Monster Hunter: The Telepathic Hunter; Ch10: Fangs of the Desert
January 12th, 2098. White Night Dunes Base Camp.
"Welcome back!" chorused Nathan and Sanchez as Alex came into the camp.
With an exasperated smile and a thumbs-up, he laid down his laden hunter pack. "I did it. Not only did I get three regular livers, I also got one from a Cephadrome."
"Well done, Alex!" exclaimed Nathan. "I'm sure it wasn't easy."
"No kidding! The boss was huge! He scared the living daylights out of me."
"But you crossed the bridge, faced up to him and defeated him. I'm proud of you, and I'm sure Maxwell is too."
Alex felt a tear drip down, but he quickly rubbed it away. "Thanks. C'mon, let's get back home."
"Let us depart immediately," said Nathan.
Rekusara Village, 6:00 PM.
Between a Hot-Air Balloon and four new friends stood Alex. Nathan came up to him holding his payment. "For rescuing my wayward daughter, and acquiring fine Piscine Livers, I award thee 28000 Zenny and your very own Hot-Air Balloon."
"Thank you, King Greene," replied Alex with gratitude as he received the payment bag.
"That's not all. Borrow me your sword for a moment." Though Alex was puzzled, he complied and unsheathed his icy blade. He handed it by the hilt to Nathan. "Thank you. Please bow now." Once again, Alex was puzzled, but he put his right arm over his chest, lowered to one knee and looked at the ground. The next moment, he felt the blade softly hit his left shoulder guard. "By the power vested in me, I hereby declare thee… Sir Alex!"
Sanchez and Sam exchanged glances before clapping. "An honorary knighthood!"
"Father…!" Viridia smiled and clapped.
Alex was rendered in shock. "You may rise," said Nathan with a smile. Alex rose and Nathan gave him back his sword. "Don't say a word. You deserve it. Not many can face up to their own fears as easily as you did. You have great potential as a hunter, and you will become one of the greatest. That's what I believe."
"Thank you… I mean it. Thanks, your majesty." Alex sheathed his sword.
"Say hi to the Chief when you get back," said Sanchez.
"And be sure to visit again," added Sam.
"I will," promised Alex. He looked at Viridia.
"Alex…" she said, looking uneasy.
She will miss me. I'd better take care of this now. "I understand how you feel, Viridia. But remember, anyone could have gotten to Jumbo first and came to your aid. I just happened to be the one…"
"…Ah, he doesn't feel the same way…" "But still…"
Darn it! My telepathy will be the death of me! I was trained to hunt monsters, not dealing in matters of the heart! What should I do… Oh, I know! "Listen, just give me time. I have a lot of responsibility right now."
Viridia smiled at that. "I'm sorry. You're right. I wish you luck, Sir Alex."
"Well, I'd better get going now." Alex acknowledged everyone with a glance before turning to the balloon. "I'll visit in due time. Take care, everyone!" Alex went to the basket, climbed into it and turned on the furnace. He turned back to look at his friends. They were all waving as the balloon steadily gained altitude. "See you all later!"
January 13th.
The return to Pokke was a fairly long journey. It was well after four in the morning of the next day when he arrived. Because he was so high up, he could see the distant light of Macha's sun. Alex steered the balloon to a platform at the back of the guild outpost, and lowered the heat to bring the basket down for a landing. He disembarked and went to the backdoor.
"Hey, September! Hey Patricia! I'm back!" he announced as he stepped into the gathering hall and went to the counter.
"Alex!?" exclaimed September. "I just got my report from the Guild! You've made quite the journey!"
"That's not all! I earned a lot of money and a Hot-Air Balloon from the King of Rekusara for saving his daughter and hunting Cephalos for their livers!"
"That's awesome!" exclaimed Patricia.
"Phew, I'm exhausted. I'm going to see the Chief and maybe take a few days off…"
"You've certainly earned it, Alex," replied September.
"See you later!" Alex left the gathering hall.
Outside, Alex met the Chief on her way to the giant Machalite rock. "Alex!? You're finally back! How was it!?"
"Good morning, Chief. It was a grand adventure…" Alex yawned. He had been up all night to make sure he was on course. "Looks like it's a story for another time. I'm beat."
"I understand. Go have some rest before you fall apart! You earned it!"
"By the way, where is Anna?"
"She should be returning from her latest quest in the mountains soon."
"Oh, okay. Thanks. See you later." Alex turned and began making his way to the hut.
He stopped upon meeting Vance on the way to open his shop. "Alex, you're back! Great timing!"
"Good morning, Vance. Is it ready?"
"You bet! It will knock your armor off!" Vance proceeded to open his shop and Alex swung around to the counter. Vance appeared with the scabbard of a Long Sword. "One Iron Katana, ready to go!"
"Thank you," said Alex as he took it. He drew the lengthy blade and inspected it with a smile. "Yeah! I'll be sure to become proficient with this."
"I'm glad you find it to your liking. I hope you will enjoy using the Spirit Sword Attack."
"The Spirit Sword Attack? What is that?"
"You don't know? Well, it's a Chikara based ability specific to the Long Sword weapon class. How it works is that as you attack your foes, you build up power into the sword. You know that weapons lose sharpness as you attack, right?"
"Yes, I do. It's a problem when a weapon becomes dull in combat. I just have to use a whetstone to get it back into condition."
"Right. Well, when your sword builds enough power, it will glow red and will be supremely sharper than usual. You can then expend your Chikara energy to unleash the powerful Spirit Sword Attack for massive damage!"
"Whoa! That sounds awesome!"
"Yes, but if you use it, you will immediately use up the power the sword has acquired, and will have to attack normally in order to build it up again." Alex looked thoughtful at this downside. "Don't worry, as you keep training, you will be able to use it more often per charge-up."
"Good to know. I'll just keep working hard. Thank you for the information."
"Hey, helping you to the top of your game is all part of my job description. Otherwise, I'd be doing another profession." The two shared a laugh. "Well, don't let me keep you. Go get some rest."
"Sure… Oh! I brought some Cephalos materials. Can you make some armor out of them?"
"Really? Sure I can. The Cephalos armor set will be excellent for quests to the desert!"
"Awesome!"
"Here is what I need." Vance handed Alex a list. "Cross-check what you've collected and then I'll get started. That will be 1250 Zenny."
"Got it." Alex took the list and began to rummage through his hunter pack.
Hunter Stats
1. Alex Kasai (HR1)
Weapon: Iron Katana Long Sword
Armor: Cephalos Blade Master
Skills: Telepathy, Heat Negate, Water Resist, Cold Increase
2. Anna Frost (HR1)
Weapon: Giaprey Claws Plus Dual Blades
Armor: Battle Blade Master
Skills: Strength Up, Sword Sharpener, Detect
3. Katie Zephyr (HR3) (Guest Hunter)
Weapon: Hunter Bow IV Hunting Bow
Armor: Battle Gunner
Skills: Strength Up, Precision Up, Detect, Hunger Increase
January 14th, 2098. Sekumeaya Desert Base Camp.
Today's hunt has Alex and Anna on a joint hunt with one of Rekusara's attached hunters.
"Alright boys and girls, you're in my camp now and that means you are expected to perform at nothing less than perfection!" said Katie, a HR3 level huntress.
"Could she be any less full of herself? I hope I don't become like this," whispered Anna to Alex while they were standing at least two meters clearance behind Katie. Alex just nodded.
"I heard that!" exclaimed Katie as she turned to the Pokke hunter duo, whom both had the courtesy to look sheepish. "Anyway, because we are up against Genprey I will forgive you this once. You don't become a high level hunter by underestimating your foes."
"Sure… Now, how about we get a move on? I'm itching to try out my new long sword."
"Hey! I'm leader of this expedition and we leave when…"
"I've had enough!" Anna took Alex's hand and pulled him past the braggart huntress.
"Ow, ow, ow. Easy, easy!" Alex all but helped.
Katie, to her credit, just sighed and followed them.
White Night Dunes Area 2.
The trio made their way southwards across the harsh sandy plain. Anna and Katie had to drink Cool Drinks to protect them, but Alex's Cephalos armor and it's "Heat Negate" Skill was all he needed.
"Wait! Stop! We should be able to find some this way!" called Katie. Alex and Anna turned to the entrance to a shaded rocky pathway. Alex checked his map and found it to be known as Area 4.
"Okay, let's check it… Huh!?" Alex rolled out of the way as a Velociprey like monster came flying out from the entrance. He got up quickly and the trio of hunters backed away as four more desert dwelling raptors came out into the open. "Whoa." Instead of the azure/black/red or white/light blue color scheme he was used to, these guys were light brown with reddish brown streaks and stripes. "These must be the Genprey," thought Alex. He tried to communicate with them, "Hey there. How are you all doing?"
"We were out on patrol, and what do we find but a few trespassing hunters! Just so you know, you are not escaping here alive."
"Oh really? Well I'll have you guys know that I defeated a Giadrome, Velocidrome and a Bulldrome! You guys are no match for us!"
"Is that your attempt at intimidating us? Nice try."
"At the ready, everyone!" Alex drew out his Iron Katana. He held himself into a self-taught stance he practised after acquiring his sword. One leg was behind the other, and the point his sword was aimed at the Genprey that tried to ambush him. Anna took out her blades and Katie readied her bow.
"Commense attack!" ordered Katie as she let loose an arrow. The six Genprey dispersed and went on the offensive. Alex and Anna charged, and Katie kept her distance as she tried to pick off targets.
A Genprey jumped back as Alex did a downwards vertical slash. While he was open, another Genprey jump attacked from his flank. Alex rolled to the right, having detected the attack. "Nice try!" He turned bodily and lacerated the Genprey's face with a 180 degree horizontal slash. The Sword glowed faintly for a short second on contact, which Alex took notice of. Cool!
"Stay focused, Alex!" exclaimed Anna as she did a double thrust followed with a combo of swings that exploded with ice on each hit. So that was two Genprey down.
Alex was just barely able to avoid being struck from behind again. Instead of counter-attacking, he just gave some distance. The four remaining Genprey gathered together. "What's wrong, guys? You losers feeling scared yet?"
"You won't be mocking when we get you with our special attack. C'mon boys!" The four Genprey began to run around Alex and Anna, kicking up sand. Faster and faster they ran, until a vortex of sand was stirred up which boxed in the Pokke hunter duo. "Desert Illusion: Raging Sandstorm!"
"Look alive, Anna. This is no ordinary attack," cautioned Alex. Anna nodded and tightened her grip on her blades.
"Whoa!" She was suddenly knocked off of her feet. A genprey had attacked and then rejoined the others. "What was that?"
"You were-Whoa!" Alex was the next to be grounded. Man, this is some attack… He got up and took Anna's offered hand.
"Alex, let's do back to back. Katie can't help us with the type of weapon she has unless we break out of this"
"Got it." Alex gave her his back and the two readied themselves.
"Don't blink…"
"Or you'll…"
"Miss the part where…"
"We make you eat sand!"
Alex and Anna tried their best to fend off this crafty and well coordinated attack. Try as they might, they could do nothing but fall prey to losing their footing.
Katie stood to the side, trying to figure out what to do. She had never seen something like this before. "I have to do something." She took a few arrows and began to draw her bow. "I can't target any of them individually, but maybe I can foil their attack at the very least. Ha!" She released and her arrows flew at high speed, about five in all. Three of them struck home. There were numerous cries as the attack was brought down.
"Way to go, Miss Katie!" praised Alex. "Now, let's end this!"
"Right! Dual Blades Power-Up!" Anna held up her blades to the air and they began to glow red. She and Alex then charged.
"Okay, have mercy!" begged one of the Genprey.
"Not a chance!" denied Alex. The Pokke hunter duo then went into the offensive. Within seconds the Genprey were all cut down to size. Anna brought up her blades to power-down her blades.
"Phew! That took a lot out of me!" remarked Anna.
"That was a cool ability," said Alex as he took out his carving knife.
"Thanks."
"Let's get to work on these guys and then we can move on."
Katie drew near. "You guys ok?"
"Yeah! Good timing. They had us on the ropes."
Katie looked down. "Sorry, I tend to talk big, but I didn't bring my A-game today."
"Hey, we're a team, even if only temporary. As long as we've got each other's backs, our individual shortcomings won't matter."
"Wow, you're pretty wise for a relative newcomer."
"Let's just say I learned from one of the best."
"Alex!" exclaimed Anna as she threw herself into him. An extra large Genprey landed into the spot they just were just seconds later.
"Darn it! I missed!"
The duo got up and turned to the newcomer. Katie gasped. "It's a Gendrome! He's big!"
"Gendrome?" Alex took notice of the dual crests and the extra long fangs. "Ooh!" Alex became at the ready. "Let me handle this. Anna, you're still tired from using Dual Blades Power-Up." He charged. "Ha!" Alex opened with a diagonal slash.
"The name's Crest. Remember it in your grave." The Gendrome ducked and bit Alex's left arm.
"Ow!" Alex pulled but Crest held on with surprising strength. "Let go!" Alex jammed the hilt into Crest's face until the desert raptor released.
Alex then began attacking relentlessly while maintaining a level of caution. But Crest expertly dodged each attack. "How can he be so fast!? Ow!" Alex was suddenly bitten on his other arm. "D-darn y-you!" All coordination in either arm disappeared as the longsword clattered onto the ground. "W-what!? Why? I can't feel my arms!" Both arms dangled limp.
"It looks like my Neurotoxin is finally taking effect! You're mine now!" Crest did a jump attack and knocked Alex down. He kept him pinned as he prepared to bite Alex in the head. "Just hold still. It won't take very long. You'll be dead before you know it!"'
Alex shook and twisted his body in hopes of freeing himself, but to no avail. He appeared to be done for. "No! No! NO! Get off me!"
"Get of him!" exclaimed Anna as she attacked with a double thrust. Crest jumped away, snarling in pain.
"Aaahh! You'll pay for this!" Crest did a jump attack at Anna. He was foiled by a shot of arrows from Katie's bow. "Graahh!" In this moment, the arm that was bitten first regained some control and Alex wasted no time. He grabbed his sword and took a slash as Crest was falling. Crest was thrown away by the attack, but got up quickly. "NO! I will not… be defeated… by the likes… of you!" Crest charged at Alex.
Alex looked at his Iron Katana to see that it was glowing red. It has enough energy stored up! Okay, it's time to bust out the big gun! Alex willed himself to overcome the lingering paralysis in his other arm. He focused intensely and stood his ground. "I hope this works! Spirit Sword Attack!" The Katana glowed white as Alex inhumanely delivered a lightning fast flurry of slashes ending with a downwards powerslash.
"AAAAHHHH!" screeched Crest as he was eviscerated to pieces.
Alex collapsed as he caught his breath. "Great Fatalis! THAT WAS AWESOME!"
"And overkill," commented Anna, wiping off the blood that had splattered unto her armor.
"Let's just get out of here," said Katie. "We've done enough for today. I've had a lot of fun with you two."
"Well, thanks. I look forward to working with you in the future," replied Alex.
"Let's get back to Pokke," said Anna. The trio began to make their way back camp, but not before Alex salvaged what he could from Crest's remains.