January 11th, 2098. 6: 45 AM.

At the Jumbo village gathering hall, The Jumbo Village Chief took Alex to the counter, behind which sat a young woman in dressed in yellow.

"Hey, Patty. I finally got someone to help," greeted Ryuu.

The girl, named Patty, turned to Alex. "Hello, your name is?"

"My name is Alex Kasai. I'm from Kokoto, and I am the Head Hunter of Pokke Village. I was passing through on an expedition and I heard about your predicament."

"Okay, Mr. Alex. Let me give you the low down. According to my surrogate father here, a Yian Kut-ku swooped in and kidnapped Princess Greene of Rekusara. From the direction of flight, it took her to the Terosu Jungle. Your mission is to bring the Kut-ku to justice and return Miss Greene safely."

"Hmm, that means I'll take a boat ride back to the lagoon almost all the way I passed through…" Alex grimaced.

"That's not necessary," replied Patty with an amused smile. "You can just take a boat through the river canyon. It'll take you straight to the base camp."

"Let me show you the way," said the Chief.

"Can I get something to eat first? I've been heaving up everything I ate on the way here…"

"Oh my. But, from the color of your hair, isn't your greatest elemental affinity for water?"

"I know. It's really embarrassing that I have this weakness for sea travel. Air travel doesn't bother me at all, so I know it isn't a full scale, chronic motion sickness problem…"

"You are an interesting sort," laughed Ryuu.

Hunter Stats

Alex Kasai (HR1)

Weapon: Frost Edge Sword and Shield (Ice Element)

Armor: Battle Armor Lv.5 Blade Master

Skills: Telepathy, Attack UP, Sword Sharpener, Detect

Alex retched for the sixth time at on this boat ride. But finally, the boat came out of the river canyon to the end of a lagoon. To his left, there was a waterfall and to the right was an empty beach. By itself, the beach was nothing. But the special boat Alex was on was equipped with blue supply box, a red delivery box, and a bed. In short, the boat was the base camp.

No sooner did the boat hit the shore and stopped rocking did Alex fly off of it and start kissing sand. Then he started spitting it out. "Bleck! I really need to stop doing that…" Alex looked around, taking in his environment. "Wow, it's really beautiful around here. But, I need to get to work." Alex went to the supply box and removed essentials: the map, First-Aid Meds, Rations, Sonic Bombs and Mini-Whetstones.

As for Alex's choice of sword, any hunter could use any element. It was just that a hunter's affinity granted them a limited version of the Skill "Element Attack Up", just for their particular element. The blade of the Frost Edge sword and the face of its accompanying shield were made up of special time tested ice crystals which did not melt at room or even higher temperatures.

Alex focused while staring at the map, taking in the various areas of the jungle. "Okay, if I combine my telepathy with the power of the Detect skill, I should be able to quickly locate the troublemaker. Detect!" A large Chikara signature caught Alex's attention and he turned to a path to the left of the river canyon from his view. "Got you locked. I'm coming for you, Yian Kut-Ku!" Alex placed the map into his pack and set off towards area 1.

Terosu Jungle Area 1. 8:47 AM.

Alex came upon small cliff side with a few trees overlooking a dense forest below and as far as the eye could see, ending at distant mountain range. The left was a wall of rock with a ledge that led to another area. Alex tensed as he heard the sound of something soaring followed by the flapping of big wings.

A reddish pink, beaked wyvern with a folded head frill was landing, each flap of its wings sending up a small dust cloud. It scratched the earth much like a chicken, before turning to face Alex. Its head frill flayed open slightly as it jumped up almost happily. Alex could only guess why. "Ah, finally! Someone was come to play him me!" said a childish voice that only Alex could hear.

"Play with you?" Alex communicated using his mind. "Sorry, but I'm here on business."

"Yes! I know exactly what you're here for, but you won't succeed unless you get past my trial!"

Alex became interested only slightly. This was the third Kut-ku he'd ever seen (he observed Koto fighting the other two), and it was an eccentric sort. "Alright, you've got my attention. I'll allow myself into your trap. What do we have to do?"

"How about a game of save the princess or die trying?!" replied the flying wyvern with glee. The Flying wyvern scratched the earth with his left foot while snarling cutely. It was the Yian Kut-ku way of taunting. "You want her back? You gotta beat me first!"

At that, Alex sighed and unsheathed his blade. "Why do I even bother?" He took a stance and became at the ready. He knew that the battle he was about to face was not an easy task. Kut-kus were well known for their ability to breathe fire. "Okay, misterrr..." Alex trailed.

"Pecker!" This overly eccentric Kut-ku seemed to be enjoying himself too much as he gave out his name. Alex could tell when a monster underestimated him.

"Wow! This guy thinks I'm a pushover! I'll show him!" Alex ran to meet his opponent.

Pecker the Kut-ku clumsily charged Alex, throwing himself down as Alex rolled out of the way. Alex took the opportunity to attack his tail with a jump slice. "Yeow!" The Kut-ku shot up into the sky then slowly descended to another spot. "Hey! That smarts!"

"Take this seriously, you freak!" shouted Alex. He held a tight grip on his sword as he rushed towards the wyvern. Pecker stood his ground and lifted his head high, causing Alex to falter momentarily.

"Okay, but you asked for it! Fire Element: Fire Spit!" The Kut-ku swiftly brought down its head, beak open, sending forth ball of fire at Alex. Alex back stepped quickly, the spot where he just was exploding into flame and smoke.

Alex stared in wonder. He was just seconds from being BBQ hunter. "Whoa! I gotta watch out for that... AH!" Alex was sent flying as he was tackled by the wyvern's beak.

"Never let down your guard against a Kut-ku!"

Alex got up and studied his opponent. "He hasn't become enraged yet and he already has me in a bind. I'll have to stop him somehow."

"C'mon, show me your skill! Fight me for real!" challenged Pecker, opening out his head frill wider. Alex became slightly agitated from that remark, but an idea suddenly popped into his mind.

"His ears must be highly sensitive. I'll have to test that theory." Alex reached into his bag and pulled out a sonic bomb. "Here! Chew on this!" Alex tossed it at the surprised Kut-ku. 'PING!'

"AHHH!" Pecker screeched, rearing back. Alex wasted no time to close the distance and did another jump slice. He made a bleeding line on its belly and followed through with a combo at the legs. Explosions of ice were released on each hit. As Pecker was collapsing, he back stepped and launched a third jump slice at the head. 'BONK!' His attack bounced off and he reeled back, but the frill was destroyed in the process, inflicting massive pain on the wyvern. "AAAHHHHH!" Alex jumped back again as Pecker started thrashing, wings frantically flapping up and down and his tail whipping wildly from side to side. Flames and smoke could be seen billowing out of its beak. "OK, NOW I'M MAD!"

His eyes widened in realization. "Oh, Popo dung... he's enraged! But at least I'm getting somewhere."Alex felt his knuckles buckle slightly as Pecker roared. He was not afraid, but that did not mean he was not in danger.

"I'm going to burn you ta ashes!" declared Pecker. Alex then knew he was not facing the same childish wyvern.

"Well, you can try." Alex held his Sword and Shield resolutely. He rolled to the right as Pecker jumped forward while pecking. Alex attempted to do a spin slice, but the enraged wyvern proved faster as it nailed him rolling away with its tail by spinning a clockwise 180. "Aahh!"

"Ow… That tail packs a punch…" A strong feeling of intent to kill led Alex to roll onto his back. "Oh, no…"

"YOU'RE FINISHED!" Pecker was already bringing down his head to fire his attack. "Fire Spi…"

Only one way out! Alex tossed his sword into Pecker's mouth just in time as he was about to launch his attack.

"WHAT!? NO!" Pecker thrashed as he choked. His neck expanded with the increasing pressure until jets of flames were released. "AAAHHHHH!"

Alex got up and the wyvern collapsed, dying. "I'm… sorry. This was…not how I… would have liked this… to turn out…"

"You made… me choke… on my… own fire…! Cheater…!"

"Quickly, tell me where the princess is!"

"Screw you, cheater…!" With that, the life left Pecker's eyes. Alex sighed as he when up to the head, and pulled out his still solid icy sword. He was amazed at how there was no sign of the icy blade melting. The infusion of Chikara in crafting materials was another wonder.

"Okay, I'll carve him up real quick and start searching." Alex took out his knife and got to work. When he was done, he took a look at the map. "There is a cave network encompassing areas six to eight… I think I'll start with area 6."

Alex replaced the map and set out. He went to area 2. Here, he fought off a few Velociprey, a nostalgic battle for him, before heading to area 5. Here, he stumbled onto a Velocidrome!

"Just my luck," he said to himself as the azure raptor boss taunted him.

"Well, what have we here?"

"Stay out of my way, freak! I'm not here for you."

"That's what you think. Like heck I'd move for a human!"

Alex sighed as he unsheathed his sword. He might as well make it quick. "If you won't move, I'll move you, permanently!" Alex did a jump slice, but the raptor leapt back, before performing the famous flying leap attack, knocking Alex down. He went in for a bite but Alex quickly rolled and got up at the same time. He feigned a spin slice, swiftly rolling forward as the raptor jumped back. Upon exiting the roll, Alex made a rising slash, "Hi-ya!" There was a release of ice and the Velocidrome reeled back in pain.

"Ahh! Why you!" The Velocidrome leapt forward.

Alex smirked as he did the same. Everything went dark. A blue line clashed with a red line and the darkness was broken to reveal the two back to back, standing like statues. A tear appeared on Alex's right arm gauntlet and he dropped to one knee. "Ow…"

"Ha, that's what you ge…" the raptor said nothing more as his prominent red crest fell off, followed by the red claw on each hand. Lastly, a bleeding gash appeared on his side and he fell over. "Wha-what!? How…!?"

Alex stood up and turned to the cave entrance. "You'll live, but you won't bother me anymore. Goodbye! It was a good fight." Alex went down the path to go into the cave.

"Curse you, human!"

Terosu Jungle Area 6.

Alex entered the cave to find a herd of Kelbi feeding. Kelbi were deer like herbivores, and much more docile than the Anteka. He ignored them for now as he looked around. He saw the two paths that led to other areas, the left leading to area 7 and the right to area 8.

Alex focused. "Hello? Is anyone there?"

"What the!? W-who's there?" went the scared thoughts of someone.

"Don't be alarmed. I'm a hunter with a telepathy ability. Are you the kidnapped princess?" Alex observed as a young woman of about 19 came into sight from the path that led to area 8. Her hair was chestnut brown and her eyes were an emerald green. Her dress was green and white, slightly messed up from exposed to the elements of the jungle. Alex took off his helmet and beamed the friendliest smile he could muster. "C'mon, don't be scared. I'm here to rescue you; I already took down the wyvern that kidnapped you."

At that, the woman ran up to him and threw her arms around him, almost throwing him down. "Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you! You have no idea long I've been here, fearing for my life!"

"You're welcome… Uh, I'm Alex Kasai. Can you grace me with your name?"

"Greene. My name is Viridia Greene, Sir Alex."

"Uh, just "Alex" is fine. C'mon, let's get you out of here and back to the village where it's safe."

Princess Viridia finally let go and stepped back. "Right… That would be most wonderful."

Jumbo Village, 3:32 PM…

Alex retched into the river for the final time as the boat came out of the canyon. "Ugh…"

"Sir Alex, are you sure you're okay?" asked a worried Viridia.

"It's just a little water sickness… Watch, I'll fine as soon as we land."

"Okay, I'll take your word for it."

Alex looked out of the boat to see the village ahead. "Finally, here we are." Alex turned the sails to steer the boat towards the port. He spotted Ryuu and Sanchez on a pier and waved. Viridia waved and Ryuu jumped while waving both arms in joy.

"Alex, toss me a rope!" called Sanchez. Alex looked around and found a coil. He grabbed it and tossed it out. Sanchez caught it and tethered the boat to the pier.

Alex opened the ramp and turned to Viridia, "ladies first."

"Thanks, Sir Alex." Alex smiled sheepishly as she began climbing the ramp. She almost totally refused to call him anything else, just like Sam. Yet another inescapable formality Alex had to deal with, although she a princess so formality was probably ingrained in her, and therefore excusable.

Ryuu almost instantly crushed Viridia as soon as she was on the pier. "I'm so glad you're back! Are you hurt? Are you okay?"

"Easy, easy, Chief! I'll be fine if you stop suffocating me!"

Ryuu released her and stepped back with a smile. "Sorry. Everyone has been worried about you."

"I'd imagine."

The Chief turned to Alex. "You, my dear friend, are a lifesaver, a hero!" Alex looked shocked. "You appeared from across the sea in Jumbo's hour of need, and delivered exactly as a hunter should; with perfect results!"

"Whoa. You don't have to make it that big of a deal," said Alex modestly. "I really didn't do anything special…"

"What are you talking about, Sir Alex?" interrupted Viridia as she turned to him. "Without you, I don't know what would have happened to me. That Velocidrome was trying to track me down after the Kut-ku dropped me. That's why I was hiding in the cave… I was so scared…"

"We of Jumbo are in your dept. Let's head to the gathering hall to discuss your reward."