Monster Hunter:Volume3 Chapter1

Chapter 1 - Irritation

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.

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