed.

"Now, I'm not saying I don't understand how you feel about all this, but Zeeg didn't violate any of the guild's regulations. Hunters team up for huts, remember? They're obligated by rule to stay during the hunt, but after the quest was done, the party is immediately considered dissolved by the guild. After that, it's up to each hunter to choose who they team up with next or where they go-- Well, that's speaking in a technical sense, of course."

Elmeria looked at Becky, in a manner closer to glaring.

Although the girl knew that venting it out on Becky wouldn't do any good, she couldn't help but feel annoyed at being taught something she already knew full well.

"Elmeria. Do you really not know why he did that?"

"...No, I don't."

She said that not because she was being stubborn, but because she truly did not know. Arguments were their daily routine. Those disagreements being the reason was, at this point, inconceivable. Not even what happened yesterday. After all, there had been worse instances before, including once when they stepped forward and proceeded to duke it out, which Gannon had to break up.

Becky leaned forward on the counter and shut her lips close. It was so that the other hunters would not hear what she was about to say.

"Yesterday, you said this to him, right? --That it's not his party, but yours?"

The girl had a feeling that she did.

But then she wondered, so what? Wasn't she just stating a fact?

That thought of hers must have leaked out somehow, seeing that Becky is having quite a troubled expression painted on her face.

"That's exactly why. Zeeg must have realized that he won't be able to hunt in the way he likes if he's going to stay in your party. The fight yesterday was because of this, too, wasn't it?"

The girl finally made the connection.

Lately, she was getting irritated at Zeeg for often doing things at his own accord. But now she understands that the boy was also getting irritated with her as well.

"...That guy just doesn't get it."

Elmeria said, as if spitting the words out. That's right. He just doesn't get it at all. What it means to be leading a party.

It means to shoulder the responsibility to the lives of others.

Hunters are still their own individuals, of course. They still are responsible for their own lives. But when teaming up for a hunt, the leader's decisions can also affect their lives as well.

Although the leader is not obligated to take responsibility for any deaths and injuries, the wound would still remain in their hearts. Zeeg still has no idea how deep that wound could be.

"I know what you're thinking, Elmeria. But I'm sure also know that you can't control how Zeeg feels, right? Any hunter would want a party of their own at some point. It's just that kind of time for Zeeg, that's all. Besides, I think it's better for you this way, at least for now."

"...What do you mean?"

"Well, aren't your recent failures a result of being too careful? --Being too careful about getting Zeeg into danger?"

Elmeria had goosebumps when those words entered her ears.

She'd never thought about it that way. The girl tried to laugh it off, but she could feel her head stiffening up. The look on her face suggested that it's nothing like that, but her body language, on the other hand, seemed to confirm what Becky just said as the truth.

Becky gently patted Elmeria's hand, as if trying to console her.

"Now, it's not like you won't get to meet him ever again. But since things are still pretty awkward, I'd say that you shouldn't try to contact him for a while. I think this is an important time for him to spend on his own, too."

The girl understood what Becky wanted to say.

What she meant was, if Zeeg truly wants to have a party of his own, it'd be better for Elmeria not to oppose him. This is so that he wouldn't do things recklessly out of spite.

She understood it well.

But even though she understood, it did not mean she could calm herself down. And so, instead of giving any response, Elmeria ordered some beer, binge drinking right there until it went dark.

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Monster Hunter:Volume2 Chapter2

2018-08-27T08:51:06Z

Barnnn: Minor revision

== Chapter 2 - Their Days Off ==

“That would be the one-horned herbivore wyvern, Monoblos.”

After hearing the merchant’s story, the Village Chief made that declaration with a grim expression on his face.

The mention of that name destroyed the peaceful atmosphere inside the gathering hall, and Zeeg could see a number of hunters sneaking out of the store.

It didn’t look like they were trying to get a head start on the hunt. Rather, they were most likely running away.

As for the Monoblos, Zeeg is also aware of it. The monster was featured in the Hero of Kokoto’s story.

It was said that the hunt that made his name known to the world was when he headed off to the desert alone in a quest to slay the Monoblos, which has been terrorizing merchant caravans that were passing by.

It was also written in the book that the crimson horn the hero broke off from the wyvern’s head has served as a decoration for his house to this day.

If that is true, then the horn should be in the Village Chief’s house, but Zeeg doesn’t remember seeing it when he went there once.

Then again, the boy hadn't known about the old man’s status as a hero, so he hadn't paid any attention to the details of the house’s interior.

“The caravan has been completely wiped out...”

After he has been patched up, the merchant continued speaking in an exhausted state.

This man had gotten on the carriage of a merchant caravan that happened to be headed in the same direction. While crossing the desert to get to the oasis, they were met with the wyvern’s assault.

The caravan seemed to have five wandering hunters as guards, but they have been swept away by the Monoblos, and also pursued by the Genpreys that have gathered around the scene, ultimately ending in their annihilation.

“I survived only because I lost consciousness after being buried by the sand that it dug up. When I finally dug my way out, I could only see the goods scattered around. Other people were... nowhere to be seen. Luckily, I found a horse that has survived, and managed to ride it all the way here.”

He went on to say that the horse ended up dying just before arriving at this village.

“We cannot leave this alone.”

The Village Chief looked at all of the hunters that have gathered here.

“If the desert route is not useable, the merchants would have to take a large detour in order to get to this village. If that is the case, the prices of the goods will rise significantly. The time it takes for delivering requested items will also increase. We cannot have the clients handle the transportation costs, which means reward money for quests will be reduced.”

Voices of dissatisfaction sounded among the hunters, and the Village Chief nodded.

“What do we do, then? The solution is simple. Just hunt the Monoblos. The reward money for this quest will be from the Shopkeeper’s Guild, the Trader’s Guild, and also this village’s funds. Anyone will do. Is there anyone who thinks they’re up for the challenge? The contract fee will be... let’s see, 800 Zenny! And how about 3400 Zenny for the quest reward money?”

The Village Chief looked around at the hunters once more, but there was no one who raised their hand.

Anyone whose eyes met with the Village Chief’s would turn their faces away in a panic.

(“That’s expected.”)

Zeeg understood those hunters’ feelings. The boy’s past self would have immediately raised his hand, but now he knows that the Monoblos is no easy foe, both from the Hero’s story and also the fact that the caravan guards were useless against it. Then again, those hunters failing could also be due to them accepting the job with a group of five members, which is considered to bring bad luck.

Finally, the Village Chief’s line of sight stopped at Vivi. The hunters, Zeeg included, didn’t understand why the Chief would look at the maid in black.

The girl looked straight back at the old man, her eyes behind those sturdy glasses showing no signs of confusion nor doubt.

“As for you... It seems that you cannot go.”

“Unfortunately, the Parasol is still undergoing repairs.”

Vivi said that, then readjusted her glasses.

Zeeg didn’t understand the meaning of her statement, but the Village Chief shook his head as if to say “Then it can’t be helped”.

In the end, nobody stepped forward, and an expression of despair appeared on the merchant’s face.

Meanwhile, Zeeg repeatedly asked himself in a serious manner- whether or not he will be able to do it. The boy is aware that he has improved significantly from before. Somewhere in his head, a part of him seemed to whisper “Yes, you can”.

But the Monoblos is an unknown enemy.

From Zeeg’s memory, he didn’t remember seeing any Monoblos-related quests posted at the Minegarde Hunter’s Guild during the past year.

It could have been swiped by other hunters while the team was out on a hunt, but there weren’t any rumors about it at the gathering hall either.

“What do you say, Zeeg?”

Zeeg was surprised quite a bit when he noticed that the Chief’s eyes stopped at him.

“M...Me?”

“That’s right. Everyone else is too scared to take it on. Still, you can’t force it. That thing is formidable, after all. It can’t shoot fireballs like the Rathalos, but there aren’t any openings in its movements. I’m not trying to discourage you or anything, but it really is one tough customer- Well then, what will you do?”

“Can I really take it?”

Zeeg said, as if to confirm the Chief’s words.

The boy suspected that if he were to burst up from his seat to take the quest, he would get an earful from the old man for not knowing his place.

That is because when Zeeg was still living in this village, he would always tell people to give him better requests without minding his manners at all like the cheeky rascal he was.

But this time, the Village Chief nodded.

“I’m not saying that it’ll be an easy victory for you. There are no absolutes in the hunt, after all. Rather, it is going to be an unforgiving battle. However, I do acknowledge that you have the capabilities to take this quest on.”

Zeeg got goosebumps as his heart welled up with passion.

(“He acknowledged me.”)

That very moment, Zeeg felt like he has been released from the insecurities that has been haunting him for so long. He has just realized that one of his goals in life was to be acknowledged by that person.

Zeeg thought that, at long last, he has gained the confidence to call himself a hunter.

“...I’ll give it a try.”

The boy gave an answer, not saying “Leave it to me” or “This will be easy” like he used to.

Just as the Village Chief said, the hunt has no absolutes. A single error in judgement can easily lead to one’s death. Moreover, if the opponent is a wyvern, it is equal to having death follow oneself like a shadow.

Zeeg has already seen countless examples over the past year.

Many parties would drink merrily at the gathering hall only to become charred remains along with their armors and weapons, leaving the city in small boxes.

That hasn’t happened to Zeeg or anyone in Elmeria’s party, but there’s no guarantee on what will happen in the future.

But the boy still thought that if one intends to back away, they’re better off retiring as hunters.

Zeeg grabbed a small leather bag that has been fastened with a blue string, took out 800 Zenny’s worth of coins, and placed them in front of the Village Chief.

“Zeeg Grandest has accepted this quest.”

After seeing off the supply carriage that has turned back immediately when they have delivered the goods, Zeeg went inside the tent to check his equipment and items, and also his physical condition.

The one-day journey from Kokoto Village to the desert was spent on a constantly rocking carriage. It would be dangerous if one’s senses were off balance. If one’s sword swing were to miss the target by even a single inch, it is entirely possible that they would lose their life along with the mistake.

(“It’s so hot...”)

The basecamp area is on a rocky outcropping, and even though the tent has been put up in a location that is constantly under a shade, its interior is still hot. Then again, the temperature is not at the level that would drain one’s physical strength, and one can still get adequate sleep. Compared to the volcano, it is actually quite cool here.

Zeeg unsheathed the Ravager Blade+ on his back and pulled on the handle. Small wyvern fang-shaped blades sprung out of the sword’s body, having a metallic sheen from reflected light. One by one, they were sharpened thoroughly with a Whetstone.

Next up is to confirm the prepared tools. First-Aid Meds provided as supplies were stuffed into a bag that was fastened to his waist, Flash Bombs and Paintballs that he has brought with him were kept in a pouch below his belt. Of course, he didn’t forget to keep a Mini Whetstone strapped to his waist.

After all is done, Zeeg sat down on the bed and spread the map on his laps.

(“If I remember correctly, they said it would be around here...”)

While eating some dry Rations that were also provided as supplies, the boy tapped his finger on a portion of the map that represents an open canyon between oasis and the desert. This area has been designated the number 10. Zeeg has never been to the desert region before, but according to what he heard from other hunters, this area has a ledge with a narrow passage which leads to a Felyne colony. This information has been written on the map.

“Ah-!”

Because he was applying a little too much force, a thorn on the Kut-Ku Vambraces has pierced through the paper. Quietly clicking his tongue in annoyance, Zeeg rolled the map and slipped it on his belt, took a sip from his water canteen, then stood up.

There isn’t much time. He should have 50 hours, give or take a few.

Compared to the Hero of Kokoto, who fought for seven days straight, the allotted time is very short. But that was the early days of the hunting occupation, so seven days could have been considered a short hunting time back then.

There are two routes that one can take to reach area 10. One option is to exit the tent and cross the desert, while the other way is through the canyons. Without any hesitation, Zeeg decided to go with the latter. While Genpreys could jump out at him, it is better than the desert where his physical strength would be sapped away just by standing there.

Zeeg went through the short tunnel that connects the base camp to the canyon. He was immediately met with intense sunshine. But thanks to the temperature not being that high, he didn’t feel discomforted.

Looking around, he could see herbivore monsters called Apceros, all three of them grazing on the small patch of grass.

The Apceros is 10 meters long on average just like the herbivore monster Aptonoth, but the difference is that they are aggressive in nature, attacking those who approach carelessly with their spiked tails. They also have hard shells similar to turtles, and their head-butt attacks are quite powerful.

The taste of their meat is similar to Aptonoth meat. Their solid shells have a distinct gloss when polished and can manufactured into various handicrafts, which means the demand for them is high in the capital city.

(“But today I have no business with them.”)

Zeeg simply ran past the Apceros pack. One of them readied its hind leg for a charge, but the boy ignored it. If one doesn’t stand still, that monster is by no means a threat.

Reaching a small sandy area that has an oasis, he found a pack of Genpreys.

Those monsters turned their heads and looked all over the area, but their eyesight isn’t actually that good. Moving slowly and quietly so as to not be noticed, Zeeg headed for the path between the rock walls. If he made it through there, he would reach area 10, his destination.

(“! ......Found it.”)

There was a ledge there just as informed, and Zeeg gulped in nervousness as he found that a large wyvern is sleeping on it- the monster really is huge!

The Monoblos’s whole body is in dark brown, and just like the rumors said, it has a large collar furnished with thorns. While the estimate may be slightly off, when compared to the Genpreys that were running around below, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that the target is over 20 meters long.

But of course, its most defining characteristic would be none other than its long, deep crimson horn. Extending from its nose, the horn’s spear-like tip looked sharp enough to pierce through any shield and armor with a single blow.

Hiding himself in the tunnel’s shadow, Zeeg took out a Flash Bomb from his pack and held it in his hand. In addition the Genpreys wandering around restlessly, there are also giant insects called Vespoid flying around in the open canyon area. Those bugs have barbed stingers at the end of their abdomens, which inject paralyzing toxins similar to the Genprey’s, making them quite troublesome things.

(“...First of all, marking.”)

One cannot afford to miss this step in a wyvern hunt, but it is also quite a dangerous process. The hunter will be completely defenseless for a brief moment after they threw a Paintball, and would suffer serious injuries if they were to be attacked.

A popular method to ensure safety is to use a Flash Bomb first.

It is an item that would emit an intense flash of light after it was thrown, impairing the vision of most large monsters for a fixed amount of time. The effect covers a wide area and lasts fairly long, but the carrying limit has been set to five per person to prevent overreliance.

(“It’s still a bit too far.”)

Zeeg made an assessment while approaching the Monoblos. And then,

''-GYAAAH!''

From somewhere, a Genprey let out a sharp cry to call upon its kind, causing Zeeg to turn around and quickly survey the surrounding canyon area. Seeing one of them hiding in the bushes, the boy clicked his tongue.

Each Genprey in the pack responded in succession until their cries echoed loudly through the canyon.

Feeling a little breeze, Zeeg turned back to the Monoblos right as the one-horned wyvern spread its wings and roared. The air shook as if it were being ripped apart, and Zeeg could feel his muscles stiffening involuntarily as if it was an animal instinct.

The Monoblos took a nose dive to the ground in the same manner as a person jumping into water. With its horn pointing down, the monster folded its wings and tackled. Using its giant feet, wing nails, and horn to dig up the earth, the wyvern burrowed underground.

(“Crap!”)

While the Genpreys are still screaming, Zeeg quickly scanned the area around the pit that was just dug up. He has heard that if a Monoblos is approaching from below, the ground will crack and dust will be kicked up. However, there was no such indication in the immediate vicinity.

Seeing the Genprey pack charging at him all at once, Zeeg slipped the Flash Bomb back into his pack and burst out of the tunnel. He would be surrounded if he were to stay put.

Calculating the distance while running in an arc towards the closest Genprey, Zeeg unsheathed his great sword and brought it down in an overhead slash immediately as he got into melee range.

The sword’s fangs sprung out, digging into the Genprey’s scales and flesh, tearing the creature apart!

Letting out one last cry in agony, the Genprey ceased all movement.

Zeeg pulled his sword up and flipped it, then made a swing towards his back in a wide arc while turning around at the same time.

Two Genpreys that were sneaking behind him got cut in the face and legs all in one slash, with both of them screaming as they were swept away to the side.

Planning on delivering the final blow, Zeeg turned around and saw it! The ground beneath the wounded Genpreys’ feet collapsed as the deep crimson horn thrusted up!

(“Not good!”)

Following his own instincts and guarding with the great sword proved to be the right course of action. Dirt was blown up from the ground, with the edge of the monster’s tough wing bursting up and striking the sword, causing a dull metallic echo. Sparks scattered, and the Monoblos’s eyes could be seen on the other side of the sword. As the white dust billow was torn open, Zeeg looked deep into the monster’s pupils and felt a chill run down his spine.

However, his body moved before he could even think straight.

With one hand, Zeeg fumbled for a Paintball from his pack and flung it at the Monoblos.

The ball flew in an arc and hit the one-horned wyvern in its face, releasing a strong unique scent as it burst from the impact.

Hunters who have gone through proper training can utilize these tracking balls, created from a fruit with a unique smell called Paintberry, to track the position of their game even from far away. The effect lasts for approximately ten hours, and the smell won’t wear off even if the marked monster were to go into water or burrow underground.

The Monoblos let out a roar while brandishing its horn.

The sword was struck, and Zeeg was sent flying by the impact. An unpleasant ‘click’ could be heard from below his waist.

He knew what it was without even having to check. Pressure was applied on one of the Flash Bombs!

Zeeg panickingly stood up and shuffled through his pouch for the Flash Bomb that has started to swell up, then threw it in the Monoblos’s direction and closed his eyes.

As light burst forth, the Genpreys shrieked, but the Monoblos’s voice was not heard.

Zeeg opened his eyes and saw that the Monoblos was not there anymore. All he could see was the spiky tail, shaking as it disappeared underground.

While focusing his nose to sniff out the Monoblos’s location, he could feel his palms sweating under the Kut-Ku Vambraces.

(“This thing... really is something else.”)

From under his Ioprey Helm, Zeeg kept an eye on the Genpreys that have lost their vision, then took a deep breath and sharpened his five senses so that he would feel any change in the surrounding environment.

The wyverns that he have fought up until today- be it the Rathalos, Rathian, Yian Kut-Ku, or even the Cephadrome, if a Flash Bomb was thrown, all of them would be distracted by the object’s arc.

However, it is different for this Monoblos. When it feels a threat, the wyvern will follow its instincts and burrow underground, with the person who threw the Flash Bomb ending up being the only one to get their vision interrupted.

Even though he hasn’t even experienced all of it yet, Zeeg has come to understand the reason why defeating a Monoblos is one of the remaining stories of the Hero.

(“Looks like this will take long...”)

While repeatedly readjusting his grip on the Ravager Blade’s handle and licking away the sweat that has ran down from his forehead, Zeeg had a feeling that something bad was going to happen.

-And it proved to be true.

Hiding at the exit of a cave illuminated in bright red by the streaming lava, Elmeria took a peek outside using her binoculars. Beyond the double-tubed optical instrument’s sights is a slowly flowing river of molten rock.

The surrounding area is filled with intense heat.

Since it’s hot enough to melt even rocks, it wouldn’t be ridiculous if the lava stream’s temperature was thousands of degrees. Even the desert is heaven when compared to this place.

Looking another way, she could see smoke rise up from the summit beyond the darkness, occasionally feeling tremors caused by small explosions. Erupted black smoke constantly covered the sky in this region, with the sunlight shining through only a few spots.

The Kingdom of Schrade is home to numerous volcanoes, all but two of them natural.

The reason those two are not considered natural was that they were not created by natural eruptions from prehistoric times, but rather by a great war which triggered the magma deep under the grassy plains to erupt, turning the area into a volcano.

It was a war between humanity and dragons-- not wyverns-- and there were countless legends and historical evidences suggesting that they were real.

Rumors have it that, among numerous documents safeguarded by the Royal Paleontology Scriveners, some of them seemed to be remaining design plans for an ultimate weapon used in the ancient times.

From last year’s incident when the Royal Armory’s knights captured Minegarde in order to test their prototype weapon designed to replicate the Rathalos’s fireball attack, the Dragon Destroyer, its design seemed to also be an attempt to recreate the ancient weapon from those documents.

However, that was a baseless rumor.

Then again, there were still other evidences that fueled the hunters’ beliefs of the great war.

Finding one of those evidences was Elmeria’s purpose of coming here.

(“Still, it really is hot...”)

She wiped away her sweat with the palm of her Rathalos Vambraces. If she were to use the other side, the rough scales would scratch her skin.

As always, her equipment loadout did not include a breastplate. She used to wear a full set back when she was just starting out, but when her hunting skills had improved and clear roles had been assigned to herself and Gannon, she chose to not equip some parts.

However, it was still considered a dangerous gamble.

Hammer users differ from hunters who wield other melee weapons in that they can not guard.

The heavy weight of their weapons render them unable to hold a shield at the same time, and unlike great swords, their shape made them unfit for guarding.

Therefore, hammer users usually pay attention to their armor.

The openings after a swing are significantly larger compared to other weapons, increasing the chances of the attacker being targeted.

Elmeria fully understood those facts. Even so, she chose to wield the hammer as her main weapon because of their high power, enough to crush the skulls of small carnivores such as Ioprey in a single blow.

At first, Gannon had recommended her to use one-handed swords.

They come with a shield, are lightweight, and the user can still run around freely even with the weapon unsheathed.

But due to their small size, one-handed swords do not possess enough power to kill in a single attack.

That was not what she wanted.

The reason was that during the time she was dishing out hits until the final blow, Gannon would be exposed to more attacks from the enemy.

The strategy of blowing Field Horns to draw the monsters’ attention to him had always been used since Elmeria started her career as a hunter.

Gannon himself said he had always been fighting like that, but Elmeria doubted it. The girl had a feeling that he did this in order to protect her.

Because that man would never stop fighting with that method, all Elmeria could do was settle with that option from the start.

That is, the option to wield the hammer.

Of course, that was her initial motive, but right now it was different.

She was drawn in by the weapon’s irresistible raw power that made every attack a finishing strike. By focusing her strength and rushing under the wyvern, then swinging with all her might, she could break legs as thick as tree trunks and cause her target to tumble down on the ground.

“How is it, young mistress?”

While monitoring the interior of the cave behind the surveying Elmeria, Gannon spoke up, the girl taking her eyes off the binoculars and letting out a long “hmm”.

“Still not moving. It would be nice if it were to go somewhere else quickly...”

The two of them had already wasted two hours while being stranded here.

They had come all the way here from the base camp by choosing the shortest route through the cave that would lead to the exit, but a huge obstacle that lied in wait was preventing them from going further.

--It was a monster.

There were creatures living here, in an environment filled with intense heat of lava.

On the way here, she had seen some Iopreys, monsters that had provided materials for her helmet, and also wild boars with large tusks called Bullfango, wandering about. In the corner of her eye, she could see the enormous turtle-like Apceros eating from small patches of grass. Around the area, giant Vespoid bugs flew around, the buzzing from their wings audible even from her current location.

However, those things were not what’s causing them trouble.

Locked in Elmeria’s field of vision was a gigantic body that could not be seen as anything but a rock mountain.

The armor wyvern Gravios-- living only in the swamp and volcano regions, their whole bodies were covered in solid rock, with their average length exceeding twenty meters.

Compared to most other wyverns’ average height of 5 meters, the Gravios was ten meters tall, making it a moving mountain.

Its shells were extremely tough, to the point that they were considered to be armor.

Even though the greaves that Gannon currently had equipped were made from the Gravios’s shells, the materials had been salvaged from a battle against the Gravios in a quest that he and Elmeria has accepted some time before Zeeg and even Fradio joined their party.

That quest was quite a disaster.

They were indeed aware of its toughness, but its strength was far greater than anticipated.

Two great sword users joined their party at that time, one wielding Iron Katana “Grace” and the other wielding Agito. They were not able to make even a scratch on its solid shells. Even Gannon’s Knight Spear had been bent out of shape on its tip. Elmeria’s hammer at the time, the Iron Striker, had broken from its handle and melted away upon being knocked into the lava stream.

The party managed to break the monster’s chest using all of the Large Barrel Bombs they had, and also sever its tail, but that was the limit of their abilities.

While the Katana wielder was crawling under the Gravios’s abdomen, he was hit by its sleeping gas and lost consciousness, then instantly trampled to death under its massive foot. It all happened so fast that the others never had a chance to save him.

As for the Agito user, he was able to guard against the Gravios’s charge but was knocked into the lava stream. His whole body melted away without even a single bone remaining.

Of course, Gannon and Elmeria did not get out unscathed.

The Gravios’s strongest attack involves the monster combining the heat inside its body with a fire breath attack, releasing it all in one go in one direction.

Both of them were hit by such a move.

When the Gravios stood up and moved its chest forward, Elmeria anticipated that it was going to release its sleeping gas.

However, when she saw the interior of its cave-like throat shining red, she knew that she was mistaken.

At that point, it was too late for escape.

Gannon planted his shield on the ground, then pushed Elmeria down and held her tightly.

The very next moment, an intense heat ray hit both of them.

Immobilized, Elmeria could hardly breathe due to the heat and the weight on top of her, and she could smell her hair burning. Under Gannon’s stiffening body, she could hear the bones inside her body breaking one by one.

Before long, the intense heat subsided.

The high temperature around them remained, but it has become cooler in comparison to before. Even though it only lasted a few seconds, to them it felt like a very long time.

Elmeria’s voice wouldn’t come out.

Not knowing the situation around her, she tried tapping Gannon’s body lightly, but there was no response. Tremors from the Gravios’s slow steps echoed to the girl’s broken bones, it was so painful that she was on the verge of bursting into tears, but she desperately endured.

Before long, the tremors became weaker and weaker, eventually stopping altogether.

Gannon then let out a weak moan in pain and made way for Elmeria to get up.

It was then that the girl could assess the situation.

Even though Gannon had the full Rathalos armor set equipped, he was burned quite severely. It was a miracle that not even a single scar remained afterwards.

Both his shield and the spear were melted so badly that only half of each remained. As for his armor, there was no change to the parts made from Rathalos Shells, but the metallic parts made from Machalite ores were melted and badly deformed.

On the other hand, Elmeria got some of her bones broken, but there were no other serious injuries. The tips of her hair were burnt only slightly.

At that point, the Gravios had gone elsewhere.

Gannon was injured quite heavily from the burn. Elmeria’s upper arms, thighs, rib bones were fractured. In that state, it was impossible to continue hunting.

Putting on splint and braces, they drank some potions for the same effect as painkillers and waited for the health recovery to take effect. During that time, Gannon carved up the severed tail and picked up the shells that had broken off, collecting five and six Garvios Shells respectively.

Valuable experience and eleven Gravios Scales were the only rewards they received.

The request had not been fulfilled, and the contract fee had been forfeited, but there was no good reason to push through recklessly and ending up losing more lives in the process. After all, it is also a hunter’s job to know when to pull back.

The shells they collected had been lying around without use for a long time, but now they were finally reborn as Tasset and Greaves that served to protect Gannon’s legs.

(“I’m not sure if this Gravios is the same one as back then though...”)

While keeping watch on the monster as it walked into the lava stream with its earth-shaking steps, Elmeria licked her lips.

(“We don’t plan on hunting you.”)

Not hunting pointlessly is a fundamental rule of hunters. Especially today, since they haven’t accepted any quest. She would bring down the hammer without mercy if it’s for self-defense, but she doesn’t plan of picking a fight with anything.

When looked at a distance, it might look fairly tame and not ferocious, but the Gravios isn’t a wyvern so weak that it can be easily defeated by just two people.

While shaking its giant body, the Gravios slowly soaked its feet in the river that has flared up in bright red. Its shells blew out smoke as it heated up. After standing still for a while as if to accustom its body, the wyvern stepped forward and submerged itself into the lava.

The Gravios has the ability to dive in lava. The fact that it can stay alive in the molten rock is unbelievable, but it is fact nonetheless.

According to the records of Ron, an officer of the Royal Paleontology Scriveners, the Gravios is able to do that because all of its internal organs are crammed together in the center of its body, with its bulky muscles and shells making external heat take an exceedingly long time to reach the core.

Even though the Gravios’s heat wave isn’t actually an attack but rather just an act of releasing excess heat from its body, to hunters it will always be a fearsome attacking move.

A gooey liquid shining in orange splashed as the Gravios dived into the lava, until the spikes on its back cannot be seen anymore.

Even then, Elmeria kept watch on the lava stream for a while longer. After confirming that there is absolutely no more movement on its surface, she put the binoculars down and stood up.

“Looks like it’s gone.”

Gannon nodded in response to Elmeria’s words. He then put on his Diablo Mail, with his already large body seeming to become even larger thanks to the two giant horns that extended from the armor’s shoulder pads.

The two of them jogged around the lava stream, heading for the path that was cracked open in the rock on the other side.

It seems that the location used to have lava flowing through it, but right now it has cooled down and turned into solid road with a black luster.

The Vespoids noticed them and immediately approached.

(“How irritating.”)

Elmeria picked up her pace, annoyed by the bugs’ buzzing. It seemed to people that more of these giant bugs will come no matter how many is struck down, and they also seem to like to approach hunters who are busy harvesting materials.

Taking them out is easy, but if they were to kill it with bad timing, the Gravios could hear the bugs’ voices and turn around to come back here.

When they ran up to the crack-- which was actually big enough for even a horse to go through-- the Vespoids stopped following them.

Probably because they were getting too close to the summit.

Elmeria had never seen any living things in the surrounding area-- though there were rumors that a Rathalos could be encountered here.

A little further ahead was where the valley ended, and to their left was a path that leads to the cliff on the other side. From where they were standing, molten rock could be seen spewing up endlessly.

At this point, they started to sweat profusely.

“Young mistress.”

From the holster on his waist, Gannon took out a small bottle containing white liquid and passed it over to the girl.

Elmeria uncorked the bottle and drank all of its content in one go.

With a taste similar to when she was chewing on mint leaves, it cooled her body down.

Obviously, this did not make the temperature of the surrounding area any cooler. What it did was prevent dehydration and increase the body’s heat resistance, effectively making the drinker feel cooler.

The liquid was simply called the Cool Drink.

While hunters could combine materials to make medicine by themselves, this drink was an exception.

“Thanks.”

Passing the empty bottle back to Gannon, Elmeria walked on ahead.

She did not continue to the left after reaching the end of the straight path, dropping her hammer and luggage right there.

She has a task to carry out in this very location- in front of an enormous rock that stuck up like a horn. Elmeria stroked its gritty surface with her hand. Seeing that nobody has mined it prior, her chest welled up with expectations.

Gannon also put down his lance and luggage, removed his his helmet, and took out a few pickaxes from the bag on his back before passing one to Elmeria.

Taking the pickaxe and standing before the rock, Elmeria swung at it with all her might.

Sparks scattered as a part of the rock crumbled.

Something sparkled- should be a Machalite Ore. However, Elmeria ignored it. She didn’t come here today for that kind of thing.

To her side, Gannon picked it up and put it in his bag, then continued swinging his pickaxe.

For some time, the two of them mined the rock silently.

The thoughts in Gannon’s head were unknown, but in Elmeria’s case, a single phrase that felt like a prayer repeated every time the pickaxe struck the solid rock- come out, come out.

Before long, the bodies that have been cooled by the Cold Drink’s effects became sweaty, and a large quantity of small stones rolled around on the ground next to them. Among those stones were Machalite Ores and a type of high-quality abrasive called Earth Crystal, but Gannon has put off the collecting for now.

“......Young mistress.”

Feeling that Gannon’s voice, mixed in with the sound of rock breaking, was rougher and more serious in tone than usual, Elmeria turned to him without stopping her hands. Sweat dripped down from her chin.

“Hm?”

“...Regarding Zeeg- What do you think of him?”

“What do you mean ‘think’?”

Elmeria asked back while still swinging her pickaxe to mine the rock, but Gannon did not answer. For some reason, his face had bitter expression, and his pickaxe swings were aggressive, as if to vent his frustrations.

(“Did that guy do something?”)

Elmeria thought back to the mistakes that Zeeg might have made up until now, but she couldn’t think of anything that could make Gannon this angry. Because of that, she answered honestly.

“Well, I’d say that he has become quite useful?”

Gannon was silent.

Elmeria continued, albeit reluctantly.

“Hmm... It’s like he was going to kill us with that giant sword of his at first, but before I knew it, he didn’t feel like a stranger anymore. Fradio was also surprised that lately, he has become aware of the line of fire and was even able to dodge when a bullet was fired in his direction. –Well, he would only get cocky if he heard that story, so Fradio reminded me to not tell Zeeg about it though.”

However, Gannon still kept quiet.

That silence of his seemed to indicate that the answer wasn’t what he asked about, causing Elmeria to start losing her patience.

“......What?”

She unintentionally spoke up in a harsh, irritated tone. But it couldn’t be helped. She wanted to concentrate on the mining, and to her Gannon was the one at fault for not saying it clearly. It’s especially rare for him to be like this. What is it that could possibly make Gannon this reluctant to speak up- She could think of only a single thing.

(“Could it be about my heritage...”)

It has to be that.

During last year’s capturing of the Minegarde Hunter’s Guild, Elmeria was met with a shocking revelation.

That being Gannon’s status as a criminal wanted by the kingdom, his crime being the kidnapping of a noble family’s young mistress.

The reason behind this action was that the late master of House Elbrenfort, whom Gannon was serving under at the time, has had a daughter with the mistress that he truly loved. The girl was certain to be assassinated if she were to be involved in the family feud, so an abduction was staged so that she could escape. That was the story that Gannon told, and it sounded believable.

The willingness to deliberately embrace dishonor to his name- it was very like Gannon.

Even though he said that the kidnapped girl has been long dead, but Elmeria thought herself could be that girl in question.

Though she’s not the kind of young lady who dreams of being a noble princess.

It’s because she’s satisfied with the hunter lifestyle, and would absolutely refuse if someone were to tell her to throw it all away.

Compared to wearing dresses so tight that her chest could spill out and dancing to the musical rhythm on a marble stage, she widely prefers diving under wyverns’ abdomens and swinging her hammer around.

Elmeria has a reason to suspect that the kidnapped girl was actually herself.

That being Gannon’s constant nagging about proper etiquette, and the fact that she had to study numerous things unrelated to a hunter’s job under his tutorship.

She has always questioned them, but believing that Gannon wouldn’t allow anything meaningless, she accepted those teachings.

The apparent reason behind them became known to her all at once upon hearing the kidnapping story.

On occasions, Gannon would say,

“All this is for you to have no worries when it comes the time for me to leave your side.”

Elmeria initially thought it to be about hunters acknowledging that death can arrive at any moment. Ever since she became aware of the incident however, she suspected that Gannon could be intending to return her to the so-called House Elbrenfort one day.

(“If that’s the case, I’ll have to decline. Right now, I have no intention to stop being a hunter- Ah, but wasn’t the original question supposed to be about Zeeg... Huh...?”)

Not able to comprehend the situation once more, Elmeria lost her patience.

She had a feeling that even if she were to continue digging just like this, the thing she’s searching for wouldn’t come out. Luck is a strong deciding factor in mining. She felt that if she doesn’t concentrate on the task, even luck will run away.

Elmeria took a break from her work and turned to Gannon.

Noticing her, Gannon’s hands stopped for a brief moment, before he almost immediately started swinging the pickaxe again.

The girl glanced at the stones that have been broken off, then returned her line of sight to Gannon.

“What? If you have something you want to say, then just get to the point.”

This time, Gannon’s hand stopped completely.

“It’s bothering me so much that I can’t concentrate. What’s going on with Zeeg? Or did you just bring that up as a cover, and actually wanted to say something about me?”

Gannon should have noticed by now that she’s questioning her identity as the kidnapped young mistress- was what Elmeria thought. It’s just that both of them were trying to avoid the subject.

As if he had thought of an idea, Gannon groaned in his throat, then put down his pickaxe and turned to Elmeria.

“Young mistress.”

His face, as solid as stone, was clearly painted in a concerned expression.

“Then, I shall ask my question clearly...... What do you think of Zeeg?”

“I said-”

“No, not as a hunter......”

Gannon swallowed his saliva.

“But as a boy.”

Puzzled, Elmeria tilted her head. What is it that Gannon wanted to say?

(“As a boy...?”)

All of a sudden, an image of Zeeg appeared. The boy was there carrying a great sword on his back, smiling as he turned back to her with his shining white teeth. Elmeria felt her face heating up as if it was bursting into flames, so hot that even a Cool Drink’s effect can’t contain.

(“Wha, What......?”)

In reality, she shouldn’t have seen that kind of scene even once. And Zeeg’s teeth definitely doesn’t shine like that.

She noticed that Gannon’s concerned expression has gotten even worse.

“This is unacceptable.”

Slowly, he shook the head on top of his thick neck.

“As young mistress grew up surrounded by adults, that boy is an unusual sight. You ought to not jump to conclusions. In addition, as the hunt puts people in a position that causes them to entrust their lives to others, it is often the case that those kind of feelings emerge. However, they are not genuine. Young mistress, please be skeptical about those feelings of yours.”

“What... What’re you saying... I don’t get it.”

All at once, Elmeria felt senses of unsteadiness, annoyance, and denial. Not even her first battle against a Rathalos has flustered her this much.

“M... Me, with Zeeg? Th- that’s ridiculous! That fledgling- N...Now that’s just not funny!”

Just end this conversation already.

Elmeria waved her hand at Gannon to communicate that she doesn’t want this topic to be brought up ever again, then she grabbed a pickaxe and made a big swing.

But then Zeeg’s face popped up once again, causing Elmeria to let out a scream.

(“Th...This isn’t funny at all!”)

As it to shake it off, she put all of her strength in one mighty swing.

The metal head pierced the rock, creating a large crack. A whole layer of the rock then fell off, probably because it has become brittle from all the digging.

(“Ah-”)

A jet black lump of Rust Stone, easily distinguishable from all other rocks, appeared under the layer, causing Elmeria to get goosebumps even in this heat.

That instant, thoughts about Zeeg has been completely wiped clean from her head.

Turning around, she could see Gannon’s eyes sparkle with anticipation as well.

The two of them carefully broke off the rock layer around the Rusted Stone, until the object was finally fully exposed. It was then that their anticipation turned into confidence.

“We did it!”

Elmeria jumped at Gannon, hugging his neck tightly. His body was stinking badly from all the sweat, but she didn’t care.

The lump of metal has something like a handle sticking out, so it just has to be a hammer.

This definitely is the thing they’ve come all the way to search for at this volcano.

Backing away, Elmeria smiled.

“Alright, let us get back to the city. The rest will depend on our luck.”

The only way to know its true appearance is to have a blacksmith at the armory polish it.

But Elmeria has confidence- that this lump of rusted metal is a precious relic of the past, created with the lost technology of ancient times!

(“Could it be that I’ve been left behind...”)

Standing on a log that serves as a bridge across the river, Fradio surveyed his surroundings, then took a deep breath from under the cool and comfortably rubbery Gypceros Cap.

Today’s him is different.

He’s equipped with Gypceros gear from head to toe as usual, but today, the usually unused body armor has also been put on.

Fradio actually has a slim figure compared to others, but now that his torso is equipped with the Gypceros Vest, he looks as thick as a Large Barrel Bomb.

Though he doesn’t worry much about defense when hunting in a party, the same cannot be done when going solo. Offense and defense- he has to do it all by himself.

Gunners usually hunt by shooting while in hiding, but it doesn’t mean that they never have to do combat in close range.

When shooting at small carnivore monsters or insects that operate in groups, it is not uncommon that a solo gunner is rushed down by other monsters in the pack.

In such situation, it is best for one to back away to a suitable distance and readjust their aim, but in a solo hunt, not having comrades means the chances of being chased down or blindsided are higher.

If that were to happen, one could die instantly if they don’t wear body armor.

Even if it feels too heavy or doesn’t look cool, it still is absolutely necessary.

(“Well, this isn’t all that bad.”)

This likely does not apply to other gunners, but as far as Fradio is concerned, being covered in Gypceros armor from head to toe is supreme bliss.

When hunting with a party, one cannot afford to put their hobbies or obsessions in priority. That is the reason why Fradio maximizes his combat efficiency by removing his body armor, while in truth he wanted to constantly feel the rubber cling to both his chest and back all at once.

Frado understood that hunting alone would allow him to fight in his own style, and also make decisions liberally. It is not strange for hunters to not join a party.

However, he has no intention to do so.

The reason is he knew that if he were to keep his passions to himself and endure until he couldn’t hold it in anymore, the satisfaction felt when he finally released them to his heart’s content would be many times greater.

Besides, hunting together with Elmeria’s crew was a great fun.

The girl has the absolute right to choose quests for the team, and she doesn’t mess around when it comes to the difficult jobs they accept. Her knowing the weight of responsibility when pulling the trigger on each decision makes a world of difference when compared to other hunting parties he have previously joined.

Situations where a comrade would die if he were to mess up does not occur often under normal circumstances, but it has happened almost every time ever since he has joined Elmeria’s crew.

Because the girl is used to being protected, she doesn’t doubt Fradio’s skills even one bit.

She believed that the man would eliminate all obstructing small fries without fail, making her able to focus on the main enemy and swing her hammer without hesitation. Even if a Vespoid were to approach so close behind her that she could clearly hear its buzzing wings, she wouldn’t turn around.

If he were to not answer to the faith she put in him, then he would be disqualified as a gunner. The heavy sense of responsibility and tension that comes with each shot far exceeds that of other parties.

It’s irresistibly fun.

And ever since Zeeg joined, that excitement has doubled.

One reason is that the boy has improved exponentially like sand absorbing water, but the highlight is the amusement from seeing Elmeria, a girl who seemed so tough and serious, show her childish side when interacting with Zeeg.

Not wanting to miss a single moment, a whole year without vacation has passed before he realized it.

But that was the limit.

He longed for his beloved Gypceros’s lovely figure, to listen to its wonderful voice, and to fully feel his “lover” in a battle to the death.

With those feelings in mind, he departed from Minegarde on a ten-day carriage journey to this Jungle- But no matter how long he waited, the lovely Gypceros doesn’t seem to show up.

Due to this hunt not being a quest accepted from the guild, the chance of encountering it is entirely up to luck, but he doesn’t have any doubts because he has always encountered it.

But for the first time, his confidence is starting to waver.

(“It seems that a little too much time has passed...”)

The feeling of loneliness is so great that his chest felt like it was bursting open. He would have even cried if he wasn’t covered in the Gypceros’s unique odor. Putting the return trip into consideration, he has only a few days left before he’s forced to stop.

(“Let’s search around one more time...”)

Fradio took a quick look around from under his cap while crossing on the log.

The water is deep and its currents are fast. A thunder was heard coming from the mountain’s direction last night, so there could be a precipitation upstream.

Walking through a wet leaf mould in an area filled with tall palm-type trees, he could hear the Vespoids’ buzzing wings mixed in with the sound of the river currents.

(“How troublesome indeed.”)

Stopping, Fradio drew his favorite heavy bowgun, the Tankmage, from his back and unfolded it. Unlike usual, his weapon is installed with a Zoom Scope and Long Barrel, which are parts that assist in shooting from a distance.

From a pouch strapped to his belt, he took out Level 1 Normal Shots and loaded it into the bowgun. He then kneeled on one knee, leaned the gunstock firmly against his shoulder, then peered into the scope.

He placed middle of the crosshairs between the three flying Vespoids, then pulled the trigger without hesitation.

The gunstock was knocked back at his shoulder as a gunshot sounded, but rubbery hides absorbed the impact.

A smoking cartridge was ejected.

Just as he intended, the shot didn’t hit any of the Vespoids, flying through the space between them. Sensing danger, those Vespoids scattered away.

He didn’t intend to kill. They may be annoying, but he doesn’t have any business with them. Lifting the bowgun and standing up, he could hear something sweeping the ground, causing him to hurriedly turn around.

What he then saw was the figure of a boar-like monster with large tusks, the Bullfango.

It’s possible that due to the gunshot, the creature that was sleeping in the thicket woke up.

By observing how its body shakes, he knew that it is currently in a fit of rage- sweeping the ground with its legs to prepare for a charge!

The tackle may be linear, but there’s no time to dodge!

Fradio raised his Tankmage as an improvised shield, narrowly defending against a fatal hit from the tusks that lunged in like spears.

Upon collision, a strong impact ran through his whole body. The Zoom Scope broke, and a long crack appeared on the Tankmage’s barrel. A part of the barrel then sprung up and hit his forehead, dizzying him.

(“Uh, this is ba-”)

As he was knocked back, the ground below his feet disappeared.

He could see the brown, muddy river flowing furiously, waiting to devour its unfortunate prey, but he couldn’t do anything.

Falling into the currents, Fradio noticed his consciousness slipping away.

He desperately tried to stay awake, but his last memory was water flowing into the Gypceros Cap through the holes, soaking his face- and nothing else after.

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Monster Hunter:Volume3 Chapter2

2018-08-24T19:07:18Z

Barnnn:

== Chapter 2 - Setting off Alone ==

[[File:MH-v03-002.jpg|300px|thumb]]

"Excuse me..."

Called upon by a distant voice from beyond the dream world, Becky straightend up as she felt her consciousness being pulled back together.

Just a little longer and she would have gotten to eat that extra-large rolled Rathian egg, but it was taken away at the last moment.

A registration book dropped loudly onto the floor. With sleepy eyes, she looked on as it filpped open.

She wondered, how many times has it been now?

It had fallen so many times that the corners were all dented. Although it wouldn't be so difficult even in her sleep to grab it while it was falling, it would be annoying if someone were to make a fuss out of it.

As she picked up the registration book and yawned casually, the same voice could be heard once again.

Turning around, a young man was standing in front of the gathering hall's counter.

His approximate age should be... eighteen or nineteen? He was a new face, and seemed to be quite restless as he cautiously minded his surroundings.

His face had a childish look, and he seemed to be well-raised, with tall stature and solid build.

Not only that, his way of standing with a bent back made him stand out unnecessarily.

In this kind of place, looking like that is dangerous. It's like having a sign saying "I'm a newbie" hanging from one's neck. He might have difficulties in finding companions, but worse than that, he might lose his life from being tricked into doing something beyond his level.

Becky readjusted her hat, which is part of her uniform, before standing up and turning to face the counter. She then habitually wiped the counter's surface, which has gained a black luster from absorbing a multitude of alcohol over the years.

While visiting hunters at this time are scarce as it is before sundown, there are those who were here all day, loitering and drinking since morning without heading off to hunt. The hall's interior reeks of tobacco smoke and alcohol all year long, which can make some people drunk from the atmosphere alone.

Because of that, the boy's face going all red is not from nervousness alone. And judging from his demeanor, he seems to be from some urban area. As of late, more and more young ones with

such origins seem to be turning up. They are the kind who come with admiration of the hunting occupation, as there have been increased opportunities of seeing monsters in the safety of cities.

That in itself is not a bad thing. They own their lives and the right to choose their path. They have the fortune to work towards a future of their own choosing, one with value enough to risk their lives for.

For them, the guild will offer as much assistance as it can.

There is always the possibility that skilled hunters are hiding among those people, and ones with such skills will be a great asset to the guild. For that reason, being from an urban area is never a reason for the guild to turn someone away.

"Welcome."

As Becky said with a smile, the boy reddened up even more-- a favorable impression for her.

It just couldn't be helped that the boy's line of sight has dropped down to the woman's chest. It is only natural for boys his age, and the boy himself turned away soon enough. She finds this kind of innocence to be quite likeable.

Among hunters, there are many who is of the rowdy, uninhibited types. Although she could take care of them if they were to come forward, she wouldn't be albe to keep the gathering hall under control if she were to worry about every little thing.

"So, on what businesses have you come here today?"

"Ah, um... I'd like to register as a hunter, please..."

It was hard to comprehend those words as his voice blended in with all the background drunken laughter, but it was better that way.

That is because, among those who don't head out to hunt, there are ones who will never miss an opportunity to lecture newcomers.

The types that tries to scam newcomers into buying stuff would be promptly thrown out, but most are of the type that do nothing but boast about their past exploits or give unhelpful advice.

The Guild Master told her to just ignore them, but Becky herself has always wanted to do rid the guild of those people.

Another reason is that most of them are the type to drink on the tab.

When it's time to pay up, she would kick their asses and send them away to work on a suitable quest, but among them are those who would leave without ever coming back.

Such is a possibility of a hunter's life, but it dampens her mood all the same when it happens.

Becky took out a different registration book from under the counter, opened it to a new page, placed it on the countertop, and pushed it towards the boy.

"Read what's written here, then sign if you agree to comply with all the terms, alright? Do you have an introduction letter?"

"No... Um... Am I supposed to bring one...?"

"No, no, you don't have to-- Anyway, make sure you read everything carefully."

"Y-- Yes..."

The boy cast his eyes down on the registration book and started reading intently, just as he was told to.

Seeing that his equipment was of the Velociprey set, apparent from their dull blue color, he seems to not be a complete beginner. Still, one must not jump to conclusions. There still is the possibility that they were not manufactured from materials he had gathered himself.

The weapon on his waist was the Bonespike, a one-handed sword.

Its primary components were monster bones, making it lightweight and wieldy, but less durable than metal swords. However, it has upgrade potential, able to be turned into the embodiment of a fire wyvern's power if done right.

Before long, the boy nodded vigorously, raised his face up, and began looking around for something.

Becky passed him the fountain pen and ink bottle that was on the countertop. A faint, bashful smile appeared on the boy's lips as he received them and signed down his name.

He's called Brass Lagoon, apparently.

"Alright, Brass, next up is this."

Becky took out a yet another registration book, placing it before the boy.

Under normal circumstances, handling new guild registrations would be the Guild Master's job, but it was entrusted to Becky for today. The Guild Master has had too much to drink the previous day, and is now still asleep in his room.

Brass wrote down his information as the book prompted him to, showing no doubts in them. Age, gender, and most proficient weapon-- the basic profile.

The guild assigns jobs to hunters based on those information. There are no particular issues with writing down false information, but if that were the case, they might end up paying for it with their lives.

"...Done."

"Alright, thanks."

Becky took the registration book and scanned it over. Brass was younger than what his first suggested, being only sixteen years of age. But of course, hunters of that age aren't nonexistent. Besides, this world is a competition, and starting early is sure to give an advantage, or at least, the chance to do over.

On the column for past hunting experience, it was written that he had hunted several Yian Kut-Kus back at his home region.

"Have you ever been on a Rathalos hunt?"

As Becky asked that, Brass anxiously knit his brows and shook his head.

"Um... Do I have to...?"

"No, no."

And so it's confirmed that he's a genuine beginner. If he doesn't carefully choose who he teams up with, it'll be all downhill from there. Furthermore, in the miscellaneous column, he'd written that he's handy for support roles, and that he has three Books of Combos with him.

"...So, why have you become a hunter?"

Becky asked as she was about to close the registration book. The reasons for coming to register as hunters greatly depend on each individual. Although they're generally here to make a living, she had a feeling that this boy is different.

"Um... I... I'm here to prove something."

"Prove? Prove what?"

"That I'm not a coward."

Although the boy declared as such, he was still like a frightened rabbit.

Surely, this line of work isn't where cowards thrive. It requires a great deal of courage to face wyverns so large that they could swallow a person in one gulp.

Fear saps strength away from the limbs, and takes away freedom of movement from the body. Such is what happens to hunters no matter their degree of mastery, as they are involuntary reactions of the flesh, not impulses of the heart.

It's understandable that if he had the courage to face a Rathalos, then he wouldn't be called a coward. But of course, he has to come back from it alive, too.

"That's good."

Becky closed the registration book and smiled. Ones who are aware of their own fears are ones who have the makings of a good hunter. That is because they know who themselves are. If he comes back alive, his experiences will accumulate well-- But then again, if he were to be overly cautious, then that would make him truly a coward.

"...Alright, you're all set with the registration. Your hunter rank may still be Ranger-- the lowest level-- but do your best out there."

"Y-- Yes!"

This time, his face being red was probably not due to shyness, but rather anxiety, anticipation, and excitement.

Becky then passed him his guild card and told him where to find the guest house. He'd be surprised, that's for sure.

The rooms to accommodate new hunters are more or less equal to animal coops, after all.

If he's unable to stand just that, then he'd be unfit for the hunter's line of work, where one has to camp out and go multiple days straight without bathing while out hunting.

The boy took the guild card and held it to his chest, said his thanks and bowed, then picked up his luggage and headed for the gathering hall's exit.

Seeing the hunters who entered at the same time as the boy made his exit, a faint frown appeared on Becky's brows.

The air was heavy, filled with the mood of uneasiness.

Brass tried to avoid them, but his luggage bumped into one among them. The boy bowed to apologize, but it seemed like the group hadn't noticed him at all.

Leading the crew was a girl with a stern expression painted on her face, and a massive hammer, the rare Breath Core, on her back.

They were the party led by Elmeria Franport.

Behind her was the veteran hunter Gannon Denon, wearing armor with giant horns on its shoulder pads. Following him was Fradio Heart, the hunter who never takes off that Gypceros Cap of his;

he had recently turned thirty according to the registration. The last to enter was Zeeg Grandest, carrying his helmet in his arms, with an ill-tempered expression.

("I wonder what happened?")

Usually, those four aren't the type of hunters to show such attitudes.

The other hunters reacted to them, sensitive to the irregularity in the atmosphere. But it was somewhat mitigated by the fact that commotions are commonplace in the gathering hall.

The split between Elmeria and Zeeg were especially bad. They were like melting iron bars.

With the expression of discouragement of their faces, the quartet headed straight for the counter, stopping right before Becky. They probably came in here right after arriving in town. It was apparent from the dust on their armor, and their sour body odor that came mixed in with the stink alcohol.

"...Sorry, we failed."

Elmeria said, as if just throwing it out.

Becky immediately knew that she was referring to the Rathian subjugation contract, which they committed to.

Of course, if they were successful, their expressions would be far more merry compared how they looked when they came in. Even for Fradio, whose facial expression remains unseen, a difference be noticed from the look in his eyes. Although he seems to be finding amusement in the current group dynamics, he certainly isn't satisfied with it.

"I see."

Becky said, while picking out the quest registration book.

This kind of thing is not that big of a deal. It may be unusual for the likes of Elmeria, but wyvern hunts don't usually end in success. They are just that dangerous, so to speak.

A Rathian that's taking care of its young are especially brutal, to the point of being untouchable. And in this case, it was a Rathian that had just retired from its motherhood, which would probably mean its extra ferocity was still remaining-- That was what Becky thought, but she recalled that this is not the only time Elmeria's party hasn't been able to fulfill their requests.

If memory serves her right, they must have failed their previous quest, and the one before that as well.

Becky opened the registration book and checked the quest details. One quest was to hunt two Basarios, and the other was to gather Powderstone. The Bararios quest was abandoned mid-way because Elmeria was injured, and during the Powderstone quest, they seemed to have timed out due to spending too much time driving away a Rathalos.

Putting down the registration book, Becky then looked at Elmeria and her team. Although it's unknown what happened, the accumulated friction among them was apparent. Zeeg and Elmeria aren't

even looking at each other at all, and Fradio seems to be quite fed up with such state of affairs.

"Thanks for your hard work... But too bad, the contract fee can't be refunded. Do your best next time, too."

Elmeria nodded, without a shred of enthusiasm. In a plausible state of an undefeated hunter who suffered repeated defeats, as if being stuck in a bottomless swamp of disappointment.

One would think things will be fine since they have the veteran hunter Gannon Denon with them, but as it turns out, it is not necessarily the case.

"Want something to drink?"

As Becky asked her, Elmeria only ordered some food and alcohol over her shoulder and headed to a table. Gannon and Fradio followed her, saying nothing. Looking at them go, Zeeg clicked his tongue in annoyance, but went after them all the same, taking a seat diagonally opposite to Elmeria.

Becky passed the order of Aptonoth-Bullfango Ground Meat Sausage and Pickled Vegetables to the kitchen, then took a look at the party's savings in an account book.

In general, hunters do not carry their cash with them. The possibility of theft exists if they were left at the guest house, and if they were lost at the hunting grounds, it wouldn't be something one could just cry off.

And because of that, the guild offers its services to keep and manage their money.

For the most part, if the hunters were directly paid their rewards, the money would be all turned into alcohol and food, right on the spot.

Although it is profitable for the gathering hall, there would be none left for upgrading weapons and armor, increasing the number of hunters who are unable to tackle bigger challenges.

Such circumstance is undesirable for the Hunter's Guild.

So for that reason, and also to avoid unnecessary trouble among hunters as result of theft, the guild offers to temporarily keep their money and manage their payments in their place.

Becky swiftly flipped over the account book and checked Elmeria's balance.

She had sunk a considerable amount into polishing up the Breath Core, resulting in her savings going below even those of the average rookies for a time, but right now it seems to have come back to the usual level.

The same goes for the other three.

Especially Zeeg, who seems to have some sort of goal he's working towards, apparent from his accumulating savings and him barely doing any shopping. He's probably gathering what he needs on-site.

A female guild employee, wearing the uniform called the Maiden set, came in through the back door and placed a set of report documents on the counter.

The report concerns the hunt which Elmeria's team had just came back from.

Showing little interest, Becky picked it up and scanned over it. According to what's been written in the report, the cause of failure was being too cautious. Apparently, the Rathian got away as much as three times, and the party wasn't able to finish it in the end.

Looking at the whole picture, Becky suspected that Gannon's injury was perhaps another reason.

Under the helmet, his face could be seen wrapped in bandages over the left eye. Hit by Rathian poison, according to the written report. Although he must have received prompt treatment, things are still uncertain, since it did get into his eye.

"Food's ready!"

Called by a voice from the kitchen, Becky closed the account book and stood up, pushed open the hinged door, and took the food platter. It was filled to the brim with grilled sausages, giving off quite the nice smell. Only a slight movement of the platter would cause the sausages' casing to burst open, sending meat juices gushing out, and also causing the uniquely sweet smell of meat to drift off.

Becky held the platter with one hand, and with the other, she nimbly picked up four mugs by their ears, used one of their rims to knock off the beer barrel stopper, then filled the mugs with the alcohol that came pouring out.

When all the mugs were filled, she used one of their rims again to put the stopper back in place, then pushed open with her rear the hinged door between the counter and the hall, and headed to the table where Zeeg and the others were seated.

Each one of them-- except Fradio-- had already taken off their helmets, but it seems that they still haven't said a word to each other.

Although an air of uneasiness is surrounding them, it is quite a normal occurrence for parties that had just returned from a failed quest.

"Sorry to have kept you waiting. These are some good stuff for filling up your stomachs with, eh?"

Becky said, and placed the platter on the shiny black table.

No matter how bad one's mood, even if to the point of nauseating, hunger always prevail. Even more so if one hasn't had a proper meal for close to a week while they're out at the hunting grounds.

The most they could have eaten out there would be grilled salt-cured meat, or mushrooms and honey gathered on-site.

They were nothing compared to these sausages, which has been brought to its best flavors by a variety of spices.

And above all else, this place has the booze.

Moderately chilled beer-- it's the one thing that can't be surpassed.

The four hunters dropped all their thoughts, even if only briefly, as they picked up their mugs. They chugged down the contents-- the golden nectar under the thick bubbling cloud, so bitter yet so sweet.

"Kuhaah--!"

Exhaling in a manner that made her look like an old lady, Elmeria banged her mug down on the table, paying no mind to any beer that might have spilled off.

Even Zeeg, who usually doesn't even drink beer, is drinking quite a lot today.

Seeing them in that state, Becky broke off from their table and headed back to the counter, pulling out a large teddy bear and holding it in her arms.

But it seemed that Zeeg and the others hadn't noticed her doing so.

Each of them, with forks in hand, started tackling the sausages. The sound of those forks piercing the smoking hot casings could be clearly heard, even in the bustling gathering hall.

Life returned to Elmeria's disheartened face, her cheeks turning back to the color of brilliant rose red.

Even so, all of them still kept silent, which is quite the unusual occurrence.

When one is faced with failure, it is only natural that they would spend time to reflect in silence. But it doesn't seem to be the case for the team, at least for today.

Becky rested her chin on the teddy bear's head and looked around, noticing that most of the other hunters were staring intently at Zeeg and the crew.

In this City of Minegarde, those four are quite famous.

Not only had Elmeria attained a high Hunter Rank at such a yound age, she had also obtained the Breath Core, a hammer so rare that it might as well be considered a myth, not to mention that it was yet to be recreated by current technology. As for Zeeg, he was able defeat a Monoblos by himself-- an impressive feat considering that he had started his career just a year and a half prior.

Although young hunters have been increasing in number lately, there are not many who soared up the ladders like those two. Before getting to that point, most of them would lose their lives, give up and return to their hometown, or play it safe and gradually sharpen their skills.

But those two were blessed with luck. Natural talent also playd a part, of course, but without skilled senior hunters to guide them on their way, they probably wouldn't have come close to the level they currently are on.

And because of that, their recent string of failures are catching the interest of everyone.

That includes the guild, too.

Since the points that dictate each hunter's ranks were automatically granted for every party member upon completing a quest, if someone like Gannon were to do the most work, then the raking system would not be indicative of each individual's skills.

But of course, Becky herself doesn't doubt Elmeria and Zeeg's individual skills, and if she were to be ordered to write up a report, she would write it as such. Her opinion would act as a verification of their abilities, at least to an extent.

Besides, they were only one step away from finishing off the Rathian. The problem was that they couldn't take that one last step.

As Becky watched over them dragging on their silence, she noticed one drunk hunter swaying up from his seat, approaching the four.

The hunter was a young one, his face in deep red due to intoxication.

Becky recalled that the young man once tried to court Elmeria, which only resulted in him being given the cold shoulder. His armor was of the Vespoid set, crafted from shells of the giant bug monster Vespoid, and on his back was a set of lance and shield.

This time, Becky doesn't intervene immediately. She would come forward if the fight escalated to the point of weapons being drawn, of course, but hunters are as used to fist fights as saying their greetings.

"Ya guys~ Failed 'nother quest, eh~~?"

The young man said, brushing up the forelock that got in the way of his eyes. Elmeria and Zeeg stopped their hands. The young man rambled on, unaware of the situation.

"Like ay~e saiddd~ you should just join up with us~~ And thennn~ I-- wiuugh--!?"

Two forks, both with sausages still on them, flew into his gaping mouth like straight arrows.

They were thrown at the same time by Elmeria and Zeeg, with magnificent precision. If the sausages weren't still on them, they probably would have pierced the inside of the young man's mouth. And probably because he had come to such realization, the young man fell on his buttocks, his face changing from red to pale blue as he swiftly backed away.

Elmeria and Zeeg both let out a sigh, then, at the same time, reached out to the platter, stopping as their hands bumped into each other. This time, it was not due to feelings like shyness.

Considering the manner in which they were glaring at each other, the impression one could get from the scene was a standoff between mutual enemies.

"...So, you reflected on any of that?"

Zeeg was the first to fire a shot. His words gave the impression of bottled up feelings finally bursting off.

"Reflect?"

Elmeria returned fire, letting out an arrogant snort. Licking off the meat juices from her fingers, she then wiped her hand on the table.

"I don't have anything I need to be reflecting on."

"What do you mean?"

Zeeg's hands, rested on the table, clenched into fists.

"What, you don't know? Didn't we end up like this because you were acting on your own?"

"And when did I act on my own!?"

"Well, didn't you totally do that!?"

Zeeg knocked his fist on the table, and as if doing so in retaliation, Elmeria banged her mug on a wooden tray.

The platter and the sausages in it sprung up, but the two adults of the group paid it no mind as they continued eating and drinking in silence. They would definitely intervene when push comes to shove, but now is not the time.

Ignoring that those two adults were even there, Zeeg and Elmeria both leaned forward as they glared at each other.

"What did I do, huh!?"

"Well aren't you the one who always jump in on your own!? Like when we were hunting the Basarios, didn't you ignore what we said and kept on swinging that sword!? Thanks to that, our teamwork was totally ruined! And I also got hurt!!"

"Wasn't that because you didn't say things clearly!? I mean, sure, cornering them one by one is important! But isn't it ridiculous when we can't finish off even one of them after half a day!? We had less time than usual to do that quest, you know!? If you're not satisfied, then why didn't you be more decisive!?"

"Isn't that obviously to minimize danger and maximize benefits!? Don't you get it!?"

To vent off her frustration, Elmeria banged her mug on the table again and again.

"Look, what's most important to hunters is to come back alive! And to make sure everyone's safe, isn't it obvious that it'd take up more time!?"

"Yeah, that's right! But--! There's a difference between prioritizing survival and being a coward, you know!"

Elmeria stiffened up slightly.

"...So you're saying I'm a coward...?"

"Th-- That's right!"

As he said that, Zeeg's face suggested self-awareness of going too far, but he was probably too stubborn to pull back from what he'd decided to do. After the first word was out, all the

feelings he'd bottled up burst forth, as if a dam had been breached. He was unstoppable.

"You've been way too careful lately! You're thinking about so many things in your head, but aren't there a lot more that you wouldn't know for sure if you're not in the real action!?

Planning things through back at camp is important and all, but if our prey ran away, then what good would all those strategies do!? What is the purpose of us hunters!? Isn't it to hunt things!?"

Elmeria's face turned redder and redder. But not due to alcohol. Those lips of hers quivered, turning red like strawberry as she bit them down.

Zeeg averted his eyes from the girl and chugged down his beer. He then scowled, likely because of the bitter taste.

"...Th-- That kind of thing-- You didn't even need to tell me..."

Before long, Elmeria spoke up in a shivering voice. Becky observed that her shaking must be coming from something other than anger.

That is because Zeeg's words totally hit bull's eye.

They all line up with the report documents, which stated that Elmeria's recent actions have been overly cautious.

She used to lean more toward the daring type.

And in the first place, the party was supposed to be relying on Gannon to draw the monsters' attention, and also to compensate for Elmeria's boldness. If the primary attacker were to chicken out, then getting good results would surely be difficult.

"But--!!"

As Elmeria said that, her eyes slightly watered up. At first glance, one might say that she's just drunk, but looking more closely, it's also possible that she was on the verge of bursting into tears.

"The party's leader is me! I'm the one who decides how we hunt! Don't get any ideas!! This isn't your party! It's mine!!"

This time, the one whose facial expression changed was Zeeg.

He could get up and punch Elmeria at any moment now-- That was what his expression suggested.

Becky then noticed Gannon, who seems to be pretending to not hear a thing, but is actually keeping a sharp ear on the situation, and is clearly prepared to break a few bones in an instant if the boy were to make a move.

Although it's unknown whether or not Zeeg is aware of the large man, he soon sat back down and looked up at the ceiling, then took a deep, slow breath.

He then reached for the platter, picking up a sausage and popped it into his mouth, then made a bitter face as he chugged down all of his remaining beer in one go. After all that, he stood up from his seat.

"Wh-- Where do you think you're going?"

Elmeria's voice was audibly discomposed. She's likely wondering why the boy is standing up all of a sudden.

"...Back to my room. I'm taking a bath."

Saying that, Zeeg picked up his Rathalos Helm and the luggage at his feet, then turned away from the table. The Lacerator Blade+ on his back, plastered with dirt, rang a metallic chime as it swayed around.

Elmeria did nothing to stop him.

Zeeg walk away alone without looking back again, exiting the gathering hall.

He didn't greet Becky on his way out-- another rare occurrence. Although she definitely was there, the boy probably didn't notice her. His face suggested that he was lost deep in thought.

"...What the-- What's up with him?"

Elmeria chugged down her beer, then wiped off the bubbles around her mouth. Then, she looked at Gannon and Fradio. She was looking for reassurance that she was not in the wrong.

And just as she expected, Gannon nodded as if to say that the girl was right. Elmeria's expression lightened up, but Becky felt apprehensive about such an attitude.

Gannon has always had quite a soft spot for Elmeria.

Although he's just technically carrying on his duty for the aristocrats to whom he's indebted, in a prectical sense, their relationship seem to be one between a mentor and his student. But on the other hand, the relationship between a young mistress and a loyal retainer is still there. Not absolute obedience, but quite close to it.

But he's getting too old for this.

There's no way he can be a hunter forever. The day will come when Elmeria has to lead her party by herself. Up to now, there are many times when things went well only because she's had Gannon there to watch her back. But is the girl aware of that?

Surely, listening to what the leader says is key to a successful hunt. If each individual were to act on their own, then there wouldn't be any reason to team up.

But that doesn't mean rigid rules could be enforced. There are no social statuses for hunters, after all.

Even though the guild has a ranking system, it was created so that one could only accept jobs appropriate for them, and not as a social status. The differences in lodgings and food, too, were enforced as motivation factors for hunters, and a way for the guild to show confidence in them. And still, a beginner wouldn't even be able to pay rent for the better rooms anyway. Preventing them from renting in the first place also serves as a preemptive measure to unwanted complaints.

From Elmeria's attitude when she spoke to Zeeg, she was obviously putting him lower than herself. It was natural that Zeeg would get angry. The girl not realizing that she was doing so is a problem, and it falls to Gannon to be mindful of such things.

But he didn't say anything about it, and even went so far as to nod in approval to the girl's actions. At this rate, she would never realize her mistakes. Which raises some concerns of danger down the line, if she intends to keep on being a hunter.

As for Fradio, he's still doing things at his own leisure, as if unconcerned by the exchange that had just happened. Still eating the sausages, inserting them under that rubber mask of his, so as to not show his face.

Because the guild has always held the policy of not prying into hunters' personal backgrounds, the man remains an enigma. But all that matters is his skill. Though Becky herself has to admit that she's curious.

"That guy just doesn't get it! He doesn't get it at all! Right!?"

Elmeria leaned further and further forward in Gannon and Fradio's direction, expecting them to agree with her, but she also seemed to not be expecting them to reply.

"He's letting things go to his head! Hunted a Monoblos!? So what!? If he can't hunt one after sticking with us for a year and a half, then he'd be better off going back to the sticks! Isn't that right!? That stubborn little... stubborn... little...!!"

Frowning so hard that her forehead wrinkled, Elmeria banged her mug loudly on the table. She then held it up high and waved it around.

"--Becky, bring me more beer!"

"Alright, coming right up."

Becky tucked her Sleepy Bear away on the other side of the counter, then stepped out to collect the empty mugs. "Anyone else want refills?" she asked, and the customers on other tables here and there raised their hands.

She then turned back to the counter, signaling other waitresses to come out and collect the mugs.

The skirt of their uniforms were slightly shorter than Becky's. As they went around to confirm the orders of other tables, Becky came to take the mug off Elmeria's hand and smiled,

"Beer refill for you, right? ...Want to order some food to go with it, too?"

"Damn it all!"

Zeeg shouted as he threw the luggage he was carrying at the wall.

Without bouncing back, a blunt impact sounded as the leather bag fell to the floor.

Some medicine bottles inside could have been broken, but the boy paid it no mind. His priority was on venting his irritation.

But that did nothing to cool down his anger, which continued to erupt forth like molten rock.

Catching sight of the properly made bed, Zeeg's fingers wriggled. He raised his hand, reached for his back, took hold of his great sword's handle, and glared at the bed.

He wondered, how would he feel if he were to smash the bed to pieces with a sword as powerful as a wyvern's jaw? Chips of wood would scatter around, and the mattress' plumage would disperse in the air. Looking at such a scene could help calm his nerves.

But the boy ceased such thoughts. Considering the clean-up afterwards, it'd result in more trouble than it's worth.

Where Zeeg is currently staying is called the Bishop Room, decorated with a good amount of high-grade appliances and furniture. It's easy to break them to pieces, but as the boy is currently burdened by expenses left and right, it would hurt to increase them.

Sighing heavily, Zeeg took the great sword off his back and hung it on the wall, then took a seat on the chair.

Although the Rathalos armor is lightweight compared to metal armor due to being created primarily from wyvern shells, it is quite heavy nonetheless. The chair creaked faintly, as if it was about to scream. The boy felt that it could break apart if he moved his body too much, but he didn't want to lay down on the bed while wearing dirty armor.

("Dammit...")

Putting his helmet down on the round table, Zeeg then unfastened his hair strap. The dusty black hair was let down, releasing a greasy stink and making the boy feel itchy as it touched his cheeks.

He noticed that his hair has grown quite long.

The hair strap in his palm was one of the things be brought with him when he first left the village. It was decorated with a scale of the first Yian Kut-Ku he had defeated.

Compared to back then, he has improved quite a lot, if he says so himself. He felt like writhing in embarrassment as he recalled his immaturity, like a fruit on the verge of ripening, so full of hope and energy.

Compared to back then, what about now?

What opinion does he have on himself?

Being able to hunt a Monoblos by himself at least suggests that he has skills. Not that he's meaning to boast, but he has proof of it in the form of the wyvern's remains. He's also earned enough recognition that he'd recieved some requests of which the clients wanted to be done by him specifically.

But he's seeing no fun in them.

He has a feeling that at this point, he'd hunted every known monster at least once.

The piscine wyvern Plesioth, said to boast the largest size among all wyverns, and even the armor wyvern Gravios. He had also hunted a number of Basarios and Rathians, even though the latest attempts at them failed.

The requests are also becoming repetitive. At this point, he couldn't even count how many Wyvern Eggs he'd transported.

("Man, it sure is getting boring...")

Swaying his body around on the creaking chair, Zeeg looked out through the window. A small black spot could be seen on the blue sky. Judging from its size, the boy assessed that it was a Yian Kut-Ku. Probably chased off by hunters somewhere out there, but there's no way it's coming to the city.

And suddenly, the boy thought about Freda.

A girl from the same village, Freda Esgrand is a lone hunter who was acknowledged by the legendary hunter of Kokoto, and was granted his sword.

Hunting in armor made from pale white hides of the Khezu, she had become an emotional inspiration for many hunters with her unrelenting determination.

However, that determination of hers is not fit for hunting together with others. Being determined to never give up-- That is what could lead to the death of her comrades, or even herself.

Despite that, she has never lost her goal of becoming a hero. Even after she was acknowledged by the people as a new hero, she continues to sharpen her skills and swing her sword in order to help those in need.

Freda once said to Zeeg that it's even more difficult for a hunter to keep on being just a hunter. Those are also the words of the Hero of Kokoto.

Those words proved to be true.

Although he has been fairly successful in hunting, he certainly fees less gratitude for such victories. Letting his guard down could still cost his life, of course. But he's starting to get used to even such risks.

("And that's no good at all.")

The boy also felt that the respect he once held for the monsters' lives has been waning.

Particularly the recent times, during which he's been hunting only for money and materials for his weapon.

And that goes against the original philosophy of hunters, which is to take lives only so that one's own kind could survive-- That was what he thought.

Maybe it's time to stop being a hunter and look for another way to live life-- Just as the boy considered it, he felt as if he was plunged down a dark, bottomless pit at his feet.

He broke into cold sweat.

It was a different feeling from when he was facing wyverns, but he was scared of it all the same.

It reminded him that there's no way he could possibly stop.

That there's no other way of life he could possibly choose.

Stop being a hunter, and his life ends-- What's left is only an empty shell. It's way too soon for that. Move on as long as his body is able, and dying in exhaustion at the hunting grounds.

That was the boy's ideal life of a hunter.

("C'mon, this isn't the time and place to complain about being bored!")

If one thinks so, then it'd be better to look for the reason and deal away with it.

Zeeg scolded himself, feeling quite embarrassed for being an eighteen-year-old brat who thinks he already knows everything in the world.

Pulling himself together, the boy tried to find out since when did he think things are becoming boring, and soon realized that there was no need to go so far back.

Half a year ago, when he hunted the Monoblos all alone, he was very much satisfied with his life.

Even while recalling it, his heart pounded in excitement.

Which would mean the when he'd started to feel bored would be after that point.

And so Zeeg remembered.

It was around the time his team's hunts started to not go well.

Although the real failures were from the latest few times, there were also a few close calls before then.

Around the same time, he also started feeling annoyed that Elmeria's strategies were becoming cowardly.

Normally, Zeeg and Elmeria would frequently get into minor arguments, but recently, it escalated way beyond the point of being able to laugh off.

The topics also changed. Changed to things concerning their hunts. Things that must be given serious thought.

But no matter how much input Zeeg gave, Elmeria would never listen to him. Gannon would always take her side, of course, and Fradio would always be fine whichever way.

All Fradio cares about is playing around with Gypceros, to the point that he doesn't seem to even want new weapons and armor-- unless they're new models created from Gypceros's Rubbery Hides, which makes him likely to be unconcerned about the team's failures.

But Zeeg was different.

Most importantly, it felt like he'd been hit with Ioprey poison, not getting his suggestions accepted even though he thought things would go better that way.

Zeeg then suddenly recalled what Elmeria said back at the gathering hall, feeling that he has finally thought of a way.

--This isn't your party! It's mine!!

That's what she said.

It's a party led by Elmeria, so she's naturally the one who calls the shots.

She's the one who looks for requests, and the one who decides whether or not to accept them. Although she does accept everyone's opinions to an extent, she is still the one who makes the final decision.

And in the first place, Zeeg being added to her party was something which stemmed off from the Guild Master's personal intervention. It's only natural that the girl is the one who decides their strategies.

("Oh c'mon, isn't it so simple?")

Zeeg felt clear-headed, as if something that's been possessing him had finally slipped off. As if the fog in his head had instantly lifted.

It was actually so simple. If he isn't liking it, then he'd be better off bowing out. It's not like he's being bound by any legal force or formal contract.

And then, he could make a new party-- A party with him as the leader, hunting in the way he wants.

Zeeg stood up, unable to contain the excitement in his heart-- the excitement he hasn't felt in quite a while.

His own party-- those words sounded so enchanting.

The boy has an interest in making a name for his party by making it one with a specific hunting policy, like the Crimson Avian Wings who have mastered the art of hunting Yian Kut-Ku, or the Giant Spiders who hold the policy of fighting neopterons exclusively.

There are also those who are wildly enthusiastic about specific wyverns such as Khezu or Gypceros. As for Zeeg himself, the wyvern he considers to be his most worthy opponent would be Rathalos.

The Rathalos, the wyvern of wyverns. The boy strongly regarded it as such.

No matter how many times one has faced it, they run the risk of losing a limb or even their life if they let their guard down for even a moment. Only when Zeeg faced such an opponent would his lukewarm blood boil in excitement.

If that's what he's going to be satisfied with, then his party would have to be trained through numerous smaller quests. Not the training of each individual, but training to work together as a party. Still, that is also part of the fun.

Perhaps the same was true for what Elmeria had been striving for in her party.

It's unfortunate, but that was not the same as what the boy had been striving for. Or rather, they have ended up not being the same along the way.

Still, it is what it is.

And that is why the boy isn't feeling at home.

("Alright! I'll create a party of my very own! In the way that I want it to be!")

However, gathering new comerades in this city would prove to be difficult.

Elmeria's party is quite famous around these parts. Skilled hunters would be wary of joining up with the boy who had just left such a team.

It pains him to admit it, but it's only natural that one would want to join Elmeria's party over his.

Althought it's quite an annoying thing he's thinking about, the boy is perfectly calm. Could this be what they call becoming more like a hunter?

Zeeg picked up the leather bag that he had thrown at the wall, checking its contents. Luckily, no bottles had been broken. Though the only other things in it were a change of clothes and tools for equipment maintenance.

Materials obtained during the hunt are being transported back separately, but he's not in immediate need to use anything. Them being delivered a little later is no problem at all.

Taking out the necessary items out of the item box and packing them into the bag, Zeeg then opened up the Guild Handbook and looked up the information on the other cities.

The closer to Minegarde, the better.

That is because there are many good hunting grounds around these parts. Although not same hunting grounds as the ones managed by this city's guild, they are still in the region of fertile lands.

The boy then wondered if Elmeria would be disappointed in him for leaving, but he was also convinced that it would not be the case.

Zeeg shook his head, sat down cross-legged on the floor, then kept on reading the handbook with much enthusiasm.

Elmeria groaned as light pierced through her eyelids. She felt as if her head had been stabbed by sharp needles.

She tried to lift her arm, heavy as it it had was being held down by ten people, to block her eyes from the light.

As she slowly breathed out, she was assaulted by the terrible stink of alcohol.

It's as if she'd been thrown into a beer barrel. As if the blood in her body had been fermented into the golden fluid.

"Young Mistress, I think it is about time you woke up."

Today, even Gannon's perfectly soothing voice sounded like a hammer knocking on a metal basin. The sound rang from her head down to her stomach.

The girl knew full well how she ended up in such a state.

That is, she's had too much to drink last night.

After all, she'd stayed at the gathering hall way up to dinnertime without even bathing, binge drinking until she'd forgotten what came next.

She couldn't even recall how much she'd drank. Nor what she'd been doing and saying during the time.

Getting up, she noticed that her armor had been removed, but her dirty undershirt had been left on as is. Of course, even Gannon wouldn't dare to remove the girl's clothes.

And Elmeria herself would definitely be opposed to let herself be seen naked, not even by a foster parent-- Or rather, especially a foster parent.

At any rate, right now, she's a total mess.

Her undershirt was all stained and reeked of beer, likely because she spilled them herself. This is definitely the reason she felt like she'd been in a beer barrel when she first woke up.

There were also dark red stains, likely blood, but unknown whether it's of herself or other people. From the quantity, there's no way it's from a monster.

When the girl tried to sweep her hair up, something struck her fingers.

Stuck to her hair were dirt and dried alcohol-- and also some other thing she couldn't quite make out. It'll take a lot of effort to get it back into shape-- The girl felt bored even thinking about the process.

Turning around to the window with swollen eyes, she could see Gannon in his usual dress suit, opening the curtains and tying them up with strings. His face was still wrapped in bandages, but it looks like they'd been replaced with new ones. The wrapping was neat and firm, unlike when Elmeria wrapped them for him.

"Would you like me to prepare some food?"

Only thinking about eating made the girl feel sick in her stomach, wanting to vomit out all the old stuff in there. But maybe because what the ate and drank last night were all digested, nothing came rushing out.

"No, I don't, but... Water..."

Whimpering out a hoarse voice that didn't even seem like her own, Elmeria was shocked. She felt stringy on the inside of her mouth. Gannon brought with him a pitcher and a small cup, pouring the water into the cup before passing it to the girl. She drank it, feeling the coolness spread throughout her mouth, and another faint, strange taste in her throat.

"...What's wrong with me?"

The girl asked while she was poured another cup of water.

"Slight overconsumption of beer, I would presume. Your demeanor was... less than admirable."

"Sorry."

The girl apologized meekly. Normally, she would never forget to watch her drinking limit. She'd been drinking moderately most of the time, even. But last night, she just couldn't stop. She would get riled up every time when thinking of Zeeg's attitude.

And of course, it's not that Elmeria doesn't care about the team's recent failures.

She might be seen as overly cautious from Zeeg's point of view, but for the girl, there's nothing better than ending things with nobody being injured.

For example, if the boy were to finish off the Rathian alone but lose an arm in the process, the victory wouldn't be worth it.

It might have been worth the price if the hunt were something that happens only once in a lifetime, but not for hunters who need to keep on hunting.

If she had to overdo things to the point of losing parts of her body, she would rather choose failure.

It is her job, after all.

She wondered, why didn't he get it? That was what grinded her gears, and before she knew it, she ended up trying to drink it off.

Passing her cup to Gannon, the girl let out a sigh.

After this, she most likely would need to talk it over with him. If she doesn't clearly teel Zeeg that she's not being a coward, he'll get seriously hurt sooner or later. The girl decided to do so.

But before that, she'd need to take a bath first.

There's no way she would go anywhere while reeking of alcohol like this. Especially going to confront Zeeg. No one knows what kind of jokes the boy would make-- Anyways, it's just unpleasant.

"Gannon, could you go heat up the bath?"

"Immediately."

Gannon bowed, then went out of the room, headed to meet the manager of the guest houses. Here, there is a separate bathroom for tenants of Queen Rooms to use, if they wish to do so.

Letting out another long sigh, Elmeria then turned around as she heard laughfer from the direction of the window.

It was Fradio, in his usual equipment that give off the impression of an executioner who is about to bring down the axe, crouching on the window frame like a monkey.

"I see that you're quite late to get up today."

"Got a little too much to drink, you see. I didn't even bathe... It's the worst."

"You're in quite the terrible shape, yes."

"I know, I know. You don't even have to tell me that."

Elmeria pouted.

While out on the last hunt, she didn't get to properly clean her body either. She might have managed somehow if it was a hunt in places with clean water like the Forest and Hills, but the last hunt took place in the Jungle. The air was damp, the temperature was high, and the river water was far from clean.

"You alright there, Fradio?"

"Me? But of course. I didn't drink much, you see. I also took a bath and made sure to eat my breakfast. I had scrambled eggs and sliced sausages grilled in plenty of cheese--"

"W-- Wait-- Stop!"

Elmeria raised her hands in a panic. Even listening to just that explanation made her feel sick in the stomach. The girl searched her memory to see whether or not did Fradio really not drink much, but she came up with nothing.

By chance, he could still be suffering hangover, but with his face hidden under that helmet, no one would be able to read his expression.

Feeling her nausea subside somewhat, Elmeria licked her lips a few times.

"Oh, yeah-- ...Where's that guy, by the way?"

"That guy?"

Fradio's red eyes blinked, and his head under the helmet decorated with goat-like horns tilted slightly.

Elmeria felt irritated once again. He's definitely feigning ignorance when he should be knowing full well what she was talking about. The man is one who would always stand between Elmeria and other people, mediating their relationships, but on the other hand, he has quite a bad habit of finding enjoyment in people's reactions to him messing with them.

"...I was talking about Zeeg. He hasn't shown his face yet, but if he's reflected on his attitude and isn't coming because he's to embarrassed... Well, I guess I'll have no choice but to forgive him."

"If it's him, he already went out of town."

Elmeria blinked in confusion.

Although those words were clearly delivered to her ears, it took a while for her body to react and shape the contents together into something comprehensible.

''Went out of town? What'd he mean, went out? Out for a walk or something? No, if that's the case, then Fradio wouldn't have said it in that manner''--

"Wh-- What's the meaning of this!?"

Before she knew it, the girl was already standing right next to the window. Under the glossy, rubbery mask, the look in Fradio's red eyes suggested that he's finding amusement in the situation.

"He went away somewhere this morning, on the first departing carriage. It wasn't a Hunter's Guild carriage, so he might have just went back to his village..."

Fradio reached under his mask and scratched his chin.

Went out of town! --As those words finally sank in and were fully interpreted, Elmeria immediately rushed out of her room. ''In other words, that guy ran away!''

"That-- That idiot--!"

Anger coiled around her chest like a wyvern's tail.

"Young Mistress, where--"

Ignoring the words of Gannon, whom she passed by at the room's entrance, Elmeria went out to the corridor. She ran on, rushing down the stairs heavily like a hunter knocking dirt off the soles of their shoes, then stopping at the Bishop Room Zeeg was renting.

She clenched her fist and knocked on the door, as if to smash it to pieces.

Although she knew full well that he already left, she couldn't help but come check this place first because she'd thought that he might have come back.

But there was no reply, as one would expect.

But perhaps he was in a hurry to come back and already fell asleep again. If so, then she'd knock until he waks up-- As Elmeria was about to raise her hand again, she was stopped by the manager, who came running upon hearing all the noise.

"If you're looking for the hunter who was using that room, he'd already moved out this morning!"

"Tell me where he went!"

Elmeria grabbed the manager by the collar of his shirt. The man's face immediately turned red, as if he'd been left drying out in the desert. The girl wasn't even sure why she was this angry. All she knew was that she couldn't calm down.

"I-- I don't know! Wouldn't it be better to go ask Becky!? She's the one who manages the hunters going in and going out, not me!"

Clicking her tongue, Elmeria then let go of the manager, but in a manner closer to shoving him aside.

Although she'd intended to do it lightly, she unintentionally exerted a little too much force. His back hitting the door, the man then moaned in pain as he laid there.

Turning her back on him, Elmeria then rushed down another flight of stairs. The lower-ranked hunters peeked out of their rooms to see what's going on, then promptly looked the other way as the girl turned to glare at them. And so, she exited the guest house.

As bright light shone down from the clear blue sky, as if to inform the girl that it was already past noon.

She felt dizziness and a sharp pain as her head throbbed, as if there was another heart beating inside. Although she would normally find the commotion in the market be likeable, right now those sounds only served to grate her ears. She plowed her way through the noise, putting up with them the best she could.

Her anger at Zeeg for leaving without saying a word, and the question of why he did so, were the things that kept her feet moving.

Elmeria swung open the gathering hall's door and went inside, then immediately felt like vomiting as she was hit with the stink of tobacco and alcohol.

All the daytime drinkers directed their lines of sight at the girl. Likely because her face was in a shambles. Although she herself had yet to look in the mirror, judging from the looks she got, she must have looked as broken as a corpse.

Heading straight to the counter, Becky waved her hand as she saw her. The woman's carefree attitude, too, was rubbing Elmeria the wrong way today.

Managing to limp her way there, the girl clung on to the counter and looked at Becky. The woman's expression suggested that she already knew what the girl wanted to ask.

"Sorry, but I can't tell you where Zeeg went."

"Why not!?"

As Elmeria slammed her fist on the shiny black countertop, the whole gathering hall fell silent, as if it was turned into a wyvern's lair. Becky was unfazed, only shugging her shoulders.

"Did Zeeg ask you not to...?"

The girl asked, for some reason, in a fearful voice. Becky thought about it for a while before saying yes.

Feeling strength draining from her knees, Elmeria felt like sitting down on the spot. She felt humiliated, that she was still barely standing only thanks to her hands clinging to the countertop. She felt a myriad of emotions, none of which were anger nor frustration, draining away the strength from her body.

"Now, I knew something was up when he left without saying a word, but I'm sure he thought it through."

Becky said, as she helped Elmeria stay up by grabbing her arm.

"It'd be quite hard for him to part ways with you guys otherwise, don't you think?"

"Then why'd he even go away in the first place!? Isn't that strange!?"

The girl just doesn't get it.

Sure, they did get into a big argument, so it was understandable that he wouldn't want to meet her for the time being. But leaving the party without saying anything and going away from this city just like that was quite excessive.

"Without us, he would've been eaten by some monster already! I can't believe he's returning the favor by doing this! What a disgrace to the hunters' reputation of loyalty!"

Becky sighed.

"Now, I'm not saying I don't understand how you feel about all this, but Zeeg didn't violate any of the guild's regulations. Hunters team up for huts, remember? They're obligated by rule to stay during the hunt, but after the quest was done, the party is immediately considered dissolved by the guild. After that, it's up to each hunter to choose who they team up with next or where they go-- Well, that's speaking in a technical sense, of course."

Elmeria looked at Becky, in a manner closer to glaring.

Although the girl knew that venting it out on Becky wouldn't do any good, she couldn't help but feel annoyed at being taught something she already knew full well.

"Elmeria. Do you really not know why he did that?"

"...No, I don't."

She said that not because she was being stubborn, but because she truly did not know. Arguments were their daily routine. Those disagreements being the reason is, at this point, inconceivable. Not even what happened yesterday. After all, there have been worse instances before, including once when they stepped forward and proceeded to duke it out, which Gannon had to break up.

Becky leaned forward on the counter and shut her lips close. It was so that the other hunters wouldn't hear what she was about to say.

"Yesterday, you said this to him, right? --That it's not his party, but yours?"

The girl had a feeling that she did.

But then she wondered, so what? Wasn't she just stating a fact?

That thought of hers must have leaked out somehow, seeing that Becky is having quite a troubled expression painted on her face.

"That's exactly why. Zeeg must have realized that he won't be able to hunt in the way he likes if he's going to stay in your party. The fight yesterday was because of this, too, wasn't it?"

The girl finally made the connection.

Lately, she was getting irritated at Zeeg for often doing things at his own accord. But now she understands that the boy was also getting irritated with her as well.

"...That guy just doesn't get it."

Elmeria said, as if spitting the words out. That's right. He just doesn't get it at all. What it means to be leading a party.

It means to shoulder the responsibility to the lives of others.

Hunters are still their own individuals, of course. They still are responsible for their own lives. But when teaming up for a hunt, the leader's decisions can also affect their lives as well.

Although the leader is not obligated to take responsibility for any deaths and injuries, the wound would still remain in their hearts. Zeeg still has no idea how deep that wound could be.

"I know what you're thinking, Elmeria. But I'm sure also know that you can't control how Zeeg feels, right? Any hunter would want a party of their own at some point. It's just that kind of time for Zeeg, that's all. Besides, I think it's better for you this way, at least for now."

"...What do you mean?"

"Well, aren't your recent failures a result of being too careful? --Being too careful about getting Zeeg into danger?"

Elmeria had goosebumps when those words entered her ears.

She'd never thought about it that way. The girl tried to laugh it off, but she could feel her head stiffening up. The look on her face suggested that it's nothing like that, but her body language, on the other hand, seemed to confirm what Becky just said as the truth.

Becky gently patted Elmeria's hand, as if trying to console her.

"Now, it's not like you won't get to meet him ever again. But since things are still pretty awkward, I'd say that you shouldn't try to contact him for a while. I think this is an important time for him to spend on his own, too."

The girl understood what Becky wanted to say.

What she meant was, if Zeeg truly wants to have a party of his own, it'd be better for Elmeria not to oppose him. This is so that he wouldn't do things recklessly out of spite.

She understood it well.

But even though she understood, it didn't mean she could calm herself down. And so, instead of giving any response, Elmeria ordered some beer, binge drinking right there until it went dark.

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Monster Hunter:Volume1 Chapter1

2018-08-23T19:20:14Z

Barnnn:

== Chapter 1 - Encounter at the Hunter's Guild ==

Those of the later generations looked back to the world centuries ago. It was a violent age. However, the earth, the sky, and the people who live in those lands, were brilliant and full of life. The world had a much simpler rule of living then than it is now. That is, to hunt, or be hunted.

People gathered in this land, whether it was to live another day, to test the limits of their abilities, or to amass wealth and fame. They set their fiery sights to the magnificent creatures flying freely in the blue sky, never to be reached by man. The very symbol of power and life... Wyverns.

Day after day, they risked their lives in the battlefields, wrapped in the sounds of swords clashing with flesh and the smell of gunpowder smoke.

“Awesome... So this is a city...”

Blurted the boy, Zeeg Grandest, before realizing that people around him were chuckling at his astonishment. Slightly red with embarrassment, he bit his lip and readjusted the luggage on his shoulder. The leather bag collided with the great sword on his back, sounding a dull metallic ring.

The great sword was called Buster Blade, a metal sword forged from a large amount of Iron Ores and Earth Crystals. Its length was comparable to Zeeg’s height, and it was so heavy that it needed to be held with two hands to be used properly, but the weight provided the sword with great destructive power.

There were metal great swords other than the Buster Blade. For example, the Iron Katana, superior in terms of both appearance and power, but created from the rarer Machalite Ores. In the area around Zeeg’s village, such ores were fairly hard to come by.

(“Man, it’s so cool...”)

Catching sight of the Iron Katana ‘Gospel’ on a passerby's back, all Zeeg could do was stare enviously he passed by.

(“But... from now on, things will be different! Just you wait... I’ll be famous in no time!”)

Simultaneously with the sound of a string breaking, Zeeg’s hair strap fell to the ground, and he reached to pick it up. Attached to the string was a scale of the bird wyvern Yian Kut-Ku, which he kept as a trophy from his first successful hunt. After replacing the string and putting the old one away in the pocket of his blue pants, he wiped his hair, which got quite dusty from the long trip. Although he wanted to take a bath and get some rest soon, the first thing a hunter must to do when entering a city was to register at an organization known as “Guild”.

“Hey, out of the way!”

Hearing the shout, Zeeg quickly made way for the owner of the voice.

Multiple muscular men were carrying large barrels from the transport bridge’s gondola, the same one Zeeg had been on until a few moments ago, and headed to the plaza.

(“Jeez... what’s their problem?”)

Mildly annoyed, Zeeg rebalanced himself and walked after those men.

This city was built by carving a hole in a massive rock mountain. The main method of getting up here was to take the transport bridge’s gondola. As for the purpose of building a city in such a barren land, it was rumored that the reason was to keep the uniqueness of the “Hunter’s Guild” that was based here.

Hunters are strong, therefore they have many enemies-- so said the Village Chief. Sometimes, they would be attacked by wyverns that got their eggs stolen from them, and sometimes the land owners would hire knights to attack them out of fear-- those kinds of things.

(“I never saw those kind of things happen though.”)

Zeeg reminisced about his boringly peaceful village and the Chief, a frail, elderly man who could barely walk without a cane. It was hard to believe that he had been a hunter so famous that numerous hunters, including Zeeg’s parents, gathered around him, resulting in the establishment of a village.

Although Zeeg was born and raised in that village, his parents had hailed from the far east, traveling over numerous mountains. He never knew what the country was called, because they had died when they went out hunting, before they had a chance to tell him their full story. The two of them had felled the horned wyvern Diablos at the desert far away from the village, but succumbed to their injuries during their return trip.

The day he learned the news of their death, Zeeg had decided to become a hunter to earn his living. The village was not exactly well-off, so children without parents supporting them will have to do their share of work in exchange for food and shelter.

Zeeg had started hunting only recently, after turning sixteen. Before then, the only jobs he got were to prepare base camps and guard supply item transports.

(“But I’m a professional now!”)

While exploring the city full of hunters, Zeeg was itching to take on a quest, as he was feeling highly confident. Although the Village Chief had told him “you are not prepared yet,” or something along those lines, just a few months after being offered hunting jobs, he was able to fell the bird wyvern Yian Kut-Ku swiftly, setting a new record time in the village. When he brought back Kut-Ku Webbings and Screamers as proof of his successful hunt, he was highly praised by the villagers, but frowned still upon by the Chief.

(“It’s his old age, I guess...”)

He was probably jealous that he doesn’t have the strength to fight anymore, so he gets grumpy over every little thing. That was the best reason Zeeg could think of.

After walking on a narrow path along the side of the mountain, Zeeg reached the plaza. On the stone wall, three cannons were installed, all their barrels pointing up into the sky. It was common knowledge that they were purposed for intercepting invading wyverns.

However, their purpose was to repel, not kill. For this reason, the cannonballs were specially modified to emit sound waves or stinky smells that wyverns dislike.

(“I don’t really get the point...”)

In a city like this, there should not be a need for those costly tools. The hunters here should be able to take care of an invading wyvern or two, he thought. Moreover, as he looked around, he saw numerous hunters wearing armor made from wyvern parts, which he recognized only from the books he read. Those armor pieces are solid proof that those hunters have hunted wyverns before.

(“Just a little more time... and I’ll also be considered a first-class hunter!”)

Filled with pride and confidence, Zeeg walked past the dried-up fountain to the entrance of the gathering hall, made from drilling a hole in the mountain. To his sides, there were some simple rain sheds set up, with the barrels the muscular men from earlier were carrying placed inside.

Walking into the entranceway signified by a hanging giant beer mug, Zeeg was met with the overwhelming smell of alcohol, food, and tobacco. The smoke was so thick that he thought he was walking into a fog.

Almost no one paid attention to Zeeg. Some turned to look, but it was as if they were looking at something insignificant, like pebbles or weed on the road.

(“What’s up with them?”)

Zeeg felt a little disappointed.

Even if it’s a small village, he’s famed as the one who set a new record time for hunting Yian Kut-Ku. Rumors of his exploit should have reached the outside world somehow. It’s rare for a hunter at this age to use a great sword, you know. Well, at least in the village, that is.

“Hey.”

As a man called him from behind, Zeeg feels a streak of joy, thinking that someone who heard rumors of his achievement has come to greet him. So you’re finally here! I heard about you! The rising star! Those were the words that he expected to hear, but...

“You’re blocking the entrance, kid. Out of the way.”

Those words flew into Zeeg’s ears from behind as he was bumped on his shoulder. Initially intending to voice a complaint, he fell silent after seeing those people.

The other party is a group of seasoned hunters. One can easily tell by looking at the worn-out Kut-Ku armor sets, equipped by all four men.

“It’s the Crimson Avian Wings.”

Someone said out loud.

(“So it’s these guys...”)

Zeeg gulped upon hearing the name. He heard that they are a group of extremely skilled hunters who specialize in hunting Yian Kut-Ku. But on the other hand, they were also viewed as cowards who refuse to hunt other wyverns. Among the customers, some looked at the party insultingly. Zeeg, however, doesn’t see them in that way.

Three men sat down at a table, the fourth man headed to the counter. The female receptionist wearing a red uniform with white sleeves took the order of four beers, swiftly poured alcohol into the mugs, and then placed them on the countertop. The man paid for the beer and took the mugs back to his group.

(“Right, registration.”)

Zeeg took a deep breath, then walked past the Crimson Avian Wings to the counter.

“Welcome!”

The female receptionist welcomed Zeeg in a friendly manner, slightly lifting his spirits.

“I’ve never seen you here before. You’re new here, right? Where are you from?”

As Zeeg told her the name of his village, the gathering hall suddenly fell silent.

(“What?”)

After a short while, something caused a knocking sound, and the customers started talking among themselves again, as if the brief silence was just an illusion.

Zeeg turned to the source of the sound and saw a familiar figure of a small man sitting on the counter, hanging his legs.

(“Village Chief!? Wait, no... he’s different.”)

The old man bore an uncanny resemblance to the Village Chief. Not to the point of being identical twins, but it was still surprising that two unrelated people could look so similar.

“Then, what business do you have in this city?”

“Eh? Ah... give me a second.”

Zeeg hurriedly turned to answer the woman’s question, then put his luggage down, opened up his bag, pulled out the Village Chief’s introduction letter, and handed it to her.

“I want to register at this guild.”

The letter was handed to the receptionist, but she seemed to have no intention of accepting it. Instead, she pointed to the elderly man, now smoking from his pipe in a carefree manner.

“If it’s that, you’ll need to hand it to him, not me.”

“That... person?”

Zeeg almost called him an old man, but fortunately stopped himself in time. Dragging his luggage along so that it wouldn't be lost, he walked to the elderly man.

“With you, right? I want to register at this guild. I also have an introduction letter.”

Zeeg handed him the letter, and the old man took it in a leisurely manner before slowly opening it up and reading the contents with his small, bead-like eyes.

“Hmm...”

After he finished reading, the letter was folded and put into his bag. He then took out a book from behind the counter and opened it in front of Zeeg.

“Name, age, gender, most proficient weapon.”

“Anything else?”

The elderly man said nothing, and instead blew ring-shaped smoke out of his mouth, signaling Zeeg to get it over with as soon as possible.

Zeeg made an irritated face to show his dissatisfaction, but complied with the old man. With a quill, he wrote in the book: “Zeeg Grandest, 16 years old, Male, Great Sword”. Just after he finished writing, the elder pulled the book away from him as if he was taking back a stolen possession, and passed it to the receptionist.

“Becky, please go make his guild card for me.”

(“So her name is Becky, huh...”)

The woman smiled at the boy, as if she knew he was watching. Slightly blushing, Zeeg turned away to hide his embarrassment. He was met with the side view of the elder’s head, which really does look like the Village Vhief.

“What about his Hunter Rank, Guild Master?”

The old man opened one eye in response to Becky’s question.

“Rookie should be enough.”

“Wha-!”

Zeeg’s face turned red with a different reason from before. Among the ranks of hunters, “Rookie” was the second lowest. Hunters who would only get requests to gather raw meat or special mushrooms, or were not proficient enough to use weapons without hurting themselves, would be classified as either “Rangers” or “Rookies”.

“W... Wait a second!”

Zeeg slammed his hand on the counter.

“I was able to hunt the Yian Kut-Ku by myself, you know! Then why-”

As he said that, a group hunters from behind burst out laughing. Others just banged their beer mugs on the table, while some clapped loudly, but almost all of them were smirking with amusement.

One of them, a hunter with a massive hammer placed beside him, turned around and started speaking.

“Hey kid, I’ll educate you. For this place, hunting Yian Kut-Ku is a job for newbies, not something to be proud about!”

The man said as he glanced at the Crimson Avian Wings. He expected them to say something, but was completely ignored as the four men chugged their beer without any reaction whatsoever.

Irritated at their attitude, the man grabbed his hammer, before another person told him to calm down. The man hesitated, and upon realizing that the whole gathering hall was watching him, sat down.

“Well, what he said.”

The elder took the guild card from Becky and placed it in front of Zeeg.

“Being able to hunt the Yian Kut-Ku isn’t something to boast about, but a mere qualification for registering at this guild. It’s a different story if you’re able to do it in a few minutes like the Crimson Avian Wings though... Can you do that?”

“I know, I know...”

All Zeeg could do was grab his guild card, much to his chagrin.

(“It’s so dirty...”)

Led by a male receptionist, Zeeg arrived at his room on the first floor, and the boy groaned in his mind upon seeing the interior.

The bed was crudely made by stuffing in some straws. Other than that, the room contained only an item box, a table, and a chair. It’s not so different from a pig’s coop.

''“Oink”''

And one is actually living here.

The pig wears a white and blue striped shirt. It walked around as if it owned the place.

“Hey... can I eat this thing if I’m hungry?”

Zeeg asked while pointing at the pig, and it cried out in shock.

“Absolutely not! This pig was brought in by the Guild Master as moral support for the hunters, who face difficult quests day after day. Eating it would be-”

“That’s just silly...”

Zeeg threw his bag on the bed, and thick puffs of dust flew up. It’s like people here don’t know what it means to clean. If one slept on a bed like this, they would itch like crazy from being bitten by the louse.

“What about food?”

“If you have the ingredients, we have a free cooking service right over here. You can also order food at the gathering hall.”

“Hm... I’ll go eat over there for today then. I didn’t bring any ingredients with me.”

“Certainly, sir.”

The man bowed once, then disappeared behind the curtains. The pig, which was supposed to follow him, instead slipped under the bed, showing no sign of coming out again.

Zeeg hanged his Buster Blade on the wall. In this room, the only part that resembles a hunter’s room is the neatly organized weapons rack.

Starting to feel itchy on his buttocks while sitting on the bed, he moved to sit on the chair instead.

“Dammit...”

Zeeg still feels a little bitter about what happened earlier.

He understood that there were plenty of hunters superior to him. Even so, he was fairly confident in himself, and expected to be acknowledged.

But this is what he got-- a filthy little room, even worse than his own room back home.

Met with these conditions, Zeeg was reminded that being a hunter is not an easy job.

Many children aspire to become a hunter, but most parents, Zeeg’s included, were opposed to the idea.

They had long passed away, so no one could stop him from being one, but Zeeg never forgot what his parents used to say: “Don’t expect anything from this job”. He understood those words when he became a hunter. The money may be good, but the work was harsh.

“Hunters” were people who accept requests, be it to gather materials or hunt down wyverns. Accepting their quest, they would head out to the vast world of nature with their trusty weapon in hand, alone or with companions. Exploring jungles, deserts, or even volcanoes, they faced dangerous beasts multiple times their size. Day after day, their lives placed on a fine line between life and death.

However, that did not mean the job was legal. The hunter occupation, and the existence of a guild that unifies them, were not officially accepted by the kingdom.

The reason was that among hunters, some were strong enough to fell wyverns by themselves. This means their strength was comparable to an army of thousands. It was natural that the aristocrats would fear these people, and the possibility of them banding together to cause an uprising. This was possibly one of the reasons why the guild was based in a remote location, far from the capital.

However, most hunters have no intention of ruling a country. Just as the Village Chief used to say-- “Hunters are like rulers of their very own kingdom”.

The hunters’ purposes in life are varied. Many started out to earn their living like Zeeg, but they will eventually discover their true calling. Some pursue fame, to be hailed as warriors who could fell wyverns by themselves. Others seek irreplaceable bonds, forged on the unforgiving battlefields. There also exists those who collect rare weapons and technologies.

Of course, there were some who have yet to find themselves, hunting just to make ends meet. Zeeg, like them, hadn't found his purpose yet, but he felt that if he continued being a hunter, he would definitely find it someday.

Surely, that was what everyone thinks. However, there were also many who would never find anything, stuck at the lowest rank until the day they died.

(“I won’t end up like them. I swear, I’ll definitely make a name for myself!”)

Zeeg made a vow for the second time. The first time was when he learned of the death of his parents. Whether or not his parents have found anything in their lives, he will never know.

Now that he thought about it, the rooms being left in this condition might help new hunters to reflect, and to renew their determination.

Looking out the window, it was still early in the day, and he was not yet hungry.

(“Guess I’ll sharpen my weapon...”)

In the hunting grounds, a hunter’s life depends on his weapon.

As he took out a whetstone from his bag and detached the Buster Blade from the wall, Zeeg could hear the striped pig’s snoring from beneath the bed.

“Right now, these are the only quests for your skill level.”

Becky lined up several request papers on the countertop.

With just a glimpse, Zeeg knew that those were quests for beginners. Zeeg slammed his fist on the papers with no intention to hide his dissatisfaction.

“What’s the meaning of this? Deliver 12 Kelbi Horns? 15 Special Mushrooms? Slay 50 Vespoids? Aren’t these quests for rookies?”

Zeeg yelled with all his voice, but all Becky did was shrug once in acknowledgement.

“Well, aren’t you skill a rookie?”

“I was-”

“Yeah, yeah. Was the fastest Yian Kut-Ku hunter in your village, right? Sorry, but achievements in a small village like that aren’t things to boast about. More importantly, do you have enough money to pay for the contract fees? The better the job, the higher the fee, you know.”

Rendered speechless, Zeeg reached for the money bag tied tightly to his waist and counted the coins. Right now, he has about 150 Zenny, not even enough to pay the fees for a Yian Kut-Ku hunt. Even then, he didn’t want to go back to collecting mushrooms again after coming all this way.

“I’m just saying, but you can’t put these payments on your tab, alright? It’s a different story if your rank is a bit higher though. I might pitch in and help a little, but for you... I don’t think I can just yet.”

Becky giggled a little.

“No one will think poorly of you for doing this, you know. For now, just do some gathering quests. You’ve always been hunting alone, right? Things are different when teaming up with other people. Even the distribution of supply items needs to be discussed thoroughly. If you keep that mindset, you’ll end up being an obstruction. There were even cases of hunters having their licenses revoked for being disruptive, too.”

“Hm... That sounds like a bother...”

Zeeg expressed his honest opinion, resulting in a flick on his forehead from Becky.

“Now, don’t talk carelessly like that. Even though they aren’t listening, everyone can hear you. You’ll end up having difficulty finding teammates in the future.”

“That hurt...”

Rubbing his forehead, Zeeg took a look around the gathering hall.

It is around dinnertime, so the hall is more crowded than before. Tobacco smoke and smells of alcohol are also stronger, to the point that Zeeg feels a little drunk just by being here.

A person boasted loudly about their hunting exploits. Another sang some songs with their broken voice. Even a few were sound asleep. Everyone seemed to be minding their own businesses, with no sign of acknowledging what Zeeg said earlier.

However, each and every one of them are hunters. Their hearing senses are honed to the point that they won’t miss even a single breaking branch in the thick forest.

Zeeg turned back to the counter, still rubbing his forehead.

“But aren’t there some hunters who hunt by themselves?”

“There are, but... most of them are the ones who chose to go solo after being with a team for some time, and thought that hunting alone is more to their liking. You haven’t decided on which style you prefer, right? Moreover, monsters around here are tougher and more intelligent compared to the countryside. If you went in expecting them to be the same, you’ll soon be finding yourself in a grave. I’ve seen many rookies make that mistake.”

“Hm... and why is that? Do they eat better prey?”

“Who knows? Well, Guild Master used to say that it’s because the hunters are strong-- ah, here's your order.”

While thinking about what Becky said, a chunky Aptonoth steak was served in front of Zeeg.

Aptonoths are classified as herbivores. While they are more than 10 meters long on average, they are docile in nature. Zeeg has hunted many of them for their meat and bones. When threatened, they would normally run away for safety, but some will attempt to fight back using its tail. They are not to be underestimated, since their tail whips are quite powerful.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Zeeg asked while slicing his rare steak, with red meat juices flowing out as the knife dug into the meat.

Becky poured some honey into a mug of Kelbi milk, then moved herself a little closer to Zeeg.

“Well... hunters aren’t always successful in their hunts, right? If a monster was able to survive from being hunted and gave birth to some offsprings, the offsprings will grow up stronger. As a result, in areas where there are powerful hunters, the monsters will also be tougher-- something like that.”

“Huh...”

Zeeg stuffed his cheeks with meat. Even though it does not have any special seasoning, the steak was so delicious, as if it was melting in his mouth.

“Delicious! I’ve never eaten Aptonoth meat this good!”

“Really? That great!”

“Yeah! Aptonoth meat are usually tougher than this! Don’t tell me it’s an infant-”

Zeeg froze, his knife and fork still in his hands.

Among hunters, hunting infant monsters is strictly forbidden. There have been rumors that offenders would be the ones who get cooked instead as punishment.

Although such a policy was not considered law in the kingdom, it could be enforced all the same. At least, that was what Zeeg used to hear-- about there being hunters that hunt down rule breakers.

“Now now, of course not.”

Becky laughed.

“This is domesticated meat. They are made by capturing some wild Aptonoths, waiting for them to produce offsprings, and raising those babies up with nutritious food. When they fully grow, we eat their meat. A traveling merchant has been nagging us to try them for a while, so we purchased a batch to see how they do.”

“Hmm...”

Zeeg took a few more bites. The more he ate, the more his taste buds felt weird from the unnatural amount of fat.

“I don’t know how to explain this, but it feels kinda weird...”

“Everyone else says that. I guess it’s good for only the first bite? Anyway, thanks for trying it out. We’ll probably not buy another batch. Oh, and that one’s my treat, so you don’t have to pay. Want some wild Aptonoth steak instead?”

“No thanks. I’ll finish this one. Domesticated, huh? No matter where it’s from, I think it’s a waste to throw away food.”

Hearing that, Becky smiled happily.

“You really are a hunter, huh...”

“What'd you mean by that?”

While eating some baked potatoes with his steak, a solid sound came from outside the gathering hall’s entrance. The atmosphere suddenly became so heavy that Zeeg had to turn around and look.

He was so surprised at the sight that he almost choked on his meat.

A large man, over two meters tall, stood there. But his height was nothing special, since among hunters, people with large builds are fairly common. His armor was the thing that was special.

Two enormous horns extended from his shoulder pads, intimidating those around him. The helmet also has two smaller horns attached to the sides, pointing upwards. It was no mistake-- his equipment was the Diablo set, made with materials from the desert-dwelling horned wyverns Diablos and Monoblos.

Moreover, it was a full set, which could not be obtained by slaying just one or two of them. To get the materials, one had to hunt down many, breaking off their horns and cutting off their tails.

On the man’s back hung a lance that, at a glance, looked like a wyvern’s tail.

(“It’s the Hellfire...”)

The Hellfire lance, created from a wyvern’s tail, looked so thin that it could snap in half at any moment. Its main components, Fire Wyvern Marrows and Inferno Sacs, gave it the fire attribute, enabling it to generate intense heat. Included in the set was a shield capable of blocking the hottest flames.

The large man’s old age was signified by the wrinkles at the end of his eyes and white hair mixed in with his black eyebrows.

He was apparently a famous hunter around here, judging from the fiery sight of numerous eyes focused on him. They looked on with envy and respect, both in regards to his equipment and rank.

However, that was not the only surprising thing.

Two more people followed the large man, one of them carrying the Diablos Maul, a massive blunt weapon forged from the tail of a horned wyvern.

On top of the sight of such a weapon, Zeeg was also surprised with its owner.

It was a little girl.

Her age should be about the same as Zeeg’s, and her height was about twenty centimeters shorter. She had a pretty face, but her blue eyes seemed to send out an intimidating aura. Her long, blonde hair was separated equally on two sides of her head and tied together at each end.

Additionally, she had a weird choice of equipment, not wearing a helmet and body armor. She couldn’t have forgotten them at her room, because it looked like she had just returned from a hunt, and her waist, arm, and leg pieces were still properly equipped.

Those armor pieces were from the Rathalos set, created with parts of the male fire wyvern. The armor served as a great indicator of its wearer’s high hunter rank.

No matter how much he thought about it, Zeeg could not understand why she was wearing just a long-sleeved shirt instead of armor.

The girl glanced to her side, and the hunters in her line of sight turned away. She then let out an arrogant snort.

And then, there was another person.

This man also had a weird choice of equipment.

Like the girl, he had no armor equipped on his chest. He did not even have a shirt on, leaving his red, sunburned chest bare. Other than his torso, he was equipped with the Gypceros armor set.

These equipments were created from the rubbery hides of Gypceros, a wyvern capable of emitting flashes of light from the crest on its head. The elasticity of its materials were so great that the pieces could barely be classified as armor. Out of them, the cap stood out the most. It had bent horns similar to a sheep’s, and the hides covered all of the wearer’s face, save for the eyes. The design reminded Zeeg of an executioner’s mask.

On his back was the high-grade heavy bowgun Tankmage, specially modified for increased attack power. This meant his role in the party was not merely to support.

The three of them headed straight to the counter. They totally ignored Zeeg, not even turning to look at his face.

The girl stepped ahead and placed a dusty leather bag on the counter.

“Here are the requested materials.”

Becky wiped her hands with a towel before taking out some documents, and double-checked them.

She nodded, stamped the documents with a seal, and threw the leather bag into a box.

“Item receipt confirmed. Thank you for your hard work-- Would you like to eat something?”

“I’ll make something at my room, so I’ll just have a beer.”

The girl said with a straight face.

(“Beer? Seriously?”)

For a second, Zeeg thought how unfitting it was for her, and the girl turned to face him as if she could read his mind. With her large, blue pupils, she scanned Zeeg from head to toe--

And let out another arrogant snort.

Realizing that he was being insulted, Zeeg’s face turned red with anger. Not caring who the other person is, he banged the knife’s handle on the metal plate, and stood up.

(“!?”)

But a split second later, the world turned upside down. Before he knew it, Zeeg was staring at the gathering hall’s ceiling. The pain soon followed, running all over his back. It hurt so much that he shed a tear.

Zeeg felt so humiliated to cry in front of a girl like this.

The person who threw Zeeg down was not the girl, but the large man in the Diablo armor.

“...Apologies.”

The large man said while pulling Zeeg back up on his feet.

Zeeg dried his tears with his shirt’s sleeves. When he turned around, he was met with the overwhelming figure of the large man, but the intimidating aura seemed to have disappeared. The girl was now hidden behind the large man. It was as if they used a body switching technique to instantly change places.

“Are you okay?”

The man in the Gypceros cap approached, looking at Zeeg from behind his mask. Judging from the voice, he was still young.

“I’m sorry about him. When he thinks the young lady is threatened, he would always act in reflex to defend her.”

“Yeah, it really is a problem.”

The girl crossed her arms.

“That kid wouldn’t be able to hit me, no matter how much he tried.”

“Wha-- what did you say!?”

Zeeg shouted, only for his voice to be reflected back by the large man’s armor.

The girl leaned on the counter with her arm guard, before turning to Zeeg.

“Who’s this kid, Becky?”

“He’s a new recruit.”

“Hmm...”

She squinted her eyes, and scanned Zeeg from head to toe once more.

“...You balance is awful.”

“What!?’

“Heh, struck a nerve, did I? You’re registered at this guild, which means you’ve successfully hunted a Yian Kut-Ku, right? Even so, what’s up with your equipment? Leather Headgear, Chainmail Vest, Hunter’s Vambraces, Leather Belt, and Blue Pants? I can’t believe there are people who mix things up so badly. Don’t tell me you spent all your money on weapons?”

“That’s right~!”

Before Zeeg could say anything, Becky blurted out, clapping her hands. The girl shrugged as if to say that it was nothing worth praising.

“I knew it... Judging from the scratches on your shoulder pad, you’re a great sword user, aren't you? Those scratches were caused by your unrefined fighting stance. You’re one of those people who just think ‘hit it until it dies’, right? Do you even utilize traps? I’m betting you don’t.”

Bull’s eye. Zeeg had never bothered with such things. Having been able to get through every job up until now just by using his Buster Blade, he didn't see the point.

“And what’s wrong about that!? What about you? With all that talk about balance, but you don’t even wear your body armor! Your vital spots are all exposed!”

“You just don’t get it, do you?”

Shaking her head and letting out a sigh, the girl turned to the counter.

“Becky... I really feel sorry for you, having to deal with rookies like this. Giving requests to this guy is almost like feeding him to the monsters, you know?”

Becky giggled at the girl’s grumbles.

“The guild never refuses people with courage. Of course, it is up to them whether they will end up as monster food, or a splendid hunter.”

“Jeez... You never change, huh?”

She said while sleeking up her hair with her dusty arm guard.

“Hey, you never answered my question! Before criticizing others, explain your equipment!”

The girl turned to Zeeg, putting hands on her hips-- She seemed highly confident in herself.

“You really are a rookie, huh? You’ve never hunted with anyone else before, right?”

“And how's that wrong?”

“Of course it is. If you keep up with that self-centered mindset, you’re bound to expose your party to danger. Don't you understand? Hunting in groups isn’t the same as going alone. Everyone has to do their part. Even though my party prioritizes attack power, each of us has clearly defined roles. First off, him...”

She patted the large man’s waist.

“Gannon’s role is to fight on the front lines, distracting the monster from other party members by using Field Horns. That's why he’s fully equipped to maximize defense.”

The man named Gannon nodded firmly.

“As for my role in the party, it is to charge up my power, wait for openings, and deal powerful blows. For maximum speed and mobility, I chose to not wear a chest piece. As for the helmet, it narrows my field of vision. I need good aim to successfully land my blows, after all.”

With the back of her hand, the girl lightly knocked the other man’s bare chest.

“Mobility is the same reason that Fradio doesn’t wear a chest piece. His primary role is to intercept smaller monsters that could distract Gannon, so he always has to be on the move. As for the mask, well... It’s just his personal preference.”

The man nodded lightly.

“Gypceros... they’re absolutely wonderful, don’t you agree? The sticky sensation when its hides touches your skin! Their cute, wacky movements, like animals frolicking in water! ...What do you think? Would you like to join me as a fellow Gypceros fan?”

He approached so suddenly that Zeeg had to move away.

“I... I’ll pass...”

Upon hearing the answer, the man named Fradio narrowed his eyes under the mask. “Is that so...,” he muttered to himself, and then backed away. He seemed genuinely sad.

“Then, why do you wear those heavy arm guards? Wouldn’t you be better off without them?”

Hearing that, the girl shook her head at Zeeg’s ignorance.

“You really don’t know anything, huh? Do you really think armor are only for defending its wearer from attacks?”

“They’re not?”

“They’re not, you idiot! They reduce the strain on the wearer’s body when lifting weapons, and also lessen the shock on the joints when attacking! You don’t know this even though you use a great sword!? That’s the reason why your movements are so sluggish!”

“H...how did you--”

“Of course I know! You probably use a sword from the Buster line, right? The balance between the sword’s weight and your Blue Pants are all wrong! That’s why I said your balance was awful-- Well, if you want to become monster food that much, I won’t stop you. But...”

The girl extended her hand.

“...What?”

“Tuition fees. Just enough for my beer will be fine. It’s rare to hear such a knowledgeable lecture from veterans at this price, you know? Consider yourself lucky.”

“You’ve got to be kidding! The one who started ranting was you! More importantly, I don’t even know you guys!”

As Zeeg said that, the gathering hall was filled with a brief moment of silence, followed by a unified burst of laughter.

“Hey hey! This guy doesn’t know? Seriously?”

“Now that’s surprising. I can’t believe there was anyone who don’t know of this gang.”

“Hey, can't blame the guy. He’s still a rookie from the countryside, right? It’s not strange.”

“Yeah, yeah. I think so.”

Red with embarrassment, Zeeg banged his hand on the counter.

“Oh c’mon! I’ve heard of even the Crimson Avian Wings! I don’t know about these guys because they’re just not famous!”

The laughter was even louder than before, with a few people laughing while rolling on the floor.

“Did you seriously just say that?”

The girl said before turning to Becky.

“Tell him about us, Becky.”

Becky looked at the girl with a bored expression on her face, as if an annoying job was thrown her way.

“Zeeg, this is Elmeria Franport, 15 years old. Her hunter rank is ‘Wyvern Slayer’.”

Zeeg’s strength disappeared from his legs.

“Wyvern Slayer!?”

“That’s right. With that rank, they have access to the queen guest house. Anyway, the man next to Ellie is Mr. Gannon Denon. As you can see, he’s a lance user. The two of them have been paired up since they registered at this guild, so his rank is the same-- Wyvern Slayer. Their skills are guaranteed. Hmm? What with that face? Were you thinking that the reason Ellie got to her rank was because of Mr. Gannon’s help?”

He nodded, and that instant--

“Whoa-!”

[[File:MH-v01-039.jpg|300px|thumb]]

The head of the massive Diablos Maul swung down, narrowly missing Zeeg’s face. It crushed the stone chair in front of him, a cracking sound to echoing around the gathering hall.

“You better can it, rookie!”

It was an attack from the girl-- Elmeria.

Zeeg’s face turned blue. The weapon had enough power to pulverize a wyvern’s head-- not to mention a human’s.

Elmeria lifted the hammer up and rested it on her shoulder. The weight caused her to slightly adjust her stance.

“I was able to reach this rank with my own abilities! Isn’t that right, Gannon?”

“...That is the truth.”

The large man nodded.

He did not seem to be lying. Her attack was too fast for Zeeg to keep up with his eyes; all he perceived of it was a shockwave.

“Ellie? You’re going to pay for the repairs, right?”

Becky said, smiling. Elmeria then made a grumpy face in response.

“He was the one who provoked me, so he pays! End of story!”

“W...wait a second! This nonsense--”

Zeeg protested, but fell silent when Elmeria gripped her hammer’s handle.

“See? No complaints from him.”

“Oh dear... No way around it, then...”

Becky sighed.

“But with his skill level, it would take many quests for him to get enough money... The stone component is actually quite expensive, you know. What should I do?”

“That is simple.”

Zeeg turned to look at the owner of the voice and saw a small old man-- who looked very similar to his Village’s Chief-- sitting on the counter, sweeping away the gray smoke around him until his figure could be seen clearly.

He moved to sit closer to Zeeg and gasped for some air.

“Becky, you know, that job? Aren’t we supposed to ask them to take that one quest?”

“Huh? Ah... yes.”

Becky took out a piece of paper from behind the counter.

“What's this?”

Elmeria moved in for a closer look.

“It’s an urgent quest-- Here.”

“Let’s see... Hunt a Rathalos?”

Zeeg’s ears opened wide in response to the name. A Rathalos hunt! He had always wanted to try going on one.

“Um... I'll--”

“You can’t do it.”

About to raise his hand, Zeeg was stopped by Elmeria. The girl pretended to not notice Zeeg’s upset reaction. She placed the request paper back on the counter.

“We’ve had enough of the Rathalos for now. How about asking someone else? There should be plenty of hunters wanting to take a crack at it, right?”

“That's true, but there’s a reason we can’t afford to fail this one--”

Becky lowered her voice.

“The client is from the royal court.”

“For real?”

Becky nodded.

“Ten days from now, the royalty will be holding a ‘hunt’ at Arnest Forest. Well, their ‘hunt’ is just a game though, unlike what you guys do. Problem is, near the designated grounds, a Rathalos has apparently set up a nest. They want us to get rid of it.”

“Can’t we just chase it away? There’s no need to kill it.”

“It you did that, it has a chance to come back, right? If it returned while the nobles were hunting, it would be a big problem, so they want it killed. Well, that’s pretty much the details for this quest.”

“Hmm...”

Elmeria smirked while rubbing her chin.

“Alright, we accept. It’s nice to do some good deeds for the royalty once in a while.”

“No no, wait a second.”

Elmeria reached for the paper, but her hand was blocked by the elder’s staff.

“This is the quest that we want you to take care of, yes, but can you also listen to this old man’s request?”

Elmeria hunched her shoulders.

“What is it?”

“Nothing difficult, really. When you head out, I want you to let the boy tag along.”

Zeeg and Elmeria’s eyes open wide upon hearing the sudden proposal.

“Now, now. I understand that you might be dissatisfied.”

The old man spoke up before anyone could voice a complaint.

“But you see, the Chief of this boy’s hometown asked me to take care of him... And the fastest way to teach him is to let him learn from the experience of a real hunt. If it’s your party, letting this kid tag along shouldn’t be much of a problem, am I right?”

“You gotta be kidding!”

Elmeria glanced at Zeeg, eyes narrowed.

“Bring a rookie like him along on a Rathalos Hunt? If he did something stupid, the three of us would be dead too, you know!? If you want to die that much, go do it yourself!”

“Now, don’t say that. It’ll be fine. I’ll have him promise to not do anything and just watch.”

“W...wait! Just watching is a bit--”

Zeeg voiced his complaint, but stopped as the old man glared at him. The sharp, intimidating glint in the Guild Master’s eyes was all it took to shut Zeeg up.

The elder then went back to his cheerful face and turned to Elmeria.

“See? He promised. If he does something disruptive, then just do anything with him. You can throw him into a Pitfall Trap, or feed him to the Rathalos. But only if he breaks the promise. Oh, I'll also have some bonus for you. How about this much?”

The old man fiddled with an abacus and showed it to the girl.

For a moment, Zeeg noticed a sparkle in her eyes.

“Hmm...”

Elmeria squinted her eyes and turned to Zeeg, before patting Gannon’s back.

“What should we do? Guild Master insisted that much.”

“I do not mind.”

“Then it's a deal. We will hunt the Rathalos under those terms. For today, I want to eat, drink, and sleep in a fluffy bed. I won’t let anyone get in my way, alright? We leave tomorrow at noon.”

Everyone nodded.

Zeeg’s opinion goes unheard to the whole company. He tried raising his voice, but at this point no one would hear him out.

And then--

“Um... I haven’t been introduced yet...”

The man in the executioner’s mask-- the one called Fradio-- humbly raised his hand.

“Ah, apologies.”

Becky clapped her hands once in front of her chest, then turned to Zeeg and smiled.

“This is Fradio Heart, a gunner, ranked ‘Wyvern Slayer’ like the other two. People of his skill level are very hard to come by, you know. As for his favorite thing--”

Fradio proudly raised his bare chest and spoke up.

“--Gypceros!”

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Monster Hunter:Volume1 Chapter1

2018-08-23T15:46:08Z

Barnnn: Partial revision of translation

== Chapter 1 - Encounter at the Hunter's Guild ==

Those of the later generations looked back to the world centuries ago. It was a violent age. However, the earth, the sky, and the people who live in those lands, were brilliant and full of life. The world had a much simpler rule of living then than it is now. That is, to hunt, or be hunted.

People gathered in this land, whether it was to live another day, to test the limits of their abilities, or to amass wealth and fame. They set their fiery sights to the magnificent creatures flying freely in the blue sky, never to be reached by man. The very symbol of power and life... Wyverns.

Day after day, they risked their lives in the battlefields, wrapped in the sounds of swords clashing with flesh and the smell of gunpowder smoke.

“Awesome... So this is a city...”

Blurted the boy, Zeeg Grandest, before realizing that people around him were chuckling at his astonishment. Slightly red with embarrassment, he bit his lip and readjusted the luggage on his shoulder. The leather bag collided with the great sword on his back, sounding a dull metallic ring.

The great sword was called Buster Blade, a metal sword forged from a large amount of Iron Ores and Earth Crystals. Its length was comparable to Zeeg’s height, and it was so heavy that it needed to be held with two hands to be used properly, but the weight provided the sword with great destructive power.

There were metal great swords other than the Buster Blade. For example, the Iron Katana, superior in terms of both appearance and power, but created from the rarer Machalite Ores. In the area around Zeeg’s village, such ores were fairly hard to come by.

(“Man, it’s so cool...”)

Catching sight of the Iron Katana ‘Gospel’ on a passerby's back, all Zeeg could do was stare enviously he passed by.

(“But... from now on, things will be different! Just you wait... I’ll be famous in no time!”)

Simultaneously with the sound of a string breaking, Zeeg’s hair strap fell to the ground, and he reached to pick it up. Attached to the string was a scale of the bird wyvern Yian Kut-Ku, which he kept as a trophy from his first successful hunt. After replacing the string and putting the old one away in the pocket of his blue pants, he wiped his hair, which got quite dusty from the long trip. Although he wanted to take a bath and get some rest soon, the first thing a hunter must to do when entering a city was to register at an organization known as “Guild”.

“Hey, out of the way!”

Hearing the shout, Zeeg quickly made way for the owner of the voice.

Multiple muscular men were carrying large barrels from the transport bridge’s gondola, the same one Zeeg had been on until a few moments ago, and headed to the plaza.

(“Jeez... what’s their problem?”)

Mildly annoyed, Zeeg rebalanced himself and walked after those men.

This city was built by carving a hole in a massive rock mountain. The main method of getting up here was to take the transport bridge’s gondola. As for the purpose of building a city in such a barren land, it was rumored that the reason was to keep the uniqueness of the “Hunter’s Guild” that was based here.

Hunters are strong, therefore they have many enemies-- so said the Village Chief. Sometimes, they would be attacked by wyverns that got their eggs stolen from them, and sometimes the land owners would hire knights to attack them out of fear-- those kinds of things.

(“I never saw those kind of things happen though.”)

Zeeg reminisced about his boringly peaceful village and the Chief, a frail, elderly man who could barely walk without a cane. It was hard to believe that he had been a hunter so famous that numerous hunters, including Zeeg’s parents, gathered around him, resulting in the establishment of a village.

Although Zeeg was born and raised in that village, his parents had hailed from the far east, traveling over numerous mountains. He never knew what the country was called, because they had died when they went out hunting, before they had a chance to tell him their full story. The two of them had felled the horned wyvern Diablos at the desert far away from the village, but succumbed to their injuries during their return trip.

The day he learned the news of their death, Zeeg had decided to become a hunter to earn his living. The village was not exactly well-off, so children without parents supporting them will have to do their share of work in exchange for food and shelter.

Zeeg had started hunting only recently, after turning sixteen. Before then, the only jobs he got were to prepare base camps and guard supply item transports.

(“But I’m a professional now!”)

While exploring the city full of hunters, Zeeg was itching to take on a quest, as he was feeling highly confident. Although the Village Chief had told him “you are not prepared yet,” or something along those lines, just a few months after being offered hunting jobs, he was able to fell the bird wyvern Yian Kut-Ku swiftly, setting a new record time in the village. When he brought back Kut-Ku Webbings and Screamers as proof of his successful hunt, he was highly praised by the villagers, but frowned still upon by the Chief.

(“It’s his old age, I guess...”)

He was probably jealous that he doesn’t have the strength to fight anymore, so he gets grumpy over every little thing. That was the best reason Zeeg could think of.

After walking on a narrow path along the side of the mountain, Zeeg reached the plaza. On the stone wall, three cannons were installed, all their barrels pointing up into the sky. It was common knowledge that they were purposed for intercepting invading wyverns.

However, their purpose was to repel, not kill. For this reason, the cannonballs were specially modified to emit sound waves or stinky smells that wyverns dislike.

(“I don’t really get the point...”)

In a city like this, there should not be a need for those costly tools. The hunters here should be able to take care of an invading wyvern or two, he thought. Moreover, as he looked around, he saw numerous hunters wearing armor made from wyvern parts, which he recognized only from the books he read. Those armor pieces are solid proof that those hunters have hunted wyverns before.

(“Just a little more time... and I’ll also be considered a first-class hunter!”)

Filled with pride and confidence, Zeeg walked past the dried-up fountain to the entrance of the gathering hall, made from drilling a hole in the mountain. To his sides, there were some simple rain sheds set up, with the barrels the muscular men from earlier were carrying placed inside.

Walking into the entranceway signified by a hanging giant beer mug, Zeeg was met with the overwhelming smell of alcohol, food, and tobacco. The smoke was so thick that he thought he was walking into a fog.

Almost no one paid attention to Zeeg. Some turned to look, but it was as if they were looking at something insignificant, like pebbles or weed on the road.

(“What’s up with them?”)

Zeeg felt a little disappointed.

Even if it’s a small village, he’s famed as the one who set a new record time for hunting Yian Kut-Ku. Rumors of his exploit should have reached the outside world somehow. It’s rare for a hunter at this age to use a great sword, you know. Well, at least in the village, that is.

“Hey.”

As a man called him from behind, Zeeg feels a streak of joy, thinking that someone who heard rumors of his achievement has come to greet him. So you’re finally here! I heard about you! The rising star! Those were the words that he expected to hear, but...

“You’re blocking the entrance, kid. Out of the way.”

Those words flew into Zeeg’s ears from behind as he was bumped on his shoulder. Initially intending to voice a complaint, he fell silent after seeing those people.

The other party is a group of seasoned hunters. One can easily tell by looking at the worn-out Kut-Ku armor sets, equipped by all four men.

“It’s the Crimson Avian Wings.”

Someone said out loud.

(“So it’s these guys...”)

Zeeg gulped upon hearing the name. He heard that they are a group of extremely skilled hunters who specialize in hunting Yian Kut-Ku. But on the other hand, they were also viewed as cowards who refuse to hunt other wyverns. Among the customers, some looked at the party insultingly. Zeeg, however, doesn’t see them in that way.

Three men sat down at a table, the fourth man headed to the counter. The female receptionist wearing a red uniform with white sleeves took the order of four beers, swiftly poured alcohol into the mugs, and then placed them on the countertop. The man paid for the beer and took the mugs back to his group.

(“Right, registration.”)

Zeeg took a deep breath, then walked past the Crimson Avian Wings to the counter.

“Welcome!”

The female receptionist welcomed Zeeg in a friendly manner, slightly lifting his spirits.

“I’ve never seen you here before. You’re new here, right? Where are you from?”

As Zeeg told her the name of his village, the gathering hall suddenly fell silent.

(“What?”)

After a short while, something caused a knocking sound, and the customers started talking among themselves again, as if the brief silence was just an illusion.

Zeeg turned to the source of the sound and saw a familiar figure of a small man sitting on the counter, hanging his legs.

(“Village Chief!? Wait, no... he’s different.”)

The old man bore an uncanny resemblance to the Village Chief. Not to the point of being identical twins, but it was still surprising that two unrelated people could look so similar.

“Then, what business do you have in this city?”

“Eh? Ah... give me a second.”

Zeeg hurriedly turned to answer the woman’s question, then put his luggage down, opened up his bag, pulled out the Village Chief’s introduction letter, and handed it to her.

“I want to register at this guild.”

The letter was handed to the receptionist, but she seemed to have no intention of accepting it. Instead, she pointed to the elderly man, now smoking from his pipe in a carefree manner.

“If it’s that, you’ll need to hand it to him, not me.”

“That... person?”

Zeeg almost called him an old man, but fortunately stopped himself in time. Dragging his luggage along so that it wouldn't be lost, he walked to the elderly man.

“With you, right? I want to register at this guild. I also have an introduction letter.”

Zeeg handed him the letter, and the old man took it in a leisurely manner before slowly opening it up and reading the contents with his small, bead-like eyes.

“Hmm...”

After he finished reading, the letter was folded and put into his bag. He then took out a book from behind the counter and opened it in front of Zeeg.

“Name, age, gender, most proficient weapon.”

“Anything else?”

The elderly man said nothing, and instead blew ring-shaped smoke out of his mouth, signaling Zeeg to get it over with as soon as possible.

Zeeg made an irritated face to show his dissatisfaction, but complied with the old man. With a quill, he wrote in the book: “Zeeg Grandest, 16 years old, Male, Great Sword”. Just after he finished writing, the elder pulled the book away from him as if he was taking back a stolen possession, and passed it to the receptionist.

“Becky, please go make his guild card for me.”

(“So her name is Becky, huh...”)

The woman smiled at the boy, as if she knew he was watching. Slightly blushing, Zeeg turned away to hide his embarrassment. He was met with the side view of the elder’s head, which really does look like the Village Vhief.

“What about his Hunter Rank, Guild Master?”

The old man opened one eye in response to Becky’s question.

“Rookie should be enough.”

“Wha-!”

Zeeg’s face turned red with a different reason from before. Among the ranks of hunters, “Rookie” was the second lowest. Hunters who would only get requests to gather raw meat or special mushrooms, or were not proficient enough to use weapons without hurting themselves, would be classified as either “Rangers” or “Rookies”.

“W... Wait a second!”

Zeeg slammed his hand on the counter.

“I was able to hunt the Yian Kut-Ku by myself, you know! Then why-”

As he said that, a group hunters from behind burst out laughing. Others just banged their beer mugs on the table, while some clapped loudly, but almost all of them were smirking with amusement.

One of them, a hunter with a massive hammer placed beside him, turned around and started speaking.

“Hey kid, I’ll educate you. For this place, hunting Yian Kut-Ku is a job for newbies, not something to be proud about!”

The man said as he glanced at the Crimson Avian Wings. He expected them to say something, but was completely ignored as the four men chugged their beer without any reaction whatsoever.

Irritated at their attitude, the man grabbed his hammer, before another person told him to calm down. The man hesitated, and upon realizing that the whole gathering hall was watching him, sat down.

“Well, what he said.”

The elder took the guild card from Becky and placed it in front of Zeeg.

“Being able to hunt the Yian Kut-Ku isn’t something to boast about, but a mere qualification for registering at this guild. It’s a different story if you’re able to do it in a few minutes like the Crimson Avian Wings though... Can you do that?”

“I know, I know...”

All Zeeg could do was grab his guild card, much to his chagrin.

(“It’s so dirty...”)

Led by a male receptionist, Zeeg arrived at his room on the first floor, and the boy groaned in his mind upon seeing the interior.

The bed was crudely made by stuffing in some straws. Other than that, the room contained only an item box, a table, and a chair. It’s not so different from a pig’s coop.

''“Oink”''

And one is actually living here.

The pig wears a white and blue striped shirt. It walked around as if it owned the place.

“Hey... can I eat this thing if I’m hungry?”

Zeeg asked while pointing at the pig, and it cried out in shock.

“Absolutely not! This pig was brought in by the Guild Master as moral support for the hunters, who face difficult quests day after day. Eating it would be-”

“That’s just silly...”

Zeeg threw his bag on the bed, and thick puffs of dust flew up. It’s like people here don’t know what it means to clean. If one slept on a bed like this, they would itch like crazy from being bitten by the louse.

“What about food?”

“If you have the ingredients, we have a free cooking service right over here. You can also order food at the gathering hall.”

“Hm... I’ll go eat over there for today then. I didn’t bring any ingredients with me.”

“Certainly, sir.”

The man bowed once, then disappeared behind the curtains. The pig, which was supposed to follow him, instead slipped under the bed, showing no sign of coming out again.

Zeeg hanged his Buster Blade on the wall. In this room, the only part that resembles a hunter’s room is the neatly organized weapons rack.

Starting to feel itchy on his buttocks while sitting on the bed, he moved to sit on the chair instead.

“Dammit...”

Zeeg still feels a little bitter about what happened earlier.

He understood that there were plenty of hunters superior to him. Even so, he was fairly confident in himself, and expected to be acknowledged.

But this is what he got-- a filthy little room, even worse than his own room back home.

Met with these conditions, Zeeg was reminded that being a hunter is not an easy job.

Many children aspire to become a hunter, but most parents, Zeeg’s included, were opposed to the idea.

They had long passed away, so no one could stop him from being one, but Zeeg never forgot what his parents used to say: “Don’t expect anything from this job”. He understood those words when he became a hunter. The money may be good, but the work was harsh.

“Hunters” were people who accept requests, be it to gather materials or hunt down wyverns. Accepting their quest, they would head out to the vast world of nature with their trusty weapon in hand, alone or with companions. Exploring jungles, deserts, or even volcanoes, they faced dangerous beasts multiple times their size. Day after day, their lives placed on a fine line between life and death.

However, that did not mean the job was legal. The hunter occupation, and the existence of a guild that unifies them, were not officially accepted by the kingdom.

The reason was that among hunters, some were strong enough to fell wyverns by themselves. This means their strength was comparable to an army of thousands. It was natural that the aristocrats would fear these people, and the possibility of them banding together to cause an uprising. This was possibly one of the reasons why the guild was based in a remote location, far from the capital.

However, most hunters have no intention of ruling a country. Just as the Village Chief used to say-- “Hunters are like rulers of their very own kingdom”.

The hunters’ purposes in life are varied. Many started out to earn their living like Zeeg, but they will eventually discover their true calling. Some pursue fame, to be hailed as warriors who could fell wyverns by themselves. Others seek irreplaceable bonds, forged on the unforgiving battlefields. There also exists those who collect rare weapons and technologies.

Of course, there were some who have yet to find themselves, hunting just to make ends meet. Zeeg, like them, hadn't found his purpose yet, but he felt that if he continued being a hunter, he would definitely find it someday.

Surely, that was what everyone thinks. However, there were also many who would never find anything, stuck at the lowest rank until the day they died.

(“I won’t end up like them. I swear, I’ll definitely make a name for myself!”)

Zeeg made a vow for the second time. The first time was when he learned of the death of his parents. Whether or not his parents have found anything in their lives, he will never know.

Now that he thought about it, the rooms being left in this condition might help new hunters to reflect, and to renew their determination.

Looking out the window, it was still early in the day, and he was not yet hungry.

(“Guess I’ll sharpen my weapon...”)

In the hunting grounds, a hunter’s life depends on his weapon.

As he took out a whetstone from his bag and detached the Buster Blade from the wall, Zeeg could hear the striped pig’s snoring from beneath the bed.

“Right now, these are the only quests for your skill level.”

Becky lined up several request papers on the countertop.

With just a glimpse, Zeeg knew that those were quests for beginners. Zeeg slammed his fist on the papers with no intention to hide his dissatisfaction.

“What’s the meaning of this? Deliver 12 Kelbi Horns? 15 Special Mushrooms? Slay 50 Vespoids? Aren’t these quests for rookies?”

Zeeg yelled with all his voice, but all Becky did was shrug once in acknowledgement.

“Well, aren’t you skill a rookie?”

“I was-”

“Yeah, yeah. Was the fastest Yian Kut-Ku hunter in your village, right? Sorry, but achievements in a small village like that aren’t things to boast about. More importantly, do you have enough money to pay for the contract fees? The better the job, the higher the fee, you know.”

Rendered speechless, Zeeg reached for the money bag tied tightly to his waist and counted the coins. Right now, he has about 150 Zenny, not even enough to pay the fees for a Yian Kut-Ku hunt. Even then, he didn’t want to go back to collecting mushrooms again after coming all this way.

“I’m just saying, but you can’t put these payments on your tab, alright? It’s a different story if your rank is a bit higher though. I might pitch in and help a little, but for you... I don’t think I can just yet.”

Becky giggled a little.

“No one will think poorly of you for doing this, you know. For now, just do some gathering quests. You’ve always been hunting alone, right? Things are different when teaming up with other people. Even the distribution of supply items needs to be discussed thoroughly. If you keep that mindset, you’ll end up being an obstruction. There were even cases of hunters having their licenses revoked for being disruptive, too.”

“Hm... That sounds like a bother...”

Zeeg expressed his honest opinion, resulting in a flick on his forehead from Becky.

“Now, don’t talk carelessly like that. Even though they aren’t listening, everyone can hear you. You’ll end up having difficulty finding teammates in the future.”

“That hurt...”

Rubbing his forehead, Zeeg took a look around the gathering hall.

It is around dinnertime, so the hall is more crowded than before. Tobacco smoke and smells of alcohol are also stronger, to the point that Zeeg feels a little drunk just by being here.

A person boasted loudly about their hunting exploits. Another sang some songs with their broken voice. Even a few were sound asleep. Everyone seemed to be minding their own businesses, with no sign of acknowledging what Zeeg said earlier.

However, each and every one of them are hunters. Their hearing senses are honed to the point that they won’t miss even a single breaking branch in the thick forest.

Zeeg turned back to the counter, still rubbing his forehead.

“But aren’t there some hunters who hunt by themselves?”

“There are, but... most of them are the ones who chose to go solo after being with a team for some time, and thought that hunting alone is more to their liking. You haven’t decided on which style you prefer, right? Moreover, monsters around here are tougher and more intelligent compared to the countryside. If you went in expecting them to be the same, you’ll soon be finding yourself in a grave. I’ve seen many rookies make that mistake.”

“Hm... and why is that? Do they eat better prey?”

“Who knows? Well, Guild Master used to say that it’s because the hunters are strong-- ah, here's your order.”

While thinking about what Becky said, a chunky Aptonoth steak was served in front of Zeeg.

Aptonoths are classified as herbivores. While they are more than 10 meters long on average, they are docile in nature. Zeeg has hunted many of them for their meat and bones. When threatened, they would normally run away for safety, but some will attempt to fight back using its tail. They are not to be underestimated, since their tail whips are quite powerful.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Zeeg asked while slicing his rare steak, with red meat juices flowing out as the knife dug into the meat.

Becky poured some honey into a mug of Kelbi milk, then moved herself a little closer to Zeeg.

“Well... hunters aren’t always successful in their hunts, right? If a monster was able to survive from being hunted and gave birth to some offsprings, the offsprings will grow up stronger. As a result, in areas where there are powerful hunters, the monsters will also be tougher-- something like that.”

“Huh...”

Zeeg stuffed his cheeks with meat. Even though it does not have any special seasoning, the steak was so delicious, as if it was melting in his mouth.

“Delicious! I’ve never eaten Aptonoth meat this good!”

“Really? That great!”

“Yeah! Aptonoth meat are usually tougher than this! Don’t tell me it’s an infant-”

Zeeg froze, his knife and fork still in his hands.

Among hunters, hunting infant monsters is strictly forbidden. There have been rumors that offenders would be the ones who get cooked instead as punishment.

Although such a policy was not considered law in the kingdom, it could be enforced all the same. At least, that was what Zeeg used to hear-- about there being hunters that hunt down rule breakers.

“Now now, of course not.”

Becky laughed.

“This is domesticated meat. They are made by capturing some wild Aptonoths, waiting for them to produce offsprings, and raising those babies up with nutritious food. When they fully grow, we eat their meat. A traveling merchant has been nagging us to try them for a while, so we purchased a batch to see how they do.”

“Hmm...”

Zeeg took a few more bites. The more he ate, the more his taste buds felt weird from the unnatural amount of fat.

“I don’t know how to explain this, but it feels kinda weird...”

“Everyone else says that. I guess it’s good for only the first bite? Anyway, thanks for trying it out. We’ll probably not buy another batch. Oh, and that one’s my treat, so you don’t have to pay. Want some wild Aptonoth steak instead?”

“No thanks. I’ll finish this one. Domesticated, huh? No matter where it’s from, I think it’s a waste to throw away food.”

Hearing that, Becky smiled happily.

“You really are a hunter, huh...”

“What'd you mean by that?”

While eating some baked potatoes with his steak, a solid sound came from outside the gathering hall’s entrance. The atmosphere suddenly became so heavy that Zeeg had to turn around and look.

He was so surprised at the sight that he almost choked on his meat.

A large man, over two meters tall, stood there. But his height was nothing special, since among hunters, people with large builds are fairly common. His armor was the thing that was special.

Two enormous horns extended from his shoulder pads, intimidating those around him. The helmet also has two smaller horns attached to the sides, pointing upwards. It was no mistake-- his equipment was the Diablo set, made with materials from the desert-dwelling horned wyverns Diablos and Monoblos.

Moreover, it was a full set, which could not be obtained by slaying just one or two of them. To get the materials, one had to hunt down many, breaking off their horns and cutting off their tails.

On the man’s back hung a lance that, at a glance, looked like a wyvern’s tail.

(“It’s the Hellfire...”)

The Hellfire lance, created from a wyvern’s tail, looked so thin that it could snap in half at any moment. Its main components, Fire Wyvern Marrows and Inferno Sacs, gave it the fire attribute, enabling it to generate intense heat. Included in the set was a shield capable of blocking the hottest flames.

The large man’s old age was signified by the wrinkles at the end of his eyes and white hair mixed in with his black eyebrows.

He was apparently a famous hunter around here, judging from the fiery sight of numerous eyes focused on him. They looked on with envy and respect, both in regards to his equipment and rank.

However, that was not the only surprising thing.

Two more people followed the large man, one of them carrying the Diablos Maul, a massive blunt weapon forged from the tail of a horned wyvern.

On top of the sight of such a weapon, Zeeg was also surprised with its owner.

It was a little girl.

Her age should be about the same as Zeeg’s, and her height was about twenty centimeters shorter. She had a pretty face, but her blue eyes seemed to send out an intimidating aura. Her long, blonde hair was separated equally on two sides of her head and tied together at each end.

Additionally, she had a weird choice of equipment, not wearing a helmet and body armor. She couldn’t have forgotten them at her room, because it looked like she had just returned from a hunt, and her waist, arm, and leg pieces were still properly equipped.

Those armor pieces were from the Rathalos set, created with parts of the male fire wyvern. The armor served as a great indicator of its wearer’s high hunter rank.

No matter how much he thought about it, Zeeg could not understand why she was wearing just a long-sleeved shirt instead of armor.

The girl glanced to her side, and the hunters in her line of sight turned away. She then let out an arrogant snort.

And then, there was another person.

This man also had a weird choice of equipment.

Like the girl, he had no armor equipped on his chest. He did not even have a shirt on, leaving his red, sunburned chest bare. Other than his torso, he was equipped with the Gypceros armor set.

These equipments were created from the rubbery hides of Gypceros, a wyvern capable of emitting flashes of light from the crest on its head. The elasticity of its materials were so great that the pieces could barely be classified as armor. Out of them, the cap stood out the most. It had bent horns similar to a sheep’s, and the hides covered all of the wearer’s face, save for the eyes. The design reminded Zeeg of an executioner’s mask.

On his back was the high-grade heavy bowgun Tankmage, specially modified for increased attack power. This meant his role in the party was not merely to support.

The three of them headed straight to the counter. They totally ignored Zeeg, not even turning to look at his face.

The girl stepped ahead and placed a dusty leather bag on the counter.

“Here are the requested materials.”

Becky wiped her hands with a towel before taking out some documents, and double-checked them.

She nodded, stamped the documents with a seal, and threw the leather bag into a box.

“Item receipt confirmed. Thank you for your hard work-- Would you like to eat something?”

“I’ll make something at my room, so I’ll just have a beer.”

The girl said with a straight face.

(“Beer? Seriously?”)

For a second, Zeeg thought how unfitting it was for her, and the girl turned to face him as if she could read his mind. With her large, blue pupils, she scanned Zeeg from head to toe--

And let out another arrogant snort.

Realizing that he was being insulted, Zeeg’s face turned red with anger. Not caring who the other person is, he banged the knife’s handle on the metal plate, and stood up.

(“!?”)

But a split second later, the world turned upside down. Before he knew it, Zeeg was staring at the gathering hall’s ceiling. The pain soon followed, running all over his back. It hurt so much that he shed a tear.

Zeeg felt so humiliated to cry in front of a girl like this.

The person who threw Zeeg down was not the girl, but the large man in the Diablo armor.

“...Apologies.”

The large man said while pulling Zeeg back up on his feet.

Zeeg dried his tears with his shirt’s sleeves. When he turned around, he was met with the overwhelming figure of the large man, but the intimidating aura seemed to have disappeared. The girl was now hidden behind the large man. It was as if they used a body switching technique to instantly change places.

“Are you okay?”

The man in the Gypceros cap approached, looking at Zeeg from behind his mask. Judging from the voice, he was still young.

“I’m sorry about him. When he thinks the young lady is threatened, he would always act in reflex to defend her.”

“Yeah, it really is a problem.”

The girl crossed her arms.

“That kid wouldn’t be able to hit me, no matter how much he tried.”

“Wha-- what did you say!?”

Zeeg shouted, only for his voice to be reflected back by the large man’s armor.

The girl leaned on the counter with her arm guard, before turning to Zeeg.

“Who’s this kid, Becky?”

“He’s a new recruit.”

“Hmm...”

She squinted her eyes, and scanned Zeeg from head to toe once more.

“...You balance is awful.”

“What!?’

“Heh, struck a nerve, did I? You’re registered at this guild, which means you’ve successfully hunted a Yian Kut-Ku, right? Even so, what’s up with your equipment? Leather Headgear, Chainmail Vest, Hunter’s Vambraces, Leather Belt, and Blue Pants? I can’t believe there are people who mix things up so badly. Don’t tell me you spent all your money on weapons?”

“That’s right~!”

Before Zeeg could say anything, Becky blurted out, clapping her hands. The girl shrugged as if to say that it was nothing worth praising.

“I knew it... Judging from the scratches on your shoulder pad, you’re a great sword user, aren't you? Those scratches were caused by your unrefined fighting stance. You’re one of those people who just think ‘hit it until it dies’, right? Do you even utilize traps? I’m betting you don’t.”

Bull’s eye. Zeeg had never bothered with such things. Having been able to get through every job up until now just by using his Buster Blade, he didn't see the point.

“And what’s wrong about that!? What about you? With all that talk about balance, but you don’t even wear your body armor! Your vital spots are all exposed!”

“You just don’t get it, do you?”

Shaking her head and letting out a sigh, the girl turned to the counter.

“Becky... I really feel sorry for you, having to deal with rookies like this. Giving requests to this guy is almost like feeding him to the monsters, you know?”

Becky giggled at the girl’s grumbles.

“The guild never refuses people with courage. Of course, it is up to them whether they will end up as monster food, or a splendid hunter.”

“Jeez... You never change, huh?”

She said while sleeking up her hair with her dusty arm guard.

“Hey, you never answered my question! Before criticizing others, explain your equipment!”

The girl turned to Zeeg, putting hands on her hips-- She seemed highly confident in herself.

“You really are a rookie, huh? You’ve never hunted with anyone else before, right?”

“And how's that wrong?”

“Of course it is. If you keep up with that self-centered mindset, you’re bound to expose your party to danger. Don't you understand? Hunting in groups isn’t the same as going alone. Everyone has to do their part. Even though my party prioritizes attack power, each of us has clearly defined roles. First off, him...”

She patted the large man’s waist.

“Gannon’s role is to fight on the front lines, distracting the monster from other party members by using Field Horns. That's why he’s fully equipped to maximize defense.”

The man named Gannon nodded firmly.

“As for my role in the party, it is to charge up my power, wait for openings, and deal powerful blows. For maximum speed and mobility, I chose to not wear a chest piece. As for the helmet, it narrows my field of vision. I need good aim to successfully land my blows, after all.”

With the back of her hand, the girl lightly knocked the other man’s bare chest.

“Mobility is the same reason that Fradio doesn’t wear a chest piece. His primary role is to intercept smaller monsters that could distract Gannon, so he always has to be on the move. As for the mask, well... It’s just his personal preference.”

The man nodded lightly.

“Gypceros... they’re absolutely wonderful, don’t you agree? The sticky sensation when its hides touches your skin! Their cute, wacky movements, like animals frolicking in water! ...What do you think? Would you like to join me as a fellow Gypceros fan?”

He approached so suddenly that Zeeg had to move away.

“I... I’ll pass...”

Upon hearing the answer, the man named Fradio narrowed his eyes under the mask. “Is that so...,” he muttered to himself, and then backed away. He seemed genuinely sad.

“Then, why do you wear those heavy arm guards? Wouldn’t you be better off without them?”

Hearing that, the girl shook her head at Zeeg’s ignorance.

“You really don’t know anything, huh? Do you really think armor are only for defending its wearer from attacks?”

“They’re not?”

“They’re not, you idiot! They reduce the strain on the wearer’s body when lifting weapons, and also lessen the shock on the joints when attacking! You don’t know this even though you use a great sword!? That’s the reason why your movements are so sluggish!”

“H...how did you--”

“Of course I know! You probably use a sword from the Buster line, right? The balance between the sword’s weight and your Blue Pants are all wrong! That’s why I said your balance was awful-- Well, if you want to become monster food that much, I won’t stop you. But...”

The girl extended her hand.

“...What?”

“Tuition fees. Just enough for my beer will be fine. It’s rare to hear such a knowledgeable lecture from veterans at this price, you know? Consider yourself lucky.”

“You’ve got to be kidding! The one who started ranting was you! More importantly, I don’t even know you guys!”

As Zeeg said that, the gathering hall was filled with a brief moment of silence, followed by a unified burst of laughter.

“Hey hey! This guy doesn’t know? Seriously?”

“Now that’s surprising. I can’t believe there was anyone who don’t know of this gang.”

“Hey, can't blame the guy. He’s still a rookie from the countryside, right? It’s not strange.”

“Yeah, yeah. I think so.”

Red with embarrassment, Zeeg banged his hand on the counter.

“Oh c’mon! I’ve heard of even the Crimson Avian Wings! I don’t know about these guys because they’re just not famous!”

The laughter was even louder than before, with a few people laughing while rolling on the floor.

“Did you seriously just say that?”

The girl said before turning to Becky.

“Tell him about us, Becky.”

Becky looked at the girl with a bored expression on her face, as if an annoying job was thrown her way.

“Zeeg, this is Elmeria Franport, 15 years old. Her hunter rank is ‘Wyvern Slayer’.”

Zeeg’s strength disappeared from his legs.

“Wyvern Slayer!?”

“That’s right. With that rank, they have access to the queen guest house. Anyway, the man next to Ellie is Mr. Gannon Denon. As you can see, he’s a lance user. The two of them have been paired up since they registered at this guild, so his rank is the same-- Wyvern Slayer. Their skills are guaranteed. Hmm? What with that face? Were you thinking that the reason Ellie got to her rank was because of Mr. Gannon’s help?”

He nodded, and that instant--

“Whoa-!”

[[File:MH-v01-039.jpg|300px|thumb]]

The head of the massive Diablos Maul swung down, narrowly missing Zeeg’s face. It crushed the stone chair in front of him, a cracking sound to echoing around the gathering hall.

“You better can it, rookie!”

It was an attack from the girl-- Elmeria.

Zeeg’s face turned blue. The weapon had enough power to pulverize a wyvern’s head-- not to mention a human’s.

Elmeria lifted the hammer up and rested it on her shoulder. The weight caused her to slightly adjust her stance.

“I was able to reach this rank with my own abilities! Isn’t that right, Gannon?”

“...That is the truth.”

The large man nodded.

He did not seem to be lying. Her attack was too fast for Zeeg to keep up with his eyes; all he perceived of it was a shockwave.

“Ellie? You’ll going to pay for the repairs, right?”

Becky said, smiling. Elmeria then made a grumpy face in response.

“He was the one who provoked me, so he pays! And that’s final!”

“W...wait a second! This nonsense--”

Zeeg protested, but fell silent when Elmeria gripped her hammer’s handle.

“See? No complaints from him.”

“Oh dear... No way around it, then...”

Becky sighed.

“But with his skill level, it would take many quests for him to get enough money... The stone component is actually quite expensive, you know. What should I do?”

“That is simple.”

Zeeg turned to look at the owner of the voice and saw a small old man-- who looked very similar to his Village’s Chief-- sitting on the counter, sweeping away the gray smoke around him until his figure could be seen clearly.

He moved to sit closer to Zeeg and gasped for some air.

“Becky, you know, that job? Aren’t we going to ask them to take that one quest?”

“Huh? Ah... yes.”

Becky took out a piece of paper from behind the counter.

“What's this?”

Elmeria moved closer to look.

“It’s an urgent quest-- Here.”

“Let’s see... Hunt a Rathalos?”

Zeeg’s ears opened wide in response to the name. A Rathalos hunt! He had always wanted to try going on one.

“Um... I'll--”

“You can’t do it.”

About to raise his hand, Zeeg was stopped by Elmeria. The girl pretended to not notice Zeeg’s upset reaction. She placed the request paper back on the counter.

“We’ve had enough of the Rathalos for now. How about asking someone else? There should be plenty of hunters wanting to take a crack at it, right?”

“That's true, but there’s a reason we can’t afford to fail this one--”

Becky lowered her voice.

“The client is from the royal court.”

“For real?”

Becky nodded.

“Ten days from now, the royalty will be holding a ‘hunt’ at Arnest Forest. Well, their ‘hunt’ is just a game though, unlike what you guys do. Problem is, near the designated grounds, a Rathalos has apparently set up a nest. They want us to get rid of it.”

“Can’t we just chase it away? There’s no need to kill it.”

“It you did that, it has a chance to come back, right? If it returned while the nobles were hunting, it would be a big problem, so they want it killed. Well, that’s pretty much the details for this quest.”

“Hmm...”

Elmeria smirked while rubbing her chin.

“Alright, we accept. It’s nice to do some good deeds for the royalty once in a while.”

“No no, wait a second.”

Elmeria reached for the paper, but her hand was blocked by the elder’s staff.

“This is the quest that we want you to take care of, yes, but can you also listen to this old man’s request?”

Elmeria hunched her shoulders.

“What is it?”

“Nothing difficult, really. When you head out, I want you to let the boy tag along.”

Zeeg and Elmeria’s eyes open wide upon hearing the sudden proposal.

“Now, now. I understand that you might be dissatisfied.”

The old man spoke up before anyone could voice a complaint.

“But you see, the Chief of this boy’s hometown asked me to take care of him... And the fastest way to teach him is to let him learn from the experience of a real hunt. If it’s your party, letting this kid tag along shouldn’t be much of a problem, am I right?”

“You gotta be kidding!”

Elmeria glanced at Zeeg, eyes narrowed.

“Bring a rookie like him along on a Rathalos Hunt? If he did something stupid, the three of us would be dead too, you know!? If you want to die that much, go do it yourself!”

“Now, don’t say that. It’ll be fine. I’ll have him promise to not do anything and just watch.”

“W...wait! Just watching is a bit--”

Zeeg voiced his complaint, but stopped as the old man glared at him. The sharp, intimidating glint in the Guild Master’s eyes was all it took to shut Zeeg up.

The elder then went back to his cheerful face and turned to Elmeria.

“See? He promised. If he does something disruptive, then just do anything with him. You can throw him into a Pitfall Trap, or feed him to the Rathalos. But only if he breaks the promise. Oh, I'll also have some bonus for you. How about this much?”

The old man fiddled with an abacus and showed it to the girl.

For a moment, Zeeg noticed a sparkle in her eyes.

“Hmm...”

Elmeria squinted her eyes and turned to Zeeg, before patting Gannon’s back.

“What should we do? Guild Master insisted that much.”

“I do not mind.”

“Then it's a deal. We will hunt the Rathalos under those terms. For today, I want to eat, drink, and sleep in a fluffy bed. I won’t let anyone get in my way, alright? We leave tomorrow at noon.”

Everyone nodded.

Zeeg’s opinion goes unheard to the whole company. He tried raising his voice, but at this point no one would hear him out.

And then--

“Um... I haven’t been introduced yet...”

The man in the executioner’s mask-- the one called Fradio-- humbly raised his hand.

“Ah, apologies.”

Becky clapped her hands once in front of her chest, then turned to Zeeg and smiled.

“This is Fradio Heart, a gunner, ranked ‘Wyvern Slayer’ like the other two. People of his skill level are very hard to come by, you know. As for his favorite thing--”

Fradio proudly raised his bare chest and spoke up.

“--Gypceros!”

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Monster Hunter:Volume1 Chapter4

2018-08-22T20:56:24Z

Barnnn:

== Chapter 4 - Knight ==

“Whoa... So this is what they call difference in power...”

Witnessing true difference in power, all Zeeg could do was stare in awe.

If one were to ask what this was about-- it was the guest house.

Right now, Zeeg is staying at one of the “Pawn” rooms, which no matter how you look at it, is no different from a pig’s coop. All it had was a table, a chair, and a crudely made bed. But earlier this morning, he was called by Elmeria, the girl saying that they need to discuss something.

After Zeeg finished his breakfast, Fradio guided him to Elmeria’s room. The moment he opened the door, the boy’s breath was taken away by the elegant display.

He was then given a pat on the shoulder from Fradio as a signal to get inside. Walking in, he had no words to describe how grand the decorations were.

Even though he had never seen one, he thought he walked into the royalty’s bedroom.

“Zeeg, do you know how much it costs to rent a ‘Queen’ room like this one?”

Moving his eerie Gypceros cap close, Fradio whispered his question.

“1000 Zenny for one night.”

Zeeg was taken aback, his eyes opened wide.

A thousand Zenny!

With some extra ores, one could order a basic Iron Sword with that amount of money.

Alternatively, it’s enough to buy 10 bottles of health-recovering Potions.

Spending that much just for one night... it’s an extravagant lifestyle that Zeeg never dreamed of.

(“More importantly... What’s up with that? Is she supposed to be a princess?”)

Looking to the middle of the room, Zeeg clicked his tongue in dissatisfaction.

For some reason, what irritated him more than the room’s elegance was Elmeria, who was relaxing on the enormous bed.

The girl was wearing thin, pink pajamas. She sat on the bed with her back against a fluffy-looking pillow. On top of her laps was an overbed table, with beautifully decorated food divided into bite-sized portions.

Elmeria can be seen eating the food in a very proper manner, as if she was a completely different person from yesterday when she ate the Bullfango Steak.

Gannon, in a butler suit, stood next to her, brewing tea and collecting the empty plates.

Zeeg had only seen this kind of clothes when the village chief wore it during important ceremonies.

The two of them look accustomed to this lifestyle. There wasn’t any sign that it was just a show.

“Were you surprised?”

Zeeg heard Fradio’s question, but didn’t have the energy to answer. Right now, he feels like he had been tricked the whole time.

“At first, I was surprised as well. They’re like different people when they were out hunting, you see. But of course, the hunting occupation can’t exactly be picked up by the nobles as a hobby, and the young lady’s skill is undeniable. You have seen her in action, so that should be obvious. At any rate, they are a strange pair indeed.”

As Fradio said, Elmeria’s performance while fighting the Rathalos isn’t smoke and mirrors, and that’s a good thing. Even so, Zeeg couldn’t understand how the thing he’s seeing now could be fun.

“...Elmeria!”

Intentionally raising his voice, Zeeg called out to the girl as he walked towards her bed.

The boy’s voice was so loud that Elmeria could drop her spoon and the soft-boiled egg yolk on it, but she seemed unfazed. All she did was nonchalantly glance at Zeeg before carrying on with her meal.

Then, she put down her spoon and nodded to Gannon. The large man then took the overbed table away.

“You’re here early.”

Elmeria didn’t seem to be embarrassed to be seen in her pajamas. And for some reason, Zeeg felt annoyed at that as well.

The girl got up from bed and put on the slippers and coat that Gannon brought her. Then, she led Zeeg and Fradio to the round table.

Still feeling an irritation in his mind, Zeeg sat down rudely. The chair was welded together with thin metal, but it was surprisingly solid. Zeeg’s impact on it didn’t even cause a sound.

He would fit in with the atmosphere better if he was wearing armor, but all Zeeg wore this morning was some cheap linen clothing.

As for Fradio, he’s always happy to be wrapped in Gypceros armor, except on his chest.

Elmeria took her seat on a chair that Gannon prepared and narrowed her eyes.

“...? What’re you so angry about?”

Zeeg immediately knew that the question was directed at him, but-

“I’m not angry.”

“Liar. You’re definitely in a bad mood. Did something happen-- Aha, don’t tell me you have low blood pressure? You seemed to be fine when we were out hunting though?”

“I said I’m not angry!”

Elmeria turned to Fradio, but he only shook his head in response.

Of course he doesn’t know. Even Zeeg himself doesn’t understand what got over him.

“Well, whatever.”

Probably because she just finished her breakfast and is still in a good mood, Elmeria didn’t inquire any further.

Gannon served tea for everyone present. The aroma helped Zeeg calm his nerves a little.

Now that he thought about it, he never knew why Elmeria called him. However, it was probably not just to show off her room. Even if the girl has a strict personality and can be mean at times, she doesn’t seem like the kind of person who likes to look down on others.

The fights they had when they first met were inevitable. Considering the risks of letting a rookie tag along, she had no choice but to be strict.

And during the battle with the Rathalos, Zeeg knew that he wasn’t actually that helpful.

The thought about the weight Elmeria had to put into the decision to let him handle the last move caused Zeeg to shudder.

If he weren’t able to break away at that last moment, the Rathalos would have set itself free.

Things would get ugly even if the others had countermeasures prepared.

Considering all the things she did for him, there was absolutely no reason for Zeeg to be angry. The more he thought about it, the more irritated he became. In an attempt to calm himself down, Zeeg chugged down his tea.

“...Young mistress.”

Not just Elmeria, but everyone present turned to Gannon in response to his voice. He was standing at the window, looking outside.

“What is it, Gannon?”

“...The elders are here.”

Crossing her eyes, Elmeria stood up and went to take a look. Zeeg followed her, looking down from the other window.

(“What’s up with them...?”)

A group of elderly men with bent backs can be seen walking from the market area. Their figures are awfully similar to the Guild Master. Each of them has a follower carrying their luggage.

They looked like some sort of tourists from the countryside taking a tour of the city.

Looking for something to drink, they walked into the gathering hall.

“What’s up with those geezers? Don’t tell me they’re actually hunters!”

Zeeg laughed, but it seems like everyone else doesn’t find his joke amusing. He scratched his head in an attempt to hide his embarrassment.

(“Right... I’m bad even at making jokes, dammit.”)

He let out a sigh, but Elmeria and Gannon paid him no mind.

“...This isn’t normal.”

Elmeria said to herself while crossing her arms, rubbing her chin with one hand. Not wanting to interrupt her, Zeeg walked towards Fradio.

“Hey, what’s this all about?”

“Ah, it’s about the elders...”

“Who are they even supposed to be? Are they related to Elmeria?”

“If you put it that way, yes. They are related to not just her, but all of us.”

“Me too?”

“They are masters of the other Hunter’s Guilds, you see... With them being here so suddenly, it seems like there’s going to be an emergency meeting...”

Under his Gypceros Cap, Fradio let out a mischievous laugh.

“Thank you for coming, all of you.”

Lighting up a lamp and looking around at the people assembled at the round table, the master of this city’s guild spoke up in a firm voice.

The people seated around the table are leaders of the other Hunter’s Guilds throughout the regions. The ones who aren’t interested in the topic at hand are seated away from the table so that they can listen without interrupting.

Even so, even getting on a chair is difficult due to their small size and old age. Their wrinkled faces don’t hide any dissatisfaction.

Each of the Guild Masters have one personal bodyguard following them.

The body guards aren’t heavily armed, with each of them having a short sword as their only weapon. However, with their skills, a strike from their small weapons are as powerful as a normal person that uses the Rathalos Firesword, or so the rumor says.

They were the underground hunters-- Guild Knights, a secret organization tasked with ensuring that the guilds’ works go smoothly at any cost.

Their roles were to gather information, negotiate with the land owners, and sort out and approve requests. But those were only ones on the surface. If the negotiation ended in failure, or if clients attempted to commit fraud by reporting false information or refusing to pay for penalties, the Guild Knights would start using their true methods.

That is, to resolve the issue with force. Sometimes, the situation could end in an assassination. Their roles also included eliminating anyone who would bring bad reputation to the hunters and those who refuse heed their warnings.

While they were not quite as good as normal hunters when it comes to dealing with monsters, they were unmatched when it comes to fighting humans. If there was a ranking system equivalent to hunters, they would have access to the “King” rooms.

“I have read your letter.”

A voice echoed out from the darkness, and the Guild Master turned his wrinkled sight to the source. Becky stood quietly behind him.

“But this is unbelievable. Up to this point, we have done our work thoroughly. If anything goes wrong now, the kingdom wouldn’t be so stupid to not realize that they will also be affected.”

“''That man'' is looking down on us, I say.”

Another voice spoke up.

“Thinking we would accept any job if enough money is offered... It’s like he thinks we’re jacks of all trades. But it is true that the Rathalos are being hunted in a large scale; even the infants are being kidnapped. We’ve caught about ten of those hunters in our area alone.”

“We've got five over here.”

A weak, shivering voice came from another corner.

“Wait, no... Was it eight?”

“...Nine offenders, Guild Master.”

A young man voiced his part, with the old man in front of him nodding in response.

“Hmm, yes. It was nine... Was it nine? Hmm...”

Whispers can be heard in the darkness, showing hopelessness.

Then, everyone present could feel murderous intent emanating from the young man.

All of the Guild Knights, Becky included, prepared for battle.

“The problem is--!”

This city’s Guild Master slammed his twiggy hand on the table, causing the murderous intent to disappear. The young man calmed down, and the room’s heavy atmosphere was lifted.

The elder then let out a sigh in relief.

“...The problem is, the clients could be merchants, farmers, land owners... but they’re just proxies to hide the real mastermind. The real issue is that the one who hired the wandering hunters to hunt the Rathalos on a large scale is the Royal Armory.”

“It’s the same over here.”

“Here too.”

Most of the elders gave the same opinion.

The Guild Master waited for the commotion to quiet down before speaking up again.

“...From our investigation, some of the approved hunts were requested by a chain of proxies, in an attempt to hide that they are actually all from the Royal Armory. Normally, it wouldn’t be a problem, since some clients would wish to not reveal their identity. However, with the Rathalos being hunted on a large scale, we can’t let this slide. It is a betrayal to the philosophy of the Hunter’s Guild.”

Everyone present agreed unanimously.

“In this case, I propose that the Hunter’s Guilds use force to eliminate the wandering hunters and make this poaching case known to the public. Additionally, we would demand compensation from the Royal Armory and the kingdom. Any objections?”

Several voices saying they have no objections echoed in the darkness. And then-

“Compensation, you say? More like robbing us for your mistakes, bastards!”

Immediately following that voice, a flash of light was emitted from the middle of the round table. Everyone in the room was blinded by the light, the elders letting out loud screams.

Elmeria was the first to react to the sound of the explosion.

“Flash Bomb!”

Being able to distinguish just from the sound, she turned away from the window and rushed to the item box. While opening it and taking out her Rathalos armor however-

“...Young mistress.”

She turned to Gannon in response to his voice. The door was kicked open, and a group of knights entered, each of them carrying a light bowgun. They held everyone present at gunpoint.

“Freeze!”

As for this side, everyone is unarmed.

(“What should I do?”)

Glancing to the side, Zeeg and Gannon’s eyes met.

He straightened his large body and slowly raised his hands up. Seeing that, Elmeria followed suit while still biting her lips.

In this situation, it is only wise that Zeeg did the same.

The bowguns carried by the knights seem to be a modified version of Spartacus Fire, since they look slightly different from the books. This bowgun design, created from Rathalos scales and shells, is considered a high ranking weapon among hunters. Their shots are powerful enough to easily pierce normal armor and shields.

Right now, the party might as well be naked against this weapon.

(“These people aren’t hunters!”)

If they were, they wouldn’t easily point their weapons at humans so easily.

Moreover, this doesn’t seem to be just a threat. Their fingers are on the trigger, ready to shoot without any hesitation if someone were to make a move.

“Don’t even think about making a move!”

“What do you people want?”

Zeeg asked as calmly as he could.

“We are the knights of the kingdom! From today on, this city will be under direct control of His Majesty the King! The Hunter’s Guild is to be dissolved immediately! As for the hunters, each of you will be charged with first-degree crime of treason and will face the court!”

“First degree crime of treason!?”

Zeeg blinked in confusion. There was not even a need for trial-- the only thing that awaits is execution.

“What’s up with that!? What did we ever do to you!?”

“I said freeze!”

With the bowgun raised at him, Zeeg stopped his feet.

“Good... Put your hands over your head and start walking! We’re taking you away!”

“Taking away... where to!?”

“Just shut up and start walking!”

Zeeg clicked his tongue in dissatisfaction before he started walking, with Elmeria and Gannon following him. The three of them walked stiffly in a line.

(“Three...?”)

Zeeg quickly cast his sight around. Fradio was nowhere to be found inside the room. No one noticed since when that he escaped.

“As always, he’s as quick as a Gypceros when it comes to bailing.”

Even in this situation, Elmeria let out a smile.

“It seems luck is on our side. No matter how hard they try, these people won’t be able to find Fradio.”

“You sure about that?”

“I don’t care who these people are-- they’ll soon know the true reason we hunters try not to point our weapons at fellow humans. Depending on how they treat us, that is.”

While Elmeria was laughing mischievously--

“You! Be quiet!”

One of the knights approached and raised his bowgun up, preparing to swing.

Even though there was no need to since Gannon was here, Zeeg moved in reflex. Before he could think about anything, his head was met with blunt force, the sharp pain following immediately.

“Zeeg!?”

It was after being hit that Zeeg realized his stupidity. His legs losing strength due to the pain, he collapsed. It took him a few moments to notice that Elmeria grabbed him up before he hit the ground.

(“How shameful...”)

He tried to protect the girl, but instead had to be saved by her.

“I thought I told you not to make a move!”

His vision still blurry, Zeeg observed the situation. Bowguns were pointed at Gannon, who had his arms raised up. He probably made a move to protect Elmeria as well.

“...Stop, Gannon.”

Hearing the girl’s voice, the large man groaned menacingly like a Diablos before lowering his rock-hard fists.

“M...Move along!”

Commanded by the knights, Zeeg started walking while being supported by Elmeria.

Gannon followed the two, acting like a shield.

“You alright, Zeeg?”

“I’ll manage...”

“You idiot. I would have been able to dodge that.”

“Right...”

Now that he thought about it, his last move was just foolish and unnecessary. For a veteran hunter of Elmeria’s caliber, that attack should be easier to dodge than a Mosswine’s charge.

When the group reached the hallway, they could see other hunters walking along, each of them held at gunpoint. There was on one at the reception counter.

Zeeg raised his hand to touch his forehead, which has swelled up quite a bit.

Not feeling any headaches, the conclusion was it’s just a flesh wound. When he became a hunter, he had studied which kind of injuries and symptoms are fatal, and the proper procedures to promptly treat them.

(“It’s good that I’m hard-headed...”)

If not, he could be dead as a result of his skull being fractured.

Reaching outside however, the bright sunlight made him dizzy. He gritted his teeth and endured it so that he wouldn’t put even more burden on Elmeria.

“What... is that...?”

Elmeria spoke up, and Zeeg opened his eyes.

At the plaza, strange carriages are being hauled in by Aptonoths. Each of them carried something resembling the cannons installed on the city walls, but significantly larger in size. They seem to give off an ominous vibe.

Zeeg couldn’t think of the design’s purpose, but it felt like they beheaded a Rathalos and placed its head on a platform.

Moreover, even more are being hauled in.

Each of the metallic Rathalos heads were pointed to the outside of the city.

The hunters, mostly unarmed, are being crowded into the gathering hall one by one. It seemed like the shopkeepers were kept separately in another location.

“Move along!”

Being shouted at from behind, Zeeg started walking before he got smacked again. But then-

“Wait-- That large man!”

The voice came from another direction. Zeeg, knowing that it was directed at Gannon, stopped his feet. Elmeria, noticing that, also stopped.

Turning to the source of the voice, they could see a knight slowly approaching. This one wasn’t carrying a light bowgun. His armor isn’t any different from the others, but he has a mantle covering his upper body. He also seems to be quite arrogant.

Gannon stared at the knight in his usual expressionless face.

The knight stopped in front of the group and opened his visor. Judging from his face, he was significantly younger than Gannon-- Should be about thirty-five to thirty-six years of age.

“Oh dear... Just as I feared....”

The man became stiff as he looked at Gannon, his eyes clearly shivering.

“Sir Gannon Denon, in the flesh! I never dreamed of encountering you in a place like this, sir... It has been twelve or thirteen years, I believe? But of course, you might not remember me from that time.”

Lowering his voice, Zeeg asked Elmeria--

“You know him?”

The girl shook her head.

“I never thought that you would become a hunter here, sir. So that’s it... The Hunter’s Guild is an illegal organization that would take anyone in with open arms, even if they’re the worst criminals. A perfect place to go into hiding indeed.”

Stirred up by the man’s words, Elmeria began to make a move.

(“Just let it pass!”)

Zeeg whispered to the girl. To prevent her from suddenly drop-kicking the knight, he put himself between the two.

“...I was originally a hunter.”

Gannon muttered, and the man raised an eyebrow.

“Ah, yes... The great knight and former hunter! The criminal who had been shown kindness, but returned the favor by kidnapping the oldest daughter of his master! Oh, am I so glad that I found you here! You, who has a bounty of 500,000 Zenny on his head, being captured so easily! This is thanks to the heaven’s blessings, no doubt. By the way...”

The man narrowed his eyes and moved his face closer.

“How is Young Mistress Elbrenfort doing? The one you kidnapped?”

“She is dead.”

“Come again?”

“I said she is dead. Succumbed to a disease.”

“Hmm...”

The man rubbed his chin and looked at Elmeria over Zeeg’s shoulder.

“Dead, you say-- Then let us leave the topic at that for now. We are in quite a hurry. I will have plenty of time to hear what your body has to say later. Ah, from that young lady as well.”

As the knight finished speaking, Gannon was filled with rage.

[[File:MH-v01-161.jpg|300px|thumb]]

Even though it was not directed at him, the force was so intense that it gave Zeeg goosebumps and caused him to break into cold sweat. Behind the boy, Elmeria was also feeling it. She had gone pale with worry, her lips quivering.

The man was overwhelmed by the murderous intent directed at him. He took a few steps back, as if pushed away by an invisible force. Round sweat appeared on his nose and face.

“...Let us hear your name.”

The voice was as mighty as a wyvern’s roar.

“M...My name is Mirion Brandar, sir. You’ll regret taking that tone with me.”

While saying his name, the man tried his best to suppress his fear. Not able to look at Gannon any longer, he turned away to a fellow knight wielding a light bowgun.

“Hey! Take these people away!”

That knight seems to also be intimidated by Gannon.

“W...where to...?”

“Where!? Isn’t that obvious!? Same as the others! Lock them up inside the gathering hall!”

“Sir! H...hey, please move-- Wait, no... Move along.”

The knight waved his bowgun in the direction of the gathering hall. Even though he was commanding the party to move along, he has lost his arrogant tone.

Judging from the way the treats Elmeria now, one could see that he’s confused and undecided on the tone he should take in this situation.

Given a nudge on the back from Gannon, Zeeg continued walking, with Elmeria following him silently.

As Gannon followed the two, there was a clear sign of relief from the knights now that the heavy atmosphere around them has lifted.

(“It looks like Gannon used to be a famous knight...”)

Zeeg thought that was the case, judging from the knights’ reactions.

(“And I’m sure he was super strong back then, too.”)

As soon as the knights heard Gannon’s name, they immediately lost their arrogant tone and looked at him in fear and respect. Zeeg understood how they felt-- It was like when he was looking at superior hunters and their wonderful equipment.

Walking past the carts carrying the metallic Rathalos heads, the group entered the gathering hall. Probably because they were the last, the entrance that doesn’t have a door was sealed shut with a board, imprisoning everyone inside.

Inside, all of the hunters in this city are gathered. At a glance, there should be about 50 people. All of them either got their equipment taken away, or were captured when they weren’t wearing any, leaving them in casual clothes.

Luckily, most did not get their hands and legs cuffed. Maybe the knights didn’t prepare enough, or they didn’t want to use restraints unless met with opposition. Either way, it helps the team keep calm in this situation.

Naturally, hunters adapt quickly to any situation and environment. If they don’t, they wouldn’t be able to handle their quests, where unexpected changes can happen at any moment.

That also applies to the current event. Some of the hunters have already started drinking.

Vaulting over the counter and taking mugs from the shelf, they poured their beers and passed them around.

“You’ll be killed by Becky later, you know!”

A voice was raised in a comical tone, but no one declined the beer when a mug was passed to them. Not before long, they reached Zeeg’s group.

“Here.”

A gunner approached with mugs in hand, each of them filled to the brim with foamy beer. The person didn’t seem to be angry at Gannon at all. They must have heard the conversation earlier and understood that the current situation doesn’t have anything to do with Gannon’s past.

Everyone took a mug-- Zeeg included, albeit reluctantly. The three of them then moved to sit in a corner.

Some of the hunters got into the kitchen and started cooking, and some tables started to sing. The atmosphere was so lighthearted, as if they weren’t being imprisoned at all.

Knowing full well that he didn’t like the taste, Zeeg took a drink anyway. As expected, the boy flinched from the bitterness. He asked himself whether or not the day he will grow to like this thing will really come.

“...Hey, Gannon.”

Elmeria, who has been only staring at her mug, spoke up in a low voice. With all the commotion in the gathering hall, the only ones who could hear her were Zeeg and Gannon.

“It’s about what that guy said earlier... Did you really do it?”

“...Yes.”

Gannon gave a brief but clear answer.

Elmeria gripped the handle of her mug tightly.

“Was it for money?”

“...No.”

“Then why? Tell me the reason.”

A moment of silence in the group made the atmosphere heavy.

Zeeg knew that at a time like this, he should not interrupt them. But that also means he could not excuse himself and break away. And if he were to be honest, he was also curious.

Like a moving mountain, Gannon straightened his large body.

“I used to serve the noble house of Elbrenfort. Before then, I was a hunter like I am now. When the head of the family was attacked by a Velocidrome, I happened to be there to save him. As a reward, he took me in and granted me the honor to serve the household.”

With his big thumb, Gannon rubbed the rim of his mug.

“House Elbrenfort is one of the candidates to ascend the throne. Despite that, my lord was a humble soul, kind enough to put his trust in a commoner like myself. It was a rare case for a commoner to be made knight, but my lord was a firm believer of one’s own abilities, disregarding social status. He believed it was not right that a person more than capable of the task could not become one due to his status. Knowing full well that criticisms would be directed at him, he made me a knight of the family.”

“Then why did you...?”

Before the word ‘kidnap’ was spoken, Elmeria gulped it down.

“Other than the lady, my lord was in love with another woman. That is due to his marriage being purely for political purposes that he had no influence over. Not able to move on from the mistress, my lord would make frequent trips to visit her. It was during one of his return trips when I saved him.”

Elmeria frowned slightly, but Gannon pretended not to notice and continued.

“He had a daughter with the mistress. The child was intended to be the heir instead of a son he would later have with his wife. Part of the reason was because the lady’s health conditions caused her difficulties in giving birth. However-”

“She ended up giving birth?”

Gannon nodded.

“By law, the master’s first child, even if born from another woman other than the lady, is to be the heir. My lord was already physically frail. When he was pressured about having a child, he had to force his body, causing his health to deteriorate further. While recovering from his illness, he entrusted me to take care of the child that he had with his beloved mistress. That is because he predicted that when it comes his time to leave this world, the young mistress would be in danger without anyone to protect her.”

“So that’s why you let yourself be framed as a kidnapper?”

Gannon stayed silent. It was his way of saying ‘yes’.

Elmeria let out a sigh and chugged down her beer in one go, not caring about the spill that got on her shirt. She then slammed the mug on the floor as she finished.

“It was totally like you to do such a thing, but seriously? A bounty of 500,000 Zenny? Good grief... Then? What happened to the young mistress?”

“She had passed away.”

Elmeria stared into Gannon’s small eyes, and the large man took her sights head-on.

The moment lasted an eternity.

“Is that so...”

Elmeria let out another sigh. Without saying anything, she snatched Zeeg’s mug and drank all of its contents.

“...Then let’s leave it at that.”

Gannon stayed still, not even giving a nod.

(“Could it be that...?”)

A thought popped up in Zeeg’s head that the child in question could be Elmeria. From the way she speaks and all those decorations in her room, it is entirely possible. He could not think of anyone more fitting to the description.

(“But if what that knight said was true, Elmeria should be about 2-3 years old when she and Gannon ran away, right? She shouldn’t have that kind of royal mannerisms... Or did Gannon teach her?”)

Zeeg had another thought that she had it in her since birth, but that shouldn’t be possible.

The sight of her chugging down beer solidified his thought.

“Here!”

Suddenly, a piece of freshly grilled steak was placed in the middle of the three, steam evaporating from the hot metal plate. It was clear from the smell that there wasn’t any special seasoning at all, with the meat being lightly salted and seasoned with common spices.

Looking up, they could see a man carrying 3 more plates. He let out a wide smile, showing his yellow teeth.

“We don’t know what will happen next, but it won’t hurt to fill up our stomachs!”

“Thanks.”

As Zeeg expressed his gratitude, the man let out a hearty laugh and told the boy to take the knives and forks that were slipped on his belt. After taking some, the man took off to feed the other tables.

“That’s right... No matter what kind of situation, we can’t go on an empty stomach. Being prepared for any unexpected turn of events-- That’s common sense for hunters.”

Elmeria took a pair of knife and fork from Zeeg’s hand and rubbed them together, scattering faint, blue sparks.

(“Guild Master... Why did you stop me?”)

Behind the Guild Master, Becky asked quietly so that only the old man could hear.

From the other side of the door, lively voices of the hunters can be heard. It looks like they have been arbitrarily drinking and eating the gathering hall’s beer and meat.

(“With our numbers, overturning the situation should be easy.”)

Right now, there are only 5 knights keeping watch in the room. Even though each of them were carrying light bowguns in their hands, taking them down before they get to fire wouldn’t be difficult.

The other side isn’t wary of the people they’re watching, thinking that they are just some elders and their followers. Otherwise, they wouldn’t even think about posting just 5 people here.

Even if they had ten times of that amount, it still wouldn’t be enough.

(“Having trouble with the royal court isn’t profitable.”)

The elder’s tired voice could be heard.

(“The spies should be back with information any moment now. If the intention is to destroy the Hunter’s Guild, I don’t see how they- the Royal Armory, would want to hunt all those Rathalos.”)

(“Could it be that they were developing new weapons for warfare?”)

(“That is possible... In any case, right now we wait. Hunters don’t lose morale just by being locked up.”)

(“If the Guild Master says so...”)

The old man let out a laugh, his shoulders shaking slightly.

(“Now, don’t make that face like you missed an opportunity to strike. Don’t worry... I’ll have some work for you soon... It won’t be long...”)

(“Yes.”)

A smile appeared on Becky’s face.

The knights keeping watch in front of her blushed with embarrassment, thinking that her smile was intended for them.

The metallic Rathalos heads have been installed on the city walls in place of the normal cannons, pointing outwards. Watching over the weapons, Brandar smiled at his good fortune.

When he was ordered on this mission, he cursed his luck. However, that was because he didn’t think he would meet Gannon Denon, who has such a high bounty on his head, in a place like this.

Moreover, even though Gannon said she was already dead, Brandar thought it is possible that the girl who was with him is actually the oldest daughter of the House of Elbrenfort, who was kidnapped 12 years ago.

Even if she’s not, no one would know.

The young mistress was kidnapped when she was 3 years old, so she shouldn’t have remembered herself from that time. Some suitable excuses should be enough to convince Madam Elbrenfort to take the girl in.

Even though many people have attempted this method by bringing random girls, this time Brandar has credibility.

That is because, at any rate, the Gannon Denon he captured is undoubtedly the real deal.

“Sir Brandar!”

Turning to the source of the voice, he could see a knight rushing from the market. The knight’s frustrated expression showed that he needed help to deal with something he can’t handle.

“What!?”

Brandar made no effort to hide his dissatisfaction of being interrupted.

The knight stopped in front of him and made a salute.

“...The truth is, we ran into a slight problem.”

“Well, what is it?”

“The daughter of Lord Wimberly has arrived.”

“Wha...what...?”

Brandar’s howled out like a hungry dog.

Lord Wimberly’s daughter, Narumi Wimberly. The face of a wyvern conservation organization, whose goal is to protect all monsters. Naturally, they have an antagonistic relationship with the Royal Armory, which develop weapons from monster materials.

Moreover, her father has authority, so the girl has to be treated accordingly. It was said that if she is dissatisfied with anything, the Royal Armory could be under quite a lot of questioning.

That is because she is the third candidate to ascend the throne.

Comparatively, the House of Elbrenfort is at a much lower rank, being the fifteenth. If one were to think about the future of their career, they wouldn’t want to mistreat the girl.

(“This is bad. Very bad.”)

The plan had already been put in motion, so it is impossible to change the schedule.

The higher-ups have stated repeatedly that if they miss this chance, they would have to wait many years for another.

Waiting for an answer, the messenger eyes narrowed with worry.

(“Are you telling me to make such a difficult decision!?”)

But there was no time to falter.

“Sir Brandar!”

A cold voice was raised as a figure of a robed girl appears. She headed straight to Brandar, ignoring the other knights who were trying to stop her. The mark of a sword being crossed out is embroidered on her robe’s chest, symbolizing her organization’s protest against hunting.

(“I don’t have time to play with this girl!”)

Doing his best to hide his boiling anger, Brandar broke into a forced smile. He opened his arms as a gesture of friendliness.

However, Narumi kept her stern expression, not acknowledging the knight’s attempt at being friendly.

Realizing that it was no use, Brandar lowered his arms and bowed humbly.

“Hmm... For a royal daughter to come to a place like this is admirable indeed. However, if you’re here to protest against the Hunter’s Guild, I’m afraid you’re too late. All of the hunters have already been rounded up. They will never hunt monsters again.”

Narumi glanced at the gathering hall’s entrance, which had been sealed shut. She slowly shook her head before turning back to Brandar.

“I have not come here for that reason. There are many other ways to discuss our philosophy with the hunters. Right now, stopping what you people are doing takes priority. Sir Brandar, we have investigated that the Royal Armory has been hiring wandering hunters to hunt the Rathalos on a large scale! In order to create this... Do you not know the consequences of your actions!?”

“Of course we do, milady.”

Brandar bowed his head respectfully.

“If this plan succeeds, humanity will be liberated from the fear that has been haunting us for countless years. And what is wrong with that? It is what every single human in this world wish for! To end the age of being on the receiving end of pain and destruction without the ability to retaliate!”

Brandar raised his hands up to the sky, as if receiving praise and blessings from the heavens.

“For that goal, do you realize the significance of the sacrifices they have to make!?”

“Sacrifice? The ones who make sacrifices are us, not them.”

Brandar sent an eye signal to one of the knights.

Two knights rushed ahead immediately, stopping right behind Narumi.

Realizing what was happening, the girl’s face stiffened with nervousness.

“...Escort her to the guest house. Make sure it’s the highest ranking King room. If it’s those rooms, there shouldn’t be anything to dissatisfy her. In fact, it’s such a waste that rooms as impressive as those are only for the hunters.”

“Sir!”

“...You intend to confine me?”

Brandar shook his head in response to Narumi’s glare.

“This is for your safety. It’s dangerous to stay here, and we don’t have the time to escort you back to the capital. Now, please don’t worry. Our victory is all but assured.”

“...You realize that nature is not so weak, do you not?”

“Milady, do you not always tell the hunters to use humanity’s wisdom? We’ll show an example of doing so. Then hopefully they’ll come to their senses-- Now, lead her away.”

“......”

Narumi stopped the knight who was going to grab her arm with just a glare. She then made her way to the guest houses on her own, her determination yet unbroken.

Looking at her go, Brandar let out a huge sigh in relief. Noticing that he was being watched by the other knights, he ordered them to go away with a hand wave.

“Get back to work! We don’t have much time!”

“Please wait here. We ask for your patience.”

The knight said before making his exit, with Narumi keeping her eyes on him until he was out of sight. The door, looking as if designed for an actual royal palace, was firmly shut behind him; it gave the impression of being sealed shut, never to open ever again.

Locking it was only possible from the inside, but there should be guards posted immediately outside.

The girl opened a window and cast her eyes over the city.

The metallic Rathalos heads had been lined up on the city walls. Each of them possessed an eerie sheen from reflected sunlight.

Naturally, she could not observe the state of affairs inside of the gathering hall from up here.

Even though she disapproves of the hunters’ activities, those were far more agreeable compared to what the Royal Armory was doing now.

(“What should I do...?”)

All Narumi could do was pace around the room, biting her thumbnail.

Her people were all gathered outside of the city.

The transporter bridge-- the only means of reaching the city, had been taken control by the Thirteenth Order, under the Royal Armory’s command. The girl had claimed her authority to bluff the knights into allowing her passage.

Met with this situation, she came to a realization that she was truly powerless, and that heritage will only take her so far. It was effectively just something she had borrowed from her father, after all.

(“Will these things actually work...?”)

The information was from a member who was also an employee of the Royal Armory. She also received the weapon’s blueprints, but she could not understand most of it.

However, she knew their objective.

Most of her followers’ opinions were that they would never pull it off and to let them do what they want. But even if the chance was a mere one out of ten thousand, the damage caused would be irreparable if it were to succeed.

Although she rushed in bravely, her only achievement so far has been confinement.

(“How pathetic...”)

Narumi tightly gripped the window’s frame and bit her lips.

“A good day to you, milady.”

Hearing a voice from her side, Narumi instantly turned around. Seeing the person’s figure, she was on the verge of screaming.

“Uh-oh.”

But she could not.

The person’s arm extended forward to cover the her mouth. She was pushed against the wall, with a rubbery smell entering her nose.

“If possible, could you please keep quiet? No, I don’t intend to do anything to you. If you promise to not make a ruckus, I’ll let go immediately. Of course, if you don’t go by your promise--”

The hand tightened its grip.

Trebling with fear from raw strength alone, Narumi nodded firmly. She promised to both herself and the other person that she would not raise her voice.

The hand quietly moved away.

While slowly catching her breath, the girl turned to the man, who had taken a few steps back. His face was hidden behind a horned mask, and he was wearing nothing but a belt on his upper body.

She cringed from the pure eccentricity of his fashion sense.

However, Narumi could remember this man.

“You are... the person who was with Elmeria...?”

The girl asked in a frightened tone, and the man nodded in response.

“Yes. We have met many times, milady.”

Narumi let out a sigh in relief.

From the man’s attire, she initially thought he was an executioner sent by Brandar to assassinate her, but it turned out that she was mistaken.

“If I remember correctly... you are the gunner...?”

“Yes.”

“But how are you here? Brandar said all of the hunters have already been captured...”

The man narrowed the eyes under his mask, seemingly cracking smile.

“I’m extremely swift when it comes to escapes, you see... Yes-- like a Gypceros!”

As if he was daydreaming, the man raised his voice, causing Narumi to blink repeatedly in confusion. In her mind, she thought that the man’s personality perfectly matched his eccentric sense of fashion.

“Ah, pardon my rudeness.”

The man coughed once to clear his throat.

“By the way... Judging from the fact that you’ve come up here alone, you must be aware of their objective?”

Narumi nodded.

“As I thought. And that objective has something to do with monsters rather than us hunters-- am I correct? If not, there wouldn’t be any explanation for you taking action so aggressively. Ah, and it’s related to the metallic Rathalos heads that they hauled in as well... am I correct?”

“Precisely.”

Reaching into her robe’s sleeve, Narumi took out the blueprints of the Rathalos-shaped cannons and passed it to the man.

Among the weapons used by hunters, gunner weapons are closest in design to cannons.

Although she could not understand it, the man should be able to make the most out of the schematics-- that is what Narumi thought.

(“But that is also up to his status as a true hunter, of course...”)

The man accepted the plans and skimmed them quickly.

“This is...”

The eyes under the mask opened wide. He raised his rubber-covered face and looked straight at Narumi.

“Milady, do you know what they intend to use this thing for?”

“I do.”

Narumi nodded. The objective in question is the very reason why she have come to this place.

“With this, they will-”

“Preparations are complete!”

The voice of a messenger echoed throughout the wasteland. Located to the south of the city, it takes about half a day on horseback to reach this barren land.

The weather is foggy, and the area is covered in silence, as if all living things here have died off. There were only 50 humans moving about.

Usually, this area is inhabited by the small carnivores called Genprey, but right now not even their shadows can be seen.

Then, the sound of a field horn echoed.

Unlike hunters who blow the horns to draw monsters' attention, this time it is merely used for making a signal.

“I...It’s here!”

A young military engineer shivered as he pointed to the emptiness ahead.

A mountain emerged from the shadow shrouded in the fog-- Not because the fog lifted.

It was the mountain that moved closer, making itself more visible. It approached as the humans watched on. The mountain’s abnormal speed cast an optical illusion on the people, causing them to feel like they were being sucked in.

“Commander! Please give your orders!”

The voice caused the commander of the Fourth Order, Combat Engineer division of the Royal Armory, to come to his senses.

“I...Ignite!”

He shouted out in a panic, and his subordinate set fire to a fuse with his shivering hands. A spark ran through and disappeared into the fog.

From this point on, all they can do is watch attentively.

There won’t be any problem if they succeed. But if not... all of them would be trampled to their deaths-- effectively wiped off the face of the earth.

Everyone held their breaths, waiting nervously for the result.

In the moment of silence, even the sound of someone gulping down saliva can be heard clearly. And then-

“!”

Along with numerous flashes of light, the silence was broken by thunderous explosions.

The explosions were from hundreds of Large Barrel Bombs, which have been lined up to be detonated all at once.

''-RRRRROOOOOOOaaaaaRRRR!!''

The roar that echoed throughout the land was as powerful as a storm. Slowly, the mountain changed its direction and disappeared into the fog.

A field horn was sounded once more.

(“It’s a success...”)

Even so, no words of joy came out from anyone’s mouth. All of them had the same thought lingering in their minds-- That they messed with something that they never should have.

All men stood still, staring into the new direction the mountain has taken.

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Monster Hunter:Volume1 Chapter4

2018-08-22T20:53:59Z

Barnnn: Several edits, revised some translation

== Chapter 4 - Knight ==

“Whoa... So this is what they call difference in power...”

Witnessing true difference in power, all Zeeg could do was stare in awe.

If one were to ask what this was about-- it was the guest house.

Right now, Zeeg is staying at one of the “Pawn” rooms, which no matter how you look at it, is no different from a pig’s coop. All it had was a table, a chair, and a crudely made bed. But earlier this morning, he was called by Elmeria, the girl saying that they need to discuss something.

After Zeeg finished his breakfast, Fradio guided him to Elmeria’s room. The moment he opened the door, the boy’s breath was taken away by the elegant display.

He was then given a pat on the shoulder from Fradio as a signal to get inside. Walking in, he had no words to describe how grand the decorations were.

Even though he had never seen one, he thought he walked into the royalty’s bedroom.

“Zeeg, do you know how much it costs to rent a ‘Queen’ room like this one?”

Moving his eerie Gypceros cap close, Fradio whispered his question.

“1000 Zenny for one night.”

Zeeg was taken aback, his eyes opened wide.

A thousand Zenny!

With some extra ores, one could order a basic Iron Sword with that amount of money.

Alternatively, it’s enough to buy 10 bottles of health-recovering Potions.

Spending that much just for one night... it’s an extravagant lifestyle that Zeeg never dreamed of.

(“More importantly... What’s up with that? Is she supposed to be a princess?”)

Looking to the middle of the room, Zeeg clicked his tongue in dissatisfaction.

For some reason, what irritated him more than the room’s elegance was Elmeria, who was relaxing on the enormous bed.

The girl was wearing thin, pink pajamas. She sat on the bed with her back against a fluffy-looking pillow. On top of her laps was an overbed table, with beautifully decorated food divided into bite-sized portions.

Elmeria can be seen eating the food in a very proper manner, as if she was a completely different person from yesterday when she ate the Bullfango Steak.

Gannon, in a butler suit, stood next to her, brewing tea and collecting the empty plates.

Zeeg had only seen this kind of clothes when the village chief wore it during important ceremonies.

The two of them look accustomed to this lifestyle. There wasn’t any sign that it was just a show.

“Were you surprised?”

Zeeg heard Fradio’s question, but didn’t have the energy to answer. Right now, he feels like he had been tricked the whole time.

“At first, I was surprised as well. They’re like different people when they were out hunting, you see. But of course, the hunting occupation can’t exactly be picked up by the nobles as a hobby, and the young lady’s skill is undeniable. You have seen her in action, so that should be obvious. At any rate, they are a strange pair indeed.”

As Fradio said, Elmeria’s performance while fighting the Rathalos isn’t smoke and mirrors, and that’s a good thing. Even so, Zeeg couldn’t understand how the thing he’s seeing now could be fun.

“...Elmeria!”

Intentionally raising his voice, Zeeg called out to the girl as he walked towards her bed.

The boy’s voice was so loud that Elmeria could drop her spoon and the soft-boiled egg yolk on it, but she seemed unfazed. All she did was nonchalantly glance at Zeeg before carrying on with her meal.

Then, she put down her spoon and nodded to Gannon. The large man then took the overbed table away.

“You’re here early.”

Elmeria didn’t seem to be embarrassed to be seen in her pajamas. And for some reason, Zeeg felt annoyed at that as well.

The girl got up from bed and put on the slippers and coat that Gannon brought her. Then, she led Zeeg and Fradio to the round table.

Still feeling an irritation in his mind, Zeeg sat down rudely. The chair was welded together with thin metal, but it was surprisingly solid. Zeeg’s impact on it didn’t even cause a sound.

He would fit in with the atmosphere better if he was wearing armor, but all Zeeg wore this morning was some cheap linen clothing.

As for Fradio, he’s always happy to be wrapped in Gypceros armor, except on his chest.

Elmeria took her seat on a chair that Gannon prepared and narrowed her eyes.

“...? What’re you so angry about?”

Zeeg immediately knew that the question was directed at him, but-

“I’m not angry.”

“Liar. You’re definitely in a bad mood. Did something happen-- Aha, don’t tell me you have low blood pressure? You seemed to be fine when we were out hunting though?”

“I said I’m not angry!”

Elmeria turned to Fradio, but he only shook his head in response.

Of course he doesn’t know. Even Zeeg himself doesn’t understand what got over him.

“Well, whatever.”

Probably because she just finished her breakfast and is still in a good mood, Elmeria didn’t inquire any further.

Gannon served tea for everyone present. The aroma helped Zeeg calm his nerves a little.

Now that he thought about it, he never knew why Elmeria called him. However, it was probably not just to show off her room. Even if the girl has a strict personality and can be mean at times, she doesn’t seem like the kind of person who likes to look down on others.

The fights they had when they first met were inevitable. Considering the risks of letting a rookie tag along, she had no choice but to be strict.

And during the battle with the Rathalos, Zeeg knew that he wasn’t actually that helpful.

The thought about the weight Elmeria had to put into the decision to let him handle the last move caused Zeeg to shudder.

If he weren’t able to break away at that last moment, the Rathalos would have set itself free.

Things would get ugly even if the others had countermeasures prepared.

Considering all the things she did for him, there was absolutely no reason for Zeeg to be angry. The more he thought about it, the more irritated he became. In an attempt to calm himself down, Zeeg chugged down his tea.

“...Young mistress.”

Not just Elmeria, but everyone present turned to Gannon in response to his voice. He was standing at the window, looking outside.

“What is it, Gannon?”

“...The elders are here.”

Crossing her eyes, Elmeria stood up and went to take a look. Zeeg followed her, looking down from the other window.

(“What’s up with them...?”)

A group of elderly men with bent backs can be seen walking from the market area. Their figures are awfully similar to the Guild Master. Each of them has a follower carrying their luggage.

They looked like some sort of tourists from the countryside taking a tour of the city.

Looking for something to drink, they walked into the gathering hall.

“What’s up with those geezers? Don’t tell me they’re actually hunters!”

Zeeg laughed, but it seems like everyone else doesn’t find his joke amusing. He scratched his head in an attempt to hide his embarrassment.

(“Right... I’m bad even at making jokes, dammit.”)

He let out a sigh, but Elmeria and Gannon paid him no mind.

“...This isn’t normal.”

Elmeria said to herself while crossing her arms, rubbing her chin with one hand. Not wanting to interrupt her, Zeeg walked towards Fradio.

“Hey, what’s this all about?”

“Ah, it’s about the elders...”

“Who are they even supposed to be? Are they related to Elmeria?”

“If you put it that way, yes. They are related to not just her, but all of us.”

“Me too?”

“They are masters of the other Hunter’s Guilds, you see... With them being here so suddenly, it seems like there’s going to be an emergency meeting...”

Under his Gypceros Cap, Fradio let out a mischievous laugh.

“Thank you for coming, all of you.”

Lighting up a lamp and looking around at the people assembled at the round table, the master of this city’s guild spoke up in a firm voice.

The people seated around the table are leaders of the other Hunter’s Guilds throughout the regions. The ones who aren’t interested in the topic at hand are seated away from the table so that they can listen without interrupting.

Even so, even getting on a chair is difficult due to their small size and old age. Their wrinkled faces don’t hide any dissatisfaction.

Each of the Guild Masters have one personal bodyguard following them.

The body guards aren’t heavily armed, with each of them having a short sword as their only weapon. However, with their skills, a strike from their small weapons are as powerful as a normal person that uses the Rathalos Firesword, or so the rumor says.

They were the underground hunters-- Guild Knights, a secret organization tasked with ensuring that the guilds’ works go smoothly at any cost.

Their roles were to gather information, negotiate with the land owners, and sort out and approve requests. But those were only ones on the surface. If the negotiation ended in failure, or if clients attempted to commit fraud by reporting false information or refusing to pay for penalties, the Guild Knights would start using their true methods.

That is, to resolve the issue with force. Sometimes, the situation could end in an assassination. Their roles also included eliminating anyone who would bring bad reputation to the hunters and those who refuse heed their warnings.

While they were not quite as good as normal hunters when it comes to dealing with monsters, they were unmatched when it comes to fighting humans. If there was a ranking system equivalent to hunters, they would have access to the “King” rooms.

“I have read your letter.”

A voice echoed out from the darkness, and the Guild Master turned his wrinkled sight to the source. Becky stood quietly behind him.

“But this is unbelievable. Up to this point, we have done our work thoroughly. If anything goes wrong now, the kingdom wouldn’t be so stupid to not realize that they will also be affected.”

“''That man'' is looking down on us, I say.”

Another voice spoke up.

“Thinking we would accept any job if enough money is offered... It’s like he thinks we’re jacks of all trades. But it is true that the Rathalos are being hunted in a large scale; even the infants are being kidnapped. We’ve caught about ten of those hunters in our area alone.”

“We got five over here.”

A weak, shivering voice came from another corner.

“Wait, no... Was it eight?”

“...Nine, guild master.”

A young man voiced his part, with the old man in front of him nodding in response.

“Hmm, yes. It was nine... Was it nine? Hmm...”

Whispers can be heard in the darkness, showing hopelessness.

Then, everyone present could feel murderous intent emanating from the young man.

All of the Guild Knights, Becky included, prepared for battle.

“The problem is--!”

This city’s Guild Master slammed his twiggy hand on the table, causing the murderous intent to disappear. The young man calmed down, and the room’s heavy atmosphere was lifted.

The elder then let out a sigh in relief.

“...The problem is, the clients could be merchants, farmers, land owners... but they’re just proxies to hide the real mastermind. The real issue is that the one who hired the wandering hunters to hunt the Rathalos on a large scale is the Royal Armory.”

“It’s the same over here.”

“Here too.”

Most of the elders gave the same opinion.

The Guild Master waited for the commotion to quiet down before speaking up again.

“...From our investigation, some of the approved hunts were requested by a chain of proxies, in an attempt to hide that they are actually all from the Royal Armory. Normally, it wouldn’t be a problem, since some clients would wish to not reveal their identity. However, with the Rathalos being hunted on a large scale, we can’t let this slide. It is a betrayal to the philosophy of the Hunter’s Guild.”

Everyone present agreed unanimously.

“In this case, I propose that the Hunter’s Guilds use force to eliminate the wandering hunters and make this poaching case known to the public. Additionally, we would demand compensation from the Royal Armory and the kingdom. Any objections?”

Several voices saying they have no objections echoed in the darkness. And then-

“Compensation, you say? More like robbing us for your mistakes, bastards!”

Immediately following that voice, a flash of light was emitted from the middle of the round table. Everyone in the room was blinded by the light, the elders letting out loud screams.

Elmeria was the first to react to the sound of the explosion.

“Flash Bomb!”

Being able to distinguish just from the sound, she turned away from the window and rushed to the item box. While opening it and taking out her Rathalos armor however-

“...Young mistress.”

She turned to Gannon in response to his voice. The door was kicked open, and a group of knights entered, each of them carrying a light bowgun. They held everyone present at gunpoint.

“Freeze!”

As for this side, everyone is unarmed.

(“What should I do?”)

Glancing to the side, Zeeg and Gannon’s eyes met.

He straightened his large body and slowly raised his hands up. Seeing that, Elmeria followed suit while still biting her lips.

In this situation, it is only wise that Zeeg did the same.

The bowguns carried by the knights seem to be a modified version of Spartacus Fire, since they look slightly different from the books. This bowgun design, created from Rathalos scales and shells, is considered a high ranking weapon among hunters. Their shots are powerful enough to easily pierce normal armor and shields.

Right now, the party might as well be naked against this weapon.

(“These people aren’t hunters!”)

If they were, they wouldn’t easily point their weapons at humans so easily.

Moreover, this doesn’t seem to be just a threat. Their fingers are on the trigger, ready to shoot without any hesitation if someone were to make a move.

“Don’t even think about making a move!”

“What do you people want?”

Zeeg asked as calmly as he could.

“We are the knights of the kingdom! From today on, this city will be under direct control of His Majesty the King! The Hunter’s Guild is to be dissolved immediately! As for the hunters, each of you will be charged with first-degree crime of treason and will face the court!”

“First degree crime of treason!?”

Zeeg blinked in confusion. There was not even a need for trial-- the only thing that awaits is execution.

“What’s up with that!? What did we ever do to you!?”

“I said freeze!”

With the bowgun raised at him, Zeeg stopped his feet.

“Good... Put your hands over your head and start walking! We’re taking you away!”

“Taking away... where to!?”

“Just shut up and start walking!”

Zeeg clicked his tongue in dissatisfaction before he started walking, with Elmeria and Gannon following him. The three of them walked stiffly in a line.

(“Three...?”)

Zeeg quickly cast his sight around. Fradio was nowhere to be found inside the room. No one noticed since when that he escaped.

“As always, he’s as quick as a Gypceros when it comes to bailing.”

Even in this situation, Elmeria let out a smile.

“It seems luck is on our side. No matter how hard they try, these people won’t be able to find Fradio.”

“You sure about that?”

“I don’t care who these people are-- they’ll soon know the true reason we hunters try not to point our weapons at fellow humans. Depending on how they treat us, that is.”

While Elmeria was laughing mischievously--

“You! Be quiet!”

One of the knights approached and raised his bowgun up, preparing to swing.

Even though there was no need to since Gannon was here, Zeeg moved in reflex. Before he could think about anything, his head was met with blunt force, the sharp pain following immediately.

“Zeeg!?”

It was after being hit that Zeeg realized his stupidity. His legs losing strength due to the pain, he collapsed. It took him a few moments to notice that Elmeria grabbed him up before he hit the ground.

(“How shameful...”)

He tried to protect the girl, but instead had to be saved by her.

“I thought I told you not to make a move!”

His vision still blurry, Zeeg observed the situation. Bowguns were pointed at Gannon, who had his arms raised up. He probably made a move to protect Elmeria as well.

“...Stop, Gannon.”

Hearing the girl’s voice, the large man groaned menacingly like a Diablos before lowering his rock-hard fists.

“M...Move along!”

Commanded by the knights, Zeeg started walking while being supported by Elmeria.

Gannon followed the two, acting like a shield.

“You alright, Zeeg?”

“I’ll manage...”

“You idiot. I would have been able to dodge that.”

“Right...”

Now that he thought about it, his last move was just foolish and unnecessary. For a veteran hunter of Elmeria’s caliber, that attack should be easier to dodge than a Mosswine’s charge.

When the group reached the hallway, they could see other hunters walking along, each of them held at gunpoint. There was on one at the reception counter.

Zeeg raised his hand to touch his forehead, which has swelled up quite a bit.

Not feeling any headaches, the conclusion was it’s just a flesh wound. When he became a hunter, he had studied which kind of injuries and symptoms are fatal, and the proper procedures to promptly treat them.

(“It’s good that I’m hard-headed...”)

If not, he could be dead as a result of his skull being fractured.

Reaching outside however, the bright sunlight made him dizzy. He gritted his teeth and endured it so that he wouldn’t put even more burden on Elmeria.

“What... is that...?”

Elmeria spoke up, and Zeeg opened his eyes.

At the plaza, strange carriages are being hauled in by Aptonoths. Each of them carried something resembling the cannons installed on the city walls, but significantly larger in size. They seem to give off an ominous vibe.

Zeeg couldn’t think of the design’s purpose, but it felt like they beheaded a Rathalos and placed its head on a platform.

Moreover, even more are being hauled in.

Each of the metallic Rathalos heads were pointed to the outside of the city.

The hunters, mostly unarmed, are being crowded into the gathering hall one by one. It seemed like the shopkeepers were kept separately in another location.

“Move along!”

Being shouted at from behind, Zeeg started walking before he got smacked again. But then-

“Wait-- That large man!”

The voice came from another direction. Zeeg, knowing that it was directed at Gannon, stopped his feet. Elmeria, noticing that, also stopped.

Turning to the source of the voice, they could see a knight slowly approaching. This one wasn’t carrying a light bowgun. His armor isn’t any different from the others, but he has a mantle covering his upper body. He also seems to be quite arrogant.

Gannon stared at the knight in his usual expressionless face.

The knight stopped in front of the group and opened his visor. Judging from his face, he was significantly younger than Gannon-- Should be about thirty-five to thirty-six years of age.

“Oh dear... Just as I feared....”

The man became stiff as he looked at Gannon, his eyes clearly shivering.

“Sir Gannon Denon, in the flesh! I never dreamed of encountering you in a place like this, sir... It has been twelve or thirteen years, I believe? But of course, you might not remember me from that time.”

Lowering his voice, Zeeg asked Elmeria--

“You know him?”

The girl shook her head.

“I never thought that you would become a hunter here, sir. So that’s it... The Hunter’s Guild is an illegal organization that would take anyone in with open arms, even if they’re the worst criminals. A perfect place to go into hiding indeed.”

Stirred up by the man’s words, Elmeria began to make a move.

(“Just let it pass!”)

Zeeg whispered to the girl. To prevent her from suddenly drop-kicking the knight, he put himself between the two.

“...I was originally a hunter.”

Gannon muttered, and the man raised an eyebrow.

“Ah, yes... The great knight and former hunter! The criminal who had been shown kindness, but returned the favor by kidnapping the oldest daughter of his master! Oh, am I so glad that I found you here! You, who has a bounty of 500,000 Zenny on his head, being captured so easily! This is thanks to the heaven’s blessings, no doubt. By the way...”

The man narrowed his eyes and moved his face closer.

“How is Young Mistress Elbrenfort doing? The one you kidnapped?”

“She is dead.”

“Come again?”

“I said she is dead. Succumbed to a disease.”

“Hmm...”

The man rubbed his chin and looked at Elmeria over Zeeg’s shoulder.

“Dead, you say-- Then let us leave the topic at that for now. We are in quite a hurry. I will have plenty of time to hear what your body has to say later. Ah, from that young lady as well.”

As the knight finished speaking, Gannon was filled with rage.

[[File:MH-v01-161.jpg|300px|thumb]]

Even though it was not directed at him, the force was so intense that it gave Zeeg goosebumps and caused him to break into cold sweat. Behind the boy, Elmeria was also feeling it. She had gone pale with worry, her lips quivering.

The man was overwhelmed by the murderous intent directed at him. He took a few steps back, as if pushed away by an invisible force. Round sweat appeared on his nose and face.

“...Let us hear your name.”

The voice was as mighty as a wyvern’s roar.

“M...My name is Mirion Brandar, sir. You’ll regret taking that tone with me.”

While saying his name, the man tried his best to suppress his fear. Not able to look at Gannon any longer, he turned away to a fellow knight wielding a light bowgun.

“Hey! Take these people away!”

That knight seems to also be intimidated by Gannon.

“W...where to...?”

“Where!? Isn’t that obvious!? Same as the others! Lock them up inside the gathering hall!”

“Sir! H...hey, please move-- Wait, no... Move along.”

The knight waved his bowgun in the direction of the gathering hall. Even though he was commanding the party to move along, he has lost his arrogant tone.

Judging from the way the treats Elmeria now, one could see that he’s confused and undecided on the tone he should take in this situation.

Given a nudge on the back from Gannon, Zeeg continued walking, with Elmeria following him silently.

As Gannon followed the two, there was a clear sign of relief from the knights now that the heavy atmosphere around them has lifted.

(“It looks like Gannon used to be a famous knight...”)

Zeeg thought that was the case, judging from the knights’ reactions.

(“And I’m sure he was super strong back then, too.”)

As soon as the knights heard Gannon’s name, they immediately lost their arrogant tone and looked at him in fear and respect. Zeeg understood how they felt-- It was like when he was looking at superior hunters and their wonderful equipment.

Walking past the carts carrying the metallic Rathalos heads, the group entered the gathering hall. Probably because they were the last, the entrance that doesn’t have a door was sealed shut with a board, imprisoning everyone inside.

Inside, all of the hunters in this city are gathered. At a glance, there should be about 50 people. All of them either got their equipment taken away, or were captured when they weren’t wearing any, leaving them in casual clothes.

Luckily, most did not get their hands and legs cuffed. Maybe the knights didn’t prepare enough, or they didn’t want to use restraints unless met with opposition. Either way, it helps the team keep calm in this situation.

Naturally, hunters adapt quickly to any situation and environment. If they don’t, they wouldn’t be able to handle their quests, where unexpected changes can happen at any moment.

That also applies to the current event. Some of the hunters have already started drinking.

Vaulting over the counter and taking mugs from the shelf, they poured their beers and passed them around.

“You’ll be killed by Becky later, you know!”

A voice was raised in a comical tone, but no one declined the beer when a mug was passed to them. Not before long, they reached Zeeg’s group.

“Here.”

A gunner approached with mugs in hand, each of them filled to the brim with foamy beer. The person didn’t seem to be angry at Gannon at all. They must have heard the conversation earlier and understood that the current situation doesn’t have anything to do with Gannon’s past.

Everyone took a mug-- Zeeg included, albeit reluctantly. The three of them then moved to sit in a corner.

Some of the hunters got into the kitchen and started cooking, and some tables started to sing. The atmosphere was so lighthearted, as if they weren’t being imprisoned at all.

Knowing full well that he didn’t like the taste, Zeeg took a drink anyway. As expected, the boy flinched from the bitterness. He asked himself whether or not the day he will grow to like this thing will really come.

“...Hey, Gannon.”

Elmeria, who has been only staring at her mug, spoke up in a low voice. With all the commotion in the gathering hall, the only ones who could hear her were Zeeg and Gannon.

“It’s about what that guy said earlier... Did you really do it?”

“...Yes.”

Gannon gave a brief but clear answer.

Elmeria gripped the handle of her mug tightly.

“Was it for money?”

“...No.”

“Then why? Tell me the reason.”

A moment of silence in the group made the atmosphere heavy.

Zeeg knew that at a time like this, he should not interrupt them. But that also means he could not excuse himself and break away. And if he were to be honest, he was also curious.

Like a moving mountain, Gannon straightened his large body.

“I used to serve the noble house of Elbrenfort. Before then, I was a hunter like I am now. When the head of the family was attacked by a Velocidrome, I happened to be there to save him. As a reward, he took me in and granted me the honor to serve the household.”

With his big thumb, Gannon rubbed the rim of his mug.

“House Elbrenfort is one of the candidates to ascend the throne. Despite that, my lord was a humble soul, kind enough to put his trust in a commoner like myself. It was a rare case for a commoner to be made knight, but my lord was a firm believer of one’s own abilities, disregarding social status. He believed it was not right that a person more than capable of the task could not become one due to his status. Knowing full well that criticisms would be directed at him, he made me a knight of the family.”

“Then why did you...?”

Before the word ‘kidnap’ was spoken, Elmeria gulped it down.

“Other than the lady, my lord was in love with another woman. That is due to his marriage being purely for political purposes that he had no influence over. Not able to move on from the mistress, my lord would make frequent trips to visit her. It was during one of his return trips when I saved him.”

Elmeria frowned slightly, but Gannon pretended not to notice and continued.

“He had a daughter with the mistress. The child was intended to be the heir instead of a son he would later have with his wife. Part of the reason was because the lady’s health conditions caused her difficulties in giving birth. However-”

“She ended up giving birth?”

Gannon nodded.

“By law, the master’s first child, even if born from another woman other than the lady, is to be the heir. My lord was already physically frail. When he was pressured about having a child, he had to force his body, causing his health to deteriorate further. While recovering from his illness, he entrusted me to take care of the child that he had with his beloved mistress. That is because he predicted that when it comes his time to leave this world, the young mistress would be in danger without anyone to protect her.”

“So that’s why you let yourself be framed as a kidnapper?”

Gannon stayed silent. It was his way of saying ‘yes’.

Elmeria let out a sigh and chugged down her beer in one go, not caring about the spill that got on her shirt. She then slammed the mug on the floor as she finished.

“It was totally like you to do such a thing, but seriously? A bounty of 500,000 Zenny? Good grief... Then? What happened to the young mistress?”

“She had passed away.”

Elmeria stared into Gannon’s small eyes, and the large man took her sights head-on.

The moment lasted an eternity.

“Is that so...”

Elmeria let out another sigh. Without saying anything, she snatched Zeeg’s mug and drank all of its contents.

“...Then let’s leave it at that.”

Gannon stayed still, not even giving a nod.

(“Could it be that...?”)

A thought popped up in Zeeg’s head that the child in question could be Elmeria. From the way she speaks and all those decorations in her room, it is entirely possible. He could not think of anyone more fitting to the description.

(“But if what that knight said was true, Elmeria should be about 2-3 years old when she and Gannon ran away, right? She shouldn’t have that kind of royal mannerisms... Or did Gannon teach her?”)

Zeeg had another thought that she had it in her since birth, but that shouldn’t be possible.

The sight of her chugging down beer solidified his thought.

“Here!”

Suddenly, a piece of freshly grilled steak was placed in the middle of the three, steam evaporating from the hot metal plate. It was clear from the smell that there wasn’t any special seasoning at all, with the meat being lightly salted and seasoned with common spices.

Looking up, they could see a man carrying 3 more plates. He let out a wide smile, showing his yellow teeth.

“We don’t know what will happen next, but it won’t hurt to fill up our stomachs!”

“Thanks.”

As Zeeg expressed his gratitude, the man let out a hearty laugh and told the boy to take the knives and forks that were slipped on his belt. After taking some, the man took off to feed the other tables.

“That’s right... No matter what kind of situation, we can’t go on an empty stomach. Being prepared for any unexpected turn of events-- That’s common sense for hunters.”

Elmeria took a pair of knife and fork from Zeeg’s hand and rubbed them together, scattering faint, blue sparks.

(“Guild Master... Why did you stop me?”)

Behind the Guild Master, Becky asked quietly so that only the old man could hear.

From the other side of the door, lively voices of the hunters can be heard. It looks like they have been arbitrarily drinking and eating the gathering hall’s beer and meat.

(“With our numbers, overturning the situation should be easy.”)

Right now, there are only 5 knights keeping watch in the room. Even though each of them were carrying light bowguns in their hands, taking them down before they get to fire wouldn’t be difficult.

The other side isn’t wary of the people they’re watching, thinking that they are just some elders and their followers. Otherwise, they wouldn’t even think about posting just 5 people here.

Even if they had ten times of that amount, it still wouldn’t be enough.

(“Having trouble with the royal court isn’t profitable.”)

The elder’s tired voice could be heard.

(“The spies should be back with information any moment now. If the intention is to destroy the Hunter’s Guild, I don’t see how they- the Royal Armory, would want to hunt all those Rathalos.”)

(“Could it be that they were developing new weapons for warfare?”)

(“That is possible... In any case, right now we wait. Hunters don’t lose morale just by being locked up.”)

(“If the Guild Master says so...”)

The old man let out a laugh, his shoulders shaking slightly.

(“Now, don’t make that face like you missed an opportunity to strike. Don’t worry... I’ll have some work for you soon... It won’t be long...”)

(“Yes.”)

A smile appeared on Becky’s face.

The knights keeping watch in front of her blushed with embarrassment, thinking that her smile was intended for them.

The metallic Rathalos heads have been installed on the city walls in place of the normal cannons, pointing outwards. Watching over the weapons, Brandar smiled at his good fortune.

When he was ordered on this mission, he cursed his luck. However, that was because he didn’t think he would meet Gannon Denon, who has such a high bounty on his head, in a place like this.

Moreover, even though Gannon said she was already dead, Brandar thought it is possible that the girl who was with him is actually the oldest daughter of the House of Elbrenfort, who was kidnapped 12 years ago.

Even if she’s not, no one would know.

The young mistress was kidnapped when she was 3 years old, so she shouldn’t have remembered herself from that time. Some suitable excuses should be enough to convince Madam Elbrenfort to take the girl in.

Even though many people have attempted this method by bringing random girls, this time Brandar has credibility.

That is because, at any rate, the Gannon Denon he captured is undoubtedly the real deal.

“Sir Brandar!”

Turning to the source of the voice, he could see a knight rushing from the market. The knight’s frustrated expression showed that he needed help to deal with something he can’t handle.

“What!?”

Brandar made no effort to hide his dissatisfaction of being interrupted.

The knight stopped in front of him and made a salute.

“...The truth is, we ran into a slight problem.”

“Well, what is it?”

“The daughter of Lord Wimberly has arrived.”

“Wha...what...?”

Brandar’s howled out like a hungry dog.

Lord Wimberly’s daughter, Narumi Wimberly. The face of a wyvern conservation organization, whose goal is to protect all monsters. Naturally, they have an antagonistic relationship with the Royal Armory, which develop weapons from monster materials.

Moreover, her father has authority, so the girl has to be treated accordingly. It was said that if she is dissatisfied with anything, the Royal Armory could be under quite a lot of questioning.

That is because she is the third candidate to ascend the throne.

Comparatively, the House of Elbrenfort is at a much lower rank, being the fifteenth. If one were to think about the future of their career, they wouldn’t want to mistreat the girl.

(“This is bad. Very bad.”)

The plan had already been put in motion, so it is impossible to change the schedule.

The higher-ups have stated repeatedly that if they miss this chance, they would have to wait many years for another.

Waiting for an answer, the messenger eyes narrowed with worry.

(“Are you telling me to make such a difficult decision!?”)

But there was no time to falter.

“Sir Brandar!”

A cold voice was raised as a figure of a robed girl appears. She headed straight to Brandar, ignoring the other knights who were trying to stop her. The mark of a sword being crossed out is embroidered on her robe’s chest, symbolizing her organization’s protest against hunting.

(“I don’t have time to play with this girl!”)

Doing his best to hide his boiling anger, Brandar broke into a forced smile. He opened his arms as a gesture of friendliness.

However, Narumi kept her stern expression, not acknowledging the knight’s attempt at being friendly.

Realizing that it was no use, Brandar lowered his arms and bowed humbly.

“Hmm... For a royal daughter to come to a place like this is admirable indeed. However, if you’re here to protest against the Hunter’s Guild, I’m afraid you’re too late. All of the hunters have already been rounded up. They will never hunt monsters again.”

Narumi glanced at the gathering hall’s entrance, which had been sealed shut. She slowly shook her head before turning back to Brandar.

“I have not come here for that reason. There are many other ways to discuss our philosophy with the hunters. Right now, stopping what you people are doing takes priority. Sir Brandar, we have investigated that the Royal Armory has been hiring wandering hunters to hunt the Rathalos on a large scale! In order to create this... Do you not know the consequences of your actions!?”

“Of course we do, milady.”

Brandar bowed his head respectfully.

“If this plan succeeds, humanity will be liberated from the fear that has been haunting us for countless years. And what is wrong with that? It is what every single human in this world wish for! To end the age of being on the receiving end of pain and destruction without the ability to retaliate!”

Brandar raised his hands up to the sky, as if receiving praise and blessings from the heavens.

“For that goal, do you realize the significance of the sacrifices they have to make!?”

“Sacrifice? The ones who make sacrifices are us, not them.”

Brandar sent an eye signal to one of the knights.

Two knights rushed ahead immediately, stopping right behind Narumi.

Realizing what was happening, the girl’s face stiffened with nervousness.

“...Escort her to the guest house. Make sure it’s the highest ranking King room. If it’s those rooms, there shouldn’t be anything to dissatisfy her. In fact, it’s such a waste that rooms as impressive as those are only for the hunters.”

“Sir!”

“...You intend to confine me?”

Brandar shook his head in response to Narumi’s glare.

“This is for your safety. It’s dangerous to stay here, and we don’t have the time to escort you back to the capital. Now, please don’t worry. Our victory is all but assured.”

“...You realize that nature is not so weak, do you not?”

“Milady, do you not always tell the hunters to use humanity’s wisdom? We’ll show an example of doing so. Then hopefully they’ll come to their senses-- Now, lead her away.”

“......”

Narumi stopped the knight who was going to grab her arm with just a glare. She then made her way to the guest houses on her own, her determination yet unbroken.

Looking at her go, Brandar let out a huge sigh in relief. Noticing that he was being watched by the other knights, he ordered them to go away with a hand wave.

“Get back to work! We don’t have much time!”

“Please wait here. We ask for your patience.”

The knight said before making his exit, with Narumi keeping her eyes on him until he was out of sight. The door, looking as if designed for an actual royal palace, was firmly shut behind him; it gave the impression of being sealed shut, never to open ever again.

Locking it was only possible from the inside, but there should be guards posted immediately outside.

The girl opened a window and cast her eyes over the city.

The metallic Rathalos heads had been lined up on the city walls. Each of them possessed an eerie sheen from reflected sunlight.

Naturally, she could not observe the state of affairs inside of the gathering hall from up here.

Even though she disapproves of the hunters’ activities, those were far more agreeable compared to what the Royal Armory was doing now.

(“What should I do...?”)

All Narumi could do was pace around the room, biting her thumbnail.

Her people were all gathered outside of the city.

The transporter bridge-- the only means of reaching the city, had been taken control by the Thirteenth Order, under the Royal Armory’s command. The girl had claimed her authority to bluff the knights into allowing her passage.

Met with this situation, she came to a realization that she was truly powerless, and that heritage will only take her so far. It was effectively just something she had borrowed from her father, after all.

(“Will these things actually work...?”)

The information was from a member who was also an employee of the Royal Armory. She also received the weapon’s blueprints, but she could not understand most of it.

However, she knew their objective.

Most of her followers’ opinions were that they would never pull it off and to let them do what they want. But even if the chance was a mere one out of ten thousand, the damage caused would be irreparable if it were to succeed.

Although she rushed in bravely, her only achievement so far has been confinement.

(“How pathetic...”)

Narumi tightly gripped the window’s frame and bit her lips.

“A good day to you, milady.”

Hearing a voice from her side, Narumi instantly turned around. Seeing the person’s figure, she was on the verge of screaming.

“Uh-oh.”

But she could not.

The person’s arm extended forward to cover the her mouth. She was pushed against the wall, with a rubbery smell entering her nose.

“If possible, could you please keep quiet? No, I don’t intend to do anything to you. If you promise to not make a ruckus, I’ll let go immediately. Of course, if you don’t go by your promise--”

The hand tightened its grip.

Trebling with fear from raw strength alone, Narumi nodded firmly. She promised to both herself and the other person that she would not raise her voice.

The hand quietly moved away.

While slowly catching her breath, the girl turned to the man, who had taken a few steps back. His face was hidden behind a horned mask, and he was wearing nothing but a belt on his upper body.

She cringed from the pure eccentricity of his fashion sense.

However, Narumi could remember this man.

“You are... the person who was with Elmeria...?”

The girl asked in a frightened tone, and the man nodded in response.

“Yes. We have met many times, milady.”

Narumi let out a sigh in relief.

From the man’s attire, she initially thought he was an executioner sent by Brandar to assassinate her, but it turned out that she was mistaken.

“If I remember correctly... you are the gunner...?”

“Yes.”

“But how are you here? Brandar said all of the hunters have already been captured...”

The man narrowed the eyes under his mask, seemingly cracking smile.

“I’m extremely swift when it comes to escapes, you see... Yes-- like a Gypceros!”

As if he was daydreaming, the man raised his voice, causing Narumi to blink repeatedly in confusion. In her mind, she thought that the man’s personality perfectly matched his eccentric sense of fashion.

“Ah, pardon my rudeness.”

The man coughed once to clear his throat.

“By the way... Judging from the fact that you’ve come up here alone, you must be aware of their objective?”

Narumi nodded.

“As I thought. And that objective has something to do with monsters rather than us hunters-- am I correct? If not, there wouldn’t be any explanation for you taking action so aggressively. Ah, and it’s related to the metallic Rathalos heads that they hauled in as well... am I correct?”

“Precisely.”

Reaching into her robe’s sleeve, Narumi took out the blueprints of the Rathalos-shaped cannons and passed it to the man.

Among the weapons used by hunters, gunner weapons are closest in design to cannons.

Although she could not understand it, the man should be able to make the most out of the schematics-- that is what Narumi thought.

(“But that is also up to his status as a true hunter, of course...”)

The man accepted the plans and skimmed them quickly.

“This is...”

The eyes under the mask opened wide. He raised his rubber-covered face and looked straight at Narumi.

“Milady, do you know what they intend to use this thing for?”

“I do.”

Narumi nodded. The objective in question is the very reason why she have come to this place.

“With this, they will-”

“Preparations are complete!”

The voice of a messenger echoed throughout the wasteland. Located to the south of the city, it takes about half a day on horseback to reach this barren land.

The weather is foggy, and the area is covered in silence, as if all living things here have died off. There were only 50 humans moving about.

Usually, this area is inhabited by the small carnivores called Genprey, but right now not even their shadows can be seen.

Then, the sound of a field horn echoed.

Unlike hunters who blow the horns to draw monsters' attention, this time it is merely used for making a signal.

“I...It’s here!”

A young military engineer shivered as he pointed to the emptiness ahead.

A mountain emerged from the shadow shrouded in the fog-- Not because the fog lifted.

It was the mountain that moved closer, making itself more visible. It approached as the humans watched on. The mountain’s abnormal speed cast an optical illusion on the people, causing them to feel like they were being sucked in.

“Commander! Please give your orders!”

The voice caused the commander of the Fourth Order, Combat Engineer division of the Royal Armory, to come to his senses.

“I...Ignite!”

He shouted out in a panic, and his subordinate set fire to a fuse with his shivering hands. A spark ran through and disappeared into the fog.

From this point on, all they can do is watch attentively.

There won’t be any problem if they succeed. But if not... all of them would be trampled to their deaths-- effectively wiped off the face of the earth.

Everyone held their breaths, waiting nervously for the result.

In the moment of silence, even the sound of someone gulping down saliva can be heard clearly. And then-

“!”

Along with numerous flashes of light, the silence was broken by thunderous explosions.

The explosions were from hundreds of Large Barrel Bombs, which have been lined up to be detonated all at once.

''-RRRRROOOOOOOaaaaaRRRR!!''

The roar that echoed throughout the land was as powerful as a storm. Slowly, the mountain changed its direction and disappeared into the fog.

A field horn was sounded once more.

(“It’s a success...”)

Even so, no words of joy came out from anyone’s mouth. All of them had the same thought lingering in their minds-- That they messed with something that they never should have.

All men stood still, staring into the new direction the mountain has taken.

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Kino no Tabi

2018-08-15T14:59:55Z

Barnnn: Linked Manga Special 2

{{Status|Active}}
----
[[Image:KNT_V01_NewCover.jpg|250px|thumb|right|frameless|New cover artwork for volume 1]]
Kino no Tabi (キノの旅 -the Beautiful World- ''Kino's Journey'') is a Japanese light novel series written by Keiichi Sigsawa, with illustrations by Kōhaku Kuroboshi. The series originally started serialization in volume five of MediaWorks' now-defunct light novel magazine Dengeki hp on March 17, 2000. The first bound volume of the series was published on July 10, 2000 by MediaWorks under their Dengeki Bunko publishing label. As of October 2017, twenty-one volumes have been published, and over 8 million copies of the novels have been sold in Japan.

A 13-episode anime produced by A.C.G.T and Genco aired between April and July 2003 on WOWOW in Japan, and was licensed for North American distribution by ADV films. The books also received adaptations in other formats: a radio drama, an OVA, two films, two visual novel adventure games for PS2, and a parody spin-off, [[Gakuen Kino|Gakuen Kino]]. In connection with Dengeki Bunko's 20th Anniversary in 2013, Kino no Tabi was serialized weekly for half a year in several regional newspapers in Japan, and volumes I to XVI were reprinted with new cover artwork. In 2017, the series simultaneously received two manga adaptations and a new 12-episode anime produced by EGG Firm and animated by Studio Lerche.

'''''Kino no Tabi''''' is also available in the following languages:
*[http://untuned-strings.blogspot.com/p/index-kino.html English - external]
*[[Kino no Tabi (French)|Français (French)]]
*[[Kino_no_Tabi_-_Italiano| Italiano (Italian)]]
*[http://www.aragami-fansubs.ru/search/Kino%20no%20Tabi/ Русский (Russian) - external]
*[http://elviajedekino.tumblr.com/ Español (Spanish) - external]
*[http://bbs.hako.re/novel/kino-no-tabi-the-beautiful-world Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese) - external]
*[http://sonako.wikia.com/wiki/Kino_no_Tabi Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese) - external 2]
*[http://komorebit.wordpress.com/ Português (Portuguese) - external]
<br/>

==Series Information==

Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Sci-Fi <br>
Japanese Title: キノの旅 -the Beautiful World- <br>
English Title: Kino's Journey: the Beautiful World <br>
Author: 時雨沢恵一 (Keiichi Sigsawa) <br>
Illustrator: 黒星紅白 (Kōhaku Kuroboshi) <br>
Volumes: 21 <br>
Status: Ongoing

===Story Synopsis===
The protagonist, Kino, accompanied by a talking motorcycle named Hermes, travels through a mystical world of many different countries and forests, each unique in its customs and people.

===Awards===
このライトノベルがすごい! 2006 Best Female Character, 1st place (Kino) <br>
このライトノベルがすごい! 2006 Best Novel Series, 2nd place <br>
このライトノベルがすごい! 2007 Best Novel Series, 5th place <br>
このライトノベルがすごい! 2008 Best Novel Series, 6th place <br>
このライトノベルがすごい! 2009 Best Novel Series, 12th place <br>
このライトノベルがすごい! 2010 Best Novel Series, 22nd place <br>
このライトノベルがすごい! 2011 Best Novel Series, 21st place <br>
このライトノベルがすごい! 2012 Best Novel Series, 20th place <br>
このライトノベルがすごい! 2013 Best Novel Series, 18th place <br>
このライトノベルがすごい! 2014 Best Novel Series, 38th place <br>
このライトノベルがすごい! 2015 Best Novel Series, 37th place <br>
このライトノベルがすごい! 2016 Best Novel Series, 24th place <br>
このライトノベルがすごい! 2017 Best Novel Series, 34th place <br>

== Translation ==

According to Section B of the [[Baka-Tsuki:Copyrights|Baka-Tsuki TLG Translation Common Agreement]], Under no circumstances would you(b2)...

<span style="color:red">'''submit translated works(a) copied directly from an unauthorized source such as, but not limited to, online, written sources etc. . If you(b2) submit works(a) that have been authorized by their rights holder, permission, in the form of written/electronic/printed must be available upon request.'''</span>

=== [[Kino No Tabi:Registration Page|Registration]] ===

Those who wish to contribute are asked to first notify a supervisor beforehand.

'''Translators are asked to [[Kino No Tabi:Registration Page|register]] which chapters they're working on.'''

(It seems people don't understand what the above means. When we ask you to REGISTER, what we mean is, add your name on the REGISTRATION PAGE next to the chapter you will translate, so that we can know who translated it. That's it. So if there are people out there that would like to help translate these wonderful books, please don't hesitate, translate any chapters you like, in any order you like! Thank you to all who help with this project!)

===Format Standards===

'''Every Chapter (after editing) must conform to the general format guidelines.'''

*[[Format_guideline|General Format/Style Guideline]]

=== Feedback ===
'''If you enjoyed the series, why don't you tell us in the [http://www.baka-tsuki.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=44&t=6008 forum]'''

==Updates==

Older updates can be found on the [[Kino no Tabi:Updates|Kino no Tabi Updates]] page.
*November 7, 2015 - Volume 16 Illustrations added
*July 21, 2015 - Volume 15 Chapter 2 completed
*April 5, 2015 - Volume 17 Chapters 13-14 completed, Volume 16 Booklet completed
*August 28, 2017 - Volume 15 Chapter 3 completed
*September 5, 2017 - Volume 15 Chapter 4 completed
*September 11, 2017 - Volume 15 Chapter 5 completed
*September 18, 2017 - Volume 15 Epilogue completed
*September 26, 2017 - Volume 15 Author's Notes completed
*November 1, 2017 - Volume 15 page added
<br/>

==The ''Kino no Tabi'' series by Keiichi Sigsawa==

For alternative PDF downloads, kindly check out the [[Kino no Tabi:Downloads|Kino no Tabi Downloads]] page.

<span style="position:relative;left:0px;top:0px">[[Image:KNT_V01_NewCover.jpg|x225px|right]]</span><span style="position:relative;left:-110px;top:-90px">[[Image:KNT_V01_CoverArt.jpg|x100px|right]]</span>
===[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume1_Summary|Volume 1 - Summary]]===
'''[Completely translated by Barnnn [http://barnnn.blogspot.com/p/kinos-journey.html here]]'''
<br/>
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume1_Color_Illustrations|TOC Illustrations]]
::*Prologue: In the Forest・b -Lost in the Forest・b-
::*Land of Visible Pain -I See You.-
::*Land of Majority Rule -Ourselfish-
::*Three Men on the Rails -On the Rails-
::*Colosseum -Avengers-
::*Land of Adults -Natural Rights-
::*A Peaceful Land -Mother's Love-
::*Epilogue: In the Forest・a -Lost in the Forest・a-
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume1_Author's Notes|Author's Notes: Afterword -Preface-]]
<br style="clear:both"/>
<hr/>

<span style="position:relative;left:0px;top:0px">[[Image:KNT_V02_NewCover.jpg|x225px|right]]</span><span style="position:relative;left:-110px;top:-90px">[[Image:KNT_V02_CoverArt.jpg|x100px|right]]</span>
===[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume2|Volume 2]] - [http://www.mediafire.com/?9qus099auvraawy PDF]===
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume2_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume2_Frontispiece|Frontispiece: A Tale of a Sniper -Fatalism-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume2_Prologue|Prologue: In the Middle of the Desert・b -Beginner's Luck・b-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume2_Chapter1|A Tale of Feeding Off Others -I Want to Live.-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume2_Chapter2|Overprotection -Do You Need It?- ]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume2_Chapter3|Land of Wizards -Potentials of Magic- ]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume2_Chapter4|Land of Free Press -Believers-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume2_Chapter5|A Picture's Tale -Happiness- ]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume2_Chapter6|Homecoming -"She" is Waiting For You.-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume2_Chapter7|Land of Books -Nothing Is Written!-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume2_Chapter8|A Kind Land -Tomorrow Never Comes.-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume2_Epilogue|Epilogue: In the Middle of the Desert・a -Beginner's Luck・a-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume2_Special|Continuation: A Picture's Tale -Anonymous Pictures-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume2_Author's Notes|Author's Notes: Afterword (Note: Contains no spoilers of the text) -Preface (Note: contains no NETABARASHI of the text.)-]]
<br style="clear:both"/>
<hr/>

<span style="position:relative;left:0px;top:0px">[[Image:KNT_V03_NewCover.jpg|x225px|right]]</span><span style="position:relative;left:-110px;top:-90px">[[Image:KNT_V03_CoverArt.jpg|x100px|right]]</span>
===[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume3|Volume 3]] - [http://www.mediafire.com/?s0duz36hncuqca6 PDF]===
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume3_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume3_Frontispiece|Frontispiece: A Land of Love and Peace -Power Play-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume3_Prologue|Prologue: Amidst the Clouds・b -Blinder・b-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume3_Chapter1|A Land without Walls -Designated Area-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume3_Chapter2|Power of Persuasion -Persuader-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume3_Chapter3|The Land of Identical Faces -HACCP-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume3_Chapter4|A Tale of a Mechanical Doll -One-way Mission-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume3_Chapter5|A Land Not Permitting Discrimination -True Blue Sky-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume3_Chapter6|A Finished Tale -Ten Years After-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume3_Epilogue|Epilogue: Amidst the Clouds・a -Blinder・a-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume3_Author's Notes|Author's Notes: A Tale of an Afterword -Preface-]]
<br style="clear:both"/>
<hr/>

<span style="position:relative;left:0px;top:0px">[[Image:KNT_V04_NewCover.jpg|x225px|right]]</span><span style="position:relative;left:-110px;top:-90px">[[Image:KNT_V04_CoverArt.jpg|x100px|right]]</span>
===[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume4|Volume 4]] - [http://www.mediafire.com/?a34t7r12lt0wl4i PDF]===
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume4_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume4_Prologue|Prologue: In the Middle of a Crimson Sea・b -Blooming Prairie・b- ]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume4_Chapter1|Land with a Statue -Angel?- ]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume4_Chapter2|××××× -Solo-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume4_Chapter3|Land of Couples -Even a Dog Doesn't Eat-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume4_Chapter4|Tradition -Tricksters-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume4_Chapter5|A Land without the Need for Work -Workable-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume4_Chapter6|A Land Divided -World Divided-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume4_Chapter7|Grapes -On Duty-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume4_Chapter8|Land of Acknowledgment -A Vote-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume4_Chapter9|A Tale of Extortion -Bloodsuckers-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume4_Chapter10|Land with a Bridge -Their Line-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume4_Chapter11|The Tower Country -Free Lance-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume4_Epilogue|Epilogue: In the Middle of a Crimson Sea・a -Blooming Prairie・a- ]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume4_Author's Notes|Author's Notes: Afterward -Preface-]]
<br style="clear:both"/>
<hr/>

<span style="position:relative;left:0px;top:0px">[[Image:KNT_V05_NewCover.jpg|x225px|right]]</span><span style="position:relative;left:-110px;top:-90px">[[Image:KNT_V05_CoverArt.jpg|x100px|right]]</span>
===[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume5|Volume 5]] - [http://www.mediafire.com/?kjr2n9ouovmy5fm PDF]===
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume5_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume5_Author's Notes|Author's Notes: Otogaso -Preface-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume5_Prologue|Prologue: Amidst the Setting Sun・b -Will・b-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume5_Chapter1|Reminiscence -Blue Rose-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume5_Chapter2|Land of Permitted Murder -Jungle's Rule-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume5_Chapter3|Tale of a Store -For Sale-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume5_Chapter4|Land of Heroes -No Hero-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume5_Chapter5|Land of Heroes -Seven Heroes-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume5_Chapter6|A Tranquil Land -Jog Trot-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume5_Chapter7|Land of Prophecies -We NO the Future.-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume5_Chapter8|Bodyguards -Stand-bys-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume5_Chapter9|Tale of a Salt Field -Family Business-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume5_Chapter10|Land of Illness -For You-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume5_Epilogue|Epilogue: Amidst the Setting Sun・a -Will・a-]]
<br style="clear:both"/>
<hr/>

<span style="position:relative;left:0px;top:0px">[[Image:KNT_V06_NewCover.jpg|x225px|right]]</span><span style="position:relative;left:-110px;top:-90px">[[Image:KNT_V06_CoverArt.jpg|x100px|right]]</span>

===[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume6|Volume 6]] - [http://www.mediafire.com/?sn8drxy9y3yviv3 PDF]===

::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume6_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume6_Frontispiece1|Frontispiece: A Land of No Admittance -Reasonable-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume6_Frontispiece2|Frontispiece: An Unbiased Tale -All Alone-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume6_Frontispiece3|Frontispiece: A Tale of a Tank -Life Goes On.-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume6_Prologue|Prologue: A Pledge・b -a Kitchen Knife・b- ]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume6_Chapter1|Her Journey -Chances-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume6_Chapter2|Her Journey -Love and Bullets- ]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume6_Chapter3|Land of Fireworks -Fire at Will!-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume6_Chapter4|A Land with an Elder -I Need You.-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume6_Chapter5|A Land that Never Forgets -Not Again-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume6_Chapter6|A Safe Country -For His Safety-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume6_Chapter7|During the Journey -Intermission-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume6_Chapter8|For Luck -How Much Do I Pay For?-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume6_Epilogue|Epilogue: A Pledge・a -a Kitchen Knife・a-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume6_Author's Notes|Author's Notes: A Special End-of-Volume Quiz]]
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<span style="position:relative;left:0px;top:0px">[[Image:KNT_V07_NewCover.jpg|x225px|right]]</span><span style="position:relative;left:-110px;top:-90px">[[Image:KNT_V07_CoverArt.jpg|x100px|right]]</span>
===[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume7|Volume 7]] - [http://www.mediafire.com/?x1npoy7hi61h8nt PDF]===
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume7_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume7_Author's Notes|Author's Notes: Colorful Afterword -Preface-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume7_Prologue|Prologue: To Do Something・b -life goes on.・b-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume7_Chapter1|A Troublesome Land -Leave Only Footsteps!-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume7_Chapter2|A Land with a Certain Love -Stray King-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume7_Chapter3|Along a River -Intermission-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume7_Chapter4|A Winter Tale -D-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume7_Chapter5|A Tale of a Tea Party in a Forest -Thank You-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume7_Chapter6|Land of Liars -Waiting for You-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume7_Epilogue|Epilogue: To Do Something・a -life goes on.・a-]]
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<hr/>

<span style="position:relative;left:0px;top:0px">[[Image:KNT_V08_NewCover.jpg|x225px|right]]</span><span style="position:relative;left:-110px;top:-90px">[[Image:KNT_V08_CoverArt.jpg|x100px|right]]</span>

===[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume8|Volume 8]] - [http://www.mediafire.com/?hsvkj4fz827925u PDF]===
'''Prologue and Epilogue translated by Untuned-Strings [http://untuned-strings.blogspot.com/p/index-kino.html here]'''
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume8_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume8_Frontispiece1|Frontispiece: A Land with a Road -Go West!-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume8_Frontispiece2|Frontispiece: The Land Where No Crime Can Be Done -Black box-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume8_Prologue|Prologue: The Beginning and End of a Journey at the Seaside -On the Beach・b-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume8_Chapter1|A Land with History -Don't Look Back!-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume8_Chapter2|A Tale with Love -Dinner Party-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume8_Chapter3|Radio Country -Entertainer-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume8_Chapter4|A Land Saved -Confession-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume8_Epilogue|Epilogue: The Ship Country -On the Beach・a-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume8_Author's Notes|Author's Notes: Afterword]]
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<hr/>

<span style="position:relative;left:0px;top:0px">[[Image:KNT_V09_NewCover.jpg|x225px|right]]</span><span style="position:relative;left:-110px;top:-90px">[[Image:KNT_V09_CoverArt.jpg|x100px|right]]</span>
===[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume9|Volume 9]] - [http://www.mediafire.com/?ahbvev2ebt83479 PDF]===
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume9_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume9_UnderCover|Under the Cover]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume9_Frontispiece1|Frontispiece: Unacceptable People -Traveler's Tale-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume9_Frontispiece2|Frontispiece: A Tale of Walls -Sweet Home-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume9_Prologue|Prologue: In Sorrow・b -Yearning・b-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume9_Chapter1|Land of Records -His Record-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume9_Chapter2|Evening of Good People -Innocence-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume9_Chapter3|An Author's Journey -Editor's Travels-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume9_Chapter4|Land of Electromagnetic Waves - Not Guilty-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume9_Chapter5|Land of Diaries -Historians-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume9_Chapter6|Land of Nature Conservation -Let It Be!-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume9_Chapter7|Land of Merchants -Professionals-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume9_Chapter8|Killing Country -Clearance-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume9_Chapter9|Continuation ・ A Tale of a Tank -Spirit-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume9_Chapter10|Tales from the Past -Tea Talks-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume9_Chapter11|Power of Persuasion II -Persuader II-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume9_Epilogue|Epilogue: In Sorrow・a -Yearning・a-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume9_Author's Notes|Author's Notes: Afterword]]
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<span style="position:relative;left:0px;top:0px">[[Image:KNT_V10_NewCover.jpg|x225px|right]]</span><span style="position:relative;left:-110px;top:-90px">[[Image:KNT_V10_CoverArt.jpg|x100px|right]]</span>
===[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume10|Volume 10]] - [http://www.mediafire.com/?d68ol4sv7c7c883 PDF]===
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume10_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume10_Frontispiece1|Frontispiece: Land of Pets -apPETite-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume10_Frontispiece2|Frontispiece: Ti's Wish -Get Real!-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume10_Prologue|Prologue: A Certain Man's Journey・b -Life is a Journey, and Vice Versa.・b-]]
::*[https://untuned-strings.blogspot.com/2012/05/kinos-journey-volume-10-chapter-1.html A Land with an Interview -Out of the Question-]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume10_Chapter2|A Tale of Braggarts -Fantasy-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume10_Chapter3|Land of Protection -Meritocracy-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume10_Chapter4|Land of Electric Poles -Transmission-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume10_Chapter5|In a Place Like This -Preface-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume10_Chapter6|Ti's Day -a Day in the Girl's Life-]]
::*[https://untuned-strings.blogspot.com/2013/04/kinos-journey-volume-10-chapter-7.html Land with a Diva -Unsung Divas-]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume10_Epilogue|Epilogue: A Certain Man's Journey・a -Life is a Journey, and Vice Versa.・a-]]
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<span style="position:relative;left:0px;top:0px">[[Image:KNT_V11_NewCover.jpg|x225px|right]]</span><span style="position:relative;left:-110px;top:-90px">[[Image:KNT_V11_CoverArt.jpg|x100px|right]]</span>

===[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume11|Volume 11]] - [http://uploadboy.me/rkxj781ugtij PDF]===
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume11_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume11_Frontispiece|Frontispiece: Land of Children -Burn Up-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume11_Frontispiece2|Frontispiece: Land of Flower Fields -Flower Arrangement-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume11_Prologue|Prologue: Camera Land・b -Picturesque・b-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume11_Chapter1|A Land Connected -Stand Alone-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume11_Chapter2|Land of Disappointment -Hope Against Hope-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume11_Chapter3|Land of Ajin (etc.) -With You-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume11_Chapter4|Land without Borders -Asylum-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume11_Chapter5|Land of School -Assignment-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume11_Chapter6|A Tale of Roads -Passage-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume11_Chapter7|A Tale of Fighting People -Reasonable-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume11_Epilogue|Epilogue: Camera Land・a -Picturesque・a-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume11_Author's Notes|Author's Notes: An Afterword That's Very Easy to Find -Preface-]]
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<span style="position:relative;left:0px;top:0px">[[Image:KNT_V12_NewCover.jpg|x225px|right]]</span><span style="position:relative;left:-110px;top:-90px">[[Image:KNT_V12_CoverArt.jpg|x100px|right]]</span>

===Volume 12===
'''[Completely translated by Untuned-Strings [http://untuned-strings.blogspot.com/p/index-kino.html here]]'''
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume12_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume12_InsideCover|Inside Cover Story: Land of Charity -How's Tricks?-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume12_Frontispiece|Frontispiece: A Tale of Bandits -Can You Imagine!-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume12_Frontispiece2|Frontispiece: Land of Plagiarism -I Have Ever Seen Before.-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume12_Frontispiece3|Frontispiece: Wish]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume12_Prologue|Prologue: In Happiness・b -Birth・b-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume12_Chapter1|Land of Justice -Idiots-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume12_Chapter2|A Land Visited by the Devil -Talk of the Devil.-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume12_Chapter3|Land of Investigation -Common Sense-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume12_Chapter4|A Land with a Sundial -Counter Strike-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume12_Chapter5|Land of Endeavors -Passage 2-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume12_Chapter6|Continuation・A Tale of Charity -How's Tricks?-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume12_Chapter7|A Tale of Letters -the Weak Link-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume12_Chapter8|A Tale of Wagers -Which is Which.-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume12_Chapter9|A Land Where Virtue is Counted -Serious Killer-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume12_Chapter10|Before the Clouds -Eye-opener-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume12_Epilogue|Epilogue: In Happiness・a -Birth・a-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume12_Author's Notes|Author's Notes]]
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<span style="position:relative;left:0px;top:0px">[[Image:KNT_V13_NewCover.jpg|x225px|right]]</span><span style="position:relative;left:-110px;top:-90px">[[Image:KNT_V13_CoverArt.jpg|x100px|right]]</span>
===[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume13|Volume 13]]===
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume13_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume13_Frontispiece|Frontispiece: A Detestable Land -Abandon Ship!-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume13_Frontispiece2|Frontispiece: An Amazing Land -Nothing Special-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume13_Frontispiece3|Frontispiece: A Tale of Living People -You Should Be So Lucky.-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume13_Author's Notes1|To You, A Hundred Years From Now]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume13_Prologue|Prologue: A Tale of This World・b -It Happens.・b-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume13_Chapter1|A Tale of Olden Days -Choice-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume13_Chapter2|Land of Families -Divorce-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume13_Chapter3|An Unlawful Land -Just Imagine It!-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume13_Chapter4|Land of Travelers -Last Will-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume13_Chapter5|Land of Necessity -Entertainer-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume13_Epilogue|Epilogue: A Tale of This World・a -It Happens.・a-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume13_Special|Special Compilation: Various Tales -a Beautiful Dreamer-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume13_Author's Notes|Author's Notes]]
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<span style="position:relative;left:0px;top:0px">[[Image:KNT_V14_NewCover.jpg|x225px|right]]</span><span style="position:relative;left:-110px;top:-90px">[[Image:KNT_V14_CoverArt.jpg|x100px|right]]</span>

===[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume14|Volume 14]]===
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume14 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume14 Prologue|Prologue: Amidst the Rising Sun・b -the Dawn・b-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume14 Chapter1|Land of Cultivation of Aesthetic Sensibility -Do What We say!-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume14 Chapter2|Land of Mutterings -My Daily Life-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume14 Chapter3|Land of Regulations -Unreal Young Man-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume14 Chapter4|Land of Improved Luck -The Fifth "C", Cozenage-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume14 Chapter5|Land of Posthumous Works -Write or Die-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume14 Chapter6|Land of Ruin -Self-destruction-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume14 Chapter7|Land of Marriage -Testament-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume14 Chapter8|Land of Parasites -Cure-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume14 Chapter9|Land of Discrimination -We Are NOT Like Us.-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume14 Chapter10|A Righteous Land -WAR=We Are Right!-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume14 Chapter11|Land of Cowards -Toss-up-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume14 Epilogue|Epilogue: Amidst the Rising Sun・a -the Dawn・a-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume14_Author's Notes|Author's Notes]]
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<span style="position:relative;left:0px;top:0px">[[Image:KNT_V15_NewCover.jpg|x225px|right]]</span><span style="position:relative;left:-110px;top:-90px">[[Image:Kino_no_Tabi_v15_cover.jpg|x100px|right]]</span>
===[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume15|Volume 15]]===
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume15 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume15 Frontispiece|Frontispiece: A Land of Accidental Discoveries -Eureka!-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume15 Frontispiece2|Frontispiece: A White Land -Taste!-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume15 Prologue|Prologue: What it Means to Fight and Die・b -Order!・b-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume15 Chapter1|Land of Beasts -Standing Beast-]]
::*[http://siber-owl.com/kino-no-tabi-land-of-mania/ Land of Mania -What I Want & Why I Want-]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume15 Chapter3|A Land with a Past -What We Have Taught.-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume15 Chapter4|Photo's Day to Day -the Beautiful Moment-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume15 Chapter5|Land of Journalists -How to Be a Liar-]]
::*[http://untuned-strings.blogspot.ca/2012/10/kinos-journey-volume-15-chapter-6.html Land with a Criminal -He Had Done It.-]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume15 Epilogue|Epilogue: What it Means to Fight and Die・a -Order!・a-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume15_Author's Notes|Author's Notes]]
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<span style="position:relative;left:0px;top:0px">[[Image:KNT_V16_NewCover.jpg|x225px|right]]</span><span style="position:relative;left:-110px;top:-90px">[[Image:KNT_V16_CoverArt.jpg|x100px|right]]</span>

===[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume16|Volume 16]]===
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume16 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume16 Frontispiece|Frontispiece: A Land with Day and Night -Counterclockwise-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume16 Frontispiece2|Frontispiece: A Discarded Land -Take Free If You Can!-]]
::*[http://untuned-strings.blogspot.ca/2013/09/kinos-journey-volume-16-prologue.html Prologue: Land of Love Letters・b -Confession・b-]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume16 Chapter1|Land of Corpses -Spirits of the Dead-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume16 Chapter2|A Nurturing Land -Stand by me!-]]
::*[http://untuned-strings.blogspot.com/2014/09/kinos-journey-volume-16-chapter-3.html A Land of Drunken Driving -Let's Play the Game!-]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume16 Chapter4|Land of Blood Types -Blood Typo-]]
::*[http://untuned-strings.blogspot.ca/2013/09/kinos-journey-volume-16-epilogue.html Epilogue: Land of Love Letters・a -Confession・a-]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume16 Special1|The Truth I Wish I Could See -Family Picture-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume16 Special2|Things Left Behind -Return-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume16_Author's Notes|Author's Notes]]
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<span style="position:relative;left:0px;top:0px">[[Image:KNT_V17_CoverArt.jpg|x225px|right]]</span>

===[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume17|Volume 17]]===
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume17 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume17 Frontispiece|Frontispiece: Land of Fashion -Fine Feathers Make Fine Birds.-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume17 Prologue|Prologue: Land of Passage・b -Messengers・b-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume17 Frontispiece2|Frontispiece: Land of Play -Invention-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume17_Author's Notes|Author's Notes]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume17 Chapter1|A Tale of Travelers -Kino & Hermes-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume17 Chapter2|Land of Environmental Destruction -Human Nature-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume17 Chapter3|Land of Wristwatches -Memento Mori-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume17 Chapter4|Land of Left-Handedness -Do the RIGHT Thing!-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume17 Chapter5|A Land Torn Apart -Trigger Happy-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume17 Chapter6|Land of Penniless Travel -Trouble Writer-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume17 Chapter7|A Tale of Paradise -Exile-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume17 Chapter8|A Land Forbidding Love -the Prohibition-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume17 Chapter9|Land of Cooking -Original-]] (''2017 anime reference: Episode 9'')
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume17 Chapter10|Land of Advertisement -CounterMeasure-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume17 Chapter11|A Land with a Railroad -Missing Link-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume17 Chapter12|The End of a Journey -Kino's Nap-]] (''2017 anime reference: Episode 12'')
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume17 Chapter13|A Land with No God -Let's Get Hermes!-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume17 Chapter14|Our Country -Welcome!-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume17 Epilogue|Epilogue: Land of Passage・a -Messengers・a-]]
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<span style="position:relative;left:0px;top:0px">[[Image:KNT_V18_CoverArt.jpg|x225px|right]]</span>

===[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume18|Volume 18]]===
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume18 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume18 Frontispiece|Frontispiece: Land of Cows -Fountain-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume18 Frontispiece2|Frontispiece: A Tale of a Meadow -Ringer-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume18 Prologue|Prologue: Land of Kino's Journey・b -Road Show・b-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume18 Chapter1|Land of Sports -Winners and Losers-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume18 Chapter2|A Land That Has Come to a Halt -From the Cradle to the Cradle-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume18 Chapter3|Land of Taxes -Supply and Demand-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume18 Chapter4|Land of Staple Food -Staple Diet-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume18 Chapter5|A Tale of Chocolates -Gift-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume18 Chapter6|Land of Heritage -Protector-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume18 Chapter7|Land of Revenge -Savior-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume18 Chapter8|Land of Money -Easy Money-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume18 Chapter9|My War -Lone Sniper-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume18 Epilogue|Epilogue: Land of Kino's Journey・a -Road Show・a-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume18 Author's Notes|Author's Notes]]
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<span style="position:relative;left:0px;top:0px">[[Image:KNT_V19_CoverArt.jpg|x225px|right]]</span>
===[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume19|Volume 19]]===
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume19 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume19 Frontispiece|Frontispiece: Happy Story -Blue Birds-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume19 Frontispiece2|Frontispiece: Land of Necklaces -What We Need-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume19 Prologue|Prologue: Discarded Land -Till You Drop・b-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume19 Chapter1|Land of Beautiful Memories -Beautiful Memories-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume19 Chapter2|Land of Geniuses -Finding a Genius-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume19 Chapter3|Land of Prodigies -Finding an Error-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume19 Chapter4|Land of Protection -Out of His Tree-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume19 Chapter5|Country that Cannot Fight -Wise Men's Forecast-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume19 Chapter6|Country of Counterfeits -Trade Make-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume19 Chapter7|Land That Came to Save -Under the Rainbow-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume19 Chapter8|The Land That Pummels -Busters-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume19 Epilogue|Epilogue: Discarded Land -Till You Drop・a-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume19 Author's Notes|Tale of a Fifteen Year Old -FifTeen-]]
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<span style="position:relative;left:0px;top:0px">[[Image:KNT_V20_CoverArt.jpg|x225px|right]]</span>
===[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume20|Volume 20]]===
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume20 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume20 Prologue|Prologue: Tale of a Journey -Around the World・b-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume20 Frontispiece|Frontispiece: A Land Without Sea -Can You Sea Me?-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume20 Chapter1|Land of Humans -the Ark-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume20 Chapter2|Land of Ill Will -I Need You.-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume20 Chapter3|Land of Indifference -Love Them All!-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume20 Chapter4|A Treasure Hunting Tale -Generic-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume20 Chapter5|A Treasure Hunting Tale -Genocide-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume20 Chapter6|A Married Couple's Tale -Taken-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume20 Chapter7|Turning Point -Turning Point-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume20 Chapter8|A Meadow of Sheep -Stray Army-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume20 Epilogue|Epilogue: Tale of a Journey -Around the World・a-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume20 Special|Chapter 45: When on a journey, it is important to relax and take the time to reminisce -Intermission 4-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume20 Author's Notes|Author's Notes]]
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<hr/>

<span style="position:relative;left:0px;top:0px">[[Image:KNT_V21_CoverArt.jpg|x225px|right]]</span>
===[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume21|Volume 21]]===
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume21 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume21 Prologue|Prologue: Visible Truth -She is Still There・b-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume21 Frontispiece|Frontispiece: A Gigantic Country -Skyscrapers-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume21 Chapter1|A Land Accustomed to Fame -On the Wave-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume21 Chapter2|Land of Good-Looking Men and Women -Tastes Differ-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume21 Chapter3|N Country -N-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume21 Chapter4|A Land that Prohibits Reading -Read or Die-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume21 Chapter5|A Land Where a Crowded Train is Running -No Pain, No Gain-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume21 Chapter6|A Land that has Vanished -What's Happened?-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume21 Chapter7|A Perfect Country -On Demand-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume21 Chapter8|Land of Keys -The Key of Tomorrow-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume21 Chapter9|Land of Women -Equalizer-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume21 Chapter10|A Land That Dies Every Day -Are You You?-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume21 Epilogue|Epilogue: Visible Truth -She is Still There・a-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume21 Author's Notes|Author's Notes]]
<br style="clear:both"/>
<hr/>

<span style="position:relative;left:0px;top:0px">[[Image:KNT_SESSC_CoverArt.png|x225px|right]]</span>
===Kino's TravelsーThe Beautiful WorldーSpecial Edition Shortstory Collection (15th Anniversary)===
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:SESSC Introduction|Introduction]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:SESSC Story1|White Day]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:SESSC Story2|A Glorious Province -Dedication- ]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:SESSC Story3|Provinces Remembered -Our Memories-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:SESSC Story4|A Story of Bird Cages -Cradle-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:SESSC Story5|A Land of Cards]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:SESSC Story6|A Land that Cannot be Heard -Imaginary Companion-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:SESSC Comments|Author/Artist Comments]]
<br style="clear:both"/>

==Miscellaneous==
::*[http://www.gaiaonline.com/forum/anime-series-movies/kino-s-journey-the-world-is-not-beautiful-therefore-it-is/t.25230611_661/#661 Land of Memories -Their Memories-]
::*[http://barnnn.blogspot.com/2017/11/kinos-journey-visual-novel-2.html A Tale of a Traveler -You-]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Picture Book 3|My Country -Own Will-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Supplement 1|Supplementary Booklet 1: Miss -You Didn't Miss-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Supplement 2|Supplementary Booklet 2: Official Setting Info -Mitai na Mono-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume14 Chapter11|Kino no Tabi I Game Booklet 1: Land of Cowards -Toss-up-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Game Booklet 2|Kino no Tabi I Game Booklet 2: Fashionable Country -Natural Selection-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume13_Special|Kino no Tabi II Game Booklet: Various Tales -a Beautiful Dreamer-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume 16 Booklet|Volume 16 Booklet: A Tale of Birdcages -Cradle-]]
::*[http://barnnn.blogspot.com/2018/03/kinos-journey-manga-special.html Manga Special: A Conversation on Guns -Fire Control-]
::*[http://barnnn.blogspot.com/2018/08/kinos-journey-manga-special-2.html Manga Special 2: Fare Thee Well, My Weapon -Farewell to Persuader-]

==Project Staff==

*Supervisor:
*Project Manager:

===Translators===

'''ACTIVE'''
:*[[User:Vonfossen|Vonfossen]]
'''INACTIVE'''
:*[[user:XEN gK|XEN gK]]
:*[[user:Shuijie|Shuijie]]
:*[[user:alicia250|alicia250]]
:*[[User:Dammitt|Dammitt]]
:*[[User:Ella.servantes|Ella]]

===Editors===

:*[[user:User753|User753]] (PDF)
:*[[user:BloodyKitty|BloodyKitty]] (spell-checking)

All editors that speak English proficiently are welcomed.

==Series Overview==
'''Main Series'''
*キノの旅 -the Beautiful World- (July 10, 2000) ISBN 978-4-8402-1585-5
*キノの旅 II -the Beautiful World- (October 10, 2000) ISBN 978-4-8402-1632-6
*キノの旅 III -the Beautiful World- (January 10, 2001) ISBN 978-4-8402-1709-5
*キノの旅 IV -the Beautiful World- (July 10, 2001) ISBN 978-4-8402-1844-3
*キノの旅 V -the Beautiful World- (January 10, 2002) ISBN 978-4-8402-2013-2
*キノの旅 VI -the Beautiful World- (August 10, 2002) ISBN 978-4-8402-2155-9
*キノの旅 VII -the Beautiful World- (June 10, 2003) ISBN 978-4-8402-2386-7
*キノの旅 VIII -the Beautiful World- (October 10, 2004) ISBN 978-4-8402-2832-9
*キノの旅 IX -the Beautiful World- (October 10, 2005) ISBN 978-4-8402-3172-5
*キノの旅 X -the Beautiful World- (October 10, 2006) ISBN 978-4-8402-3580-8
*キノの旅 XI -the Beautiful World- (October 10,2007) ISBN 978-4-8402-4025-3
*キノの旅 XII -the Beautiful World- (October 10, 2008) ISBN 978-4-04-867263-4
*キノの旅 XIII -the Beautiful World- (October 10, 2009) ISBN 978-4-04-868068-4
*キノの旅 XIV -the Beautiful World- (October 10, 2010) ISBN 978-4-04-868967-0
*キノの旅 XV -the Beautiful World- (October 8, 2011) ISBN 978-4-04-870962-0
*キノの旅 XVI -the Beautiful World- (October 10, 2012) ISBN 978-4-04-886980-5
*キノの旅 XVII -the Beautiful World- (October 10, 2013) ISBN 978-4-04-866021-1
*キノの旅 XVIII -the Beautiful World- (October 10, 2014) ISBN 978-4-04-866935-1
*キノの旅 XIX -the Beautiful World- (October 10, 2015) ISBN 978-4-04-865440-1
*キノの旅 XX -the Beautiful World- (October 8, 2016) ISBN 978-4-04-892396-5
*キノの旅 XXI -the Beautiful World- (October 7, 2017) ISBN 978-4-04-892399-5

'''Related Publications'''
*『記憶の国 -Their Memories-』 (December 3, 2003) ISBN 978-4-8402-2525-0
*『旅人の話 -You-』 (March 30, 2005) ISBN 978-4-8402-2897-8
*『わたしの国 -Own Will-』 (December 25, 2007) ISBN 978-4-8402-4080-2
*キノの旅 -the Beautiful World- 劇場の国 -KINO- (Exclusive release with 2nd Film)
*キノの旅 -the Sigsawa's World- (Supplement to Dengeki Bunko Magazine Vol.5 Jan 2009 Issue)

'''North American Release'''
*Kino no Tabi I The Beautiful World (October 3, 2006) ISBN 978-1-59816-455-4

==More Information==
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kino%27s_Journey Kino's Journey - Wikipedia] <br>
[http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%82%AD%E3%83%8E%E3%81%AE%E6%97%85 Kino no Tabi - Wikipedia (Japanese)] <br>
[http://www.kinonotabi.com Kino no Tabi - Official Website (Japanese)]

[[Category:Light novel (English)]]
[[Category:Dengeki Bunko]]
[[Category:Keiichi Sigsawa]]

[[Category:Genre - Drama]]
[[Category:Genre - Fantasy]]
[[Category:Genre - Mystery]]
[[Category:Genre - Psychological]]
[[Category:Genre - Sci-Fi]]
[[Category:Genre - Slice of Life]]

Kino no Tabi

2018-07-05T15:47:17Z

Barnnn: Linked to external translation of Volume 1

{{Status|Active}}
----
[[Image:KNT_V01_NewCover.jpg|250px|thumb|right|frameless|New cover artwork for volume 1]]
Kino no Tabi (キノの旅 -the Beautiful World- ''Kino's Journey'') is a Japanese light novel series written by Keiichi Sigsawa, with illustrations by Kōhaku Kuroboshi. The series originally started serialization in volume five of MediaWorks' now-defunct light novel magazine Dengeki hp on March 17, 2000. The first bound volume of the series was published on July 10, 2000 by MediaWorks under their Dengeki Bunko publishing label. As of October 2017, twenty-one volumes have been published, and over 8 million copies of the novels have been sold in Japan.

A 13-episode anime produced by A.C.G.T and Genco aired between April and July 2003 on WOWOW in Japan, and was licensed for North American distribution by ADV films. The books also received adaptations in other formats: a radio drama, an OVA, two films, two visual novel adventure games for PS2, and a parody spin-off, [[Gakuen Kino|Gakuen Kino]]. In connection with Dengeki Bunko's 20th Anniversary in 2013, Kino no Tabi was serialized weekly for half a year in several regional newspapers in Japan, and volumes I to XVI were reprinted with new cover artwork. In 2017, the series simultaneously received two manga adaptations and a new 12-episode anime produced by EGG Firm and animated by Studio Lerche.

'''''Kino no Tabi''''' is also available in the following languages:
*[http://untuned-strings.blogspot.com/p/index-kino.html English - external]
*[[Kino no Tabi (French)|Français (French)]]
*[[Kino_no_Tabi_-_Italiano| Italiano (Italian)]]
*[http://www.aragami-fansubs.ru/search/Kino%20no%20Tabi/ Русский (Russian) - external]
*[http://elviajedekino.tumblr.com/ Español (Spanish) - external]
*[http://bbs.hako.re/novel/kino-no-tabi-the-beautiful-world Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese) - external]
*[http://sonako.wikia.com/wiki/Kino_no_Tabi Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese) - external 2]
*[http://komorebit.wordpress.com/ Português (Portuguese) - external]
<br/>

==Series Information==

Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Sci-Fi <br>
Japanese Title: キノの旅 -the Beautiful World- <br>
English Title: Kino's Journey: the Beautiful World <br>
Author: 時雨沢恵一 (Keiichi Sigsawa) <br>
Illustrator: 黒星紅白 (Kōhaku Kuroboshi) <br>
Volumes: 21 <br>
Status: Ongoing

===Story Synopsis===
The protagonist, Kino, accompanied by a talking motorcycle named Hermes, travels through a mystical world of many different countries and forests, each unique in its customs and people.

===Awards===
このライトノベルがすごい! 2006 Best Female Character, 1st place (Kino) <br>
このライトノベルがすごい! 2006 Best Novel Series, 2nd place <br>
このライトノベルがすごい! 2007 Best Novel Series, 5th place <br>
このライトノベルがすごい! 2008 Best Novel Series, 6th place <br>
このライトノベルがすごい! 2009 Best Novel Series, 12th place <br>
このライトノベルがすごい! 2010 Best Novel Series, 22nd place <br>
このライトノベルがすごい! 2011 Best Novel Series, 21st place <br>
このライトノベルがすごい! 2012 Best Novel Series, 20th place <br>
このライトノベルがすごい! 2013 Best Novel Series, 18th place <br>
このライトノベルがすごい! 2014 Best Novel Series, 38th place <br>
このライトノベルがすごい! 2015 Best Novel Series, 37th place <br>
このライトノベルがすごい! 2016 Best Novel Series, 24th place <br>
このライトノベルがすごい! 2017 Best Novel Series, 34th place <br>

== Translation ==

According to Section B of the [[Baka-Tsuki:Copyrights|Baka-Tsuki TLG Translation Common Agreement]], Under no circumstances would you(b2)...

<span style="color:red">'''submit translated works(a) copied directly from an unauthorized source such as, but not limited to, online, written sources etc. . If you(b2) submit works(a) that have been authorized by their rights holder, permission, in the form of written/electronic/printed must be available upon request.'''</span>

=== [[Kino No Tabi:Registration Page|Registration]] ===

Those who wish to contribute are asked to first notify a supervisor beforehand.

'''Translators are asked to [[Kino No Tabi:Registration Page|register]] which chapters they're working on.'''

(It seems people don't understand what the above means. When we ask you to REGISTER, what we mean is, add your name on the REGISTRATION PAGE next to the chapter you will translate, so that we can know who translated it. That's it. So if there are people out there that would like to help translate these wonderful books, please don't hesitate, translate any chapters you like, in any order you like! Thank you to all who help with this project!)

===Format Standards===

'''Every Chapter (after editing) must conform to the general format guidelines.'''

*[[Format_guideline|General Format/Style Guideline]]

=== Feedback ===
'''If you enjoyed the series, why don't you tell us in the [http://www.baka-tsuki.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=44&t=6008 forum]'''

==Updates==

Older updates can be found on the [[Kino no Tabi:Updates|Kino no Tabi Updates]] page.
*November 7, 2015 - Volume 16 Illustrations added
*July 21, 2015 - Volume 15 Chapter 2 completed
*April 5, 2015 - Volume 17 Chapters 13-14 completed, Volume 16 Booklet completed
*August 28, 2017 - Volume 15 Chapter 3 completed
*September 5, 2017 - Volume 15 Chapter 4 completed
*September 11, 2017 - Volume 15 Chapter 5 completed
*September 18, 2017 - Volume 15 Epilogue completed
*September 26, 2017 - Volume 15 Author's Notes completed
*November 1, 2017 - Volume 15 page added
<br/>

==The ''Kino no Tabi'' series by Keiichi Sigsawa==

For alternative PDF downloads, kindly check out the [[Kino no Tabi:Downloads|Kino no Tabi Downloads]] page.

<span style="position:relative;left:0px;top:0px">[[Image:KNT_V01_NewCover.jpg|x225px|right]]</span><span style="position:relative;left:-110px;top:-90px">[[Image:KNT_V01_CoverArt.jpg|x100px|right]]</span>
===[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume1_Summary|Volume 1 - Summary]]===
'''[Completely translated by Barnnn [http://barnnn.blogspot.com/p/kinos-journey.html here]]'''
<br/>
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume1_Color_Illustrations|TOC Illustrations]]
::*Prologue: In the Forest・b -Lost in the Forest・b-
::*Land of Visible Pain -I See You.-
::*Land of Majority Rule -Ourselfish-
::*Three Men on the Rails -On the Rails-
::*Colosseum -Avengers-
::*Land of Adults -Natural Rights-
::*A Peaceful Land -Mother's Love-
::*Epilogue: In the Forest・a -Lost in the Forest・a-
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume1_Author's Notes|Author's Notes: Afterword -Preface-]]
<br style="clear:both"/>
<hr/>

<span style="position:relative;left:0px;top:0px">[[Image:KNT_V02_NewCover.jpg|x225px|right]]</span><span style="position:relative;left:-110px;top:-90px">[[Image:KNT_V02_CoverArt.jpg|x100px|right]]</span>
===[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume2|Volume 2]] - [http://www.mediafire.com/?9qus099auvraawy PDF]===
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume2_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume2_Frontispiece|Frontispiece: A Tale of a Sniper -Fatalism-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume2_Prologue|Prologue: In the Middle of the Desert・b -Beginner's Luck・b-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume2_Chapter1|A Tale of Feeding Off Others -I Want to Live.-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume2_Chapter2|Overprotection -Do You Need It?- ]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume2_Chapter3|Land of Wizards -Potentials of Magic- ]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume2_Chapter4|Land of Free Press -Believers-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume2_Chapter5|A Picture's Tale -Happiness- ]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume2_Chapter6|Homecoming -"She" is Waiting For You.-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume2_Chapter7|Land of Books -Nothing Is Written!-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume2_Chapter8|A Kind Land -Tomorrow Never Comes.-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume2_Epilogue|Epilogue: In the Middle of the Desert・a -Beginner's Luck・a-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume2_Special|Continuation: A Picture's Tale -Anonymous Pictures-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume2_Author's Notes|Author's Notes: Afterword (Note: Contains no spoilers of the text) -Preface (Note: contains no NETABARASHI of the text.)-]]
<br style="clear:both"/>
<hr/>

<span style="position:relative;left:0px;top:0px">[[Image:KNT_V03_NewCover.jpg|x225px|right]]</span><span style="position:relative;left:-110px;top:-90px">[[Image:KNT_V03_CoverArt.jpg|x100px|right]]</span>
===[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume3|Volume 3]] - [http://www.mediafire.com/?s0duz36hncuqca6 PDF]===
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume3_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume3_Frontispiece|Frontispiece: A Land of Love and Peace -Power Play-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume3_Prologue|Prologue: Amidst the Clouds・b -Blinder・b-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume3_Chapter1|A Land without Walls -Designated Area-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume3_Chapter2|Power of Persuasion -Persuader-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume3_Chapter3|The Land of Identical Faces -HACCP-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume3_Chapter4|A Tale of a Mechanical Doll -One-way Mission-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume3_Chapter5|A Land Not Permitting Discrimination -True Blue Sky-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume3_Chapter6|A Finished Tale -Ten Years After-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume3_Epilogue|Epilogue: Amidst the Clouds・a -Blinder・a-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume3_Author's Notes|Author's Notes: A Tale of an Afterword -Preface-]]
<br style="clear:both"/>
<hr/>

<span style="position:relative;left:0px;top:0px">[[Image:KNT_V04_NewCover.jpg|x225px|right]]</span><span style="position:relative;left:-110px;top:-90px">[[Image:KNT_V04_CoverArt.jpg|x100px|right]]</span>
===[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume4|Volume 4]] - [http://www.mediafire.com/?a34t7r12lt0wl4i PDF]===
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume4_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume4_Prologue|Prologue: In the Middle of a Crimson Sea・b -Blooming Prairie・b- ]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume4_Chapter1|Land with a Statue -Angel?- ]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume4_Chapter2|××××× -Solo-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume4_Chapter3|Land of Couples -Even a Dog Doesn't Eat-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume4_Chapter4|Tradition -Tricksters-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume4_Chapter5|A Land without the Need for Work -Workable-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume4_Chapter6|A Land Divided -World Divided-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume4_Chapter7|Grapes -On Duty-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume4_Chapter8|Land of Acknowledgment -A Vote-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume4_Chapter9|A Tale of Extortion -Bloodsuckers-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume4_Chapter10|Land with a Bridge -Their Line-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume4_Chapter11|The Tower Country -Free Lance-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume4_Epilogue|Epilogue: In the Middle of a Crimson Sea・a -Blooming Prairie・a- ]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume4_Author's Notes|Author's Notes: Afterward -Preface-]]
<br style="clear:both"/>
<hr/>

<span style="position:relative;left:0px;top:0px">[[Image:KNT_V05_NewCover.jpg|x225px|right]]</span><span style="position:relative;left:-110px;top:-90px">[[Image:KNT_V05_CoverArt.jpg|x100px|right]]</span>
===[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume5|Volume 5]] - [http://www.mediafire.com/?kjr2n9ouovmy5fm PDF]===
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume5_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume5_Author's Notes|Author's Notes: Otogaso -Preface-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume5_Prologue|Prologue: Amidst the Setting Sun・b -Will・b-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume5_Chapter1|Reminiscence -Blue Rose-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume5_Chapter2|Land of Permitted Murder -Jungle's Rule-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume5_Chapter3|Tale of a Store -For Sale-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume5_Chapter4|Land of Heroes -No Hero-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume5_Chapter5|Land of Heroes -Seven Heroes-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume5_Chapter6|A Tranquil Land -Jog Trot-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume5_Chapter7|Land of Prophecies -We NO the Future.-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume5_Chapter8|Bodyguards -Stand-bys-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume5_Chapter9|Tale of a Salt Field -Family Business-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume5_Chapter10|Land of Illness -For You-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume5_Epilogue|Epilogue: Amidst the Setting Sun・a -Will・a-]]
<br style="clear:both"/>
<hr/>

<span style="position:relative;left:0px;top:0px">[[Image:KNT_V06_NewCover.jpg|x225px|right]]</span><span style="position:relative;left:-110px;top:-90px">[[Image:KNT_V06_CoverArt.jpg|x100px|right]]</span>

===[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume6|Volume 6]] - [http://www.mediafire.com/?sn8drxy9y3yviv3 PDF]===

::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume6_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume6_Frontispiece1|Frontispiece: A Land of No Admittance -Reasonable-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume6_Frontispiece2|Frontispiece: An Unbiased Tale -All Alone-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume6_Frontispiece3|Frontispiece: A Tale of a Tank -Life Goes On.-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume6_Prologue|Prologue: A Pledge・b -a Kitchen Knife・b- ]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume6_Chapter1|Her Journey -Chances-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume6_Chapter2|Her Journey -Love and Bullets- ]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume6_Chapter3|Land of Fireworks -Fire at Will!-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume6_Chapter4|A Land with an Elder -I Need You.-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume6_Chapter5|A Land that Never Forgets -Not Again-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume6_Chapter6|A Safe Country -For His Safety-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume6_Chapter7|During the Journey -Intermission-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume6_Chapter8|For Luck -How Much Do I Pay For?-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume6_Epilogue|Epilogue: A Pledge・a -a Kitchen Knife・a-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume6_Author's Notes|Author's Notes: A Special End-of-Volume Quiz]]
<br style="clear:both"/>
<hr/>

<span style="position:relative;left:0px;top:0px">[[Image:KNT_V07_NewCover.jpg|x225px|right]]</span><span style="position:relative;left:-110px;top:-90px">[[Image:KNT_V07_CoverArt.jpg|x100px|right]]</span>
===[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume7|Volume 7]] - [http://www.mediafire.com/?x1npoy7hi61h8nt PDF]===
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume7_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume7_Author's Notes|Author's Notes: Colorful Afterword -Preface-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume7_Prologue|Prologue: To Do Something・b -life goes on.・b-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume7_Chapter1|A Troublesome Land -Leave Only Footsteps!-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume7_Chapter2|A Land with a Certain Love -Stray King-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume7_Chapter3|Along a River -Intermission-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume7_Chapter4|A Winter Tale -D-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume7_Chapter5|A Tale of a Tea Party in a Forest -Thank You-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume7_Chapter6|Land of Liars -Waiting for You-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume7_Epilogue|Epilogue: To Do Something・a -life goes on.・a-]]
<br style="clear:both"/>
<hr/>

<span style="position:relative;left:0px;top:0px">[[Image:KNT_V08_NewCover.jpg|x225px|right]]</span><span style="position:relative;left:-110px;top:-90px">[[Image:KNT_V08_CoverArt.jpg|x100px|right]]</span>

===[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume8|Volume 8]] - [http://www.mediafire.com/?hsvkj4fz827925u PDF]===
'''Prologue and Epilogue translated by Untuned-Strings [http://untuned-strings.blogspot.com/p/index-kino.html here]'''
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume8_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume8_Frontispiece1|Frontispiece: A Land with a Road -Go West!-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume8_Frontispiece2|Frontispiece: The Land Where No Crime Can Be Done -Black box-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume8_Prologue|Prologue: The Beginning and End of a Journey at the Seaside -On the Beach・b-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume8_Chapter1|A Land with History -Don't Look Back!-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume8_Chapter2|A Tale with Love -Dinner Party-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume8_Chapter3|Radio Country -Entertainer-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume8_Chapter4|A Land Saved -Confession-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume8_Epilogue|Epilogue: The Ship Country -On the Beach・a-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume8_Author's Notes|Author's Notes: Afterword]]
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<hr/>

<span style="position:relative;left:0px;top:0px">[[Image:KNT_V09_NewCover.jpg|x225px|right]]</span><span style="position:relative;left:-110px;top:-90px">[[Image:KNT_V09_CoverArt.jpg|x100px|right]]</span>
===[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume9|Volume 9]] - [http://www.mediafire.com/?ahbvev2ebt83479 PDF]===
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume9_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume9_UnderCover|Under the Cover]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume9_Frontispiece1|Frontispiece: Unacceptable People -Traveler's Tale-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume9_Frontispiece2|Frontispiece: A Tale of Walls -Sweet Home-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume9_Prologue|Prologue: In Sorrow・b -Yearning・b-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume9_Chapter1|Land of Records -His Record-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume9_Chapter2|Evening of Good People -Innocence-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume9_Chapter3|An Author's Journey -Editor's Travels-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume9_Chapter4|Land of Electromagnetic Waves - Not Guilty-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume9_Chapter5|Land of Diaries -Historians-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume9_Chapter6|Land of Nature Conservation -Let It Be!-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume9_Chapter7|Land of Merchants -Professionals-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume9_Chapter8|Killing Country -Clearance-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume9_Chapter9|Continuation ・ A Tale of a Tank -Spirit-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume9_Chapter10|Tales from the Past -Tea Talks-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume9_Chapter11|Power of Persuasion II -Persuader II-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume9_Epilogue|Epilogue: In Sorrow・a -Yearning・a-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume9_Author's Notes|Author's Notes: Afterword]]
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<hr/>

<span style="position:relative;left:0px;top:0px">[[Image:KNT_V10_NewCover.jpg|x225px|right]]</span><span style="position:relative;left:-110px;top:-90px">[[Image:KNT_V10_CoverArt.jpg|x100px|right]]</span>
===[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume10|Volume 10]] - [http://www.mediafire.com/?d68ol4sv7c7c883 PDF]===
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume10_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume10_Frontispiece1|Frontispiece: Land of Pets -apPETite-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume10_Frontispiece2|Frontispiece: Ti's Wish -Get Real!-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume10_Prologue|Prologue: A Certain Man's Journey・b -Life is a Journey, and Vice Versa.・b-]]
::*[https://untuned-strings.blogspot.com/2012/05/kinos-journey-volume-10-chapter-1.html A Land with an Interview -Out of the Question-]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume10_Chapter2|A Tale of Braggarts -Fantasy-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume10_Chapter3|Land of Protection -Meritocracy-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume10_Chapter4|Land of Electric Poles -Transmission-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume10_Chapter5|In a Place Like This -Preface-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume10_Chapter6|Ti's Day -a Day in the Girl's Life-]]
::*[https://untuned-strings.blogspot.com/2013/04/kinos-journey-volume-10-chapter-7.html Land with a Diva -Unsung Divas-]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume10_Epilogue|Epilogue: A Certain Man's Journey・a -Life is a Journey, and Vice Versa.・a-]]
<br style="clear:both"/>
<hr/>

<span style="position:relative;left:0px;top:0px">[[Image:KNT_V11_NewCover.jpg|x225px|right]]</span><span style="position:relative;left:-110px;top:-90px">[[Image:KNT_V11_CoverArt.jpg|x100px|right]]</span>

===[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume11|Volume 11]] - [http://uploadboy.me/rkxj781ugtij PDF]===
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume11_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume11_Frontispiece|Frontispiece: Land of Children -Burn Up-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume11_Frontispiece2|Frontispiece: Land of Flower Fields -Flower Arrangement-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume11_Prologue|Prologue: Camera Land・b -Picturesque・b-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume11_Chapter1|A Land Connected -Stand Alone-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume11_Chapter2|Land of Disappointment -Hope Against Hope-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume11_Chapter3|Land of Ajin (etc.) -With You-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume11_Chapter4|Land without Borders -Asylum-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume11_Chapter5|Land of School -Assignment-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume11_Chapter6|A Tale of Roads -Passage-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume11_Chapter7|A Tale of Fighting People -Reasonable-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume11_Epilogue|Epilogue: Camera Land・a -Picturesque・a-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume11_Author's Notes|Author's Notes: An Afterword That's Very Easy to Find -Preface-]]
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<hr/>

<span style="position:relative;left:0px;top:0px">[[Image:KNT_V12_NewCover.jpg|x225px|right]]</span><span style="position:relative;left:-110px;top:-90px">[[Image:KNT_V12_CoverArt.jpg|x100px|right]]</span>

===Volume 12===
'''[Completely translated by Untuned-Strings [http://untuned-strings.blogspot.com/p/index-kino.html here]]'''
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume12_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume12_InsideCover|Inside Cover Story: Land of Charity -How's Tricks?-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume12_Frontispiece|Frontispiece: A Tale of Bandits -Can You Imagine!-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume12_Frontispiece2|Frontispiece: Land of Plagiarism -I Have Ever Seen Before.-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume12_Frontispiece3|Frontispiece: Wish]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume12_Prologue|Prologue: In Happiness・b -Birth・b-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume12_Chapter1|Land of Justice -Idiots-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume12_Chapter2|A Land Visited by the Devil -Talk of the Devil.-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume12_Chapter3|Land of Investigation -Common Sense-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume12_Chapter4|A Land with a Sundial -Counter Strike-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume12_Chapter5|Land of Endeavors -Passage 2-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume12_Chapter6|Continuation・A Tale of Charity -How's Tricks?-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume12_Chapter7|A Tale of Letters -the Weak Link-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume12_Chapter8|A Tale of Wagers -Which is Which.-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume12_Chapter9|A Land Where Virtue is Counted -Serious Killer-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume12_Chapter10|Before the Clouds -Eye-opener-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume12_Epilogue|Epilogue: In Happiness・a -Birth・a-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume12_Author's Notes|Author's Notes]]
<br style="clear:both"/>
<hr/>

<span style="position:relative;left:0px;top:0px">[[Image:KNT_V13_NewCover.jpg|x225px|right]]</span><span style="position:relative;left:-110px;top:-90px">[[Image:KNT_V13_CoverArt.jpg|x100px|right]]</span>
===[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume13|Volume 13]]===
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume13_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume13_Frontispiece|Frontispiece: A Detestable Land -Abandon Ship!-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume13_Frontispiece2|Frontispiece: An Amazing Land -Nothing Special-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume13_Frontispiece3|Frontispiece: A Tale of Living People -You Should Be So Lucky.-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume13_Author's Notes1|To You, A Hundred Years From Now]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume13_Prologue|Prologue: A Tale of This World・b -It Happens.・b-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume13_Chapter1|A Tale of Olden Days -Choice-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume13_Chapter2|Land of Families -Divorce-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume13_Chapter3|An Unlawful Land -Just Imagine It!-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume13_Chapter4|Land of Travelers -Last Will-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume13_Chapter5|Land of Necessity -Entertainer-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume13_Epilogue|Epilogue: A Tale of This World・a -It Happens.・a-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume13_Special|Special Compilation: Various Tales -a Beautiful Dreamer-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume13_Author's Notes|Author's Notes]]
<br style="clear:both"/>
<hr/>

<span style="position:relative;left:0px;top:0px">[[Image:KNT_V14_NewCover.jpg|x225px|right]]</span><span style="position:relative;left:-110px;top:-90px">[[Image:KNT_V14_CoverArt.jpg|x100px|right]]</span>

===[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume14|Volume 14]]===
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume14 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume14 Prologue|Prologue: Amidst the Rising Sun・b -the Dawn・b-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume14 Chapter1|Land of Cultivation of Aesthetic Sensibility -Do What We say!-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume14 Chapter2|Land of Mutterings -My Daily Life-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume14 Chapter3|Land of Regulations -Unreal Young Man-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume14 Chapter4|Land of Improved Luck -The Fifth "C", Cozenage-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume14 Chapter5|Land of Posthumous Works -Write or Die-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume14 Chapter6|Land of Ruin -Self-destruction-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume14 Chapter7|Land of Marriage -Testament-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume14 Chapter8|Land of Parasites -Cure-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume14 Chapter9|Land of Discrimination -We Are NOT Like Us.-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume14 Chapter10|A Righteous Land -WAR=We Are Right!-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume14 Chapter11|Land of Cowards -Toss-up-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume14 Epilogue|Epilogue: Amidst the Rising Sun・a -the Dawn・a-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume14_Author's Notes|Author's Notes]]
<br style="clear:both"/>
<hr/>

<span style="position:relative;left:0px;top:0px">[[Image:KNT_V15_NewCover.jpg|x225px|right]]</span><span style="position:relative;left:-110px;top:-90px">[[Image:Kino_no_Tabi_v15_cover.jpg|x100px|right]]</span>
===[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume15|Volume 15]]===
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume15 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume15 Frontispiece|Frontispiece: A Land of Accidental Discoveries -Eureka!-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume15 Frontispiece2|Frontispiece: A White Land -Taste!-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume15 Prologue|Prologue: What it Means to Fight and Die・b -Order!・b-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume15 Chapter1|Land of Beasts -Standing Beast-]]
::*[http://siber-owl.com/kino-no-tabi-land-of-mania/ Land of Mania -What I Want & Why I Want-]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume15 Chapter3|A Land with a Past -What We Have Taught.-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume15 Chapter4|Photo's Day to Day -the Beautiful Moment-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume15 Chapter5|Land of Journalists -How to Be a Liar-]]
::*[http://untuned-strings.blogspot.ca/2012/10/kinos-journey-volume-15-chapter-6.html Land with a Criminal -He Had Done It.-]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume15 Epilogue|Epilogue: What it Means to Fight and Die・a -Order!・a-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume15_Author's Notes|Author's Notes]]
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<hr/>

<span style="position:relative;left:0px;top:0px">[[Image:KNT_V16_NewCover.jpg|x225px|right]]</span><span style="position:relative;left:-110px;top:-90px">[[Image:KNT_V16_CoverArt.jpg|x100px|right]]</span>

===[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume16|Volume 16]]===
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume16 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume16 Frontispiece|Frontispiece: A Land with Day and Night -Counterclockwise-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume16 Frontispiece2|Frontispiece: A Discarded Land -Take Free If You Can!-]]
::*[http://untuned-strings.blogspot.ca/2013/09/kinos-journey-volume-16-prologue.html Prologue: Land of Love Letters・b -Confession・b-]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume16 Chapter1|Land of Corpses -Spirits of the Dead-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume16 Chapter2|A Nurturing Land -Stand by me!-]]
::*[http://untuned-strings.blogspot.com/2014/09/kinos-journey-volume-16-chapter-3.html A Land of Drunken Driving -Let's Play the Game!-]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume16 Chapter4|Land of Blood Types -Blood Typo-]]
::*[http://untuned-strings.blogspot.ca/2013/09/kinos-journey-volume-16-epilogue.html Epilogue: Land of Love Letters・a -Confession・a-]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume16 Special1|The Truth I Wish I Could See -Family Picture-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume16 Special2|Things Left Behind -Return-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume16_Author's Notes|Author's Notes]]
<br style="clear:both"/>
<hr/>

<span style="position:relative;left:0px;top:0px">[[Image:KNT_V17_CoverArt.jpg|x225px|right]]</span>

===[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume17|Volume 17]]===
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume17 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume17 Frontispiece|Frontispiece: Land of Fashion -Fine Feathers Make Fine Birds.-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume17 Prologue|Prologue: Land of Passage・b -Messengers・b-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume17 Frontispiece2|Frontispiece: Land of Play -Invention-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume17_Author's Notes|Author's Notes]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume17 Chapter1|A Tale of Travelers -Kino & Hermes-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume17 Chapter2|Land of Environmental Destruction -Human Nature-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume17 Chapter3|Land of Wristwatches -Memento Mori-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume17 Chapter4|Land of Left-Handedness -Do the RIGHT Thing!-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume17 Chapter5|A Land Torn Apart -Trigger Happy-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume17 Chapter6|Land of Penniless Travel -Trouble Writer-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume17 Chapter7|A Tale of Paradise -Exile-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume17 Chapter8|A Land Forbidding Love -the Prohibition-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume17 Chapter9|Land of Cooking -Original-]] (''2017 anime reference: Episode 9'')
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume17 Chapter10|Land of Advertisement -CounterMeasure-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume17 Chapter11|A Land with a Railroad -Missing Link-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume17 Chapter12|The End of a Journey -Kino's Nap-]] (''2017 anime reference: Episode 12'')
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume17 Chapter13|A Land with No God -Let's Get Hermes!-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume17 Chapter14|Our Country -Welcome!-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume17 Epilogue|Epilogue: Land of Passage・a -Messengers・a-]]
<br style="clear:both"/>
<hr/>

<span style="position:relative;left:0px;top:0px">[[Image:KNT_V18_CoverArt.jpg|x225px|right]]</span>

===[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume18|Volume 18]]===
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume18 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume18 Frontispiece|Frontispiece: Land of Cows -Fountain-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume18 Frontispiece2|Frontispiece: A Tale of a Meadow -Ringer-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume18 Prologue|Prologue: Land of Kino's Journey・b -Road Show・b-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume18 Chapter1|Land of Sports -Winners and Losers-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume18 Chapter2|A Land That Has Come to a Halt -From the Cradle to the Cradle-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume18 Chapter3|Land of Taxes -Supply and Demand-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume18 Chapter4|Land of Staple Food -Staple Diet-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume18 Chapter5|A Tale of Chocolates -Gift-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume18 Chapter6|Land of Heritage -Protector-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume18 Chapter7|Land of Revenge -Savior-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume18 Chapter8|Land of Money -Easy Money-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume18 Chapter9|My War -Lone Sniper-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume18 Epilogue|Epilogue: Land of Kino's Journey・a -Road Show・a-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume18 Author's Notes|Author's Notes]]
<br style="clear:both"/>
<hr/>

<span style="position:relative;left:0px;top:0px">[[Image:KNT_V19_CoverArt.jpg|x225px|right]]</span>
===[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume19|Volume 19]]===
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume19 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume19 Frontispiece|Frontispiece: Happy Story -Blue Birds-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume19 Frontispiece2|Frontispiece: Land of Necklaces -What We Need-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume19 Prologue|Prologue: Discarded Land -Till You Drop・b-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume19 Chapter1|Land of Beautiful Memories -Beautiful Memories-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume19 Chapter2|Land of Geniuses -Finding a Genius-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume19 Chapter3|Land of Prodigies -Finding an Error-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume19 Chapter4|Land of Protection -Out of His Tree-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume19 Chapter5|Country that Cannot Fight -Wise Men's Forecast-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume19 Chapter6|Country of Counterfeits -Trade Make-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume19 Chapter7|Land That Came to Save -Under the Rainbow-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume19 Chapter8|The Land That Pummels -Busters-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume19 Epilogue|Epilogue: Discarded Land -Till You Drop・a-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume19 Author's Notes|Tale of a Fifteen Year Old -FifTeen-]]
<br style="clear:both"/>
<hr/>

<span style="position:relative;left:0px;top:0px">[[Image:KNT_V20_CoverArt.jpg|x225px|right]]</span>
===[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume20|Volume 20]]===
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume20 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume20 Prologue|Prologue: Tale of a Journey -Around the World・b-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume20 Frontispiece|Frontispiece: A Land Without Sea -Can You Sea Me?-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume20 Chapter1|Land of Humans -the Ark-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume20 Chapter2|Land of Ill Will -I Need You.-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume20 Chapter3|Land of Indifference -Love Them All!-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume20 Chapter4|A Treasure Hunting Tale -Generic-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume20 Chapter5|A Treasure Hunting Tale -Genocide-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume20 Chapter6|A Married Couple's Tale -Taken-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume20 Chapter7|Turning Point -Turning Point-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume20 Chapter8|A Meadow of Sheep -Stray Army-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume20 Epilogue|Epilogue: Tale of a Journey -Around the World・a-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume20 Special|Chapter 45: When on a journey, it is important to relax and take the time to reminisce -Intermission 4-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume20 Author's Notes|Author's Notes]]
<br style="clear:both"/>
<hr/>

<span style="position:relative;left:0px;top:0px">[[Image:KNT_V21_CoverArt.jpg|x225px|right]]</span>
===[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume21|Volume 21]]===
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume21 Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume21 Prologue|Prologue: Visible Truth -She is Still There・b-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume21 Frontispiece|Frontispiece: A Gigantic Country -Skyscrapers-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume21 Chapter1|A Land Accustomed to Fame -On the Wave-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume21 Chapter2|Land of Good-Looking Men and Women -Tastes Differ-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume21 Chapter3|N Country -N-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume21 Chapter4|A Land that Prohibits Reading -Read or Die-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume21 Chapter5|A Land Where a Crowded Train is Running -No Pain, No Gain-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume21 Chapter6|A Land that has Vanished -What's Happened?-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume21 Chapter7|A Perfect Country -On Demand-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume21 Chapter8|Land of Keys -The Key of Tomorrow-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume21 Chapter9|Land of Women -Equalizer-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume21 Chapter10|A Land That Dies Every Day -Are You You?-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume21 Epilogue|Epilogue: Visible Truth -She is Still There・a-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume21 Author's Notes|Author's Notes]]
<br style="clear:both"/>
<hr/>

<span style="position:relative;left:0px;top:0px">[[Image:KNT_SESSC_CoverArt.png|x225px|right]]</span>
===Kino's TravelsーThe Beautiful WorldーSpecial Edition Shortstory Collection (15th Anniversary)===
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:SESSC Introduction|Introduction]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:SESSC Story1|White Day]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:SESSC Story2|A Glorious Province -Dedication- ]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:SESSC Story3|Provinces Remembered -Our Memories-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:SESSC Story4|A Story of Bird Cages -Cradle-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:SESSC Story5|A Land of Cards]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:SESSC Story6|A Land that Cannot be Heard -Imaginary Companion-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:SESSC Comments|Author/Artist Comments]]
<br style="clear:both"/>

==Miscellaneous==
::*[http://www.gaiaonline.com/forum/anime-series-movies/kino-s-journey-the-world-is-not-beautiful-therefore-it-is/t.25230611_661/#661 Land of Memories -Their Memories-]
::*[http://barnnn.blogspot.com/2017/11/kinos-journey-visual-novel-2.html A Tale of a Traveler -You-]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Picture Book 3|My Country -Own Will-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Supplement 1|Supplementary Booklet 1: Miss -You Didn't Miss-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Supplement 2|Supplementary Booklet 2: Official Setting Info -Mitai na Mono-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Volume14 Chapter11|Kino no Tabi I Game Booklet 1: Land of Cowards -Toss-up-]]
::*[[Kino no Tabi:Game Booklet 2|Kino no Tabi I Game Booklet 2: Fashionable Country -Natural Selection-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume13_Special|Kino no Tabi II Game Booklet: Various Tales -a Beautiful Dreamer-]]
::*[[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume 16 Booklet|Volume 16 Booklet: A Tale of Birdcages -Cradle-]]
::*[http://barnnn.blogspot.com/2018/03/kinos-journey-manga-special.html Manga Special: A Conversation on Guns -Fire Control-]

==Project Staff==

*Supervisor:
*Project Manager:

===Translators===

'''ACTIVE'''
:*[[User:Vonfossen|Vonfossen]]
'''INACTIVE'''
:*[[user:XEN gK|XEN gK]]
:*[[user:Shuijie|Shuijie]]
:*[[user:alicia250|alicia250]]
:*[[User:Dammitt|Dammitt]]
:*[[User:Ella.servantes|Ella]]

===Editors===

:*[[user:User753|User753]] (PDF)
:*[[user:BloodyKitty|BloodyKitty]] (spell-checking)

All editors that speak English proficiently are welcomed.

==Series Overview==
'''Main Series'''
*キノの旅 -the Beautiful World- (July 10, 2000) ISBN 978-4-8402-1585-5
*キノの旅 II -the Beautiful World- (October 10, 2000) ISBN 978-4-8402-1632-6
*キノの旅 III -the Beautiful World- (January 10, 2001) ISBN 978-4-8402-1709-5
*キノの旅 IV -the Beautiful World- (July 10, 2001) ISBN 978-4-8402-1844-3
*キノの旅 V -the Beautiful World- (January 10, 2002) ISBN 978-4-8402-2013-2
*キノの旅 VI -the Beautiful World- (August 10, 2002) ISBN 978-4-8402-2155-9
*キノの旅 VII -the Beautiful World- (June 10, 2003) ISBN 978-4-8402-2386-7
*キノの旅 VIII -the Beautiful World- (October 10, 2004) ISBN 978-4-8402-2832-9
*キノの旅 IX -the Beautiful World- (October 10, 2005) ISBN 978-4-8402-3172-5
*キノの旅 X -the Beautiful World- (October 10, 2006) ISBN 978-4-8402-3580-8
*キノの旅 XI -the Beautiful World- (October 10,2007) ISBN 978-4-8402-4025-3
*キノの旅 XII -the Beautiful World- (October 10, 2008) ISBN 978-4-04-867263-4
*キノの旅 XIII -the Beautiful World- (October 10, 2009) ISBN 978-4-04-868068-4
*キノの旅 XIV -the Beautiful World- (October 10, 2010) ISBN 978-4-04-868967-0
*キノの旅 XV -the Beautiful World- (October 8, 2011) ISBN 978-4-04-870962-0
*キノの旅 XVI -the Beautiful World- (October 10, 2012) ISBN 978-4-04-886980-5
*キノの旅 XVII -the Beautiful World- (October 10, 2013) ISBN 978-4-04-866021-1
*キノの旅 XVIII -the Beautiful World- (October 10, 2014) ISBN 978-4-04-866935-1
*キノの旅 XIX -the Beautiful World- (October 10, 2015) ISBN 978-4-04-865440-1
*キノの旅 XX -the Beautiful World- (October 8, 2016) ISBN 978-4-04-892396-5
*キノの旅 XXI -the Beautiful World- (October 7, 2017) ISBN 978-4-04-892399-5

'''Related Publications'''
*『記憶の国 -Their Memories-』 (December 3, 2003) ISBN 978-4-8402-2525-0
*『旅人の話 -You-』 (March 30, 2005) ISBN 978-4-8402-2897-8
*『わたしの国 -Own Will-』 (December 25, 2007) ISBN 978-4-8402-4080-2
*キノの旅 -the Beautiful World- 劇場の国 -KINO- (Exclusive release with 2nd Film)
*キノの旅 -the Sigsawa's World- (Supplement to Dengeki Bunko Magazine Vol.5 Jan 2009 Issue)

'''North American Release'''
*Kino no Tabi I The Beautiful World (October 3, 2006) ISBN 978-1-59816-455-4

==More Information==
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kino%27s_Journey Kino's Journey - Wikipedia] <br>
[http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%82%AD%E3%83%8E%E3%81%AE%E6%97%85 Kino no Tabi - Wikipedia (Japanese)] <br>
[http://www.kinonotabi.com Kino no Tabi - Official Website (Japanese)]

[[Category:Light novel (English)]]
[[Category:Dengeki Bunko]]
[[Category:Keiichi Sigsawa]]

[[Category:Genre - Drama]]
[[Category:Genre - Fantasy]]
[[Category:Genre - Mystery]]
[[Category:Genre - Psychological]]
[[Category:Genre - Sci-Fi]]
[[Category:Genre - Slice of Life]]

Monster Hunter:Volume3 Chapter2

2018-07-02T08:20:55Z

Barnnn:

== Chapter 2 - Setting off Alone ==

[[File:MH-v03-002.jpg|300px|thumb]]

"Excuse me..."

Called upon by a distant voice from beyond the dream world, Becky straightend up as she felt her consciousness being pulled back together.

Just a little longer and she would have gotten to eat that extra-large rolled Rathian egg, but it was taken away at the last moment.

A registration book dropped loudly onto the floor. With sleepy eyes, she looked on as it filpped open.

She wondered, how many times has it been now?

It had fallen so many times that the corners were all dented. Although it wouldn't be so difficult even in her sleep to grab it while it was falling, it would be annoying if someone were to make a fuss out of it.

As she picked up the registration book and yawned casually, the same voice could be heard once again.

Turning around, a young man was standing in front of the gathering hall's counter.

His approximate age should be... eighteen or nineteen? He was a new face, and seemed to be quite restless as he cautiously minded his surroundings.

His face had a childish look, and he seemed to be well-raised, with tall stature and solid build.

Not only that, his way of standing with a bent back made him stand out unnecessarily.

In this kind of place, looking like that is dangerous. It's like having a sign saying "I'm a newbie" hanging from one's neck. He might have difficulties in finding companions, but worse than that, he might lose his life from being tricked into doing something beyond his level.

Becky readjusted her hat, which is part of her uniform, before standing up and turning to face the counter. She then habitually wiped the counter's surface, which has gained a black luster from absorbing a multitude of alcohol over the years.

While visiting hunters at this time are scarce as it is before sundown, there are those who were here all day, loitering and drinking since morning without heading off to hunt. The hall's interior reeks of tobacco smoke and alcohol all year long, which can make some people drunk from the atmosphere alone.

Because of that, the boy's face going all red is not from nervousness alone. And judging from his demeanor, he seems to be from some urban area. As of late, more and more young ones with

such origins seem to be turning up. They are the kind who come with admiration of the hunting occupation, as there have been increased opportunities of seeing monsters in the safety of cities.

That in itself is not a bad thing. They own their lives and the right to choose their path. They have the fortune to work towards a future of their own choosing, one with value enough to risk their lives for.

For them, the guild will offer as much assistance as it can.

There is always the possibility that skilled hunters are hiding among those people, and ones with such skills will be a great asset to the guild. For that reason, being from an urban area is never a reason for the guild to turn someone away.

"Welcome."

As Becky said with a smile, the boy reddened up even more-- a favorable impression for her.

It just couldn't be helped that the boy's line of sight has dropped down to the woman's chest. It is only natural for boys his age, and the boy himself turned away soon enough. She finds this kind of innocence to be quite likeable.

Among hunters, there are many who is of the rowdy, uninhibited types. Although she could take care of them if they were to come forward, she wouldn't be albe to keep the gathering hall under control if she were to worry about every little thing.

"So, on what businesses have you come here today?"

"Ah, um... I'd like to register as a hunter, please..."

It was hard to comprehend those words as his voice blended in with all the background drunken laughter, but it was better that way.

That is because, among those who don't head out to hunt, there are ones who will never miss an opportunity to lecture newcomers.

The types that tries to scam newcomers into buying stuff would be promptly thrown out, but most are of the type that do nothing but boast about their past exploits or give unhelpful advice.

The Guild Master told her to just ignore them, but Becky herself has always wanted to do rid the guild of those people.

Another reason is that most of them are the type to drink on the tab.

When it's time to pay up, she would kick their asses and send them away to work on a suitable quest, but among them are those who would leave without ever coming back.

Such is a possibility of a hunter's life, but it dampens her mood all the same when it happens.

Becky took out a different registration book from under the counter, opened it to a new page, placed it on the countertop, and pushed it towards the boy.

"Read what's written here, then sign if you agree to comply with all the terms, alright? Do you have an introduction letter?"

"No... Um... Am I supposed to bring one...?"

"No, no, you don't have to-- Anyway, make sure you read everything carefully."

"Y-- Yes..."

The boy cast his eyes down on the registration book and started reading intently, just as he was told to.

Seeing that his equipment was of the Velociprey set, apparent from their dull blue color, he seems to not be a complete beginner. Still, one must not jump to conclusions. There still is the possibility that they were not manufactured from materials he had gathered himself.

The weapon on his waist was the Bonespike, a one-handed sword.

Its primary components were monster bones, making it lightweight and wieldy, but less durable than metal swords. However, it has upgrade potential, able to be turned into the embodiment of a fire wyvern's power if done right.

Before long, the boy nodded vigorously, raised his face up, and began looking around for something.

Becky passed him the fountain pen and ink bottle that was on the countertop. A faint, bashful smile appeared on the boy's lips as he received them and signed down his name.

He's called Brass Lagoon, apparently.

"Alright, Brass, next up is this."

Becky took out a yet another registration book, placing it before the boy.

Under normal circumstances, handling new guild registrations would be the Guild Master's job, but it was entrusted to Becky for today. The Guild Master has had too much to drink the previous day, and is now still asleep in his room.

Brass wrote down his information as the book prompted him to, showing no doubts in them. Age, gender, and most proficient weapon-- the basic profile.

The guild assigns jobs to hunters based on those information. There are no particular issues with writing down false information, but if that were the case, they might end up paying for it with their lives.

"...Done."

"Alright, thanks."

Becky took the registration book and scanned it over. Brass was younger than what his first suggested, being only sixteen years of age. But of course, hunters of that age aren't nonexistent. Besides, this world is a competition, and starting early is sure to give an advantage, or at least, the chance to do over.

On the column for past hunting experience, it was written that he had hunted several Yian Kut-Kus back at his home region.

"Have you ever been on a Rathalos hunt?"

As Becky asked that, Brass anxiously knit his brows and shook his head.

"Um... Do I have to...?"

"No, no."

And so it's confirmed that he's a genuine beginner. If he doesn't carefully choose who he teams up with, it'll be all downhill from there. Furthermore, in the miscellaneous column, he'd written that he's handy for support roles, and that he has three Books of Combos with him.

"...So, why have you become a hunter?"

Becky asked as she was about to close the registration book. The reasons for coming to register as hunters greatly depend on each individual. Although they're generally here to make a living, she had a feeling that this boy is different.

"Um... I... I'm here to prove something."

"Prove? Prove what?"

"That I'm not a coward."

Although the boy declared as such, he was still like a frightened rabbit.

Surely, this line of work isn't where cowards thrive. It requires a great deal of courage to face wyverns so large that they could swallow a person in one gulp.

Fear saps strength away from the limbs, and takes away freedom of movement from the body. Such is what happens to hunters no matter their degree of mastery, as they are involuntary reactions of the flesh, not impulses of the heart.

It's understandable that if he had the courage to face a Rathalos, then he wouldn't be called a coward. But of course, he has to come back from it alive, too.

"That's good."

Becky closed the registration book and smiled. Ones who are aware of their own fears are ones who have the makings of a good hunter. That is because they know who themselves are. If he comes back alive, his experiences will accumulate well-- But then again, if he were to be overly cautious, then that would make him truly a coward.

"...Alright, you're all set with the registration. Your hunter rank may still be Ranger-- the lowest level-- but do your best out there."

"Y-- Yes!"

This time, his face being red was probably not due to shyness, but rather anxiety, anticipation, and excitement.

Becky then passed him his guild card and told him where to find the guest house. He'd be surprised, that's for sure.

The rooms to accommodate new hunters are more or less equal to animal coops, after all.

If he's unable to stand just that, then he'd be unfit for the hunter's line of work, where one has to camp out and go multiple days straight without bathing while out hunting.

The boy took the guild card and held it to his chest, said his thanks and bowed, then picked up his luggage and headed for the gathering hall's exit.

Seeing the hunters who entered at the same time as the boy made his exit, a faint frown appeared on Becky's brows.

The air was heavy, filled with the mood of uneasiness.

Brass tried to avoid them, but his luggage bumped into one among them. The boy bowed to apologize, but it seemed like the group hadn't noticed him at all.

Leading the crew was a girl with a stern expression painted on her face, and a massive hammer, the rare Breath Core, on her back.

They were the party led by Elmeria Franport.

Behind her was the veteran hunter Gannon Denon, wearing armor with giant horns on its shoulder pads. Following him was Fradio Heart, the hunter who never takes off that Gypceros Cap of his;

he had recently turned thirty according to the registration. The last to enter was Zeeg Grandest, carrying his helmet in his arms, with an ill-tempered expression.

("I wonder what happened?")

Usually, those four aren't the type of hunters to show such attitudes.

The other hunters reacted to them, sensitive to the irregularity in the atmosphere. But it was somewhat mitigated by the fact that commotions are commonplace in the gathering hall.

The split between Elmeria and Zeeg were especially bad. They were like melting iron bars.

With the expression of discouragement of their faces, the quartet headed straight for the counter, stopping right before Becky. They probably came in here right after arriving in town. It was apparent from the dust on their armor, and their sour body odor that came mixed in with the stink alcohol.

"...Sorry, we failed."

Elmeria said, as if just throwing it out.

Becky immediately knew that she was referring to the Rathian subjugation contract, which they committed to.

Of course, if they were successful, their expressions would be far more merry compared how they looked when they came in. Even for Fradio, whose facial expression remains unseen, a difference be noticed from the look in his eyes. Although he seems to be finding amusement in the current group dynamics, he certainly isn't satisfied with it.

"I see."

Becky said, while picking out the quest registration book.

This kind of thing is not that big of a deal. It may be unusual for the likes of Elmeria, but wyvern hunts don't usually end in success. They are just that dangerous, so to speak.

A Rathian that's taking care of its young are especially brutal, to the point of being untouchable. And in this case, it was a Rathian that had just retired from its motherhood, which would probably mean its extra ferocity was still remaining-- That was what Becky thought, but she recalled that this is not the only time Elmeria's party hasn't been able to fulfill their requests.

If memory serves her right, they must have failed their previous quest, and the one before that as well.

Becky opened the registration book and checked the quest details. One quest was to hunt two Basarios, and the other was to gather Powderstone. The Bararios quest was abandoned mid-way because Elmeria was injured, and during the Powderstone quest, they seemed to have timed out due to spending too much time driving away a Rathalos.

Putting down the registration book, Becky then looked at Elmeria and her team. Although it's unknown what happened, the accumulated friction among them was apparent. Zeeg and Elmeria aren't

even looking at each other at all, and Fradio seems to be quite fed up with such state of affairs.

"Thanks for your hard work... But too bad, the contract fee can't be refunded. Do your best next time, too."

Elmeria nodded, without a shred of enthusiasm. In a plausible state of an undefeated hunter who suffered repeated defeats, as if being stuck in a bottomless swamp of disappointment.

One would think things will be fine since they have the veteran hunter Gannon Denon with them, but as it turns out, it is not necessarily the case.

"Want something to drink?"

As Becky asked her, Elmeria only ordered some food and alcohol over her shoulder and headed to a table. Gannon and Fradio followed her, saying nothing. Looking at them go, Zeeg clicked his tongue in annoyance, but went after them all the same, taking a seat diagonally opposite to Elmeria.

Becky passed the order of Aptonoth-Bullfango Ground Meat Sausage and Pickled Vegetables to the kitchen, then took a look at the party's savings in an account book.

In general, hunters do not carry their cash with them. The possibility of theft exists if they were left at the guest house, and if they were lost at the hunting grounds, it wouldn't be something one could just cry off.

And because of that, the guild offers its services to keep and manage their money.

For the most part, if the hunters were directly paid their rewards, the money would be all turned into alcohol and food, right on the spot.

Although it is profitable for the gathering hall, there would be none left for upgrading weapons and armor, increasing the number of hunters who are unable to tackle bigger challenges.

Such circumstance is undesirable for the Hunter's Guild.

So for that reason, and also to avoid unnecessary trouble among hunters as result of theft, the guild offers to temporarily keep their money and manage their payments in their place.

Becky swiftly flipped over the account book and checked Elmeria's balance.

She had sunk a considerable amount into polishing up the Breath Core, resulting in her savings going below even those of the average rookies for a time, but right now it seems to have come back to the usual level.

The same goes for the other three.

Especially Zeeg, who seems to have some sort of goal he's working towards, apparent from his accumulating savings and him barely doing any shopping. He's probably gathering what he needs on-site.

A female guild employee, wearing the uniform called the Maiden set, came in through the back door and placed a set of report documents on the counter.

The report concerns the hunt which Elmeria's team had just came back from.

Showing little interest, Becky picked it up and scanned over it. According to what's been written in the report, the cause of failure was being too cautious. Apparently, the Rathian got away as much as three times, and the party wasn't able to finish it in the end.

Looking at the whole picture, Becky suspected that Gannon's injury was perhaps another reason.

Under the helmet, his face could be seen wrapped in bandages over the left eye. Hit by Rathian poison, according to the written report. Although he must have received prompt treatment, things are still uncertain, since it did get into his eye.

"Food's ready!"

Called by a voice from the kitchen, Becky closed the account book and stood up, pushed open the hinged door, and took the food platter. It was filled to the brim with grilled sausages, giving off quite the nice smell. Only a slight movement of the platter would cause the sausages' casing to burst open, sending meat juices gushing out, and also causing the uniquely sweet smell of meat to drift off.

Becky held the platter with one hand, and with the other, she nimbly picked up four mugs by their ears, used one of their rims to knock off the beer barrel stopper, then filled the mugs with the alcohol that came pouring out.

When all the mugs were filled, she used one of their rims again to put the stopper back in place, then pushed open with her rear the hinged door between the counter and the hall, and headed to the table where Zeeg and the others were seated.

Each one of them-- except Fradio-- had already taken off their helmets, but it seems that they still haven't said a word to each other.

Although an air of uneasiness is surrounding them, it is quite a normal occurrence for parties that had just returned from a failed quest.

"Sorry to have kept you waiting. These are some good stuff for filling up your stomachs with, eh?"

Becky said, and placed the platter on the shiny black table.

No matter how bad one's mood, even if to the point of nauseating, hunger always prevail. Even more so if one hasn't had a proper meal for close to a week while they're out at the hunting grounds.

The most they could have eaten out there would be grilled salt-cured meat, or mushrooms and honey gathered on-site.

They were nothing compared to these sausages, which has been brought to its best flavors by a variety of spices.

And above all else, this place has the booze.

Moderately chilled beer-- it's the one thing that can't be surpassed.

The four hunters dropped all their thoughts, even if only briefly, as they picked up their mugs. They chugged down the contents-- the golden nectar under the thick bubbling cloud, so bitter yet so sweet.

"Kuhaah--!"

Exhaling in a manner that made her look like an old lady, Elmeria banged her mug down on the table, paying no mind to any beer that might have spilled off.

Even Zeeg, who usually doesn't even drink beer, is drinking quite a lot today.

Seeing them in that state, Becky broke off from their table and headed back to the counter, pulling out a large teddy bear and holding it in her arms.

But it seemed that Zeeg and the others hadn't noticed her doing so.

Each of them, with forks in hand, started tackling the sausages. The sound of those forks piercing the smoking hot casings could be clearly heard, even in the bustling gathering hall.

Life returned to Elmeria's disheartened face, her cheeks turning back to the color of brilliant rose red.

Even so, all of them still kept silent, which is quite the unusual occurrence.

When one is faced with failure, it is only natural that they would spend time to reflect in silence. But it doesn't seem to be the case for the team, at least for today.

Becky rested her chin on the teddy bear's head and looked around, noticing that most of the other hunters were staring intently at Zeeg and the crew.

In this City of Minegarde, those four are quite famous.

Not only had Elmeria attained a high Hunter Rank at such a yound age, she had also obtained the Breath Core, a hammer so rare that it might as well be considered a myth, not to mention that it was yet to be recreated by current technology. As for Zeeg, he was able defeat a Monoblos by himself-- an impressive feat considering that he had started his career just a year and a half prior.

Although young hunters have been increasing in number lately, there are not many who soared up the ladders like those two. Before getting to that point, most of them would lose their lives, give up and return to their hometown, or play it safe and gradually sharpen their skills.

But those two were blessed with luck. Natural talent also playd a part, of course, but without skilled senior hunters to guide them on their way, they probably wouldn't have come close to the level they currently are on.

And because of that, their recent string of failures are catching the interest of everyone.

That includes the guild, too.

Since the points that dictate each hunter's ranks were automatically granted for every party member upon completing a quest, if someone like Gannon were to do the most work, then the raking system would not be indicative of each individual's skills.

But of course, Becky herself doesn't doubt Elmeria and Zeeg's individual skills, and if she were to be ordered to write up a report, she would write it as such. Her opinion would act as a verification of their abilities, at least to an extent.

Besides, they were only one step away from finishing off the Rathian. The problem was that they couldn't take that one last step.

As Becky watched over them dragging on their silence, she noticed one drunk hunter swaying up from his seat, approaching the four.

The hunter was a young one, his face in deep red due to intoxication.

Becky recalled that the young man once tried to court Elmeria, which only resulted in him being given the cold shoulder. His armor was of the Vespoid set, crafted from shells of the giant bug monster Vespoid, and on his back was a set of lance and shield.

This time, Becky doesn't intervene immediately. She would come forward if the fight escalated to the point of weapons being drawn, of course, but hunters are as used to fist fights as saying their greetings.

"Ya guys~ Failed 'nother quest, eh~~?"

The young man said, brushing up the forelock that got in the way of his eyes. Elmeria and Zeeg stopped their hands. The young man rambled on, unaware of the situation.

"Like ay~e saiddd~ you should just join up with us~~ And thennn~ I-- wiuugh--!?"

Two forks, both with sausages stil on them, flew into the his gaping mouth like straight arrows.

They were thrown at the same time by Elmeria and Zeeg, with magnificent precision. If the sausages weren't still on them, they probably would have pierced the inside of the young man's mouth. And probably because he had come to such realization, the young man fell on his buttocks, his face changing from red to pale blue as he swiftly backed away.

Elmeria and Zeeg both let out a sigh, then, at the same time, reached out to the platter, stopping when their hands bumped into each other. This time, it was not due to feelings like shyness.

With them glaring at each other like that, they only gave the impression of being mutual enemies.

"...So, you reflected on any of that?"

Zeeg was the first to fire a shot. His words gave the impression of bottled up feelings finally bursting off.

"Reflect?"

Elmeria returned fire, letting out an arrogant snort. Licking off the meat juices from her fingers, she then wiped her hand on the table.

"I don't have anything I need to be reflecting on."

"What do you mean?"

Zeeg's hands, rested on the table, clenched into fists.

"What, you don't know? Didn't we end up like this because you were acting on your own?"

"And when did I act on my own!?"

"Well, didn't you totally do that!?"

Zeeg knocked his fist on the table, and as if doing so in retaliation, Elmeria bagned her mug on a wooden tray.

The platter and the sausages in it sprung up, but the two adults of the group paid it no mind as they continued eating and drinking in silence. They would definitely intervene when push comes to shove, but now is not the time.

Ignoring that those two adults were even there, Zeeg and Elmeria both leaned forward as they glared at each other.

"What did I do, huh!?"

"Well aren't you the one who always jump in on your own!? Like when we were hunting the Basarios, didn't you ignore what we said and kept on swinging that sword!? Thanks to that, our teamwork was totally ruined! And I also got hurt!!"

"Wasn't that because you didn't say things clearly!? I mean, sure, cornering them one by one is important! But isn't it ridiculous when we can't finish off even one of them after half a day!? We had less time than usual to do that quest, you know!? If you're not satisfied, then why didn't you be more decisive!?"

"Isn't that obviously to minimize danger and maximize benefits!? Don't you get it!?"

To vent off her frustration, Elmeria banged her mug on the table again and again.

"Look, what's most important to hunters is to come back alive! And to make sure everyone's safe, isn't it obvious that it'd take up more time!?"

"Yeah, that's right! But! There's a difference between prioritizing survival and being a coward, you know!"

Elmeria stiffened up slightly.

"...So you're saying I'm a coward...?"

"Th-- That's right!"

As he said that, Zeeg's face suggested self-awareness of going too far, but he was probably too stubborn to pull back from what he'd decided to do. After the first word was out, all the

feelings he'd bottled up burst forth, as if a dam had been breached. He was unstoppable.

"You've been way too careful lately! You're thinking about so many things in your head, but aren't there a lot more that you wouldn't know for sure if you're not in the real action!?

Planning things through back at camp is important and all, but if our prey ran away, then what good would all those strategies do!? What is the purpose of us hunters!? Isn't it to hunt things!?"

Elmeria's face turned redder and redder. But not due to alcohol. Those lips of hers quivered, turning red like strawberry as she bit them down.

Zeeg averted his eyes from the girl and chugged down his beer. He then scowled, likely because of the bitter taste.

"...Th-- That kind of thing-- You didn't even need to tell me..."

Before long, Elmeria spoke up in a shivering voice. Becky observed that her shaking must be coming from something other than anger.

That is because Zeeg's words totally hit bull's eye.

They all line up with the report documents, which stated that Elmeria's recent actions have been overly cautious.

She used to lean more toward the daring type.

And in the first place, the party was supposed to be relying on Gannon to draw the monsters' attention, and also to compensate for Elmeria's boldness. If the primary attacker were to chicken out, then getting good results would surely be difficult.

"But--!!"

As Elmeria said that, her eyes slightly watered up. At first glance, one might say that she's just drunk, but looking more closely, it's also possible that she was on the verge of bursting into tears.

"The party's leader is me! I'm the one who decides how we hunt! Don't get any ideas!! This isn't your party! It's mine!!"

This time, the one whose facial expression changed was Zeeg.

He could get up and punch Elmeria at any moment now-- That was what his expression suggested.

Becky then noticed Gannon, who seems to be pretending to not hear a thing, but is actually keeping a sharp ear on the situation, and is clearly prepared to break a few bones in an instant if the boy were to make a move.

Although it's unknown whether or not Zeeg is aware of the large man, he soon sat back down and looked up at the ceiling, then took a deep, slow breath.

He then reached for the platter, picking up a sausage and popped it into his mouth, then made a bitter face as he chugged down all of his remaining beer in one go. After all that, he stood up from his seat.

"Wh-- Where do you think you're going?"

Elmeria's voice was audibly discomposed. She's likely wondering why the boy is standing up all of a sudden.

"...Back to my room. I'm taking a bath."

Saying that, Zeeg picked up his Rathalos Helm and the luggage at his feet, then turned away from the table. The Lacerator Blade+ on his back, plastered with dirt, rang a metallic chime as it swayed around.

Elmeria did nothing to stop him.

Zeeg walk away alone without looking back again, exiting the gathering hall.

He didn't greet Becky on his way out-- another rare occurrence. Although she definitely was there, the boy probably didn't notice her. His face suggested that he was lost deep in thought.

"...What the-- What's up with him?"

Elmeria chugged down her beer, then wiped off the bubbles around her mouth. Then, she looked at Gannon and Fradio. She was looking for reassurance that she was not in the wrong.

And just as she expected, Gannon nodded as if to say that the girl was right. Elmeria's expression lightened up, but Becky felt apprehensive about such an attitude.

Gannon has always had quite a soft spot for Elmeria.

Although he's just technically carrying on his duty for the aristocrats to whom he's indebted, in a prectical sense, their relationship seem to be one between a mentor and his student. But on the other hand, the relationship between a young mistress and a loyal retainer is still there. Not absolute obedience, but quite close to it.

But he's getting too old for this.

There's no way he can be a hunter forever. The day will come when Elmeria has to lead her party by herself. Up to now, there are many times when things went well only because she's had Gannon there to watch her back. But is the girl aware of that?

Surely, listening to what the leader says is key to a successful hunt. If each individual were to act on their own, then there wouldn't be any reason to team up.

But that doesn't mean rigid rules could be enforced. There are no social statuses for hunters, after all.

Even though the guild has a ranking system, it was created so that one could only accept jobs appropriate for them, and not as a social status. The differences in lodgings and food, too, were enforced as motivation factors for hunters, and a way for the guild to show confidence in them. And still, a beginner wouldn't even be able to pay rent for the better rooms anyway. Preventing them from renting in the first place also serves as a preemptive measure to unwanted complaints.

From Elmeria's attitude when she spoke to Zeeg, she was obviously putting him lower than herself. It was natural that Zeeg would get angry. The girl not realizing that she was doing so is a problem, and it falls to Gannon to be mindful of such things.

But he didn't say anything about it, and even went so far as to nod in approval to the girl's actions. At this rate, she would never realize her mistakes. Which raises some concerns of danger down the line, if she intends to keep on being a hunter.

As for Fradio, he's still doing things at his own leisure, as if unconcerned by the exchange that had just happened. Still eating the sausages, inserting them under that rubber mask of his, so as to not show his face.

Because the guild has always held the policy of not prying into hunters' personal backgrounds, the man remains an enigma. But all that matters is his skill. Though Becky herself has to admit that she's curious.

"That guy just doesn't get it! He doesn't get it at all! Right!?"

Elmeria leaned further and further forward in Gannon and Fradio's direction, expecting them to agree with her, but she also seemed to not be expecting them to reply.

"He's letting things go to his head! Hunted a Monoblos!? So what!? If he can't hunt one after sticking with us for a year and a half, then he'd be better off going back to the sticks! Isn't that right!? That stubborn little... stubborn... little...!!"

Frowning so hard that her forehead wrinkled, Elmeria banged her mug loudly on the table. She then held it up high and waved it around.

"--Becky, bring me more beer!"

"Alright, coming right up."

Becky tucked her Sleepy Bear away on the other side of the counter, then stepped out to collect the empty mugs. "Anyone else want refills?" she asked, and the customers on other tables here and there raised their hands.

She then turned back to the counter, signaling other waitresses to come out and collect the mugs.

The skirt of their uniforms were slightly shorter than Becky's. As they went around to confirm the orders of other tables, Becky came to take the mug off Elmeria's hand and smiled,

"Beer refill for you, right? --Want to order some food to go with it, too?"

"Damn it all!"

Zeeg shouted as he threw the luggage he was carrying at the wall.

Without bouncing back, a blunt impact sounded as the leather bag fell to the floor.

Some medicine bottles inside could have been broken, but the boy paid it no mind. His priority was on venting his irritation.

But that did nothing to cool down his anger, which continued to erupt forth like molten rock.

Catching sight of the properly made bed, Zeeg's fingers wriggled. He raised his hand, reached for his back, took hold of his great sword's handle, and glared at the bed.

He wondered, how would he feel if he were to smash the bed to pieces with a sword as powerful as a wyvern's jaw? Chips of wood would scatter around, and the mattress' plumage would disperse in the air. Looking at such a scene could help calm his nerves.

But the boy ceased such thoughts. Considering the clean-up afterwards, it'd result in more trouble than it's worth.

Where Zeeg is currently staying is called the Bishop Room, decorated with a good amount of high-grade appliances and furniture. It's easy to break them to pieces, but as the boy is currently burdened by expenses left and right, it would hurt to increase them.

Sighing heavily, Zeeg took the great sword off his back and hung it on the wall, then took a seat on the chair.

Although the Rathalos armor is lightweight compared to metal armor due to being created primarily from wyvern shells, it is quite heavy nonetheless. The chair creaked faintly, as if it was about to scream. The boy felt that it could break apart if he moved his body too much, but he didn't want to lay down on the bed while wearing dirty armor.

("Dammit...")

Putting his helmet down on the round table, Zeeg then unfastened his hair strap. The dusty black hair was let down, releasing a greasy stink and making the boy feel itchy as it touched his cheeks.

He noticed that his hair has grown quite long.

The hair strap in his palm was one of the things be brought with him when he first left the village. It was decorated with a scale of the first Yian Kut-Ku he had defeated.

Compared to back then, he has improved quite a lot, if he says so himself. He felt like writhing in embarrassment as he recalled his immaturity, like a fruit on the verge of ripening, so full of hope and energy.

Compared to back then, what about now?

What opinion does he have on himself?

Being able to hunt a Monoblos by himself at least suggests that he has skills. Not that he's meaning to boast, but he has proof of it in the form of the wyvern's remains. He's also earned enough recognition that he'd recieved some requests of which the clients wanted to be done by him specifically.

But he's seeing no fun in them.

He has a feeling that at this point, he'd hunted every known monster at least once.

The piscine wyvern Plesioth, said to boast the largest size among all wyverns, and even the armor wyvern Gravios. He had also hunted a number of Basarios and Rathians, even though the latest attempts at them failed.

The requests are also becoming repetitive. At this point, he couldn't even count how many Wyvern Eggs he'd transported.

("Man, it sure is getting boring...")

Swaying his body around on the creaking chair, Zeeg looked out through the window. A small black spot could be seen on the blue sky. Judging from its size, the boy assessed that it was a Yian Kut-Ku. Probably chased off by hunters somewhere out there, but there's no way it's coming to the city.

And suddenly, the boy thought about Freda.

A girl from the same village, Freda Esgrand is a lone hunter who was acknowledged by the legendary hunter of Kokoto, and was granted his sword.

Hunting in armor made from pale white hides of the Khezu, she had become an emotional inspiration for many hunters with her unrelenting determination.

However, that determination of hers is not fit for hunting together with others. Being determined to never give up-- That is what could lead to the death of her comrades, or even herself.

Despite that, she has never lost her goal of becoming a hero. Even after she was acknowledged by the people as a new hero, she continues to sharpen her skills and swing her sword in order to help those in need.

Freda once said to Zeeg that it's even more difficult for a hunter to keep on being just a hunter. Those are also the words of the Hero of Kokoto.

Those words proved to be true.

Although he has been fairly successful in hunting, he certainly fees less gratitude for such victories. Letting his guard down could still cost his life, of course. But he's starting to get used to even such risks.

("And that's no good at all.")

The boy also felt that the respect he once held for the monsters' lives has been waning.

Particularly the recent times, during which he's been hunting only for money and materials for his weapon.

And that goes against the original philosophy of hunters, which is to take lives only so that one's own kind could survive-- That was what he thought.

Maybe it's time to stop being a hunter and look for another way to live life-- Just as the boy considered it, he felt as if he was plunged down a dark, bottomless pit at his feet.

He broke into cold sweat.

It was a different feeling from when he was facing wyverns, but he was scared of it all the same.

It reminded him that there's no way he could possibly stop.

That there's no other way of life he could possibly choose.

Stop being a hunter, and his life ends-- What's left is only an empty shell. It's way too soon for that. Move on as long as his body is able, and dying in exhaustion at the hunting grounds.

That was the boy's ideal life of a hunter.

("C'mon, this isn't the time and place to complain about being bored!")

If one thinks so, then it'd be better to look for the reason and deal away with it.

Zeeg scolded himself, feeling quite embarrassed for being an eighteen-year-old brat who thinks he already knows everything in the world.

Pulling himself together, the boy tried to find out since when did he think things are becoming boring, and soon realized that there was no need to go so far back.

Half a year ago, when he hunted the Monoblos all alone, he was very much satisfied with his life.

Even while recalling it, his heart pounded in excitement.

Which would mean the when he'd started to feel bored would be after that point.

And so Zeeg remembered.

It was around the time his team's hunts started to not go well.

Although the real failures were from the latest few times, there were also a few close calls before then.

Around the same time, he also started feeling annoyed that Elmeria's strategies were becoming cowardly.

Normally, Zeeg and Elmeria would frequently get into minor arguments, but recently, it escalated way beyond the point of being able to laugh off.

The topics also changed. Changed to things concerning their hunts. Things that must be given serious thought.

But no matter how much input Zeeg gave, Elmeria would never listen to him. Gannon would always take her side, of course, and Fradio would always be fine whichever way.

All Fradio cares about is playing around with Gypceros, to the point that he doesn't seem to even want new weapons and armor-- unless they're new models created from Gypceros's Rubbery Hides, which makes him likely to be unconcerned about the team's failures.

But Zeeg was different.

Most importantly, it felt like he'd been hit with Ioprey poison, not getting his suggestions accepted even though he thought things would go better that way.

Zeeg then suddenly recalled what Elmeria said back at the gathering hall, feeling that he has finally thought of a way.

--This isn't your party! It's mine!!

That's what she said.

It's a party led by Elmeria, so she's naturally the one who calls the shots.

She's the one who looks for requests, and the one who decides whether or not to accept them. Although she does accept everyone's opinions to an extent, she is still the one who makes the final decision.

And in the first place, Zeeg being added to her party was something which stemmed off from the Guild Master's personal intervention. It's only natural that the girl is the one who decides their strategies.

("Oh c'mon, isn't it so simple?")

Zeeg felt clear-headed, as if something that's been possessing him had finally slipped off. As if the fog in his head had instantly lifted.

It was actually so simple. If he isn't liking it, then he'd be better off bowing out. It's not like he's being bound by any legal force or formal contract.

And then, he could make a new party-- A party with him as the leader, hunting in the way he wants.

Zeeg stood up, unable to contain the excitement in his heart-- the excitement he hasn't felt in quite a while.

His own party-- those words sounded so enchanting.

The boy has an interest in making a name for his party by making it one with a specific hunting policy, like the Crimson Avian Wings who have mastered the art of hunting Yian Kut-Ku, or the Giant Spiders who hold the policy of fighting neopterons exclusively.

There are also those who are wildly enthusiastic about specific wyverns such as Khezu or Gypceros. As for Zeeg himself, the wyvern he considers to be his most worthy opponent would be Rathalos.

The Rathalos, the wyvern of wyverns. The boy strongly regarded it as such.

No matter how many times one has faced it, they run the risk of losing a limb or even their life if they let their guard down for even a moment. Only when Zeeg faced such an opponent would his lukewarm blood boil in excitement.

If that's what he's going to be satisfied with, then his party would have to be trained through numerous smaller quests. Not the training of each individual, but training to work together as a party. Still, that is also part of the fun.

Perhaps the same was true for what Elmeria had been striving for in her party.

It's unfortunate, but that was not the same as what the boy had been striving for. Or rather, they have ended up not being the same along the way.

Still, it is what it is.

And that is why the boy isn't feeling at home.

("Alright! I'll create a party of my very own! In the way that I want it to be!")

However, gathering new comerades in this city would prove to be difficult.

Elmeria's party is quite famous around these parts. Skilled hunters would be wary of joining up with the boy who had just left such a team.

It pains him to admit it, but it's only natural that one would want to join Elmeria's party over his.

Althought it's quite an annoying thing he's thinking about, the boy is perfectly calm. Could this be what they call becoming more like a hunter?

Zeeg picked up the leather bag that he had thrown at the wall, checking its contents. Luckily, no bottles had been broken. Though the only other things in it were a change of clothes and tools for equipment maintenance.

Materials obtained during the hunt are being transported back separately, but he's not in immediate need to use anything. Them being delivered a little later is no problem at all.

Taking out the necessary items out of the item box and packing them into the bag, Zeeg then opened up the Guild Handbook and looked up the information on the other cities.

The closer to Minegarde, the better.

That is because there are many good hunting grounds around these parts. Although not same hunting grounds as the ones managed by this city's guild, they are still in the region of fertile lands.

The boy then wondered if Elmeria would be disappointed in him for leaving, but he was also convinced that it would not be the case.

Zeeg shook his head, sat down cross-legged on the floor, then kept on reading the handbook with much enthusiasm.

Elmeria groaned as light pierced through her eyelids. She felt as if her head had been stabbed by sharp needles.

She tried to lift her arm, heavy as it it had was being held down by ten people, to block her eyes from the light.

As she slowly breathed out, she was assaulted by the terrible stink of alcohol.

It's as if she'd been thrown into a beer barrel. As if the blood in her body had been fermented into the golden fluid.

"Young Mistress, I think it is about time you woke up."

Today, even Gannon's perfectly soothing voice sounded like a hammer knocking on a metal basin. The sound rang from her head down to her stomach.

The girl knew full well how she ended up in such a state.

That is, she's had too much to drink last night.

After all, she'd stayed at the gathering hall way up to dinnertime without even bathing, binge drinking until she'd forgotten what came next.

She couldn't even recall how much she'd drank. Nor what she'd been doing and saying during the time.

Getting up, she noticed that her armor had been removed, but her dirty undershirt had been left on as is. Of course, even Gannon wouldn't dare to remove the girl's clothes.

And Elmeria herself would definitely be opposed to let herself be seen naked, not even by a foster parent-- Or rather, especially a foster parent.

At any rate, right now, she's a total mess.

Her undershirt was all stained and reeked of beer, likely because she spilled them herself. This is definitely the reason she felt like she'd been in a beer barrel when she first woke up.

There were also dark red stains, likely blood, but unknown whether it's of herself or other people. From the quantity, there's no way it's from a monster.

When the girl tried to sweep her hair up, something struck her fingers.

Stuck to her hair were dirt and dried alcohol-- and also some other thing she couldn't quite make out. It'll take a lot of effort to get it back into shape-- The girl felt bored even thinking about the process.

Turning around to the window with swollen eyes, she could see Gannon in his usual dress suit, opening the curtains and tying them up with strings. His face was still wrapped in bandages, but it looks like they'd been replaced with new ones. The wrapping was neat and firm, unlike when Elmeria wrapped them for him.

"Would you like me to prepare some food?"

Only thinking about eating made the girl feel sick in her stomach, wanting to vomit out all the old stuff in there. But maybe because what the ate and drank last night were all digested, nothing came rushing out.

"No, I don't, but... Water..."

Whimpering out a hoarse voice that didn't even seem like her own, Elmeria was shocked. She felt stringy on the inside of her mouth. Gannon brought with him a pitcher and a small cup, pouring the water into the cup before passing it to the girl. She drank it, feeling the coolness spread throughout her mouth, and another faint, strange taste in her throat.

"...What's wrong with me?"

The girl asked while she was poured another cup of water.

"Slight overconsumption of beer, I would presume. Your demeanor was... less than admirable."

"Sorry."

The girl apologized meekly. Normally, she would never forget to watch her drinking limit. She'd been drinking moderately most of the time, even. But last night, she just couldn't stop. She would get riled up every time when thinking of Zeeg's attitude.

And of course, it's not that Elmeria doesn't care about the team's recent failures.

She might be seen as overly cautious from Zeeg's point of view, but for the girl, there's nothing better than ending things with nobody being injured.

For example, if the boy were to finish off the Rathian alone but lose an arm in the process, the victory wouldn't be worth it.

It might have been worth the price if the hunt were something that happens only once in a lifetime, but not for hunters who need to keep on hunting.

If she had to overdo things to the point of losing parts of her body, she would rather choose failure.

It is her job, after all.

She wondered, why didn't he get it? That was what grinded her gears, and before she knew it, she ended up trying to drink it off.

Passing her cup to Gannon, the girl let out a sigh.

After this, she most likely would need to talk it over with him. If she doesn't clearly teel Zeeg that she's not being a coward, he'll get seriously hurt sooner or later. The girl decided to do so.

But before that, she'd need to take a bath first.

There's no way she would go anywhere while reeking of alcohol like this. Especially going to confront Zeeg. No one knows what kind of jokes the boy would make-- Anyways, it's just unpleasant.

"Gannon, could you go heat up the bath?"

"Immediately."

Gannon bowed, then went out of the room, headed to meet the manager of the guest houses. Here, there is a separate bathroom for tenants of Queen Rooms to use, if they wish to do so.

Letting out another long sigh, Elmeria then turned around as she heard laughfer from the direction of the window.

It was Fradio, in his usual equipment that give off the impression of an executioner who is about to bring down the axe, crouching on the window frame like a monkey.

"I see that you're quite late to get up today."

"Got a little too much to drink, you see. I didn't even bathe... It's the worst."

"You're in quite the terrible shape, yes."

"I know, I know. You don't even have to tell me that."

Elmeria pouted.

While out on the last hunt, she didn't get to properly clean her body either. She might have managed somehow if it was a hunt in places with clean water like the Forest and Hills, but the last hunt took place in the Jungle. The air was damp, the temperature was high, and the river water was far from clean.

"You alright there, Fradio?"

"Me? But of course. I didn't drink much, you see. I also took a bath and made sure to eat my breakfast. I had scrambled eggs and sliced sausages grilled in plenty of cheese--"

"W-- Wait-- Stop!"

Elmeria raised her hands in a panic. Even listening to just that explanation made her feel sick in the stomach. The girl searched her memory to see whether or not did Fradio really not drink much, but she came up with nothing.

By chance, he could still be suffering hangover, but with his face hidden under that helmet, no one would be able to read his expression.

Feeling her nausea subside somewhat, Elmeria licked her lips a few times.

"Oh, yeah-- ...Where's that guy, by the way?"

"That guy?"

Fradio's red eyes blinked, and his head under the helmet decorated with goat-like horns tilted slightly.

Elmeria felt irritated once again. He's definitely feigning ignorance when he should be knowing full well what she was talking about. The man is one who would always stand between Elmeria and other people, mediating their relationships, but on the other hand, he has quite a bad habit of finding enjoyment in people's reactions to him messing with them.

"...I was talking about Zeeg. He hasn't shown his face yet, but if he's reflected on his attitude and isn't coming because he's to embarrassed... Well, I guess I'll have no choice but to forgive him."

"If it's him, he already went out of town."

Elmeria blinked in confusion.

Although those words were clearly delivered to her ears, it took a while for her body to react and shape the contents together into something comprehensible.

''Went out of town? What'd he mean, went out? Out for a walk or something? No, if that's the case, then Fradio wouldn't have said it in that manner''--

"Wh-- What's the meaning of this!?"

Before she knew it, the girl was already standing right next to the window. Under the glossy, rubbery mask, the look in Fradio's red eyes suggested that he's finding amusement in the situation.

"He went away somewhere this morning, on the first departing carriage. It wasn't a Hunter's Guild carriage, so he might have just went back to his village..."

Fradio reached under his mask and scratched his chin.

Went out of town! --As those words finally sank in and were fully interpreted, Elmeria immediately rushed out of her room. ''In other words, that guy ran away!''

"That-- That idiot--!"

Anger coiled around her chest like a wyvern's tail.

"Young Mistress, where--"

Ignoring the words of Gannon, whom she passed by at the room's entrance, Elmeria went out to the corridor. She ran on, rushing down the stairs heavily like a hunter knocking dirt off the soles of their shoes, then stopping at the Bishop Room Zeeg was renting.

She clenched her fist and knocked on the door, as if to smash it to pieces.

Although she knew full well that he already left, she couldn't help but come check this place first because she'd thought that he might have come back.

But there was no reply, as one would expect.

But perhaps he was in a hurry to come back and already fell asleep again. If so, then she'd knock until he waks up-- As Elmeria was about to raise her hand again, she was stopped by the manager, who came running upon hearing all the noise.

"If you're looking for the hunter who was using that room, he'd already moved out this morning!"

"Tell me where he went!"

Elmeria grabbed the manager by the collar of his shirt. The man's face immediately turned red, as if he'd been left drying out in the desert. The girl wasn't even sure why she was this angry. All she knew was that she couldn't calm down.

"I-- I don't know! Wouldn't it be better to go ask Becky!? She's the one who manages the hunters going in and going out, not me!"

Clicking her tongue, Elmeria then let go of the manager, but in a manner closer to shoving him aside.

Although she'd intended to do it lightly, she unintentionally exerted a little too much force. His back hitting the door, the man then moaned in pain as he laid there.

Turning her back on him, Elmeria then rushed down another flight of stairs. The lower-ranked hunters peeked out of their rooms to see what's going on, then promptly looked the other way as the girl turned to glare at them. And so, she exited the guest house.

As bright light shone down from the clear blue sky, as if to inform the girl that it was already past noon.

She felt dizziness and a sharp pain as her head throbbed, as if there was another heart beating inside. Although she would normally find the commotion in the market be likeable, right now those sounds only served to grate her ears. She plowed her way through the noise, putting up with them the best she could.

Her anger at Zeeg for leaving without saying a word, and the question of why he did so, were the things that kept her feet moving.

Elmeria swung open the gathering hall's door and went inside, then immediately felt like vomiting as she was hit with the stink of tobacco and alcohol.

All the daytime drinkers directed their lines of sight at the girl. Likely because her face was in a shambles. Although she herself had yet to look in the mirror, judging from the looks she got, she must have looked as broken as a corpse.

Heading straight to the counter, Becky waved her hand as she saw her. The woman's carefree attitude, too, was rubbing Elmeria the wrong way today.

Managing to limp her way there, the girl clung on to the counter and looked at Becky. The woman's expression suggested that she already knew what the girl wanted to ask.

"Sorry, but I can't tell you where Zeeg went."

"Why not!?"

As Elmeria slammed her fist on the shiny black countertop, the whole gathering hall fell silent, as if it was turned into a wyvern's lair. Becky was unfazed, only shugging her shoulders.

"Did Zeeg ask you not to...?"

The girl asked, for some reason, in a fearful voice. Becky thought about it for a while before saying yes.

Feeling strength draining from her knees, Elmeria felt like sitting down on the spot. She felt humiliated, that she was still barely standing only thanks to her hands clinging to the countertop. She felt a myriad of emotions, none of which were anger nor frustration, draining away the strength from her body.

"Now, I knew something was up when he left without saying a word, but I'm sure he thought it through."

Becky said, as she helped Elmeria stay up by grabbing her arm.

"It'd be quite hard for him to part ways with you guys otherwise, don't you think?"

"Then why'd he even go away in the first place!? Isn't that strange!?"

The girl just doesn't get it.

Sure, they did get into a big argument, so it was understandable that he wouldn't want to meet her for the time being. But leaving the party without saying anything and going away from this city just like that was quite excessive.

"Without us, he would've been eaten by some monster already! I can't believe he's returning the favor by doing this! What a disgrace to the hunters' reputation of loyalty!"

Becky sighed.

"Now, I'm not saying I don't understand how you feel about all this, but Zeeg didn't violate any of the guild's regulations. Hunters team up for huts, remember? They're obligated by rule to stay during the hunt, but after the quest was done, the party is immediately considered dissolved by the guild. After that, it's up to each hunter to choose who they team up with next or where they go-- Well, that's speaking in a technical sense, of course."

Elmeria looked at Becky, in a manner closer to glaring.

Although the girl knew that venting it out on Becky wouldn't do any good, she couldn't help but feel annoyed at being taught something she already knew full well.

"Elmeria. Do you really not know why he did that?"

"...No, I don't."

She said that not because she was being stubborn, but because she truly did not know. Arguments were their daily routine. Those disagreements being the reason is, at this point, inconceivable. Not even what happened yesterday. After all, there have been worse instances before, including once when they stepped forward and proceeded to duke it out, which Gannon had to break up.

Becky leaned forward on the counter and shut her lips close. It was so that the other hunters wouldn't hear what she was about to say.

"Yesterday, you said this to him, right? --That it's not his party, but yours?"

The girl had a feeling that she did.

But then she wondered, so what? Wasn't she just stating a fact?

That thought of hers must have leaked out somehow, seeing that Becky is having quite a troubled expression painted on her face.

"That's exactly why. Zeeg must have realized that he won't be able to hunt in the way he likes if he's going to stay in your party. The fight yesterday was because of this, too, wasn't it?"

The girl finally made the connection.

Lately, she was getting irritated at Zeeg for often doing things at his own accord. But now she understands that the boy was also getting irritated with her as well.

"...That guy just doesn't get it."

Elmeria said, as if spitting the words out. That's right. He just doesn't get it at all. What it means to be leading a party.

It means to shoulder the responsibility to the lives of others.

Hunters are still their own individuals, of course. They still are responsible for their own lives. But when teaming up for a hunt, the leader's decisions can also affect their lives as well.

Although the leader is not obligated to take responsibility for any deaths and injuries, the wound would still remain in their hearts. Zeeg still has no idea how deep that wound could be.

"I know what you're thinking, Elmeria. But I'm sure also know that you can't control how Zeeg feels, right? Any hunter would want a party of their own at some point. It's just that kind of time for Zeeg, that's all. Besides, I think it's better for you this way, at least for now."

"...What do you mean?"

"Well, aren't your recent failures a result of being too careful? --Being too careful about getting Zeeg into danger?"

Elmeria had goosebumps when those words entered her ears.

She'd never thought about it that way. The girl tried to laugh it off, but she could feel her head stiffening up. The look on her face suggested that it's nothing like that, but her body language, on the other hand, seemed to confirm what Becky just said as the truth.

Becky gently patted Elmeria's hand, as if trying to console her.

"Now, it's not like you won't get to meet him ever again. But since things are still pretty awkward, I'd say that you shouldn't try to contact him for a while. I think this is an important time for him to spend on his own, too."

The girl understood what Becky wanted to say.

What she meant was, if Zeeg truly wants to have a party of his own, it'd be better for Elmeria not to oppose him. This is so that he wouldn't do things recklessly out of spite.

She understood it well.

But even though she understood, it didn't mean she could calm herself down. And so, instead of giving any response, Elmeria ordered some beer, binge drinking right there until it went dark.

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Monster Hunter:Volume3 Chapter2

2018-06-25T09:28:59Z

Barnnn:

== Chapter 2 - Setting off Alone ==

[[File:MH-v03-002.jpg|300px|thumb]]

"Excuse me..."

Called upon by a distant voice from beyond the dream world, Becky straightend up as she felt her consciousness being pulled back together.

Just a little longer and she would have gotten to eat that extra-large rolled Rathian egg, but it was taken away at the last moment.

A registration book dropped loudly onto the floor. With sleepy eyes, she looked on as it filpped open.

She wondered, how many times has it been now?

It had fallen so many times that the corners were all dented. Although it wouldn't be so difficult even in her sleep to grab it while it was falling, it would be annoying if someone were to make a fuss out of it.

As she picked up the registration book and yawned casually, the same voice could be heard once again.

Turning around, a young man was standing in front of the gathering hall's counter.

His approximate age should be... eighteen or nineteen? He was a new face, and seemed to be quite restless as he cautiously minded his surroundings.

His face had a childish look, and he seemed to be well-raised, with tall stature and solid build.

Not only that, his way of standing with a bent back made him stand out unnecessarily.

In this kind of place, looking like that is dangerous. It's like having a sign saying "I'm a newbie" hanging from one's neck. He might have difficulties in finding companions, but worse than that, he might lose his life from being tricked into doing something beyond his level.

Becky readjusted her hat, which is part of her uniform, before standing up and turning to face the counter. She then habitually wiped the counter's surface, which has gained a black luster from absorbing a multitude of alcohol over the years.

While visiting hunters at this time are scarce as it is before sundown, there are those who were here all day, loitering and drinking since morning without heading off to hunt. The hall's interior reeks of tobacco smoke and alcohol all year long, which can make some people drunk from the atmosphere alone.

Because of that, the boy's face going all red is not from nervousness alone. And judging from his demeanor, he seems to be from some urban area. As of late, more and more young ones with

such origins seem to be turning up. They are the kind who come with admiration of the hunting occupation, as there have been increased opportunities of seeing monsters in the safety of cities.

That in itself is not a bad thing. They own their lives and the right to choose their path. They have the fortune to work towards a future of their own choosing, one with value enough to risk their lives for.

For them, the guild will offer as much assistance as it can.

There is always the possibility that skilled hunters are hiding among those people, and ones with such skills will be a great asset to the guild. For that reason, being from an urban area is never a reason for the guild to turn someone away.

"Welcome."

As Becky said with a smile, the boy reddened up even more-- a favorable impression for her.

It just couldn't be helped that the boy's line of sight has dropped down to the woman's chest. It is only natural for boys his age, and the boy himself turned away soon enough. She finds this kind of innocence to be quite likeable.

Among hunters, there are many who is of the rowdy, uninhibited types. Although she could take care of them if they were to come forward, she wouldn't be albe to keep the gathering hall under control if she were to worry about every little thing.

"So, on what businesses have you come here today?"

"Ah, um... I'd like to register as a hunter, please..."

It was hard to comprehend those words as his voice blended in with all the background drunken laughter, but it was better that way.

That is because, among those who don't head out to hunt, there are ones who will never miss an opportunity to lecture newcomers.

The types that tries to scam newcomers into buying stuff would be promptly thrown out, but most are of the type that do nothing but boast about their past exploits or give unhelpful advice.

The Guild Master told her to just ignore them, but Becky herself has always wanted to do rid the guild of those people.

Another reason is that most of them are the type to drink on the tab.

When it's time to pay up, she would kick their asses and send them away to work on a suitable quest, but among them are those who would leave without ever coming back.

Such is a possibility of a hunter's life, but it dampens her mood all the same when it happens.

Becky took out a different registration book from under the counter, opened it to a new page, placed it on the countertop, and pushed it towards the boy.

"Read what's written here, then sign if you agree to comply with all the terms, alright? Do you have an introduction letter?"

"No... Um... Am I supposed to bring one...?"

"No, no, you don't have to-- Anyway, make sure you read everything carefully."

"Y-- Yes..."

The boy cast his eyes down on the registration book and started reading intently, just as he was told to.

Seeing that his equipment was of the Velociprey set, apparent from their dull blue color, he seems to not be a complete beginner. Still, one must not jump to conclusions. There still is the possibility that they were not manufactured from materials he had gathered himself.

The weapon on his waist was the Bonespike, a one-handed sword.

Its primary components were monster bones, making it lightweight and wieldy, but less durable than metal swords. However, it has upgrade potential, able to be turned into the embodiment of a fire wyvern's power if done right.

Before long, the boy nodded vigorously, raised his face up, and began looking around for something.

Becky passed him the fountain pen and ink bottle that was on the countertop. A faint, bashful smile appeared on the boy's lips as he received them and signed down his name.

He's called Brass Lagoon, apparently.

"Alright, Brass, next up is this."

Becky took out a yet another registration book, placing it before the boy.

Under normal circumstances, handling new guild registrations would be the Guild Master's job, but it was entrusted to Becky for today. The Guild Master has had too much to drink the previous day, and is now still asleep in his room.

Brass wrote down his information as the book prompted him to, showing no doubts in them. Age, gender, and most proficient weapon-- the basic profile.

The guild assigns jobs to hunters based on those information. There are no particular issues with writing down false information, but if that were the case, they might end up paying for it with their lives.

"...Done."

"Alright, thanks."

Becky took the registration book and scanned it over. Brass was younger than what his first suggested, being only sixteen years of age. But of course, hunters of that age aren't nonexistent. Besides, this world is a competition, and starting early is sure to give an advantage, or at least, the chance to do over.

On the column for past hunting experience, it was written that he had hunted several Yian Kut-Kus back at his home region.

"Have you ever been on a Rathalos hunt?"

As Becky asked that, Brass anxiously knit his brows and shook his head.

"Um... Do I have to...?"

"No, no."

And so it's confirmed that he's a genuine beginner. If he doesn't carefully choose who he teams up with, it'll be all downhill from there. Furthermore, in the miscellaneous column, he'd written that he's handy for support roles, and that he has three Books of Combos with him.

"...So, why have you become a hunter?"

Becky asked as she was about to close the registration book. The reasons for coming to register as hunters greatly depend on each individual. Although they're generally here to make a living, she had a feeling that this boy is different.

"Um... I... I'm here to prove something."

"Prove? Prove what?"

"That I'm not a coward."

Although the boy declared as such, he was still like a frightened rabbit.

Surely, this line of work isn't where cowards thrive. It requires a great deal of courage to face wyverns so large that they could swallow a person in one gulp.

Fear saps strength away from the limbs, and takes away freedom of movement from the body. Such is what happens to hunters no matter their degree of mastery, as they are involuntary reactions of the flesh, not impulses of the heart.

It's understandable that if he had the courage to face a Rathalos, then he wouldn't be called a coward. But of course, he has to come back from it alive, too.

"That's good."

Becky closed the registration book and smiled. Ones who are aware of their own fears are ones who have the makings of a good hunter. That is because they know who themselves are. If he comes back alive, his experiences will accumulate well-- But then again, if he were to be overly cautious, then that would make him truly a coward.

"...Alright, you're all set with the registration. Your hunter rank may still be Ranger-- the lowest level-- but do your best out there."

"Y-- Yes!"

This time, his face being red was probably not due to shyness, but rather anxiety, anticipation, and excitement.

Becky then passed him his guild card and told him where to find the guest house. He'd be surprised, that's for sure.

The rooms to accommodate new hunters are more or less equal to animal coops, after all.

If he's unable to stand just that, then he'd be unfit for the hunter's line of work, where one has to camp out and go multiple days straight without bathing while out hunting.

The boy took the guild card and held it to his chest, said his thanks and bowed, then picked up his luggage and headed for the gathering hall's exit.

Seeing the hunters who entered at the same time as the boy made his exit, a faint frown appeared on Becky's brows.

The air was heavy, filled with the mood of uneasiness.

Brass tried to avoid them, but his luggage bumped into one among them. The boy bowed to apologize, but it seemed like the group hadn't noticed him at all.

Leading the crew was a girl with a stern expression painted on her face, and a massive hammer, the rare Breath Core, on her back.

They were the party led by Elmeria Franport.

Behind her was the veteran hunter Gannon Denon, wearing armor with giant horns on its shoulder pads. Following him was Fradio Heart, the hunter who never takes off that Gypceros Cap of his;

he had recently turned thirty according to the registration. The last to enter was Zeeg Grandest, carrying his helmet in his arms, with an ill-tempered expression.

("I wonder what happened?")

Usually, those four aren't the type of hunters to show such attitudes.

The other hunters reacted to them, sensitive to the irregularity in the atmosphere. But it was somewhat mitigated by the fact that commotions are commonplace in the gathering hall.

The split between Elmeria and Zeeg were especially bad. They were like melting iron bars.

With the expression of discouragement of their faces, the quartet headed straight for the counter, stopping right before Becky. They probably came in here right after arriving in town. It was apparent from the dust on their armor, and their sour body odor that came mixed in with the stink alcohol.

"...Sorry, we failed."

Elmeria said, as if just throwing it out.

Becky immediately knew that she was referring to the Rathian subjugation contract, which they committed to.

Of course, if they were successful, their expressions would be far more merry compared how they looked when they came in. Even for Fradio, whose facial expression remains unseen, a difference be noticed from the look in his eyes. Although he seems to be finding amusement in the current group dynamics, he certainly isn't satisfied with it.

"I see."

Becky said, while picking out the quest registration book.

This kind of thing is not that big of a deal. It may be unusual for the likes of Elmeria, but wyvern hunts don't usually end in success. They are just that dangerous, so to speak.

A Rathian that's taking care of its young are especially brutal, to the point of being untouchable. And in this case, it was a Rathian that had just retired from its motherhood, which would probably mean its extra ferocity was still remaining-- That was what Becky thought, but she recalled that this is not the only time Elmeria's party hasn't been able to fulfill their requests.

If memory serves her right, they must have failed their previous quest, and the one before that as well.

Becky opened the registration book and checked the quest details. One quest was to hunt two Basarios, and the other was to gather Powderstone. The Bararios quest was abandoned mid-way because Elmeria was injured, and during the Powderstone quest, they seemed to have timed out due to spending too much time driving away a Rathalos.

Putting down the registration book, Becky then looked at Elmeria and her team. Although it's unknown what happened, the accumulated friction among them was apparent. Zeeg and Elmeria aren't

even looking at each other at all, and Fradio seems to be quite fed up with such state of affairs.

"Thanks for your hard work... But too bad, the contract fee can't be refunded. Do your best next time, too."

Elmeria nodded, without a shred of enthusiasm. In a plausible state of an undefeated hunter who suffered repeated defeats, as if being stuck in a bottomless swamp of disappointment.

One would think things will be fine since they have the veteran hunter Gannon Denon with them, but as it turns out, it is not necessarily the case.

"Want something to drink?"

As Becky asked her, Elmeria only ordered some food and alcohol over her shoulder and headed to a table. Gannon and Fradio followed her, saying nothing. Looking at them go, Zeeg clicked his tongue in annoyance, but went after them all the same, taking a seat diagonally opposite to Elmeria.

Becky passed the order of Aptonoth-Bullfango Ground Meat Sausage and Pickled Vegetables to the kitchen, then took a look at the party's savings in an account book.

In general, hunters do not carry their cash with them. The possibility of theft exists if they were left at the guest house, and if they were lost at the hunting grounds, it wouldn't be something one could just cry off.

And because of that, the guild offers its services to keep and manage their money.

For the most part, if the hunters were directly paid their rewards, the money would be all turned into alcohol and food, right on the spot.

Although it is profitable for the gathering hall, there would be none left for upgrading weapons and armor, increasing the number of hunters who are unable to tackle bigger challenges.

Such circumstance is undesirable for the Hunter's Guild.

So for that reason, and also to avoid unnecessary trouble among hunters as result of theft, the guild offers to temporarily keep their money and manage their payments in their place.

Becky swiftly flipped over the account book and checked Elmeria's balance.

She had sunk a considerable amount into polishing up the Breath Core, resulting in her savings going below even those of the average rookies for a time, but right now it seems to have come back to the usual level.

The same goes for the other three.

Especially Zeeg, who seems to have some sort of goal he's working towards, apparent from his accumulating savings and him barely doing any shopping. He's probably gathering what he needs on-site.

A female guild employee, wearing the uniform called the Maiden set, came in through the back door and placed a set of report documents on the counter.

The report concerns the hunt which Elmeria's team had just came back from.

Showing little interest, Becky picked it up and scanned over it. According to what's been written in the report, the cause of failure was being too cautious. Apparently, the Rathian got away as much as three times, and the party wasn't able to finish it in the end.

Looking at the whole picture, Becky suspected that Gannon's injury was perhaps another reason.

Under the helmet, his face could be seen wrapped in bandages over the left eye. Hit by Rathian poison, according to the written report. Although he must have received prompt treatment, things are still uncertain, since it did get into his eye.

"Food's ready!"

Called by a voice from the kitchen, Becky closed the account book and stood up, pushed open the hinged door, and took the food platter. It was filled to the brim with grilled sausages, giving off quite the nice smell. Only a slight movement of the platter would cause the sausages' casing to burst open, sending meat juices gushing out, and also causing the uniquely sweet smell of meat to drift off.

Becky held the platter with one hand, and with the other, she nimbly picked up four mugs by their ears, used one of their rims to knock off the beer barrel stopper, then filled the mugs with the alcohol that came pouring out.

When all the mugs were filled, she used one of their rims again to put the stopper back in place, then pushed open with her rear the hinged door between the counter and the hall, and headed to the table where Zeeg and the others were seated.

Each one of them-- except Fradio-- had already taken off their helmets, but it seems that they still haven't said a word to each other.

Although an air of uneasiness is surrounding them, it is quite a normal occurrence for parties that had just returned from a failed quest.

"Sorry to have kept you waiting. These are some good stuff for filling up your stomachs with, eh?"

Becky said, and placed the platter on the shiny black table.

No matter how bad one's mood, even if to the point of nauseating, hunger always prevail. Even more so if one hasn't had a proper meal for close to a week while they're out at the hunting grounds.

The most they could have eaten out there would be grilled salt-cured meat, or mushrooms and honey gathered on-site.

They were nothing compared to these sausages, which has been brought to its best flavors by a variety of spices.

And above all else, this place has the booze.

Moderately chilled beer-- it's the one thing that can't be surpassed.

The four hunters dropped all their thoughts, even if only briefly, as they picked up their mugs. They chugged down the contents-- the golden nectar under the thick bubbling cloud, so bitter yet so sweet.

"Kuhaah--!"

Exhaling in a manner that made her look like an old lady, Elmeria banged her mug down on the table, paying no mind to any beer that might have spilled off.

Even Zeeg, who usually doesn't even drink beer, is drinking quite a lot today.

Seeing them in that state, Becky broke off from their table and headed back to the counter, pulling out a large teddy bear and holding it in her arms.

But it seemed that Zeeg and the others hadn't noticed her doing so.

Each of them, with forks in hand, started tackling the sausages. The sound of those forks piercing the smoking hot casings could be clearly heard, even in the bustling gathering hall.

Life returned to Elmeria's disheartened face, her cheeks turning back to the color of brilliant rose red.

Even so, all of them still kept silent, which is quite the unusual occurrence.

When one is faced with failure, it is only natural that they would spend time to reflect in silence. But it doesn't seem to be the case for the team, at least for today.

Becky rested her chin on the teddy bear's head and looked around, noticing that most of the other hunters were staring intently at Zeeg and the crew.

In this City of Minegarde, those four are quite famous.

Not only had Elmeria attained a high Hunter Rank at such a yound age, she had also obtained the Breath Core, a hammer so rare that it might as well be considered a myth, not to mention that it was yet to be recreated by current technology. As for Zeeg, he was able defeat a Monoblos by himself-- an impressive feat considering that he had started his career just a year and a half prior.

Although young hunters have been increasing in number lately, there are not many who soared up the ladders like those two. Before getting to that point, most of them would lose their lives, give up and return to their hometown, or play it safe and gradually sharpen their skills.

But those two were blessed with luck. Natural talent also playd a part, of course, but without skilled senior hunters to guide them on their way, they probably wouldn't have come close to the level they currently are on.

And because of that, their recent string of failures are catching the interest of everyone.

That includes the guild, too.

Since the points that dictate each hunter's ranks were automatically granted for every party member upon completing a quest, if someone like Gannon were to do the most work, then the raking system would not be indicative of each individual's skills.

But of course, Becky herself doesn't doubt Elmeria and Zeeg's individual skills, and if she were to be ordered to write up a report, she would write it as such. Her opinion would act as a verification of their abilities, at least to an extent.

Besides, they were only one step away from finishing off the Rathian. The problem was that they couldn't take that one last step.

As Becky watched over them dragging on their silence, she noticed one drunk hunter swaying up from his seat, approaching the four.

The hunter was a young one, his face in deep red due to intoxication.

Becky recalled that the young man once tried to court Elmeria, which only resulted in him being given the cold shoulder. His armor was of the Vespoid set, crafted from shells of the giant bug monster Vespoid, and on his back was a set of lance and shield.

This time, Becky doesn't intervene immediately. She would come forward if the fight escalated to the point of weapons being drawn, of course, but hunters are as used to fist fights as saying their greetings.

"Ya guys~ Failed 'nother quest, eh~~?"

The young man said, brushing up the forelock that got in the way of his eyes. Elmeria and Zeeg stopped their hands. The young man rambled on, unaware of the situation.

"Like ay~e saiddd~ you should just join up with us~~ And thennn~ I-- wiuugh--!?"

Two forks, both with sausages stil on them, flew into the his gaping mouth like straight arrows.

They were thrown at the same time by Elmeria and Zeeg, with magnificent precision. If the sausages weren't still on them, they probably would have pierced the inside of the young man's mouth. And probably because he had come to such realization, the young man fell on his buttocks, his face changing from red to pale blue as he swiftly backed away.

Elmeria and Zeeg both let out a sigh, then, at the same time, reached out to the platter, stopping when their hands bumped into each other. This time, it was not due to feelings like shyness.

With them glaring at each other like that, they only gave the impression of being mutual enemies.

"...So, you reflected on any of that?"

Zeeg was the first to fire a shot. His words gave the impression of bottled up feelings finally bursting off.

"Reflect?"

Elmeria returned fire, letting out an arrogant snort. Licking off the meat juices from her fingers, she then wiped her hand on the table.

"I don't have anything I need to be reflecting on."

"What do you mean?"

Zeeg's hands, rested on the table, clenched into fists.

"What, you don't know? Didn't we end up like this because you were acting on your own?"

"And when did I act on my own!?"

"Well, didn't you totally do that!?"

Zeeg knocked his fist on the table, and as if doing so in retaliation, Elmeria bagned her mug on a wooden tray.

The platter and the sausages in it sprung up, but the two adults of the group paid it no mind as they continued eating and drinking in silence. They would definitely intervene when push comes to shove, but now is not the time.

Ignoring that those two adults were even there, Zeeg and Elmeria both leaned forward as they glared at each other.

"What did I do, huh!?"

"Well aren't you the one who always jump in on your own!? Like when we were hunting the Basarios, didn't you ignore what we said and kept on swinging that sword!? Thanks to that, our teamwork was totally ruined! And I also got hurt!!"

"Wasn't that because you didn't say things clearly!? I mean, sure, cornering them one by one is important! But isn't it ridiculous when we can't finish off even one of them after half a day!? We had less time than usual to do that quest, you know!? If you're not satisfied, then why didn't you be more decisive!?"

"Isn't that obviously to minimize danger and maximize benefits!? Don't you get it!?"

To vent off her frustration, Elmeria banged her mug on the table again and again.

"Look, what's most important to hunters is to come back alive! And to make sure everyone's safe, isn't it obvious that it'd take up more time!?"

"Yeah, that's right! But! There's a difference between prioritizing survival and being a coward, you know!"

Elmeria stiffened up slightly.

"...So you're saying I'm a coward...?"

"Th-- That's right!"

As he said that, Zeeg's face suggested self-awareness of going too far, but he was probably too stubborn to pull back from what he'd decided to do. After the first word was out, all the

feelings he'd bottled up burst forth, as if a dam had been breached. He was unstoppable.

"You've been way too careful lately! You're thinking about so many things in your head, but aren't there a lot more that you wouldn't know for sure if you're not in the real action!?

Planning things through back at camp is important and all, but if our prey ran away, then what good would all those strategies do!? What is the purpose of us hunters!? Isn't it to hunt things!?"

Elmeria's face turned redder and redder. But not due to alcohol. Those lips of hers quivered, turning red like strawberry as she bit them down.

Zeeg averted his eyes from the girl and chugged down his beer. He then scowled, likely because of the bitter taste.

"...Th-- That kind of thing-- You didn't even need to tell me..."

Before long, Elmeria spoke up in a shivering voice. Becky observed that her shaking must be coming from something other than anger.

That is because Zeeg's words totally hit bull's eye.

They all line up with the report documents, which stated that Elmeria's recent actions have been overly cautious.

She used to lean more toward the daring type.

And in the first place, the party was supposed to be relying on Gannon to draw the monsters' attention, and also to compensate for Elmeria's boldness. If the primary attacker were to chicken out, then getting good results would surely be difficult.

"But--!!"

As Elmeria said that, her eyes slightly watered up. At first glance, one might say that she's just drunk, but looking more closely, it's also possible that she was on the verge of bursting into tears.

"The party's leader is me! I'm the one who decides how we hunt! Don't get any ideas!! This isn't your party! It's mine!!"

This time, the one whose facial expression changed was Zeeg.

He could get up and punch Elmeria at any moment now-- That was what his expression suggested.

Becky then noticed Gannon, who seems to be pretending to not hear a thing, but is actually keeping a sharp ear on the situation, and is clearly prepared to break a few bones in an instant if the boy were to make a move.

Although it's unknown whether or not Zeeg is aware of the large man, he soon sat back down and looked up at the ceiling, then took a deep, slow breath.

He then reached for the platter, picking up a sausage and popped it into his mouth, then made a bitter face as he chugged down all of his remaining beer in one go. After all that, he stood up from his seat.

"Wh-- Where do you think you're going?"

Elmeria's voice was audibly discomposed. She's likely wondering why the boy is standing up all of a sudden.

"...Back to my room. I'm taking a bath."

Saying that, Zeeg picked up his Rathalos Helm and the luggage at his feet, then turned away from the table. The Lacerator Blade+ on his back, plastered with dirt, rang a metallic chime as it swayed around.

Elmeria did nothing to stop him.

Zeeg walk away alone without looking back again, exiting the gathering hall.

He didn't greet Becky on his way out-- another rare occurrence. Although she definitely was there, the boy probably didn't notice her. His face suggested that he was lost deep in thought.

"...What the-- What's up with him?"

Elmeria chugged down her beer, then wiped off the bubbles around her mouth. Then, she looked at Gannon and Fradio. She was looking for reassurance that she was not in the wrong.

And just as she expected, Gannon nodded as if to say that the girl was right. Elmeria's expression lightened up, but Becky felt apprehensive about such an attitude.

Gannon has always had quite a soft spot for Elmeria.

Although he's just technically carrying on his duty for the aristocrats to whom he's indebted, in a prectical sense, their relationship seem to be one between a mentor and his student. But on the other hand, the relationship between a young mistress and a loyal retainer is still there. Not absolute obedience, but quite close to it.

But he's getting too old for this.

There's no way he can be a hunter forever. The day will come when Elmeria has to lead her party by herself. Up to now, there are many times when things went well only because she's had Gannon there to watch her back. But is the girl aware of that?

Surely, listening to what the leader says is key to a successful hunt. If each individual were to act on their own, then there wouldn't be any reason to team up.

But that doesn't mean rigid rules could be enforced. There are no social statuses for hunters, after all.

Even though the guild has a ranking system, it was created so that one could only accept jobs appropriate for them, and not as a social status. The differences in lodgings and food, too, were enforced as motivation factors for hunters, and a way for the guild to show confidence in them. And still, a beginner wouldn't even be able to pay rent for the better rooms anyway. Preventing them from renting in the first place also serves as a preemptive measure to unwanted complaints.

From Elmeria's attitude when she spoke to Zeeg, she was obviously putting him lower than herself. It was natural that Zeeg would get angry. The girl not realizing that she was doing so is a problem, and it falls to Gannon to be mindful of such things.

But he didn't say anything about it, and even went so far as to nod in approval to the girl's actions. At this rate, she would never realize her mistakes. Which raises some concerns of danger down the line, if she intends to keep on being a hunter.

As for Fradio, he's still doing things at his own leisure, as if unconcerned by the exchange that had just happened. Still eating the sausages, inserting them under that rubber mask of his, so as to not show his face.

Because the guild has always held the policy of not prying into hunters' personal backgrounds, the man remains an enigma. But all that matters is his skill. Though Becky herself has to admit that she's curious.

"That guy just doesn't get it! He doesn't get it at all! Right!?"

Elmeria leaned further and further forward in Gannon and Fradio's direction, expecting them to agree with her, but she also seemed to not be expecting them to reply.

"He's letting things go to his head! Hunted a Monoblos!? So what!? If he can't hunt one after sticking with us for a year and a half, then he'd be better off going back to the sticks! Isn't that right!? That stubborn little... stubborn... little...!!"

Frowning so hard that her forehead wrinkled, Elmeria banged her mug loudly on the table. She then held it up high and waved it around.

"--Becky, bring me more beer!"

"Alright, coming right up."

Becky tucked her Sleepy Bear away on the other side of the counter, then stepped out to collect the empty mugs. "Anyone else want refills?" she asked, and the customers on other tables here and there raised their hands.

She then turned back to the counter, signaling other waitresses to come out and collect the mugs.

The skirt of their uniforms were slightly shorter than Becky's. As they went around to confirm the orders of other tables, Becky came to take the mug off Elmeria's hand and smiled,

"Beer refill for you, right? --Want to order some food to go with it, too?"

"Damn it all!"

Zeeg shouted as he threw the luggage he was carrying at the wall.

Without bouncing back, a blunt impact sounded as the leather bag fell to the floor.

Some medicine bottles inside could have been broken, but the boy paid it no mind. His priority was on venting his irritation.

But that did nothing to cool down his anger, which continued to erupt forth like molten rock.

Catching sight of the properly made bed, Zeeg's fingers wriggled. He raised his hand, reached for his back, took hold of his great sword's handle, and glared at the bed.

He wondered, how would he feel if he were to smash the bed to pieces with a sword as powerful as a wyvern's jaw? Chips of wood would scatter around, and the mattress' plumage would disperse in the air. Looking at such a scene could help calm his nerves.

But the boy ceased such thoughts. Considering the clean-up afterwards, it'd result in more trouble than it's worth.

Where Zeeg is currently staying is called the Bishop Room, decorated with a good amount of high-grade appliances and furniture. It's easy to break them to pieces, but as the boy is currently burdened by expenses left and right, it would hurt to increase them.

Sighing heavily, Zeeg took the great sword off his back and hung it on the wall, then took a seat on the chair.

Although the Rathalos armor is lightweight compared to metal armor due to being created primarily from wyvern shells, it is quite heavy nonetheless. The chair creaked faintly, as if it was about to scream. The boy felt that it could break apart if he moved his body too much, but he didn't want to lay down on the bed while wearing dirty armor.

("Dammit...")

Putting his helmet down on the round table, Zeeg then unfastened his hair strap. The dusty black hair was let down, releasing a greasy stink and making the boy feel itchy as it touched his cheeks.

He noticed that his hair has grown quite long.

The hair strap in his palm was one of the things be brought with him when he first left the village. It was decorated with a scale of the first Yian Kut-Ku he had defeated.

Compared to back then, he has improved quite a lot, if he says so himself. He felt like writhing in embarrassment as he recalled his immaturity, like a fruit on the verge of ripening, so full of hope and energy.

Compared to back then, what about now?

What opinion does he have on himself?

Being able to hunt a Monoblos by himself at least suggests that he has skills. Not that he's meaning to boast, but he has proof of it in the form of the wyvern's remains. He's also earned enough recognition that he'd recieved some requests of which the clients wanted to be done by him specifically.

But he's seeing no fun in them.

He has a feeling that at this point, he'd hunted every known monster at least once.

The piscine wyvern Plesioth, said to boast the largest size among all wyverns, and even the armor wyvern Gravios. He had also hunted a number of Basarios and Rathians, even though the latest attempts at them failed.

The requests are also becoming repetitive. At this point, he couldn't even count how many Wyvern Eggs he'd transported.

("Man, it sure is getting boring...")

Swaying his body around on the creaking chair, Zeeg looked out through the window. A small black spot could be seen on the blue sky. Judging from its size, the boy assessed that it was a Yian Kut-Ku. Probably chased off by hunters somewhere out there, but there's no way it's coming to the city.

And suddenly, the boy thought about Freda.

A girl from the same village, Freda Esgrand is a lone hunter who was acknowledged by the legendary hunter of Kokoto, and was granted his sword.

Hunting in armor made from pale white hides of the Khezu, she had become an emotional inspiration for many hunters with her unrelenting determination.

However, that determination of hers is not fit for hunting together with others. Being determined to never give up-- That is what could lead to the death of her comrades, or even herself.

Despite that, she has never lost her goal of becoming a hero. Even after she was acknowledged by the people as a new hero, she continues to sharpen her skills and swing her sword in order to help those in need.

Freda once said to Zeeg that it's even more difficult for a hunter to keep on being just a hunter. Those are also the words of the Hero of Kokoto.

Those words proved to be true.

Although he has been fairly successful in hunting, he certainly fees less gratitude for such victories. Letting his guard down could still cost his life, of course. But he's starting to get used to even such risks.

("And that's no good at all.")

The boy also felt that the respect he once held for the monsters' lives has been waning.

Particularly the recent times, during which he's been hunting only for money and materials for his weapon.

And that goes against the original philosophy of hunters, which is to take lives only so that one's own kind could survive-- That was what he thought.

Maybe it's time to stop being a hunter and look for another way to live life-- Just as the boy considered it, he felt as if he was plunged down a dark, bottomless pit at his feet.

He broke into cold sweat.

It was a different feeling from when he was facing wyverns, but he was scared of it all the same.

It reminded him that there's no way he could possibly stop.

That there's no other way of life he could possibly choose.

Stop being a hunter, and his life ends-- What's left is only an empty shell. It's way too soon for that. Move on as long as his body is able, and dying in exhaustion at the hunting grounds.

That was the boy's ideal life of a hunter.

("C'mon, this isn't the time and place to complain about being bored!")

If one thinks so, then it'd be better to look for the reason and deal away with it.

Zeeg scolded himself, feeling quite embarrassed for being an eighteen-year-old brat who thinks he already knows everything in the world.

Pulling himself together, the boy tried to find out since when did he think things are becoming boring, and soon realized that there was no need to go so far back.

Half a year ago, when he hunted the Monoblos all alone, he was very much satisfied with his life.

Even while recalling it, his heart pounded in excitement.

Which would mean the when he'd started to feel bored would be after that point.

And so Zeeg remembered.

It was around the time his team's hunts started to not go well.

Although the real failures were from the latest few times, there were also a few close calls before then.

Around the same time, he also started feeling annoyed that Elmeria's strategies were becoming cowardly.

Normally, Zeeg and Elmeria would frequently get into minor arguments, but recently, it escalated way beyond the point of being able to laugh off.

The topics also changed. Changed to things concerning their hunts. Things that must be given serious thought.

But no matter how much input Zeeg gave, Elmeria would never listen to him. Gannon would always take her side, of course, and Fradio would always be fine whichever way.

All Fradio cares about is playing around with Gypceros, to the point that he doesn't seem to even want new weapons and armor-- unless they're new models created from Gypceros's Rubbery Hides, which makes him likely to be unconcerned about the team's failures.

But Zeeg was different.

Most importantly, it felt like he'd been hit with Ioprey poison, not getting his suggestions accepted even though he thought things would go better that way.

Zeeg then suddenly recalled what Elmeria said back at the gathering hall, feeling that he has finally thought of a way.

--This isn't your party! It's mine!!

That's what she said.

It's a party led by Elmeria, so she's naturally the one who calls the shots.

She's the one who looks for requests, and the one who decides whether or not to accept them. Although she does accept everyone's opinions to an extent, she is still the one who makes the final decision.

And in the first place, Zeeg being added to her party was something which stemmed off from the Guild Master's personal intervention. It's only natural that the girl is the one who decides their strategies.

("Oh c'mon, isn't it so simple?")

Zeeg felt clear-headed, as if something that's been possessing him had finally slipped off. As if the fog in his head had instantly lifted.

It was actually so simple. If he isn't liking it, then he'd be better off bowing out. It's not like he's being bound by any legal force or formal contract.

And then, he could make a new party-- A party with him as the leader, hunting in the way he wants.

Zeeg stood up, unable to contain the excitement in his heart-- the excitement he hasn't felt in quite a while.

His own party-- those words sounded so enchanting.

The boy has an interest in making a name for his party by making it one with a specific hunting policy, like the Crimson Avian Wings who have mastered the art of hunting Yian Kut-Ku, or the Giant Spiders who hold the policy of fighting neopterons exclusively.

There are also those who are wildly enthusiastic about specific wyverns such as Khezu or Gypceros. As for Zeeg himself, the wyvern he considers to be his most worthy opponent would be Rathalos.

The Rathalos, the wyvern of wyverns. The boy strongly regarded it as such.

No matter how many times one has faced it, they run the risk of losing a limb or even their life if they let their guard down for even a moment. Only when Zeeg faced such an opponent would his lukewarm blood boil in excitement.

If that's what he's going to be satisfied with, then his party would have to be trained through numerous smaller quests. Not the training of each individual, but training to work together as a party. Still, that is also part of the fun.

Perhaps the same is true for what Elmeria has been striving for in her party.

It's unfortunate, but that as not the same as what the boy has been striving for. Or rather, they have ended up not being the same along the way.

Still, it is what it is.

And that is why the boy isn't feeling at home.

("Alright! I'll create a party of my very own! In the way that I want it to be!")

However, gathering new comerades in this city would prove to be difficult.

Elmeria's party is quite famous around these parts. Skilled hunters would be wary of joining up with the boy who had just left such a team.

It pains him to admit it, but it's only natural that one would want to join Elmeria's party over his.

Althought it's quite an annoying thing he's thinking about, the boy is perfectly calm. Could this be what they call becoming more like a hunter?

Zeeg picked up the leather bag that he had thrown at the wall, checking its contents. Luckily, no bottles had been broken. Though the only other things in it were a change of clothes and tools for equipment maintenance.

Materials obtained during the hunt are being transported back separately, but he's not in immediate need to use anything. Them being delivered a little later is no problem at all.

Taking out the necessary items out of the item box and packing them into the bag, Zeeg then opened up the Guild Handbook and looked up the information on the other cities.

The closer to Minegarde, the better.

That is because there are many good hunting grounds around these parts. Although not same hunting grounds as the ones managed by this city's guild, they are still in the region of fertile lands.

The boy then wondered if Elmeria would be disappointed in him for leaving, but he was also convinced that it would not be the case.

Zeeg shook his head, sat down cross-legged on the floor, then kept on reading the handbook with much enthusiasm.

Elmeria groaned as light pierced through her eyelids. She felt as if her head had been stabbed by sharp needles.

She tried to lift her arm, heavy as it it had was being held down by ten people, to block her eyes from the light.

As she slowly breathed out, she was assaulted by the terrible stink of alcohol.

It's as if she'd been thrown into a beer barrel. As if the blood in her body had been fermented into the golden fluid.

"Young Mistress, I think it is about time you woke up."

Today, even Gannon's perfectly soothing voice sounded like a hammer knocking on a metal basin. The sound rang from her head down to her stomach.

The girl knew full well how she ended up in such a state.

That is, she's had too much to drink last night.

After all, she'd stayed at the gathering hall way up to dinnertime without even bathing, binge drinking until she'd forgotten what came next.

She couldn't even recall how much she'd drank. Nor what she'd been doing and saying during the time.

Getting up, she noticed that her armor had been removed, but her dirty undershirt had been left on as is. Of course, even Gannon wouldn't dare to remove the girl's clothes.

And Elmeria herself would definitely be opposed to let herself be seen naked, not even by a foster parent-- Or rather, especially a foster parent.

At any rate, right now, she's a total mess.

Her undershirt was all stained and reeked of beer, likely because she spilled them herself. This is definitely the reason she felt like she'd been in a beer barrel when she first woke up.

There were also dark red stains, likely blood, but unknown whether it's of herself or other people. From the quantity, there's no way it's from a monster.

When the girl tried to sweep her hair up, something struck her fingers.

Stuck to her hair were dirt and dried alcohol-- and also some other thing she couldn't quite make out. It'll take a lot of effort to get it back into shape-- The girl felt bored even thinking about the process.

Turning around to the window with swollen eyes, she could see Gannon in his usual dress suit, opening the curtains and tying them up with strings. His face was still wrapped in bandages, but it looks like they'd been replaced with new ones. The wrapping was neat and firm, unlike when Elmeria wrapped them for him.

"Would you like me to prepare some food?"

Only thinking about eating made the girl feel sick in her stomach, wanting to vomit out all the old stuff in there. But maybe because what the ate and drank last night were all digested, nothing came rushing out.

"No, I don't, but... Water..."

Whimpering out a hoarse voice that didn't even seem like her own, Elmeria was shocked. She felt stringy on the inside of her mouth. Gannon brought with him a pitcher and a small cup, pouring the water into the cup before passing it to the girl. She drank it, feeling the coolness spread throughout her mouth, and another faint, strange taste in her throat.

"...What's wrong with me?"

The girl asked while she was poured another cup of water.

"Slight overconsumption of beer, I would presume. Your demeanor was... less than admirable."

"Sorry."

The girl apologized meekly. Normally, she would never forget to watch her drinking limit. She'd been drinking moderately most of the time, even. But last night, she just couldn't stop. She would get riled up every time when thinking of Zeeg's attitude.

And of course, it's not that Elmeria doesn't care about the team's recent failures.

She might be seen as overly cautious from Zeeg's point of view, but for the girl, there's nothing better than ending things with nobody being injured.

For example, if the boy were to finish off the Rathian alone but lose an arm in the process, the victory wouldn't be worth it.

It might have been worth the price if the hunt were something that happens only once in a lifetime, but not for hunters who need to keep on hunting.

If she had to overdo things to the point of losing parts of her body, she would rather choose failure.

It is her job, after all.

She wondered, why didn't he get it? That was what grinded her gears, and before she knew it, she ended up trying to drink it off.

Passing her cup to Gannon, the girl let out a sigh.

After this, she most likely would need to talk it over with him. If she doesn't clearly teel Zeeg that she's not being a coward, he'll get seriously hurt sooner or later. The girl decided to do so.

But before that, she'd need to take a bath first.

There's no way she would go anywhere while reeking of alcohol like this. Especially going to confront Zeeg. No one knows what kind of jokes the boy would make-- Anyways, it's just unpleasant.

"Gannon, could you go heat up the bath?"

"Immediately."

Gannon bowed, then went out of the room, headed to meet the manager of the guest houses. Here, there is a separate bathroom for tenants of Queen Rooms to use, if they wish to do so.

Letting out another long sigh, Elmeria then turned around as she heard laughfer from the direction of the window.

It was Fradio, in his usual equipment that give off the impression of an executioner who is about to bring down the axe, crouching on the window frame like a monkey.

"I see that you're quite late to get up today."

"Got a little too much to drink, you see. I didn't even bathe... It's the worst."

"You're in quite the terrible shape, yes."

"I know, I know. You don't even have to tell me that."

Elmeria pouted.

While out on the last hunt, she didn't get to properly clean her body either. She might have managed somehow if it was a hunt in places with clean water like the Forest and Hills, but the last hunt took place in the Jungle. The air was damp, the temperature was high, and the river water was far from clean.

"You alright there, Fradio?"

"Me? But of course. I didn't drink much, you see. I also took a bath and made sure to eat my breakfast. I had scrambled eggs and sliced sausages grilled in plenty of cheese--"

"W-- Wait-- Stop!"

Elmeria raised her hands in a panic. Even listening to just that explanation made her feel sick in the stomach. The girl searched her memory to see whether or not did Fradio really not drink much, but she came up with nothing.

By chance, he could still be suffering hangover, but with his face hidden under that helmet, no one would be able to read his expression.

Feeling her nausea subside somewhat, Elmeria licked her lips a few times.

"Oh, yeah-- ...Where's that guy, by the way?"

"That guy?"

Fradio's red eyes blinked, and his head under the helmet decorated with goat-like horns tilted slightly.

Elmeria felt irritated once again. He's definitely feigning ignorance when he should be knowing full well what she was talking about. The man is one who would always stand between Elmeria and other people, mediating their relationships, but on the other hand, he has quite a bad habit of finding enjoyment in people's reactions to him messing with them.

"...I was talking about Zeeg. He hasn't shown his face yet, but if he's reflected on his attitude and isn't coming because he's to embarrassed... Well, I guess I'll have no choice but to forgive him."

"If it's him, he already went out of town."

Elmeria blinked in confusion.

Although those words were clearly delivered to her ears, but it took a while for her body to react and shape the contents together into something understandable.

Went out of town? What did he mean, went out? Did he go out for a walk or something? No, if that's the case, then Fradio wouldn't have said it in that manner--

"Wh-- What's the meaning of this!?"

Before she knew it, the girl was already standing right next to the window. Under the glossy, rubbery mask, the look in Fradio's red eyes suggested that he's finding amusement in the situation.

"He went away somewhere this morning, on the first departing carriage. It wasn't a Hunter's Guild carriage, so he might have just went back to his village..."

Fradio reached under his mask and scratched his chin.

Went out of town! --As those words finally sank in and were fully interpreted, Elmeria immediately rushed out of her room. In other words, that guy ran away!

"That-- That idiot--!"

Anger coiled around her chest like a wyvern's tail.

"Young Mistress, where--"

Ignoring the words of Gannon, whom she passed by at the room's entrance, Elmeria went out to the corridor. She ran on, rushing down the stairs heavily like a hunter knocking dirt off the soles of their shoes, then stopping at the Bishop Room Zeeg was renting.

She clenched her fist and knocked on the door, as if to smash it to pieces.

Although she knew full well that he already left, she couldn't help but come check this place first because she'd thought that he might have come back.

But there was no reply, as one would expect.

But perhaps he was in a hurry to come back and already fell asleep again. If so, then she'd knock until he waks up-- As Elmeria was about to raise her hand again, she was stopped by the manager, who came running upon hearing all the noise.

"If you're looking for the hunter who was using that room, he'd already moved out this morning!"

"Tell me where he went!"

Elmeria grabbed the manager by the collar of his shirt. The man's face immediately turned red, as if he'd been left drying out in the desert. The girl wasn't even sure why she was this angry. All she knew was that she couldn't calm down.

"I-- I don't know! Wouldn't it be better to go ask Becky!? She's the one who manages the hunters going in and going out, not me!"

Clicking her tongue, Elmeria then let go of the manager, but in a manner closer to shoving him aside.

Although she'd intended to do it lightly, she unintentionally exerted a little too much force. His back hitting the door, the man then moaned in pain as he laid there.

Turning her back on him, Elmeria then rushed down another flight of stairs. The lower-ranked hunters peeked out of their rooms to see what's going on, then promptly looked the other way as the girl turned to glare at them. And so, she exited the guest house.

As bright light shone down from the clear blue sky, as if to inform the girl that it was already past noon.

She felt dizziness and a sharp pain as her head throbbed, as if there was another heart beating inside. Although she would normally find the commotion in the market be likeable, right now those sounds only served to grate her ears. She plowed her way through the noise, putting up with them the best she could.

Her anger at Zeeg for leaving without saying a word, and the question of why he did so, were the things that kept her feet moving.

Elmeria swung open the gathering hall's door and went inside, then immediately felt like vomiting as she was hit with the stink of tobacco and alcohol.

All the daytime drinkers directed their lines of sight at the girl. Likely because her face was in a shambles. Although she herself had yet to look in the mirror, judging from the looks she got, she must have looked as broken as a corpse.

Heading straight to the counter, Becky waved her hand as she saw her. The woman's carefree attitude, too, was rubbing Elmeria the wrong way today.

Managing to limp her way there, the girl clung on to the counter and looked at Becky. The woman's expression suggested that she already knew what the girl wanted to ask.

"Sorry, but I can't tell you where Zeeg went."

"Why not!?"

As Elmeria slammed her fist on the shiny black countertop, the whole gathering hall fell silent, as if it was turned into a wyvern's lair. Becky was unfazed, only shugging her shoulders.

"Did Zeeg ask you not to...?"

The girl asked, for some reason, in a fearful voice. Becky thought about it for a while before saying yes.

Feeling strength draining from her knees, Elmeria felt like sitting down on the spot. She felt humiliated, that she was still barely standing only thanks to her hands clinging to the countertop. She felt a myriad of emotions, none of which were anger nor frustration, draining away the strength from her body.

"Now, I knew something was up when he left without saying a word, but I'm sure he thought it through."

Becky said, as she helped Elmeria stay up by grabbing her arm.

"It'd be quite hard for him to part ways with you guys otherwise, don't you think?"

"Then why'd he even go away in the first place!? Isn't that strange!?"

The girl just doesn't get it.

Sure, they did get into a big argument, so it was understandable that he wouldn't want to meet her for the time being. But leaving the party without saying anything and going away from this city just like that was quite excessive.

"Without us, he would've been eaten by some monster already! I can't believe he's returning the favor by doing this! What a disgrace to the hunters' reputation of loyalty!"

Becky sighed.

"Now, I'm not saying I don't understand how you feel about all this, but Zeeg didn't violate any of the guild's regulations. Hunters team up for huts, remember? They're obligated by rule to stay during the hunt, but after the quest was done, the party is immediately considered dissolved by the guild. After that, it's up to each hunter to choose who they team up with next or where they go-- Well, that's speaking in a technical sense, of course."

Elmeria looked at Becky, in a manner closer to glaring.

Although the girl knew that venting it out on Becky wouldn't do any good, she couldn't help but feel annoyed at being taught something she already knew full well.

"Elmeria. Do you really not know why he did that?"

"...No, I don't."

She said that not because she was being stubborn, but because she truly did not know. Arguments were their daily routine. Those disagreements being the reason is, at this point, inconceivable. Not even what happened yesterday. After all, there have been worse instances before, including once when they stepped forward and proceeded to duke it out, which Gannon had to break up.

Becky leaned forward on the counter and shut her lips close. It was so that the other hunters wouldn't hear what she was about to say.

"Yesterday, you said this to him, right? --That it's not his party, but yours?"

The girl had a feeling that she did.

But then she wondered, so what? Wasn't she just stating a fact?

That thought of hers must have leaked out somehow, seeing that Becky is having quite a troubled expression painted on her face.

"That's exactly why. Zeeg must have realized that he won't be able to hunt in the way he likes if he's going to stay in your party. The fight yesterday was because of this, too, wasn't it?"

The girl finally made the connection.

Lately, she was getting irritated at Zeeg for often doing things at his own accord. But now she understands that the boy was also getting irritated with her as well.

"...That guy just doesn't get it."

Elmeria said, as if spitting the words out. That's right. He just doesn't get it at all. What it means to be leading a party.

It means to shoulder the responsibility to the lives of others.

Hunters are still their own individuals, of course. They still are responsible for their own lives. But when teaming up for a hunt, the leader's decisions can also affect their lives as well.

Although the leader is not obligated to take responsibility for any deaths and injuries, the wound would still remain in their hearts. Zeeg still has no idea how deep that wound could be.

"I know what you're thinking, Elmeria. But I'm sure also know that you can't control how Zeeg feels, right? Any hunter would want a party of their own at some point. It's just that kind of time for Zeeg, that's all. Besides, I think it's better for you this way, at least for now."

"...What do you mean?"

"Well, aren't your recent failures a result of being too careful? --Being too careful about getting Zeeg into danger?"

Elmeria had goosebumps when those words entered her ears.

She'd never thought about it that way. The girl tried to laugh it off, but she could feel her head stiffening up. The look on her face suggested that it's nothing like that, but her body language, on the other hand, seemed to confirm what Becky just said as the truth.

Becky gently patted Elmeria's hand, as if trying to console her.

"Now, it's not like you won't get to meet him ever again. But since things are still pretty awkward, I'd say that you shouldn't try to contact him for a while. I think this is an important time for him to spend on his own, too."

The girl understood what Becky wanted to say.

What she meant was, if Zeeg truly wants to have a party of his own, it'd be better for Elmeria not to oppose him. This is so that he wouldn't do things recklessly out of spite.

She understood it well.

But even though she understood, it didn't mean she could calm herself down. And so, instead of giving any response, Elmeria ordered some beer, binge drinking right there until it went dark.

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Monster Hunter:Volume1 Chapter5

2018-06-18T20:06:04Z

Barnnn:

== Chapter 5 - Monster Hunter ==

“Master... can you feel that?”

Called by Becky, the old man calmly opened his eyes. Obviously, he felt it. A strangely uniform tremor sent up from the ground to the chair. A natural calamity feared by all- that thing.

“The news have just arrived. The Royal Armory’s objective here is to test a prototype weapon. They confined us so that we wouldn’t get in their way. And for the experiment, they also forcibly changed the direction of ‘that thing’ by startling it with hundreds of Large Barrel Bombs.”

“Ooh...? That’s quite elaborate.”

“What should we do?”

“So, how powerful is this prototype weapon?”

“From the blueprints, its destructive power should be even higher than the Dragonator. However, there are major flaws.”

“Hmm?”

“Each of the cannons are made from a large amount Fire Wyvern Marrows. Their barrels, forged from Machalite Ores, are only good for 3 shots.”

“That’s to be expected. The reason wyverns can use their fire attacks repeatedly is that they can rapidly recover their inflamed throats. Then, what about the effect of this weapon on ‘that thing’?”

“Unknown... but I think the best they can do is just startle it.”

Hearing that, the old man laughed in his throat. Becky narrowed her eyes and rubbed the elder’s thin shoulder.

“However, there’s one more issue.”

“Hmm?”

“It’s about the smell that the Fire Wyvern Marrows emit when they ignite. Judging from the amount of those weapons brought in, the smell should be strong enough to... attract swarms of fire wyverns.”

“Because they’ll mistake that for an invasion of their territory? Good grief...”

“What do we do?”

“...Let’s just leave them to their own devices for a little longer. It’ll be good to let them have a taste of failure. How are the hunters doing?”

Becky smiled wryly.

“Can you not hear that?”

The elder leaned forward and focused his ears, then broke into a laugh.

From the other side of the door, the hunters can be heard singing merrily. It looks like they were having quite a party.

The knights that keep watch on the guild masters don’t seem to have any intention of stopping the ruckus.

“Let them have fun for a little longer... But make sure to charge them for the food and drinks later.”

“Of course.”

Becky answered immediately without any hesitation.

“I absolutely won’t let them eat for free.”

“Those people really are idiots... Thinking they can contain us just by putting us in here.”

Elmeria let out a merry laugh while sitting cross legged on the floor. During her time here, she had already lost count of the amount of beer she drank. Cugging down another, she then banged the mug on the floor.

“What do you mean?”

Haring Zeeg’s question, the girl stopped laughing and gave the boy a ridiculed look.

“What? You don’t know?”

“Know what?”

“Honestly... Even if you’re a rookie, I can’t believe you don’t know this!”

“Ouch!”

Given a slap on his shoulder, Zeeg’s upper body was knocked down flat on the floor.

The strike was so strong that his shoulder could have been dislocated.

Her brute strength shouldn’t be surprising, since the girl could wield the massive Diablos Maul without breaking a sweat. However, her build never gave Zeeg such an impression, causing the boy to let his guard down.

“You listening? This vet will get you up to speed.”

Elmeria waved her finger in front of Zeeg’s nose.

“In addition to the streets, every part of this city- be it the market, plaza, gathering hall, or even guest houses- is connected together by underground tunnels dug inside the mountain. That means we can escape whenever we want.”

“...Then why is everyone still here, drinking like there’s no tomorrow?”

“Well, we won’t gain anything from opposing those knights, right? It’s another story if they’re here to kill us, but so far they only put us in here. The cannons they brought in aren’t intended to be used on us either.”

“How do you know all that?”

Zeeg got up and rubbed his shoulder.

To express her hopelessness for the boy, Elmeria shook her head.

“How, you ask? First of all, the weapons are pointed to the outside, right? If they’re going use it on us, there would be one pointed at the gathering hall from the beginning. They require the use of Aptonoths to move around, so they wouldn’t do something inefficient like pointing the weapons outwards just to turn them back later. And of course, pointing the cannons at us from the start will work really well as intimidation. That means they’re trying to use those weapons here to do something, and us hunters will get in their way- How’s that for an explanation!?”

The girl swung her arm again, but this time Zeeg anticipated it and dodged.

The momentum of her missed strike caused the girl fall over, and Gannon grabbed her before she hit the ground. From the looks of it, she had been drunk this whole time.

“Ah, drunk already? That is a rare sight indeed.”

Feeling someone’s presence and hearing a familiar voice, Zeeg instantly turned around.

“Fradio!”

Naked upper body and executioner’s mask- there is only one person who could fit the description. The man narrowed his eyes and laughed mischievously while sitting down next to Zeeg, causing a rubbery sound from the friction between his armor and the floor.

“Where have you been, Fradio?”

“I was in the room, you know? Spying on them in order to know their objective. Now that I have all of the necessary information, I’ve come here to make an announcement.”

“Really?”

Elmeria's clear voice made Zeeg blink in confusion.

It was like she sobered up instantly. Even though her cheeks are still slightly red, she had a determined look in her eyes.

Fradio nodded, then stood up and walked up to the quest board. He took out the roll of paper that was slipped on his waist, opened it up, and flattened it on the board.

“These are the schematics of the weapons they brought in.”

The man’s statement caused all the commotion to die down instantly. Every hunter, Zeeg included, turned their heads to the quest board.

Fradio placed his Gypceros hide-covered hand on the paper.

“Apparently, this weapon is called the ‘Dragon Destroyer’. In simple terms, they copied the mechanisms of the Rathalos’s fireball attack and used scientific enhancements to increase its firepower. Its core is made from a large amount of Fire Wyvern Marrows, and the barrel is forged from high-purity Machalite. One cannon requires at least 200 Machalite Ores to create.”

Someone whistled out in astonishment.

“These cannons are completely different from Dragonators in terms of both structure and power. Like normal cannons, this weapon’s design is developed using bowguns as base. Simply put, it’s a man-made fire wyvern.”

“What are they trying to do with this thing here?”

A hunter asked the question, and Fradio let out a mischievous laugh.

“...You see, they’re attempting to use these Dragon Destroyers to slay the Lao-Shan Lung.”

The gathering hall was filled with silence for a moment- and then burst into laughter.

“Hey hey hey, are they for real!? They really think they can do that!?”

“For someone who haven’t even seen the real thing, they sure cause a lot of trouble!”

“Man, it’s been a long time since I heard something this funny!”

All of the hunters laughed merrily.

Lao-Shan Lung... Zeeg had also heard of that name.

The name means “Old Mountain Dragon”- and the classification is completely different from the Rathalos. Ancient creatures that have lived since the antiquity, their sheer size is what makes them a threat.

No one knows the exact measurements, but if one were to look up from the ground, they wouldn’t even see its back, as if it were a mountain’s summit. If they tried to look at the monster’s tail from its head, the distance would be so great that they would barely see it.

The Elder Dragon never stops, roaming the lands as if it’s on an eternal journey.

Due to its sheer mass, villages or cities unlucky enough to be in its path would effectively be wiped off the map.

Rather than a living creature, the Lao-Shan Lung is considered by many to be a natural disaster, similar to earthquakes and sandstorms. A force of nature that humans can never hope to overcome.

Of course, humans aren’t the kind to be trampled on without putting up a fight.

New methods are always thought up in order to deal with it.

The Dragonators were also invented for that purpose. But even if the spear can kill a Rathalos with a single well-placed attack, the Lao-Shan Lung’s unimaginably hard shells wouldn’t even have a single scratch.

Currently, the method is to startle it using a large quantity of explosives or flash and sonic bombs, forcing it to change its route.

(“Wait... If they’re bringing the weapons meant to kill it here, then-”)

Zeeg shuddered at the possibility of what could happen.

Raising his head up, his eyes met with Fradio’s.

The look in the man’s eyes under his mask confirmed Zeeg’s fears. Fradio slammed his hand on the quest board once to get the attention of every person present.

“Everyone, do you think this is the time to be laughing?”

He quickly cast his eyes over the hall.

“Why do you think they brought the Dragon Destroyers here? In that quantity?”

“Wait, don’t tell me-!”

A mustached hunter stood up, pushing the chair behind him.

“You’re telling us that the Lao-Shan Lung is coming here!?”

“No way. According to the route prediction, isn’t it supposed to go in a completely different direction?”

“R...right...”

The mustached hunter sighed in relief, but Fradio crushed that sense of security by shaking his head.

“Regrettably, the dragon has changed its path- No, it would be more fitting to say that it has been forced to change its path. I’ve confirmed it with my own eyes. Beyond the fog, I could see a moving mountain. That was the Lao-Shan Lung’s back, no doubt. I don’t know what method they used, but it seems like the Combat Engineer Division of the Royal Armory has successfully changed the monster’s route.”

“Gah!! What have they done!!?”

The man scratched his mustache.

“Fradio.”

Elmeria stood up, put her hand on her hip, and tilted her head slightly.

“Where did you get all this information from?”

“Ah, about that. It’s simple. Young Lady Wimberly has come to this city.”

The mention of that name stirred up a commotion. It looks like everyone is aware of her and her organization’s protests.

“It’s a good thing that she came here to protest against killing the Lao-Shan Lung... But right now she’s been confined in a guest house.”

“That’s what she gets for playing with fire.”

Zeeg looked up at Elmeria, who let out an arrogant snort.

“Then, what do we do? Do we wait for that freaking huge dragon to come here? Or do we run away?”

“Let’s see...”

Elmeria narrowed her eyes and stared at the quest board.

“It would be nice if someone were to make a request...”

“It’s here!”

From the city wall, a soldier tasked with watching the sky hurriedly came down to report his news to Brandar.

“Its route is as we predicted! It will be in the effective range in approximately 20 minutes.”

“Give me that.”

Brandar snatched the binoculars from the soldier’s hands and looked into the fog. A mountain is clearly moving.

Uniform tremors can felt for quite a while now, the rhythm closely matching the mountain’s movement.

“Whoa!”

Suddenly, the giant dragon’s face appeared from beyond the fog. Brandar could feel the strength in his legs being drained way. Even though it’s still so far away, the knight was so frightened that cold sweat appeared on his palms.

“S...Start the heating process!”

Brandar issued the order with his shivering voice.

“Starting the heating process!”

Powderstone fuel rods were inserted into every Dragon Destroyer at once. Each cannon emitted Vespoid-like buzzing sounds as their Machalite barrels gradually turn red from the heat.

At the same time, a mysterious smell drifted all over the area.

Brandar closed his helmet’s visor, letting the special cloth under the faceguard absorb the stinking smell away.

Another 10 minutes is needed for the cannons to be ready. Moreover, each shot requires the precious fuel rod to be replaced, severely limiting the number of shots they can make.

(“But we have prepared this many cannons! Just the first barrage should be plenty! With this, the age of those savage hunters will come to an end!”)

Brandar clenched his fist, waiting patiently.

5 minutes...

10 minutes...

A commotion broke out among the soldiers.

Tearing through the fog, the Lao-Shan Lung’s body could be clearly seen with a naked eye!

And then-

Suddenly, a roar echoed throughout the city. Not covering his ear in time, Zeeg was stunned by its sheer magnitude.

(“Wha...What was that!?”)

It was a sound that he had heard once before.

Not too long ago, in fact.

No doubt about it- the roar was from a Rathalos.

“They’ve come, as expected.”

Fradio nonchalantly spoke up while looking at the sky from the King room’s window.

Standing next to him is Narumi who, like Zeeg, had gone pale due to not covering her ears in time. Looking at the girl, Elmeria let out her usual arrogant snort and shook her body as if to show off her Rathalos equipment.

After the meeting in the gathering hall, the hunters made their way to the guest houses using a secret passage.

First of all, they took back their equipment and secured the area. Since most of the knights and soldiers were outside, they didn’t notice any change on the interior at all.

After putting on their armor and weapons, the hunters made their way back to the gathering hall using the same passage. Zeeg’s group stayed behind for a discussion with Narumi.

“What do you mean ‘as expected’?”

Looking away from Narumi, Elmeria asked up.

“You see, it’s because the Dragon Destroyers are made from a large quantity of Fire Wyvern Marrows. The smell emitted when they ignite is what signals other fire wyverns in the area of its presence. Usually, it is used by Rathalos to attract females in the area... But of course, other Rathalos will take it as an invasion of their territory. They’ll set out to drive the invader away- and that’s what is happening right now.”

Fradio pointed up to the sky.

Numerous flames can be seen, tearing through the fog. Their numbers increase by the second, until tens of them filled the sky.

“Hehehe... A swarm of Rathalos and the Lao-Shan Lung... It has become quite an event.”

“You sure it’s the time to talk like it doesn’t have anything to do with you?”

Elmeria turned back to Narumi.

“Well, what will you do? Will you put up the quest? Or will you not?”

“...There’s no other option.”

Narumi dropped her shoulders in frustration and let out a sigh.

“I have a request for the Hunter’s Guild- to destroy the Dragon Destroyers. However, it will be under an additional condition that the Lao-Shan Lung must not be killed.”

That moment, an explosion could be heard coming from the plaza, followed by a giant fireball flying past the window.

It flew straight at one of the Rathalos, the monster taking a direct hit. Even with its high fire resistance, the wyvern’s scales were blasted to pieces, engulfing its body in flames as it plummeted to the ground.

“Awesome...”

Zeeg unknowingly muttered to himself.

The destructive power was so great that it could have a chance at defeating the Lao-Shan Lung... that was the thought that popped up in the boy’s mind.

But at the same time, Zeeg had mixed feelings about it. He couldn’t get the conflicting thoughts out of his head- that this method of killing is wrong.

That it makes the wyvern’s death meaningless.

“Zeeg!”

Turning back to Elmeria, Zeeg could see the girl lead Narumi into the secret passage.

“Hurry! We need to bring this girl to the Guild Master! No matter how urgent, every request need to be approved by the guild!”

“G...Got it!”

Zeeg followed Narumi into a tunnel hidden within the room’s fireplace. He was followed immediately by Fradio, and then Gannon. Each of them have their weapons equipped, with Zeeg carrying his trusty Buster Blade on his back.

“Hey, do you even know where the Guild Master is?”

Zeeg asked his question, and Elmeria gave her answer like it’s a common knowledge.

“He’s always been in the gathering hall’s back room, of course? You never noticed?”

Zeeg was about to say he didn’t notice, but gulped down his words.

Even though he was nowhere to be seen, two knights could be seen guarding the door in the back of the kitchen. That means someone important is being confined inside.

Bending down to crawl through a narrow path, Zeeg and the group picked up their pace.

“It’s here! Aim carefully!!”

Brandar issued his command while covering his ears to block the Rathalos’ roars.

Even though there is a swarm of fire wyverns in the sky, only one cannon was used to intercept them. Part of the reason was because of the weapon’s weight, but it was mostly due to fear of the Lao-Shan Lung that the he didn’t approve the use of other cannons.

In any case, everyone rejoiced the fact that the cannon’s first shot was able to easily take down a Rathalos. The Dragon Destroyer has exhibited even greater power than expected!

However, they also knew as a fact that preparing the second shot will take time.

In addition to the time needed to change the fuel rod, they would also have to wait for the fire piston to cool down. More importantly, the Dragon Destroyer isn’t something that can be aimed as easily as normal cannons.

Seeing one Rathalos fall, the others in the swarm steered clear of the effective range.

“Sir!”

Turning to the voice that sounded more like a scream, he could clearly see the Lao-Shan Lung’s body. He never noticed that it got this close.

No- it actually isn’t that close.

Its sheer mass is what made him think it is closer than it looks.

“It has entered the effective range! Sir! Your orders!”

“A...Alright! Fire!!”

Brandar gave his order, still covering his ears to block the Rathalos’ roars.

All of the Dragon Destroyers on the wall were fired at once!

Balls of compressed heat tore through the fog, creating tunnels from the evaporated vapor and hitting the Lao-Shan Lung’s back directly!

Following the explosions, a pillar of fire rose up to the sky.

“We did it!”

Brandar rejoiced. However-

''-RRRRROOOOOOOaaaaaRRRR!!''

The mountain didn’t seem to have any intention on stopping its advance.

At the spot hit by the fireballs, only earth and moss, built up on the dragon’s body over the years, have been broken off. There wasn’t even a single scratch on the scales beneath that layer.

(“Th...This is madness...”)

Brandar could feel the strength in his knees being drained away, and is on the verge of collapsing.

Overhead, a Rathalos let out a roar and swooped down, shooting a fireball as it flew past.

It hit one of the Dragon Destroyers- the very one that shot one of its kind down.

The cannon was smashed to pieces in the explosion.

Fragments of Fire Wyvern Marrows burst into flames as they scattered in the air.

Sweeping away the fragments that got to him, Brandar shouted out his command.

“T...The second shot! Begin preparations! Hurry!!”

Back at the gathering hall, the knights have been tied up on the floor, surrounded by fully armed hunters. Explosions could be heard coming from outside, the tremors causing dust on the ceiling beams to fall off.

“You guys did this?”

Elmeria asked, but the hunters shook their heads.

“We did some clean-up.”

Holding a cane and laughing merrily, the Guild Master appeared from the back room, with Becky following him. He looked at Narumi with his wrinkled eyes.

“Well well, who could this young lady be?”

“A client.”

Elmeria nudged the girl forward.

“This young lady is?”

Narumi nodded.

“I have request for the Hunter’s Guild. Please destroy the Dragon Destroyers. But under the condition that the Lao-Shan Lung must not be killed.”

“Hmm...”

The Guild Master rubbed his chin.

“That’s good and all... but do you have the money? It’s a big job. The reward can’t be just 10-20 thousand Zenny, you know? Even for the daughter of the House of Wimberly, you shouldn’t be able to spend money freely, right?”

Narumi’s face clouded up with worry, and Elmeria squeezed her eyebrows together in annoyance.

“Wait a second! Is this the time to be saying that!? In those cannons are mass-produced, us hunters would be out of our jobs! And there’s still the swarm of Rathalos to worry about!!”

“Hmm... Lao-Shan Lung and Rathalos... The city might be wiped off the map at this rate...”

Elmeria facepalmed in response to the Guild Master’s carefree attitude.

“Ugyaaahhh!!”

Accompanying the scream was the figure of a knight being blown in through the board that sealed the gathering hall’s entrance. Caught in an explosion, the knight rolled on the ground to extinguish the fire.

“Sir Brandar!”

One of the knights who were tied up on the ground shouted out in surprise.

It was the knight who provoked Gannon earlier. Black burning spots appeared all over his armor, and his hair had turned to charcoal. His face also suffered quite a severe burn.

“H...Help... Please...”

Brandar crawled in a struggle and grabbed Gannon’s leg, but the large man didn’t take notice of him at all.

Successive fireball explosions can be heard coming from the plaza, with the hot wind occasionally blowing into the gathering hall.

“P...Please... Help... Please do something about them...”

The knocking sound of a cane can be heard as the Guild Master approached Brandar.

“Is that a request for the Hunter’s Guild? To do something about the Rathalos and Lao-Shan Lung?”

Brandar nodded repeatedly.

The old man grinned, then reached into his pocket and took out a blank sheet of paper and a fountain pen. Passing the pen to Brandar, he whispered something into the knight’s ear. Brandar then nodded once. With another person supporting his hand, he started signing his name on the blank paper.

“Becky, please patch him up.”

“Understood.”

Becky enlisted the help of a few hunters to carry Brandar into the back room.

Zeeg looked on, and debated whether or not the knight will survive.

He took direct hits from the Rathalos’s fireballs. Wyverns’ fire attacks are different from normal fire in that it will slowly eat away at the flesh until the body is completely incinerated.

Prompt medical attention is essential.

“Alright then... If he’s paying, money wouldn’t be an issue anymore. We can also charge the Royal Armory for more if it’s not enough.”

The Guild Master waved the paper with Brandar’s signature for the hunters to see.

“With this, the request is approved. It’s urgent, so there won’t be any contract fee. A reward of at least 5,000 Zenny per person is guaranteed. The maximum party size will be 4 like always, but there will not be a limit on the number of participating groups. The objective is to repel the Rathalos and Lao-Shan Lung. There’s no need to kill any of them- well, you won’t be able to kill the Lao-Shan Lung either way.”

“Please wait!”

Narumi stepped forward.

“About the Dragon Destroyers-”

“They’re what attracting the swarm of Rathalos.”

Elmeria smiled fearlessly.

“How about we use the cranes to throw them away? If we aim carefully and they fall into the Lao-Shan Lung’s nose, wouldn’t it be hilarious? –Anyway, I accept this quest. Of course, Gannon and Fradio as well... you two with me?”

The two men nodded without hesitation.

After confirming their answers, Elmeria turned to Zeeg.

“What about you? Will you go with us?”

The boy’s pulse pumped up.

The proposal was totally unexpected. It was a miracle that he got to team up with Elmeria’s group once. And now, she’s inviting him to join them herself!

Zeeg trembled- not with fear, but with excitement.

“Of course I will!”

Elmeria nodded before turning to the Guild Master.

“Alright, all four of us will go. All of the others are free to join in, but if you don’t hurry, we’ll hog all of the glory to ourselves, alright? –Let’s go!”

Raising her hands up in an empowering stance, Elmeria ran off.

Glancing at Narumi one last time, the other three chased after their leader.

Feeling left behind, all other hunters rushed to the Guild Master to make their contracts.

Hearing a commotion break out in the gathering hall, Zeeg heads to the plaza- which has now become the hunting grounds.

Hot winds constantly blew in the area. It’s like he was in the volcano region which he had heard about.

(“S...Scary...”)

He got to see a Rathalos not too long ago, but this time, they come in large numbers. Each of them swooped down to attack the Dragon Destroyers.

However, the wyverns’ talons, which can tear through armor like paper, could not destroy the cannons’ high-purity Machalite barrels and the Fire Wyvern Marrows inside.

“What now!?”

Elmeria shouted out.

“...Use the metal wires. I will draw their attention.”

Saying that, Gannon readied his Hellfire lance, waving it around once. The weapon ignited as it made contact with the air. The smell emitted from the ignition drew the attention of a few wyverns.

Additionally, Gannon took the Field Horn on his waist and blew it. The instrument’s sound echoed, the Rathalos swarm answering with their roars.

“...I leave the rest to you three.”

After saying that, Gannon put on the Diablo Helm’s mask and charged onwards. All of the Rathalos turned to him and swarmed in.

“Zeeg. Young Lady Elmeria. The two of you please go find some metal wires in the armory, then tie them around the Dragon Destroyers tightly. I’ll be operating the crane and drop down the hook. After tying them together, please attach the hook to them. Don’t forget to slip in a Small Barrel Bomb as well.”

“Understood.”

“G...Got it!”

Fradio nodded, and then made a break for the crane tower.

Elmeria turned around and started running to the armory. Zeeg followed her so that he wouldn’t get left behind.

Gannon valiantly stood against the Rathalos swarm, taking on their talons and fireballs with his Rathalos-made shield and horned wyvern armor.

Two groups of hunters ran out of the gathering hall. One headed to confront the Rathalos, and the other rushed to the market.

“They’re running away!?”

“Of course not! They’re trying to make the Lao-Shan Lung change its path by attacking its legs! In a situation like this, there’s not much us hunters can do! –Found it!”

The armory’s interior is as hot as outside due to the furnaces. Without anyone to ask, Elmeria managed to find the metal wires and hooks.

She shoved a roll into Zeeg’s hands, the boy almost collapsing from the weight.

“Focus!”

Given a slap on his waist, Zeeg strained himself and started running.

Elmeria, who is ahead of him, is carrying even a bigger roll.

Outside, groups of hunters are fighting against the Rathalos with all they have. Quite a few have already fainted, but Gannon is still standing strong. He rushed into the fray, drawing as much attention as he can. One of the Rathalos had already fallen, and another got its tail cut off.

''GUOOOOOOHHHHH!!''

Zeeg crouched down and covered his ears as the roars echoed throughout the plaza. He and Elmeria hurriedly tied the metal wires around the Dragon Destroyers, making sure that they’re as tight as possible.

(“I’m scared! I’m scared! I’m scared! I’m scared! Dammit!!”)

The presence of death thrashing all around him gave the boy goosebumps.

This experience made Zeeg realize that his existence was so small. He’s scared to death- but he never stopped his hands.

A light flashed from the other side of the wall, followed by a thunderous explosion kicking up a large amount of earth and sand.

“That must be the parties on the ground detonating many Large Barrel Bombs at once.”

Elmeria popped up beside Zeeg and helped him tie up the last Dragon Destroyer.

All of the wires were tied together with a hook.

A large hook was then dropped down from above, cracking the stone floor.

The two of the stopped and looked up, seeing a crane beyond the fog. Then, they connected the crane’s hook to the smaller one that tied the wires together.

(“Oh yeah!”)

Zeeg took out a Small Barrel Bomb from his bag and fastened it to the hook, just as Fradio instructed earlier.

“Alright!”

With Zeeg finishing his task, Elmeria threw something up into the sky.

A few moments later, it exploded into a flash of light- It’s a Flash Bomb.

Understanding the signal, the crane started moving, dragging the hook and the metal wires tied to it along.

Zeeg and Elmeria fled the scene so that they wouldn’t get hit.

With enough power to lift whole wyverns, the crane dragged all of the Dragon Destroyers up in one go. Some of them fell off and were destroyed when they hit the walls or the floor.

Noticing that, the Rathalos swarm spread their wings and broke away from Gannon and the hunters. The wind pressure from their wings blew out the flames on the ground.

The crane started to spin, swinging the clump of Dragon Destroyers in an arc. But at this rate, they will just rotate in place-

(“Fradio!?”)

On top of the still spinning crane tower, Fradio opened the control room’s door and stepped outside.

He held the Tankmage in a firing stance.

[[File:M-v01-213.jpg|300px|thumb]]

A flame lashed out from the bowgun’s barrel and broke into pellets, triggering the Small Barrel Bomb’s explosion.

The metal wires were ripped apart, the centrifugal force sending the clump of Dragon Destroyers flying towards the Lao-Shan Lung, all of the cannons landing on its back.

The Rathalos swarm turned their attention to the giant dragon.

“We did it!”

Another explosion occurred, with a large amount of dirt kicked up.

“!”

When the dusty wind calmed down, an unbelievably huge face of the dragon appeared.

The sight caused Zeeg and even Elmeria to tremble in fear.

-The Lao-Shan Lung!

On the tip of its nose is a towering horn. On the sides of its rock-like face are incredibly huge eyes. The moment Zeeg looked at one of them, tears spilled out of his eyes with no sign of stopping.

The moment lasted an eternity.

Slowly, the Lao-Shan Lung turned around, the city wall barely missing the impact. The dragon moved its mountainous body away- with Rathalos swarming its back.

''-RRRRROOOOOOOaaaaaRRRR!!''

From beyond the fog, the dragon’s roar could be heard one last time.

At this point, Zeeg was drained of all of his strength and has collapsed on the spot.

“Hah Hah Hah Hah!”

Zeeg caught his breath vigorously, as if he had been forgetting to breathe. His lungs ached.

He tried blinking repeatedly to fix his blurry vision, but his tears just wouldn’t stop.

“What? You’re crying?”

Sweeping away his tears and looking up, he could see Elmeria’s snarky smile with the clear blue sky as a background.

The brilliance caused the boy’s tears to well up again.

Two others stood beside her. Gannon, who had injuries all over his body, one of the horns on his Diablo Mail broken. Fradio, who had sustained light burns on his bare chest.

“Yeah.”

Strangely, Zeeg was able to admit his weakness.

“...I understand now.”

“What is it?”

“That my existence in this world is so small.”

Zeeg let out a smile before coughing to clear his throat.

“Hah... But no matter how small, every living thing is a functioning part of this world... something like that. The Village Chief used to say that a lot. Honestly, I never got what he meant, but now I think I’m starting to understand what he tried to teach me. That hunters live as a functioning part of this world like all forms of life- including me, the Rathalos, or even the Bitterbugs.”

Elmeria, Gannon, and Fradio nodded to one another.

“Do you know why I called you to my room this morning?”

Zeeg shook his head.

“About that... If it’s fine with you, I would like you to join us as a long-term member. It’s because you seem to be quite promising.”

Elmeria extended her hand towards Zeeg.

That was a ticket to a whole new world.

Zeeg raised his hand up and grasped it tightly.

Elmeria answered the boy with a wonderful smile and shouted out-

'''“Welcome to the world of Monster Hunter!”'''

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Monster Hunter:Volume1 Chapter3

2018-06-18T19:52:05Z

Barnnn:

== Chapter 3 - Love Wyvern ==

(“What’s going on?”)

While getting ready to carve, Zeeg stopped his hand upon hearing the shout and instead reached for his Buster Blade’s grip.

He had heard rumors that there exists hunters who steal materials from monsters hunted by other hunters- Could this be one of them?

The person that entered the cave, however, did not seem to be a thief. Dressed in a white hooded robe, it gave the impression of a priest. An unknown symbol was embroidered on the robe’s chest. A sword in a red circle, with a diagonal line crossing through it. Zeeg couldn’t quite make out its meaning.

Next to Zeeg, Elemria groaned in annoyance, showing hostility towards the approaching person. This side of her wasn’t seen even while fighting the Rathalos.

Fradio’s bowgun has already been drawn, the man himself assuming a shooting stance.

Gannon, too, was readily on guard. Even though his lance hadn't been drawn, he was holding his shield firmly, always ready to jump in front of Elmeria if something were to happen.

(“Is that person... dangerous?”)

Zeeg felt no hostility from that person, but kept his hand on his sword’s grip just to be safe.

The robed person approached, stopping at a short distance in front of the party, and removed her hood.

[[File:MH-v01-099.jpg|300px|thumb]]

The girl had blonde hair, slightly lighter in tone compared to Elmeria’s. It was beautifully glossy, like water reflecting the sunlight. Judging from her looks, Zeeg guessed that she was slightly older than him.

Befitting her elegant voice, her face was pretty, her features without flaw. Her skin as white as the clouds, and her blue eyes as clear as the summer sky. Her firm stance showed great determination.

“...You again?”

Elmeria spoke up in a sarcastic tone, her voice echoing through the cave.

“You’re not alone, right? Just bring the others out, will you?”

With that said, a group of thirty people entered the cave and gathered behind the girl. They differ in physique, age, and gender, but all of them were dressed in robes similar to the girl, with hoods obscuring their faces.

Zeeg gripped his sword’s handle tightly- they were hiding something behind their backs.

Hunters are strictly forbidden from pointing their weapons at other people, but the case of self-defense is an exception. Even if they’re not trained to fight against humans, their physical strength alone allows them to easily defeat anyone not as well-trained as the knights of the kingdom.

“Opposing the hunt!”

One person spoke up, raising up the previously hidden object.

Acting in reflex, Zeeg almost rushed ahead to attack, but fortunately was able to stop himself in time.

That is because what that person raised wasn’t a weapon. It looked like some kind of announcement sign, made by nailing a wooden board to a pole. A message was painted on it:

[STOP KILLING WILD MONSTERS!!]

Everyone else except the girl in front followed suit. Each of them raised their signs- most were wooden like the first one, and a few were cloth banners.

[HUNTERS ARE DESTROYING NATURE!]

[STOP THESE BARBARIC ACTS!]

[DEMONS!]

[HUNTERS ARE DEVILS!]

[HUNTERS LIVE IN A PRIMITIVE CULTURE!]

Every sign and banner were raised in unison, each containing messages of protest directed at hunters. The people began shouting their messages, making the silent cave as loud as a market.

With all that noise, Zeeg felt the urge to cover his ears.

(“Wh...what’s up with these people...?”)

Having only ever been met with gratitude for completing his quests, this was the first time that Zeeg saw hunters being met with hostility for doing their job.

The mob seemed to be gaining momentum as their shouts get louder. If this keeps up, Zeeg fears that those people would grab random things to throw at them.

The cave’s floor was littered with small rocks as a result of mining. Even if the rocks were not capable of inflicting heavy injuries, one could get some scrapes if they got hit in the right spots.

And even if there are no wounds, that does not mean it would not be painful.

(“...Dammit! I was in such a good mood, too!”)

More than anything, Zeeg was mad at their interruption in his moment of triumph.

Even if all he did was just set a barrel, it counts as a contribution to the Rathalos hunt!

With all those people barging in, his moment was totally ruined. And more importantly-

“Hey! What’s that supposed to mean!?”

With his right hand still gripping his sword’s handle, Zeeg pointed at one of the signs.

“We live in a primitive culture!? Don’t mess with us! Do you think we just swing our weapons mindlessly!? If we don’t constantly improve ourselves and make new strategies, we won’t be able to win against the wyverns!”

There was a brief moment of silence, and then-

“That’s exactly why you people are primitive!”

“Don’t say that thinking up ways to kill wyverns is good use of your knowledge!”

“You’re inhuman! Do you really think it’s good to kill those intelligent beasts!?”

“They have families too, you know!”

“Demons!”

“Barbarians!”

“You people are the real monsters!”

Those people shouted in rage, causing Zeeg to take a few steps back in reflex. An incredible amount of pressure can be felt from beneath their hoods.

Then, the girl in front, who has been keeping silent the whole time, raised her hand up, and the mob instantly calmed down.

She glanced at Zeeg, smiling in the corner of her mouth, before turning back to Elmeria.

“It’s been a while, Elmeria Franport. I’ve been wanting to see you.”

“But I don’t want to.”

Elmeria gave a cold response, and the girl laughed softly.

“Please don’t say that- Ah, is the boy your new member?”

“Member? No, we’re just taking care of him for a while.”

“Is that so? But he is a hunter, am I correct?”

Elmeria did not affirm nor deny her words- The fact that she did not deny it made Zeeg feel a little proud of himself.

The girl nodded once, then assumed an imposing stance.

“...So, have you thought about what we discussed?”

“About what?”

“About you retiring as a hunter, of course.”

The girl said with a straight face, as if it’s something trivial. For hunters, however, asking them to retire early is like telling them to go die. Zeeg has seen people who said that get punched in the face so hard that their teeth broke. Even children know that it should never be said to a hunter.

Zeeg could see Elmeria clench her fist, thinking to himself whether or not he’ll be able to stop her. With her incredible physical strength and Rathalos Vambraces, a punch could easily kill a normal person.

However, Elmeria then unclenched her fist, instead letting out an arrogant snort.

“You sure you want to say that? I could punch your perfect nose out of shape right here and now, you know?”

“That would be nothing compared to the suffering the Rathalos had to go through. If you want to hit me, then do so. But I will never give up until I finally stop you from hunting wyverns.”

“What you do is up to you, but don’t expect that kind of success from me. I’ll hunt any monster as long as there’s a contract.”

“And why is that?”

Elmeria hunched her shoulders and turned to Zeeg.

“Zeeg, give her an answer. You’re a hunter too, aren't you?”

“Eh- me...?”

With the responsibility being thrown Zeeg's way, the mysterious girl turned to him for an answer.

“Um... Well... It’s because we’re hunters... I guess?”

“That is not acceptable as an answer.”

“That’s right! That’s right!”

The mob raised their voice in support of their leader, flustering Zeeg.

Since his childhood, Zeeg had never been the kind to think philosophically. He tried to think of another reason, but all the noise was preventing him from thinking straight, to the point that he wanted to attack them just to have them shut up.

However, he got some unexpected support.

“Really? I don’t think there’s any better answer than that though?”

It was Elmeria.

“People may say that it’s for money, fame, friendship, or some other reason, but they’re either just raising excuses to hide their embarrassment, or haven’t become a true hunter yet. Hunters are hunters. We just can’t change the way we live. Retiring when you’ve had enough is one thing, but we definitely won’t stop just because you asked us to.”

“Even if that means stepping over other lives? Of the monsters that you mercilessly killed?”

“Of course, all living things in this world always put their own lives above all else. You eat meat and vegetables too, don’t you? You wouldn’t be standing here in front of us if you didn’t. Admiring them because they’re from the nature, not killing them because they’re intelligent... that’s just you being arrogant.”

“You stand by your words, even if it means a species will go extinct?”

Elmeria hunched her shoulders again.

“Hunters don’t do that, you know? Just think about it. Our lives depend on the existence monsters. If there are no monsters, hunters will also cease to exist. Because of that, requests are thoroughly reviewed by each guild so that the hunt wouldn’t disrupt the ecosystem.”

“Lies! Didn’t third princess recently request the hunters to kidnap an infant Rathalos!?”

“Isn’t that because the Rathalos’s numbers growing too high, causing them to move to other regions and disrupting the ecosystem there?”

“Then what about the stealing of the wyverns’ eggs!?”

A woman shouted out.

“Just because they want to eat something unusual... Do you even consider the wyverns’ feelings!?”

“Of course we don’t.”

Elmeria put her hands on her hips and gave an honest answer.

“If we’re considerate about the feelings of the things we hunt, we wouldn’t be hunters in the first place... Now, let me ask you. Do you even consider the feelings of the meat and fish you eat? The grief those creatures must have felt before they end up on your plates? If you do, then how could you continue eating them? Isn’t that even crueler than us?”

The woman fell silent, her face red with embarrassment.

Seeing that, Elmeria let out another arrogant snort.

“You people are just fooling yourselves that your actions protect the wyverns. Putting select lives over others. We hunters don’t bother with that stuff. That monster is no exception.”

Elmeria turned around and pointed at the Rathalos’s lifeless body.

“Today, we won. But in the event that we lost, we would end up as its food. And don’t even think about calling us cowards for using explosives! Than thing can breathe fire and has poisoned talons. In terms of power, we’re nothing compared to it.”

“But the monster got its powers from the nature!”

A young boy spoke up, his face obscured by his robe’s hood.

Elmeria let out a sigh and continued speaking.

“Our armor and weapons are also made from natural components. We humans may not have sharp fangs or claws, but we are blessed with the gift of wisdom. What’s wrong with using what we have? Saying what you said means you consider humans to be superior to other living things... Please consider changing that mindset.”

Not able to think of a retort, tears welled up in the boy’s eyes.

“Let us stop here for today.”

Feeling that there is no point in arguing any further, the girl raised her hand to stop her followers. At least that’s what Zeeg thought.

“It is as you said.”

The robed girl smiled softly.

“We think humans are special. And as you said, we have wisdom as natural weapons. But weapons have practical uses outside of battles. The same could be said for the Rathalos’s poisoned talons, of course. In other words, our wisdom is not used exclusively for conflict. Moreover, I wouldn’t say that our existence is natural. But as unnatural as we are, I believe in our right to live, and that we should not interfere with nature, or at least keep it to a minimum... Do you not agree that this is the right path?

“By that, you mean the thing you people have been doing? Domestication and agriculture?”

The girl nodded firmly.

“That way, we can live with minimum interferences to the nature. If we need meat, we can raise Aptonoths. It we need grains, we can plant them. There is no need to hunt. Is that not the rightful role in this world for us humans?”

“And for that, you want us to change our way of life?”

“I believe that there are other ways for you to live.”

“You say that because you’re not a hunter. No matter how much we discuss this, I don’t think we'll ever come to an understanding.”

“...It is sad that you choose to give up before even trying.”

“But that’s the truth. And what about you? You don’t understand how great it is to be a hunter, right?”

The two girls stared calmly at each other for a moment.

“That may be true.”

The other girl spoke up.

“However, I don’t think the Hunter’s Guild operates thoroughly as you said. Judging from the increasing number of fire wyvern hunts as of late, it doesn’t seem like the guild is concerned about their extinction at all.”

“...? What do you mean?”

“If you’re interested, please do some investigation in your own time. The words from my mouth won’t be credible to you, after all. We will be investigating this matter as well. Depending on the result, the guild may be subject to prosecution. Please remember that the existence of the Hunter’s Guild is not officially approved by the kingdom. Naturally, all hunters under the guild’s employment will be charged as well.”

“You’re worrying too much. If the guild ceases to exist, the kingdom will be in trouble, too.”

“...That may be true.”

With that said, the girl walked away, her followers opening a path for her. Her steps were firm and elegant, as if she’s not walking in a wyvern’s nest.

“Good grief...”

As the tension lifted, Fradio holstered his Tankmage, and Gannon also put away his shield.

“Hey... Who are those people?”

Hearing Zeeg’s question, Fradio blinked in confusion.

“You don’t know them?”

“Nope.”

“You really are a country boy, hmm?”

“That doesn’t matter, does it!?”

Seeing Zeeg like that, Fradio laughed lightly.

“Hehehe... Forgive me. Those people belong to the wyvern conservation organization ‘Love Wyvern’. Their general belief is that humans should not hunt monsters, and that they want to protect the wyverns from extinction. They hold their activities in hunting grounds like today, and sometimes in the streets or at the capital.”

“What about the person in front? She seemed to be a leader of sorts.”

“Narumi Wimberly.”

Elmeria answered in Fradio’s stead.

“She’d been the face of that organization since 10 years ago. Doesn't look that dangerous, but actually a persistent activist. There are rumors that she was the one who started domesticating Aptonoths, in order to prove that humans can live without having to hunt. Words can only do so much in persuasion, after all. Again, that’s just a rumor I heard.”

“It’s strange that the young lady decided to have a lengthy conversation with her this time. You drove them away instantly last time, after all.”

“I did? Well, that doesn’t matter anymore. Isn’t it about time we get back to work?”

Elmeria took out her carving knife and approached the Rathalos. Thrusting the knife between the wyvern’s broken shells, she started to carve away like a fishmonger filleting seafood.

“Please observe closely.”

Fradio whispered to Zeeg.

“With her skills, the young lady could turn the Rahalos into a pile of raw materials within minutes.”

“Whoa...”

As Fradio said, she’s great at this. It was like she knew how to cut out each part just by muscle memory. With Gannon helping her, the process goes twice as quickly.

“You’re not helping them, Fradio?”

Zeeg turned to ask the man standing next to him.

“I’m a Gypceros specialist, you see. If this was a Gypceros, I wouldn’t even let anyone touch it, but for a Rathalos, I’ll pass...”

Fradio said, shaking his head.

As for Zeeg, he wanted to help, but understood that he would get in their way.

The mob from before also wasted them quite a lot of time. If the materials are not harvested promptly, the wyvern’s corpse will start to rot, and the decomposing smell will attract Velocipreys.

The process of carving large monsters is like a race against time. Moreover, it’s a Rathalos. All of their materials are rare and precious, so Zeeg wouldn’t want to risk breaking any of them.

“By the way, the young lady seems to be interested in you quite a bit.”

Fradio snickered while watching the carving process.

“What makes you think so?”

“Why do you think the young lady dragged on her conversation with Narumi Wimberly for so long?”

“...Who knows?”

“The young lady was trying to teach you the spirit of a hunter, and about our standing in this world. But she’s too embarrassed to speak about if face-to-face, so she used that conversation to teach you by example instead.”

The reason was so far-fetched that Zeeg almost laughed.

“Now, that’s impossible.”

“You don’t believe me? See, the young lady has gone through the exact same conversation once before, so the only reason that I could think of for her to repeat it was to teach you. Well... to be honest, I was quite surprised by your performance today. Even if the wyvern was stuck in a pitfall trap, I’ve never seen anyone brave enough to get that close to a Rathalos in their first encounter. Most people would be scared to death even from a distance, you see. This isn’t about skills, but the power of your heart. However-”

Reaching this point, Fradio narrowed his eyes.

“-Please don’t forget that there is a difference between bravery and recklessness. Bravery can save your comrades’ lives. On the other hand, an equal amount of recklessness can end their lives just as well.”

“...Yeah.”

Nodding firmly, Zeeg took those words to heart.

Then, he turned back to observe the carving.

With all of the scales removed from the Rathalos’s back, Elmeria carefully cut off the wyvern’s muscles until its spine was exposed. Gannon took out a thin bag and placed it on his knee, before nodding to Elmeria once.

Elmeria nodded once in response, and then plunged the knife into the wyvern’s spine.

(”Wah!”)

As the knife dug into the bone, a flame lashed out, burning away the Rathalos’s muscles.

Not stopping her hand, Elmeria pushed in deeper, then pulled out a section of the spine. A flame was ignited at the piece’s core. She passed it to Gannon and carried on carving, repeating the same process for the other sections of its spine.

After she was done, Gannon swiftly inserted all of them in the bag, sealing the mouth and pulling a string at its bottom. The bag tightened on the bones as air gets expelled.

“What’s that?”

“It’s a special vacuum bag designed for carrying Fire Wyvern Marrows. You see, the marrows ignite on air contact, so a vacuum bag is needed to transport them."

“Hm... So that’s it...”

Elmeria caught her breath and wiped the blood off her knife before putting it away. The Rathalos still has scales left on its body, but she gathered what she collected and walked away.

“Why’re you stopping?”

Hearing Zeeg’s question, Elmeria tilted her head in confusion.

“Stop what?”

“Isn’t there a lot more to harvest?”

“Ah, we’ve taken enough.”

Elmeria said as she crammed the Rathalos Scales into her bag.

“Enough... You’re letting them go to waste!?”

“Of course not.”

Elmeria knocked heavily on Zeeg’s breastplate.

“We have to give back to nature as well! Velocipreys will come eat the meat, temporarily reducing the number of Aptonoths being hunted. The scales can be used by insects to build nests and reproduce. And as its flesh and bones decompose, it will feed the earth with minerals, enabling plants and mushrooms to grow. With the cycle of nature uninterrupted, a new wyvern will eventually make its nest here. It’s a hunter’s common sense, you know.”

Zeeg hadn’t thought about it up until now.

“...I never knew that.”

Mumbling to himself, he was given a pat on the shoulder from Fradio.

“That can’t be helped. You never needed to know these things before, after all. While hunting alone, you wouldn’t possibly be able to carry all of the spoils, so they will be returned to the nature regardless.”

“But it’s an important thing to know.”

Elmeria said as she picked up her luggage.

“For hunters, that is.”

“............”

She exited the cave, with Gannon following her, until he caught up and assumed the lead position.

“We should go too. Our quest is complete.”

“Right.”

As he walked out the cave, Zeeg turned around to look at the Rathalos again, thinking about what Elmeria said.

However, he couldn’t quite grasp the true meaning of those words just yet.

“By the way, what do you think?”

Suddenly, Fradio raised his head and asked a question.

Currently, the party is on their return trip. The carriage was filled with Rathalos materials, mainly scales and marrows. Supplies and disassembled tent parts were packed inside wooden boxes. Zeeg and the others spent most of their trip in silence.

The man held the Tankmage in his arms, stroking the parts covered with Gypceros hides with love and care.

It had been two days since the Rathalos hunt, and the party had come quite far away from the hunting grounds. Everyone was still fully armed however, because anything could happen while travelling. Before the trip, they washed themselves at the base camp to get rid of the wyvern droppings’ smell from their bodies, and their equipment were thoroughly cleaned and polished to prevent rusting.

The city was now just a few hours away.

However, the flame that was ignited in Zeeg’s heart has not calmed down. When he tried to get some sleep, images of the Rathalos would appear in his eyes, causing him to shiver in anxiety. As a result, he haven’t gotten a good night’s sleep since departing from the base camp.

But this was not due to fear; it was his blood boiling with excitement.

From this experience, he felt that he now understands the hunters’ admiration for wyverns. Of course, he had always wanted to fight a Rathalos since the day he chose to pursue the hunter’s path. However, that had simply been a childish dream, like a boy wanting to be a knight or a girl wanting to be a princess.

When he finally got to see the real deal, he was totally enchanted by its strength and magnificence, and was filled with pride for having taken part in defeating it.

His feelings were still nothing compared to Fradio’s passion for the Gypceros, however.

“Think about what?”

As Zeeg returned the question, the man’s eyes under the Gypceros cap turned to him.

“About the increasing number of fire wyvern hunts. Those people must have been keeping track of the Rathalos population quite thoroughly. If it’s true that they were being hunted to the point of near-extinction, it might be a problem.”

“That’s impossible.”

Elmeria spoke up, her eyes still closed.

“The Hunter’s Guild is very careful when it comes to this kind of thing. If not, there won’t be any hunters who would join them- Isn’t that right, Gannon?”

Gannon nodded firmly in agreement to the girl’s words.

“That may be true, but please remember that there are also hunters not employed by the guilds. Some are based in their villages like Zeeg used to be, and some just travel all over the place. The travelling types are skilled, but many of them have problematic mindsets and disagree with the guild’s rules. Generally, they became drifters after their licenses got revoked.”

“You’re saying that those people have been poaching Rathalos?”

Fradio nodded.

Elmeria open her eyes and turned to Gannon.

“What do you think?”

“...It is possible.”

“Hmm... Well, I guess it’s best that we notify the guild about this. If the drifters really are hunting Rathalos in a large scale, we would be in trouble too. How annoying...”

Elmeria pouted. Even though she speaks like an adult, her mannerisms were much closer to people of her age.

''And she’s actually pretty cute''-- Zeeg instantly dropped the thought as that sentence popped up in his mind. ''Now, that’s impossible'', he thought. ''Not with the tendency for verbal abuse'', he thought.

In an attempt to conceal his confused feelings, he asked a question.

“But if it’s true, where'd all those hunting requests even come from?”

“...How am I supposed to know?”

And what he received was just an apathetic answer.

(“...There you go. Not cute at all.”)

With that, Zeeg concluded that he just imagined his previous thought. However, he still feels somewhat conflicted about it, but all he could do was sit in silence with his back against a large barrel.

The atmosphere inside the carriage suddenly became heavy.

Seeming to enjoy it, Fradio let out a laugh.

“Ah... It sure is nice to be young...”

“What’s up with that?”

“Yeah, what’s that supposed to mean, Fradio?”

“Now now, don’t mind me. And Mr. Gannon, could you please not glare at me like that? ...More importantly, the Guild Knights could be making a move in response to this fiasco.”

“Guild Knights?”

Distracted by new information, Zeeg completely forgot the irritation he felt in his mind.

Elmeria open her mouth to answer, but in the end didn’t say anything. Seeing that, Fradio did the explanation in her stead.

“You don’t know them? They are an organization under the Hunter’s Guild. On the surface, their job is to approve requests for the guild and to negotiate with the nobles who own the hunting grounds. The truth is... they take care of the guild’s dirty work.”

“Dirty work?”

“You really like to ask questions, huh?”

Elmeria let out a sigh in boredom, and in response Zeeg clicked his tongue in annoyance.

“It’s not my fault that I don’t know this kind of thing, you know. The village chief never taught me about this, and I got signed up for this quest right after getting my license.”

“What, you’re saying that we’re causing you trouble? I should be the one saying that.”

“I never said that! I was just telling you that I never had the time to learn these things!”

Zeeg and Elmeria stood up.

“Now now. Stop it, you two.”

Fradio put his Tankmage down and raised his hands to stop the two.

“It’ll be better for him if he knows it. If he kept quiet and pretended to know, it could cause problems down the line, after all. Especially if he got targeted by the manipulating types. Ah, yes... it’s like a Gypceors faking its death. Just when you thought the battle was won, as you approach it-”

“...Fradio.”

Fradio’s Gypceros story was stopped abruptly by Gannon’s heavy voice.

The man stopped his rant, but not before narrowing his eyes under the mask to show his dissatisfaction.

“Apologies.”

Fradio bowed his head once before turning back to Zeeg.

“-Back to the main point. By dirty work, I mean assassinations. In other words, the Guild Knights are hunters who hunt humans. There are quite a lot of rumors about them.”

“They hunt humans!?”

Zeeg’s eyes opened wide.

Hunters take pride in the fact that despite their incredible strength, they never point their weapons at humans. There may be some who have short fuses, but even they wouldn’t pick up their weapons if the other person doesn’t do so first. Even then, most cases of weapons being drawn would be just for intimidation.

“Can we even call them hunters at this point?”

“Of course, normal hunters wouldn’t want to count the Guild Knights as one of their own. But it is a fact that those people are employed by the Hunter’s Guild. It was said that they would step in when there are issues between different guilds. They are also tasked with getting rid of people with disruptive behavior and hunters who dishonor the guild’s name.”

“Keep your greed in check, alright? I wouldn’t want you to do something problematic.”

Elmeria spoke in a sarcastic tone.

“Of course I won’t!”

“If that’s the case, good. I wouldn’t want to wake up in the morning, walk to the plaza, and see your corpse fill the dried-up fountain with blood. That would totally ruin my day.”

“Hehehe... Something like that has happened before, yes.”

Zeeg was startled by Fradio’s words. At first, he thought Elmeria was just joking.

“For real!?”

“Yes. I think it was about half a year ago? You see, hunters do have some clearance to hunt monsters not in their requests, but that person took it too far. He was skilled enough to hunt a Rathalos by himself, but he was so full of himself that he stole wyvern eggs from the nest as well. He shouldn’t have done that...”

“Eh? W...wait a second. If it’s stealing eggs, I’ve done it too, you know?”

“Was it out of your quest objective?”

With Fradio glaring at him, Zeeg shook his head.

“It was requested, of course! Now, don’t look at me like that...”

“Hehehe... I’m sorry. If it was requested, then there’s no problem. Before the quest was approved, the guild has to check the monster population and the number of laid eggs first. Moreover, the Guild Knights wouldn’t make a move if you stole them just once or twice. But for that person, I heard that he did it on a regular basis.”

“You have to be careful too, alright?”

Still standing up with her arms crossed, Elmeria pointed at Zeeg.

“Now, don’t misunderstand. I don’t think you’re the kind of person who likes to steal. But rookies like you tend to unknowingly get involved in those kind of things. I’m just giving a warning.”

“What do you mean?”

“The exists a set of 'Commandments' that hunters are obligated to follow, but-”

Fradio spoke up in Elmeria’s stead.

“-It's not something that is written of a piece of paper and stuck to a bulletin board. It is what one learns naturally while taking on requests and going out on hunts with their party. Because it’s not taught in a conventional way, novice hunters are prone to being manipulated into accepting requests not approved by the guild. So no matter how good the reward is, don’t accept requests outside gathering halls- or if someone invited you, do be wary of joining them.”

Zeeg took those words to heart.

Even though he still doesn’t know who the Guild Knights really are, he wouldn’t want to be killed by them. If something were to kill him, he’d rather have it be a wyvern- no, an elder dragon, elusive creatures that exist somewhere in this world. Of course, winning against them is still a hundred times better, and right now, he doesn’t plan on dying that easily.

“...We have arrived.”

The carriage stopped immediately after Gannon’s statement.

The vehicle shook slightly as it was lifted up. After about 10 minutes docked on the transporter bridge’s gondola, the group arrived at the city.

The guild’s coachman moved his carriage down, and the gondola went down the mountain as a bell was rung at the bottom. This means there is another group of customers- either merchants or returning hunters, waiting to get up.

Elmeria stood up and did some stretching, the red and black armor on her arms and legs making her look like a miniature Rathalos.

“Alright, let’s report to Becky and get some rest. I’ve been wanting to take a break for a while now... Hunting two wyverns in a row is more tiring than I thought.”

“Two in a row... Then at that time, you just got back from a wyvern hunt!?”

Zeeg thought back to when he first saw Elmeria’s party. He thought they just got back from a gathering quest, since they didn’t seem to be tired at all.

“Yeah. Just a Cephadrome though, so it wasn’t that difficult. But we did waste quite a lot of time because I was stingy about using Sonic Bombs. Gannon?”

“...Yes.”

Carrying the bag containing Fire Wyvern Marrows on his back, Gannon nodded.

Cephadromes are fish-like wyverns that live in the desert. They have fins instead of wings.

In exchange for the lack of ability to fly, these monsters can swim freely in the sand. With that, they are classified as Piscine Wyverns. In terms of size, they are slightly smaller than a Rathalos.

Their fins contain paralyzing toxins, which they use effectively for hunting prey by immobilizing the target before dragging it down under the sand.

There is also a smaller variant called Cephalos, which is quite popular because their livers are considered a delicacy.

Those two monsters hunt by tracking the sound of their prey moving on the sand. They have a great sense of hearing, but it’s also their weakness. By using Sonic Bombs, one can force the monsters to jump out of the sand due to the abnormally high-pitched sound. Regrettably, Zeeg hasn't been to the desert yet, so he has never seen the real thing.

“You’ll get to hunt it one of these days, so stock up on Sonic Bombs while you can. When you’re used to it, you can drag them out by directly attacking their dorsal fins or using small barrel bombs as well.”

“Yeah, I’ll remember to do that!”

Even though Zeeg was annoyed at the girl’s sarcastic tone, all he could do was pick up his luggage. However, with him being just a spectator for this quest and the unused supply items already returned, there isn’t that much for him to carry.

After everyone got down, the carriage immediately took off in the direction of the guest houses.

Entering the gathering hall, there aren’t a lot of customers since it is still early in the day.

Even so, quite a few are getting drunk already.

Most of them are hunters who just got back from their quests, drinking to recharge their energy for the next job. There are also some who come to drink just because they like it. Back at Zeeg’s village, there was a hunter who hunts just to drink. Completing each request, he would spend all his reward money on alcohol.

As Zeeg’s group walked in, everyone in the hall turned to look. Even though he knew that most of them weren’t looking at himself, it still felt good. As for the ones that did look at him, they were jealous that a kid got to team up with the veterans.

“Ah, welcome back!”

As the group reached the counter, Becky welcomed them with a smile.

“Looks like the quest went well. Mr. Rookie here is also safe. That’s a relief.”

“...Thank you.”

Zeeg bowed his head slightly to show his thanks. And then-

“What’re you saying, Becky? Of course he’s safe! He was only watching, after all.”

Hearing that, Becky has a disappointed look on her face.

Zeeg slammed his hand on the counter.

“I wasn’t just watching, you know!?”

“Hmm? Then, what did you do?”

“The bomb! I rushed in bravely to place the finishing Large Barrel Bomb at the Rathalos’s neck!”

Hearing him say that, Elmeria looked on with pity and shrugged.

“Bravely? If it’s just placing a barrel next to a Rathalos that’s stuck in a Pitfall Trap, anyone can do that. If they’re hunters, that is.”

“What the-!”

“Now now, stop it, you two.”

Fradio popped up between the two. With the Gypceros Cap filling the gap between them, all Elmeria and Zeeg could do was exchange dark looks with each other.

“Didn’t Zeeg do well in his task? I think we should at least accept that.”

“That’s right!”

Zeeg proudly raised his chest, with Elmeria looking on in dissatisfaction.

“But it’s still not something that you can boast about, you know.”

“Yeah!”

This time, Zeeg was the one who hunched his shoulders, while Elmeria puffed up with pride.

For some reason, Gannon looked at those two with a serious face, while Becky was giggling at their exchange.

“Well then, do you have the requested material?”

“...It is here.”

Still with a rigid expression, Gannon placed the vacuum bag on the counter.

Becky touched the bag from above and nodded.

“Fire Wyvern Marrow confirmed- Thank you for your hard work.”

Before picking up the bag, Becky bowed once.

Everyone in Elmeria’s group stoop up straight and bowed their heads. Zeeg, observing that they were paying their last respects to the fire wyvern, followed suit.

The bag was carefully put away in a box behind the counter. Then, Becky took out a pile of documents from the drawer and placed one sheet on the countertop. Elmeria read through it and signed her name.

“Alright, you’re all set.”

Becky put away the document and then asked the group-

“Would you like something to eat? We just got a new batch of Bullfango meat, so we made white sauce from Special Mushrooms to go with the steak. Interested?”

Elmeria turned to ask Gannon’s opinion. The large man nodded in response and ordered the menu for himself and Fradio.

“What about you, Zeeg?”

“I...”

Zeeg was too embarrassed to inquire the menu’s price. With most of his reward money being deducted for the chair repairs and Elmeria’s lesson fees, he wouldn’t want to eat anything expensive right now.

Even so, he hesitated to decline the invitation, since he doesn’t want to admit that he’s broke right now, especially not in front of Becky and Elmeria.

“All four of us will have it, then.”

Elmeria raised four fingers as she made the order, then turned to Zeeg before he could say anything.

“Celebrating after a successful hunt is also important, you know. By the way, the cost for your steak will also be deducted from your reward money.”

Zeeg looked on in confusion as he noticed that Elmeria was looking right through him, with her cheeks becoming slightly red. He was then given a pat on his shoulder from Fradio, who was staring at him from under his mask.

“That’s right, Zeeg. It is also a hunter’s duty to celebrate a job well done. Doing so deepens our bonds, improving cooperation during hunts. Please keep in mind that if you ignore this part, there might not be a next hunt with your party.”

“...Yeah.”

Zeeg nodded and rested his elbow on the counter. Understanding that Elmeria has actually been looking out for him, he thanked the girl in his mind. Even though he knew that it must be said verbally to have any meaning, he’s too embarrassed to do so right now.

“Alright, four Bullfango Steaks with Special Mushroom Sauce coming right up! Thank you for your patronage~!”

After saying that, Becky turned around and shouted the order to the kitchen, and a deep voice replied in acknowledgement.

“While you guys wait for the steak, want some beer?”

“Right... Let’s see...”

Elmeria turned to Zeeg.

“Do you drink?”

“Eh!? Of course I do!? I'll have you know that I was quite a heavy drinker back at my village!”

“Hmm... We’ll have four beers then.”

“Coming right up~!”

Becky turned around and took four mugs from the shelf. Knocking the barrel stopper off with a mug’s rim, she let the alcohol flow into the other mugs, filling them to the brim with thick foam.

“Thanks for waiting.”

She then turned around again and placed the mugs on the countertop, not caring about the slight spill. One of them was placed in front of Zeeg. He looked at it for a while before grabbing its handle.

In truth, Zeeg has never drank beer before back at his village, but pretended that he did so that he wouldn’t get made fun of by Elmeria again. From now on, it’s going to be a whole new world for the boy.

“Alright then...”

Elmeria lifted her mug up and looked at everyone.

“To our successful Rathalos hunt! Cheers!”

“...Cheers.”

“Cheers!”

“Ch...cheers!”

Four mugs clinked together in a toast, with a third of the golden liquid in Zeeg’s spilling all over his face. Every other table in the hall also toasted in unison, as if they had a part in this.

With the other tables starting to place more orders, Becky separated from Zeeg’s group. It became so busy that if a hunter were to come in looking for a quest now, they wouldn’t be able to get any information.

Elmeria chugged down her beer in one go. Even though she was slower than Gannon, she didn’t even stop to breathe.

As for Fradio, he drank his beer without opening his mask by using a straw he got from Becky before she separated from the group.

Looks like he doesn’t plan on revealing his face anytime soon.

Thinking he’s finally ready, Zeeg took a sip.

(“It’s bitter...”)

That was his first impression. He thought to himself that people who actually likes this thing might have something wrong with their tongues, like the ones who think carrot is delicious.

But if he said it out loud, he would be called a kid by Elmeria again. Zeeg knew that even if he just got to know her for only a few days.

As Becky came back, Elmeria ordered a refill for herself and Gannon. Luckily for Zeeg, she didn’t ask if he would like a refill, so the boy kept quiet.

With her mug refilled, Elmeria spoke up to Becky.

“Oh yeah, we met her as well.”

“Her?”

“Narumi Wimberly.”

While saying that, Elmeria made a bitter face, as if she had something even more bitter than beer inside her mouth.

“While we were going to carve the Rathalos, she popped up with her followers and started the usual rant before leaving.”

“Protesting against killing wyverns, right?”

“Yeah. She said that human’s wisdom should be used for better things... Something like that.”

At this point, the finished steaks came out of the kitchen in metal plates, served before the four party members. The Special Mushroom sauce made a sizzling sound as it boiled due to the meat’s heat, sending off a wonderful smell.

Glad that the food was finally here, Zeeg put down his beer mug and started to cut up his steak with a knife and fork. Elmeria, on the other hand, didn’t start eating immediately. After chugging down her beer, she leaned on the counter and whispered to Becky.

“By the way, that girl also said something strange.”

“Something strange?”

Becky also lowered her voice, turning the idle chatter into a serious conversation.

With her thumb, Elmeria wiped the beer foam off her mouth and continued.

“Yeah. She said that the number of wyverns- of Rathalos being hunted has been abnormally high lately. At first I thought she was exaggerating like usual, but she went so far as to say that they might be in danger of extinction.”

“...I have a bad feeling about this news. Thanks for telling me.”

“No problem.”

Finally, Elmeria put down her mug and started cutting up her steak, stuffing the meat in her cheeks as if she forgot the serious conversation earlier.

Noticing that Zeeg has been looking at her the whole time, she smiled at the boy without wiping the sauce off her lips.

“Guild Master?”

From a door in the back corner of the kitchen, Becky entered a dimly lit room, calling out in the direction of a flickering light.

“I heard.”

The small figure of an elderly man appeared with the tobacco smoke from his pipe- The owner of this gathering hall, and also master of the Hunter’s Guild of this city.

“The story had my curiosity as well. It’s unlikely that the wandering hunters all felt like hunting the Rathalos at the same time. We’ll have to investigate this further- Can I leave it to you?”

“Of course. I’ll contact my colleagues immediately.”

“Hm. I entrust you with this task, then... Sorry that you had to do all the dirty work.”

The old man blew out a ring of smoke.

“Not at all.”

Becky produced a cold smile, showing a completely different personality from when she was behind the counter. A speck of candle light reflected on her eyes as she silently walked out of the dark room, her footsteps causing not even the faintest sound.

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Monster Hunter:Volume1 Chapter3

2018-06-18T19:36:49Z

Barnnn:

== Chapter 3 - Love Wyvern ==

(“What’s going on?”)

While getting ready to carve, Zeeg stopped his hand upon hearing the shout and instead reached for his Buster Blade’s grip.

He has heard rumors that there are hunters who steal materials from monsters hunted by other hunters- Could this be one of them?

The person that entered the cave, however, didn’t seem to be a thief. Dressed in a white hooded robe, it gave the impression of a priest. An unknown symbol was embroidered on the robe’s chest. It’s a sword inside a red circle, with a diagonal line crossing through it. Zeeg couldn’t quite make out its meaning.

Next to Zeeg, Elemria groaned in annoyance, showing hostility towards the approaching person. This side of her wasn’t seen even while fighting the Rathalos.

Fradio’s bowgun has already been drawn, the man himself assuming a shooting stance.

Gannon, too, is readily on guard. Even though his lance wasn’t drawn, he held his shield tightly, ready to jump in front of Elmeria if something were to happen.

(“Is that person... dangerous?”)

Zeeg didn’t feel any hostility from that person, but kept his hand on his sword’s grip just to be safe.

The robed person approached, stopping at a short distance in front of the party, and removed her hood.

[[File:MH-v01-099.jpg|300px|thumb]]

The girl has blonde hair, slightly lighter in tone compared to Elmeria’s. It was beautifully glossy, like water reflecting the sunlight. Judging from her looks, Zeeg guessed that she’s a little older than him.

Befitting her elegant voice, her face was pretty, and her features without flaw. Her skin as white as the clouds, and her blue eyes as clear as the summer sky. Her firm stance showed great determination.

“...You again?”

Elmeria spoke up in a sarcastic tone, her voice echoing around the cave.

“You’re not alone, right? Just bring the others out, will you?”

With that said, a group of 30 people entered the cave and gathered behind the girl. They differ in physique, age, and gender, but all of them were dressed in robes similar to the girl, with hoods obscuring their faces.

Zeeg gripped his sword’s handle tightly- they’re hiding something behind their backs.

Hunters are strictly forbidden from pointing their weapons at other people, but the case of self-defense is an exception. Even if they’re not trained to fight against humans, their physical strength alone allows them to easily defeat anyone not as well-trained as the knights of the kingdom.

“Opposing the hunt!”

One person spoke up, raising up the previously hidden object.

Acting in reflex, Zeeg almost rushed ahead to attack, but fortunately was able to stop himself in time.

That is because what that person raised wasn’t a weapon. It looked like some kind of announcement sign, made by nailing a wooden board to a pole. A message was painted on it:

[STOP KILLING WILD MONSTERS!!]

Everyone else except the girl in front followed suit. Each of them raised their signs- most were wooden like the first one, and a few were cloth banners.

[HUNTERS ARE DESTROYING NATURE!]

[STOP THESE BARBARIC ACTS!]

[DEMONS!]

[HUNTERS ARE DEVILS!]

[HUNTERS LIVE IN A PRIMITIVE CULTURE!]

Every sign and banner were raised in unison, each containing messages of protest directed at hunters. The people began shouting their messages, making the silent cave as loud as a market.

With all that noise, Zeeg felt the urge to cover his ears.

(“Wh...what’s up with these people...?”)

Having only ever been met with gratitude for completing his quests, this is the first time that Zeeg sees hunters being met with hostility for doing their job.

The mob seem to be gaining momentum as their shouts get louder. If this keeps up, Zeeg fears that those people would grab random things to throw at them.

The cave’s floor was littered with small rocks as a result of mining. Even if the rocks are not capable of inflicting heavy injuries, one could get some scrapes if they got hit in the right spots.

And even if there are no wounds, that doesn’t mean it’s not painful.

(“...Dammit! I was in such a good mood, too!”)

More than anything, Zeeg was mad at their interruption in his moment of triumph.

Even if all he did was just set a barrel, it counts as a contribution to the Rathalos hunt!

With all those people barging in, it totally ruined his moment. And more importantly-

“Hey! What’s that supposed to mean!?”

With his right hand still gripping his sword’s handle, Zeeg pointed at one of the signs.

“We live in a primitive culture!? Don’t mess with us! Do you think we just swing our weapons mindlessly!? If we don’t constantly improve ourselves and make new strategies, we won’t be able to win against the wyverns!”

There was a brief moment of silence, and then-

“That’s exactly why you people are primitive!”

“Don’t say that thinking up ways to kill wyverns is good use of your knowledge!”

“You’re inhuman! Do you really think it’s good to kill those intelligent beasts!?”

“They have families too, you know!”

“Demons!”

“Barbarians!”

“You people are the real monsters!”

Those people shouted in rage, causing Zeeg to take a few steps back in reflex. An incredible amount of pressure can be felt from beneath their hoods.

Then, the girl in front, who has been keeping silent the whole time, raised her hand up, and the mob instantly calmed down.

She glanced at Zeeg, smiling in the corner of her mouth, before turning back to Elmeria.

“It’s been a while, Elmeria Franport. I’ve been wanting to see you.”

“But I don’t want to.”

Elmeria gave a cold response, and the girl laughed softly.

“Please don’t say that- Ah, is the boy your new member?”

“Member? No, we’re just taking care of him for a while.”

“Is that so? But he is a hunter, am I correct?”

Elmeria did not affirm nor deny her words- The fact that she didn’t deny it made Zeeg feel a little proud of himself.

The girl nodded once, and assumed an imposing stance.

“...So, have you thought about what we discussed?”

“About what?”

“About you retiring as a hunter, of course.”

The girl said with a straight face, as if it’s something trivial. For hunters, however, asking them to retire early is like telling them to go die. Zeeg has seen people who said that get punched in the face so hard that their teeth broke. Even children know that it should never be said to a hunter.

Zeeg could see Elmeria clench her fist, thinking to himself whether or not he’ll be able to stop her. With her incredible physical strength and Rathalos Vambraces, a punch could easily kill a normal person.

However, Elmeria then unclenched her fist, the let out an arrogant snort.

“You sure you want to say that? I could punch your perfect nose out of shape right here and now, you know?”

“That would be nothing compared to the suffering the Rathalos had to go through. If you want to hit me, go ahead. But I will never give up until I finally stop you from hunting wyverns.”

“What you do is up to you, but don’t expect that kind of success from me. I’ll hunt any monster as long as there’s a contract.”

“And why is that?”

Elmeria hunched her shoulders and turned to Zeeg.

“Zeeg, give her an answer. You’re a hunter too, aren't you?”

“Eh- me...?”

Zeeg got the responsibility thrown his way, and the mysterious girl turned to him for an answer.

“Um... Well... It’s because we’re hunters... I guess?”

“That is not acceptable as an answer.”

“That’s right! That’s right!”

The mob raised their voice in support of their leader, flustering Zeeg.

Since his childhood, Zeeg was never the kind to think philosophically. He tried to think of another reason, but all the noise is preventing him from thinking straight, to the point that he wanted to attack them just to have them shut up.

However, he got some unexpected support.

“Really? I don’t think there’s any better answer than that though?”

It was Elmeria.

“People may say that it’s for money, fame, friendship, or some other reason, but they’re either just raising excuses to hide their embarrassment, or haven’t become a true hunter yet. Hunters are hunters. We just can’t change the way we live. Retiring when you’ve had enough is one thing, but we definitely won’t stop just because you asked us to.”

“Even if that means stepping over other lives? Of the monsters that you mercilessly killed?”

“Of course, all living things in this world always put their own lives above all else. You eat meat and vegetables too, don’t you? You wouldn’t be standing here in front of us if you didn’t. Admiring them because they’re from the nature, not killing them because they’re intelligent... that’s just you being arrogant.”

“You stand by your words, even if it means a species will go extinct?”

Elmeria hunched her shoulders again.

“Hunters don’t do that, you know? Just think about it. Our lives depend on the existence monsters. If there are no monsters, hunters will also cease to exist. Because of that, requests are thoroughly reviewed by each guild so that the hunt wouldn’t disrupt the ecosystem.”

“Lies! Didn’t third princess recently request the hunters to kidnap an infant Rathalos!?”

“Isn’t that because the Rathalos’s numbers growing too high, causing them to move to other regions and disrupting the ecosystem there?”

“Then what about the stealing of the wyverns’ eggs!?”

A woman shouted out.

“Just because they want to eat something unusual... Do you even consider the wyverns’ feelings!?”

“Of course we don’t.”

Elmeria put her hands on her hips and gave an honest answer.

“If we’re considerate about the feelings of the things we hunt, we wouldn’t be hunters in the first place... Now, let me ask you. Do you even consider the feelings of the meat and fish you eat? The grief those creatures must have felt before they end up on your plates? If you do, then how could you continue eating them? Isn’t that even crueler than us?”

The woman fell silent, her face red with embarrassment.

Seeing that, Elmeria let out another arrogant snort.

“You people are just fooling yourselves that your actions protect the wyverns. Putting select lives over others. We hunters don’t bother with that stuff. That monster is no exception.”

Elmeria turned around and pointed at the Rathalos’s lifeless body.

“Today, we won. But in the event that we lost, we would end up as its food. And don’t even think about calling us cowards for using explosives! Than thing can breathe fire and has poisoned talons. In terms of power, we’re nothing compared to it.”

“But the monster got its powers from the nature!”

A young boy spoke up, his face obscured by his robe’s hood.

Elmeria let out a sigh and continued speaking.

“Our armor and weapons are also made from natural components. We humans may not have sharp fangs or claws, but we are blessed with the gift of wisdom. What’s wrong with using what we have? Saying what you said means you consider humans to be superior to other living things... Please consider changing that mindset.”

Not able to think of a retort, tears welled up in the boy’s eyes.

“Let us stop here for today.”

Feeling that there is no point in arguing any further, the girl raised her hand to stop her followers. At least that’s what Zeeg thought.

“It is as you said.”

The robed girl smiled softly.

“We think humans are special. And as you said, we have wisdom as natural weapons. But weapons have practical uses outside of battles. Of course, the same could be said for the Rathalos’s poisoned talons. In other words, our wisdom is not used exclusively for conflict. Moreover, I wouldn’t say that our existence is natural. But as unnatural as we are, I believe that we have the right to live, and that we should not interfere with nature, or at least keep it to a minimum... Do you not agree that this is the right path?

“By that, you mean the thing you people have been doing? Domestication and agriculture?”

The girl nodded firmly.

“That way, we can live with minimum interferences to the nature. If we need meat, we can raise Aptonoths. It we need grains, we can plant them. There is no need to hunt. Is that not the rightful role in this world for us humans?”

“And for that, you want us to change our way of life?”

“I believe that there are other ways for you to live.”

“You say that because you’re not a hunter. No matter how much we discuss this, I don’t think we will ever come to an understanding.”

“...It is sad that you choose to give up before even trying.”

“But that’s the truth. And what about you? You don’t understand how great it is to be a hunter, right?”

The two girls stared calmly at each other for a moment.

“That may be true.”

The other girl spoke up.

“However, I don’t think the Hunter’s Guild operates thoroughly as you said. Judging from the increasing number of fire wyvern hunts as of late, it doesn’t seem like the guild is concerned about their extinction at all.”

“...? What do you mean?”

“If you’re interested, please do some investigation in your own time. The words from my mouth won’t be credible to you, after all. We will be investigating this matter as well. Depending on the result, the guild may be subject to prosecution. Please remember that the existence of the Hunter’s Guild is not officially approved by the kingdom. Naturally, all hunters under the guild’s employment will be charged as well.”

“You’re worrying too much. If the guild ceases to exist, the kingdom will be in trouble, too.”

“...That may be true.”

With that said, the girl walked away, her followers opening a path for her. Her steps were firm and elegant, as if she’s not walking in a wyvern’s nest.

“Good grief...”

As the tension lifted, Fradio holstered his Tankmage, and Gannon also put away his shield.

“Hey... Who are those people?”

Hearing Zeeg’s question, Fradio blinked in confusion.

“You don’t know them?”

“Nope.”

“You really are a country boy, hmm?”

“That doesn’t matter, does it!?”

Seeing Zeeg like that, Fradio laughed lightly.

“Hehehe... Forgive me. Those people belong to the wyvern conservation organization ‘Love Wyvern’. Their general belief is that humans should not hunt monsters, and that they want to protect the wyverns from extinction. They hold their activities in hunting grounds like today, and sometimes in the streets or at the capital.”

“What about the person in front? She seemed to be a leader of sorts.”

“Narumi Wimberly.”

Elmeria answered in Fradio’s stead.

“She’d been the face of that organization since 10 years ago. Doesn't look that dangerous, but actually a persistent activist. There are rumors that she was the one who started domesticating Aptonoths, in order to prove that humans can live without having to hunt. Words can only do so much in persuasion, after all. Again, that’s just a rumor I heard.”

“It’s strange that the young lady decided to have a lengthy conversation with her this time. You drove them away instantly last time, after all.”

“I did? Well, that doesn’t matter anymore. Isn’t it about time we get back to work?”

Elmeria took out her carving knife and approached the Rathalos. Thrusting the knife between the wyvern’s broken shells, she started to carve away like a fishmonger filleting seafood.

“Please observe closely.”

Fradio whispered to Zeeg.

“With her skills, the young lady could turn the Rahalos into a pile of raw materials within minutes.”

“Whoa...”

As Fradio said, she’s great at this. It was like she knew how to cut out each part just by muscle memory. With Gannon helping her, the process goes twice as quickly.

“You’re not helping them, Fradio?”

Zeeg turned to ask the man standing next to him.

“I’m a Gypceros specialist, you see. If this was a Gypceros, I wouldn’t even let anyone touch it, but for a Rathalos, I’ll pass...”

Fradio said, shaking his head.

As for Zeeg, he wanted to help, but understood that he would get in their way.

The mob from before also wasted them quite a lot of time. If the materials are not harvested promptly, the wyvern’s corpse will start to rot, and the decomposing smell will attract Velocipreys.

The process of carving large monsters is like a race against time. Moreover, it’s a Rathalos. All of their materials are rare and precious, so Zeeg wouldn’t want to risk breaking any of them.

“By the way, the young lady seems to be interested in you quite a bit.”

Fradio snickered while watching the carving process.

“What makes you think so?”

“Why do you think the young lady dragged on her conversation with Narumi Wimberly for so long?”

“...Who knows?”

“The young lady was trying to teach you the spirit of a hunter, and about our standing in this world. But she’s too embarrassed to speak about if face-to-face, so she used that conversation to teach you by example instead.”

The reason was so far-fetched that Zeeg almost laughed.

“Now, that’s impossible.”

“You don’t believe me? See, the young lady has gone through the exact same conversation once before, so the only reason that I could think of for her to repeat it was to teach you. Well... to be honest, I was quite surprised by your performance today. Even if the wyvern was stuck in a pitfall trap, I’ve never seen anyone brave enough to get that close to a Rathalos in their first encounter. Most people would be scared to death even from a distance, you see. This isn’t about skills, but the power of your heart. However-”

Reaching this point, Fradio narrowed his eyes.

“-Please don’t forget that there is a difference between bravery and recklessness. Bravery can save your comrades’ lives. On the other hand, an equal amount of recklessness can end their lives just as well.”

“...Yeah.”

Nodding firmly, Zeeg took those words to heart.

Then, he turned back to observe the carving.

With all of the scales removed from the Rathalos’s back, Elmeria carefully cut off the wyvern’s muscles until its spine was exposed. Gannon took out a thin bag and placed it on his knee, before nodding to Elmeria once.

Elmeria nodded once in response, and then plunged the knife into the wyvern’s spine.

(”Wah!”)

As the knife dug into the bone, a flame lashed out, burning away the Rathalos’s muscles.

Not stopping her hand, Elmeria pushed in deeper, then pulled out a section of the spine. A flame was ignited at the piece’s core. She passed it to Gannon and carried on carving, repeating the same process for the other sections of its spine.

After she was done, Gannon swiftly inserted all of them in the bag, sealing the mouth and pulling a string at its bottom. The bag tightened on the bones as air gets expelled.

“What’s that?”

“It’s a special vacuum bag designed for carrying Fire Wyvern Marrows. You see, the marrows ignite on air contact, so a vacuum bag is needed to transport them."

“Hm... So that’s it...”

Elmeria caught her breath and wiped the blood off her knife before putting it away. The Rathalos still has scales left on its body, but she gathered what she collected and walked away.

“Why’re you stopping?”

Hearing Zeeg’s question, Elmeria tilted her head in confusion.

“Stop what?”

“Isn’t there a lot more to harvest?”

“Ah, we’ve taken enough.”

Elmeria said as she crammed the Rathalos Scales into her bag.

“Enough... You’re letting them go to waste!?”

“Of course not.”

Elmeria knocked heavily on Zeeg’s breastplate.

“We have to give back to nature as well! Velocipreys will come eat the meat, temporarily reducing the number of Aptonoths being hunted. The scales can be used by insects to build nests and reproduce. And as its flesh and bones decompose, it will feed the earth with minerals, enabling plants and mushrooms to grow. With the cycle of nature uninterrupted, a new wyvern will eventually make its nest here. It’s a hunter’s common sense, you know.”

Zeeg hadn’t thought about it up until now.

“...I never knew that.”

Mumbling to himself, he was given a pat on the shoulder from Fradio.

“That can’t be helped. You never needed to know these things before, after all. While hunting alone, you wouldn’t possibly be able to carry all of the spoils, so they will be returned to the nature regardless.”

“But it’s an important thing to know.”

Elmeria said as she picked up her luggage.

“For hunters, that is.”

“............”

She exited the cave, with Gannon following her, until he caught up and assumed the lead position.

“We should go too. Our quest is complete.”

“Right.”

As he walked out the cave, Zeeg turned around to look at the Rathalos again, thinking about what Elmeria said.

However, he couldn’t quite grasp the true meaning of those words just yet.

“By the way, what do you think?”

Suddenly, Fradio raised his head and asked a question.

Currently, the party is on their return trip. The carriage was filled with Rathalos materials, mainly scales and marrows. Supplies and disassembled tent parts were packed inside wooden boxes. Zeeg and the others spent most of their trip in silence.

The man held the Tankmage in his arms, stroking the parts covered with Gypceros hides with love and care.

It had been two days since the Rathalos hunt, and the party had come quite far away from the hunting grounds. Everyone was still fully armed however, because anything could happen while travelling. Before the trip, they washed themselves at the base camp to get rid of the wyvern droppings’ smell from their bodies, and their equipment were thoroughly cleaned and polished to prevent rusting.

The city was now just a few hours away.

However, the flame that was ignited in Zeeg’s heart has not calmed down. When he tried to get some sleep, images of the Rathalos would appear in his eyes, causing him to shiver in anxiety. As a result, he haven’t gotten a good night’s sleep since departing from the base camp.

But this was not due to fear; it was his blood boiling with excitement.

From this experience, he felt that he now understands the hunters’ admiration for wyverns. Of course, he had always wanted to fight a Rathalos since the day he chose to pursue the hunter’s path. However, that had simply been a childish dream, like a boy wanting to be a knight or a girl wanting to be a princess.

When he finally got to see the real deal, he was totally enchanted by its strength and magnificence, and was filled with pride for having taken part in defeating it.

His feelings were still nothing compared to Fradio’s passion for the Gypceros, however.

“Think about what?”

As Zeeg returned the question, the man’s eyes under the Gypceros cap turned to him.

“About the increasing number of fire wyvern hunts. Those people must have been keeping track of the Rathalos population quite thoroughly. If it’s true that they were being hunted to the point of near-extinction, it might be a problem.”

“That’s impossible.”

Elmeria spoke up, her eyes still closed.

“The Hunter’s Guild is very careful when it comes to this kind of thing. If not, there won’t be any hunters who would join them- Isn’t that right, Gannon?”

Gannon nodded firmly in agreement to the girl’s words.

“That may be true, but please remember that there are also hunters not employed by the guilds. Some are based in their villages like Zeeg used to be, and some just travel all over the place. The travelling types are skilled, but many of them have problematic mindsets and disagree with the guild’s rules. Generally, they became drifters after their licenses got revoked.”

“You’re saying that those people have been poaching Rathalos?”

Fradio nodded.

Elmeria open her eyes and turned to Gannon.

“What do you think?”

“...It is possible.”

“Hmm... Well, I guess it’s best that we notify the guild about this. If the drifters really are hunting Rathalos in a large scale, we would be in trouble too. How annoying...”

Elmeria pouted. Even though she speaks like an adult, her mannerisms were much closer to people of her age.

''And she’s actually pretty cute''-- Zeeg instantly dropped the thought as that sentence popped up in his mind. ''Now, that’s impossible'', he thought. ''Not with the tendency for verbal abuse'', he thought.

In an attempt to conceal his confused feelings, he asked a question.

“But if it’s true, where'd all those hunting requests even come from?”

“...How am I supposed to know?”

And what he received was just an apathetic answer.

(“...There you go. Not cute at all.”)

With that, Zeeg concluded that he just imagined his previous thought. However, he still feels somewhat conflicted about it, but all he could do was sit in silence with his back against a large barrel.

The atmosphere inside the carriage suddenly became heavy.

Seeming to enjoy it, Fradio let out a laugh.

“Ah... It sure is nice to be young...”

“What’s up with that?”

“Yeah, what’s that supposed to mean, Fradio?”

“Now now, don’t mind me. And Mr. Gannon, could you please not glare at me like that? ...More importantly, the Guild Knights could be making a move in response to this fiasco.”

“Guild Knights?”

Distracted by new information, Zeeg completely forgot the irritation he felt in his mind.

Elmeria open her mouth to answer, but in the end didn’t say anything. Seeing that, Fradio did the explanation in her stead.

“You don’t know them? They are an organization under the Hunter’s Guild. On the surface, their job is to approve requests for the guild and to negotiate with the nobles who own the hunting grounds. The truth is... they take care of the guild’s dirty work.”

“Dirty work?”

“You really like to ask questions, huh?”

Elmeria let out a sigh in boredom, and in response Zeeg clicked his tongue in annoyance.

“It’s not my fault that I don’t know this kind of thing, you know. The village chief never taught me about this, and I got signed up for this quest right after getting my license.”

“What, you’re saying that we’re causing you trouble? I should be the one saying that.”

“I never said that! I was just telling you that I never had the time to learn these things!”

Zeeg and Elmeria stood up.

“Now now. Stop it, you two.”

Fradio put his Tankmage down and raised his hands to stop the two.

“It’ll be better for him if he knows it. If he kept quiet and pretended to know, it could cause problems down the line, after all. Especially if he got targeted by the manipulating types. Ah, yes... it’s like a Gypceors faking its death. Just when you thought the battle was won, as you approach it-”

“...Fradio.”

Fradio’s Gypceros story was stopped abruptly by Gannon’s heavy voice.

The man stopped his rant, but not before narrowing his eyes under the mask to show his dissatisfaction.

“Apologies.”

Fradio bowed his head once before turning back to Zeeg.

“-Back to the main point. By dirty work, I mean assassinations. In other words, the Guild Knights are hunters who hunt humans. There are quite a lot of rumors about them.”

“They hunt humans!?”

Zeeg’s eyes opened wide.

Hunters take pride in the fact that despite their incredible strength, they never point their weapons at humans. There may be some who have short fuses, but even they wouldn’t pick up their weapons if the other person doesn’t do so first. Even then, most cases of weapons being drawn would be just for intimidation.

“Can we even call them hunters at this point?”

“Of course, normal hunters wouldn’t want to count the Guild Knights as one of their own. But it is a fact that those people are employed by the Hunter’s Guild. It was said that they would step in when there are issues between different guilds. They are also tasked with getting rid of people with disruptive behavior and hunters who dishonor the guild’s name.”

“Keep your greed in check, alright? I wouldn’t want you to do something problematic.”

Elmeria spoke in a sarcastic tone.

“Of course I won’t!”

“If that’s the case, good. I wouldn’t want to wake up in the morning, walk to the plaza, and see your corpse fill the dried-up fountain with blood. That would totally ruin my day.”

“Hehehe... Something like that has happened before, yes.”

Zeeg was startled by Fradio’s words. At first, he thought Elmeria was just joking.

“For real!?”

“Yes. I think it was about half a year ago? You see, hunters do have some clearance to hunt monsters not in their requests, but that person took it too far. He was skilled enough to hunt a Rathalos by himself, but he was so full of himself that he stole wyvern eggs from the nest as well. He shouldn’t have done that...”

“Eh? W...wait a second. If it’s stealing eggs, I’ve done it too, you know?”

“Was it out of your quest objective?”

With Fradio glaring at him, Zeeg shook his head.

“It was requested, of course! Now, don’t look at me like that...”

“Hehehe... I’m sorry. If it was requested, then there’s no problem. Before the quest was approved, the guild has to check the monster population and the number of laid eggs first. Moreover, the Guild Knights wouldn’t make a move if you stole them just once or twice. But for that person, I heard that he did it on a regular basis.”

“You have to be careful too, alright?”

Still standing up with her arms crossed, Elmeria pointed at Zeeg.

“Now, don’t misunderstand. I don’t think you’re the kind of person who likes to steal. But rookies like you tend to unknowingly get involved in those kind of things. I’m just giving a warning.”

“What do you mean?”

“The exists a set of 'Commandments' that hunters are obligated to follow, but-”

Fradio spoke up in Elmeria’s stead.

“-It's not something that is written of a piece of paper and stuck to a bulletin board. It is what one learns naturally while taking on requests and going out on hunts with their party. Because it’s not taught in a conventional way, novice hunters are prone to being manipulated into accepting requests not approved by the guild. So no matter how good the reward is, don’t accept requests outside gathering halls- or if someone invited you, do be wary of joining them.”

Zeeg took those words to heart.

Even though he still doesn’t know who the Guild Knights really are, he wouldn’t want to be killed by them. If something were to kill him, he’d rather have it be a wyvern- no, an elder dragon, elusive creatures that exist somewhere in this world. Of course, winning against them is still a hundred times better, and right now, he doesn’t plan on dying that easily.

“...We have arrived.”

The carriage stopped immediately after Gannon’s statement.

The vehicle shook slightly as it was lifted up. After about 10 minutes docked on the transporter bridge’s gondola, the group arrived at the city.

The guild’s coachman moved his carriage down, and the gondola went down the mountain as a bell was rung at the bottom. This means there is another group of customers- either merchants or returning hunters, waiting to get up.

Elmeria stood up and did some stretching, the red and black armor on her arms and legs making her look like a miniature Rathalos.

“Alright, let’s report to Becky and get some rest. I’ve been wanting to take a break for a while now... Hunting two wyverns in a row is more tiring than I thought.”

“Two in a row... Then at that time, you just got back from a wyvern hunt!?”

Zeeg thought back to when he first saw Elmeria’s party. He thought they just got back from a gathering quest, since they didn’t seem to be tired at all.

“Yeah. Just a Cephadrome though, so it wasn’t that difficult. But we did waste quite a lot of time because I was stingy about using Sonic Bombs. Gannon?”

“...Yes.”

Carrying the bag containing Fire Wyvern Marrows on his back, Gannon nodded.

Cephadromes are fish-like wyverns that live in the desert. They have fins instead of wings.

In exchange for the lack of ability to fly, these monsters can swim freely in the sand. With that, they are classified as Piscine Wyverns. In terms of size, they are slightly smaller than a Rathalos.

Their fins contain paralyzing toxins, which they use effectively for hunting prey by immobilizing the target before dragging it down under the sand.

There is also a smaller variant called Cephalos, which is quite popular because their livers are considered a delicacy.

Those two monsters hunt by tracking the sound of their prey moving on the sand. They have a great sense of hearing, but it’s also their weakness. By using Sonic Bombs, one can force the monsters to jump out of the sand due to the abnormally high-pitched sound. Regrettably, Zeeg hasn't been to the desert yet, so he has never seen the real thing.

“You’ll get to hunt it one of these days, so stock up on Sonic Bombs while you can. When you’re used to it, you can drag them out by directly attacking their dorsal fins or using small barrel bombs as well.”

“Yeah, I’ll remember to do that!”

Even though Zeeg was annoyed at the girl’s sarcastic tone, all he could do was pick up his luggage. However, with him being just a spectator for this quest and the unused supply items already returned, there isn’t that much for him to carry.

After everyone got down, the carriage immediately took off in the direction of the guest houses.

Entering the gathering hall, there aren’t a lot of customers since it is still early in the day.

Even so, quite a few are getting drunk already.

Most of them are hunters who just got back from their quests, drinking to recharge their energy for the next job. There are also some who come to drink just because they like it. Back at Zeeg’s village, there was a hunter who hunts just to drink. Completing each request, he would spend all his reward money on alcohol.

As Zeeg’s group walked in, everyone in the hall turned to look. Even though he knew that most of them weren’t looking at himself, it still felt good. As for the ones that did look at him, they were jealous that a kid got to team up with the veterans.

“Ah, welcome back!”

As the group reached the counter, Becky welcomed them with a smile.

“Looks like the quest went well. Mr. Rookie here is also safe. That’s a relief.”

“...Thank you.”

Zeeg bowed his head slightly to show his thanks. And then-

“What’re you saying, Becky? Of course he’s safe! He was only watching, after all.”

Hearing that, Becky has a disappointed look on her face.

Zeeg slammed his hand on the counter.

“I wasn’t just watching, you know!?”

“Hmm? Then, what did you do?”

“The bomb! I rushed in bravely to place the finishing Large Barrel Bomb at the Rathalos’s neck!”

Hearing him say that, Elmeria looked on with pity and shrugged.

“Bravely? If it’s just placing a barrel next to a Rathalos that’s stuck in a Pitfall Trap, anyone can do that. If they’re hunters, that is.”

“What the-!”

“Now now, stop it, you two.”

Fradio popped up between the two. With the Gypceros Cap filling the gap between them, all Elmeria and Zeeg could do was exchange dark looks with each other.

“Didn’t Zeeg do well in his task? I think we should at least accept that.”

“That’s right!”

Zeeg proudly raised his chest, with Elmeria looking on in dissatisfaction.

“But it’s still not something that you can boast about, you know.”

“Yeah!”

This time, Zeeg was the one who hunched his shoulders, while Elmeria puffed up with pride.

For some reason, Gannon looked at those two with a serious face, while Becky was giggling at their exchange.

“Well then, do you have the requested material?”

“...It is here.”

Still with a rigid expression, Gannon placed the vacuum bag on the counter.

Becky touched the bag from above and nodded.

“Fire Wyvern Marrow confirmed- Thank you for your hard work.”

Before picking up the bag, Becky bowed once.

Everyone in Elmeria’s group stoop up straight and bowed their heads. Zeeg, observing that they were paying their last respects to the fire wyvern, followed suit.

The bag was carefully put away in a box behind the counter. Then, Becky took out a pile of documents from the drawer and placed one sheet on the countertop. Elmeria read through it and signed her name.

“Alright, you’re all set.”

Becky put away the document and then asked the group-

“Would you like something to eat? We just got a new batch of Bullfango meat, so we made white sauce from Special Mushrooms to go with the steak. Interested?”

Elmeria turned to ask Gannon’s opinion. The large man nodded in response and ordered the menu for himself and Fradio.

“What about you, Zeeg?”

“I...”

Zeeg was too embarrassed to inquire the menu’s price. With most of his reward money being deducted for the chair repairs and Elmeria’s lesson fees, he wouldn’t want to eat anything expensive right now.

Even so, he hesitated to decline the invitation, since he doesn’t want to admit that he’s broke right now, especially not in front of Becky and Elmeria.

“All four of us will have it, then.”

Elmeria raised four fingers as she made the order, then turned to Zeeg before he could say anything.

“Celebrating after a successful hunt is also important, you know. By the way, the cost for your steak will also be deducted from your reward money.”

Zeeg looked on in confusion as he noticed that Elmeria was looking right through him, with her cheeks becoming slightly red. He was then given a pat on his shoulder from Fradio, who was staring at him from under his mask.

“That’s right, Zeeg. It is also a hunter’s duty to celebrate a job well done. Doing so deepens our bonds, improving cooperation during hunts. Please keep in mind that if you ignore this part, there might not be a next hunt with your party.”

“...Yeah.”

Zeeg nodded and rested his elbow on the counter. Understanding that Elmeria has actually been looking out for him, he thanked the girl in his mind. Even though he knew that it must be said verbally to have any meaning, he’s too embarrassed to do so right now.

“Alright, four Bullfango Steaks with Special Mushroom Sauce coming right up! Thank you for your patronage~!”

After saying that, Becky turned around and shouted the order to the kitchen, and a deep voice replied in acknowledgement.

“While you guys wait for the steak, want some beer?”

“Right... Let’s see...”

Elmeria turned to Zeeg.

“Do you drink?”

“Eh!? Of course I do!? I'll have you know that I was quite a heavy drinker back at my village!”

“Hmm... We’ll have four beers then.”

“Coming right up~!”

Becky turned around and took four mugs from the shelf. Knocking the barrel stopper off with a mug’s rim, she let the alcohol flow into the other mugs, filling them to the brim with thick foam.

“Thanks for waiting.”

She then turned around again and placed the mugs on the countertop, not caring about the slight spill. One of them was placed in front of Zeeg. He looked at it for a while before grabbing its handle.

In truth, Zeeg has never drank beer before back at his village, but pretended that he did so that he wouldn’t get made fun of by Elmeria again. From now on, it’s going to be a whole new world for the boy.

“Alright then...”

Elmeria lifted her mug up and looked at everyone.

“To our successful Rathalos hunt! Cheers!”

“...Cheers.”

“Cheers!”

“Ch...cheers!”

Four mugs clinked together in a toast, with a third of the golden liquid in Zeeg’s spilling all over his face. Every other table in the hall also toasted in unison, as if they had a part in this.

With the other tables starting to place more orders, Becky separated from Zeeg’s group. It became so busy that if a hunter were to come in looking for a quest now, they wouldn’t be able to get any information.

Elmeria chugged down her beer in one go. Even though she was slower than Gannon, she didn’t even stop to breathe.

As for Fradio, he drank his beer without opening his mask by using a straw he got from Becky before she separated from the group.

Looks like he doesn’t plan on revealing his face anytime soon.

Thinking he’s finally ready, Zeeg took a sip.

(“It’s bitter...”)

That was his first impression. He thought to himself that people who actually likes this thing might have something wrong with their tongues, like the ones who think carrot is delicious.

But if he said it out loud, he would be called a kid by Elmeria again. Zeeg knew that even if he just got to know her for only a few days.

As Becky came back, Elmeria ordered a refill for herself and Gannon. Luckily for Zeeg, she didn’t ask if he would like a refill, so the boy kept quiet.

With her mug refilled, Elmeria spoke up to Becky.

“Oh yeah, we met her as well.”

“Her?”

“Narumi Wimberly.”

While saying that, Elmeria made a bitter face, as if she had something even more bitter than beer inside her mouth.

“While we were going to carve the Rathalos, she popped up with her followers and started the usual rant before leaving.”

“Protesting against killing wyverns, right?”

“Yeah. She said that human’s wisdom should be used for better things... Something like that.”

At this point, the finished steaks came out of the kitchen in metal plates, served before the four party members. The Special Mushroom sauce made a sizzling sound as it boiled due to the meat’s heat, sending off a wonderful smell.

Glad that the food was finally here, Zeeg put down his beer mug and started to cut up his steak with a knife and fork. Elmeria, on the other hand, didn’t start eating immediately. After chugging down her beer, she leaned on the counter and whispered to Becky.

“By the way, that girl also said something strange.”

“Something strange?”

Becky also lowered her voice, turning the idle chatter into a serious conversation.

With her thumb, Elmeria wiped the beer foam off her mouth and continued.

“Yeah. She said that the number of wyverns- of Rathalos being hunted has been abnormally high lately. At first I thought she was exaggerating like usual, but she went so far as to say that they might be in danger of extinction.”

“...I have a bad feeling about this news. Thanks for telling me.”

“No problem.”

Finally, Elmeria put down her mug and started cutting up her steak, stuffing the meat in her cheeks as if she forgot the serious conversation earlier.

Noticing that Zeeg has been looking at her the whole time, she smiled at the boy without wiping the sauce off her lips.

“Guild Master?”

From a door in the back corner of the kitchen, Becky entered a dimly lit room, calling out in the direction of a flickering light.

“I heard.”

The small figure of an elderly man appeared with the tobacco smoke from his pipe- The owner of this gathering hall, and also master of the Hunter’s Guild of this city.

“The story had my curiosity as well. It’s unlikely that the wandering hunters all felt like hunting the Rathalos at the same time. We’ll have to investigate this further- Can I leave it to you?”

“Of course. I’ll contact my colleagues immediately.”

“Hm. I entrust you with this task, then... Sorry that you had to do all the dirty work.”

The old man blew out a ring of smoke.

“Not at all.”

Becky produced a cold smile, showing a completely different personality from when she was behind the counter. A speck of candle light reflected on her eyes as she silently walked out of the dark room, her footsteps causing not even the faintest sound.

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Monster Hunter:Volume2 Chapter3

2018-05-31T13:32:11Z

Barnnn:

== Chapter 3 - Aspiring to Become a Hero ==

Zeeg looked up at the raging sun, feeling its intense rays slowly burning his skin.

He felt like he had been in a long dream.

Could this be on top of a bed in a Minegarde guest house? No, the rooms there shouldn’t have been this exposed to the sun. Besides, the sunlight there isn’t even this strong. It’s like the desert-

The boy woke up immediately. Just as he started feeling the heaviness of his body once again, Zeeg noticed that he is currently in the process of falling to the ground.

(“My sword is gone!”)

Could he have let go of it when he was hit by the Monoblos’s horn flip attack? Realizing that his trusty Ravager Blade+, a weapon equal to a hunter’s life, is not in his hand, Zeeg sweated in fear.

For a brief instant, the sun was obscured.

Then, Zeeg saw it- Shaped like a wyvern’s jaw, the sword fell from the sky!

The sword, although heavier than its owner, had been knocked even higher up that Zeeg was. And right now, it’s dropping right after him.

(“I won’t miss!”)

Zeeg reached out with his hand while he was still ahead, successfully grabbing the sword’s handle just as it was about to pass his arm. However, that also resulted in his falling speed increasing. His arm was dragged with so much force that he thought his shoulder was going to dislodge.

(“Kuh-”)

Enduring the pain, Zeeg used the sword’s weight to shift his faced-up body upside-down. The sword was pointed downward, as Zeeg thought that it should be safe if he were to land in this position.

However, Zeeg soon realized that he was being naïve.

Below him, the Monoblis lay in wait. On its collar, bright red streaks were visible. It proves that the wyvern is currently in a fit of rage.

“Don’t pick a fight with an enraged wyvern.”

That was what Elmeria immediately taught him when he officially joined her team.

“Even a Yian Kut-Ku would become quite a bit more annoying when it’s enraged, right? But other wyverns are on a totally different level, you know? If they were to be enraged, it’s best to back away and wait until it’s calmed down- This is important.”

Zeeg tightened his hold on the great sword’s handle.

Maybe it was just his imagination, but the Monoblos’s horn, looking redder than before, raised up as if it was waiting to skewer its pitiful hunter who is about to fail his hunt. The Genpreys jumped around the Monoblos as if they were begging for a share of the spoils, maybe an arm or a slice of meat.

Wind howled close to Zeeg’s ears as the horn lunged in right before his eyes.

(“Damn it all!”)

Just before he was going to be impaled, Zeeg gathered all his strength and swung at the side of the horn. The impact numbed his hands, accompanied with a sound similar to branches breaking. Sky and land flipped around, disorienting him, with the only thing he knew was that he was no longer falling straight down.

The Monoblos screamed. Another faint voice was mixed in.

“-Close your eyes.”

That voice creeped into Zeeg’s ears. Without any questioning, the boy did as he heard. This could be his instincts as a hunter taking over.

The next moment, a flash of light burst out in the surrounding area, so bright that it got through Zeeg’s eyelids- It’s a Flash Bomb! Monoblos, Genpreys, and Vespoids- All out them let out their cries.

Then, Zeeg felt that he landed on something soft and flabby.

If it was in the spot that he had been sent flying to by the Monoblos, the impact could have broken a bone or two. But the feel of the surface is completely different.

“......Can you move?”

Hearing the voice clearly near his ears this time as opposed to a faint whisper, Zeeg opened his eyes.

His eyes met with a girl’s single eye.

Noticing that the girl has been carring him in her arms, Zeeg hurriedly jumped off. But then a sharp pain ran through his sprained ankle, causing the boy to collapse on his knees. Even so, he tried to support himself with his sword while looking at the girl.

Fully equipped with pale white armor, she sat on the ground as if she had been tripped over.

It didn’t take long for the boy to realize that it was because she caught him before hitting the ground.

On the girl’s head is a chain cap of sorts, with bandages wrapped around, maybe because she has injuries. An eyepatch covered one eye.

She stood up, grabbed Zeeg’s arm to get him up, then put it over her shoulders.

“H- Hey!”

“We’ll run while the Flash Bomb is still in effect- If you’d like, how about I carry you in my arms again?”

The girl looked at Zeeg with her open eye, causing the boy to turn red.

Although he’s angry, Zeeg is not so childish to not acknowledge that he’s currently unable to walk- and he hasn’t even got to give his thanks yet.

All he could do was let the girl support him without saying anything.

Limping away as fast as he could, Zeeg turned around to look as he reached the tunnel’s entrance.

Temporarily stripped off of its eyesight, the Monoblos swung its tail around in confusion. A few Genpreys were knocked away and hit the rock walls. One Genprey that tried to bite the Monoblos was crushed under the large monster’s foot.

Then, Zeeg saw it.

Half of the Monoblos’s horn had been snapped off.

(“I did that?”)

He most likely did. The strike he made while falling down- that was what broke the Crimson Horn off.

The Monoblos’s horn is considered to be a top quality material. An article of rarity that hunters can’t afford to ignore.

However, as Zeeg looked around for the horn’s whereabouts, he was met with an unacceptable scene.

Three Melynxes, black furred bipedal cat-like creatures, dug their way up from beneath the earth. They danced around while using their paw-shaped staffs to pull the Crimson Horn towards them, then quickly left with the item through the way they came before they were noticed by other monsters.

Contrary to their adorable appearance, Melynxes have a tendency to steal things, and they are hated by hunters as a result. Zeeg had also gotten his medicines stolen several times before.

However, the Crimson Horn was just too valuable compared to medicine. Regardless of the rightness or wrongness of doing so, he wanted to just get it back, but there was nothing he could do right now.

(“Dammit, I won’t forget this!”)

Shouting that statement in his stomach, Zeeg could only escape into the tunnel’s darkness.

After all, there is no precious article in this world that is worth losing one’s life over.

“Looks like we got away.”

After going through the entrance of the base camp’s tent, the girl sheathed her one handed sword onto her waist and spoke to Zeeg.

She is the kind of girl that gives off a soft, delicate aura with every single movement. Some of her silver hair slipped out of the bloody bandage wrapped around her head.

Looks like she’s not very good at applying them.

(“It’s the Khezu set...”)

Sitting on the bed, Zeeg noticed that the girl’s equipped full armor set is made from a material called Flabby Hide, carved from a unique wyvern called Khezu.

He had once seen the design during a production process at the Minegarde armory.

The squishy texture that he felt while being held by the girl was from those Flabby Hides.

Zeeg has heard that the Khezu’s skin is thicker compared to other wyverns’, causing those who wear its armor to look slightly more meaty than usual.

Even so, the girl’s figure still looks very well-proportioned except for her chest, which means the body under that armor must be quite thin.

Khezu skin is also good at circulating heat, making it convenient for hot areas such as deserts and volcanoes. Additionally, when one is injured, a type of liquid similar to potions seeps naturally from its skin, speeding up the wearer's recovery rate of wounds.

[[File:MH-v01-091.jpg|300px|thumb]]

The girl knelt in front of Zeeg, removed the boy’s Ioprey Greaves, and held his ankle up before examining it.

The compress on his leg was applied by the girl, after she rubbed the injured area with herbs.

Zeeg moaned as his foot was being turned around lightly.

“Sprained. No broken bones. –Still, you’re better off giving up on it for now.”

“......I know.”

Zeeg spoke as if to spit those words out. With his foot in this state, he shouldn’t even be able to swing a sword. Going out to hunt in this body condition is just suicide.

Though he was able to break the Monoblos’s horn, he could not defeat it. Besides, that wound could cause it to go on an unstoppable rampage.

“You’re thinking that it could target the merchants again, right?”

While watching the girl take out a yellow-ish bandage from the bag on her waist then roll it around his ankle, Zeeg heard the girl’s question, and he responded in surprise, “Yeah”.

Bull’s eye.

The boy wondered if the Khezu armor set grants its wearer the ability to read minds, but he knew that it’s just nonsense.

If one is a hunter, it is not strange that they would know what’s happening in the area.

“If it’s that, things will be alright for a little while.”

The girl continued.

“With those injuries, it definitely won’t appear for some time. The horn is a Monoblos’s life. Until it is back to how it used to be, it’ll probably hide somewhere and rest. Until then, I think it’s safe to say that the trade route is useable.”

Zeeg felt relieved.

If what that girl said is true, then it’s good fortune in a misfortune.

Originally, the objective of this Monoblos hunt wasn’t for revenge. The goal of this hunt was to ensure safety of the trade route, nothing more than that.

Even if the safety is not permanent, at least part of the job was accomplished.

“Say, you... Err-”

“Freda.”

The girl raised her face. The eye not obscured by an eyepatch had a blue reflection like an oasis.

Being watched like this, the boy began to fell restless. Somehow, he had a feeling that he heard the girl’s name at some point, but couldn’t remember.

“Freda Esgrand.”

“R-right... Then, err... Freda, you know a lot about it?”

“Monoblos? I do, but not as much as the Royal Scriveners though.”

The girl who introduced herself as Freda stood up after she was done rolling the bandage, then moved away to lean on a wooden box placed inside the tent.

“With its horn broken that much, it will take about one month for it to be back.”

“One month, huh...”

Zeeg unintentionally let out a sigh, and Freda tilted her bandaged head slightly for some reason.

“......You- are you Zeeg, by any chance?”

Called by his name even though he never told her, Zeeg raised his face in surprise.

“Y-you know me?”

“As I thought. You don’t remember?”

Saying that, Freda slowly unwrapped the bandage on her head. Removing the bloody cloth, she then took off her chain cap. Her hair, now let down, covered her eyepatch and half of her face.

“Ah!”

Seeing that hairstyle, Zeeg finally remembered.

“Freda the Frowner!”

Blurting that out, Zeeg quickly covered his mouth.

Freda looked sad, but her expression showed that she also felt nostalgic for that nickname.

As if to dodge the awkward feeling, Zeeg scratched his head.

The girl used to visit the village often, because she was the daughter of a merchant who employed a fairly large trade caravan.

She didn’t speak much, constantly hugged her teddy bear, and would always have a troubled expression on her face.

Although she was two years older, Zeeg hadn’t minded it back then, as he and the other village kids would tease and play pranks on her.

Most of those pranks might as well be considered bullying.

Part of it was due to jealousy- Freda would always be together with her parents, and they seemed to be well off.

Children of hunters in Kokoto village usually live alone or with just their siblings for most of the year. It can’t be said that they are wealthy.

It was by no means Freda’s fault, but Zeeg and the other kids had thought that she had to compensate for the unfairness somehow.

Recalling all that, Zeeg felt like his face was going to burst into flames.

The boy thought that if he could go back in time, he would beat up his past self and those village kids and put them in their place.

“S-sorry...”

Still scratching his head, Zeeg made his apology.

“I was awful back then. Even so, you still saved me-”

“I don’t mind it.”

Freda replied.

“Not anymore, that is. I was sad, but it’s all in the past.”

“If you really mean that, then thanks.”

Zeeg felt relieved.

Looking at the girl again, he noticed that she still has the same face as when she was little.

Eyes welling up with tears, biting lips, eyebrows plunged into a frown- Those were what earned her the nickname “Freda the Frowner”.

That girl appearing before him as a hunter was not something Zeeg has never imagined.

(“A one-handed sword user...”)

Zeeg took a look at the sword sheathed on the girl’s waist.

He felt that he remembered seeing the sword at some point. Its handle looked like a pair of decorative wings. The blade looked so beautiful that he almost mistook it for a ceremonial sword.

The shield equipped on her left arm is equally fancy, with a pair of red and blue wyvern symbols painted on the surface, making it more fitting as a wall ornament than a hunting equipment.

They don’t even look durable enough to be used for combat. They’re more like decorations-

“Decorations...... Ah-!”

As Zeeg remembered a certain detail, his eyes opened wide.

“That- Don’t tell me it’s the Heroic Blade!? Wait, no- but......”

“............”

Freda touched the sword’s handle without saying anything.

Kokoto Village’s famous spot is a rock with a sword engraved in it, and it is said that the one-handed sword used to be wielded by the Hero of Kokoto.

The sword in the rock and the one on Freda’s waist share the exact same appearance.

There are numerous stories detailing how the Hero of Kokoto wielded the sword.

The most famous story is that he threw the sword at the opposing dragon during his final battle, ending the hunt in a victory, but there was no one who could pull out the sword that had pierced the dragon’s forehead.

Of course, that was just some fairy tale. Everyone knows that stories of hunters’ battles were heavily dramatized by poets in order to entertain the nobles.

Because of that, Zeeg never thought the village’s sword in the rock was the real thing.

He used to think that someone made it up to draw in visitors, since the village’s name happened to be the same as the hero’s.

But now he knows that the Village Chief himself is the Hero of Kokoto, which means it is highly possible that the sword is the real deal.

And now, a sword that looks exactly the same is right before his eyes.

Zeeg wondered what the village’s rock looks like right now. He didn’t have the time to check, since he went straight to meet the Village Chief, then took the quest to subdue the Monoblos immediately after.

(“Did she steal it?”)

That was his first thought, but he remembered that it shouldn’t be that easy to pull out.

Although it’s just a story, it was said that the stone is actually the forehead of the dragon that the Kokoto Village Chief defeated. Zeeg has heard several times in songs sung by traveling bards asking for spare change that only ones who are acknowledged by the Hero of Kokoto can pull out the sword.

(“Then, is it a replica?”)

There are many hunters that live by the hero’s sample. There are ones who own Heroic Blades among those people, but they’re all replicas, ordered at armories after sketched images of the sword in Kokoto Village.

It is possible that the girl’s sword is also one of those.

“You’re thinking this one could be a fake?”

As if she could read the boy’s mind, Freda spoke up while touching the sword’s handle.

A vague smile appeared on Zeeg’s face.

Freda nodded, as if to agree with him.

“Right... it could be. The Chief also said it. That it’s not yet there. The sword has already lost its original sharpness. In order to turn this Heroic Blade back into the Master’s Blade, it has to be tempered while soaked in a mixture of fresh and fermented Monoblos blood- that was what the Chief taught me.”

“W-wait a second! Then that means it’s the real deal-”

Freda nodded.

“The one in the Kokoto Village’s stone.”

Zeeg could do nothing but stare at the girl in awe, his mouth opened wide.

Freda’s facial expression was unchanged, as if to say that she already got used to being looked at in that manner.

“That’s a surprise...”

Before long, Zeeg started to mutter while blinking in confusion.

“Ah- I didn’t mean any offense, alright? I wasn’t thinking why you were chosen- Wait no, that was part of it, but I was actually surprised that the sword is the real deal. I mean, I already tried it out, but it couldn’t even cut radish, you know?”

“The Chief polished the hardened dragon blood off the blade, restoring its cutting power. Right now, it’s sharper than any sword forged at armories. But it’s so sharp that it would cut too deep and bounce off the wyverns’ hard shells. The problem can be fixed by reforging it using two kinds of Monoblos blood.”

“So it wasn’t rusted after all...”

Zeeg thought that the sword in the stone had completely rusted, because its surface was covered in a layer of reddish brown dirt. To think it’s actually dragon blood-

“But... why? I’m surprised that you have the sword and all, but Freda... why’d you become a hunter? I thought you were going to be married to some aristocrat and live a fancy life in the royal capital.”

Hearing that, Freda’s eye turned gloomy.

“Yeah... That’s what papa and mama would have wanted.”

“I know, right? Your mom and dad would talk about it every time they came to the village. That probably was also why we were jealous and even hated that side of yours, causing us to always play pranks- no, I’d actually call it bullying...... But did you not like the life your parents planned out for you and became a hunter instead? I wonder why they let you go.”

“No. Papa and mama doesn’t know. And they’ll never know anymore. They’ve already died.”

“Eh......?”

“While traveling, we were attacked by monsters. I also-”

Freda tapped her finger on the eyepatch under her hair.

“Lost this eye during that time. I was luckily saved, but the goods were all lost and the insurance agency couldn’t cover for all of the damage. My family’s belongings, our house in the city, and also full rights to the trade caravan- all of them had to be sold off. And so I became a hunter.

“......You still have debts to pay?”

“I already paid them off.”

“Then, is it for revenge? To kill the monster that killed your parents?”

Freda shook her head.

“If it’s that, it’s already dead. The hunter that saved me hunted that monster- the Cephadrome.”

The sand wyvern Cephadrome! –These special wyverns can freely swim in the sand, but are not able to fly in the sky.

They have flat heads, and their dorsal fins contain paralyzing toxins. Commanding packs of Cephalos, small monsters of the same kind, they would approach trade caravans passing through the desert, attacking them without causing any sound.

The Cephadrome’s size may be comparable to the Rathalos, but they are not quite as fearsome.

However, they compensate by rushing down their enemies with sheer numbers.

It is not an easy task to fight against the Cephadrome while at the same time defending against the Cephalos’ hardened sand spit attacks from all four directions.

“Have you fought them, Zeeg?”

Zeeg answered her question with a nod. He had fought them several times alongside Elmeria’s party.

“I see.”

“Hey, Freda. With all that said, why’d you choose to become a hunter? Not that there’s anything wrong with it, but shouldn’t there be a lot of other things you can do? You’re not like me who grew up in Kokoto Village without knowing any other ways to live, after all. You should have some connections with other merchants, right?”

“Yeah. There were some people that offered to take me in, despite the hideous state of my face. Even though brothels would just turn me away when I showed up at the door.”

“But why? You’re still the same as back then... still beaut-”

Zeeg forced a cough in order to cover what he was going to say for the rest of his previous statement.

Another reason that the village kids bullied Freda was because she was beautiful, and so they wanted her attention. Not that it’s a passable excuse for bullying.

“About that, Zeeg. It’s because you haven’t seen my scars yet. Not that I plan on showing them to you though.”

Since the girl said that much, Zeeg couldn’t say anything to contradict her.

If he were to look, he would probably be speechless and hurt Freda’s feelings as a result.

“But...”, the girl continued, “I didn’t become a hunter out of desperation or self-abandonment. I chose to become a hunter because I wanted to inspire hope.”

“Hope?”

Freda nodded.

“When the monsters attacked our caravan of ten or so carriages, all I could do was watch our workers struggle in vain as the Cephalos pack dragged them under the sand and ate them up. The guard hunters we hired seemed to be inexperienced, as they were tossed around and eaten one by one. When the carriage I was on toppled, I was thrown out along with papa and mama, landing on the sand. I lost one eye because a Cephalos’s dorsal fin cut through it when it swam right below me.”

A grim, twisted expression appeared on Zeeg’s face as he imagined how painful it must have been.

“Worst of all, papa and mama were dragged into the sand right in front of my eyes. One of the employees immediately came to shield me, but everyone had already accepted death at that point. But then-”

For the first time, Freda’s face brightened up with warmth.

“That person appeared.”

Zeeg immediately knew that she was talking about the aforementioned hunter.

“A high-pitched explosion suddenly echoed- Now I know that it was a Sonic Bomb, but I didn’t know what it was back then- Those sand wyverns burst out of the sand and writhed in pain. That person then fought the Cephadrome while drawing its attention. The battle was intense. No matter how many times the Chephadrome tried to hide under the sand, that person’s sword wouldn’t let it.”

“............”

“No matter how many injuries and broken bones, that person fought on, and the image gave everyone the will to survive. They salvaged whatever they could find from the wreckage and fought together. It might have been a hindrance, but hope in living was surely restored. It was the same for me. Even if I were to survive by some miracle, if I hadn’t seen that battle, I would have given in to despair and died shortly after. That’s why- I wanted to be like that person. I wanted to be the kind of hunter that inspires the people living in remote regions, for them to cling to life with their hearts full of hope just by knowing that I’m there for them.”

Looks like Freda was dead serious.

But that would be the same as saying that she wanted to be the Hero of Kokoto.

Although the name had lost its inspirational effect for the people, during the time when there were not that many hunters, people fear the threat of monsters that ruled the world of nature. They kept reminding themselves that the Hero of Kokoto is there for them, and were able to overcome the harsh living conditions.

“...You’re awesome.”

Zeeg spoke up, and Freda raised her head.

“So you aspire to become a hero eh, Freda? I don’t even have any plans like that, you know? Right now I’m just an aimless hunter.”

“You’re the one who’s awesome, Zeeg. The Chief used to tell me. That an ideal hunter is a hunter that simply lives as a natural part of this world. It is harder for ones that have become skilled and famous to stay as a normal hunter- Just like the Chief’s past self. But the Chief also understood my beliefs. Hope is certainly what people need. But my decision wasn’t filled with happiness, because it was equal to offering myself as a sacrifice. The Chief then told me to talk to him again when I’m able to defeat a Rathalos by myself with my determination unchanged. I did as told and was granted the Heroic Blade.”

Freda drew the sword, held it up straight in front of herself, and silently stared at the blade.

(“Then, it really is the real deal...?”)

The current Zeeg knows that the Village Chief isn’t the kind of person to talk irresponsibly.

If he said that he’s passing on the real thing, then this Heroic Blade is certainly real.

However, Zeeg couldn’t understand how being a hero is equal to being a sacrifice.

The Village Chief- Hero of Kokoto is still widely respected by hunters, with his exploits being told in numerous stories. For Zeeg, the word “sacrifice” doesn’t fit anywhere in there at all.

“...You too?”

“Eh?”

“Were you also thinking why it’s me that was chosen?”

Up to this point, the girl has said those words countless times. One would think that she’s completely fine when they look at her face, but she was likely putting up a tough act. Although she doesn’t cry, the girl probably felt hurt- right from the very beginning.

“Nah.”

Zeeg gave an answer. A faint expression of doubt was painted on Freda’s face.

“It’s because I’m a great sword user, after all. If the Village Chief were to tell me ‘You’ve been chosen to be my successor!’ and hand me that sword, I would have declined. My body already fixed itself to the great sword fighting style. I’d never want to learn a new weapon from scratch.”

Freda cast down her eye slightly and sheathed her sword.

“......Thank you.”

“What I said was true, you know- Well, if your sword were to be the legendary anti-dragon great sword, the Dragon Massacre, I would have rolled on bed all night with jealousy though!”

It was intended as a joke, but doubt disappeared from Freda’s face as she nodded.

Zeeg let out a sigh in relief.

(“Wait, why am I being flustered by every little thing?”)

The boy couldn’t think of a reason. Was it the guilt from bullying her back then?

(“Still... she really is pale.”)

Maybe he remembered it from back then, but when Zeeg got to see Freda again, that detail was confirmed. The girl’s skin is very pale, even compared to the equipment made from the Khezu’s pale skin.

Freda re-wrapped the bandage on her head and put on her chain cap.

At first, Zeeg thought that it was the gunners’ Khezu Cap since she had an eyepatch, but it actually isn’t. The girl’s eyepatch serve to hide her scar, and the bandage is actually normal cloth, as opposed to thinned and flattened Khezu skin.

Looking more closely, she also has a scar on her neck. Looks like it is what remained of a large wound.

It also doesn’t look that old. Most likely a recent claw injury.

Including ones that are shown and not hidden, the girl probably has countless scars of various sizes on her body.

This also applies to all hunters.

One cannot avoid being injured when hunting alone. Having someone to watch one’s back, like Elmeria having Gannon’s protection, is considered to be very good luck.

After she was done applying her bandage, Freda curiously looked at Zeeg.

“What is it?”

“Eh!? N-nothing! Nothing at all...”

“Is that so. –I think the carriage will be coming to pick you up tomorrow morning. According to the contract made beforehand, that is. You’re going back to Kokoto Village, right?”

“Y-yeah...”

“If there’s anything in the tent that you can’t carry back now, just send someone else to retrieve it when you get back to the village. The Monoblos won’t turn up for a while, so make sure to report that the desert trade route is safe to traverse as of now.”

“Right... -Still, I really messed up. I didn’t expect it to be that tough.”

“It’s a wyvern that even gave the Hero of Kokoto trouble, you know. Being able to break its horn is still awesome.”

“Ah-!”

Reminded of a bad memory, Zeeg struck his palm with the other fist.

“Dammit, those damn Melynxes!”

“Ah, that’s right.”

Freda took out a set of BBQ Spit from the supply box, set a piece of raw meat on it, installed the handle, and then lit up a fire.

“They totally took away that horn, huh. Unfortunately, you should give up on it. At this point, the Felynes should have already taken it to one of the cities in order to trade it for food.”

“...Right.”

Zeeg sighed.

Felynes are white furred cat-like lynians. They live together with Melynxes in colonies.

As opposed to Melynxes that would get chased away if they were to approach towns and villages because of their tendency to steal things, there are Felynes that work and make trade dealings with humans.

“...Want some meat?”

Freda asked with her hand holding the handle, and Zeeg blinked in confusion.

“You’re grilling for me?”

“With your leg like that, it’ll be hard to even lift the BBQ Spit. I also have some raw meat left.”

“I’ll leave it to you, then.”

Freda nodded, then held the handle tightly before starting to turn it around while humming the BBQ Song.

“''Trut truu trut truu... Trut truu truut...''”

Zeeg used to hum while grilling just like that, and Elmeria would always roll on the floor in a burst of laughter. If she were to be here, would she be laughing at this girl as well?

Freda’s humming gave off a different feel from Zeeg’s humming as a timing indication. It felt more like some kind of prayer.

A prayer to show gratitude to life, and wishing for the grilling process to be successful.

Zeeg gulped down his saliva as he saw the meat juices drip down into the fire and the meat’s surface hardening, turning light brown.

Suddenly reminded that he hadn’t eaten anything for the whole day, the boy’s stomach grumbled in dissatisfaction.

The girl definitely heard that.

Freda glanced at Zeeg, a faint smile appearing on her lips.

(“This is embarrassing...”)

His face turning bright red, all Zeeg could do was lower his head and look away.

Before long, Freda’s voice echoed throughout the tent, as if she was communicating with something far away.

“-So tasty.”

“Check this out! Check this out, Zeeg!”

That was Elmeria’s first statement during the reunion after one month.

She put a giant lump of metal with a handle on the gathering hall table, causing Zeeg to hurriedly pick up his bowl of Mosswine Leg Stew so that it wouldn’t be knocked off.

Still, some of the soup spilled on Zeeg’s fingers, the boy narrowing his eyebrows in dissatisfaction as he licked them off.

(“What’s up with her? Jeez...”)

Raising his head, he could see Elmeria’s eyes sparkling with delight. As usual, the girl was equipped with Rathalos armor except for her head and body.

And as expected, Gannon was wearing his usual Diablos armor with Gravios equipment for the lower body, standing behind the girl like a sculpture.

Except when resting in guest houses, hunters would usually be fully armed.

Part of the reason was to prevent their precious equipment from being stolen, but the main reason was so that they could act immediately when an urgent quest was posted, since they would be available on a first come, first served basis.

Carriages have been prepared, ready to leave the city at any moment. That is because there were quite a lot of quests that could be accepted by multiple parties at once.

Among those quests, there were also ones with strange tasks like grilling as much meat as possible.

If one were to ask why, it is because freshly grilled meat is essential for banquets held in the royal capital.

Meat from monsters like Aptonoths are different from meat from livestock such as cows or pigs, because they won’t become more delicious after being marinated for a few days.

Monster meat spoil quickly, with their rotting process starting just a few hours after carving.

To counteract that, hunters would immediately preserve what they carve in salt buckets.

By doing so, the meat will be good for another day.

When they return to the base came afterwards, the meat would be smoked, extending the time by half a month or even a whole month depending on the length of the process, and they’ll be good to eat just by re-heating.

However, following this procedure worsens the taste.

If one wanted to eat truly delicious monster meat, they would have to capture the monsters alive and carve them up after bringing them to the city, or cook the meat until they were rare then transport them as fast as possible, re-heating them when they reach the destination.

For banquets at the royal capital, the latter method was usually chosen.

From what Zeeg heard, large lumps of meat would be grilled before being brought to the capital, where only the parts in the middle were cut off and used.

The remaining parts seemed to be kept by the chefs for their own meals.

As for the food made in Minegarde’s gathering hall, small monsters like Mosswines are captured alive and transported to the city before being butchered, but for larger ones like Aptonoths, their meat would be preserved in salt.

Putting that aside, these small details were the reason why hunters were always in full armor- It's so that they are always ready for urgent quests.

And of course, constantly carrying weapons around is also normal.

(“It’s a hammer... right?”)

Looks like it.

Looking at the head attached to the handle however, the weapon was asymmetrical, with one side being badly deformed, like it had been smashed out of shape.

As if it had been melted with intense heat and left to re-harden just like that.

Elmeria was making an extremely proud expression on her face. She seemed like a kid who had found a rare insect, proudly showing it off to her friends.

However, Zeeg could not understand what it is that she was being so proud of.

“Umm-”

Before Zeeg could ask what the thing is about, a bunch of other easily distracted hunters approached, their footsteps resounding loudly. They gathered around, all looking at the table.

Normally, Elmeria would immediately drive them away, but she doesn’t do so today for some reason.

“What’d you find- Whoa, this is awesome!”

A man standing in the very front of the crowd raised his voice.

That man is equipped with the standard Hunter’s armor set and is carrying the hammer weapon Iron Striker on his wide back.

His face turned red, probably from excitement. His eyes have also become bloodshot.

“Is- Is this the Breath Core?”

Saliva spit off his large, shivering lips as he spoke, causing Zeeg to shield his food bowl in a panic.

“Damn right it is?”

Elmeria spoke proudly, her chest puffed up with pride. “Whoa!”, unified shouts of astonishment echoed throughout, shaking the whole gathering hall.

“I- This is the first time I’ve seen it...”

As the man said that, other hammer wielders in the crowd nodded in agreement among themselves, looking at the hammer on the table as if they had been shown an irresistibly delicious looking treat.

The crowd caused a commotion, as if a material as rare as a Lao-Shan Lung’s Reverse Scale had been placed in front of them.

Zeeg recognized the eyes of those people, filled with thirst and greed.

Sometimes, the boy himself would unintentionally look jealously at high-ranked hunters carrying brilliant great swords. Perhaps it is also the case for the surrounding crowd.

However, this time-

“How’s that, Zeeg?”

Elmeria looked down at Zeeg, as if to say, “You get it now, right?”

From the look in her eyes, she clearly wanted the boy to hurry up and show some jealousy.

It has been one year since Zeeg joined the party- And the boy thought that Elmeria has been gradually showing more of her childish side compared to when they first met.

“Even if you ask me that...”

He looked as hard as he could, but Zeeg could see it as noting but a lump of scrap metal.

Comparatively, if it’s the Finishing Hammer, made from a Diablos’s tail, he would see more value in it even from a glance.

If one asks why, it is because in addition to the weapon being powerful, it is also proof that the owner has defeated the Diablos multiple times.

Elmeria, seeing to be irritated by the boy’s unamused reaction-

“...What’s up with you! So boring!!”

The girl pouted and frowned her eyebrows.

Sensing that the girl is now in a bad mood, the hunter crowd hurriedly dispersed. They seemed to be fully aware of Elmeria’s violent tendencies.

Moreover, Fradio is not here to cool her down.

“Why don’t you understand!?”

“I just can’t understand what I can’t understand, you know. Isn’t this thing just some broken hammer?”

Having said that, Zeeg realized that he had incurred Elmeria’s imperial wrath.

The girl grabbed her hammer from the table, raising it overhead with all her strength.

Zeeg panickingly held on to his bowl of Mosswine Leg Stew. He knew that what would follow is surely going to be a swing from the girl’s hammer. However-

“Now~ That’s quite enough.”

The hammer raised overhead did not crush the table.

Out of nowhere, to Elmeria’s back stood a woman in a barmaid uniform who seemed to give off a cheerful aura. With strength that seemed to be impossible to attain with her thin arms, she was able to stop the hammer from swinging down just by grabbing it with one hand.

“Ah, Becky.”

Still holding his food bowl, Zeeg said his greetings, the woman responding with a sweet smile. She then shifted her sights to Elmeria’s face.

“Ellie, have you forgotten it again? Hunters do not point their weapons at people.”

“Of course I didn’t forget! I wasn’t even aiming to hit him!”

“That’s not the pro-! ...blem...”

As Zeeg said that in the heat of the moment, Elmeria glared at him with eyes as ferocious as a wyvern, causing the boy to gulp down his words.

“Still...”, Becky continued, “Smashing tables just like that is also a problem, you know? If you’re going to fight, then do it with your fists like any hunter would, alright? I’ll even gladly be your opponent in a fist fight- got it?”

Elmeria didn’t stop applying her strength at all. It’s obvious from her face, which has turned red. Even so, the girl couldn’t go against Becky’s strength as the woman held back the hammer, barehanded with an unconcerned expression on her face.

“G- Got it.”

Finally, Elmeria stopped trying to push through.

Becky took her hand off the hammer.

Elmeria panted heavily, turning around to give Becky a bitter look. She then put her hammer on the table as it she was throwing a tantrum and took a seat on a chair opposite to Zeeg’s. Gannon sat down beside her.

“Beer!”

Knocking on the table to call for attention, Elmeria loudly shouted out her order.

It’s unknown if that tome was intended for driving away Becky, but the woman made her way to the counter and passed on the order, then just stayed put.

After all, Becky isn’t the only waitress here.

Before long, a woman dressed in the same uniform as Becky brought out two mugs filled to the brim with beer, placing them in front of Elmeria and Gannon.

“Sorry for the wait. Enjoy.”

Becky said that as she smiled at the two.

In this gathering hall, the woman acts as a leader of the waitresses. Her uniform includes a red vest on top of a white blouse with puffy shoulders, white apron on top of a blue and light blue checkered skirt, and a white cap with red outlines. A beautiful woman, she is highly popular among hunters.

Although her clothes are exactly the same as the other waitresses, she is usually seen welcoming customers who sit at the bar, rarely coming out to serve food.

Her main job is not to serve food at tables, but to process requests for hunters, manage contract fees, withdraw reward money, and also offer news and information.

It was said that if Becky were to not be here for even a single day, the Minegarde Hunter’s Guild would cease to function.

She looks to be 20 years old, give or take a few, but nobody knows her actual age.

Age isn’t the only thing mysterious about her.

One thing is about her strength, able to stop Elmeria’s swing with one hand, even though the girl’s blow could have easily crushed the head of a Bullfango. The woman never lost her cool, even in a work environment surrounded by hunters with violent tendencies.

The kinds that would start a fight if alcohol drinks were to enter their mouths.

It is not just once that Zeeg sees Becky silencing hunters so drunk that they can’t distinguish front to back.

There were various rumors floating around, that she used to be a hunter before, or that she is the daughter of a renowned martial artist- But nobody knows the truth.

In her usual refreshing smile, Becky made her rounds, looking at all of the tables.

And as always, Zeeg started to feel restless when his eyes met with the Becky’s. She is beautiful and mature, after all.

Even after one year, the boy still could not get used to a beautiful woman’s smile.

For some reason, Elmeria seems to become increasingly unamused, and it shows on her face. The girl chugged down her beer then put her mug down violently as if to slap it one the table.

And for some reason, she gave the boy a dark look from the other side of the hammer.

“Wh- What now...”

“Shut up, you ignorant dimwit!”

“I said, what now!?”

“Hmph!”

With foam still sticking around her mouth, Elmeria chugged down her beer once again.

Next to her, Gannon seemed to be burning with tranquil fury, frightening the boy.

(“Did I mess something up again...?”)

Feeling that all this pressure has made him smaller, Zeeg continued munching on his Mosswine Legs. The food’s unique jelly-like texture is a favorite to the boy, but today, he couldn’t feel any taste from his meal anymore.

“Now... Good girls don’t make unreasonable demands... Right, Ellie?”

Becky smiled wryly as she spoke up to lubricate the table’s rough atmosphere.

“It’s natural for hunters to know their main weapons inside out but clueless on ones they don’t use, so it can’t be helped that Zeeg doesn’t know about it. Ellie too, you wouldn’t know if I asked you about the different types of great swords, right?”

Probably because that statement his the mark, Elmeria’s lips pouted.

Becky smiled as if she was taking care of an adorable little sister, then turned her attention to Zeeg.

“Still, knowing the properties of your comrades’ weapons is common sense for hunters, you know? When your friends use weapons with status effects to attack monsters, you wouldn’t want to get caught in friendly fire because you were careless, right?”

“Y- Yeah...”

“You’re a good boy, Zeeg.”

Becky laughed gently, then stroked the hammer on the table.

Although the boy did take offense at being treated like a child, those negative feelings all melted away when met with her smile.

“This is the Breath Core. As you can see, it’s a metallic hammer, but it’s also a precious relic created from a special metal that is impossible to refine with current technology. It’s not as heavy as the Gravios Shell Hammer, the Graviton hammer, but its destructive power is on a whole different level. Even the armory hasn’t worked out the reason, but the only thing known about this hammer is that if you swing it hard enough, upon impact, the weapon would release a mysterious force that destroys its target from the inside. The reason half of the head was left broken like that is because we don’t have the technology to fix it.”

Zeeg took another look at the hammer.

However, he just couldn’t see the hammer as something that awesome.

The boy also has his doubts.

“If it can’t be created, then how’d you get it, Elmeria?”

That was what Zeeg asked.

In order to obtain weapons, there are generally two methods.

The first and the more popular way is by manufacturing raw materials gathered by oneself.

As the weapons are custom-made by order, this method is mostly chosen by hunters and people who decide to start their career as one.

The other method is to buy ready-made goods from shops.

Not requiring materials, one would easily get a weapon in their hands as long as they had the money, but the price is higher than order-made goods, and it is also possible that one would not be able to find a weapon they are comfortable with.

However, as far as Zeeg knows, there was no weapon with the name “Breath Core” in armory’s list.

Wiping off beer foam with her palm, Elmeria looked at Zeeg.

“That’s easy, it’s dug up.”

“Dug up?”

“Right. There’s this rock at the volcano area that I’ve been keeping an eye on, so I went together with Gannon and mined it over and over and over again until this came out.”

Elmeria went on to explain about how some volcanoes in the Kingdom of Schrade weren’t created naturally but rather by an ancient war, and how there’s a possibility that weapons from that time still remain.

“Then, after ten or so trips, we finally dug this up.”

The girl’s tone returned to normal.

“You had to be lucky to even dig up this thing in the first place, but then you’d still need a ridiculous amount of abrasive minerals- Earth Crystals. All those saved up again and again, used up all in one go!! Not just the crystals, but money as well!!”

“Huh... Well, how much did it cost you?”

She was just exaggerating things- thought Zeeg as he munched on his Mosswine Leg.

“For the crystals, 120 of them. Money, a grand total of 96,000 Zenny.”

Immediately as the boy heard that, his whole body shivered, the Mosswine Leg slipped off his hand. It landed in the soup with a splash, but Zeeg paid it no heed.

“H- 120 Crystals!? N- 96,000 Zenny!?”

An overwhelming quantity, and a price so high that he could faint.

There weren’t many places where one could mine Earth Crystals from, and one mining trip would yield only a few.

Requiring 120 of that scarce of a material!

Same deal for the money used up. From a single Rathian subjugation quest, each member would receive a reward of 5,000 Zenny, and even then, quests of that level do not come around often.

Besides, there are also tools, supplies, and everyday living expenses. While not comparable to all those Earth Crystals in value, 96,000 Zenny is still a large sum of money.

Finally, a smile filled with pride spread wide on Elmeria’s face.

“Finally get it? Well?”

“Th- That’s awesome...”

That was an honest opinion. As Zeeg gave it another thought, he recalled hearing rumors about the existence of ancient weapons.

The great sword used in times of antiquity to slay dragons, the Ancient Blade- the boy believed it to be a myth, but now he is unsure. After all, a real ancient hammer is right here.

He felt envious.

The boy wanted to head to the volcano and get mining just about now. But-

(“Even if I actually find it, I still won’t have the crystals and money...”)

That’s the problem.

Of what little Earth Crystals he dug up, he had spent most of them in upgrading his great sword to the Ravager Blade+.

Although the quantity of Earth Crystals needed for the Ancient Blade is unknown, it should be around 120, the amount needed for the Breath Core, so high that it would take years of collecting from here onwards.

“You really worked on collecting them, huh...”

The boy muttered unintentionally, Elmeria tilted her head in response.

“What, the Earth Crystals? Of course I did. After all, right when I chose to wield the hammer, I planned to absolutely have it in my hands, so I’ve been collecting Earth Crystals all this time.”

“Huh...”

Zeeg felt nothing but admiration. He never thought that making armor and weapons would need that much forward planning. Of course, the boy does think of efficiency and balance.

But that’s just planning accordingly for the hunt at hand. Unlike Elmeria, who looks to the future.

(“Future, huh...”)

This is the second time Zeeg was reminded that he needs to think about what he wants to do in the future.

“There’s no need to worry about it that much, Zeeg.”

Given a light pat on the shoulder from Becky, Zeeg raised his face.

“Ellie’s efficiency in actions is from Mr. Gannon’s guidance. Everyone gets stronger by learning from trial-and-error, so you’ll be fine. It’s bad to speed things up too fast, alright?”

Being told that, the boy felt slightly relieved. Elmeria, feeling like she had been splashed with water at the peak of her excitement, made a slightly unamused facial expression.

“......Thank you, Becky.”

Zeeg said that, the woman answering the boy with a gentle smile. And then-

“What’s that!? Huh!?”

An angry voice raised from one of the other tables, looking closer, two men stood up, looking to start a fist fight. Immediately, a crowd formed around them, cheering in amusement. Nobody stepped forward to stop them. This kind of scene is a common occurrence in a gathering hall filled with strangers.

“It can’t be helped, seriously...”

Although Becky was just keeping watch at first, the woman assessed that more fights would break out as a result of the excitement that has been raised up like raging flames, so she broke off from the table and headed to the counter.

“Heave-ho-!”

Something was dragged up from behind the counter.

Zeeg doubted his eyes.

However, there was no mistake on what he saw.

The thing that Becky dragged out- That is, a giant teddy bear.

She embraced it in her arms, approaching the crowd of hunters. They immediately made way for her to pass through. However, those engaged in the fist fight didn’t seem to notice the woman even though she was already standing next to them.

“Hah.”

Becky raised the teddy bear up, striking the brawling hunters, the bear making a squeaky sound.

What happened next was that the hunters, who wouldn’t even change their facial expression after taking a Kelbi’s kick, had fainted in a blink of an eye.

“Wait, what...?”

Zeeg looked at the scene, dumbfounded. What the strike did to those hunters is unknown, but they started to snore loudly.

“H- Hey, Elmeria... What was that...”

“I- I’m not sure about it either...”

She didn’t seem to be feigning ignorance. Elmeria was also genuinely surprised. As expected- Becky still has more mysteries surrounding her.

Then-

“That’s the Sleepy Bear.”

That girl, who had been with the group all along, spoke up.

Elmeria turned around, her expression showing that she had just noticed that a person was there.

To Zeeg’s side, the girl had been sitting there this whole time, eating her Special Mushroom and Pin Tuna Grilled Pie.

Zeeg knew that she was there, of course. It was only natural. After all, the two of them had come to the city together, heading to this gathering hall immediately after they had arrived.

The girl- Freda, put down her knife and fork, then wiped her mouth with a napkin.

“That teddy bear is stuffed with Novacrystals and Lightcrystals. Those two types of crystals have a special reaction on impact, resonating with hypnotizing energy over a short distance... It’s a type of hammer.”

“......Who’re you?”

Elmeria looked at the girl, squinting her eyes in dissatisfaction. Zeeg assessed that she was unamused by the fact that she had to be taught about hammers by someone else.

“Th- This is Freda!”

Zeeg hurriedly put himself between those two, speaking up loudly to interrupt them.

“We met in the desert, and then, well... I got hurt a little, you see. On top of saving me, she also came along to see me off...”

“Don’t worry about it.”

Freda spoke in a refreshing tone as she sipped wine from her glass.

“I just thought that if you were to encounter monsters on the way, you wouldn’t be able to fight with your foot in that condition. Wielding the great sword puts a lot of stress on the ankles, after all.”

“You were injured, Zeeg?”

Maybe it was just his imagination, but the boy could feel some uneasiness echoing from Elmeria’s voice.

At any rate, Zeeg denied it by shaking his head.

“It’s nothing much, really! Well, you see... I fought a Monoblos and got thrown into the air, then my ankle just got sprained when I landed. It’s all good now.”

That was the truth. The injury did hurt for about two days, but the boy doesn’t feel a thing anymore.

Rather, the boy was more hurt by the fact that he couldn’t fulfill the Village Chief’s request.

Of course, he knew full well that he wasn’t a full-grown adult yet.

But the Village Chief probably entrusted the Zeeg with the hunt because he thought the boy could do it. Not being able to answer to the elder’s expectations, the boy felt disappointed in himself.

In the end, he was taught the lesson that going against the Monoblos with equipment on the Kut-Ku set’s level is like going at it naked, and more importantly, he felt bitter that his great sword is still lacking in power.

(“Looks like going at it with a just a lump of refined ores isn’t going to be enough...”)

That was what the boy thought.

Elmeria’s freshly obtained Breath Core, Gannon’s Diablo Spear, and Freda’s Heroic Blade.

Although they were all crafted, those weapons were not made by manufacturing ores alone.

From now on, there are two options for upgrading the Ravager Blade+.

One path requires Machalite Ores and Fire Wyvern Claws of both types to create a great sword of reasonably good sharpness- A sword of the Lacerator Blade production line.

Another option uses a large quantity of Fire Wyvern Claws and a type of medicine called Mega Demondrug, resulting in a great sword as sharp as the Lao-Shan Lung’s claws- the Tactical Blade.

However, on top of the materials, it also costs a large sum of money to upgrade to a Tactical Blade.

(“If I remember correctly, it’s 48,000 Zenny...”)

Although it is not comparable to the 96,000 Zenny Elmeria had to pay, it is a large amount nonetheless.

“Zeeg, are you alright?”

As Freda softly touched his hand, Zeeg came to his senses.

“You made a scary face. Does your ankle hurt?”

“I- I’m fine!”

Zeeg tried to pull his hand away but failed, as Freda has pressed it down with her strong grip.

Feeling that he was being looked at, the boy turned to see Elmeria in an expression that he has never seen up until now, staring coldly at his hand.

Elmeria’s mood should have been all better by now, but for some reason, it has suddenly became way worse. Somehow, it felt like she was out for blood.

Maybe because Freda also noticed it, and maybe because she was also scared, the girl’s hand, wrapped in Khezu Vambrace, tightened its grip.

His throat feeling dry from all the nervousness, Zeeg gulped down his saliva.

Then-

“Seriously, can’t they drink their alcohol peacefully- Huh? What’s the matter?”

Becky returned, and upon seeing the table in an unusual state, she took a look at everyone present.

“......Nothing at all.”

Elmeria spoke in a totally unconvincing tone, then drank up all of the remaining beer in her mug.

Freda let go of Zeeg’s hand and continued sipping wine from her glass.

“Is that so? Then that’s good.”

Becky put down the large teddy bear on a chair next to her, then took out a memo pad from her skirt pocket, as if she had remembered something.

“Listen, do any of you guys happen to know where Fradio has gone? There’s a request we want him to take care of, but he’s nowhere to be found.”

“Is- Isn’t he supposed to be at the jungle?”

Seeing a chance to change the topic, Zeeg promptly spoke up.

“He said something about it, right?”

“Yeah, it looks like he did go to the jungle. There was a notice from the guild sub-branch in a nearby village that he rented a base camp for personal use. Problem is, he hasn’t returned yet.”

Gannon moved his body to stand up, his armor shaking slightly.

Although Zeeg thought that the man was simply having too much fun with Gypceros, his whereabouts being unknown is just not normal.

“I wonder if anyone is going to go out and search for him... Free of charge, that is.”

Becky glanced at Zeeg and the others, frowning her eyebrows as if to show how troubled she’s feeling right now.

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Monster Hunter:Volume2 Chapter1

2018-05-28T14:41:22Z

Barnnn:

== Chapter 1 - Returning Home One Year Later ==

“Eh- Our party is disbanding!?”

Having Well-Done Jungle Ribs with Buffalo Butter and Cudgel Onion as his meal, Zeeg’s hand stopped all movement as he heard the abrupt statement, with his knife still digging into the rib’s meat.

It is not often that this 17-year old boy lets something interrupt him when eating.

Moreover, this was a celebratory meal for successfully completing a quest to steal 3 Wyvern Eggs from a wyvern nest in the Jungle. The group had just gotten back to gathering hall in Minegarde, a city that acted as a base of operations for hunters, located in the southern region of the Western Schrade Kingdom.

What made the boy stop his hand was the shocking statement that was brought up.

“Wh...what’s the meaning of this!?”

Tobacco smoke filled the gathering hall’s interior, where hunters who have just completed their quests gather to eat, drink, and be merry. Naturally, this means the place is quite loud.

Sitting next to the boy was a girl- Elmeria Franport, who narrowed her eyes as she pinched Zeeg’s ear to tell him that he was being noisy.

Her lips moved in closer, startling Zeeg. However-

“I can hear you just fine even if you don’t shout!”

She yelled right into his ear, causing Zeeg to let out a short scream.

The boy's knife was dropped from hiss hand and slipped under the table, but he was currently unable to look for it. On top of the ringing in his ear, he was also having quite a headache.

Elmeria’s shout might as well rival the Diablos’s roar.

Waiting for his ear to stop ringing, Zeeg attempted to wipe away his tears, but let out another short scream instead. That was because he had forgotten that his arm was equipped with the Kut-Ku Vambraces.

The vambraces created from Yian Kut-Ku materials had many sharp points protruding from them. And now, one of those spikes had pricked his cheek.

That should be as painful as a Vespoid’s sting.

Zeeg groaned as he covered his cheek with his hand.

“Clumsy.”

Elmeria said just that, then shifted her attention back to her meal.

In front of the girl, who is a year younger than Zeeg, was a plate of food a rank higher that what the boy was having.

What she ordered for the evening was King Squid and Queen Shrimp Riverfood Paella.

The rice, turned yellow from being thoroughly cooked in a deep iron pan, sent out an appetizing aroma as it was scooped up with a spoon, with Zeeg looking on in slight envy.

In addition to food menus that anyone could order like steaks from herbivore monsters such as Aptonoths or Bullfangos, there were special menus that could only be ordered by hunters with the appropriate rank.

They were normally for orders that were delivered to the hunters’ guest houses, but if one prefers, they could also order in the gathering hall to eat on the same table as their comrades.

The main ingredients in Elmeria’s meal, King Squids and Queen Shrimps, could only be ordered by skilled hunters with the rank Weapon Master or above, which were the ones with access to Queen Guest House rooms.

Zeeg, who was staying in the lower ranked Bishop room, did not have the right to order it no matter how much he wanted to.

Hunters were designated ranks according to their skill level and exploits, with their ranks affecting the types of hunting requests they could accept. This process was strictly regulated by an organization- the Guild.

Regardless of east or west, those who hunt monsters for a living in the Kingdom of Schrade were called Hunters. At a glance, one would think that this occupation had a great deal of freedom, but hunters who register at the guild had to accept a long list of regulations.

They included the type of rooms they could rent, food they could order, and the requests they could accept.

The disparity definitely was a cause of jealousy, but jealousy could also turn into motivation.

Low rank hunters would look enviously at those with higher ranks living in wonderful guest houses, indulging in luxurious cuisine, and arming themselves with magnificent equipment. They would put all their effort into hunting, thinking to themselves that one day they would reach that point as well.

It was the same for Zeeg one year ago, when he had just arrived at this city.

When he was introduced to his Pawn room, which was not so different from a pig’s coop (and actually had a shirt-wearing pig living in it), his breath was taken away by how much the room stank and the bitterness in his mind.

That was because back at the village, he had been praised as the fastest Yian Kut-Ku hunter.

It was a brief moment of greatness, before he was almost immediately reminded that in this world, there will always be someone better.

Thanks to a recommendation letter from the Village Chief, Zeeg had gotten the permission to participate in a quest to subjugate the monster known as one of the strongest wyverns, the male fire wyvern Rathalos.

At first, he had thought to himself that he would be the one to defeat it, but that thought immediately flew off his head when the Rathalos appeared before his eyes.

A body several times larger than the Yian Kut-Ku, intimidating roars, deadly fireball attacks- the monster’s overwhelming power blew away all of the boy’s thoughts of hunting it.

However, the hunting party that he went along with were unfazed and fought it head-on.

Breaking its scales with explosions from Large Barrel Bombs and blows from a powerful hammer, piercing its flesh with a sharp lance, and destroying its eye with deadly bowgun bullets.

Even though Zeeg helped at the end, all he did was place the last Barrel Bomb next to the Rathalos that had fallen into a Pitfall Trap. The process could be considered child’s play.

One of the high-ranked hunters that he went with was now sitting next to him, eating her paella. Elmeria, a hammer user, one year younger.

While her body may look delicate at a glance, she was protected by strong equipment. It was the Rathalos armor set, created mainly from the fire wyvern’s scales and shells, though the girl did not wear any body armor. That is because her role in the party is to deliver powerful singular blows in a hit-and-run style.

Hunting in groups is significantly different compared to going solo, and designating roles among party members is important.

For example, Zeeg’s party has a member whose role is to distract the target monster.

Maximizing his defense with strong armor, he would blow Field Horns or crawl under the monster’s body to keep its attention on him, letting other party members fully focus on the offense.

Not having to worry about defense, Elmeria has chosen to not wear some parts of her armor to increase movement speed. She equipped armor on her arms, legs, and waist in order to lessen the impact on her joints when swinging her hammer, while the body armor and helmet were omitted.

That was up until recently, because she now puts on an Ioprey Helm, which is more of a hat than a helmet, because she got tired of Zeeg’s complaints.

Compared to her, Zeeg equips all armor parts, but that’s because he doesn’t have a specialized role.

Depending on the situation, he has to either draw the monster’s attention or deliver powerful blows from blind spots. For that reason, wearing armor that are too heavy or too light would not be good.

Naturally, the great sword is also quite heavy, but that is also what makes it powerful.

Putting the total weight of his equipment into consideration, the Kut-Ku armor set provides fairly solid defense while still being light, which is a great match for Zeeg.

He is also interested in the Rathalos set that Elmeria uses, but Zeeg lacks both the required materials and money, and if he were to use the same armor as her, there could be a little dissatisfaction for both sides because he would be seen as copying her. Moreover, it is also very likely that they would get made fun of by others, like how they “make a good pair” or something similar.

With those thoughts in mind, he doesn’t mind keeping his current equipment on. More importantly, he doesn’t feel that the defensive power of his armor is lacking in any way.

And as a result, he chooses to take the fire wyverns’ claws instead of scales or shells when sharing materials, since they can be used to strengthen his weapon.

He thought that his weapon could be upgraded to the Iron Sword production line’s strongest design, the Tactical Blade, but there are still not enough materials.

Though the Ravager Blade+ in his possession could be immediately upgraded to the Lacerator Blade, it is far less powerful in comparison to the Tactical Blade.

If one has an option, it is only logical that they would choose the better weapon.

It is only a matter of time. Zeeg’s weapon may currently be underpowered, but cooperation can make up for it when hunting in a party. Though it increases the other members’ workload right now, he would be many times more useful to the group when the powerful weapon is finally in his hands.

This is also one of the big advantages of hunting with a regular party, as opposed to grouping up for just a single hunt.

And even so, the announcement that the group is disbanding just came out of the blue.

In his mind, Zeeg believed that he did his share of work without any mistake.

Even though he argues with Elmeria frequently, they weren’t problems about the hunt, but rather contrasting likes or dislikes in terms of food, gossips from the royal capital, or the manners of a rookie hunter. Mostly things that aren’t serious.

All arguments would end quickly, with everyone forgetting what they were even arguing about a few hours.

(“Did I make a clumsy mistake or something...?”)

Zeeg stared at Elmeria's face, who is holding a knife in one hand and eating rice with her spoon in another, and thought back to the latest hunt.

There shouldn’t be any big problems.

He didn’t break any eggs while transporting, and didn’t fight against monsters if not necessary. While he wanted to break off at least one of the wyvern’s claw, he chose not to because it’s just a personal matter.

He definitely carried out his task without fail.

“Hey-”

While the boy was reaching out to Elmeria’s shoulder to stop her from eating and have her explain the situation clearly...

“......What do you think you are doing to the young mistress?”

A deep voice sounded from the other side of the table, causing Zeeg to stop his hand. The tone of that statement showed a great deal of irritation. Could it be that he thought the boy was intending to hit the girl?

If you do anything, I will break all of the bones in your body- That was what the large man, Gannon Denon, seemed to imply in his voice.

“I wasn’t going to do anything!”

Zeeg put his hand away in a panic. Glancing to his side, he could see Elmeria letting out an arrogant snort. Maybe he just imagined it, but it felt like the girl was insulting him for lacking a backbone.

(“Like I can do anything against him.”)

With nowhere to move his hand to, Zeeg alternated between clenching and releasing his fist while painting a grumpy expression on his face.

Gannon really is that strong.

For hunters, it is said that one’s equipment is what represents the wearer’s character. In Gannon’s case, his whole body is covered in solid armor.

What he is wearing now is the full armor set created from parts of the herbivore wyvern Diablos, the Diablo set. The pieces include a helmet, a plate mail, and a pair of vambraces. Out of those, the most distinctive part is the body armor. Gigantic horns extended from the shoulder pads, giving an impression on an actual Diablos.

Since the set doesn’t include armor for the waist and legs, he equips the Hi-Metal Tasset and Hi-Metal Greaves, armor pieces made from rare metals. Up until recently, that is. Right now, they have been replaced with armor created from shells of the volcano-dwelling armor wyvern Gravios, the lead-colored Gravios Tasset and Gravios Greaves. They are quite good at absorbing impact from movement and attacks.

Gannon is a lance user, and his primary role is to act as decoy.

For that reason, he has to maximize his defense, and also has to wield a lance.

Even though the one-handed swords also have a shield included in the set, their defensive power is far less compared to the shields included with the lances. The large shields are so sturdy than they can even completely block the Rathalos’s fireballs.

Gannon used to wield the Hellfire Lance, but recently switched to the Diablo Spear.

The Hellfire’s main component is Fire Wyvern Marrows, enabling the lance to ignite into flames when attacking, but the drawback is that its durability is low. The shield that was included with the weapon is created from Rathalos Shells, making it effective for defending against fireball attacks, but it is actually quite weak when it comes to deflecting attacks of other attributes.

Comparatively, the Diablo Spear is created from a Diablos Horn of the best quality. The shield is created from Diablos Shells, fortified with rare ores called Dragonite, and strengthened by two kinds of highly potent medicines. Its power is higher than the Hellfire both in terms of offense and defense.

With a new weapon in hand, Gannon was able to charge into the enemy’s horde more aggressively than before. His valor and tenacity is definitely not normal.

As for Zeeg, though he has managed to overcome his fear when encountering wyverns, his skill level is not up to standards just yet. That is because, in any case, his experience as a hunter is still far less compared to the others.

The person who raised Elmeria and trained her in the ways of the hunt is none other than Gannon. The middle-aged man has been a hunter since when he was young, before a noble family took him in and made him one of their knights. Currently, he is suspected for being the one who kidnapped the young mistress of the house he once served.

However, the hunter society doesn’t care about that kind of thing.

This place is filled with people whose backgrounds are better off not being shared. The Hunter’s Guild is an organization that is not officially approved by the royal kingdom, and one’s ability is what decides everything. Of course, there exists a set of “Commandments” that everyone is obligated to follow, but it is not that different from the laws of the outside world.

Zeeg did notice that Elmeria could be the noble lord’s daughter who was abducted, but he didn’t care enough to find out the truth.

To him, those kind of things don’t matter. That is because it is undeniable that both of them are skilled hunters, and also comrades he can rely on.

(“Gannon is being overprotective though...”)

Just about anyone can see that Gannon and Elmeria, who have been together since they first registered at this guild, trust each other deeply. It’s as if they were the same family. Gannon is a man of few words, preferring to communicate with short responses and gestures. This personality gives an impression of a father with a daughter in her teens.

(“Now that I think about it, he would always intervene when I argue with Elmeria... Is that the issue? Does he really think I don’t get along well with her?”)

If one were to go out on a hunt with raptured relations, it would be no different from tying oneself to death. As Gannon prioritizes Elmeria’s life above all else, he would not hesitate to expel Zeeg from the party in order to protect the girl.

If that is so, then the misunderstanding has to be cleared up as soon as possible. Zeeg has no intention to be on bad terms with the party. Even if it’s just a little bit, he does genuinely trust them with his life.

Even though everyone should have understood that, Gannon’s overprotectiveness when it comes to Elmeria could cloud his judgement.

“Hey, Gannon-”

The large man, with an expression as rigid as stone, glanced towards Zeeg, the boy gasping in shock. Even though the metal plate in front of him is already empty, the knife and fork are still held tightly in the man’s hands.

Two pieces of rare Bullfango Steaks used to be placed that plate, but disappeared in just a few moments. Even so, with knife and fork in hand, Zeeg felt that it could be a threat, something like “I’ll cook you up next”. Is this what it means to overthink things?

But when he looked into Gannon’s eyes, Zeeg was totally convinced that what he imagined was correct.

“Hehehe...”

Observing the situation, the person sitting next to Gannon, a man who looks like an executioner preparing to head off to an execution ground- Fradio Heart, laughed mischievously in his throat.

The reason he gives off that impression is because of the helmet that he has equipped.

Created from the Rubbery Hides of the poison wyvern Gypceros, the equipment is a cap that covers all of one’s head, except for the eyes. It also has horns on the sides.

Fradio is a gunner, and his role in the party is to attack monsters from long range. He doesn’t shoot from one place and is always on the move, causing his choice of equipment to be distinctive.

Like Elmeria, Fradio doesn’t wear body armor. However, he also doesn’t wear a shirt, leaving his upper body naked.

The man’s equipment consist of Gypceros Cap for the head, Gypceros Guards for the arms, Gypceros Coat for the waist, and Gypceros Leggings for the legs.

While the Gypceros armor set is better at defending against attacks compared to Zeeg’s Kut-Ku set, its texture is different from the usual armors created from wyvern parts.

The Gypceros does not have tough scales. As a substitute, its whole body has a soft, rubbery texture. This makes the monster highly resistant to impact, and when its hides are used in crafting, the resulting equipment will be resistant to tear.

The catch is that the Gypceros’s hides can only be harvested in low quantities, which means having a full set in possession like Fradio is not common. Moreover, in addition to his armor, Fradio’s weapon is the heavy bowgun that has the Gypceros’s Rubbery Hides as a component, the Tankmage. He likes it so much that he stubbornly refuses to switch to a new weapon with greater firepower.

“What, Fradio?”

In an attempt to avoid the pressure from Gannon, Zeeg looked away in Fradio’s direction.

Another one of Fradio’s role is to be a voice of reason whenever there’s trouble.

No one knows what he used to do before joining this party, but the man is highly skilled in the art of negotiation.

Occasionally, when the party encounters wandering hunters, he would be the one who does the talking when it seemed like a fight was going to break out.

The same goes for quarrels within the party.

Zeeg and Elmeria would get into arguments often, with their stubbornness preventing them from stopping even though they are aware that things will get worse. When that happens, Fradio would intervene, saying his usual “now, now”. Zeeg and Elmeria would be easily put in their place, with their response usually being “Well, if Fradio says so”.

Elmeria tends to speak in a tone that puts herself above others. From teaming up with her for a year, Zeeg has understood that she doesn’t mean any offense, but it doesn’t mean that it’s not irritating.

With Zeeg being Zeeg, even though he is becoming more wary of Elmeria snark, he still lets his emotions lead him, which makes Fradio essential for reducing friction between those two.

Turning to face Fradio, Zeeg leaned on the table and pouted.

“You think this is the time to be laughing? The party is disbanding, you know?”

“No no, that’s not it.”

Fradio lightly shook his head.

That man never takes his Gypceros Cap off, even when eating. This also means that even Elmeria and Gannon have never seen his real face.

Judging from voice and physique, one would guess that he’s in his late 20’s, but there’s nothing to back up that estimate. Elmeria seems to think that his real face is very handsome, while Zeeg thinks he’s covering up a large scar- but of course, it is very likely that it’s just his hobby.

In any case, among numerous wyverns, Gypceros is the one that Fradio absolutely loves, and he would often passionately declare to others that the feel of its rubbery hides is irresistible.

“You don’t have to worry about it that much, Zeeg.”

Laughing in his throat once, Fradio put down the fork that he just used for sending a small piece of cut-up meat into his mouth. Even though he said not to worry, the completely masked face doesn’t help at all.

“Though the party really is disbanding, it’s just temporary. We’ve been taking requests nonstop for the past year, you see. I think it’s about time we got some vacation.”

“What he said.”

Elmeria, who has been quietly eating her paella the whole time, spoke up.

“Without Fradio here, it would be difficult for us to hunt together because of our frequent quarrels, so I thought it would be better for us to temporarily disband and spend some time off."

“Then say that from the beginning!”

Zeeg unintentionally yelled out in his moment of relief.

“I was going to say it, but weren’t you the one who refused to listen?”

Elmeria snorted like a spoiled child, before cutting up a large red-and-white Queen Shrimp with her spoon, its clear meat juices gushing out.

Drooling while trying to imagine what it would taste like, Zeeg gulped his saliva down in a panic when he realized it. This always happens when he’s free of worries, and he thinks it’s an embarrassing habit.

Not noticing the boy’s thoughts at all, Elmeria scooped up rice and shrimp, sent it into her mouth, and swallowed it down without even chewing.

“Young mistress, please chew more thoroughly.”

Gannon’s deep voice echoed throughout the table, and Elmeria showed a light irritation on her face as she turned to the middle-aged hunter.

“I know, I know”, she muttered as she picked up the mug of lukewarm beer and chugged it down in one go, with beer foam sticking around her mouth.

Speaking of beer, even though Zeeg disliked that Elmeria would always call him a little kid, he could never get used to the drink’s bitter taste.

Elmeria licked away the fluffy-looking foam around her mouth, then turned to Zeeg.

“Gannon and I plan to not accept any quests until Fradio gets back. If you don’t have anything to do, then how about going back to your village? Your hometown is that Kokoto Village, right?”

Zeeg felt a groan in his abdomen.

Elmeria has a reason for saying “that” Kokoto Village. The place where Zeeg was born and raised is a village established by a certain “hero”.

The Hero of Kokoto- a warrior who wields a one-handed sword. He is considered to be a legend, and it is said that he’s also one of the reasons why hunting is accepted as an occupation.

When Zeeg was still in the village, he did know that the place was called Kokoto, but he never knew that the Hero of Kokoto is none other than the Village Chief himself.

One of the main reasons is that the Village Chief is not called Kokoto.

It was when he came to Minegarde that Zeeg learned that the “Kokoto” in “Hero of Kokoto” is not a person’s name, but rather the name of a mountain.

One of the well-known legends of the hero was when he and his fiancée went with three others to face an unspecified dragon on Mount Kokoto. Even though the team of five could defeat it, the hero lost his fiancée in the quest, and retired from hunting out of grief.

It was said that the Guild's rule of limiting parties to four people is due to this legend.

Even though Zeeg personally thinks it’s ridiculous, quite a lot of hunters believe in superstitions and the paranormal. Some even rely on fortune-telling to decide whether or not to accept a request.

Anyhow, when Zeeg was still working for the village and thought himself already an adult, he would act disrespectfully towards the Village Chief.

Now that he thought about it, it was so embarrassing that his face might as well ignite into flames. At one point, he even went as far as having a lengthy debate with the Hero of Kokoto about the true meaning of being a hunter, completely unaware of the other person’s status.

“What? Don’t tell me you’re scared?”

Elmeria narrowed her eyes in a mocking manner and waved her spoon.

“Well, you probably don’t want to go back yet because you haven’t become a full-fledged adult yet, huh.”

“...Yeah, I know that much.”

Zeeg took a bite from the meat that he cut off from one of the ribs. Butter Sauce spilled from his mouth to his chin, and the boy wiped it off with the back of his hand.

Even if Elmeria didn’t tell him, he would still understand by himself that he’s still not an adult.

Compared to when he just came to this city, Zeeg’s skills have improved considerably.

Even if it won’t be easy, right now he was capable of defeating a Rathalos by himself. But that was also due to his mind being completely at ease, knowing that his comrades would jump in if anything were to go wrong.

His actions were still full of unnecessary movements, and his hot-headed personality has yet to be fixed. With that in mind, it felt difficult for him to go meet the Village Chief right now.

“You’ll be fine.”

Elmeria spoke up.

While wiping the Butter Sauce off his mouth with a piece of cloth, Zeeg turned to her.

Maybe it’s just his imagination, but the side view of the girl, still eating her paella, seemed a little more gentle than usual.

“If you do know about your flaws, then you’re already half a man you’ve wanted to be, so I guess he’ll still acknowledge you? Compared to when we first met, well, I can say that you’re looking more and more like a hunter, I guess?”

Elmeria didn’t turn to face Zeeg at all.

Could it be that she’s being shy? With that thought, Zeeg suddenly felt a little embarrassment, so he turned his gaze away from the girl.

He was met with Gannon’s face, who seemed to look like an angry ogre.

“Hehehe... Well, it’s so nice to be young.”

“What nonsense.”

As if to dismiss Fradio’s statement, Gannon spoke up then chugged his beer.

Zeeg had a feeling that it would be better to change the topic. Even though the reason is unknown, it was obvious that Gannon is in a bad mood.

He doesn’t shout or raise his hands, but the atmosphere around him is heavy.

“B...By the way, Fradio.”

Zeeg spoke up while waving a bone with no meat in his hand.

“What’ll you be doing in your time off?”

“That’s... I’m going to visit my lover.”

“Lover!?”

Zeeg was surprised, but it was only him. Gannon didn’t say anything, and for some reason, Elmeria seemed to be trying her best not to laugh.

But of course, Fradio having a lover isn’t a stretch at all. Maybe it’s like Elmeria said, that there could be a very handsome man under the Gypceros Cap.

Would Fradio show his true face under the cap when he’s in front of his lover? –Zeeg felt a sudden sense of curiosity as he thought about it.

“Then, what kind of person is she?”

“She’s beautiful.”

Fradio spoke with a dreamy tone.

“She’s usually shy, but is very passionate when the time is right. The love we share is so radiant that my eyes are blinded, and my breath is taken away if she were to even breathe.”

“Huh... So she’s that beautiful...”

“But of course. Her vibrant eyes... the sound from her nose... so voluptuous indeed.”

Hearing a banging sound from his side, Zeeg turned around and saw Elmeria face down on the table. Her shoulders are shaking. She was clearly trying her best to suppress her laughter.

“What’s up with you, Elmeria? Aren’t you being rude to Fradio?”

“That is fine, Zeeg.”

Fitting of his maturity, Fradio raised his hand to stop Zeeg.

“I understand that it is quite difficult to see her charms. No, I would say that it is better this way. Because if it’s just me that finds her appealing, then that would mean our connection is deeper that anyone could imagine.”

To be connected with another person on a level that deep could be one of the happiest things ever, was what Zeeg thought as he looked at Fradio. Even though the man’s emotion is hidden under the Gypceros Cap, one would understand just by looking into his eyes.

“But doesn’t she have a tendency to steal stuff?”

Elmeria said that, seeming to be highly amused. She raised her head and rested her chin on one hand while looking at Zeeg, not Fradio.

“Hey!”

“But isn’t that the truth- right, Fradio?”

“She’s just playing pranks.”

Fradio only chuckled inside his throat. He didn’t seem to be angry at all.

“Including that, I love every aspect of her.”

“Whoa...”

Zeeg was impressed. Even though he knew that Fradio is a big-hearted person, but he never thought that the man would be this lenient. Maybe the reason why Fradio never takes off his intimidating Gypceros Cap is because he wants to preserve his solemnity as a hunter.

While thinking about it, his chair was kicked from the side, causing Zeeg to annoyingly turn to Elmeria.

“What now?”

“Zeeg, do you really still not know who this ‘lover’ of Fradio’s is?”

Judging from Elmeria’s tone, it seems that this lover is someone Zeeg knows.

(“Who?”)

The boy gave it a hard thought.

And then his chair was kicked again.

“You really are that dense, huh. If it’s what Fradio loves, then it’s obviously Gypceros! That Gypceros!”

Zeeg let out an “ah” when he finally noticed the connection.

That’s right. There wasn’t any need to think that hard. There wasn’t anything else that could possibly fit. That is because Fradio is and always will be in love with Gypceros above all else.

The poison wyvern Gypceros is usually cowardly in nature, but when angry, it will charge around with ridiculous speed while spewing venom attacks around randomly. And if it were to be driven into a corner, it would use its crest to unleash a flash of light so bright that it could make hunters faint.

“So that’s why his eyes are blinded and his breath is taken away, huh...”

Zeeg let out a big sigh.

And of course, sometimes the Gypceros would steal items from hunters.

Even with that tone when talking, Fradio wasn’t joking around with Zeg at all. The man genuinely believes that the Gypceros is the most beautiful out of all wyverns, and he is genuinely in love with it.

As Elmeria said, Zeeg really is dense for not noticing that earlier. Especially when he has been working with the team for one whole year.

“So the point is, Fradio will be going out to hunt a Gypceros alone.”

Zeeg said that, and Fradio chuckled delightfully.

“No, we’re going out to spend some quality time together.”

“Alright then.”

Zeeg hunched his shoulders.

For Fradio, spending quality time with the Gypceros meant fighting it in a long-winded hunt.

Zeeg realized that even if it’s a battle to the death that could last many hours or even days, every second of it would be Fradio’s most blissful moment.

(“Then it shouldn’t take that long.”)

Even if it’s unknown how much time Fradio will need until he’s satisfied, it shouldn’t be as long as a year or two.

“Then it’s decided.”

Maybe because she took Zeeg’s statement as his approval for the temporary disbanding of the party, Elmeria spoke up to everyone.

“We’ll meet up again in this gathering hall one month from today, alright?”

The date designated by her for the reunion was unexpectedly close. Even though it didn’t show on his face, Zeeg felt like a heavy weight has been lifted off his chest.

He thought about how he should spend his vacation month, but was surprised that he couldn’t think of anything to do.

Zeeg has already forgotten how to rest.

The sight of a village, seen by Zeeg from the window of the carriage’s passenger car, makes the boy feel a sudden urge to just go back to the city.

Ten or so one-story houses were placed around without any pattern, all of their roofs covered in mold. Without any new house being built, the village is almost exactly the same as one year ago. It’s as if time has stopped just for this place.

Zeeg cringed a little bit in his throat, and applied force to his toes inside the greaves.

He already regrets coming here.

It’s just one month, so hanging around in the city should be perfectly fine, and it will be over in no time, he thought. But without Fradio in the party, Elmeria and Gannon also went on with their businesses, so Zeeg felt like he had plenty of time to spare.

If he were to go on some quests alone from the gathering hall’s bulletin board, or even recruit a temporary party, he could have passed a good number of days.

However, there aren’t many requests that are for only one person, and most of the groups that are recruiting people seem to want long-term members, and so Zeeg couldn’t find anything to do that would fit his conditions.

He also considered going out alone to do some mining, but he just didn’t feel like doing it.

The Machalite Ores and Earth Crystals in his stock are also at a sufficient amount.

What he wants right now is the material that is necessary for brewing the Mega Demondrug, a medicine that essential for upgrading his great sword. It is called Pale Extract, and it can only be obtained from the body of a wyvern known as Khezu.

Zeeg hasn’t encountered this wyvern yet.

There was a request to capture it some time ago, but Fradio stubbornly refused to do it so the party just passed the quest for others to accept. He would just say-

“Having anything to do with that wyvern is against my artistic philosophy.”

Just that statement. When Zeeg asked Elmeria what kind of creature it is, her face turned red for some reason, and she did not give any answer.

Anyhow, Zeeg already thought that he was bored to death just five days in, so he got on a carriage that was headed for the village in the morning of that fifth day. Spending two whole days in a constantly shaking journey, the village is finally in his sight- and thoughts of deep regret of his past actions ran through his head.

The village has changed way too little.

Every villager is sure to remember his shamelessly arrogant attitude.

Carried away by his victory against the Yian Kut-Ku to the point that he held a celebration, at that time Zeeg believed that he has already become a full-fledged adult. With those memories popping up, he was so embarrassed that he wanted to roll on the floor and scream.

If he could turn back a year, he would most likely give his younger self a slap on the head.

Before long, the carriage stopped where the highway intersects with path to the village.

The carriage coachman turned his head back to Zeeg.

“You not getting off here, little fella? If you changed your mind and want to go on, then it’ll be another 100 Zenny upfront. Hurry up and decide, yeah?”

“...I’m getting off.”

Zeeg stood up, preparing for the worst.

With the Ioprey Helm causing clicking sounds as it hanged from his waist, the Great Sword sheathed on his back, and a leather bag held on his shoulder, Zeeg jumped down from the passenger car.

Even if he went on ahead with the coachman, only boredom awaits. Along the road ahead, aside from a few agricultural villages, there is nothing else.

Even though he may be met with embarrassment here, it’s objectively better than being bored.

Standing alone on the road after getting off the carriage, Zeeg started walking towards the village.

The house Zeeg used to live in up until a year ago, located to the right of the village’s large entrance gateway, is still there.

It was originally rented from someone, and right now there should be someone else occupying the place, judging from the smoke that rose from the chimney.

On the other side of the gate, some villagers stood there taking, as usual.

Even though the village has a gathering hall, many villagers prefer to just stand and talk on the wayside. This includes the hunters sharing information among themselves, and also idle gossips.

Zeeg took a deep breath and walked through the gate, with two villager women who were standing there sensing the boy’s arrival and turned to him. They quickly looked at Zeeg from head to toe, and only just that. They then nodded lightly as if they were greeting a stranger before resuming their discussion.

(“What’s up with that?”)

Zeeg felt a mixed feeling of relief and disappointment.

Have they already forgotten even though it was just a year? Zeeg still remembered that he did invite those two to the celebration that he held.

The boy clicked his tongue in dissatisfaction and headed straight to the Village Chief’s place.

No matter the business one may have, it is common courtesy to first greet the village’s elder. That is because the person who manages requests in the surrounding hunting grounds is none other than the Village Chief.

Zeeg already knew where the old man would be. In front of the village’s gathering hall, built next to the largest tree in the village- the Chief would either sit on top of a barrel while drinking alcohol in a leisurely manner, or stand around and watch as people come and go.

(“He’s here, just as I thought.”)

Just like usual, the Village Chief is standing in front of the gathering hall, using a cane to support his small body. The elderly man raised his head as Zeeg stood before him, with the boy’s shadow casting all over him.

The Chief’s eyes hidden under his thick eyebrows opened wide, and looked up at Zeeg.

However, those eyes soon looked away, causing Zeeg to feel a little disappointed that he has been worrying over nothing.

“It’s been a long time, Zeeg. Hmm, you look hungry.”

“This routine again?”

Zeeg smiled wryly. “You look hungry” is the Village Chief’s catchphrase. No matter who it is, those who stood before the elder would look hungry to him. But that phrase also served to fill people’s heart with pleasant feelings.

“Well, I really am hungry this time though.”

“I told you so- Here, come.”

The Village Chief raised his cane and knocked it on Zeeg’s leg, before turning around and then walking through the gathering hall’s entrance. The boy then followed him inside.

Even though it is still early in the day, the gathering hall is crowded. The area around here may not seem to be densely populated, but this village is where hunters gather.

Several hunters turned around when they noticed the Village Chief, and a surprised expression was painted on their face as they looked at Zeeg.

Zeeg doesn’t know those hunters, but he could guess why they were surprised.

It was probably the great sword.

The Ravager Blade+ on Zeeg’s back is not something that can be obtained easily.

There may be many great sword wielders in this village, but here, even things like the Buster Sword+ from the Iron Sword production line and the Vile Serpentblade from the Bone Blade line are considered to be quite good.

The Buster Blade that Zeeg had before upgrading it to the Ravager Blade is also a fairly rare item around these parts.

Zeeg was then reminded of the time when he just arrived at the city, where he looked enviously at a hunter who had an Iron Katana ‘Gospel’ in his possession.

He still admires the weapon’s refined appearance and sharpness, and even plans to make himself an Eager Cleaver if he were to have enough materials, but right now he’s got his hands full with upgrading his current weapon.

The Village Chief led Zeeg to a seat at a table in the gathering hall’s corner. This table was the old man’s reserved spot, and that seems to have not changed over the past year either.

Zeeg took the great sword on his back and leaned it against the wall, and put his leather bag on the floor. The Village Chief then knocked on the table with his cane.

With that, a bespectacled girl who works as a barmaid approached, and in a tone that lacks courtesy,

“Welcome.”

She said just that.

This girl is also a new face.

Her clothes reminded Zeeg of the uniform worn by guild receptionists, but the base color is black. Her boots and gloves are in black, while the ribbons on her vest and collar, and also the frilly apron, are in a contrasting white. They give the impression of a black maid uniform.

“We’re hungry, Vivi.”

“But aren’t you always hungry- Your order?”

“Let’s see... bring ’that’ out for me.”

The maid lady in black nodded, then readjusted her glasses as she looked at Zeeg.

“And you?”

“Err... is there a menu?”

“There is not.”

Her tone sounded sarcastic. What she meant to say could be close to “Don’t ask about something that should have been obvious”.

“Any drink will suffice.”

The Village Chief spoke up, and just like that the maid’s skirt fluttered as she turned around towards the counter, then passed the order over to the kitchen.

“Vivi would have been a lot more popular if she were a little more polite.”

The old man laughed as he whispered to Zeeg.

“That won’t be necessary.”

The maid lady- apparently named Vivi- seemed to have heard it even in the distance, and so the Village Chief let out another laugh.

“You’ve got sharp ears.”

Speaking in a cheerful tone, the Village Chief let out a laugh so hearty that his whole body jiggled around.

Zeeg finally understood that even though it looks the same on the surface, the village has definitely changed. Now that he actually looked, he also didn’t recognize half of the hunters here in the gathering hall.

While Zeeg was watching those hunters mind their own businesses, Vivi approached and rudely placed beer mugs and a plate of food on the table.

Black beer, which filled the mugs to the brim, spilled onto the table. Vivi seemed to have noticed but did not seem to care, as she immediately headed back to the counter.

Words of complaint welled up in Zeeg’s throat, but the boy ultimately gulped them down.

Whining about this is what only kids do, he thought.

Besides, the food looks so tasty.

Served on a large plate is a big fish, simmered in whole with thick sauce on top. Cooked without removing its scales, the fish glittered with a golden sheen, and its scales were as clear as amber.

“This ‘Goldenfish in Red Bean Sauce’ is a special menu. Consider it a gift from me- You’ve grown up, Zeeg.”

Zeeg was surprised beyond words.

The boy knew that he should say something, but words were stuck in his throat.

“Don’t say anything. You left for the city, and now came back as a man. I knew just by looking at your face. Just that is enough- though I would say that you haven’t become a full man yet. Now, dig in.”

Zeeg nodded and rubbed his nose, then used a fork to pick up a piece of the Goldenfish, scales and all.

He sent it into his mouth and chewed, feeling the scales’ crunchy texture, the pure flavor of fish juices that has spilled out, and the well-balanced sweetness of sauce- it was great.

As if in a trance, Zeeg ate all of it up.

The boy did fish up a Goldenfish once, but sold it to a merchant that offered a great price for it, so he never knew that it was this delicious.

The Village Chief laughed cheerfully, chugged down his black beer in one go, then turned to the counter and waved the empty mug.

Vivi tapped her hand on the counter, and a man behind it passed her a new mug filled with beer. She took it to the chief’s table and placed it down rudely like before.

As this is the second time, Zeeg raised his head, feeling that he has to say something.

However, he noticed that she wasn’t paying attention to him at all, and so the boy looked in the same direction as her out of curiosity.

Vivi was looking at the gathering hall’s entrance.

Just when Zeeg thought there was noting strange- a man entered the gathering hall in a panic and collapsed on the floor. There were no injuries, but sand was all over his body, and his face was completely dry. He seemed to be a merchant.

“Someone, get him water.”

The Village Chief said that, and a hunter, who was sitting next to the merchant, gave their drink to the man.

The man drank it with extreme thirst, the looked around the gathering hall panickingly. His line of sight stopped at the Village Chief, and then he shouted with his dry voice.

“Chief! We- We got hit! It’s that thing at the desert- The one with one horn!”

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Monster Hunter:Volume2 Chapter1

2018-05-28T14:36:44Z

Barnnn:

== Chapter 1 - Returning Home One Year Later ==

“Eh- Our party is disbanding!?”

Having Well-Done Jungle Ribs with Buffalo Butter and Cudgel Onion as his meal, Zeeg’s hand stopped all movement as he heard the abrupt statement, with his knife still digging into the rib’s meat.

It is not often that this 17-year old boy lets something interrupt him when eating.

Moreover, this was a celebratory meal for successfully completing a quest to steal 3 Wyvern Eggs from a wyvern nest in the Jungle. The group had just gotten back to gathering hall in Minegarde, a city that acted as a base of operations for hunters, located in the southern region of the Western Schrade Kingdom.

What made the boy stop his hand was the shocking statement that was brought up.

“Wh...what’s the meaning of this!?”

Tobacco smoke filled the gathering hall’s interior, where hunters who have just completed their quests gather to eat, drink, and be merry. Naturally, this means the place is quite loud.

Sitting next to the boy was a girl- Elmeria Franport, who narrowed her eyes as she pinched Zeeg’s ear to tell him that he was being noisy.

Her lips moved in closer, startling Zeeg. However-

“I can hear you just fine even if you don’t shout!”

She yelled right into his ear, causing Zeeg to let out a short scream.

The boy's knife was dropped from hiss hand and slipped under the table, but he was currently unable to look for it. On top of the ringing in his ear, he was also having quite a headache.

Elmeria’s shout might as well rival the Diablos’s roar.

Waiting for his ear to stop ringing, Zeeg attempted to wipe away his tears, but let out another short scream instead. That was because he had forgotten that his arm was equipped with the Kut-Ku Vambraces.

The vambraces created from Yian Kut-Ku materials had many sharp points protruding from them. And now, one of those spikes had pricked his cheek.

That should be as painful as a Vespoid’s sting.

Zeeg groaned as he covered his cheek with his hand.

“Clumsy.”

Elmeria said just that, then shifted her attention back to her meal.

In front of the girl, who is a year younger than Zeeg, was a plate of food a rank higher that what the boy was having.

What she ordered for the evening was King Squid and Queen Shrimp Riverfood Paella.

The rice, turned yellow from being thoroughly cooked in a deep iron pan, sent out an appetizing aroma as it was scooped up with a spoon, with Zeeg looking on in slight envy.

In addition to food menus that anyone could order like steaks from herbivore monsters such as Aptonoths or Bullfangos, there were special menus that could only be ordered by hunters with the appropriate rank.

They were normally for orders that were delivered to the hunters’ guest houses, but if one prefers, they could also order in the gathering hall to eat on the same table as their comrades.

The main ingredients in Elmeria’s meal, King Squids and Queen Shrimps, could only be ordered by skilled hunters with the rank Weapon Master or above, which were the ones with access to Queen Guest House rooms.

Zeeg, who was staying in the lower ranked Bishop room, did not have the right to order it no matter how much he wanted to.

Hunters were designated ranks according to their skill level and exploits, with their ranks affecting the types of hunting requests they could accept. This process was strictly regulated by an organization- the Guild.

Regardless of east or west, those who hunt monsters for a living in the Kingdom of Schrade were called Hunters. At a glance, one would think that this occupation had a great deal of freedom, but hunters who register at the guild had to accept a long list of regulations.

They included the type of rooms they could rent, food they could order, and the requests they could accept.

The disparity definitely was a cause of jealousy, but jealousy could also turn into motivation.

Low rank hunters would look enviously at those with higher ranks living in wonderful guest houses, indulging in luxurious cuisine, and arming themselves with magnificent equipment. They would put all their effort into hunting, thinking to themselves that one day they would reach that point as well.

It was the same for Zeeg one year ago, when he had just arrived at this city.

When he was introduced to his Pawn room, which was not so different from a pig’s coop (and actually had a shirt-wearing pig living in it), his breath was taken away by how much the room stank and the bitterness in his mind.

That was because back at the village, he had been praised as the fastest Yian Kut-Ku hunter.

It was a brief moment of greatness, before he was almost immediately reminded that in this world, there will always be someone better.

Thanks to a recommendation letter from the Village Chief, Zeeg had gotten the permission to participate in a quest to subjugate the monster known as one of the strongest wyverns, the male fire wyvern Rathalos.

At first, he had thought to himself that he would be the one to defeat it, but that thought immediately flew off his head when the Rathalos appeared before his eyes.

A body several times larger than the Yian Kut-Ku, intimidating roars, deadly fireball attacks- the monster’s overwhelming power blew away all of the boy’s thoughts of hunting it.

However, the hunting party that he went along with were unfazed and fought it head-on.

Breaking its scales with explosions from Large Barrel Bombs and blows from a powerful hammer, piercing its flesh with a sharp lance, and destroying its eye with deadly bowgun bullets.

Even though Zeeg helped at the end, all he did was place the last Barrel Bomb next to the Rathalos that had fallen into a Pitfall Trap. The process could be considered child’s play.

One of the high-ranked hunters that he went with was now sitting next to him, eating her paella. Elmeria, a hammer user, one year younger.

While her body may look delicate at a glance, she was protected by strong equipment. It was the Rathalos armor set, created mainly from the fire wyvern’s scales and shells, though the girl did not wear any body armor. That is because her role in the party is to deliver powerful singular blows in a hit-and-run style.

Hunting in groups is significantly different compared to going solo, and designating roles among party members is important.

For example, Zeeg’s party has a member whose role is to distract the target monster.

Maximizing his defense with strong armor, he would blow Field Horns or crawl under the monster’s body to keep its attention on him, letting other party members fully focus on the offense.

Not having to worry about defense, Elmeria has chosen to not wear some parts of her armor to increase movement speed. She equipped armor on her arms, legs, and waist in order to lessen the impact on her joints when swinging her hammer, while the body armor and helmet were omitted.

That was up until recently, because she now puts on an Ioprey Helm, which is more of a hat than a helmet, because she got tired of Zeeg’s complaints.

Compared to her, Zeeg equips all armor parts, but that’s because he doesn’t have a specialized role.

Depending on the situation, he has to either draw the monster’s attention or deliver powerful blows from blind spots. For that reason, wearing armor that are too heavy or too light would not be good.

Naturally, the great sword is also quite heavy, but that is also what makes it powerful.

Putting the total weight of his equipment into consideration, the Kut-Ku armor set provides fairly solid defense while still being light, which is a great match for Zeeg.

He is also interested in the Rathalos set that Elmeria uses, but Zeeg lacks both the required materials and money, and if he were to use the same armor as her, there could be a little dissatisfaction for both sides because he would be seen as copying her. Moreover, it is also very likely that they would get made fun of by others, like how they “make a good pair” or something similar.

With those thoughts in mind, he doesn’t mind keeping his current equipment on. More importantly, he doesn’t feel that the defensive power of his armor is lacking in any way.

And as a result, he chooses to take the fire wyverns’ claws instead of scales or shells when sharing materials, since they can be used to strengthen his weapon.

He thought that his weapon could be upgraded to the Iron Sword production line’s strongest design, the Tactical Blade, but there are still not enough materials.

Though the Ravager Blade+ in his possession could be immediately upgraded to the Lacerator Blade, it is far less powerful in comparison to the Tactical Blade.

If one has an option, it is only logical that they would choose the better weapon.

It is only a matter of time. Zeeg’s weapon may currently be underpowered, but cooperation can make up for it when hunting in a party. Though it increases the other members’ workload right now, he would be many times more useful to the group when the powerful weapon is finally in his hands.

This is also one of the big advantages of hunting with a regular party, as opposed to grouping up for just a single hunt.

And even so, the announcement that the group is disbanding just came out of the blue.

In his mind, Zeeg believed that he did his share of work without any mistake.

Even though he argues with Elmeria frequently, they weren’t problems about the hunt, but rather contrasting likes or dislikes in terms of food, gossips from the royal capital, or the manners of a rookie hunter. Mostly things that aren’t serious.

All arguments would end quickly, with everyone forgetting what they were even arguing about a few hours.

(“Did I make a clumsy mistake or something...?”)

Zeeg stared at Elmeria's face, who is holding a knife in one hand and eating rice with her spoon in another, and thought back to the latest hunt.

There shouldn’t be any big problems.

He didn’t break any eggs while transporting, and didn’t fight against monsters if not necessary. While he wanted to break off at least one of the wyvern’s claw, he chose not to because it’s just a personal matter.

He definitely carried out his task without fail.

“Hey-”

While the boy was reaching out to Elmeria’s shoulder to stop her from eating and have her explain the situation clearly...

“......What do you think you are doing to the young mistress?”

A deep voice sounded from the other side of the table, causing Zeeg to stop his hand. The tone of that statement showed a great deal of irritation. Could it be that he thought the boy was intending to hit the girl?

If you do anything, I will break all of the bones in your body- That was what the large man, Gannon Denon, seemed to imply in his voice.

“I wasn’t going to do anything!”

Zeeg put his hand away in a panic. Glancing to his side, he could see Elmeria letting out an arrogant snort. Maybe he just imagined it, but it felt like the girl was insulting him for lacking a backbone.

(“Like I can do anything against him.”)

With nowhere to move his hand to, Zeeg alternated between clenching and releasing his fist while painting a grumpy expression on his face.

Gannon really is that strong.

For hunters, it is said that one’s equipment is what represents the wearer’s character. In Gannon’s case, his whole body is covered in solid armor.

What he is wearing now is the full armor set created from parts of the herbivore wyvern Diablos, the Diablo set. The pieces include a helmet, a plate mail, and a pair of vambraces. Out of those, the most distinctive part is the body armor. Gigantic horns extended from the shoulder pads, giving an impression on an actual Diablos.

Since the set doesn’t include armor for the waist and legs, he equips the Hi-Metal Tasset and Hi-Metal Greaves, armor pieces made from rare metals. Up until recently, that is. Right now, they have been replaced with armor created from shells of the volcano-dwelling armor wyvern Gravios, the lead-colored Gravios Tasset and Gravios Greaves. They are quite good at absorbing impact from movement and attacks.

Gannon is a lance user, and his primary role is to act as decoy.

For that reason, he has to maximize his defense, and also has to wield a lance.

Even though the one-handed swords also have a shield included in the set, their defensive power is far less compared to the shields included with the lances. The large shields are so sturdy than they can even completely block the Rathalos’s fireballs.

Gannon used to wield the Hellfire Lance, but recently switched to the Diablo Spear.

The Hellfire’s main component is Fire Wyvern Marrows, enabling the lance to ignite into flames when attacking, but the drawback is that its durability is low. The shield that was included with the weapon is created from Rathalos Shells, making it effective for defending against fireball attacks, but it is actually quite weak when it comes to deflecting attacks of other attributes.

Comparatively, the Diablo Spear is created from a Diablos Horn of the best quality. The shield is created from Diablos Shells, fortified with rare ores called Dragonite, and strengthened by two kinds of highly potent medicines. Its power is higher than the Hellfire both in terms of offense and defense.

With a new weapon in hand, Gannon was able to charge into the enemy’s horde more aggressively than before. His valor and tenacity is definitely not normal.

As for Zeeg, though he has managed to overcome his fear when encountering wyverns, his skill level is not up to standards just yet. That is because, in any case, his experience as a hunter is still far less compared to the others.

The person who raised Elmeria and trained her in the ways of the hunt is none other than Gannon. The middle-aged man has been a hunter since when he was young, before a noble family took him in and made him one of their knights. Currently, he is suspected for being the one who kidnapped the young mistress of the house he once served.

However, the hunter society doesn’t care about that kind of thing.

This place is filled with people whose backgrounds are better off not being shared. The Hunter’s Guild is an organization that is not officially approved by the royal kingdom, and one’s ability is what decides everything. Of course, there exists a set of “Commandments” that everyone is obligated to follow, but it is not that different from the laws of the outside world.

Zeeg did notice that Elmeria could be the noble lord’s daughter who was abducted, but he didn’t care enough to find out the truth.

To him, those kind of things don’t matter. That is because it is undeniable that both of them are skilled hunters, and also comrades he can rely on.

(“Gannon is being overprotective though...”)

Just about anyone can see that Gannon and Elmeria, who have been together since they first registered at this guild, trust each other deeply. It’s as if they were the same family. Gannon is a man of few words, preferring to communicate with short responses and gestures. This personality gives an impression of a father with a daughter in her teens.

(“Now that I think about it, he would always intervene when I argue with Elmeria... Is that the issue? Does he really think I don’t get along well with her?”)

If one were to go out on a hunt with raptured relations, it would be no different from tying oneself to death. As Gannon prioritizes Elmeria’s life above all else, he would not hesitate to expel Zeeg from the party in order to protect the girl.

If that is so, then the misunderstanding has to be cleared up as soon as possible. Zeeg has no intention to be on bad terms with the party. Even if it’s just a little bit, he does genuinely trust them with his life.

Even though everyone should have understood that, Gannon’s overprotectiveness when it comes to Elmeria could cloud his judgement.

“Hey, Gannon-”

The large man, with an expression as rigid as stone, glanced towards Zeeg, the boy gasping in shock. Even though the metal plate in front of him is already empty, the knife and fork are still held tightly in the man’s hands.

Two pieces of rare Bullfango Steaks used to be placed that plate, but disappeared in just a few moments. Even so, with knife and fork in hand, Zeeg felt that it could be a threat, something like “I’ll cook you up next”. Is this what it means to overthink things?

But when he looked into Gannon’s eyes, Zeeg was totally convinced that what he imagined was correct.

“Hehehe...”

Observing the situation, the person sitting next to Gannon, a man who looks like an executioner preparing to head off to an execution ground- Fradio Heart, laughed mischievously in his throat.

The reason he gives off that impression is because of the helmet that he has equipped.

Created from the Rubbery Hides of the poison wyvern Gypceros, the equipment is a cap that covers all of one’s head, except for the eyes. It also has horns on the sides.

Fradio is a gunner, and his role in the party is to attack monsters from long range. He doesn’t shoot from one place and is always on the move, causing his choice of equipment to be distinctive.

Like Elmeria, Fradio doesn’t wear body armor. However, he also doesn’t wear a shirt, leaving his upper body naked.

The man’s equipment consist of Gypceros Cap for the head, Gypceros Guards for the arms, Gypceros Coat for the waist, and Gypceros Leggings for the legs.

While the Gypceros armor set is better at defending against attacks compared to Zeeg’s Kut-Ku set, its texture is different from the usual armors created from wyvern parts.

The Gypceros does not have tough scales. As a substitute, its whole body has a soft, rubbery texture. This makes the monster highly resistant to impact, and when its hides are used in crafting, the resulting equipment will be resistant to tear.

The catch is that the Gypceros’s hides can only be harvested in low quantities, which means having a full set in possession like Fradio is not common. Moreover, in addition to his armor, Fradio’s weapon is the heavy bowgun that has the Gypceros’s Rubbery Hides as a component, the Tankmage. He likes it so much that he stubbornly refuses to switch to a new weapon with greater firepower.

“What, Fradio?”

In an attempt to avoid the pressure from Gannon, Zeeg looked away in Fradio’s direction.

Another one of Fradio’s role is to be a voice of reason whenever there’s trouble.

No one knows what he used to do before joining this party, but the man is highly skilled in the art of negotiation.

Occasionally, when the party encounters wandering hunters, he would be the one who does the talking when it seemed like a fight was going to break out.

The same goes for quarrels within the party.

Zeeg and Elmeria would get into arguments often, with their stubbornness preventing them from stopping even though they are aware that things will get worse. When that happens, Fradio would intervene, saying his usual “now, now”. Zeeg and Elmeria would be easily put in their place, with their response usually being “Well, if Fradio says so”.

Elmeria tends to speak in a tone that puts herself above others. From teaming up with her for a year, Zeeg has understood that she doesn’t mean any offense, but it doesn’t mean that it’s not irritating.

With Zeeg being Zeeg, even though he is becoming more wary of Elmeria snark, he still lets his emotions lead him, which makes Fradio essential for reducing friction between those two.

Turning to face Fradio, Zeeg leaned on the table and pouted.

“You think this is the time to be laughing? The party is disbanding, you know?”

“No no, that’s not it.”

Fradio lightly shook his head.

That man never takes his Gypceros Cap off, even when eating. This also means that even Elmeria and Gannon have never seen his real face.

Judging from voice and physique, one would guess that he’s in his late 20’s, but there’s nothing to back up that estimate. Elmeria seems to think that his real face is very handsome, while Zeeg thinks he’s covering up a large scar- but of course, it is very likely that it’s just his hobby.

In any case, among numerous wyverns, Gypceros is the one that Fradio absolutely loves, and he would often passionately declare to others that the feel of its rubbery hides is irresistible.

“You don’t have to worry about it that much, Zeeg.”

Laughing in his throat once, Fradio put down the fork that he just used for sending a small piece of cut-up meat into his mouth. Even though he said not to worry, the completely masked face doesn’t help at all.

“Though the party really is disbanding, it’s just temporary. We’ve been taking requests nonstop for the past year, you see. I think it’s about time we got some vacation.”

“What he said.”

Elmeria, who has been quietly eating her paella the whole time, spoke up.

“Without Fradio here, it would be difficult for us to hunt together because of our frequent quarrels, so I thought it would be better for us to temporarily disband and spend some time off."

“Then say that from the beginning!”

Zeeg unintentionally yelled out in his moment of relief.

“I was going to say it, but weren’t you the one who refused to listen?”

Elmeria snorted like a spoiled child, before cutting up a large red-and-white Queen Shrimp with her spoon, its clear meat juices gushing out.

Drooling while trying to imagine what it would taste like, Zeeg gulped his saliva down in a panic when he realized it. This always happens when he’s free of worries, and he thinks it’s an embarrassing habit.

Not noticing the boy’s thoughts at all, Elmeria scooped up rice and shrimp, sent it into her mouth, and swallowed it down without even chewing.

“Young mistress, please chew more thoroughly.”

Gannon’s deep voice echoed throughout the table, and Elmeria showed a light irritation on her face as she turned to the middle-aged hunter.

“I know, I know”, she muttered as she picked up the mug of lukewarm beer and chugged it down in one go, with beer foam sticking around her mouth.

Speaking of beer, even though Zeeg disliked that Elmeria would always call him a little kid, he could never get used to the drink’s bitter taste.

Elmeria licked away the fluffy-looking foam around her mouth, then turned to Zeeg.

“Gannon and I plan to not accept any quests until Fradio gets back. If you don’t have anything to do, then how about going back to your village? Your hometown is that Kokoto Village, right?”

Zeeg felt a groan in his abdomen.

Elmeria has a reason for saying “that” Kokoto Village. The place where Zeeg was born and raised is a village established by a certain “hero”.

The Hero of Kokoto- a warrior who wields a one-handed sword. He is considered to be a legend, and it is said that he’s also one of the reasons why hunting is accepted as an occupation.

When Zeeg was still in the village, he did know that the place was called Kokoto, but he never knew that the Hero of Kokoto is none other than the Village Chief himself.

One of the main reasons is that the Village Chief is not called Kokoto.

It was when he came to Minegarde that Zeeg learned that the “Kokoto” in “Hero of Kokoto” is not a person’s name, but rather the name of a mountain.

One of the well-known legends of the hero was when he and his fiancée went with three others to face an unspecified dragon on Mount Kokoto. Even though the team of five could defeat it, the hero lost his fiancée in the quest, and retired from hunting out of grief.

It was said that the Guild's rule of limiting parties to four people is due to this legend.

Even though Zeeg personally thinks it’s ridiculous, quite a lot of hunters believe in superstitions and the paranormal. Some even rely on fortune-telling to decide whether or not to accept a request.

Anyhow, when Zeeg was still working for the village and thought himself already an adult, he would act disrespectfully towards the Village Chief.

Now that he thought about it, it was so embarrassing that his face might as well ignite into flames. At one point, he even went as far as having a lengthy debate with the Hero of Kokoto about the true meaning of being a hunter, completely unaware of the other person’s status.

“What? Don’t tell me you’re scared?”

Elmeria narrowed her eyes in a mocking manner and waved her spoon.

“Well, you probably don’t want to go back yet because you haven’t become a full-fledged adult yet, huh.”

“...Yeah, I know that much.”

Zeeg took a bite from the meat that he cut off from one of the ribs. Butter Sauce spilled from his mouth to his chin, and the boy wiped it off with the back of his hand.

Even if Elmeria didn’t tell him, he would still understand by himself that he’s still not an adult.

Compared to when he just came to this city, Zeeg’s skills have improved considerably.

Even if it won’t be easy, right now he was capable of defeating a Rathalos by himself. But that was also due to his mind being completely at ease, knowing that his comrades would jump in if anything were to go wrong.

His actions were still full of unnecessary movements, and his hot-headed personality has yet to be fixed. With that in mind, it felt difficult for him to go meet the Village Chief right now.

“You’ll be fine.”

Elmeria spoke up.

While wiping the Butter Sauce off his mouth with a piece of cloth, Zeeg turned to her.

Maybe it’s just his imagination, but the side view of the girl, still eating her paella, seemed a little more gentle than usual.

“If you do know about your flaws, then you’re already half a man you’ve wanted to be, so I guess he’ll still acknowledge you? Compared to when we first met, well, I can say that you’re looking more and more like a hunter, I guess?”

Elmeria didn’t turn to face Zeeg at all.

Could it be that she’s being shy? With that thought, Zeeg suddenly felt a little embarrassment, so he turned his gaze away from the girl.

He was met with Gannon’s face, who seemed to look like an angry ogre.

“Hehehe... Well, it’s so nice to be young.”

“What nonsense.”

As if to dismiss Fradio’s statement, Gannon spoke up then chugged his beer.

Zeeg had a feeling that it would be better to change the topic. Even though the reason is unknown, it was obvious that Gannon is in a bad mood.

He doesn’t shout or raise his hands, but the atmosphere around him is heavy.

“B...By the way, Fradio.”

Zeeg spoke up while waving a bone with no meat in his hand.

“What’ll you be doing in your time off?”

“That’s... I’m going to visit my lover.”

“Lover!?”

Zeeg was surprised, but it was only him. Gannon didn’t say anything, and for some reason, Elmeria seemed to be trying her best not to laugh.

But of course, Fradio having a lover isn’t a stretch at all. Maybe it’s like Elmeria said, that there could be a very handsome man under the Gypceros Cap.

Would Fradio show his true face under the cap when he’s in front of his lover? –Zeeg felt a sudden sense of curiosity as he thought about it.

“Then, what kind of person is she?”

“She’s beautiful.”

Fradio spoke with a dreamy tone.

“She’s usually shy, but is very passionate when the time is right. The love we share is so radiant that my eyes are blinded, and my breath is taken away if she were to even breathe.”

“Huh... So she’s that beautiful...”

“But of course. Her vibrant eyes... the sound from her nose... so voluptuous indeed.”

Hearing a banging sound from his side, Zeeg turned around and saw Elmeria face down on the table. Her shoulders are shaking. She was clearly trying her best to suppress her laughter.

“What’s up with you, Elmeria? Aren’t you being rude to Fradio?”

“That is fine, Zeeg.”

Fitting of his maturity, Fradio raised his hand to stop Zeeg.

“I understand that it is quite difficult to see her charms. No, I would say that it is better this way. Because if it’s just me that finds her appealing, then that would mean our connection is deeper that anyone could imagine.”

To be connected with another person on a level that deep could be one of the happiest things ever, was what Zeeg thought as he looked at Fradio. Even though the man’s emotion is hidden under the Gypceros Cap, one would understand just by looking into his eyes.

“But doesn’t she have a tendency to steal stuff?”

Elmeria said that, seeming to be highly amused. She raised her head and rested her chin on one hand while looking at Zeeg, not Fradio.

“Hey!”

“But isn’t that the truth- right, Fradio?”

“She’s just playing pranks.”

Fradio only chuckled inside his throat. He didn’t seem to be angry at all.

“Including that, I love every aspect of her.”

“Whoa...”

Zeeg was impressed. Even though he knew that Fradio is a big-hearted person, but he never thought that the man would be this lenient. Maybe the reason why Fradio never takes off his intimidating Gypceros Cap is because he wants to preserve his solemnity as a hunter.

While thinking about it, his chair was kicked from the side, causing Zeeg to annoyingly turn to Elmeria.

“What now?”

“Zeeg, do you really still not know who this ‘lover’ of Fradio’s is?”

Judging from Elmeria’s tone, it seems that this lover is someone Zeeg knows.

(“Who?”)

The boy gave it a hard thought.

And then his chair was kicked again.

“You really are that dense, huh. If it’s what Fradio loves, then it’s obviously Gypceros! That Gypceros!”

Zeeg let out an “ah” when he finally noticed the connection.

That’s right. There wasn’t any need to think that hard. There wasn’t anything else that could possibly fit. That is because Fradio is and always will be in love with Gypceros above all else.

The poison wyvern Gypceros is usually cowardly in nature, but when angry, it will charge around with ridiculous speed while spewing venom attacks around randomly. And if it were to be driven into a corner, it would use its crest to unleash a flash of light so bright that it could make hunters faint.

“So that’s why his eyes are blinded and his breath is taken away, huh...”

Zeeg let out a big sigh.

And of course, sometimes the Gypceros would steal items from hunters.

Even with that tone when talking, Fradio wasn’t joking around with Zeg at all. The man genuinely believes that the Gypceros is the most beautiful out of all wyverns, and he is genuinely in love with it.

As Elmeria said, Zeeg really is dense for not noticing that earlier. Especially when he has been working with the team for one whole year.

“So the point is, Fradio will be going out to hunt a Gypceros alone.”

Zeeg said that, and Fradio chuckled delightfully.

“No, we’re going out to spend some quality time together.”

“Alright then.”

Zeeg hunched his shoulders.

For Fradio, spending quality time with the Gypceros meant fighting it in a long-winded hunt.

Zeeg realized that even if it’s a battle to the death that could last many hours or even days, every second of it would be Fradio’s most blissful moment.

(“Then it shouldn’t take that long.”)

Even if it’s unknown how much time Fradio will need until he’s satisfied, it shouldn’t be as long as a year or two.

“Then it’s decided.”

Maybe because she took Zeeg’s statement as his approval for the temporary disbanding of the party, Elmeria spoke up to everyone.

“We’ll meet up again in this gathering hall one month from today, alright?”

The date designated by her for the reunion was unexpectedly close. Even though it didn’t show on his face, Zeeg felt like a heavy weight has been lifted off his chest.

He thought about how he should spend his vacation month, but was surprised that he couldn’t think of anything to do.

Zeeg has already forgotten how to rest.

The sight of a village, seen by Zeeg from the window of the carriage’s passenger car, makes the boy feel a sudden urge to just go back to the city.

Ten or so one-story houses were placed around without any pattern, all of their roofs covered in mold. Without any new house being built, the village is almost exactly the same as one year ago. It’s as if time has stopped just for this place.

Zeeg cringed a little bit in his throat, and applied force to his toes inside the greaves.

He already regrets coming here.

It’s just one month, so hanging around in the city should be perfectly fine, and it will be over in no time, he thought. But without Fradio in the party, Elmeria and Gannon also went on with their businesses, so Zeeg felt like he had plenty of time to spare.

If he were to go on some quests alone from the gathering hall’s bulletin board, or even recruit a temporary party, he could have passed a good number of days.

However, there aren’t many requests that are for only one person, and most of the groups that are recruiting people seem to want long-term members, and so Zeeg couldn’t find anything to do that would fit his conditions.

He also considered going out alone to do some mining, but he just didn’t feel like doing it.

The Machalite Ores and Earth Crystals in his stock are also at a sufficient amount.

What he wants right now is the material that is necessary for brewing the Mega Demondrug, a medicine that essential for upgrading his great sword. It is called Pale Extract, and it can only be obtained from the body of a wyvern known as Khezu.

Zeeg hasn’t encountered this wyvern yet.

There was a request to capture it some time ago, but Fradio stubbornly refused to do it so the party just passed the quest for others to accept. He would just say-

“Having anything to do with that wyvern is against my artistic philosophy.”

Just that statement. When Zeeg asked Elmeria what kind of creature it is, her face turned red for some reason, and she did not give any answer.

Anyhow, Zeeg already thought that he was bored to death just five days in, so he got on a carriage that was headed for the village in the morning of that fifth day. Spending two whole days in a constantly shaking journey, the village is finally in his sight- and thoughts of deep regret of his past actions ran through his head.

The village has changed way too little.

Every villager is sure to remember his shamelessly arrogant attitude.

Carried away by his victory against the Yian Kut-Ku to the point that he held a celebration, at that time Zeeg believed that he has already become a full-fledged adult. With those memories popping up, he was so embarrassed that he wanted to roll on the floor and scream.

If he could turn back a year, he would most likely give his younger self a slap on the head.

Before long, the carriage stopped where the highway intersects with path to the village.

The carriage coachman turned his head back to Zeeg.

“You not getting off here, little fella? If you changed your mind and want to go on, then it’ll be another 100 Zenny upfront. Hurry up and decide, yeah?”

“...I’m getting off.”

Zeeg stood up, preparing for the worst.

With the Ioprey Helm causing clicking sounds as it hanged from his waist, the Great Sword sheathed on his back, and a leather bag held on his shoulder, Zeeg jumped down from the passenger car.

Even if he went on ahead with the coachman, only boredom awaits. Along the road ahead, aside from a few agricultural villages, there is nothing else.

Even though he may be met with embarrassment here, it’s objectively better than being bored.

Standing alone on the road after getting off the carriage, Zeeg started walking towards the village.

The house Zeeg used to live in up until a year ago, located to the right of the village’s large entrance gateway, is still there.

It was originally rented from someone, and right now there should be someone else occupying the place, judging from the smoke that rose from the chimney.

On the other side of the gate, some villagers stood there taking, as usual.

Even though the village has a gathering hall, many villagers prefer to just stand and talk on the wayside. This includes the hunters sharing information among themselves, and also idle gossips.

Zeeg took a deep breath and walked through the gate, with two villager women who were standing there sensing the boy’s arrival and turned to him. They quickly looked at Zeeg from head to toe, and only just that. They then nodded lightly as if they were greeting a stranger before resuming their discussion.

(“What’s up with that?”)

Zeeg felt a mixed feeling of relief and disappointment.

Have they already forgotten even though it was just a year? Zeeg still remembered that he did invite those two to the celebration that he held.

The boy clicked his tongue in dissatisfaction and headed straight to the Village Chief’s place.

No matter the business one may have, it is common courtesy to first greet the village’s elder. That is because the person who manages requests in the surrounding hunting grounds is none other than the Village Chief.

Zeeg already knew where the old man would be. In front of the village’s gathering hall, built next to the largest tree in the village- the Chief would either sit on top of a barrel while drinking alcohol in a leisurely manner, or stand around and watch as people come and go.

(“He’s here, just as I thought.”)

Just like usual, the Village Chief is standing in front of the gathering hall, using a cane to support his small body. The elderly man raised his head as Zeeg stood before him, with the boy’s shadow casting all over him.

The Chief’s eyes hidden under his thick eyebrows opened wide, and looked up at Zeeg.

However, those eyes soon looked away, causing Zeeg to feel a little disappointed that he has been worrying over nothing.

“It’s been a long time, Zeeg. Hmm, you look hungry.”

“This routine again?”

Zeeg smiled wryly. “You look hungry” is the Village Chief’s catchphrase. No matter who it is, those who stood before the elder would look hungry to him. But that phrase also served to fill people’s heart with pleasant feelings.

“Well, I really am hungry this time though.”

“I told you so- Here, come.”

The Village Chief raised his cane and knocked it on Zeeg’s leg, before turning around and then walking through the gathering hall’s entrance. The boy then followed him inside.

Even though it is still early in the day, the gathering hall is crowded. The area around here may not seem to be densely populated, but this village is where hunters gather.

Several hunters turned around when they noticed the Village Chief, and a surprised expression was painted on their face as they looked at Zeeg.

Zeeg doesn’t know those hunters, but he could guess why they were surprised.

It was probably the great sword.

The Ravager Blade+ on Zeeg’s back is not something that can be obtained easily.

There may be many great sword wielders in this village, but here, even things like the Buster Sword+ from the Iron Sword production line and the Vile Serpentblade from the Bone Blade line are considered to be quite good.

The Buster Blade that Zeeg had before upgrading it to the Ravager Blade is also a fairly rare item around these parts.

Zeeg was then reminded of the time when he just arrived at the city, where he looked enviously at a hunter who had an Iron Katana ‘Gospel’ in his possession.

He still admires the weapon’s refined appearance and sharpness, and even plans to make himself an Eager Cleaver if he were to have enough materials, but right now he’s got his hands full with upgrading his current weapon.

The Village Chief led Zeeg to a seat at a table in the gathering hall’s corner. This table was the old man’s reserved spot, and that seems to have not changed over the past year either.

Zeeg took the great sword on his back and leaned it against the wall, and put his leather bag on the floor. The Village Chief then knocked on the table with his cane.

With that, a bespectacled girl who works as a barmaid approached, and in a tone that lacks courtesy,

“Welcome.”

She said just that.

This girl is also a new face.

Her clothes reminded Zeeg of the uniform worn by guild receptionists, but the base color is black. Her boots and gloves are in black, while the ribbons on her vest and collar, and also the frilly apron, are in a contrasting white. They give the impression of a black maid uniform.

“We’re hungry, Vivi.”

“But aren’t you always hungry- Your order?”

“Let’s see... bring ’that’ out for me.”

The maid lady in black nodded, then readjusted her glasses as she looked at Zeeg.

“And you?”

“Err... is there a menu?”

“There is not.”

Her tone sounded sarcastic. What she meant to say could be close to “Don’t ask about something that should have been obvious”.

“Any drink will suffice.”

The Village Chief spoke up, and just like that the maid’s skirt fluttered as she turned around towards the counter, then passed the order over to the kitchen.

“Vivi would have been a lot more popular if she were a little more polite.”

The old man laughed as he whispered to Zeeg.

“That won’t be necessary.”

The maid lady- apparently named Vivi- seemed to have heard it even in the distance, and so the Village Chief let out another laugh.

“You’ve got sharp ears.”

Speaking in a cheerful tone, the Village Chief let out a laugh so hearty that his whole body jiggled around.

Zeeg finally understood that even though it looks the same on the surface, the village has definitely changed. Now that he actually looked, he also didn’t recognize half of the hunters here in the gathering hall.

While Zeeg was watching those hunters mind their own businesses, Vivi approached and rudely placed beer mugs and a plate of food on the table.

Black beer, which filled the mugs to the brim, spilled onto the table. Vivi seemed to have noticed but did not seem to care, as she immediately headed back to the counter.

Words of complaint welled up in Zeeg’s throat, but the boy ultimately gulped them down.

Whining about this is what only kids do, he thought.

Besides, the food looks so tasty.

Served on a large plate is a big fish, simmered in whole with thick sauce on top. Cooked without removing its scales, the fish glittered with a golden sheen, and its scales were as clear as amber.

“This ‘Goldenfish in Red Bean Sauce’ is a special menu. Consider it a gift from me- You’ve grown up, Zeeg.”

Zeeg was surprised beyond words.

The boy knew that he should say something, but words were stuck in his throat.

“Don’t say anything. You left for the city, and now came back as a man. I knew just by looking at your face. Just that is enough- though I would say that you haven’t become a full man yet. Now, dig in.”

Zeeg nodded and rubbed his nose, then used a fork to pick up a piece of the Goldenfish, scales and all.

He sent it into his mouth and chewed, feeling the scales’ crunchy texture, the pure flavor of fish juices that has spilled out, and the well-balanced sweetness of sauce- it was great.

As if in a trance, Zeeg ate all of it up.

The boy did fish up a Goldenfish once, but sold it to a merchant that offered a great price for it, so he never knew that it was this delicious.

The Village Chief laughed cheerfully, chugged down his black beer in one go, then turned to the counter and waved the empty mug.

Vivi tapped her hand on the counter, and a man behind it passed her a new mug filled with beer. She took it to the chief’s table and placed it down rudely like before.

As this is the second time, Zeeg raised his head, feeling that he has to say something.

However, he noticed that she wasn’t paying attention to him at all, and so the boy looked in the same direction as her out of curiosity.

Vivi was looking at the gathering hall’s entrance.

Just when Zeeg thought there was noting strange- a man entered the gathering hall in a panic and collapsed on the floor. There were no injuries, but sand is all over his body, and his face is completely dry. He seems to be a merchant.

“Someone, get him water.”

The Village Chief said that, and a hunter, who was sitting next to the merchant, gave their drink to the man.

The man drank it with extreme thirst, the looked around the gathering hall panickingly. His line of sight stopped at the Village Chief, and then shouted with his dry voice.

“Chief! We- We got hit! It’s that thing at the desert- The one with one horn!”

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Monster Hunter:Volume1 Chapter1

2018-05-24T06:53:01Z

Barnnn:

== Chapter 1 - Encounter at the Hunter's Guild ==

Those of the later generations looked back to the world centuries ago. It was a violent age. However, the earth, the sky, and the people who live in those lands, were brilliant and full of life. The world had a much simpler rule of living then than it is now. That is, to hunt, or be hunted.

People gathered in this land, whether it was to live another day, to test the limits of their abilities, or to amass wealth and fame. They set their fiery sights to the magnificent creatures flying freely in the blue sky, never to be reached by man. The very symbol of power and life... Wyverns.

Day after day, they risked their lives in the battlefields, wrapped in the sounds of swords clashing with flesh and the smell of gunpowder smoke.

“Awesome.... So this is a city....”

The boy- Zeeg Grandest- blurted out, before realizing that people around him were chuckling at his astonishment. Slightly red with embarrassment, he bit his lip and readjusted his shoulders that was carrying his luggage. The leather bag collided with the great sword on his back, ringing a dull metallic sound.

The great sword was called Buster Blade, a metal sword forged from a large amount of Iron Ores and Earth Crystals. Its length was comparable to Zeeg’s height, and it was so heavy that it needed to be held with two hands to be used properly, but the weight provided the sword with great destructive power.

There were metal great swords other than the Buster Blade. For example, the Iron Katana, superior in terms of both appearance and power, but created from the rarer Machalite Ores. In the area around Zeeg’s village, ores were fairly hard to come by.

(“Man, it’s so cool....”)

Catching the sight of the Iron Katana ‘Gospel’ on a man’s back, all Zeeg could do was stare with envy as he passed by.

(“But... from now on, things will be different! Just you wait... I’ll be famous in no time!”)

Simultaneously with the sound of a string breaking, Zeeg’s hair strap fell to the ground, and he reached to pick it up. Attached to the string was a scale of the bird wyvern “Yian Kut-Ku”, which he kept as a trophy from his first successful hunt. After replacing the string and putting the old one away in the pocket of his blue pants, he wiped his hair which got quite dusty from the long trip. Although he wanted to take a bath and get some rest, the first thing a hunter needs to do when entering a city is to register at an organization known as “Guild”.

“Hey, out of the way!”

Hearing the shout, Zeeg quickly made way for the owner of the voice.

Multiple muscular men carried large barrels from the transport bridge’s gondola, which Zeeg was on until a few moments ago, and headed to the plaza.

(“Jeez... what’s their problem?”)

Mildly annoyed, Zeeg rebalanced himself and walked after those men.

This city was built by carving a hole in a massive rock mountain. The main method of getting up here was to take the transport bridge’s gondola. As for the purpose of building a city in such a barren land, it was rumored that the reason was to keep the uniqueness of the “Hunter’s Guild” that was based here.

Hunters are strong- therefore they have many enemies, or so the village chief said. Sometimes, they are attacked by wyverns that got their eggs stolen from them, and sometimes the land owners hire knights to attack them out of fear- those kinds of things.

(“I never saw those kind of things happen though.”)

Zeeg reminisced about his boringly peaceful village and the chief, a frail, elderly man who could barely walk without a cane. It was hard to believe that he had been a hunter so famous that numerous hunters, including Zeeg’s parents, gathered around him, resulting in the establishment of a village.

Even though Zeeg was born and raised in that village, his parents had hailed from the far east, traveling over numerous mountains. He never knew what the country was called, because they had died when they went out hunting, before they had a chance to tell him their story. The two of them had felled the horned wyvern Diablos at the desert far away from the village, but succumbed to their injuries during their return trip.

The day he learned the news of their death, Zeeg decided to become a hunter to earn his living. The village was not exactly well-off, so children without parents supporting them will have to do their share of work in exchange for food and shelter.

Zeeg had started hunting only recently, after turning 16. Before then, the only jobs he got were to prepare base camps and guard supply item transports.

(“But I’m a professional now!”)

While exploring the city full of hunters, Zeeg was itching to take on a quest, as he was feeling highly confident. Even though the village chief had told him “you’re not prepared yet,” or something along those lines, just a few months after being offered hunting jobs, he was able to fell the bird wyvern Yian Kut-Ku swiftly, setting a new record time in the village. When he brought back Kut-Ku Webbings and Screamers as proof of his successful hunt, he was highly praised by the villagers, but frowned still upon by the chief.

(“It’s his old age, I guess...”)

He was probably jealous that he doesn’t have the strength to fight anymore, so he gets grumpy over every little thing. That was the best reason Zeeg could think of.

After walking on a narrow path along the side of the mountain, Zeeg reached the plaza. On the stone wall, three cannons were installed, all their barrels pointing up into the sky. It was common knowledge that they were purposed for intercepting invading wyverns.

However, their purpose was to repel, not kill. For this reason, the cannonballs were specially modified to emit sound waves or stinky smells that wyverns dislike.

(“I don’t really get the point....”)

In a city like this, there should not be a need for those costly tools. The hunters here should be able to take care of an invading wyvern or two, he thought. Moreover, as he looked around, he saw numerous hunters wearing armor made from wyvern parts, which he recognized only from the books he read. Those armor pieces are solid proof that those hunters have hunted wyverns before.

(“Just a little more time... and I’ll also be considered a first-class hunter!”)

Filled with pride and confidence, Zeeg walked past the dried-up fountain to the entrance of the gathering hall, made from drilling a hole in the mountain. To his sides, there were some simple rain sheds set up, with the barrels the muscular men from earlier were carrying placed inside.

Walking into the entranceway signified by a hanging giant beer mug, Zeeg was met with the overwhelming smell of alcohol, food, and tobacco. The smoke was so thick that he thought he was walking into a fog.

Almost no one paid attention to Zeeg. Some turned to look, but it was as if they were looking at something insignificant, like pebbles or weed on the road.

(“What’s up with them?”)

Zeeg felt a little disappointed.

Even if it’s a small village, he’s famed as the one who set a new record time for hunting Yian Kut-Ku. Rumors of his exploit should have reached the outside world somehow. It’s rare for a hunter at this age to use a great sword, you know. Well, at least in the village, that is.

“Hey.”

As a man called him from behind, Zeeg feels a streak of joy, thinking that someone who heard rumors of his achievement has come to greet him. So you’re finally here! I heard about you! The rising star! Those were the words that he expected to hear, but...

“You’re blocking the entrance, kid. Out of the way.”

Those words flew into Zeeg’s ears from behind as he was bumped on his shoulder. Initially intending to voice a complaint, he fell silent after seeing those people.

The other party is a group of seasoned hunters. One can easily tell by looking at the worn-out Kut-Ku armor sets, equipped by all four men.

“It’s the Crimson Avian Wings.”

Someone said out loud.

(“So it’s these guys....”)

Zeeg gulped upon hearing the name. He heard that they are a group of extremely skilled hunters who specialize in hunting Yian Kut-Ku. But on the other hand, they were also viewed as cowards who refuse to hunt other wyverns. Among the customers, some looked at the party insultingly. Zeeg, however, doesn’t see them in that way.

Three men sat down at a table, the fourth man headed to the counter. The female receptionist wearing a red uniform with white sleeves took the order of four beers, swiftly poured alcohol into the mugs, and then placed them on the countertop. The man paid for the beer and took the mugs back to his group.

(“Right, registration.”)

Zeeg took a deep breath, then walked past the Crimson Avian Wings to the counter.

“Welcome!”

The female receptionist welcomed Zeeg in a friendly manner, slightly lifting his spirits.

“I’ve never seen you here before. You’re new here, right? Where are you from?”

As Zeeg told her the name of his village, the gathering hall suddenly fell silent.

(“What?”)

After a short while, something caused a knocking sound, and the customers started talking among themselves again, as if the brief silence was just an illusion.

Zeeg turned to the source of the sound and saw a familiar figure of a small man sitting on the counter, hanging his legs.

(“Village Chief!? Wait, no.... he’s different.”)

The old man looked almost the same as the village chief. Not to the point of being identical twins, but it’s still surprising that two unrelated people could look so similar.

“Then, what business do you have in this city?”

“Eh? Ah... give me a second.”

Zeeg hurriedly turned to answer the woman’s question, then put his luggage down, opened up his bag, pulled out the village chief’s introduction letter, and handed it to her.

“I want to register at this guild.”

The letter was handed to the receptionist, but she seemed to have no intention of accepting it. Instead, she pointed to the elderly man, now smoking from his pipe in a carefree manner.

“If it’s that, you’ll need to hand it to him, not me.”

“That... person?”

Zeeg almost called him an old man, but fortunately stopped himself in time. Dragging his luggage along so that it wouldn't be lost, he walked to the elderly man.

“With you, right? I want to register at this guild. I also have an introduction letter.”

Zeeg handed him the letter, and the old man took it in a leisurely manner before slowly opening it up and reading the contents with his small, bead-like eyes.

“Hmm...”

After he finished reading, the letter was folded and put into his bag. He then took out a book from behind the counter and opened it in front of Zeeg.

“Name, age, gender, most proficient weapon.”

“Anything else?”

The elderly man said nothing, and instead blew ring-shaped smoke out of his mouth, signaling Zeeg to get it over with as soon as possible.

Zeeg made an irritated face to show his dissatisfaction, but complied with the old man. With a quill, he wrote in the book: “Zeeg Grandest, 16 years old, Male, Great Sword”. Just after he finished writing, the elder pulled the book away from him as if he was taking back a stolen possession, and passed it to the receptionist.

“Becky, please go make his guild card for me.”

(“So her name is Becky, huh...”)

The woman smiled at the boy, as if she knew he was watching. Slightly blushing, Zeeg turned away to hide his embarrassment. He was met with the side view of the elder’s head, which really does look like the village chief.

“Master, what about his Hunter Rank?”

The old man opened one eye in response to Becky’s question.

“Rookie should be enough.”

“Wha-!”

Zeeg’s face turned red with a different reason from before. Among the ranks of hunters, “Rookie” is the second lowest. Hunters who would only get requests to gather raw meat or special mushrooms, or aren’t proficient enough to use weapons without hurting themselves, would be classified as either “Rangers” or “Rookies”.

“W... Wait a second!”

Zeeg slammed his hand on the counter.

“I was able to hunt the Yian Kut-Ku by myself, you know! Then why-”

As he said that, a group hunters from behind burst out laughing. Others just banged their beer mugs on the table, while some clapped loudly, but almost all of them were smirking with amusement.

One of them, a hunter with a massive hammer placed beside him, turned around and started speaking.

“Hey kid, I’ll educate you. For this place, hunting Yian Kut-Ku is a job for newbies, not something to be proud about!”

The man said as he glanced at the Crimson Avian Wings. He expected them to say something, but was completely ignored as the four men chugged their beer without any reaction whatsoever.

Irritated at their attitude, the man grabbed his hammer, before another person told him to calm down. The man hesitated, and upon realizing that the whole gathering hall was watching him, sat down.

“Well, what he said.”

The elder took the guild card from Becky and placed it in front of Zeeg.

“Being able to hunt the Yian Kut-Ku isn’t something to boast about, but a mere qualification for registering at this guild. It’s a different story if you’re able to do it in a few minutes like the Crimson Avian Wings though... Can you do that?”

“I know, I know....”

All Zeeg could do was grab his guild card, much to his chagrin.

(“It’s so dirty...”)

Led by a male receptionist, Zeeg arrived at his room on the first floor, and the boy groaned in his mind upon seeing the interior.

The bed was crudely made by stuffing in some straws. Other than that, the room contained only an item box, a table, and a chair. It’s not so different from a pig’s coop.

''“Oink”''

And one is actually living here.

The pig wears a white and blue striped shirt. It walked around as if it owned the place.

“Hey... can I eat this thing if I’m hungry?”

Zeeg asked while pointing at the pig, and it cried out in shock.

“Absolutely not! This pig was brought in by the Guild Master as moral support for the hunters, who face difficult quests day after day. Eating it would be-”

“That’s just silly...”

Zeeg threw his bag on the bed, and thick puffs of dust flew up. It’s like people here don’t know what it means to clean. If one slept on a bed like this, they would itch like crazy from being bitten by the louse.

“What about food?”

“If you have the ingredients, we have a free cooking service right over here. You can also order food at the gathering hall.”

“Hm... I’ll go eat over there for today then. I didn’t bring any ingredients with me.”

“Certainly, sir.”

The man bowed once, then disappeared behind the curtains. The pig, which was supposed to follow him, instead slipped under the bed, showing no sign of coming out again.

Zeeg hanged his Buster Blade on the wall. In this room, the only part that resembles a hunter’s room is the neatly organized weapons rack.

Starting to feel itchy on his buttocks while sitting on the bed, he moved to sit on the chair instead.

“Dammit....”

Zeeg still feels a little bitter about what happened earlier.

He understood that there are plenty of hunters that are superior to him. Even so, he was fairly confident in himself, and expected to be acknowledged.

But this is what he gets- a filthy little room, even worse than his own room back home.

Met with these conditions, Zeeg was reminded that being a hunter is not an easy job.

Many children aspire to become a hunter, but most parents, Zeeg’s included, are opposed to the idea.

They are dead now, so no one could stop him from being one, but Zeeg never forgot what his parents used to say: “Don’t expect anything from this job”. He understood those words when he became a hunter. The money may be good, but the work is harsh.

“Hunters” are people who accept requests, be it to gather materials or hunt down wyverns. Accepting their quest, they head out to the vast world of nature with their trusty weapon in hand, alone or with companions. Exploring jungles, deserts, or even volcanoes, they face dangerous beasts multiple times their size. Day after day, their lives placed on a fine line between life and death.

However, that doesn’t mean the job is legal. The hunter occupation, and the existence of a guild that unifies them, are not officially accepted by the kingdom.

The reason is that among hunters, some are strong enough to fell wyverns by themselves. This means their strength is comparable to an army of thousands. It is natural that the aristocrats would fear these people, and the possibility of them banding together to cause an uprising. This is possibly one of the reasons why the guild is based in a remote location, far from the capital.

However, most hunters have no intention of ruling a country. Just as the village chief used to say- “Hunters are like rulers of their very own kingdom”.

The hunters’ purposes in life are varied. Many started out to earn their living like Zeeg, but they will eventually discover their true calling. Some pursue fame, to be hailed as warriors who could fell wyverns by themselves. Others seek irreplaceable bonds, forged on the unforgiving battlefields. There also exists those who collect rare weapons and technologies.

Of course, there are some who have yet to find themselves, and hunt just to make ends meet. Zeeg, like them, haven't found his purpose yet, but he feels that if he continues being a hunter, he will definitely find it someday.

Surely, that is what everyone thinks. However, there are many who never found anything, and are stuck at the lowest rank until the day they die.

(“I won’t end up like them. I swear, I’ll definitely make a name for myself!”)

Zeeg made a vow for the second time. The first time was when he learned of the death of his parents. Whether or not his parents have found anything in their lives, he will never know.

Now that he thought about it, the rooms being left in this condition might help new hunters to reflect, and to renew their determination.

Looking out the window, it is still early in the day, and he is not yet hungry.

(“Guess I’ll sharpen my weapon...”)

In the hunting grounds, a hunter’s life depends on his weapon.

As he took out a whetstone from his bag and detached the Buster Blade from the wall, Zeeg could hear the striped pig’s snoring from beneath the bed.

“Right now, these are the only quests for your skill level.”

Becky lined up several request papers on the countertop.

With just a glimpse, Zeeg knew that those were quests for beginners. Zeeg slammed his fist on the papers with no intention to hide his dissatisfaction.

“What’s the meaning of this? Deliver 12 Kelbi Horns? 15 Special Mushrooms? Slay 50 Vespoids? Aren’t these quests for rookies?”

Zeeg yelled with all his voice, but all Becky did was shrug once in acknowledgement.

“Well, aren’t you skill a rookie?”

“I was-”

“Yeah, yeah. Was the fastest Yian Kut-Ku hunter in your village, right? Sorry, but achievements in a small village like that aren’t things to boast about. More importantly, do you have enough money to pay for the contract fees? The better the job, the higher the fee, you know.”

Rendered speechless, Zeeg reached for the money bag tied tightly to his waist and counted the coins. Right now, he has about 150 Zenny, not even enough to pay the fees for a Yian Kut-Ku hunt. Even then, he didn’t want to go back to collecting mushrooms again after coming all this way.

“I’m just saying, but you can’t put these payments on your tab, alright? It’s a different story if your rank is a bit higher though. I might pitch in and help a little, but for you... I don’t think I can just yet.”

Becky giggled a little.

“No one will think poorly of you for doing this, you know. For now, just do some gathering quests. You’ve always been hunting alone, right? Things are different when teaming up with other people. Even the distribution of supply items needs to be discussed thoroughly. If you keep that mindset, you’ll end up being an obstruction. There were even cases of hunters having their licenses revoked for being disruptive, too.”

“Hm.... That sounds like a bother....”

Zeeg expressed his honest opinion, resulting in a flick on his forehead from Becky.

“Now, don’t talk carelessly like that. Even though they aren’t listening, everyone can hear you. You’ll end up having difficulty finding teammates in the future.”

“That hurt, you know....”

Rubbing his forehead, Zeeg took a look around the gathering hall.

It is around dinnertime, so the hall is more crowded than before. Tobacco smoke and smells of alcohol are also stronger, to the point that Zeeg feels a little drunk just by being here.

A person boasted loudly about their hunting exploits. Another sang some songs with their broken voice. Even a few were sound asleep. Everyone seemed to be minding their own businesses, with no sign of acknowledging what Zeeg said earlier.

However, each and every one of them are hunters. Their hearing senses are honed to the point that they won’t miss even a single breaking branch in the thick forest.

Zeeg turned back to the counter, still rubbing his forehead.

“But aren’t there some hunters who hunt by themselves?”

“There are, but... most of them are the ones who chose to go solo after being with a team for some time, and thought that hunting alone is more to their liking. You haven’t decided on which style you prefer, right? Moreover, monsters around here are tougher and more intelligent compared to the countryside. If you went in expecting them to be the same, you’ll soon be finding yourself in a grave. I’ve seen many rookies make that mistake.”

“Hm... and why is that? Do they eat better prey?”

“Who knows? Well, Guild Master used to say that it’s because the hunters are strong- ah, your order’s here.”

While thinking about what Becky said, a chunky Aptonoth steak was served in front of Zeeg.

Aptonoths are classified as herbivores. While they are more than 10 meters long on average, they are docile in nature. Zeeg has hunted many of them for their meat and bones. When threatened, they would normally run away for safety, but some will attempt to fight back using its tail. They are not to be underestimated, since their tail whips are quite powerful.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Zeeg asked while slicing his rare steak, with red meat juices flowing out as the knife dug into the meat.

Becky poured some honey into a mug of Kelbi milk, then moved herself a little closer to Zeeg.

“Well... hunters aren’t always successful in their hunts, right? If a monster was able to survive from being hunted and gave birth to some offsprings, the offsprings will grow up stronger. As a result, in areas where there are powerful hunters, the monsters will also be tougher- something like that.”

“Huh....”

Zeeg stuffed his cheeks with meat. Even though it does not have any special seasoning, the steak was so delicious, as if it was melting in his mouth.

“Delicious! I’ve never eaten Aptonoth meat this good!”

“Really? That great!”

“Yeah! Aptonoth meat are usually tougher than this! Don’t tell me it’s an infant-”

Zeeg froze, his knife and fork still in his hands.

Among hunters, hunting infant monsters is strictly forbidden. There are rumors that offenders would be the ones who get cooked instead as punishment.

Even if it is not a law of the kingdom, the rule could be enforced. At least, that’s what Zeeg heard- about there being hunters that hunt down rule breakers.

“Now now, of course not”

Becky laughed.

“This is domesticated meat. They are made by capturing some wild Aptonoths, waiting for them to produce offsprings, and raising those babies up with nutritious food. When they have fully grown, we eat their meat. A traveling merchant has been nagging us to try them for a while, so we purchased a batch to see how they do.”

“Hm...”

Zeeg took a few more bites. The more he ate, the more he feels weird due to the unnatural amount of fat.

“I don’t know how to explain this, but it feels kinda weird...”

“Everyone else says that. I guess it’s good for only the first bite? Anyway, thanks for trying it out. We’ll probably not buy another batch. Oh, and that one’s my treat, so you don’t have to pay. Want some wild Aptonoth steak instead?”

“No thanks. I’ll finish this one. Domesticated, huh? No matter where it’s from, I think it’s a waste to throw away food.”

Hearing that, Becky smiled happily.

“You really are a hunter, huh...”

“What do you mean by that?”

While eating some baked potatoes with his steak, a solid sound came from outside the gathering hall’s entrance. The atmosphere suddenly became so heavy that Zeeg had to turn around and look.

He was so surprised at the sight that he almost choked on his meat.

A large man, over two meters tall, stood there. But his height was nothing special, since among hunters, people with large builds are fairly common. His armor was the thing that was special.

Two enormous horns extended from his shoulder pads, intimidating those around him. The helmet also has two smaller horns attached to the sides, pointing upwards. It’s no mistake- his equipment is the Diablo set, made with materials from the desert-dwelling horned wyverns Diablos and Monoblos.

Moreover, it’s a full set, which could not be obtained by slaying just one or two of them. To get the materials, one has to hunt down many, breaking off their horns and cutting off their tails.

On the man’s back hangs a lance that, at a glance, looked like a wyvern’s tail.

(“It’s the Hellfire...”)

The Hellfire lance, created from a wyvern’s tail, looked so thin that it could snap in half at any moment. Its main components, Fire Wyvern Marrows and Inferno Sacs, gave it the fire attribute, enabling it to generate intense heat. Included in the set is a shield capable of blocking the hottest flames.

The large man’s old age is signified by the wrinkles at the end of his eyes and white hair mixed in with his black eyebrows.

He’s apparently a famous hunter around here, judging from the fiery sight of numerous eyes focused on him. They looked on with envy and respect, both in regards to his equipment and rank.

However, that was not the only surprising thing.

Two more people followed the large man, one of them carrying the Diablos Maul, a massive blunt weapon forged from the tail of a horned wyvern.

On top of the sight of such a weapon, Zeeg was also surprised with its owner.

It’s a little girl.

Her age should be about the same as Zeeg’s, and her height is about 20 centimeters shorter. She has a pretty face, but her blue eyes seem to send out an intimidating aura. Her long, blonde hair is separated equally on two sides of her head and tied together at each end.

Additionally, she has a weird choice of equipment, not wearing a helmet and body armor. She couldn’t have forgotten them at her room, because it looks like she has just returned from a hunt, and her waist, arm, and leg pieces are still properly equipped.

Those armor pieces are from the Rathalos set, created with parts of the male fire wyvern. The armor is a great indicator of its wearer’s high hunter rank.

No matter how much he thought about it, Zeeg could not understand why she wears just a long-sleeved shirt instead of armor.

The girl glanced to the side, and the hunters in her line of sight turned away. She then lets out an arrogant snort.

And then, there’s another person.

This man also has a weird choice of equipment.

Like the girl, he has no armor equipped on his chest. He doesn’t even wear a shirt, leaving his red, sunburned chest bare. Other than on the body, the man is equipped with the Gypceros armor set.

These equipments are created from the rubbery hides of Gypceros, a wyvern capable of emitting flashes of light from the crest on its head. The elasticity is so great that the pieces could barely be classified as armor. Out of them, the cap stood out the most. It has bent horns similar to a sheep’s, and the hides covered all of the wearer’s face, save for the eyes. The design reminded Zeeg of an executioner’s mask.

On his back is the high-grade heavy bowgun Tankmage, specially modified to increase attack power. This means his role in the party isn’t merely to support.

The three of them headed straight to the counter. They totally ignored Zeeg, not even turning to look at his face.

The girl stepped ahead and placed a dusty leather bag on the counter.

“Here are the requested materials.”

Becky wiped her hands with a towel before taking out some documents, and double-checked them.

She nodded, stamped the documents with a seal, and threw the leather bag into a box.

“Item receipt confirmed. Thank you for your hard work- Would you like to eat something?”

“I’ll make something at my room, so I’ll just have a beer.”

The girl said with a straight face.

(“Beer? Seriously?”)

For a second, Zeeg thought that it didn’t fit her, and the girl turned to face him as if she could read his mind. With her large, blue pupils, she scanned Zeeg from head to toe-

And let out another arrogant snort.

Realizing that he’s being insulted, Zeeg’s face turned red with anger. Not caring who the other person is, he banged the knife’s handle on the metal plate, and stood up.

(“!?”)

But a spilt second later, the world turned upside down. Before he knew it, Zeeg is staring at the gathering hall’s ceiling. The pain soon followed, running all over his back. It hurt so much that he shed a tear.

Zeeg felt so humiliated to cry in front of a girl like this.

The person who threw Zeeg down was not the girl, but the large man in the Diablo armor set.

“....Sorry.”

The large man said while pulling Zeeg back up on his feet.

Zeeg dried his tears with his shirt’s sleeves. When he turned around, he was met with the overwhelming figure of the large man, but the intimidating aura seems to have disappeared. The girl was hidden behind the large man. It’s as if they used a body switching technique to swap places with each other instantly.

“Are you okay?”

The man in the Gypceros cap approached, looking at Zeeg from behind his mask. Judging from the voice, he is still young.

“I’m sorry about him. When he thinks the young lady is threatened, he always act in reflex to defend her.”

“Yeah, it really is a problem.”

The girl crossed her arms.

“That kid wouldn’t be able to hit me, no matter how much he tried.”

“Wh- what did you say!?”

Zeeg shouted, only for his voice to be reflected back by the large man’s armor.

The girl leaned on the counter with her armguard, before turning to Zeeg.

“Becky, who’s this kid?”

“He’s a new recruit.”

“Hm....”

She squinted her eyes, and scanned Zeeg from head to toe once more.

“....You balance is awful.”

“What!?’

“Heh, did I strike a nerve? You’re registered at this guild, which means you’ve successfully hunted a Yian Kut-Ku, right? Even so, what’s up with your equipment? Leather Headgear, Chainmail Vest, Hunter’s Vambraces, Leather Belt, and Blue Pants? I can’t believe there are people who mix things up so badly. Don’t tell me you spent all your money on weapons?”

“That’s right~!”

Before Zeeg could say anything, Becky blurted out, clapping her hands. The girl shrugged as if to say that it was nothing worth praising.

“Just as I thought... Judging from the scratches on your shoulder pad, you’re a great sword user, right? Those scratches are caused by your unrefined fighting stance. You’re one of those people who just think ‘hit it until it dies’, right? Do you even utilize traps? Because I’m pretty sure you don’t.”

Bull’s eye. Zeeg has never bothered with those things. Able to get through every job up until now just by using his Buster Blade, he doesn’t see the point.

“And what’s wrong about that!? What about you? With all that talk about balance, but you don’t even wear your body armor! Your vital spots are all exposed!”

“You just don’t get it, huh?”

Shaking her head and letting out a sigh, the girl turned to the counter.

“Becky... I really feel sorry for you, having to deal with rookies like this. Giving requests to this guy is almost like feeding him to the monsters, you know?”

Becky giggled at the girl’s grumbles.

“The guild never refuses people with courage. Of course, it is up to them whether they will end up as monster food, or a splendid hunter.”

“Jeez... You never change, huh?”

She said while sleeking up her hair with her dusty armguard.

“Hey, you never answered my question! Before criticizing others, explain your equipment!”

The girl turned to Zeeg, putting hands on her hips- She seemed highly confident in herself.

“You really are a rookie, huh? You’ve never hunted with anyone else before, right?”

“And how is that wrong?”

“Of course it is. If you keep up with that self-centered mindset, you’re bound to expose your party to danger. Do you understand? Hunting in groups isn’t the same as going alone. Everyone has to do their part. Even though my party prioritizes attack power, each of us has clearly defined roles. First off, him...”

She patted the large man’s waist.

“Gannon’s role is to fight on the front lines, distracting the monster from other party members by using Field Horns. That is why he’s fully equipped, maximizing defense.”

The man named Gannon nodded firmly.

“As for my role in the party, it is to charge up my power, wait for openings, and deal powerful blows. For maximum speed and mobility, I chose to not wear a chest piece. As for the helmet, it narrows my field of vision. I need good aim to successfully land my blows, after all.”

With the back of her hand, the girl lightly knocked the other man’s bare chest.

“Mobility is the same reason that Fradio doesn’t wear a chest piece. His primary role is to intercept smaller monsters that could distract Gannon, so he always has to be on the move. As for the mask, well... It’s just his personal preference.”

The man nodded lightly.

“Gypceros... they’re absolutely wonderful, don’t you agree? The sticky sensation when its hides touches your skin! Their cute, wacky movements, like animals playing in water! ...What do you think? Would you like to join me as a fellow Gypceros fan?”

He approached so suddenly that Zeeg had to move away.

“I... I’ll pass...”

Upon hearing the answer, the man named Fradio narrowed his eyes under the mask. “Is that so...,” he muttered to himself, and then backed away. He seemed genuinely sad.

“Then, why do you wear those heavy armguards? Wouldn’t you be better off without them?”

Hearing that, the girl shook her head at Zeeg’s ignorance.

“You really don’t know anything, huh? Do you really think armor are only for defending its wearer from attacks?”

“They’re not?”

“They’re not, you idiot! They reduce the strain on the wearer’s body when lifting weapons, and also lessen the shock on the joints when attacking! You don’t know this even though you use a great sword!? That’s the reason why your movements are so sluggish!”

“H...how did you-”

“Of course I know! You probably use a sword from the Buster line, right? The balance between the sword’s weight and your Blue Pants are all wrong! That’s why I said your balance was awful- Well, if you want to become monster food that much, I won’t stop you. But...”

The girl extended her hand.

“....What?”

“Tuition fees. Just enough for my beer will be fine. It’s rare to hear such a knowledgeable lecture from veterans at this price, you know? Consider yourself lucky.”

“You’ve got to be kidding! The one who started ranting was you! More importantly, I don’t even know you guys!”

As Zeeg said that, the gathering hall was filled with a brief moment of silence, followed by a unified burst of laughter.

“Hey hey! This guy doesn’t know? Seriously?”

“Now that’s surprising. I can’t believe there was anyone who don’t know of this gang.”

“That can’t be helped. He’s still a rookie from the countryside, right? It’s not strange.”

“Yeah, yeah. I think so.”

Red with embarrassment, Zeeg banged his hand on the counter.

“C’mon! I’ve heard of even the Crimson Avian Wings! I don’t know about these guys because they’re simply not famous!”

The laughter was even louder than before, with a few people laughing while rolling on the floor.

“Did you seriously just say that?”

The girl said before turning to Becky.

“Tell him about us, Becky.”

Becky looked at the girl with a bored expression on her face, as if an annoying job was thrown her way.

“Zeeg, this is Elmeria Franport, 15 years old. Her hunter rank is ‘Wyvern Slayer’.”

Zeeg’s strength disappeared from his legs.

“Wyvern Slayer!?”

“That’s right. With that rank, they have access to the queen guest house. Anyway, the man next to Ellie is Mr. Gannon Denon. As you can see, he’s a lance user. The two of them have been paired up since they registered at this guild, so his rank the same- Wyvern Slayer. Their skills are guaranteed. Hm? What with that face? Were you thinking that the reason Ellie got to her rank was because of Mr. Gannon’s help?”

He nodded, and that instant-

“Whoa-!”

[[File:MH-v01-039.jpg|300px|thumb]]

The head of the massive Diablos Maul swung down, narrowly missing Zeeg’s face. It crushed the stone chair in front of him, a cracking sound to echoing around the gathering hall.

“Don’t underestimate me!”

It was an attack from the girl- Elmeria.

Zeeg’s face turned blue. The weapon has the power to pulverize a wyvern’s head- not to mention a human’s.

Elmeria lifted the hammer up and rested it on her shoulder. The weight caused her to slightly adjust her stance.

“I was able to reach this rank with my own abilities! Isn’t that right, Gannon?”

“...That is the truth.”

The large man nodded.

He didn’t seem to be lying. Her attack was so fast that Zeeg’s eye weren’t able to keep up- himself only feeling a shockwave.

“Ellie, you’re going to pay for the repairs, right?”

Becky said, smiling. Elmeria then made a grumpy face in response.

“He was the one who provoked me, so he pays! And that’s final!”

“W...wait a second! This nonsense-”

Zeeg protested, but fell silent when Elmeria gripped her hammer’s handle.

“See? He’s got no complaints.”

“I guess it can’t be helped....”

Becky sighed.

“But with his skill level, it would take many quests for him to get enough money... The stone component is actually quite expensive, you know. What should I do?”

“That’s a simple matter.”

Zeeg turned to look at the owner of the voice and saw a small old man- who looked very similar to his village’s chief- sitting on the counter, sweeping away the gray smoke around him until his figure could be seen clearly.

He moved to sit closer to Zeeg and gasped for some air.

“Becky, you know, that job? Aren’t we going to ask them to take that one quest?”

“Eh? Ah... yes.”

Becky took out a piece of paper from behind the counter.

“What?”

Elmeria moved closer to look.

“It’s an urgent quest- here.”

“Let’s see... Hunt a Rathalos?”

Zeeg’s ears opened wide in response to the name. A Rathalos hunt! He has always wanted to try going on one.

“Um... I-”

“You can’t handle it.”

About to raise his hand, Zeeg was stopped by Elmeria. The girl pretended to not notice Zeeg’s upset reaction. She placed the request paper back on the counter.

“We’ve had enough of the Rathalos for now. How about asking someone else? There should be plenty of hunters wanting to take a crack at it, right?”

“That is true, but there’s a reason we can’t afford to fail this one-”

Becky lowered her voice.

“The client is from the royal court.”

“Really?”

Becky nodded.

“10 days from now, the royalty will be holding a ‘hunt’ at Arnest Forest. Well, their ‘hunt’ is just a game though, unlike what you guys do. Problem is, near the designated grounds, a Rathalos has apparently set up a nest. They want us to get rid of it.”

“Can’t we just chase it away? There’s no need to kill.”

“It you did that, it has a chance to come back, right? If it returned while the nobles were hunting, it would be a big problem, so they want it killed. Well, that’s pretty much the details for this quest.”

“Hmm....”

Elmeria smirked while rubbing her chin.

“Alright, we accept. It’s nice to do some good deeds for the royalty once in a while.”

“No no, wait a second.”

Elmeria reached for the paper, but her hand was blocked by the elder’s staff.

“This is the quest that we want you to take care of, but can you also listen to this old man’s request?”

Elmeria hunched her shoulders.

“What is it?”

“It’s nothing difficult, really. When you head out, I want you to let the boy tag along.”

Zeeg and Elmeria’s eyes open wide upon hearing the sudden proposal.

“Now, now. I understand that you might be dissatisfied.”

The old man spoke up before anyone could voice a complaint.

“You see, the chief of this boy’s hometown asked me to take care of him... And the fastest way to teach him is to let him learn from the experience of a real hunt. If it’s your party, letting this kid tag along shouldn’t be much of a problem, am I right?”

“Don’t joke around!”

Elmeria glanced at Zeeg, eyes narrowed.

“Bring a rookie like him along on a Rathalos Hunt? If he did something stupid, the three of us would be dead too, you know!? If you want to die that much, go do it yourself!”

“Now, don’t say that. It’ll be fine. I’ll have him promise to not do anything and just watch.”

“W...wait! Just watching is a bit-”

Zeeg voiced his complaint, but stopped as the old man glared at him. The sharp, intimidating glint in the Guild Master’s eyes told Zeeg to shut up.

The elder then went back to his cheerful face and turned to Elmeria.

“See? He promised. If he does something disruptive, then just do anything with him. Throw him into a pitfall trap, or even feed him to the Rathalos. But only if he breaks the promise. Oh, I'll also have some bonus for you. How about this much?”

The old man fiddled with an abacus and showed it to the girl.

For a moment, Zeeg noticed a sparkle in her eyes.

“Hm...”

Elmeria squinted her eyes and looked at Zeeg, before patting Gannon’s back.

“What sould we do? Master insisted that much.”

“I do not mind.”

“Then it’s decided. We will hunt the Rathalos under those terms. For today, I want to eat, drink, and sleep in a fluffy bed. I won’t let anyone get in my way, alright? We leave tomorrow at noon.”

Everyone nodded.

Zeeg’s opinion goes unheard to the whole company. He tried raising his voice, but at this point no one would hear him out.

And then-

“Um... I haven’t been introduced yet...”

The man in the executioner’s mask- the one called Fradio- raised his hand in a humble manner.

“Ah, I’m sorry.”

Becky clapped her hands once in front of her chest, then turned to Zeeg and smiled.

“This is Fradio Heart, a gunner, ranked ‘Wyvern Slayer’ like the other two. People of his skill level are very hard to come by, you know. As for his favorite thing-”

Fradio proudly raised his bare chest and spoke up.

“-Gypceros!”

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Monster Hunter:Volume2 Chapter1

2018-05-09T00:55:34Z

Barnnn:

== Chapter 1 - Returning Home One Year Later ==

“Eh- Our party is disbanding!?”

Having Well-Done Jungle Ribs with Buffalo Butter and Cudgel Onion as his meal, Zeeg’s hand stopped all movement as he heard the abrupt statement, with his knife still digging into the rib’s meat.

It is not often that this 17-year old boy lets something interrupt him when eating.

Moreover, this is a celebratory meal for successfully completing a quest to steal 3 Wyvern Eggs from a wyvern nest in the Jungle. The group has just gotten back to gathering hall in Minegarde, a city that acts as a base of operations for hunters, located in the southern region of the Western Schrade Kingdom.

What made the boy stop his hand was the shocking statement that was brought up.

“Wh...what’s the meaning of this!?”

Tobacco smoke filled the gathering hall’s interior, where hunters who have just completed their quests gather to eat, drink, and be merry. Naturally, this means the place is quite loud.

Sitting next to the boy is a girl- Elmeria Franport, who narrows her eyes as she pinched Zeeg’s ear to tell him that he’s being noisy.

Her lips moved in closer, startling Zeeg. However-

“I can hear you just fine even if you don’t shout!”

She yelled right into his ear, causing Zeeg to let out a short scream.

The knife was dropped from the boy’s hand and slipped under the table, but he is currently unable to look for it. On top of the ringing in his ear, he is also having quite a headache.

Elmeria’s shout might as well rival the Diablos’s roar.

Waiting for his ear to stop ringing, Zeeg attempted to wipe away his tears, but let out another short scream instead. That was because he has forgotten that his arm was equipped with the Kut-Ku Vambraces.

The vambraces created from Yian Kut-Ku materials has many sharp points protruding from them. And right now, one of those spikes has pricked his cheek.

That should be as painful as a Vespoid’s sting.

Zeeg groaned as he covered his cheek with his hand.

“Clumsy.”

Elmeria said just that, then shifted her attention back to her meal.

In front of the girl, who is a year younger than Zeeg, is a plate of food that is a rank higher that what the boy is having.

This evening, what she ordered is King Squid and Queen Shrimp Riverfood Paella.

The rice, turned yellow from being thoroughly cooked in a deep iron pan, sent out an appetizing smell as it was scooped up with a spoon, with Zeeg looking on in slight envy.

In addition to food menus that anyone can order like steaks from herbivore monsters such as Aptonoths or Bullfangos, there are special menus that can only be ordered by hunters with the appropriate rank.

They are normally for orders that are delivered to the hunters’ guest houses, but if one prefers, they can also order in the gathering hall to eat on the same table as their comrades.

The main ingredients in Elmeria’s meal, King Squids and Queen Shrimps, can only be ordered by skilled hunters with the rank Weapon Master or above, which are the ones with access to Queen Guest House rooms.

Zeeg, who is staying in the lower ranked Bishop room, doesn’t have the right to order it no matter how much he wanted to.

Hunters are designated ranks according to their skill level and exploits, with their ranks affecting the types of hunting requests they can accept. This process is strictly regulated by an organization- the Guild.

Regardless of east or west, those who hunt monsters for a living in the Kingdom of Schrade are called Hunters. At a glance, one would think that this occupation has a great deal of freedom, but hunters who register at the guild has to accept a long list of restrictions.

They include the type of rooms they can rent, food they can order, and the requests they can accept.

The disparity definitely is a cause of jealousy, but jealousy can also turn into motivation.

Low rank hunters would look enviously at those with higher ranks living in wonderful guest houses, indulging in luxurious cuisine, and arming themselves with magnificent equipment. They would put all their effort into hunting, thinking to themselves that one day they will reach that point as well.

One year ago, when he has just arrived at this city, Zeeg was also like that.

When he was introduced to his Pawn room, which is not so different from a pig’s coop (and actually had a shirt-wearing pig living in it), his breath was taken away by how much the room stinks and the bitterness in his mind.

That was because back at the village, he was praised as the fastest Yian Kut-Ku hunter.

It was a brief moment of greatness, before he was almost immediately reminded that in this world, there will always be someone better.

Thanks to a recommendation letter from the Village Chief, Zeeg was permitted to participate in a quest to subjugate the monster known as one of the strongest wyverns, the male fire wyvern Rathalos.

At first, he thought to himself that he would be the one to defeat it, but that thought immediately flew off his head when the Rathalos appeared before his eyes.

A body several times larger than the Yian Kut-Ku, intimidating roars, deadly fireball attacks- the monster’s overwhelming power blew away all of the boy’s thoughts to hunt it.

However, the hunting party that he went along with were unfazed and fought it head on.

Breaking its scales with explosions from Large Barrel Bombs and blows from a powerful hammer, piercing its flesh with a sharp lance, and destroying its eye with deadly bowgun bullets.

Even though Zeeg helped at the end, all he did was place the last Barrel Bomb next to the Rathalos that had fallen into a Pitfall Trap. The process could be considered child’s play.

One of the high-ranked hunters that he went with is now sitting next to him, eating her paella. She is Elmeria, a hammer user who is one year younger than the boy.

While her body may look delicate at a glance, she is protected by strong equipment. It is the Rathalos armor set, created mainly from the fire wyvern’s scales and shells, though the girl does not wear any body armor. That is because her role in the party is to deliver powerful singular blows in a hit-and-run style.

Hunting in groups is significantly different compared to going solo, and designating roles among party members is important.

For example, Zeeg’s party has a member whose role is to distract the target monster.

Maximizing his defense with strong armor, he would blow Field Horns or crawl under the monster’s body to keep its attention on him, letting other party members fully focus on the offense.

Not having to worry about defense, Elmeria has chosen to not wear some parts of her armor to increase movement speed. She equipped armor on her arms, legs, and waist in order to lessen the impact on her joints when swinging her hammer, while the body armor and helmet were omitted.

That was up until recently, because she now puts on an Ioprey Helm, which is more of a hat than a helmet, because she got tired of Zeeg’s complaints.

Compared to her, Zeeg equips all armor parts, but that’s because he doesn’t have a specialized role.

Depending on the situation, he has to either draw the monster’s attention or deliver powerful blows from blind spots. For that reason, wearing armor that are too heavy or too light would not be good.

Naturally, the great sword is also quite heavy, but that is also what makes it powerful.

Putting the total weight of his equipment into consideration, the Kut-Ku armor set provides fairly solid defense while still being light, which is a great match for Zeeg.

He is also interested in the Rathalos set that Elmeria uses, but Zeeg lacks both the required materials and money, and if he were to use the same armor as her, there could be a little dissatisfaction for both sides because he would be seen as copying her. Moreover, it is also very likely that they would get made fun of by others, like how they “make a good pair” or something similar.

With those thoughts in mind, he doesn’t mind keeping his current equipment on. More importantly, he doesn’t feel that the defensive power of his armor is lacking in any way.

And as a result, he chooses to take the fire wyverns’ claws instead of scales or shells when sharing materials, since they can be used to strengthen his weapon.

He thought that his weapon could be upgraded to the Iron Sword production line’s strongest design, the Tactical Blade, but there are still not enough materials.

Though the Ravager Blade+ in his possession could be immediately upgraded to the Lacerator Blade, it is far less powerful in comparison to the Tactical Blade.

If one has an option, it is only logical that they would choose the better weapon.

It is only a matter of time. Zeeg’s weapon may currently be underpowered, but cooperation can make up for it when hunting in a party. Though it increases the other members’ workload right now, he would be many times more useful to the group when the powerful weapon is finally in his hands.

This is also one of the big advantages of hunting with a regular party, as opposed to grouping up for just a single hunt.

And even so, the announcement that the group is disbanding just came out of the blue.

In his mind, Zeeg believed that he did his share of work without any mistake.

Even though he argues with Elmeria frequently, they weren’t problems about the hunt, but rather contrasting likes or dislikes in terms of food, gossips from the royal capital, or the manners of a rookie hunter. Mostly things that aren’t serious.

All arguments would end quickly, with everyone forgetting what they were even arguing about a few hours.

(“Did I make a clumsy mistake or something...?”)

Zeeg stared at Elmeria's face, who is holding a knife in one hand and eating rice with her spoon in another, and thought back to the latest hunt.

There shouldn’t be any big problems.

He didn’t break any eggs while transporting, and didn’t fight against monsters if not necessary. While he wanted to break off at least one of the wyvern’s claw, he chose not to because it’s just a personal matter.

He definitely carried out his task without fail.

“Hey-”

While the boy was reaching out to Elmeria’s shoulder to stop her from eating and have her explain the situation clearly...

“......What do you think you are doing to the young mistress?”

A deep voice sounded from the other side of the table, causing Zeeg to stop his hand. The tone of that statement showed a great deal of irritation. Could it be that he thought the boy was intending to hit the girl?

If you do anything, I will break all of the bones in your body- That was what the large man, Gannon Denon, seemed to imply in his voice.

“I wasn’t going to do anything!”

Zeeg put his hand away in a panic. Glancing to his side, he could see Elmeria letting out an arrogant snort. Maybe he just imagined it, but it felt like the girl was insulting him for lacking a backbone.

(“Like I can do anything against him.”)

With nowhere to move his hand to, Zeeg alternated between clenching and releasing his fist while painting a grumpy expression on his face.

Gannon really is that strong.

For hunters, it is said that one’s equipment is what represents the wearer’s character. In Gannon’s case, his whole body is covered in solid armor.

What he is wearing now is the full armor set created from parts of the herbivore wyvern Diablos, the Diablo set. The pieces include a helmet, a plate mail, and a pair of vambraces. Out of those, the most distinctive part is the body armor. Gigantic horns extended from the shoulder pads, giving an impression on an actual Diablos.

Since the set doesn’t include armor for the waist and legs, he equips the Hi-Metal Tasset and Hi-Metal Greaves, armor pieces made from rare metals. Up until recently, that is. Right now, they have been replaced with armor created from shells of the volcano-dwelling armor wyvern Gravios, the lead-colored Gravios Tasset and Gravios Greaves. They are quite good at absorbing impact from movement and attacks.

Gannon is a lance user, and his primary role is to act as decoy.

For that reason, he has to maximize his defense, and also has to wield a lance.

Even though the one-handed swords also have a shield included in the set, their defensive power is far less compared to the shields included with the lances. The large shields are so sturdy than they can even completely block the Rathalos’s fireballs.

Gannon used to wield the Hellfire Lance, but recently switched to the Diablo Spear.

The Hellfire’s main component is Fire Wyvern Marrows, enabling the lance to ignite into flames when attacking, but the drawback is that its durability is low. The shield that was included with the weapon is created from Rathalos Shells, making it effective for defending against fireball attacks, but it is actually quite weak when it comes to deflecting attacks of other attributes.

Comparatively, the Diablo Spear is created from a Diablos Horn of the best quality. The shield is created from Diablos Shells, fortified with rare ores called Dragonite, and strengthened by two kinds of highly potent medicines. Its power is higher than the Hellfire both in terms of offense and defense.

With a new weapon in hand, Gannon was able to charge into the enemy’s horde more aggressively than before. His valor and tenacity is definitely not normal.

As for Zeeg, though he has managed to overcome his fear when encountering wyverns, his skill level is not up to standards just yet. That is because, in any case, his experience as a hunter is still far less compared to the others.

The person who raised Elmeria and trained her in the ways of the hunt is none other than Gannon. The middle-aged man has been a hunter since when he was young, before a noble family took him in and made him one of their knights. Currently, he is suspected for being the one who kidnapped the young mistress of the house he once served.

However, the hunter society doesn’t care about that kind of thing.

This place is filled with people whose backgrounds are better off not being shared. The Hunter’s Guild is an organization that is not officially approved by the royal kingdom, and one’s ability is what decides everything. Of course, there exists a set of “Commandments” that everyone is obligated to follow, but it is not that different from the laws of the outside world.

Zeeg did notice that Elmeria could be the noble lord’s daughter who was abducted, but he didn’t care enough to find out the truth.

To him, those kind of things don’t matter. That is because it is undeniable that both of them are skilled hunters, and also comrades he can rely on.

(“Gannon is being overprotective though...”)

Just about anyone can see that Gannon and Elmeria, who have been together since they first registered at this guild, trust each other deeply. It’s as if they were the same family. Gannon is a man of few words, preferring to communicate with short responses and gestures. This personality gives an impression of a father with a daughter in her teens.

(“Now that I think about it, he would always intervene when I argue with Elmeria... Is that the issue? Does he really think I don’t get along well with her?”)

If one were to go out on a hunt with raptured relations, it would be no different from tying oneself to death. As Gannon prioritizes Elmeria’s life above all else, he would not hesitate to expel Zeeg from the party in order to protect the girl.

If that is so, then the misunderstanding has to be cleared up as soon as possible. Zeeg has no intention to be on bad terms with the party. Even if it’s just a little bit, he does genuinely trust them with his life.

Even though everyone should have understood that, Gannon’s overprotectiveness when it comes to Elmeria could cloud his judgement.

“Hey, Gannon-”

The large man, with an expression as rigid as stone, glanced towards Zeeg, the boy gasping in shock. Even though the metal plate in front of him is already empty, the knife and fork are still held tightly in the man’s hands.

Two pieces of rare Bullfango Steaks used to be placed that plate, but disappeared in just a few moments. Even so, with knife and fork in hand, Zeeg felt that it could be a threat, something like “I’ll cook you up next”. Is this what it means to overthink things?

But when he looked into Gannon’s eyes, Zeeg was totally convinced that what he imagined was correct.

“Hehehe...”

Observing the situation, the person sitting next to Gannon, a man who looks like an executioner preparing to head off to an execution ground- Fradio Heart, laughed mischievously in his throat.

The reason he gives off that impression is because of the helmet that he has equipped.

Created from the Rubbery Hides of the poison wyvern Gypceros, the equipment is a cap that covers all of one’s head, except for the eyes. It also has horns on the sides.

Fradio is a gunner, and his role in the party is to attack monsters from long range. He doesn’t shoot from one place and is always on the move, causing his choice of equipment to be distinctive.

Like Elmeria, Fradio doesn’t wear body armor. However, he also doesn’t wear a shirt, leaving his upper body naked.

The man’s equipment consist of Gypceros Cap for the head, Gypceros Guards for the arms, Gypceros Coat for the waist, and Gypceros Leggings for the legs.

While the Gypceros armor set is better at defending against attacks compared to Zeeg’s Kut-Ku set, its texture is different from the usual armors created from wyvern parts.

The Gypceros does not have tough scales. As a substitute, its whole body has a soft, rubbery texture. This makes the monster highly resistant to impact, and when its hides are used in crafting, the resulting equipment will be resistant to tear.

The catch is that the Gypceros’s hides can only be harvested in low quantities, which means having a full set in possession like Fradio is not common. Moreover, in addition to his armor, Fradio’s weapon is the heavy bowgun that has the Gypceros’s Rubbery Hides as a component, the Tankmage. He likes it so much that he stubbornly refuses to switch to a new weapon with greater firepower.

“What, Fradio?”

In an attempt to avoid the pressure from Gannon, Zeeg looked away in Fradio’s direction.

Another one of Fradio’s role is to be a voice of reason whenever there’s trouble.

No one knows what he used to do before joining this party, but the man is highly skilled in the art of negotiation.

Occasionally, when the party encounters wandering hunters, he would be the one who does the talking when it seemed like a fight was going to break out.

The same goes for quarrels within the party.

Zeeg and Elmeria would get into arguments often, with their stubbornness preventing them from stopping even though they are aware that things will get worse. When that happens, Fradio would intervene, saying his usual “now, now”. Zeeg and Elmeria would be easily put in their place, with their response usually being “Well, if Fradio says so”.

Elmeria tends to speak in a tone that puts herself above others. From teaming up with her for a year, Zeeg has understood that she doesn’t mean any offense, but it doesn’t mean that it’s not irritating.

With Zeeg being Zeeg, even though he is becoming more wary of Elmeria snark, he still lets his emotions lead him, which makes Fradio essential for reducing friction between those two.

Turning to face Fradio, Zeeg leaned on the table and pouted.

“You think this is the time to be laughing? The party is disbanding, you know?”

“No no, that’s not it.”

Fradio lightly shook his head.

That man never takes his Gypceros Cap off, even when eating. This also means that even Elmeria and Gannon have never seen his real face.

Judging from voice and physique, one would guess that he’s in his late 20’s, but there’s nothing to back up that estimate. Elmeria seems to think that his real face is very handsome, while Zeeg thinks he’s covering up a large scar- but of course, it is very likely that it’s just his hobby.

In any case, among numerous wyverns, Gypceros is the one that Fradio absolutely loves, and he would often passionately declare to others that the feel of its rubbery hides is irresistible.

“You don’t have to worry about it that much, Zeeg.”

Laughing in his throat once, Fradio put down the fork that he just used for sending a small piece of cut-up meat into his mouth. Even though he said not to worry, the completely masked face doesn’t help at all.

“Though the party really is disbanding, it’s just temporary. We’ve been taking requests nonstop for the past year, you see. I think it’s about time we got some vacation.”

“What he said.”

Elmeria, who has been quietly eating her paella the whole time, spoke up.

“Without Fradio here, it would be difficult for us to hunt together because of our frequent quarrels, so I thought it would be better for us to temporarily disband and spend some time off."

“Then say that from the beginning!”

Zeeg unintentionally yelled out in his moment of relief.

“I was going to say it, but weren’t you the one who refused to listen?”

Elmeria snorted like a spoiled child, before cutting up a large red-and-white Queen Shrimp with her spoon, its clear meat juices gushing out.

Drooling while trying to imagine what it would taste like, Zeeg gulped his saliva down in a panic when he realized it. This always happens when he’s free of worries, and he thinks it’s an embarrassing habit.

Not noticing the boy’s thoughts at all, Elmeria scooped up rice and shrimp, sent it into her mouth, and swallowed it down without even chewing.

“Young mistress, please chew more thoroughly.”

Gannon’s deep voice echoed throughout the table, and Elmeria showed a light irritation on her face as she turned to the middle-aged hunter.

“I know, I know”, she muttered as she picked up the mug of lukewarm beer and chugged it down in one go, with beer foam sticking around her mouth.

Speaking of beer, even though Zeeg disliked that Elmeria would always call him a little kid, he could never get used to the drink’s bitter taste.

Elmeria licked away the fluffy-looking foam around her mouth, then turned to Zeeg.

“Gannon and I plan to not accept any quests until Fradio gets back. If you don’t have anything to do, then how about going back to your village? Your hometown is that Kokoto Village, right?”

Zeeg felt a groan in his abdomen.

Elmeria has a reason for saying “that” Kokoto Village. The place where Zeeg was born and raised is a village established by a certain “hero”.

The Hero of Kokoto- a warrior who wields a one-handed sword. He is considered to be a legend, and it is said that he’s also one of the reasons why hunting is accepted as an occupation.

When Zeeg was still in the village, he did know that the place was called Kokoto, but he never knew that the Hero of Kokoto is none other than the Village Chief himself.

One of the main reasons is that the Village Chief is not called Kokoto.

It was when he came to Minegarde that Zeeg learned that the “Kokoto” in “Hero of Kokoto” is not a person’s name, but rather the name of a mountain.

One of the well-known legends of the hero was when he and his fiancée went with three others to face an unspecified dragon on Mount Kokoto. Even though the team of five could defeat it, the hero lost his fiancée in the quest, and retired from hunting out of grief.

It was said that the Guild's rule of limiting parties to four people is due to this legend.

Even though Zeeg personally thinks it’s ridiculous, quite a lot of hunters believe in superstitions and the paranormal. Some even rely on fortune-telling to decide whether or not to accept a request.

Anyhow, when Zeeg was still working for the village and thought himself already an adult, he would act disrespectfully towards the Village Chief.

Now that he thought about it, it was so embarrassing that his face might as well ignite into flames. At one point, he even went as far as having a lengthy debate with the Hero of Kokoto about what it truly means to be a hunter, completely unaware of who the other person’s status.

“What? Don’t tell me you’re scared?”

Elmeria narrowed her eyes in a mocking manner and waved her spoon.

“Well, you probably don’t want to go back yet because you haven’t become a full-fledged adult yet, huh.”

“...Yeah, I know that much.”

Zeeg took a bite from the meat that he cut off from one of the ribs. Butter Sauce spilled from his mouth to his chin, and the boy wiped it off with the back of his hand.

Even if Elmeria didn’t tell him, he would still understand by himself that he’s still not an adult.

Compared to when he just came to this city, Zeeg’s skills have improved considerably.

Even if it won’t be easy, right now he’s capable of defeating a Rathalos by himself. But that was also because his mind is completely at ease when he knows that his comrades would jump in if anything were to go wrong.

His actions are still full of unnecessary movements, and his hot-headed personality hasn’t been fixed yet. With that in mind, it feels difficult for him to go meet the Village Chief right now.

“You’ll be fine.”

Elmeria spoke up.

While wiping the Butter Sauce off his mouth with a piece of cloth, Zeeg turned to her.

Maybe it’s just his imagination, but the side view of the girl, still eating her paella, seemed a little more gentle than usual.

“If you do know about your flaws, then you’re already half a man you’ve wanted to be, so I guess he’ll still acknowledge you? Compared to when we first met, well, I can say that you’re looking more and more like a hunter, I guess?”

Elmeria didn’t turn to face Zeeg at all.

Could it be that she’s being shy? With that thought, Zeeg suddenly felt a little embarrassment, so he turned his gaze away from the girl.

He was met with Gannon’s face, who seemed to look like an angry ogre.

“Hehehe... Well, it’s so nice to be young.”

“Nonsense.”

As if to dismiss Fradio’s statement, Gannon spoke up then chugged his beer.

Zeeg had a feeling that it would be better to change the topic. Even though the reason is unknown, it was obvious that Gannon is in a bad mood.

He doesn’t shout or raise his hands, but the atmosphere around him is heavy.

“B...By the way, Fradio.”

Zeeg spoke up while waving a bone with no meat in his hand.

“What’re you doing in your time off?”

“That’s... I’m going to visit my lover.”

“Lover!?”

Zeeg was surprised, but it was only him. Gannon didn’t say anything, and for some reason, Elmeria seemed to be trying her best not to laugh.

But of course, Fradio having a lover isn’t a stretch at all. Maybe it’s like Elmeria said, that there could be a very handsome man under the Gypceros Cap.

Would Fradio show his true face under the cap when he’s in front of his lover? –Zeeg felt a sudden sense of curiosity as he thought about it.

“Then, what kind of person is she?”

“She’s beautiful.”

Fradio spoke with a dreamy tone.

“She’s usually shy, but is very passionate when the time is right. The love we share is so radiant that my eyes are blinded, and my breath is taken away if she were to even breathe.”

“Huh... So she’s that beautiful...”

“But of course. Her vibrant eyes... the sound from her nose... so voluptuous indeed.”

Hearing a banging sound from his side, Zeeg turned around and saw Elmeria face down on the table. Her shoulders are shaking. She was clearly trying her best to suppress her laughter.

“What’s up with you, Elmeria? Aren’t you being rude to Fradio?”

“That is fine, Zeeg.”

Fitting of his maturity, Fradio raised his hand to stop Zeeg.

“I understand that it is quite difficult to see her charms. No, I would say that it is better this way. Because if it’s just me that finds her appealing, then that would mean our connection is deeper that anyone could imagine.”

To be connected with another person on a level that deep could be one of the happiest things ever, was what Zeeg thought as he looked at Fradio. Even though the man’s emotion is hidden under the Gypceros Cap, one would understand just by looking into his eyes.

“But doesn’t she have a tendency to steal stuff?”

Elmeria said that, seeming to be highly amused. She raised her head and rested her chin on one hand while looking at Zeeg, not Fradio.

“Hey!”

“But isn’t that the truth- right, Fradio?”

“She’s just playing pranks.”

Fradio only chuckled inside his throat. He didn’t seem to be angry at all.

“Including that, I love every aspect of her.”

“Whoa...”

Zeeg was impressed. Even though he knew that Fradio is a big-hearted person, but he never thought that the man would be this lenient. Maybe the reason why Fradio never takes off his intimidating Gypceros Cap is because he wants to preserve his solemnity as a hunter.

While thinking about it, his chair was kicked from the side, causing Zeeg to annoyingly turn to Elmeria.

“What now?”

“Zeeg, do you really still not know who this ‘lover’ of Fradio’s is?”

Judging from Elmeria’s tone, it seems that this lover is someone Zeeg knows.

(“Who?”)

The boy gave it a hard thought.

And then his chair was kicked again.

“You really are that dense, huh. If it’s what Fradio loves, then it’s obviously Gypceros! That Gypceros!”

Zeeg let out an “ah” when he finally noticed the connection.

That’s right. There wasn’t any need to think that hard. There wasn’t anything else that could possibly fit. That is because Fradio is and always will be in love with Gypceros above all else.

The poison wyvern Gypceros is usually cowardly in nature, but when angry, it will charge around with ridiculous speed while spewing venom attacks around randomly. And if it were to be driven into a corner, it would use its crest to unleash a flash of light so bright that it could make hunters faint.

“So that’s why his eyes are blinded and his breath is taken away, huh...”

Zeeg let out a big sigh.

And of course, sometimes the Gypceros would steal items from hunters.

Even with that tone when talking, Fradio wasn’t joking around with Zeg at all. The man genuinely believes that the Gypceros is the most beautiful out of all wyverns, and he is genuinely in love with it.

As Elmeria said, Zeeg really is dense for not noticing that earlier. Especially when he has been working with the team for one whole year.

“So the point is, Fradio will be going out to hunt a Gypceros alone.”

Zeeg said that, and Fradio chuckled delightfully.

“No, we’re going out to spend some quality time together.”

“Alright then.”

Zeeg hunched his shoulders.

For Fradio, spending quality time with the Gypceros is to fight it in a long-winded hunt.

Zeeg realized that even if it’s a battle to the death that could last many hours or even days, every second of it is Fradio’s most blissful moment.

(“Then it shouldn’t take that long.”)

Even if it’s unknown how much time Fradio will need until he’s satisfied, it shouldn’t be as long as a year or two.

“Then it’s decided.”

Maybe because she took Zeeg’s statement as his approval for the temporary disbanding of the party, Elmeria spoke up to everyone.

“We’ll meet up again in this gathering hall one month from today, alright?”

The date designated by her for the reunion is unexpectedly close. Even though it doesn’t show on his face, Zeeg felt like a heavy weight has been lifted off his chest.

He thought about how he should spend his vacation month, but was surprised that he couldn’t think of anything to do.

Zeeg has already forgotten how to rest.

The sight of a village, seen by Zeeg from the window of the carriage’s passenger car, makes the boy feel a sudden urge to just go back to the city.

Ten or so one-story houses were placed around without any pattern, all of their roofs covered in mold. Without any new house being built, the village is almost exactly the same as one year ago. It’s as if time has stopped just for this place.

Zeeg cringed a little bit in his throat, and applied force to his toes inside the greaves.

He already regrets coming here.

It’s just one month, so hanging around in the city should be perfectly fine, and it will be over in no time, he thought. But without Fradio in the party, Elmeria and Gannon also went on with their businesses, so Zeeg felt like he had plenty of time to spare.

If he were to go on some quests alone from the gathering hall’s bulletin board, or even recruit a temporary party, he could have passed a good number of days.

However, there aren’t many requests that are for only one person, and most of the groups that are recruiting people seem to want long-term members, and so Zeeg couldn’t find anything to do that would fit his conditions.

He also considered going out alone to do some mining, but he just didn’t feel like doing it.

The Machalite Ores and Earth Crystals in his stock are also at a sufficient amount.

What he wants right now is the material that is necessary for brewing the Mega Demondrug, a medicine that essential for upgrading his great sword. It is called Pale Extract, and it can only be obtained from the body of a wyvern known as Khezu.

Zeeg hasn’t encountered this wyvern yet.

There was a request to capture it some time ago, but Fradio stubbornly refused to do it so the party just passed the quest for others to accept. He would just say-

“Having anything to do with that wyvern is against my artistic philosophy.”

Just that statement. When Zeeg asked Elmeria what kind of creature it is, her face turned red for some reason, and she did not give any answer.

Anyhow, Zeeg already thought that he was bored to death just five days in, so he got on a carriage that was headed for the village in the morning of that fifth day. Spending two whole days in a constantly shaking journey, the village is finally in his sight- and thoughts of deep regret of his past actions ran through his head.

The village has changed way too little.

Every villager is sure to remember his shamelessly arrogant attitude.

Carried away by his victory against the Yian Kut-Ku to the point that he held a celebration, at that time Zeeg believed that he has already become a full-fledged adult. With those memories popping up, he was so embarrassed that he wanted to roll on the floor and scream.

If he could turn back a year, he would most likely give his younger self a slap on the head.

Before long, the carriage stopped where the highway intersects with path to the village.

The carriage coachman turned his head back to Zeeg.

“You not getting off here, little fella? If you changed your mind and want to go on, then it’ll be another 100 Zenny upfront. Hurry up and decide, yeah?”

“...I’m getting off.”

Zeeg stood up, preparing for the worst.

With the Ioprey Helm causing clicking sounds as it hanged from his waist, the Great Sword sheathed on his back, and a leather bag held on his shoulder, Zeeg jumped down from the passenger car.

Even if he went on ahead with the coachman, only boredom awaits. Along the road ahead, aside from a few agricultural villages, there is nothing else.

Even though he may be met with embarrassment here, it’s objectively better than being bored.

Standing alone on the road after getting off the carriage, Zeeg started walking towards the village.

The house Zeeg used to live in up until a year ago, located to the right of the village’s large entrance gateway, is still there.

It was originally rented from someone, and right now there should be someone else occupying the place, judging from the smoke that rose from the chimney.

On the other side of the gate, some villagers stood there taking, as usual.

Even though the village has a gathering hall, many villagers prefer to just stand and talk on the wayside. This includes the hunters sharing information among themselves, and also idle gossips.

Zeeg took a deep breath and walked through the gate, with two villager women who were standing there sensing the boy’s arrival and turned to him. They quickly looked at Zeeg from head to toe, and only just that. They then nodded lightly as if they were greeting a stranger before resuming their discussion.

(“What’s up with that?”)

Zeeg felt a mixed feeling of relief and disappointment.

Have they already forgotten even though it was just a year? Zeeg still remembered that he did invite those two to the celebration that he held.

The boy clicked his tongue in dissatisfaction and headed straight to the Village Chief’s place.

No matter the business one may have, it is common courtesy to first greet the village’s elder. That is because the person who manages requests in the surrounding hunting grounds is none other than the Village Chief.

Zeeg already knew where the old man would be. In front of the village’s gathering hall, built next to the largest tree in the village- the Chief would either sit on top of a barrel while drinking alcohol in a leisurely manner, or stand around and watch as people come and go.

(“He’s here, just as I thought.”)

Just like usual, the Village Chief is standing in front of the gathering hall, using a cane to support his small body. The elderly man raised his head as Zeeg stood before him, with the boy’s shadow casting all over him.

The Chief’s eyes hidden under his thick eyebrows opened wide, and looked up at Zeeg.

However, those eyes soon looked away, causing Zeeg to feel a little disappointed that he has been worrying over nothing.

“It’s been a long time, Zeeg. Hmm, you look hungry.”

“This routine again?”

Zeeg smiled wryly. “You look hungry” is the Village Chief’s catchphrase. No matter who it is, those who stood before the elder would look hungry to him. But that phrase also served to fill people’s heart with pleasant feelings.

“Well, I really am hungry this time though.”

“I told you so- Here, come.”

The Village Chief raised his cane and knocked it on Zeeg’s leg, before turning around and then walking through the gathering hall’s entrance. The boy then followed him inside.

Even though it is still early in the day, the gathering hall is crowded. The area around here may not seem to be densely populated, but this village is where hunters gather.

Several hunters turned around when they noticed the Village Chief, and a surprised expression was painted on their face as they looked at Zeeg.

Zeeg doesn’t know those hunters, but he could guess why they were surprised.

It was probably the great sword.

The Ravager Blade+ on Zeeg’s back is not something that can be obtained easily.

There may be many great sword wielders in this village, but here, even things like the Buster Sword+ from the Iron Sword production line and the Vile Serpentblade from the Bone Blade line are considered to be quite good.

The Buster Blade that Zeeg had before upgrading it to the Ravager Blade is also a fairly rare item around these parts.

Zeeg was then reminded of the time when he just arrived at the city, where he looked enviously at a hunter who had an Iron Katana ‘Gospel’ in his possession.

He still admires the weapon’s refined appearance and sharpness, and even plans to make himself an Eager Cleaver if he were to have enough materials, but right now he’s got his hands full with upgrading his current weapon.

The Village Chief led Zeeg to a seat at a table in the gathering hall’s corner. This table was the old man’s reserved spot, and that seems to have not changed over the past year either.

Zeeg took the great sword on his back and leaned it against the wall, and put his leather bag on the floor. The Village Chief then knocked on the table with his cane.

With that, a bespectacled girl who works as a barmaid approached, and in a tone that lacks courtesy,

“Welcome.”

She said just that.

This girl is also a new face.

Her clothes reminded Zeeg of the uniform worn by guild receptionists, but the base color is black. Her boots and gloves are in black, while the ribbons on her vest and collar, and also the frilly apron, are in a contrasting white. They give the impression of a black maid uniform.

“We’re hungry, Vivi.”

“But aren’t you always hungry- Your order?”

“Let’s see... bring ’that’ out for me.”

The maid lady in black nodded, then readjusted her glasses as she looked at Zeeg.

“And you?”

“Err... is there a menu?”

“There is not.”

Her tone sounded sarcastic. What she meant to say could be close to “Don’t ask about something that should have been obvious”.

“Any drink will suffice.”

The Village Chief spoke up, and just like that the maid’s skirt fluttered as she turned around towards the counter, then passed the order over to the kitchen.

“Vivi would have been a lot more popular if she were a little more polite.”

The old man laughed as he whispered to Zeeg.

“That won’t be necessary.”

The maid lady- apparently named Vivi- seemed to have heard it even in the distance, and so the Village Chief let out another laugh.

“You’ve got sharp ears.”

Speaking in a cheerful tone, the Village Chief let out a laugh so hearty that his whole body jiggled around.

Zeeg finally understood that even though it looks the same on the surface, the village has definitely changed. Now that he actually looked, he also didn’t recognize half of the hunters here in the gathering hall.

While Zeeg was watching those hunters mind their own businesses, Vivi approached and rudely placed beer mugs and a plate of food on the table.

Black beer, which filled the mugs to the brim, spilled onto the table. Vivi seemed to have noticed but did not seem to care, as she immediately headed back to the counter.

Words of complaint welled up in Zeeg’s throat, but the boy ultimately gulped them down.

Whining about this is what only kids do, he thought.

Besides, the food looks so tasty.

Served on a large plate is a big fish, simmered in whole with thick sauce on top. Cooked without removing its scales, the fish glittered with a golden sheen, and its scales were as clear as amber.

“This ‘Goldenfish in Red Bean Sauce’ is a special menu. Consider it a gift from me- You’ve grown up, Zeeg.”

Zeeg was surprised beyond words.

The boy knew that he should say something, but words were stuck in his throat.

“Don’t say anything. You left for the city, and now came back as a man. I knew just by looking at your face. Just that is enough- though I would say that you haven’t become a full man yet. Now, dig in.”

Zeeg nodded and rubbed his nose, then used a fork to pick up a piece of the Goldenfish, scales and all.

He sent it into his mouth and chewed, feeling the scales’ crunchy texture, the pure flavor of fish juices that has spilled out, and the well-balanced sweetness of sauce- it was great.

As if in a trance, Zeeg ate all of it up.

The boy did fish up a Goldenfish once, but sold it to a merchant that offered a great price for it, so he never knew that it was this delicious.

The Village Chief laughed cheerfully, chugged down his black beer in one go, then turned to the counter and waved the empty mug.

Vivi tapped her hand on the counter, and a man behind it passed her a new mug filled with beer. She took it to the chief’s table and placed it down rudely like before.

As this is the second time, Zeeg raised his head, feeling that he has to say something.

However, he noticed that she wasn’t paying attention to him at all, and so the boy looked in the same direction as her out of curiosity.

Vivi was looking at the gathering hall’s entrance.

Just when Zeeg thought there was noting strange- a man entered the gathering hall in a panic and collapsed on the floor. There were no injuries, but sand is all over his body, and his face is completely dry. He seems to be a merchant.

“Someone, get him water.”

The Village Chief said that, and a hunter, who was sitting next to the merchant, gave their drink to the man.

The man drank it with extreme thirst, the looked around the gathering hall panickingly. His line of sight stopped at the Village Chief, and then shouted with his dry voice.

“Chief! We- We got hit! It’s that thing at the desert- The one with one horn!”

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Monster Hunter:Volume2 Chapter5

2018-05-08T10:30:17Z

Barnnn:

== Chapter 5 - Albino Wyvern ==

The surrounding area was filled with a burning smell, with white smoke aside from fog drifting from the multitude of corpses half-submerged in water.

Deep red skin and swollen head- they were small bipedal carnivore monsters, the kind that spit poison from sacs inside their throats.

All six of them, dead.

“These things are...”

Zeeg looked around, unable to comprehend the scene.

There were no external wounds on the Iopreys’ bodies. However, their eyes were ruptured, and trails of lingering white smoke originated from their mouths, where their feces were vomited out.

Undoubtedly, the burning smell in this area was from the Iopreys’ corpses.

However, burnt spots were nowhere to be found. The environment included.

If this were to be caused by a Rathalos or Rathian, then it would have been a fireball attack, which would have scorched the skin, evaporated the water dry, and burnt the earth black.

But nothing was out of the ordinary, except for the collapsed Iopreys.

“Khezu...”

Upon hearing Freda’s words, Zeeg turned to her. She was kneeling down in front of a puddle, looking at something.

Going near her, he could see soil piled up in a cone shape with a flat top.

“Khezu’s that white wyvern, right? And this was caused by that thing?”

Freda nodded.

“Among you people, is there anyone who has fought a Khezu?”

Elmeria and Gannon raised their hands.

“-With that said, we didn’t defeat it though.”

“Eh, really?”

As Zeeg asked in surprised, Elmeria pouted in annoyance.

“N-never mind that! That time, our quest was to dig Coal... While we were immersed in swinging our pickaxes in the jungle’s cave, it just jumped out at us so suddenly. I just don’t wanna talk about how repulsive and disgusting it was-”

Elmeria crossed her arms, her body shaking as if having chills.

“We got out of there on the double... What’s with that look, Zeeg!? We didn’t think that thing would be there, and we didn’t bring a lot of medicine because we had to carry the coal! –M...more importantly, how do you even know for sure that this was caused by a Khezu!?”

Freda pointed at the cone-shaped soil pile on the ground.

“This is a mark from being clung onto by a Khezu’s tail. Besides, there’s also how the Iopreys died. That couldn’t have been caused by anything but a Khezu.”

“Well, why’s that?”

“Khezu releases the light of death. It’s what people at the armory calls ‘electricity’; if you touch it, the lightest effect would be loss of stamina and momentary paralysis, but in the worst case your body would be burnt from the inside- Like these Iopreys.”

“...Now that’s not very appealing.”

Zeeg shivered. Then, as a shadow cast over him from above, Zeeg was prompted by his hunter instincts to look up at the sky.

“!”

As he caught what was there in his sights, the boy had goosebumps. As usual, the clouds are floating low, with no sign of the thunders stopping. In that sky, a “ghost” flew through.

On a body so white that it seemed to be melting into the fog, small wings that shouldn’t have been able to support its thick body extended; it was undoubtedly the appearance of a wyvern.

But there was no head on its neck!

However-

“Khezu!”

Freda unsheathed the Heroic Blade from her waist.

“Eh-!?”

-''BWOOOOOH...''

A bizarre roar sounded from its headless neck. However, it did not seem to have any intention to land, but rather keep its altitude as it slowly flew away.

(“That’s a Khezu...?”)

Zeeg focused his eyes. However, he could not get a good look due to the fog’s obstruction.

“Gannon, that’s-!!”

Raising her voice in shock, Elmeria pointed at the Khezu.

“It’s captured something!”

“Young mistress, the binoculars.”

“R-right!”

Elmeria took out a pair of binoculars from her bag in a hurry and looked through it, then raised her voice once again.

“-Fradio!”

“Wait, what!?”

Zeeg strained his eyes once more.

He still couldn’t get a good look, but surely, he could see that the headless wyvern does have something in its grasp. It was something in ashen grey- That’s right, like Fradio’s Gypceros armor.

Freda ran off- headed in the same direction the wyvern was flying towards.

“Ah- Wait!”

Zeeg went after her in a panic. Right after the boy, Elmeria and Gannon followed.

“What’re we going to do!?”

“We’re going to help him. Khezus don’t eat when they’re outside of caves. If it’s now, then we might make it in time.”

While he kept on running, Zeeg turned to look at Elmeria and Gannon.

The girl had an unamused expression on her face, as if she felt that she was being dragged around to places by Freda, but of course, she had no objections as it was for the sake of saving Fradio.

“Uwah-!”

As they came out of the tall grass, Genpreys were there. Five of them. As the ferocious monsters became aware of Zeeg’s group, they cried out loudly to each other, then made a leap for their targets all at once.

“Zeeg!”

Prompted by Elmeria’s voice to look forward, the boy could see the Khezu slowly start its descent on solid ground. Perhaps there is an entrance to a cave there. Their nests may differ in location, but in structure, most wyverns’ nests closely resemble each other.

“Out of the way!”

Zeeg unsheathed his Ravager Blade+ from his back, pulled on the handle to bring out the fang blades, then brought down the sword right on the head of a Genprey that was rushing at him.

Its blood sprayed into the puddle, causing ripples.

The Genprey was cut clean as its internal organs scattered from the cross section; its life ended in one attack.

“If it’s these things, then I have no complaints about making this baby’s debut!”

Standing slightly apart from the group, Elmeria let the Breath Core on her waist drop into her hand, then made a swing with precise timing at the two Genpreys jumping at her.

A heavy impact sounded as the broken half of the hammer smashed a Genprey’s side. The monster’s body shook vigorously in the air as an explosion occurred on the opposite side of the hammer’s hit.

“Haah!”

The hammer pierced through the Genprey’s body, ripping it in half. The arc of its swing then met with the other Genprey, pulverizing it in an instant.

“-! Awesome~!”

Stopping her swing, Elmeria exclaimed in delight.

-GYAH!

Zeeg turned around as he heard another Genprey raise its voice.

Freda was fighting it.

She narrowly dodged the lunging jaw of a Genprey before immediately turning around and cut its neck with the blade of her one-handed sword.

The Genprey’s head was cut clean, falling over Freda’s shoulder into the puddle with a splash.

(“Whoa...”)

Zeeg was thoroughly fascinated by Freda’s flawless movement and excellent swordplay.

But while he wasn’t paying attention, a sudden gust blew at him.

“GYAH!”

Zeeg hadn’t noticed that the last monster of the pack was sneaking up on him, with its cry in deathly agony bringing the boy back to his senses. Bubbling blood gushed out of the Genprey’s mouth as its white scaly abdomen was pierced by the Diablo Spear.

“...Do not let your guard down.”

Dealing the blow with silent movements unfitting of his large build, Gannon then spoke up. Zeeg gulped in nervousness, knowing that he would have been bitten in the neck if the large man were to be even slightly slower.

“S-sorry...”

Gannon swiped the Genprey’s body off his lance, then made a step towards the cave.

Zeeg sheathed his great sword and went after the leading man. Elmeria and Freda also followed in line.

Regrettably, there wasn’t enough time for them to carve materials from the Genpreys. What takes priority right now is saving Fradio- or more accurately, the hunter in Gypceros equipment who could have been him.

Although Elmeria did shout out earlier that it was Fradio, she mustn’t have been certain.

That is because, even when seen from a distance, the gunner in the Khezu’s clutch definitely had the Gypceros Cap on.

The four finally arriving at an opening in the rock face, they stopped and stood there. A cold atmosphere oozed out from beyond the blue darkness.

“Freda, you have any advice for us? You’ve fought that thing before, right?”

“Many times.”

Freda answered while checking her Heroic Blade’s sharpness.

“His body doesn’t have any scales, and is instead fully covered in a special mucus. That mucus sticks to bladed weapons to dull their edge, and also serves to disperse impact from blunt weapons.”

“How annoying.”

“Hm. Also, when his body shines in white and blue, get away. It’s the sign of an electric emission attack. If you take it head-on, you might end up the same as those Iopreys earlier.”

“What about breath attacks?”

Zeeg enquired white taking out a whetstone, then nimbly polishing the fangs of his Ravager Blade+, one by one.

“He can spit lightning balls- a sphere-shaped light mass packed with electricity. If it hits, you’d most definitely die on the spot. The movement sign of him performing this attack is a raised-up neck, the same as other wyverns. His line of fire won’t change after he starts doing that, so just run to the side. And then, you’ll also need to pay attention when he clings to the ceiling and drips his saliva. It’s highly acidic, and can melt all the way to your bones.”

“Not just disgusting in looks but also fighting style, huh.”

“You think so? I think he’s lovely- like something out of a fairy tale.”

Elmeria looked at Freda, eyes narrowed.

“...You- don’t tell me... You like Khezu?”

Freda did not give an answer.

However, Zeeg thought that it is very likely the case. She referred to the wyvern as a “he” in the same manner as how Fradio referred to the Gypceros as a “she”, and the girl is also fully equipped with Khezu equipment.

“Seriously? –No, it’s not that I care about what wyverns you like or anything, but you can fight, right? I don’t want you to say something like you feel sorry for it in the case when we need to kill it, you know.”

“...If it’s that, then you should have known the answer after seeing my equipment.”

Elmeria stared at Freda for a moment before letting out a sigh.

“You’re the same as Fradio even in that aspect, huh.”

“The same?”

“You see, Fradio-” Zeeg spoke up, “He likes the Gypceros a whole lot. He even insisted on using equipment made from that wyvern, not changing to better things even when he had plenty of money and materials for them.”

Freda nodded, as if to state her agreement.

“There’s one more thing you need to know when fighting him. Flash Bombs won’t work. It’s because his eyes have regressed greatly. The methods he uses for finding prey are currently unknown. It’s said that he does not do it by listening to sound, but by sensing smell and temperature.”

“But that does not mean it does not have a sense of hearing.”

Gannon spoke up while surveying the darkness ahead.

“I have encountered it once during my youth, and it responded to the sound of the Field Horn used by one of my friends, for it to direct its attention to them so that I could escape.”

As for what happened to that friend of his, one would know just by looking at his facial expression even if he doesn’t say anything.

“If we can get its attention, then it’s all good- Alright, shall we?”

Zeeg and the others nodded.

Stepping out of hiding, the group ran head first into the cave with Gannon as the vanguard.

They surveyed their surroundings without stopping their feet.

Something resembling ivy dangled from the ceiling, and there were white mushrooms growing here and there. The interior’s walls emitted a blue glow. On the wall to their left-hand side, they could see a large opening that leads deeper into the darkness.

(“There!”)

From that hole, a slimy white tail poked out.

Elmeria and the others seemed to have noticed it as well.

As usual, Gannon leads the way. The Khezu still hasn’t noticed the group. It stood there, turning its back to its pursuers. What it is currently doing in the dark may very well be eating, but the hunters forcibly rid themselves of such thoughts.

Zeeg reached for the handle of his great sword, preparing to charge ahead like usual.

Elmeria detached the Breath Core from her waist, still holding it behind her.

Freda held her shield up, while drawing her Heroic Blade with her other hand.

-Finally, a Field Horn has been blown!

Its sound echoed throughout the cave. From the hole in the wall, the Khezu turned its seemingly headless neck around.

(“Geh-!”)

Never before has Zeeg seen a wyvern so repulsive.

Immediately at the end of its neck was something resembling a face with only a pair of lips. It gave an impression of a badly wrinkled frankfurter that had been cut open on its tip.

While the Khezu shook its body and waved its neck, extending it outside the hole.

The neck was frightfully stretchy.

Its skin stretched out as much as it could, showing its gums and rows of sharp teeth at its end. Saliva dripped from the space between its teeth, steaming as they created small punctures in the cave’s rock floor.

(“Where’s Fradio?”)

While the boy was looking around for him, the Khezu spread its small wings and kicked down on the ground, making a jump with the intention of dropping its body on Gannon.

A gunner hunter in Gypceros equipment was held in its foot!

“Nuh-!”

Gannon raised up his Diablos Carapace Shield just in time to defend against the talons of the monster’s other foot. The heels of his Gravios Greaves broke the rock surface as they dug into the ground.

Although in an unstable stance, Gannon grabbed his Diablo Spear and jabbed its pointed end at the Khezu, aiming at the leg that the monster was using to hold its prey.

-''BWOOOOOH!''

Sounding its bizarre roar, the Khezu’s saliva sprinkled all over the as it thrashed around, flinging away its prey. The gunner hunter in Gypceros equipment struck the Ice Crystal wall, scattering a faint glow before falling down to the ground.

Currently however, the group doesn’t have the time to go help the person up.

Zeeg grasped the handle of his sword tightly as he ran towards the Khezu.

Elmeria charged up her strength as she ran off, and Gannon covered his front with his shield, advancing towards the Khezu in order to draw its attention.

The white wyvern readjusted its stance and stretched its neck towards Gannon. However, its aim seemed to be off, as its neck missed the man, extending past him.

“Gannon, behind you!”

Gannon turned around as he heard Elmeria’s panicked exclamation.

The unbelievably long neck curled back and opened its red mouth as it prepared to devour the large man from behind.

(“I won’t make it in time!”)

Zeeg felt a chill run down his spine. However-

“Kuh-!”

The sharp teeth were met with symbols of red and blue wyverns on Freda’s small shield, effectively stopped by her guard.

However, half of the girl’s arm was stuck in the monster’s mouth!

Freda moaned as the wyvern’s teeth wedged into her arm, its saliva steaming as it melted away her vambraces.

“Freda-!”

Zeeg ran ahead in an arc, unsheathing his Ravager Blade+ and swung it down at his target’s wing. Although his sword bounced back in an instant due to the mucus on the monster’s skin, the blade was able to cut its wing membranes, tearing it apart as the Khezu collapsed and hit the wall.

“Eat this!”

Elmeria waved her hammer as she ran in.

She’ll definitely hit its head, was what Zeeg thought.

However, the Khezu instantly shortened its neck, causing the Breath Core’s swing to shred the air as it banged on the crystal wall. A tremor could be felt throughout the whole cave along with a thunderous echo, as the impact left a large round hole on the wall.

Parts of the wall and ceiling then crumbled.

“Tch.”

Elmeria pulled her hammer out of the wall, then raised it for an overhead swing.

It was then that the Khezu stuck its tail on the ground, standing there as its white body started to glow in blue.

“This is bad- Run!”

Freda shouted as she hopped back, Zeeg rolled away to the side, but Elmeria couldn’t respond in time due to her body already fully committing to her strike.

Zeeg looked on with dazzled eyes, maybe because he hit his head while rolling.

“Young mistress!”

While hopping away, Gannon forced his body to change direction back forward, then used the giant horn on his Diablo Mail to grab Elmeria by the sleeve of her doublet, then threw her backwards.

Then sounded a crackle similar to a seed busting open as it fell into fire, as flashes of bluish-white lightning dispersed in a circumference around the Khezu.

Gannon ate that attack in full, his body springing up frantically like a fish out of water. He was then thrown out of the snares of lightning, tumbling into a pool of water.

“Gannon!”

With a shout that may as well be a scream, Elmeria rushed up to the large man, grabbing his arm in an attempt to drag him up.

She could not do so due to his weight, however.

Freda ran up to them and lent a hand. This time the Khezu, with its tail still grounded, stretched its body all the way up to the ceiling. A white radiance could be seen in its abdomen, running up its neck!

“Watch out!”

Zeeg shouted.

Freda turned around, and after discerning that dodging would be futile, readied her shield and sprung out in front of Elmeria and Gannon.

The Khezu then released an electric ball from its mouth, with Freda taking a direct hit!

The whole cave was briefly illuminated in a bluish-white radiance.

Then as the light subsided, Freda, Elmeria, and Gannon were found collapsed on the ground, not moving a muscle.

The Khezu wasn’t there.

“Dammit!”

As Zeeg was rushing to their aid, a hand stopped him.

Turning around, he was met with the pair of eyes looking at him from inside the executioner-like Gypceros cap, worn by the gunner in Gypceros equipment.

Having seen that, the boy was fully convinced that it is indeed Fradio.

“...Please run away.”

The voice was faint, but surely, that was what he said.

There’s no way I’ll do that- was what Zeeg intended to say, but he was thrusted away by Fradio before he could do so.

Zeeg looked on as he fell over on his back.

In the spot he was standing on just a moment ago, the Khezu jumped down! The rock floor cracked as it landed, fragments of Ice Crystals glittering as they scattered.

Finally able to stop his tumbling now that that he fell into a pool of water, Zeeg raised his face up from the water and was met with a sight horrific beyond words.

-Fradio is being eaten alive!

The Khezu is swallowing the man whole, starting from his feet. The state of him slowly being swallowed down the monster’s throat could be seen from above its translucent skin.

“Please, run away! Hurry! Everyone-”

Completely swallowing Fradio down, the Khezu’s swelled up significantly as the man was trapped inside its stomach, locked in a Fetal position.

The white wyvern sprung up and clung to the ceiling, then began its retreat towards a hole in the wall that apparently leads deeper into its nest.

A great sword is unable to reach all the way up to the ceiling.

At any rate, Zeeg understood fully that he’s unable to do anything by himself in the current situation.

Keeping his eyes on the Khezu, Zeeg crept towards Elmeria and the others. In his head, the boy was trying to shake off negative thoughts, such as the possibility of their internal organs having been cooked well-done like those Iopreys from earlier.

“Elmeria! Freda! Gannon!”

Zeeg shook up the bodies of those three.

Although there was a burnt smell, it was not as bad as when they found the Iopreys. The only apparent external effect was only a small amount of burnt hair.

The first one to regain consciousness was Elmeria.

“Elmeria!”

“Zeeg...? What happened-”

“Fradio was eaten by the Khezu! But he’s still alive! He’ll be digested if we don’t hurry and help him out!”

With a face like she had just sprung awake from a dream, Elmeria looked up at the ceiling.

The Khezu was searching for the entrance to its nest. But that hole had caved in due to Elmeria’s previous missed strike. The wyvern pushed its mouth against the collapsed lump of rock again and again.

After making some observation, the girl then turned around to Gannon, seeing that although he is still alive, he still hasn’t recovered from the paralysis effect and was inflicted a few burn injuries. Reaching into her backpack, the girl groaned as she found that all of the medicine bottles inside had shattered.

“...We’re getting out of here.”

“What-”

“While the Khezu is preoccupied with Fradio inside its stomach, we’ll be retreating to the basecamp for some time to find our bearings.”

Zeeg grabbed Elmeria by the collar.

“Are you seriously saying that!? You’re leaving Fradio here just like this!? We won’t make it back in time! If it’s medicine, I have some right here-”

Zeeg reached for his bag, and upon realizing that it was soaked as he opened it, he noticed that two out of four bottles he brought with him had shattered.

“If we fight in this state, we’ll all die-”

Speaking as if she was forcing those words out, tears welled up in Elmeria’s eyes.

“If we were able to help him out but at the cost of you, Gannon, or me dying, then what’s the point!? You think Fradio will be thankful for that!? He’s a hunter! Like all of us! He... he understands...”

Other than tightening his grip of the girl’s collar, Zeeg did not give any response.

The voice of Fradio’s previous statement rang in his ears.

Yes, the man surely told him- to run away.

“Let her do what she wants.”

Who muttered those words white struggling to stand up was none other than Freda.

As a sign that her wounds must have opened up again, blood welled up on the bandage wrapped around her head. Blood also seeped from her arm where she was bitten earlier.

“I will not turn back.”

Elmeria glared at Freda with a look as if the anger in her eyes was bursting into flames.

“...Still keeping up the hero act, huh.”

“Say whatever you want. I’ve decided that I will never turn back. Sure, it’s possible that he had already prepared himself. But if I turn away from him, despair will surely well up inside him as he abandons all hope of salvation. If it’s his fate to die here, then at the very least, I want him to not lose hope until the very end. I want to be the one keeping those feelings ignited in the hearts of people, and for that, I will never turn back.”

Freda started limping towards the Khezu.

Zeeg noticed that the girl’s breath was mixed with a burnt stink. Meaning, although she guarded the electric ball attack with her shield, she didn’t come out of it unscathed.

“Freda!”

Zeeg tossed her one of the potion bottles he has left. She caught it and looked on with a puzzled look on her face, before chugging it all down in one go.

Zeeg then forced the other bottle into Elmeria’s hands.

“Elmeria. I get what you’re saying. As a hunter, what you chose was probably the right decision. But still, I can’t do it. you see, I have a feeling that if I leave Fradio behind, I’ll regret it for the rest of my life. That- that’s what I don’t want.”

As Zeeg stood up, he looked at the girl in her eyes, before turning on his heels as if to break away.

Freda looked up at the Khezu, holding in her hand the empty bottle she just drank from.

And then- It was flung up.

The bottle hit the Khezu’s head and bounced back down, shattering to pieces as it hit the ground. Its pale white neck, seemingly able to stretch and bend freely in any direction, turned to Freda.

“Get over here.”

The Khezu separated its talons from the ceiling. Its white, giant body then dropped down directly above Freda.

The girl dodged with minimum movement, while at the same time swinging her sword. Blood gushed from the base of the monster’s neck as the sharp blade lacerated its wrinkled skin.

The Khezu thrashed around, letting out a wild scream.

Freda promptly raised her shield.

With a groan, the monster tackled! Freda was knocked away by the blow, her back hitting hard on the Ice Crystal wall.

By holding on to the thick crystal protrusions, the girl was somehow able to keep herself from falling to her knees.

-''BWOOOOOH...''

Letting a howl out its throat as if to announce its victory, the Khezu trembled as it changed direction, causing tremors with each step as it approached Freda.

“Hey!”

Zeeg shouted.

The Khezu stopped its feet and turned its neck.

The boy could identify Fradio beyond the translucent skin of the monster’s inflated abdomen.

The man’s eyes under his cap showed signs of doubt, but surely, hope of living through this predicament welled up inside him.

Zeeg pulled on the handle of his Ravager Blade+. Fangs of steel sprung out all in a row, giving off a sinister sheen.

Staining his waist, Zeeg then put all his strength into a sideway sweeping swing.

He just can’t afford to aim for the monster’s abdomen.

The blades wedged into the Khezu’s leg, tearing off flesh.

The wyvern staggered as it let out a shriek so grating that it could destroy one’s eardrums.

''Another strike!''

Zeeg defended himself from the thrashing enemy, while at the same time positioning his great sword for another strike in the leg.

However, the Khezu crouched down so low that it could have crushed Fradio inside it, then spontaneously sprung up.

The great sword missed its mark, and the Khezu flipped itself upside down in midair, wedging the talons of its uninjured leg into the rock ceiling, then hanged itself down directly above Zeeg.

As Zeeg felt something tapping his back, a burning pain ran through his skin, causing the boy to squeal in agony.

“Hop backwards, face up!”

Moving his body in reflex to Freda’s voice, Zeeg fell on his back into the pool of water.

He could hear the sound of something dissolving as the pain in his back was relieved.

(“Acid spit!”)

After gritting his teeth and standing up, Zeeg glared at the ceiling. His hand fumbled around for some rocks. If the enemy doesn’t come down from there, then there’s nothing else he can do.

The situation made Zeeg feel deep gratitude for having had a gunner. And that is all the more reason that he can’t afford to lose Fradio here.

But as he lifted his arm, the skin on his back was ripped open, making him unable to exert any force.

(“Dammit!”)

Zeeg shook off his welling tears. Then-

A dull thud echoed along with an impact that gave an impression of a horned wyvern’s rush, as a giant horn pierced through the Khezu’s wing membranes, staking it to the ceiling.

That is- the Diablo Spear!

Zeeg turned around and saw Gannon, losing consciousness with half of his body still raised up in a throwing pose.

Its bearings distorted, the Khezu let out a shriek.

With its talons separated from the ceiling, the Khezu’s staked wing broke as it could not bear the weight of its whole body, causing it to plummet down on its back along with the lance.

Zeeg broke into a run!

Elmeria rushed forward with hammer in hand! Freda as well!

The Khezu got up and attempted to make its escape, limping away.

Zeeg slipped past the monster’s tail, aiming for its uninjured leg as he made a side sweeping swing.

Razor-edged fangs of steel tore its way through the Khezu’s protective mucus layer, firmly digging into its leg!

Feeling an intense pain running through his back, Zeeg dropped his great sword and collapsed on the spot.

He knew for sure that the skin on his back had already torn off.

Still, Zeeg’s previous attack had a significant effect, as the Khezu was toppled, falling into the pool of water with a splash and landing on its shredded wing.

Freda rushed in with the ferocity of a tempest, thrusting the Heroic Blade into the Khezu’s throat and dragged it along in one go, dissecting the monster from neck to tail.

Paying no mind to the various body fluids that gushing out, the girl reached her arm inside and dragged Fradio out!

In a coughing fit, the man fell to the ground along with a continuous stream of gastric juices. Freda then dragged the man away from the Khezu.

-''GWAAAAAH-''

The Khezu’s spontaneous outcry shook the air like a violent electric shock.

“Shut up already!!”

Pinning down its writhing neck, Elmeria brought down the Breath Core on it with all her might.

A mysterious force rippled the monster’s soft and flabby skin, all the way from head to tail.

And with that- the Khezu ceased all movement.

“Kuh...”

Zeeg bore with the pain as he got himself back up, eventually managing to sit up cross-legged. He then took off his Ioprey Helm and took in a deep breath. Honestly, that was a close call. If the monster were able to dodge the boy’s last attack, then things might have turned out differently.

As Zeeg slowly stabilized his respiration, he could see Elmeria approaching.

Zeeg felt nervous.

Although he didn’t think what he chose to do was wrong, he did go against the girl’s decision.

Elmeria knelt on one knee, showing an expression of displeasure as she examined the boy’s back.

“...That’s going to leave a mark.”

“Eh, I’ll be fine.”

“Well, scars like there are like award medals for hunters, after all.”

“What about Gannon?”

“He’s fine.”

Elmeria took the bag from her waist and squeezed it on top of the boy’s wound. Drops of potion that soaked the bag seeped into the wound, easing the boy’s pain slightly.

“...Now, I don’t think my decision was incorrect.”

While returning the bag to her waist, Elmeria muttered.

“That was a gamble with lives on the line. It’s good and all that we won, but it’s definitely not what a hunter should do.”

“-That’s right.”

Turning to the source of that voice, they could see Fradio stepping towards them, with Freda supporting him. Parts of his Gypceros equipment had been melted out of shape.

“Fradio!”

Zeeg picked up his Ravager Blade+ and used it as an improvised walking stick, leaning on it as he stood up.

With someone who was just being digested by the Khezu up until a moment ago still standing up, the boy couldn’t afford to sit around.

Although his back still hurts, he could keep standing up with Elmeria’s support.

Frado gave Zeeg and the others with a reproaching look.

“Whatever would I do if any of you guys ended up dead from that kind of behavior? –Well, I am thankful, of course.”

“You alright there?”

“Yes. Well, I did break a few ribs, and my skin was cut and got festered. But that was noting. My wounds were infected so I figured that I needed antidotes for first-aid treatment, but when I went out to gather materials, I was surrounded by Iopreys and attacked by the Khezu-”

“What about burns? Those Iopreys got their insides burnt to a crisp, you know.”

“Ah, I’m fine in that regard. Gypceros’s Rubbery Hides are highly resistant to electricity. Well, that did save me, but I never thought that I’d end up getting to experience being eaten alive. I’m glad that its gastric juices haven’t fully started working yet.”

Zeeg felt relieved. If the man is able to run his mouth like that, then he definitely is alright.

“I’ll be fine by myself now. Thank you, little miss...”

Fradio expressed his thanks to Freda as he moved his body away. He had been in a restless state since earlier, and it seemed that he could not endure it anymore. Maybe it was because of Freda’s Khezu equipment.

“Freda Esgrand.”

As Elmeria called her by full name, Freda looked at her caller. Most of the bandage on her head had already turned deep red. Although she looks a lot better now compared to earlier, blood is still dripping from her left hand where she had been bitten.

“You have my thanks. As a result of your actions, Fradio was saved.”

“......”

“But- From now on, you should never party up with anybody else again.”

“Elmeria!”

Zeeg was astonished. He questioned those words said by the girl.

However, Elmeria paid the boy no heed as she continued.

“Surely, your sword inspires hope in people. It makes them forget thoughts of giving up. It makes them muster up their courage. I think it’s a good influence on those ordinary people you defend. Surely, when they see you standing up against monsters, strength would return to their exhausted legs, and they would rush to your aid so that everyone would return together alive.”

“I’ve always thought that it is what I wanted.”

“I knew you’d say that. But hunters are different from ordinary people. Take too much medicine, and it’ll become poison. When they see you, even in situations they know full well that they have to quit, they’d surely stand tall to the end together with you. –Still, even if you know all this, you still won’t stop going down that path, right?”

“Yeah.”

“And that’s why I said what I said. Your ideals are praiseworthy and all, but it will get your comrades killed. You can’t possibly keep winning forever in this gamble.”

“I knew you’d say that.”

Freda wiped off the drop of blood that ran down from her bandage.

“I think that’s that the Kokoto Village Chief tried to teach me when he sent me to Minegarde along with Zeeg. And what was written in his letter to the Guild Master must have been for me to party up with someone and successfully complete a request.”

“And for just that, we had to go through a near-death experience... That won’t do at all.”

Although Elmeria said that, her voice sounded gentle.

“Well, since that damn Guild Master forked up 10,000 Zenny just like that, I already knew that there’s some hidden agenda.”

Freda smiled.

“Thanks for the warning. As you advised, this will be the last time I join a party.”

“That’s for the good of everyone involved.”

“Right.”

Freda moved away from Fradio and knelt down in front of the Khezu’s corpse, then took out a carving knife distributed to every hunter and stripped off a sheet of Flabby Hide.

It was the very moment that reminded everyone that she’s certainly a hunter.

“...Alright, I’ll be going.”

The girl said as she stood up.

“Eh!?”

That surprised Zeeg.

“You’re going already-”

“Isn’t it bad luck for five hunters to be out together?”

Zeeg was at a loss of words.

Although it is just a superstitious belief, but it was during a 5-member hunt when the Hero of Kokoto lost his fiancée. Hunters avoid being in groups of five as a result, no matter the situation.

“That’s why I’m going on ahead, back to basecamp.”

“B-but, your wounds-”

“I’ll manage. You guys are too injured to have someone break off from the group to help me as well, right? Two of you guys need to be supported in order to move, after all.”

That was the truth. At the very least, Gannon needs to be supported up by Zeeg, and Fradio needs Elmeria.

“Don’t worry. I’ve always been in this by myself.”

As Freda came closer and looked at Zeeg with her unobscured eye, the boy’s heart throbbed.

Freda the Frowner- The face of that girl certainly remains unchanged.

“Still, I glad that for the very first and very last hunt together, I was able to spend it with you.”

The girl’s face moved closer, and their lips made contact.

Zeeg felt pain running through his arms, so great that they could have been torn apart, but he paid it no mind.

It was just an instant.

Their connected lips then silently separated, in the same manner as when they came into contact.

“...Goodbye, Zeeg.”

Freda walked past the boy and exited the cave, leaving him behind the image of a faint smile. She never turned her face around. Only the rear view of her white Khezu armor remained.

Zeeg licked his lips.

His first kiss, shared with Freda, had the faint taste of blood.

“Gwuoh-!”

A thump sounded as stars scattered right before the boy’s eyes.

He knew that a solid fist had been brought down on the top of his head, but he needed a little more time until he fully realized it.

Elmeria snorted arrogantly while waving her fist.

“What was that for-!”

“It’s because you were spacing out! Get your act together! It’ll be annoying if we don’t get back to the basecamp before it gets dark, you know!”

“What’s up with her? Jeez...”

While grumbling to himself, Zeeg fastened his Ioprey Helm to his waist, picked up the Diablo Spear, and went to Gannon to lend him a shoulder.

“...Sorry.”

Gannon expressed his gratitude to Zeeg in a straightforward manner as he stood up, but somehow a puzzled expression was painted on his face.

Elmeria lent Fradio her shoulder and walked up to the other two, then gave the boy another glare.

(“I just don’t get it.”)

However, Zeeg did not inquire anyone for the reason. He just doesn’t want to spark any arguments right now.

As all four members made their exit from the cave, night had already started its fall, apparent from the encroaching darkness.

Keeping wary of any Ioprey or Genprey encounters, Zeeg and the others walked off, their destination being the basecamp.

“Good grief... I truly want to wash my body right now, more than anything.”

Slowly walking on, Fradio spoke up with a sigh.

“How was it? The experience of being eaten alive by the loathsome Khezu.”

In response to Elmeria’s sarcastic question,

“...Surely, it was the worst ever experience in my life.”

Fradio gave that answer.

The answer felt so genuine and relatable that Elmeria couldn’t help but break into laughter. It’s as if she had completely forgotten the motives behind hitting Zeeg’s head earlier.

And that’s why Zeeg also joined in the laughing, forgetting that he had just been hit. He thought of it as making an oath to not ask her why the girl did what she did.

Roars of thunder could be heard in the distance, as the night approached together with the deepening fog.

Zeeg and the others made it safely back to the basecamp, but Freda was nowhere to be found.

They instead met another hunting party that had arranged to use the basecamp, the explanation being that the girl had already left after borrowing a boat.

-However, nobody was surprised.

They had a feeling that it would turn out like this. That is beause the girl had already said her goodbye.

Even so, Elmeria had a bitter expression painted on her face. She was probably thinking about how the words she spoke earlier could have been what drove Freda away.

Elmeria, staring at the darkened river, was given a pat on her shoulder from Zeeg.

“...We’ll meet her again, somewhere out there.”

“Not like I care or anything.”

Turning away from the river, Elmeria looked at Zeeg before suddenly wiping the boy’s lips with her thumb.

“Wha-! What was that for-!”

“-It’s all bloody.”

With an expression showing that she was angry for some reason, Elmeria wiped her thumb on her thigh before nudging Zeeg’s arm.

“Hey, aren’t you also injured? Go get some medicine and I’ll apply them for you.”

He totally forgot.

And as he recalled, he felt as if his back were being torn off.

“Right... I’ll leave it to you.”

With that, Elmeria went back to her usual expression that’s written with sarcastic remarks like “It can’t be helped”, before lightly grabbing Zeeg’s arm and walking onwards.

Members of two parties surrounded the bonfire, already starting to drink. The boy and the girl walked on, welcomed by the warm radiance of fire and the merry laughter among comrades.

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