Monster Hunter: The Telepathic Hunter; Ch20: Unseen Peril: Rocky Wyvern

March 1st, 2098. Pokke Village.

It had been a few days since the Monoblos face off. Alex had yet to bring Anna on a group hunt with their Hunter Squad. There was a reason why Hunters could only take quests together in groups of four or less. And while the reason was tragic, it was pretty mediocre in this day and age. Was not it not a good idea to take every advantage possible in order to maximize success and safety? The reason was because of an incident known simply as "Five." It will be fully explained later.

9:00 AM.

Alex was heading to the Guild Outpost. "Hey, Alex! Wait up!" called Anna.

Alex stopped to look at her. "Good morning, Anna! What's up?"

"Oh, I just came to enlist your help," she replied with a smile. She took out an Urgent Quest Sheet. "The Guild is offering a Rank Up for a Quest against a Basarios, in the Volcanic Belt. It apparently disturbed some miners from Fort Ash Path."

"Miners, huh?" Alex mused. "Fort Ash Path is an important stronghold against Lao Shan Lungs and Shen Gaorens, so this is pretty important."

"Yeah. Kotaru sent me a letter so that I could take part in this."

"Cool! I need to gather some Dragonite ore for Vance so that he can repair Grace, anyway. I've been working up the courage to visit the Volcanic Belt for a while now. This is a wonderful opportunity. Of course I'll join!"

"Great. Thanks, Mr. Water. Let's get signed up together."

"Right…" Alex was a bit miffed, as ever since his hair changed, he no longer liked to be called by "Mr. Water." The nickname never suited him anyway, as any form of travel on water was bad for his bowels.

Hunter Stats

1. Alex Kasai (HR3)

Weapon: Kut-Ku Starve II Bow (Scatter Shot, Fire Element)

Armor: Cephalos Gunner

Skills: Telepathy, Kasai Potential, Heat Negate, Cold Increase, Hunger Halved, Water Resist

2. Anna Frost (HR2)

Weapon: Giaprey Claws Plus Dual Blades (Ice Element)

Armor: Cephalos Blade Master

Skills: Heat Negate, Cold Increase, Hunger Halved, Water Resist

3. Kotaru Shiki (HR2)

Weapon: Bone Katana Shark Long sword

Armor: Kut-ku Blade Master Expert Gem Decoration

Skills: Vitality Up, Strength Up, Fire Resist, Water Damage Increase, Reckless Abandon

Alex and Anna took a Balloon to Jumbo village. Speaking of water travel, once they arrived, they took a boat to the Volcanic Belt. As usual, Alex was queasy the whole ride.

The Volcanic Belt consisted of three parts: The North Elde District, the South Elde District, and a treacherous arena-like separation called the Battleground. The North Elde District could only be visited by Hunters HR7 or higher, as terribly powerful monsters and Elder Dragons called it home or frequented it. Kirins and Gravios could be battled at the Battleground, making it popular among Hunters HR4 and up. You had to be at least HR2 to take quests in the South Elde District, Alex and Anna's destination.

"Ahhh, just take in the sweet sulfur aroma," joked Alex as he jumped off of the boat onto a small beach nestled in an otherwise unwelcoming rocky area. It did not take a genius to see that this place was quite desolate and dangerous.

"Alex, you're crazy," Anna retorted as she walked into his line of sight. He was looking at the entrance of a cave.

"Hi there!" called a voice from behind Anna. Alex smiled as he looked past Anna a little to the right at the owner, who had silently approached from behind her without detection. "Hey, aren't you a cutie!"

"Eek!" Anna spun around and in one swift motion, had one of her blades pointed right at the speaker's neck, only a few centimeters from piercing his Adam's apple.

"Whoa! Easy, easy!" Kotaru jumped back and held up his arms in surrender. "I didn't mean to scare you."

"You should never sneak up on a girl, you know!" Anna lowered her blade. "You're Alex's friend, yes?"

"Right you are! My name is Kotaru. What's yours, cutie?"

Anna brought up her blade again while releasing some feminine killer intent. "If you call me that one more time, Alex will hate me after I'm done with you!" Kotaru visibly swallowed, as did Alex. "I'm glad we're clear on that. I'm Anna, and it's a pleasure to meet another member of our Squad."

"Nice to meet you, Anna." Kotaru cautiously went forward and offered a hand. Anna put on a forced smile as she shook his hand. He then circled around and patted Alex on the shoulder. "Alex, my dude! You're looking well today. I see you have good taste in women!" Alex chuckled as Anna flushed red behind them.

"She's not… I'm not… Argh…" Alex was also flustered, having eventually caught Kotaru's meaning. Kotaru just laughed. "So anyway, what's the word? Are you ready to take on this Basarios?" Alex asked.

"I'm as ready as I'll ever be. We're going to have a difficult time tracking it, though. I hear they like to hide, as they are quite lazy."

"Not to worry about that. That's where I come in. I'll find him for you."

"Using your 'Kasai prowess and privilege'?" Kotaru mused.

"I'd prefer you didn't say it like that…" Alex pouted.

"Alright, already! Let's just go in already and see how it goes," said Anna impatiently. "Time's a wastin!"

"Yes, ma'am!" responded Alex and Kotaru meekly.

And so the trio proceeded to make their final preparations then entered into a long narrow way, which got warmer the further they went in. Soon, they came into Area 4. A lake of lava bubbled and flowed at their 11 o'clock. To their left was a wall with a huge crack in it. The first mining spot. Forward in their view up to their right, jets of hot gasses rose up out of small glowing holes. A swarm of eight Vespoids, the giant mosquito-like insects, buzzed about in the air, while a few scattered Apceroses were munching on red colored vegetation.

"Wow... it sure is beautiful here..." commented Anna.

"Not to mention hot!" added Kotaru, who reached into his hunter pack and pulled out a Cool Drink. He gulped it down quickly.

"I think I'll always bring Cephalos armor along. I've had my fair share of Desert heat."

"Same here," replied Anna. She stepped forward, "Alright team, let's get to work! Alex, if you please."

"Let's get rid of these Vespoids first," replied Alex, drawing his weapon. Anna and Kotaru followed suit. "I don't have a Psychoserum, so I'll have to focus very hard in order to find our target. I can't have these pests bugging me."

"Here we go!" Kotaru rushed forward. Alex drew his bow and let loose a Level Two Scatter Shot. Five Arrows flew forth and pierced into four of the Vespoids. Anna finished them off as they were falling out of the air, too hurt and heavy to fly. Kotaru faced off with another group on the side.

Before long, the swarm was vanquished. "Great job, everyone! Now I can focus!" exclaimed Alex as he put away his bow. He took a map and studied the zones of the South Elde District. After that, he closed his eyes. "Hmm… Hrrrgh… Haaa…"

"Uh, is that grunting necessary?" asked Kotaru.

"Quiet! I'm trying to focus, here!" Alex cut him off. Kotaru just shifted his feet. "Oh! It got something!" Alex opened his eyes and turned to the north east. He then looked at the map again. "There's something in Area 6. Let's go."

"Alright!" cheered Anna.

"Finally," grumbled Kotaru.

"You guys can go ahead. I want to do some mining first."

"Huh!? Now? Can't you do that after?" asked Anna.

"Uh… Okay, fine. Let's go."

"Remember, Anna, this is mostly our quest for OUR Rank-Up," said Kotaru. "Alex is basically only here to supervise us, make sure we don't bite off more than we can chew."

"I know that much," replied Anna.

"Hey, you guys make it sound like I'm your baby sitter or something!" Alex almost whiled. Because he had his helmet on, no one could see him pout. He sighed. "In any case, let's just go."

The trio made their way to Area 6. On the way, in Area 5, they were attacked by big blue "crabs," known as Ceanataurs. These juvenile carapaceons were territorial and quick. Anna and Kotaru had to protect Alex as his arrows were of little effect against the crab's armor.

Once that hurdle was dealt with, the squad resumed march. Area 6 was the innermost part of the cave network consisting of itself, 3, 4, and 5. It was near the Active Volcano, Mount Elde South. In this area, there was a deep gorge with a pool of lava in it. One would have to be either really stupid or really unlucky to allow themself into a position that would cause them to fall into it. To the right of the gorge was a wall of rock with two mining spots.

"Oh, look, it's a pack of Ioprey," observed Anna.

"And their Iodrome leader," added Kotaru.

"I guess that's the boss I sensed. Now we have two choices. We can either avoid them, and try another Area, or we take them out."

"I'd prefer we don't take on any more extra work that we have already. Besides, we're going to need all of our wits once we find the Basarios."

"I guess you're right. Well, let's get…" Before Alex could finish speaking, he was suddenly tacked by a Ioprey's Flying Leap attack. "Whoa!"

"Alex!" Anna exclaimed in alarm.

"Reckless Abandon!" yelled Kotaru as he took a slice at the attacker. It cut clean through the raptor-like bird wyvern.

Anna drew her blades as the rest of the pack approached, including the Iodrome. 'Darn it! This is just what we were hoping to avoid! Well, come on then!" Anna went on the offensive.

"Thanks, man," said Alex as Kotaru helped him up. He took out his bow.

"No problem. Now, let's not have Miss Anna here do all of the work.."

"Right!" Alex drew his bow to twice the tension. "Scatter Shot, Level Two!" Five arrows came out instead of one. Explosions of Fire Element erupted on every Ioprey that got hit.

"Dual Ice Slash!" exclaimed Anna. The Iodrome reeled back in pain from Anna's devastating attack.

"That's enough for me! I'm outta here!" The Iodrome spat out a ball of poison, which Anna dodged like the plague. At that moment, the Iodrome was making his getaway.

"Hey! Get back here!" Anna exclaimed, mad that she was almost poisoned.

"Forget about him," said Alex as he and Kotaru regrouped with her.

"Actually, I think we should follow it. It's heading to Area 7," said Kotaru. "Who knows, maybe he'll lead us right to our real target!"

"I suppose it's worth a shot," Alex mused.

"Well, it's getting away. Let's go!" Anna sheathed her blades and took off in a sprint.

"Wait up!" Alex and Kotaru did the same and gave chase.

The trio exited the cave to find themselves out in the open. However, they soon noticed that there was absolutely no sign of the Iodrome they were pursuing.

"That's impossible! We were right behind it!" exclaimed Kotaru.

"There's no way it could have given us the slip so easily," added Alex.

"It's your fault for dawdling. Anyway, let's forget about it and start looking for the Basarios."

"Huh!? That rock formation…" Alex pointed to an out of place alignment of rocks.

"Hey, you're right!" said Kotaru. "I've seen similar ones like that in Area's 1 and 2. This is not my first time here in South Elde, and I've never seen this in this zone before."

"I've got an idea." Alex took off his bow from his back, and an arrow from the quiver. He took aim and drew the bow. "Be ready for anything, you two." Kotaru and Anna nodded and unsheathed their weapons. "Scatter Shot, Level One." Alex let loose three arrows for the price of one. Small explosions of fire went off as huge shape came out of the ground in a frightened startle.

"Hey! What's the big idea!? That wasn't very nice!" complained an irritated, yet rather lazy sounding voice. The Basarios turned to the shocked trio. "How would you like it if someone disturbed you in the middle of resting after a meal?"

At the time of that second statement, Alex had recovered first and allowed Anna and Kotaru into his telepathic link, even without touching them. His control of it was much better now than when he first unlocked it.

"I know that must be mighty inconvenient, little guy, but I'm afraid that's the least of your worries. We have some lethal business to 'discuss' with you," said Kotaru.

"Little!? The rotten nerve of you humans! I'm BIGGER than you!" It seems that Kotaru had struck a nerve. "I'll show you lethal, alright!" The Basarios broke out into a full charge.

"Oh, you made him mad!" exclaimed Anna as the trio broke away from each other.

"Let's talk strategy!" shouted Alex.

"His hide is extremely tough, but it is weakest over his stomach," answered Kotaru. "If we can break it, we will be able to get a good hit."

"Someone's done his homework! Leave that to me!" Alex took out an arrow. He charged at the Basarios, who was charging at Anna. "Anna, I need you to keep his attention. Can you trust me?"

"Okay!" Despite sounding the tiniest bit scared, Anna held her ground. Alex approached from the side.

"Dodge now!" Alex ordered as the Basarios got near to her. He fired a well aimed shot. Two of the three arrows were deflected, but one of them hit its mark, releasing a puff of flame. "Got'cha."

"You loser! Just what are you trying to do?" The Basarios turned to Alex.

"I'm glad you asked, but I' sure you won't like the answer. Fire Element: Blazing Arrow!" Alex held out an open hand and quickly balled it into a fist. A few seconds later, an explosion went off under the Basarios, from the spot where the arrow was embedded into his stomach.