Hey there Hunters! And welcome back to this little story I've made.

Now I'm not sure how or why this came to my head but regardless, It must've happened when playing a lot of Monster Hunter World. Which kinda introduced me to the franchise. Now I am by no means an expert Hunter like those all the way back in 2004. But I do like to think of myself as seasoned one, knowing how the franchise works and what its like to be introduced to it.

Now enough of me rambling I hope you enjoy the new chapter here.

Cheers!

On the hunt

I took the chain up to the second floor of Astera and walked into the smithy and we greeted by the Second fleet master, who was behind a conveyor belt which moved several weapon parts and scraps from one side of the room to the other.

"Ah there ya are fiver, the Commander has told me that you have access to our Blacksteel inventory in terms of weapons, for armour we have some of our common high grade gear with the choice of Leather, Hunter or Chainmail, pick your poison". He stated which made me think.

"What's the best armour that's good against fire based attacks? I'm going to be facing an Anjanath and I'd rather not be burnt to a crisp". I asked him. "If it's fire yer up against, the Hunter's armour would be the best choice, it's very protective against fire and water. Not that there will be water blight in the forest anyway. We have two variants when it comes to armour, Alpha and Beta. Alpha has more perks to it but the Beta will help store extra decorations that you may find out there". He answered showing me the options for the new armour I would be using.

"I'd go with the Alpha set, it'll be enough to get me going, and for weapons, hook me up with a Blacksteel Greatsword". I answered, he nodded and turned to the blacksmith workers. "Oi!" he called and his workers and they rushed to get the armour all assembled. If I was being completely honest the workers were that good it merely took 5 minutes to assemble the armour and in the amount of time mentioned, it came from the front of the assembly line piece by piece.

After my Armour was assembled and weapon ready, I touched down at the campsite and saw that I was here first before Sarah or Nathan. "Well looks like I'm first". I mused to myself as I then dashed in the direction of where I last encountered the Anjanath. I ran past a heard of Aptonoth that were drinking from a local stream, and it looked like there were Vitalillies as well, could come in handy if need be. I then ran through the long grass from before and found the small beach to my right and I knew this was the area that I found the Anjanath footprint from before, I gave my Scoutflies a moment to study the print and next thing you know they were guiding me to the target.

"I've got you now". I smirked as I then raced in the direction the Scoutflies were taking me. As I kept following them I saw several footprints below my feet as I ran, the monster definatly came through here if they were any given indication. I ran and ran until I came to a stop and that the Scoutflies had guided me…somewhere. I looked around for anything, but the ground started to shake. I looked to my right and saw some bushes I could hide in and waited for the source of the shaking to come into view.

When it did I saw it. The very same monster that chased me toward the front gate Astera. I looked up as there were some rocks being held up with some vines, a natural trap. Its attention was more towards the chunk of meat in its mouth and I picked up a scatter nut and fired it under the trap and its attention was drawn there and stood under the trap unaware of it at all. I then fired another scatter nut but this time at the trap itself and when the shot hit, the rocks came falling down on top of it burying the monster along with it, as well as doing some good damage to it. But for some reason my necklace began to glow pink for a moment making me look at it with confusion. But I heard the moving of rocks and knew I couldn't dwell on it now.

I stood to my full height and saw the beast had freed itself from the rocks and saw me, and for the second time today, it roared in my direction showing that I got its full attention.

-Anjanath-

[Now Playing- One against the world- Antti martikainen]

The monster went to bite me with its powerful maw but I drew my Sword quick enough to block it as the force was enough to make me slide a foot or two back. I rolled out of the way as it charged in my direction but it came back around to try again, this time I was ready and swung my blade right into its nose making it stagger backwards but I rolled forward and swung sideways at its legs and kept up my assault as I struck it once with one swing and using the momentum I had to strike again forcing it to topple over on its side. This was the opening I needed, I brought my weapon up and I focused on its head knowing it will hurt a lot more there and brought my weapon down on it and saw that I broke the nose bone by the looks of it.

The Anjanath got back up and did the monster equivalent of a shoulder barge which was enough to knock me over. I got to my feet and saw the Anjanath had sprouted its fins on its back and had its nose flared up.

"I think I just pissed it off". I said to myself and it leapt at me with surprising amount of Agility but I managed to just block it in time. The beast roared before a huge stream of fire came in my direction and unfortunately I was hit, but good thing I have an armour that's highly resistant to fire, but it ain't immune.

I then looked up to see where I can hook my Slinger onto and fired the grappling hook at the Wedgebeetle above me getting a good height advantage over the Anjanath. I took the opportunity and swung at it and landed on its back, I brought out my knife and started to stab it repeatedly over and over until I sheathed it and brought out my Greatsword and focused on a specific point and brought it down hard on the beast's back before dragging the blade across and slashing the monster's back making it topple over.

"Think slow!" I taunted as I brought my blade down once to gain momentum and swung it down on the Anjanath's head again to make sure I got a weak spot for that strike. The monster got up once more and managed to pick me up in its jaw and stoss me around before throwing me on the ground. I looked up at it stared right back at me with the intent to kill.

It went for the kill, but it was well telegraphed and gave me an opening to move out of the way making the monster clamp its jaws on the ground below. I fired a scatter nut in its face making it stagger once again. The two of us were out of breath from that frenzy we had and looked at each other in the eye. A look that both man and even monster knew all too well.

This fight will end…now.

"Alright then, this will settle it". I uttered to myself. "C'MON!" I roared with my blade in hand as the Anjanath roared louder than it did before showing that we were running on pure adrenaline. The Beast ran in my direction and I rolled out of the way and swung upwards into the Anjanath's face striking its nose for the third or fourth time and followed up with an upward strike into its chin. The monster then spun around and wacked me with its tail sending me back a few feet. But I got up after taking that hit and struck its leg again making its footing spread out a little and struck the other leg making it topple over one last time, not wasting the chance I brought my blade down on the head once more and which was the final blow declaring me the victor.

[End track]

I was left panting by the end of the fight and felt the adrenaline was fading away. I pulled out a potion out of my pouch and took a big swig before taking a breath and wiping my mouth and putting it back in my pouch. I then sat down on the ground to catch my breath, I then looked at the Greatsword and saw it was still in good condition.

"Man, Blacksteel is some strong shit". I said to myself and stowed it on my back. I glanced at the monster I had just slayed but it looked like it had deflated a little like a balloon, I walked over and put my ear to the creature's stomach and heard no heartbeat, come to think of it the stomach looked like it wasn't even holding any internal organs. I ran two fingers over the hide and felt nothing against it. But I then felt something hard and knew it was the monster's ribcage, meaning that the skeleton was still there and that was the only thing left other than the skin.

I pulled out my knife and tore through the skin and what was revealed to me inside shocked me to the core.

A woman was inside, unconscious but very much alive.

However what really surprised me was that she had pink skin much like the monster she's in, along with the tail which was a clear dead giveaway and the fact her hands and feet were the matched the Anjanath's as well. She had curves that any girl would have in their dreams as well as maintaining a strong physique at the same time, her chest was…well let's just say she has quite the bust and we'll leave it at that.

"This…I…I don't…how is this…even possible?" I asked myself. I then heard what sounded like thunder, I peeked out of the monster's "shell" and looked up. Through the trees I could see dark grey clouds forming and if there's one thing that follows grey clouds and thunder. Its rain and lightning. From where we are we were protected for the moment from the weather, not any nearby carnivores. "I'd better get back to Astera". I muttered to myself before looking at the girl which was now the Anjanath somehow transformed. "Can't just leave her here, any small predator would see her as a snack, Apex Predator or not". I then stepped out of the monster and got to work with carving something that could be suitable for her to wear for the time being as well as anything useful that can be used to craft anything useful back the smithy, I then mixed the hide with some vines that were rich in this area, lucky me huh?

I then carefully wrapped the makeshift clothing around the Anjanath Girl and making sure that she was covered and I made sure to not do anything I wouldn't do and putting on a simple poncho for extra coverage just in case.

She may be a monster turned girl but I still had the respect for women no matter what race.

After carving and grabbing everything I needed I lifted the girl up in my arms and rested her head on my chest and then began my way back to the main gates of Astera since I can't take a Windrake with the Anjanath girl in my arms.

"Man this is gonna be a long day". I sighed as I made my trek back home.

I was back to where I was when I found the footprint of the former monster that was in my arms. Speaking of which I looked down to see the footprint already being filled with water as the rain was starting to come in. It was merely droplets at the moment but knowing the clouds above the land it will be hammering with rain very soon. I then made a left towards the gates of Astera and made sure to always watch my back, just so that any other monsters try anything funny when I can't draw my weapon on them.

I kept going along the trail and suddenly the rain started to pick up, it wasn't much but it was lightly raining, so at any moment it's will be bucketing down and I don't want that. I then managed to get up the hill and saw the gates in view. One of the hunters on watch saw me and opened the gates for me and closed them as soon as I was inside.

As I walked through the Trade Yard, all eyes of scholars, researcher's hunters and practically anyone's attention was drawn to me as I walked by them with the Anjanath Girl in my arms. Apparently even the Commander came to see what's going on and saw what the cause was.

"Eric, who or…what is that?" He asked in more of a confused manner than angered one.

"I wish I knew commander, but right now isn't the best place to talk about it". I hinted as he got what I was trying to say.

"Ok, alright everyone as you were, we'll get to the bottom of this I assure you. But right now back to your posts". He called as the members of the guild went back to their previous activities. The Commander gestured me to follow him to somewhere more private so we could talk. We made our way to an empty Hunter's quarters and set the Anjanath Girl on a nearby bed before facing the Commander.

"Alright Eric, what exactly happened out there?" He asked me.

"Well, I tracked the monster like I normally would but when I beat it the she was inside the body of what was left. The Monster's carcass had no organs, all that was left was its hide and bones. I made some makeshift clothing out of her old body and a couple of vines that were in the area and thought it would be easier to solve what happened if I brought her back". I explained. The Commander nodded and held his chin in thought before speaking up.

"I see, however we need to take precautions and make sure she brings no harm to Astera". He explained.

"So we're treating her like a prisoner? Sir I don't like the idea of that. Maybe we can, I dunno convince her that we mean no harm and state the fact that she can't take on an entire guild of Hunters. She may be an Anjanath but even they know when they're outnumbered". I said to him which made him raise an eyebrow.

"Alright Eric, we'll give your way a try. But if anything happens we'll need to restrain her if things go south". He said with a reasonable tone.

"All I ask is a chance sir". I stated and he nodded before walking out giving me some privacy with the Monster Girl. I walked over and kneeled next to her as she rested. I thought back to the fight and tried to figure out what could have caused it. During the fight I couldn't see any indication of anything out of the ordinary, but then I thought back a little bit before the fight started and looked at my necklace and remembered that it started to glow. I held it in my hands and inspected it, it wasn't glowing but I felt something within the gem but I couldn't figure out what.

I heard the sound of stirring and saw the Anjanath girl was starting to wake up. When her eyes were open she shot up and looked at her surroundings and her attention was towards me. I took a few steps back to give her some room, plus I could hear her giving me a low growl.

"Easy, no need to get violent straight away. I'm certain you're smarter than that". I said showing that I wasn't a threat. "Look I get it, you're pissed that I beat you, hell if I were in your place I would be too". I said as she then sat on the side of the bed, and remained silent. "Can you speak?" I asked her as she had a small smile on her face as I saw small smoke come from her nostrils.

"From what I've seen in your fighting skills compared to mine…I'm impressed".

Well looks like she can speak after all.

"Well, it's start". I muttered to myself. "Anyway, what's your name? Can't really know you as well if I don't get one". I said as a matter of fact.

"I don't have one, never did. I was just known as the Apex Predator of the forest…well, until you showed up and changed that". She said before leaning back. "But, another one of my kind will take that place. They always do". She said with little care whatsoever.

"You don't seem disappointed by the sounds of it". I said with a brow raised.

"Don't get me wrong it felt great being the most dominant monster in the forest. I'll admit I did bring down a flying Wyvern once". She said with visible pride. "But, I grew bored. No challenge, no worthy opponent to test myself…" She said as she then looked me in the eye. "That is until I fought you. You fought me and won, and turned me…human, yet my claws and tail are still there". She inspected her body and on her head her nose bone flared up.

"And your nose bone as well by the looks of it". I added as she then retracted the said body part. "I think we might be getting off topic. You never had a name before is what you said. What if I gave you one?" I asked and she raised brow of her own.

"What did you have in mind?" She wondered.

"How does…Anjanella sound?" I suggested. She looked down for a moment before looking back up at me.

"I like it. Has a nice ring to it. Almost sounds like my species name". She said with a small confident smile.

"Well I'm glad, my name's Eric, now as in for how you turned human. I'm not entirely sure, but there's just the issue of what to do about this predicament". I said to her.

"If this is what you humans call home then I assume there are more of you outside?" Anjanella asked me as I nodded. "Well, it wouldn't be an issue-," "Anjanella need I remind you that I don't need to give you a medical examination to know your body is still exhausted from our fight, so don't think you can face an entire guild of hunters because you won't win. And that's a simple fact you need to understand". I interrupted her.

"I am completely away of that. Just so we're clear, don't expect me to accept everyone with open arms. You beat me fair and square in our fight, so you've earnt my respect. And as a result, I'll follow you wherever you go if you say so". She explained. "Consider it a little something for defeating me".

"Well, I guess this is as close as we're going to get at the moment". I stated as I then looked at the exit of the quarters before looking back at Anjanella. "I'm going to get the Commander and let him know what has happened. Stay here until I come back inside". I said to her and she nodded in response.

"I'll be waiting". She smirked confidently as I then nodded before walking out of the room.

Well this day has just gotten a whole lot weirder huh?

Well there we have it folks. Now this may seem very familiar to some people because this was inspired by a story called Monster Hunter: Monstergirl world by Alleskeins.

In all honesty I never thought that from reading his work I'd do something like this. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the chapter be be sure to leave your thoughts and opinions on the story so far. A bit of feedback goes a long way.

So until then, I'll see ya next time!

Cronus Prime Out!