Alex's pov:
As I got up I took a quick shower, then grabbed my equippemnt and thought if there would be anything else I would need going to the jungle. The vespoids usually like to hang out at the top of the giant trees of the jungle, so that means I would have to climb most probably, I could use my swords for that. Then there is the probability of failing, I have good reflexes and in the jungle there are plenty of veins to grab onto to avoid a fall.
Then again Jenny would be coming, hmmmm. " Aha" I said out loud as I thought of the perfect thing to bring just as emergency back up. A neat little invention I have been working on. I probably won't need it but it never hurts to be prepared.
I went to my desk grabbed the device put it in the back of my outfit around the waist. Quick access in case of emergency. I then patted myself to see if I had everything. Swords? check. Potions and farcasters? Double check. The six Containers? che... wait where am I supposed to put those? they won't fit in my outfit pockets.
I then remembered an old gift I never used. It was a long bag that you could strap across the chest for extra space when traveling. I never used it since my outfit was already filled with pockets and I thought it looked ridiculous but in this scenario is going to be useful. I snatched it from my closet strapped it on and was surprised to find that it fit me perfectly it was also comfortable and weightless."Thanks mom" I said out loud.
I quickly put the six containers. I was slightly aware of the fact that the bag didn't seem to get heavier but I ignored it as I quietly made my way downstairs out the door and to Jenny's house.
As I got there I gave a tentative knock not knowing if I would be disturbing the family or not. The door open to show 4 little kids with a mix of excitement and guilt in there eyes.
" Jen's boyfriend is okay!" They exclaimed throwing themselves at me. This time I was prepared so I caught them and lifted them with ease putting 2 in each shoulder.
"Of course I'm ok, why wouldn't I be?" I asked in a happy and cheery tone. Ignoring the boyfriend comment.
"We thought we killed you when we smashed you last time" They said with concern "we're sorry "
I put them down and crouched down to their level. I was touched by their concern.I didn't know they were worried.I felt my own guilt rise for letting them see me bleed.
"Look, I should be the one apologizing. I shouldn't have worried you guys. What happened to me was not your fault I was just being careless when I went on an adventure on the mountain. But your sister is an awesome healer so now I'm as good as new. Don't worry about me so much I am tougher than I look" I said making a moke stance of me flexing my arms.
They immediately relaxed and started laughing. I was laughing myself glad to see them happy but immediately stop as I heard giggles on the back. As I looked up I saw Jenny and her mom. Great.
"Umm how much... " I asked with a red face
"Enough dear,enough"
"So uh Jenny ready to go? "I asked desperately trying to change the subject.
She managed to contain her giggles enough to answer."Yeah, let's go"
As she walked passed me I took a good look at her. She was wearing a bandana to get her long hair out of her face. She had long pants and boots prefect for the jungle and a backpack. I wasn't a big fan of backpacks. They made your center of gravity higher and made it harder to keep balance. But maybe as a medic she needed more supplies in case someone got hurt. And with me leading there expedition it was almost certain that we would need those supplies.
"Coming?" she asks. That's when I realize I was staring at her. "Uh yeah" I replied stupidly. As I made my way through kids yelling "A date, a date they are going on a date"
"It's not a date!" We replied at the same time.
"Now that's enough kids go to the back yard and play and let the couple be one their way" Jenny's mom said to her kids.
As we were walking outside I heard her mom call me " Oh Alex dear could you come here a second"
I looked at Jenny and she just shrugged. "Be back in a sec."
"What's up Mrs- um Cristine I corrected myself as she seemed pleased.
"Look I think you are a very responsible young and I have no doubt you know how to take care of yourself. But you are in charge of my girl too, she is your responsibility and it is your joy to get her back home in piece ok? This is her first trip to the outside. I really don't want it to be her last. Just look out for her ok?"
"You have my word I will protect her with my life if necessary " I said with absolute sincerity." Jenny is like a sister to me, we grew up together. I won't let her get hurt"
"I as glad to hear, and just in case you ever see her as something else besides a sister, know that you have my approval" She said winking at me.
"Um thanks... gotta go now, bye!"
"So?" Jenny asked next to me as we ran to the transportation station.
"What?" I asked looking at her.
"What did my mom say?"
"Oh nothing just wanted to make sure I got you back in one piece this being your first trip and all." That was most of it anyway.
"They think I am a baby, I'm older than you for goodness sake" She exclaimed.
I chuckled "Hey they are your parents, they are supposed to worry"
"Your parents don't worry, they let you do what you want" she countered.
"Yeah, well they're different,they believe in independence, letting me make my own decisions and deal with the retrospect that's one of the reasons I go to your house so often. Dangerous and painful consequences. You being a medic shouldn't take unnecessary risks"
" You know, you are really annoying when you make sense" She grumbled.
"It's part of my charm"
"What charm?"She asked teasingly.
"Hey!" I protested.
"Look we are here!" She said with excitement completely ignoring me.
I had to admit the transportation building was pretty cool. This building used to be the same as the guild where you get your quests. But was transportation became a bigger deal. With some areas becoming touristic attractions thanks to hunters driving some monsters way it had become it's own thing.
I Honestly didn't mind the tourist areas as long as they are done thoughtfully and being careful not to threaten any one species. My problem came with the tourist, most were inconsiderate arrogant pigs that would destroy the tourist attractions. I have joined some protest to block some areas that were terribly hurt by tourist and it worked but the problem was still there.
Anyway we made our eway through the crowds and made our way to the hunter section that was pretty much deserted since it was Sunday morning. I made my way to the receptionist. " Good morning, two passes for the jungle alpha section north east region around 300 km from center point"
"Purpose?" She asked without much emotion.
"Material gathering" I said simply
"Monster license please"
I handed my dad's license. Her eyes widened. "Ohhhhh you are son! Sorry sir didn't recognize you! You see I am new here and I am working part job here and-" she looked scared of me as she rambled.
"Please don't call me sir. Alexander. Alex for short, and no need to praise me I am just a regular hunter"I said relaxed.
She seemed to relax and gave me a smile. She was pretty when she wasn't terrified and actually smiled. "Yes, si- Alexander"
"I didn't catch your name" I said casually
"Um, it's Emily " She said and her cheeks seemed to get redder.
"Nice to meet you Emily. Well we should go"
"Right! Here are your transportation cards since you won't land on a base the parachutes are at the entrance"
"Thank you, I will see you later. Bye!"
Jenny and I left Emily behind, she said something but it was a whisper so I couldn't quite catch it.
As we walked Jenny kept giving me a weird look. "What? " I finally asked
"Oh nothing, you just seemed rather nice to that girl and you have never been the flirting type" She said wiggling her eyebrows.
"Please I was just trying to stop her from getting a heart attack. I hate when people fear me because of my dad."
She laughed at this "She did look pretty scared, it was probably your big muscles that show hot tough you are" she said" Imitating the way I acted with her siblings.
"Oh shut up" I said hitting her lightly in the arm."Come on let's start this mission already!" (A/N That's what I've been thinking the last 700 words. I thing I dwell on details too much lol)
We grabbed our parachutes and steeped in one of the many capsules of the teleportation room. Jenny look nervous. I grabbed her hand. "Ready?" She just nodded.
"Teleportation ON!" I yelled and light surrounded us when it was gone we were failling from the sky sever thousands meters in the air
LINE BREAK MOVE IT PEOPLE COMING THROUGH.
As we fell Jenny was screaming as much as her lungs would allow with a combination of joy and fear. "Look around!" I yelled through the air currents.
She took a look at the beautiful see of trees that surrounded us. This world was really huge. It would be impossible to get places without teleportation. However our enjoyment would be cut short.
In the the distance a scream was heard I turn around to see what it was and my heart stops. It was a group of renoblas, they were black lean flying reptilians that were pretty small in comparison to other creatures but still as big as an adult human being. I knew they lived in the jungle sometimes, but they usually were scavengers. Taking others pray, why were they attacking us? They must have been desperate.
I focused, I needed to think straight to get out of this in one piece. "Jenny hold on to me tight ok?" She obey immediately and hugged me from behind, holding me really tight as if her life depended on it. Which I guessed it kinda did.
As they got closer I pushed my senses to their limit. Which failing from the sky rapidly wasn't easy. Just before one had the chance to bite me I grabbed it by the neck and swong myself to its back with jenny on my back. I kept hold to the neck and the message was clear. "Get us down or we all fall".
The creature was surprisingly cooperative and the ride was amazing. Riding this renobla I felt a little bit of jealousy rise in me as I finally understood the feeling of freedom that came with flying. However the ride couldn't last much longer as the renobla was getting tired. I was surprised it was able to carry us this long without dropping to the ground. I directed towards the trees that were giants in there own right.
As we landed on the top of a tree I told Jenny to get of the back as I still held to the creature's neck as she got off she went a few meters away. This was the most difficult part, if it wanted to kill me it could do it the second I let go. I take a breath, with almost inhuman agility I jumped on the air and grabbed my swords as I landed a bit away from the creature ready for battle. But there was no need.
The minute it led go, the renobla flew away. "Maybe they weren't attacking us but rather running away and we were in the wrong place at the wrong time" I pondered as I turn to see Jenny looking shocked.
"You ok? I know that as your first encounter with monsters it must have been terr-"
"How did you... grabbed and then we flew and... we landed and.. you... jumped and.. swords... and..."
I laughed at her as she is unable to make sentences. "I guessed that the first time you've seen me in action huh? But that was nothing,my dad or a more experience hunter would have been able to jump around them or killed them in midair and still have time to open there parachute. I didn't know what to do so I improvised"
She recovered from her shock and laughed "You are too modest you know?That was amazing!" She exclaimed.
"Thanks " I replied feeling my cheeks getting hot.
"Let's get down now hop on" I said pointing at my back
She looked skeptical for a second. "Why do you need to carry me?I can climb you know."
"Yeah, I know but this will be faster since I have swords and you don't, plus it's safer. Jus trust me ok?"
She sighed "fine" and with that she got on my back.
"Alright according to the map there should be varios vespoid nest around the area, hmm I think north would be the best option. Hold tight and don't get scared ok?"
"Why would-ahhh" was all she said before I jump down.
See normally the way you get around here is by either walking into the bottom or swinging across the top. However last time my dad brought me here I developed a new way of moving around. Since the branches are covered with moss they don't create friction so slipping isla easy. On that idea it is possible to slide yourself from own tree to the next. So tree surfing was born.
"Woo-hoo!" this was definitely the best way to travel. With in minutes we crossed a pretty big chunck of the where was that.
"Vespoid!" I Jenny screamed right ay my ear.
Ignoring the pain in my ear I looked around and there it was a vespoid in all it's disgusting form. They might be useful but I freaking hate those things. They are just a little smaller than renoblas. have to pair of wings and a hard carapace, with a stinger at the bottom that can paralyze you if you get hit too many times.
"Well time to get to work,stay here for a second ok?" I dropped Jenny in a pretty well covered tree not to far from the vespoid. As I dropped her I ran through the trees getting closer to the vespoid. It might be able to fly but in this thick forest that ability becomes almost irrelevant. With one sword at hand I brought a container with the other. Vespoids are also rather aggressive which in my opinion just proves their stupidity.
All I had to do was get close enough, and then just lay still and wait for the thing to strike. The creature slowly got closer surrounding me, until it thought it was close enough then it speed up and aimed the stinger at my shoulder. I quickly parried with my sword then quickly turned my self hitting the creature with the container absorbing it's essence. The container filled it self almost instantly so I quickly retracted.
The vespoid seemed fine, maybe a little annoyed but I could probably fill a couple more containers. However the thing ran eye, as I pursued it I thought maybe I could stab one of its wings to absorb the rest. Might seem cruel but these things are everywhere and are considered a plague in some areas, getting the wing of one wasn't that big of a deal. I would even cure it after I was done. However as I through my sword at it I realized two things. I was in trouble and I was an idiot.
I soon as these thoughts hit my head the vespoid dodged the if vespoids could smirk... The sword landed just below an odd looking structure, a nest. I had to be quick, I ran and slid as fast as I could towards the sword. I didn't like to loose a weapon. As soon as I reached it I turn around and find my self surrounded by 8 vespoids. The sword disturbed their nest so there were surely more to come.
I made a battle stance and jumped. I landed on the face of one vespoid while paring the stingers of another 2. I jumped again and it was pretty much air combat as I used the vespoids own bodies as stepping stones as I dodged parking and slice through some of them. I was a deadly jumping bailarina. But I wouldn't last forever, their numbers were only increasing and my energy decreasing. Then a thought came that sent a shiver down my spine. Jenny. CRAP! While chasing the vespoid I forgot about her.
With fear creeping at my heart I immediately retreated from combat and ran the direction I came with about a hundred vespoids on my trail and more one the way. "JENNY! " I yelled with concern clear on my voice no response. My fear grew. "JENNIFER!, JENNIFER WHERE ARE YOU?!" did a monster get to her? did she fall?
As I reached the spot sheet was at fear and guilt overcame me, she wasn't there, no trail left behind. Maybe once of the vespoids came her first stang her and brought her to the nest. If that was the case I would go back and killing every single-
"BOO" was heard behind me.
My reflexes took over as I quickly turned aournd and almost sliced through my attacker before I realized it looked familiar.
"Jennifer!?" I asked while my swords were centimeters from her throat
"woah there yes and could you not kill me with-"
she was interrupted as I gave her a big bear hug as if trying to make sure she was alive. "I thought you might have died, I'm sorry for abandoning you. I am so glad you're fine"
"I might... not... be if you squeeze... me any tighter.. air!"
"Oups sorry, but don't scare me like that!"
"Well serves you right for abandoning me and you almost killed... what's that brown cloud?"
I turned around and my only thought was Uh-oh. "VESPOIDS, hurry grab on we need to get out of here quick!"
"Why?what are they after?" She asked as I put her on my back.
"Me!" And so I plunged down and took tree surfing to a whole other level, using my swords to stab trees making sharp turns and flips worthy of a Blangonga. But no matter what I tried,the vespoids were still on our trail. some manage to catch up to us but I disposed of them quickly.
"They're gaining on us! Isn't there a place around here were they done go? Underwater maybe?"
"That won't work, they are resentful,while some might leave we would still have an army waiting for... wait water... army. THATS IT! Jenny you are a genius! "
"I am?"
"Hold on" as we were getting close to the ground I plunged both swords in a branch and propeled myself up. Some vespoids smached them selfs in the ground but only a small fraction. However that was not the idea as I kept going straight they were rapidly gaining on us as they didn't have to do turns.
"umm when is this plan of yours going to work?" Jenny asked with worry on her voice.
"Just a little more. the river!"
"But you said-"
"Trust me, this might work, if not take this and smash it on the ground ok?" I said giving her a farcaster.
As we kept running I stopped at the bank of the river, and waited.."Shouldn't we go in the river" and waited.
Then the army of vespoids came through the trees. I took out my swords making them think this was my last stand. Which it could be. They gout closer and closer but just before they reached us. ZAP! and some vespoids dissappeared.
The rest of the group seemed confused but before they could react a second attack came. I smiled as all around the river an army frogs( A/NYes I am making a monster up to represent a frog, I am terrible at making names so if you have a suggestion please tell me and I'll change it fir upcoming chapters). Frogs were about 1m80cm( 6ft) tall. They were usually in the water but could live on land as well and they loved vespoids.
We stood in silence at the show being displayed in front of use of vespoids vs. frogs but it was no contest. While the vespoids had numbers the frogs agility and big appetite more than compensated. I stepped in at one point to get the rest of the essences. In no time the vespoids realized they were going to loose the battle so they ran back to their nest leaving a group of full frogs.
"That was fun!" and look we even got the essences! I say that's mission accomplished!" I said happily before my legs gave up on my and I collapse to the ground.
"Alex are you alright? you were stung! Don't worry I have some medicine."
"That's weird, I don't remember getting hit, it was probably when they surrounded me, but one sting shouldn't be enough to immobilize me."
Jenny gave a sigh. "Are you really that oblivious? This happened because you exhausted yourself! You have being carrying me and sliding through trees for who knows how long, your body is exhausted." She explained as she gave me something to eat.
"ohhhhh that would explain it."
"idiot... by the way... shouldn't we worry about the frogs?"
"Nah, they are harmless to humans as long as you don't attacked them they will just ignore you "
Just as I said that a frog bigger than usual crushed me and rubbed it's slimy head against mine, covering me in slime. But this felt familiar
"Rex?" As I said that the frog jumped backwards. "Rex!boy have you grown big!"
"What's this? is it like your pet? Jenny asked a little bit surprised and scared.
"hehe you could say that. My dad brought me here before. When he brought me to this river we found Rex here all little and injured. So we cured him and fed him. We had to go after that but I promise him I would be back some day and well here we are.
"A human befriending a monster..." She said in awe.
"Don't be all surprised, it had been done before, many stories of people and monsters working together are known although most just treat them as myths. Anyway we should get got what we needed and I don't think I can take another attack from any monster."
As I said that all the frogs retreated to the river going rather deep.
"Oh-oh, not good,.Quick do you still have the farcaster?" I said trying to keep my voice even but the panic was clear.
"Y-Yes, I have it"" then smash it! Quickly"
She took the crystal out and was about to smash it but before she could I saw something out of the corner of my eye aiming at her. Without think I threw my self at her and got her out of the way as something landed just where she'd been a second before. I turn to see a very familiar figure. Two strong back legs, long tail, a brilliant crest deadly sharp claws and cry that signaled more to come.
We were in front of a Velocidrome.
Line break (A/N) I sooo wanted to end it here but it would be too yourselfs lucky.
"What is that?" Jenny asked from behind me.
"Velocidrome, fast sharp and very dangerous and..." 10 Velociprey show up "it has company"
"Have you ever fought one?"
"well I fought it's weaker relative, you know the giadrome? That's what got me the scratch across my chest. This one may not have any magical tricks but from what have heard they compensate with-"
Before I could finish we were rushed so fast I barely had time to reach moving to the left as something dashed in front of us. Next thing I knew I had a big cut on my left arm and the drome was standing across us on the opposite side he was 2 seconds before.
"speed..." This was not going to be easy, I could barely follow the thing's it wanted to it could just ware me down with small cuts until I bled to I felt a pressure on my arm. I turn my head and saw that Jenny was petrified. That strengthen my resolve, I would get her out of here, with or without me. I then felt a a surge of strength flow through me, one that I have felt 3 times before. But this time it was stronger more calm and controlled.
The Velociprey and drome seemed to back away as the red cloak engulfed me. Bit quickly recovered and attacked as a group but this time was different. There movements were slower I could actually follow them and my own movement sped up. As we were about to get ambush by 3 prey I grabbed A sword on my right hand and Jenny on the left. As the prey fell aiming to attack us they ended up eating dirt as we stood ten meters from where they landed. They tried to recover but all three kept falling to the ground as I was able to cut pretty deep on each of their legs.
The rest of the prey backed up as they understood they were no match. But they didn't leave they surrounded us in a circle as the drome entered the was a one on one death match.
"Jenny grab on to my back and don't let go." Seems like I tell her that a lot lately. As she positioned herself I put both my swords in a defensive position and waited. The drome walked slowly, trying to get me anxious and attack but I kept my cool. After a few seconds the drome fell for its own trap as it got tired of waiting and attack recklessly.
It seemed faster than last time based on the cracks on the ground but I was on a different level at the moment. I could clearly see his muscles contract where he was going to land, how to counter. So with a jump equal or superior in speed to his I dodged to the left. I tried to immediately jumped back to the right and counter but my legs wouldn't cooperate, so I instead I started spinning and managed to get a slash on the creatures back. To which he quickly jumped back and roared in pain.
"Wow that was incredible you can win this" Said Jenny from my back hopeful. I gave her a smile. But I knew I was in a great disadvantage. I might just as fast but he is used to the speed I can barely control it. Also there is the time factor. While he probably could do this all day I had five minutes I was going to survive this it won't be through brute force.
As I looked around a plan started to form in my head. "Hey jenny when I tell you to close your eyes" I whispered. " We are getting out of here, 30 seconds after my signal , throw the farcaster ok?No matter what"
She simply nodded and I set my plan into motion.I put both swords on my side and grabbed two objects from my back pocket. I started sprint to the left trying to escape. The drome predicted that and was already jumping waiting to intercept me. However I used all my control to stop my sprint and throw the first object at the ground. "NOW!" I Then Turned and focused all of my remaining strength on my legs. I propeled my self 20 meters on the air. I had no time to me surprised at how high I jumped, as the blinding effects of the bomb wouldn't last for long. 10 seconds I kept a count
I take the other objects out it had the form of a paw with 5 claws and a tight coiled string in what would be the forearm and a hand grip a the end. I pressed the button on the hand girp, and the string immediately untangle itself shooting the hand at the nearest tree. The second it connected I pulled with all my strength feeling liked my arm was burning but I ignored it. 20 seconds. As I gave the branch I was attached to a couple of flips and then I pressed the button again releasing the hand grip and shooting us even higher up. After we finally landed on a branch we were a good 50 meters above ground. Too high for the preys of even the drome to get used. I then remembered the time. 27, 28, 29... There was a crack sound.
I relaxed as the scenery shift around us. As I relaxed I was slowly fading into slumber until the darkness overcame me.
A/N: There we go that's better. Exactly 5000 words, not the ideal length but it seemed like a good spot the stop so, meh not complaining. So we got to see the first hunter mission a real hunter region and some monsters! Now to clarify, this will include monsters from only the first 2 generations of games. Reason why is because I am an old school fan, and I haven't played beyond mhgu. So no deviljoe, duramboros. Sorry I just don't know anything about them...yet. However I might make up my own monsters as I see fit. But as you can see I SUCK at making names up. So if any of you have suggestions of monsters and names please I am all ears.
Also fair warning next chapter will focus on characters development and might have flashbacks so don't expect a lot of action that being said I will sprinkle some here and there to make sure I don't bore you to death. Oh also I need last names, a lot. That's something else I just can't come up with.. I could look them up but thought it would be cool to include my readers opinions.
One last thing: Thank you. if you made it this far you have my sincere gratitude for taking the time to read my story Bye, oh I guess review but only If you want to, as a reader I don't like to be pressured into reviewing so as a writter I won't demand it. If you have anything to sayhowever , good or bad then by all means.
Peace, Al red.
