Monster Hunter: The Telepathic Hunter; Ch5: Wintor Raptor Alpha

January 5th, 2098. 7:20 AM.

At the gathering hall, the eight sat at the large table to a warm but somber and quiet meal. No one talked. Alex only stared down at his plate, barely even touching the contents, while Anna occasionally eyed him anxiously. She was unconscious during the event, so she could only imagine how it was for him since he actually went through the entire ordeal. Even she did not know exactly how, only that Maxwell saved their lives at the cost of his own.

"Alex…" she said finally as she placed a palm on his left shoulder. "Please, eat. It's not your fault, what happened…"

"No, it's totally my fault. I accepted the quest. I gave a grand and passionate speech, and yet I couldn't even follow through on the spot. I'm a failure."

"Alex, you shouldn't say such a thing," said the Chief. "I don't blame you for anything, not for one second."

"Sometimes, things just don't play out the way we want them too," said Vance.

"Which is why we should never judge ourselves by the things we cannot control," added Patricia.

"And the truth is, we are never actually in control," said September. "It is one of the absolutes of life."

"I wasn't there, but I'm sure he was proud to hunt alongside you," said Mathew.

Alex took a glance at the supportive group of people around him, and finally a small smile elapsed. "Thank you, all of you. If he were here, he'd scold me for moping like this. You see, our worst fear was realized. A Tigrex attacked us in the mountains." Everyone gasped at that. "It was so imposing, just like the first time I encountered one. To make matters worse, it was the same one that injured Max a month ago or so. While I cowered in fear, with Anna out cold at my side, Maxwell stood protectively in front of us. He laid down his life for us younger folk, and for the village by expansion."

"Max…" worded the Chief.

"Therefore, the great task remaineth before me, that I should honor his sacrifice and work diligently for the village and the people he loved…" Alex sniffed, pricked a piece of Popo tongue with his fork, and took a bite. With a hand, he motioned for everyone to do the same, which they did. "I won't give up. I'll carry on the torch passed down to me."

"I'll be behind you all the way, Alex," vowed Anna.

After most of everyone left, it was just Alex, Patricia and September in the hall.

"Alex, I have something for you," said September as she approached with a smile. Alex stood up and faced her. He smiled as he took notice of the booklet in her hands. "Your Guild Card is here. Congratulations, you are an official Hunter now!"

Alex took the booklet from her and looked at the first page. "Alex Kasai!? How is this possible?"

"It also came with a letter. It's addressed to you from the Chief of Kokoto." September handed him the letter.

Alex began to read,

"Hello, Alex. Congratulations on becoming a true Hunter. I wrote this letter well in advance of this day. I'm sorry for taking so long, but I felt that this was the right time to tell you. I am a descendant of the wyverian hunter and founder of the Kasai Clan. The names of your parents are Miriam and Alexander Kasai. They left you in my care when you was two, and went off to help fend against a Lao Shan Lung attack in Dondruma city. They didn't survive, as you should know already. But their efforts did result in the salvation of the city, and so their names were sung as heroes. I want you to know that there is great potential dormant within you, to be unlocked as you progress as a Hunter. Be courageous, and never give up.

I love you,

Be well.

Koto Kasai."

Alex's hands were shaking with emotion. "I'll fight for all who believe in me, as well as myself… and you too, my late Uncle."

"Um, Alex, I have another surprise for you," said September. Alex turned to her. "The Guild sent me a ton of work for you, but there is one specific one you must take first. Speak to the Chief about it. And report back to me when you complete it."

"Uh, okay. See you later."

"Take it easy out there, okay?"

"If nature will allow me!"

10:00 AM.

At the big, blue rock, Alex met the Chief as usual before her fire. "Good morning, Granny."

"Good morning, Alex. You're looking well."

"Yes, thank you. I heard you have an urgent quest for me?"

"Straight to business, huh? Okay, so here's the low down. A large Giaprey pack led by a fearsome Giadrome has migrated into our area. The Guild and I want you to dispatch the Giadrome and disband the pack. They have the whole Furahiya to look for food, so they really shouldn't be in our back yard so to speak."

"I see."

"Don't think of the Giadrome as an oversized Giaprey. He's a boss, a true foe!"

"I'll give it my best shot."

"Good. Take this." The Chief handed him a quest roll with the official logo of the Guild on it. "Be sure to bring back its crest, along with whatever else you'll carve from it, okay?"

"You got it. I'm going to get Anna and prepare. See you when we get back!"

Hunter Stats

1. Alex Kasai (HR1)

Weapon: Snakebite Sword and Shield

Armor: Mafumofu

Skills: Telepathy, Cold Negate, Divine Protection, Heat Increase

2. Anna Frost (HR1)

Weapon: Giaprey Claws Dual Blades (Ice Element)

Armor: Mafumofu

Skills: Cold Negate, Divine Protection, Heat Increase

Snowy Mountains Hunting Area. Zone 7, 1:00PM.

Anna and Alex stood before the path to take them down into zone 6. They were doing a last minute check. "Potions, Whetstones, Paint Balls, Rations…Thawing Agents…Yeah, that's everything," said Alex.

"Are you sure they're going appear in Area 6?" asked Anna.

"I'm sure. I can sense it. Let's go."

"Okay." The duo made their way down.

Zone 6.

Just as they made it down, two Antekas ran past them and the Giaprey chasing them appeared before them.

"What!? A coupla' hunters!? Just my luck!" Alex and Anna unsheathed their weapons as the Giaprey made a sort of barking call. "Hey guys! I need some help over here!"

"Anna, we need to get out into the open."

Anna nodded and followed him just as four more Giapreys joined the party. "Whoa!"

"Stay calm, Anna. We can do this." Alex focused. "You jerks are trespassing Hunter's Guild territory. Get lost!"

"A wise guy, huh?"

"The Wintor Raptors will send you packing!"

"Why don't you put your weapon where your mouth is, human!"

"You should run while you still can. Boss Claw will be here soon!"

"Anna, commence attack." Alex launched forward with a jump slice, causing the group to break apart.

"I was hoping you'd say that!" Anna rushed on at the two to Alex's left. Alex stared down the other three. The pack surrounded them as they circled into a near perfect pentagon shape. "Alex, back to back!"

"Sounds good to me!"

The duo stood back to back with just a foot clearance between them. Alex got into a low guard while Anna took up a special stance for fighting with two weapons. "HAAA!" The hunters yelled as they broke formation. They moved around, dodging attacks and countering with short yet efficient combo slashes. Before long, there was only one left.

"Darn it! You're too strong!" It turned tail and fled for its life.

"Oh, no you don't!" exclaimed the duo in unison as they gave chase. But Alex halted as they got close to the entrance to the cave. Anna stopped a moment later and turned to him.

"Hey, what's wrong?"

"Look!" Alex turned to the cave entrance.

A big raptor sporting a prominent blue crest and a large blue claw on each hand and foot came running unto the scene. "What the!?"

"Wow! He's a beauty!" said Anna.

"So, this is a Giadrome. Hi, there. Are you lost?"

"I could say the same to you! The name's Claw." Claw looked around, and spotted the carcasses of his pack. He turned to Alex and roared into the sky. "Aaarrgh! You killed my boys! Now I'm gonna kill you! Prepare to meet a frozen death!"

"You don't scare me! Anna, let me handle this!"

"What! Not a chance!" she replied as he rushed towards the big raptor.

Claw did a jump attack and knocked Alex down. Alex rolled away as Claw tried to bite him. While Claw was eating snow, Anna charged in with a double thrust attack. Small explosions of ice were released on impact but Claw turned to her seemingly unfazed. "Some hunter you are, attacking me with the Element I'm proficient in!"

"Oh, no!" Anna backed up as the alpha leader prepared to attack.

"Not on my watch!" yelled Alex as he attacked with a jump slice and a combo of swings, getting in some damage from the side.

Claw backed stepped in pain and hissed at his attacker. "Oh, now you're gonna get it! Ice Element: Frost Spit!" He opened his jaw and a white ball of ice was spat out. Alex was too surprised to get out of the way in time. As he was struck, ice instantly appeared all over his upper body. His legs were free, though. "I have you now! Prepare to die!" Claw did another jump attack and knocked Alex down.

"Alex!" Anna went rushing to intervene as Claw got on top of Alex.

"Stay away! Your weapon can't hurt him!" he relayed to her telepathically.

"I have to try something!" Anna threw her weight and tackled Claw off just as he was about the bite Alex in the head.

"Aarrgh!" shouted Claw.

Alex broke free of the ice trap using a Thawing Agent. He got up as Anna came to his side. "Thanks a bunch. You really saved my bacon."

"You can thank me by defeating him! He's all yours!" Anna drew back and he became at the ready as the bird wyvern raptor turned to him.

"This time, I'll get you! Just you wait!"

"This ends now. Let's go!" Alex charged and so did Claw. Alex smiled as he crouched mid-run, causing him to slide across the snow. He jumped and twisted himself to slash claw over the head, breaking off his crest, much to the leader's shock. "Now, TAKE THIS!" Upon landing, Alex delivered a rising slash which slit Claw's neck.

"What!? N-noo!" Claw collapsed and was slowing dying. "Fine, I yield to you. You're pretty good… But listen. Where I failed… Blanco will succeed! He'll… grind you… into ice crystals…!"

"Blanco? Who's Blanco?"

"The… Ruler… of… the… Snow…"

Alex felt the Chikara of Claw drop to zero. "Sounds like a pretty powerful monster."

"Alex, you did it!" congratulated Anna as she appeared at his side.

"You can have his materials. You can give them to Vance to upgrade your blades."

"Really? Thanks, Alex!"

"I'm just using my discretion. It's no good if only I improve. I hope we can gain more allies along the way, too."

"Whatever you say, Mr. Water!" Anna got to work. She did not take a minute. "Okay, done!"

"Great. Let's go."

And so, the duo made their way homewards.

Pokke Village, 4:00 PM.

"We're back!" called Alex and Anna as they walked through the north gate.

"How did it go?" asked the Chief."

"We did it!" exclaimed Anna. "We took out the pack and Alex bested the Giadrome!"

"His name was Claw. I gave him the old one-two!" Alex fired two punches as he spoke.

"Claw?"

"Whoops! I never told you that I can speak with monsters. Well, the Giaprey and their leader had a lot to say."

"Alex, do you need to see a doctor? Are you sure the Giadrome didn't hit you too hard on the head?"

"So you don't believe me!? Fine, I get it. It does sound crazy."

"Incidentally, Maxwell used to say the same thing. Of course I believe you, Alex!"

"Thank you. Now, could you sign this so that Anna and I can take it to September?" Alex handed the quest sheet to her.

She produced a quill-pen and a bottle of black ink and signed the sheet before handing it back to him. "There you go."

"Thanks. Let's go, Anna. See you later, Granny!"

"Bye, Granny!" said Anna

"Have a good night, you two!"

The duo went straight to the gathering hall.

"Alex, Anna, you're back!" called September as soon as they stepped inside as if she were expecting them. "You don't have to say anything. I already know you won."

"Really?" asked Anna.

"How?" asked Alex.

"The guild has a network of blimps called the Elder Dragon Observatories. They monitor the world for Elder Dragons, while also handling other tasks from mailing information to observing Hunter activities during quests. Their top notch system means word travels fast."

"Wow. I heard about them before, but I never imagined they were that important," remarked Alex.

"You two are now eligible to take on more two star quests. Be sure to check regularly, but remember you don't need to take quests every single day. But you will be notified of urgent quests whenever they pop up, for they are usually of top priority."

"Got it!" said Anna.

Alex handed the quest sheet to September. "Thank you. And this is for you two." September gave Alex and Anna 450 Zenny each. "Please note that quest rewards a shared equally."

"Okay."

"Right. You're free to go. See you tomorrow! Have a good rest!"