Author's note

I am still an amateur writer. This is my first story ever, which means that my writing style is not yet that impressive. But I promise to improve my writing in the future. I greatly appreciate your criticisms and comments on my story so that it may guide me on my future stories.

EDIT:

I decided to revise parts of the first chapter. The same thing happens with only some minor changes in dialogue and some added monologues of Mark.

_

It's been two weeks now since I fell from the top of a mountain. I was on my way to Pokke village when that stupid red Tigrix suddenly arrived and tried to kill me.

I never expected the fear of facing a monster. When I first saw it, I stood frozen stiff. And when it striked its claws at me, I stupidly raisedy my shield instead of dodging to the side. Obviously, the shield couldn't handle the strike and I was knocked off the summit. He was lucky that I wasn't a G-Rank. If I was, I would be wearing his skin by now.

I have to thank the village hunter for saving my ass. And as soon as I recovered, I became the new village hunter. So it's my job to go hunting for some wild beasts for the village. I'm currently a low rank though. The strongest I've killed so far is just a Yian Kut-ku. But the time will definitely come when I'll be good enough to capture an elder dragon, the most legendary monster of all.

I wake up early as usual. The first thing I see as I open my eyes are the bulging eyes of a small bird standing on top of my nose.

"Oh, hello there," I stare straight at it while giving a polite smile.

In reality, I want that thing to get the hell out of my face. I could just turn over or use my hand but my sore head and dry mouth caused from last night's drinking session at the Guild hall is draining me of all my strength. Instead, I choose a different approach.

"My head hurts so bad right now. It would be much appreciated if you get the hell out of my face, " the bird ignores me, "Please?"

Then the bird suddenly drops his white shit at me. A quick shot of adrenaline enter inside me as I jump out of my bed. The bird quickly flew off and left through the large window beside my bed.

"You little piece of-" I quickly rub off the white paste off my face.

If only I had my longsword right now. I could' ve bashed its head off.

Then suddenly, the main door to my house opens behind me.

"What the hell happened to you Mark?"

I look behind and see a man wearing the traditional Mafumofo clothing, perfect for winter. I quickly recognize him as the one who saved me.

"What do you think?" I finish wiping off the remaining bird shit on my mouth.

"Wait, did a bird just-"

"Yes."

He breaks into laughter; bending over and constantly slapping his thigh. I stand in front of him, waiting for his hysterical laugh to end.

"Yeah yeah," I stare straight at him, "Laugh at me."

"Hahaha," he wipes a tear, "I can't believe you just got- Haha, I'm sorry."

He stands straight again, "Okay, the elder is looking for you Mark."

"Because?"

"Don't know," he shrugs, "But she said it's urgent."

"Okay, I'll be there. Just give me a moment."

"No problem," he leaves the house.

I didn't waste my time. I quickly fix my bed then check all my stuff to see if they're in order. My head is still sore but I have to see the village elder. So I suck it all up and leave the house.

The cool mountain breeze freshens my face outside. I look around and appreciate the rural beauty of the village. Only a few houses here and there, a shop on the other side, a guild hall farther to the left and a training hall beside it.

Litters of snow are clustered here and there. Some are stuck on the roofs. Just beyond the village lies the huge snowy mountain where I met that tigrix.

"Wait till I find you again," I clench my fist.

After giving a long sigh, I walk straight at a huge blue rock beside the guild hall. The rock is covered in snow. Thus, only a few part of it could be seen. The lower part of the rock is decorated with traditional totems. Ropes are wrapped around it. In front of the rock sat a small humanoid cat, a felyne, on a tree stub. Beside her is a small old woman standing by a bonfire. She is wearing a tribal outfit and is using a cane for support.

As soon as I arrive the felyne calls for me, "Nya! Granny here was looking for you Mark."

"Yeah, I know."

The village elder turn towards me and smiles, "Ahh Mark. There you are!"

"Elder," I bow in respect, "What is it?"

"I have an urgent quest for you. I'm sure it's suitable for your level."

"What's the quest?"

"Simple, you must find and hunt the Deadly Nadder!"

"The what?"

"Oh right, I forgot. A Deadly Nadder is a newly discovered flying wyvern. One has been spotted skulking near our village. It's fast but you should be able to take it down."

"What does it look like?"

"It looks pretty much like a dragon. It usually has blue scales and on its head are spines that rise when it senses danger. That's all I know."

"Okay, thank you elder. I'll head out as soon as I'm ready."

"Sure, take your time."

Most of the flying wyvern category are fast and agile. So I'm gonna need to be fast as well. I should hire the felyne, Katria. She's a fast melee user. The Deadly Nadder will probably be in the air most of the time. I'm gonna have to bring lots of flash bombs. Okay, it's settled.

I go inside the felyne kitchen. Kitchen utensils and various ingredients are piled on the left. To my right is a blue billboard. Beside it are my felyne companions, Fay and Kartia; doing push ups and sit ups. On the middle is a small wooden table where a platter of delicious meals are placed. Beside the table is Ryu, the felyne chef.

"Good morning Gastronome! I made the purrfect breakfast for you today," he gestures me to sit on the table, "Hurry, nya!"

For the first time on this day, I smile, "Thank you Ryu."

I take a sit and before me is a vast array of luxurious dishes. A Popo meat cooked perfectly here, a BQQ seasoned with spices there. Its smell alone is making me salivate. As soon as I take my first bite, I quickly forget that I had a hangover, that I had a sore head, that a bird shat on my face. I forgot that I had a bad morning.

The meal was over in a moment. I pat my full stomach in delight. The taste was perfect. It was refreshing.

"So, how was it?" Ryu leaned forward in anticipation.

"Do I still have to tell you?" I look at him "I think my face says it all."

"Nya?"

I shake my head, smiling. Then I give a long sigh, "It was the best breakfast I ever had Ryu. Thank you."

"Really?" he jumps again and again in joy, "I'm so happy you liked it master, meow meow meow!"

"Well, I better get going now," I pat Ryu in the head and he seems to enjoy it.

"Hey Katria!" I call out to the white felyne exercising near the blue billboard.

"Nya?"

"We're going monster hunting."

"Nya!" she stands up and salutes me, "Just give me a sec. I'll grab my gear."

"I'll meet you downstairs."

Ryu and Fay, my other felyne companion, shouts at me in unison, "Good luck out there master!"

"I'm not gonna die yet," I grin, "I still have to find that tigrix."

I go downstairs and proceed to change into my hunting gear. An armor set crafted from the corpse of a giaprey, a monster that looks like a raptor and is usually found at the snowy mountains. It's a perfect armor for low ranks. I then pick up my Bone Katana "Wolf", a sharp single edged longsword, then I sheathe it on its blue scabbard and place it on my back.

I check my item box and grab all the necessary items I need for the hunt. Potions, whetstones, rations, trap tools and most importantly, flash bombs.

After I was done, Katria arrived downstairs. She holds a bone pick as a weapon. Her armor is a simple plate and a cute helmet both made of acorn.

"Ready when you are, nya," she holds her weapon at the ready.

"Nice," I nod at her before facing towards the door.

"Let's go!"