Monster Hunter: The Telepathic Hunter; Ch19: The Blood Red Horn

February 14th. Pokke Village.

"I have avenged your honor," said Alex as he came to the counter of Vance's Smithy. "I was able to run the Kushala off of our backyard."

"Congrats on returning home alive," replied Vance. "I'm sure it wasn't easy. You know, you didn't have to do that."

"I wanted to, and I'm satisfied. I needed the experience, to show myself where I stand. Well, I'm going to get some rest. Catch you later."

"Have a good rest, Alex."

After the skirmish with Metal the Kushala Daora, things had slowed down. Corra was back, so the three hunters of Pokke often did joint quests. Alex also did more research, trying to learn more abilities. He also trained with the ones he already knew. He learned that because of the fact that he had developed a second Affinity for the Thunder Element, he could do the Khezu Cloak whenever he wanted. But, Remote Detonation only worked if he had either a weapon or armor empowered by the Fire Element, Fire Resistance in the case of armor, and bombs to use it on…

February 25th, 2098. Pokke Village.

Alex was on his bed going through mail. Normally, quests in the Guild were from all over, and it was a Hunter's choice to do whatever they wanted, as long as they picked quests within their level. The times when all quests were decidedly non-optional missions were long gone, as the day-to-day interactions with humans/wyverians and monsters was contemporarily at a stable level. Only Guild HQ certified call-to-arms against a Lao Shan Lung or Shen Gaoren siege were non-optional, at least for all those who were HR6 or higher. HR5 level Hunters could also join, but they were not allowed to do direct combat unless as a last resort, otherwise they were only tasked with manning the siege weapons such as the Ballista, Great Cannons, and the "ultimate weapon", the Dragonator.

Anyway, Alex would sometimes get quests in his mail that directly asked for his assistance, such as occasional requests from King Nathaniel of Rekusara or Chief Ryuu of Jumbo. Alex took out a scroll from an envelope. "Ooh, a quest sheet! I wonder what it's about?" Alex unraveled the scroll. "Let's see here… Quest Level; four stars. Target: Monoblos. Client: Kotaru Shiki. Kotaru!?" In his shock, Alex dropped the envelope, causing the letter it contained to fall out. "Huh?" Alex picked up the letter and began to read.

Dear Alex,

How have you been, buddy? I haven't heard from you since our chance encounter in the Still Swamp! Um, I need your help. Do you remember my big sister, Ai? She's a great Hunter. So there is this Monoblos that attacked her during a joint quest with some members of a Hunter Squad called the Brothers Four.

Anyway, she wants to hunt it in order to get its horn. I was wondering if you would be willing to join us. You're welcome to bring a friend along, if you are willing to split your reward.

Be seeing you, if you decide to join us."

"Well, I'm always up for a challenge. And yes, I do remember Ai. She used to flip over every boy who so much as approached her. And anyone who tried to bully Kotaru had to be wary of her!" Alex laughed at the memory. "Those were the days… Maybe I'll bring Corra along for this."

Later that day…

"Heck no! Count me out! I hate Monoblos with a passion!" was Corra's spirited reply to Alex's recruitment request.

Alex sighed. "Aw… I was hoping you would join. I can't ask Anna because she isn't a high enough rank for this…"

"What am I not high enough for?" asked Anna herself as she stumbled onto the scene with less than ideal timing. Alex turned to her with a sheepish smile. "Well, what is it?"

"Well, I've been offered to take part in a hunt against a Monoblos. I didn't want to tell you because I wasn't sure how you would react."

"Of course I would be bummed out, but I know the Guild rules better than you. I wouldn't press my luck. People die unnecessarily when the rules are broken. The rules are there to ensure our safety."

Alex released a sigh of relief. "Like a weight lifted from my shoulders. I at least promise to bring you a souvenir."

"That sounds great. I'll look forward to it. Well, I'm off to get a quest of my own. Catch you later."

"Alright, Nephew. I'll join you."

Alex turned to Corra and pulled her into a hug. "Thanks a million, Corra!"

"Ugh! Don't make me regret this!"

Alex released immediately. "Sorry, got a bit carried away there."

"You sure are an emotional guy sometimes."

Hunter Stats

1. Alex Kasai (HR3)

Weapon: Cutlass Plus Dual Blades (Water Element)

Armor: Plesioth Blade Master

Skills: Telepathy, Kasai Potential, Heat Resist, Cold Resist, Water Resist.

2. Corra Kasai (HR3)

Weapon: War Hammer

Armor: Kut-ku Blade Master

Skills: Vitality Up, Strength Up, Fire Resist, Water Damage Increase.

3. Ai Shiki (HR4)

Weapon: Paladin Lance

Armor: Gravios Blade Master

Skills: Sleep Resist, Endurance Up, Fire Resist, Guard Increase.

Sekumeaya Desert Base Camp. 6:45 PM.

Alex and Corra stepped into the camp to find a lone Huntress. Her long hair was a deep violet and purple. Even in her armor, one could tell how curvy and ravishing she was. But Alex was not thinking that way. He looked around for Kotaru.

"My brother will not be joining us today, as he is only HR2 and not allowed to hunt Monoblos," said the woman. "That's why I made him file this quest for me as a client."

Alex turned and walked up to her. "Understood. It's good to finally see you again after all these years, Ai." He held out his right hand. "You're looking in top form."

Ai hesitated for a short second before taking Alex's hand. "We've never really officially met. I only remember that you played a lot with Kotaru. I am Ai Shiki." Ai then proceeded to hurl Alex a few feet off of the ground, and flip him onto his back, all 215 pounds of him!

"AAAAHHH–OOF!" wailed Alex during the ordeal.

"What the!? Hey, are you crazy!?" bellowed Corra in alarm.

"Forgive me for asserting my worth. Alex here was underestimating me. I could feel it."

"Now I know… how all of those boys… must have felt. You sure are strong…" Alex was slowly getting up. "Whatever gave you the impression… Ugh, my back…"

"Forgive me, Sir Alex." Ai went up to Alex and snatched him by his midsection. She squeezed and everyone heard a pop!

"OW! Man… Oh! It doesn't hurt anymore…"

"I realigned your back. Once again, I apologize."

Corra was just thrown for a loop. "I am not quite understanding what is going on right now. How about we get started on tonight's hunt?"

"Sounds good to me. Are you ready to go, Miss Shiki?"

"Yes. I finished my preparations long before you arrived," answered Ai as she placed her helmet onto her head. The helmet was designed like a gas mask. The whole armor set was like a hazmat suit. "I've been here since sunset." She picked up her lance weapon.

"Whoa… Well, let's hop to it!"

White Night Dunes Area 2.

Alex looked up at the sky. Because of the fact that Planet Macha was located in a region of the universe that possessed a near infinite amount of moving objects, one could always see a multitude of meteor showers on clear nights in any of Macha's desert regions. "Wow! Look at all of those shooting stars."

"Stay focused, Alex. We could be attacked at a moment's notice. Monoblos can swim through the sand at even faster speeds than a Cephadrome."

"Hmm… I don't sense anything." Alex paid attention to his surroundings.

"It's not here. According to the Map, it is in Area 7. We'd better haul it if we want to catch up to it."

Area 7.

The trio entered the area to find nothing there. Or at least, that was how it seemed at first glance. Rumbling could be felt as a disturbance of sand swept across the hunters' vision. Then, a huge wyvern rose up from the sand like a shark breaching the sea after tackling a seal from below. Everyone was forced to cover their ears as the single horned wyvern unleashed an ear-splitting roar. It dragged its long spiky club-end tail in a swaying manner behind him, and shook his wings and head. It turned to face them as they recovered.

"Whoa! That thing is huge!" thought Alex.

"Oh, great, another bunch of misfit hunters! I, Sabaku Uno, will crush you!"

"Misfit!? You're gonna regret saying that, pal!" Alex replied.

"Everyone, let's surround and box him in," ordered Ai.

"I don't think he'll let us!" exclaimed Corra as Sabaku charged at the trio of hunters.

"Alex, go left. Corra, you go right!" Ai drew her lance from her back and put up her shield, intending to take the attack head on.

"Uh, okay!" Alex replied, with a slight bit of worry in his voice.

Sabaku slammed his horn against Ai's shield just as Alex and Corra got into position. Alex's worry dissipated as he observed how little Ai was pushed back. Her physical strength was even more impressive than she showed when she flipped him over. "A-amazing!" said Corra in awe.

"Grh! What's this!?" Sabaku was surprised as well.

"Don't take me lightly!" Ai stepped back a bit, and unleashed her first attack, aiming to poke one of Sabaku's eyes. However, Sabaku quickly spun a 180, countering Ai's attack and nailing her with his club end tail.

"Aaahh!" Ai was sent rolling across the sand.

"Ai! Why you!" Alex charged. "Whoa!" He dodged as Sabaku tried to hit him with his tail. "Take this!" Alex let loose a few swings of his blades, cutting at the very tail. Strong splashes of Water Element occurred on each hit.

'ROAR!' Sabaku screeched in pain. He turned to Alex, who jumped back twice back in alarm. "Grrr! I've got something special for you! Blood Red Thrust!" Sabaku's horn changed color to reddish brown as he charged at Alex.

"Crap! I can't get hit by that!" Alex turned tail and ran to the right. Sabaku kept Alex within his path with incredible agility, quickly closing in on him.

"Alex, DIVE!" exclaimed Corra as she came out from the left. Alex did as he was told. "Eat this!" Corra smashed her hammer with all of her might into the Monoblos' face!

"GRAHHH!" Sabaku collapsed and crashed from the shock, and was seeing stars.

"Alex, cut off his horn!" ordered Ai.

"Roger!" Alex got up and unsheathed his blades. "Dual Blades Power Up!" His blades began to glow red as he raised them into the air briefly. "Here I go!" Alex went over to Sabaku's head. "Dual Power Slash!" Alex chopped down at the base of Sabaku's horn with both blades, easily slicing it off!

"NOOO!" The pain snapped Sabaku out of his haze. "You… You fiend! You'll pay dearly for that!" Alex stepped back as Sabaku began digging into the sand and disappearing beneath it.

"Alex, run towards me!" exclaimed Ai. She was at the ready with her lance. "I have a plan, but I need you to trust me!"

"Okay." Alex began running. Behind him, Sabaku was giving chase, swimming through the sand at high speed like a Cephalos. Ai held her lance before her and charged at Alex. "I'm starting to not like this plan of yours!" exclaimed Alex.

"Just focus and dodge accordingly!" Ai replied. Time slowed down as the trio converged upon one other. Alex jumped to the left. Sabaku launched out of the sand, just missing Alex. "Take this!" exclaimed Ai.

"What!? NOOOO!" screamed the wyvern as Ai's spear pierced into his chest with spot on timing. "AAAHHHHH!"

"Alex, finish him off!" ordered Ai as she pulled away from the wyvern.

"Roger!" Alex used Dual Blades Power Up, lifting his blades into the air. I've been waiting to try this out. Alex charged at Sabaku, who had collapsed from his injury. "This is the end! Water Element: Water Cutters!" Two extremely sharp flat extensions of water formed from Alex's blades. "Dual Blades Water Dance!" he exclaimed as he then proceeded to attack Sabaku with flowing deadly grace.

"GRAAAAHHHH!" Sabaku screamed for the last time. He was reduced to a dying, bleeding mess, littered with gashes and cuts.

"Phew…" Alex caught his breath as he powered down and put away his blades. "That was… tight."

"Great work, everyone," said Ai as she and Corra drew near to Alex.

"This wasn't so bad," remarked Corra. She was carrying the Blood Red Horn which Alex severed. "I believe this belongs to you."

"Thank you, Miss Corra," said Ai as she received the trophy. Alex was carving up the Monoblos in the background.

"Hey, save some materials for us!" Corra shouted at Alex.

"I wasn't going to take everything!" Alex shouted back as he stood up. He stepped away from the carcase. "Here, have your turn."

"Thank you."

Once Ai and Corra were done, the trio returned to the Base Camp.

"It was wonderful hunting alongside you two," remarked Ai.

"I feel the same way," replied Alex. "I can't believe how strong you are. You guarded against the Monoblos' charge like it was nothing!"

"Oh, that was because of the excellent guard of the Lance weapon coupled with one of my Armor Skills. The Guard Increase Skill."

"Cool!" Alex was always interested in learning about new Skills.

"How about we get out of here?" said Corra. "I would prefer not to spend longer here than we must."

"That's okay with me," said Ai. "There's just one more thing before we part ways. Alex, would you and your comrade Anna like to form a Hunter Squad with Kotaru and me?"

"That would be… so awesome. But what about…" Alex looked at Corra.

"Don't worry about me, Nephew. I'd like to go at my own pace, and take it a little easier. High level quests are not my style, so I doubt I'll be working for Rank Ups any time soon, too."

"Alright." Alex turned back to Ai. "I accept. I'll let Anna know when I return."

"Great! I look forward to working with you two. Well, see you next time!"

Ai boarded her own Balloon, and Alex and Corra left in theirs. The trio went their separate ways to home.