Monster Hunter: The Telepathic Hunter; Ch40: The Ocean of Trees
Hunter Stats (Reminder)
1. Alex Kasai (HR5)
Weapon: Eagle Cleaver Long Sword (Thunder Element)
Armor: Blango Blade Master + Turtle Gem Decoration
Skills: Telepathy, Kasai Potential, Snow Resist, Cold Negate, Quake Negate, Fire Damage Increase, Endurance Up
2. Anna Frost (HR5)
Weapon: Black Twin Daggers
Armor: Blango Blade Master
Skills: Snow Resist, Cold Negate, Quake Negate, Fire Damage Increase
3. Corra Kasai (HR5)
Weapon: Gun Hammer Prototype Hammer (Fire Element)
Armor: Diablos Blade Master
Skills: Reckless Abandon +2, Wind Pressure Breaker, Vitality Down
4. Clarence Scorcher (HR5)
Weapon: Flaming Pair Dual Blades (Dragon Element)
Armor: Blade MasterArmor: Kushala Blade Master
Skills: Focus, Terrain Damage Negate, HG Earplug, Ice Resist, Poison Damage Increase, Elder Dragon Influence
5. Ai Shiki (HR5)
Weapon: Crimson Spear Lance (Fire Element)
Armor: Gravios Blade Master
Skills: Sleep Negate, Endurance Up, Fire Resist, Guard Increase
6. Kotaru Shiki (HR5)
Weapon: Djinn Sword and Shield (Fire Element)
Armor: Kut-Ku 'D' Blade Master
Skills: Element Attack Up, Reckless Abandon +1, Ice Damage Increase
October 11th, 2098. Dondruma Battle Field, Dondruma City. Afternoon.
Alex turned around. Thanks to Quake Negate, he was not knocked down. However, the sight he beheld as he looked down from the wall was bone chilling. A vast majority of Hunters were down, and a few had been severely hurt from the Gaoren's attack, including Black Oni. "NO!"
"There… This is more like it. Now, on to destroying this pathetic city."
Alex clenched his fists. "How dare you look down upon us!? I'll show you who the real ant is!" Alex unsheathed Grace. Clarence and Anna stood up just then. "The time has come to take the fight to him."
"Alex… Can I…" started Anna.
"I won't try to stop you, Anna. If you feel like joining, then we'll fight together."
"I'm here as well," said Clarence. "Let's be heroes."
"Don't forget about us!" Alex turned to see Katie, Jake, Jason, Ai and Kotaru.
An idea came into Alex's mind. "Huh, this could work. Been I while since I last did this. Everyone, come join hands with me! Please trust me!"
"Alex, you're not about to use what I think you are…" started Kotaru. Alex just nodded.
The threat of Titan advancing led the others to quickly obey Alex's request. "Here goes… Chikara Focus: Thunder Element…" Alex concentrated hard. "Friendship Thunder Cloak!"
All eight hunters became cloaked in blue electricity. "Whoa!"
"This will only last for four minutes! Now let's go!" rallied Alex.
"YEAH!" cheered the others, no doubt feeling invigorated by the temporary rush of power coursing through them.
The octet went down the wall and charged at the imposing Shen Gaoren. "You all seem to be gluttons for punishment! Fine, I'll crush you again!"
"The one who will be crushed is you!" exclaimed Alex. He then noticed that the legs were quite wounded from the efforts of those who fought before, many of which lay unconscious and scattered around. "Those of you who can move, please help evacuate those who can't! Red Oni, get your brother to safety! My friends and I will pick up the slack!"
"Telepathy… I haven't heard this in a while! Thank you, Alex. You're even greater than I imagined!" replied Red's voice to Alex.
"Let's topple this overgrown crab!" exclaimed Jake.
With that, the eight got to work on Titan's legs, occasionally having to keep out of the way of the lumbering movements lest they get crushed. With every step, however, a mini-quake occurred which unbalanced everyone but Alex and Anna for five seconds.
About ten minutes into the continuation of the battle, it was time for tragedy. "GRR! Get lost, you pests!" Titan made a step, once again releasing a mini-quake. Then, he swung both claws, hoping to rend someone apart. Alex noticed someone in immediate danger: Ai. By now, the cloaks of everyone had run out, so even with the five seconds of unbalance wearing off, Ai still would not have the speed necessary to dodge.
Alex sheathed Grace as he burst into a ferocious sprint at Ai. "Please let me make it in time!" Long story short, Alex did not make it time. Ai screamed in pain as she was sent flying, with Alex crossing the path in a near miss moments later. In his shock and horror, he tripped and fell over.
"NOOO!" screamed Kotaru. He scrambled towards where she landed.
Alex slowly stood up. "No… this… isn't happening…" Alex turned to the Gaoren, who was now standing directly in front of the wall. "I… WILL NOT ACCEPT THIS!" Once again, red electricity cloaked Alex. Everyone stared in shock as he took off, Grace drawn. "TITAN! YOU'RE GONNA PAY FOR THIS!"
"What now!? Why won't you give up already!?" Alex quickly went to each leg, delivering a single but powerful slash to each one. "Huh? No! What have you done!? Aaahh!" Titan began to collapse. Alex ran out from under the falling beast.
"Way to go, Alex." Corra went over to Dragonator's activation system. "Take this!" She hit a large circular button with her hammer. Two giant spears thrusted forth from the wall, breaking into the carapaceon's body.
"NOOOOOOO!" Titan was finally defeated. Purple blood oozed out like a flood. "Darn… it… all….."
Alex powered down as the blood rushed past his feet. He slowly trudged back to his friends. He did not feel even an iota of victory. Anna met him partway, throwing herself into a hug around him. "Alex, don't be sad. She's alive, only very hurt." Alex perked up only slightly at that. "The others are carrying her away so that she can get treatment."
"Wait… If I can get some water, maybe I can heal her, too." Alex remembered his unique special Water Element Affinity power. "Still, I feel very tired. If you let go of me, I might just collapse. It probably won't work with my Chikara so low after what I did…"
"Come, let's get back to the city. You need to rest."
"Okay."
Dondruma Guild Outpost Gathering Hall. 4:56 PM.
Alex, Anna, Clarence and Corra were sitting together at a table in the largest Gathering Hall they had ever seen. At least sixty people could find a spot here without any difficulty. The wyverian from earlier was debriefing everyone present about the aftermath of the battle.
Only 24 of the 40 Hunters were here, with 9 injured including Ai and Black Oni, and the eldest of the Brother's Four, Jameson. There was one death, Hannah the Sleep Bomber. She had been trampled by the Tectonic Step attack. Kotaru, Red, Jake, Jason and Jared were absent, choosing to be with their loved ones at Dondruma's health facility.
The truth of the matter was that there had never, ever been a Siege Battle without casualties before. There was no way to control what could happen when faced with monsters as gigantic and powerful as Shen Gaorens and Lao Shan Lungs. The danger of these events was always dialed up to eleven.
Even as Alex's friends and girlfriend consoled him, Alex's tears flowed freely. It had been awhile since he cried, and he could no longer suppress his stress and sadness. While Aokaze's grim final words had not taken someone from his circle, the fact remained that someone died today. And it was someone he fought alongside with, even briefly.
He met Hannah once when he was on a solo quest to hunt a Basarios in South Elde, some time after the Black Diablos and Gravios Incident. She was a bit worse than Sakura Rosada in personality, but her skills were solid. They helped each other in their separate quests that day. She was tracking a Shogun Ceanataur, and Alex was more than happy to help.
Everyone was encouraged to stay and rest in the city for at least the night. Besides a generous financial reward from the Guild, the citizens of Dondruma were exceedingly grateful and wanted to show thanks in their own way.
October 12th. 2:00 PM.
The next day, at a fancy theater-like area, a performance was being held in celebration. One of the highlights of the event was a song. Everyone watched as a beautiful woman in a creamy white dress came up to the center stage. "How are y'all doing, folks? This number goes out to you. It's called, "Bet My Dignity." I hope you enjoy it. Well, here I go." She cleared her throat and then waited until the band got started with a catchy, pumping tune.
"Na, na, na-na, la-la!
I'm... on the hunt, (on the hunt). I... won't give up, (until I win).
I'm... on the hunt, (on the hunt). I'll... keep fighting...
Searching, walking, marching, conquering!
I'm a hunter! Rain or shine, I'll carry on, with youthful strength.
[Pause]
Thick or thin, through steamy jungles,
Blazing deserts, I will persevere.
Howling, snowy mountains! Angry volcanoes,
Murky, deadly, humid swamps, I'll show my courage!
Claws or fangs, I'll come out unscathed. Roaring dragons, I am not afraid!
Bet my spirit, bet my passion, bet my courage!
Bet my spirit, bet my passion, bet my dignity!
[Pause]
I'm... on the hunt, (on the hunt). I... won't give up, (until I win).
I'm... on the hunt, (on the hunt). I'll... keep fighting...
Searching, walking, marching, conquering!
I'm a hunter, rain or shine, I'll carry on, with youthful strength.
[Pause]
Cloud or clear, I'll seek adventure!
Trouble magnet! That is what I am!
I will not give up now! I won't quit just yet!
I'll keep going 'till the end! Determination!
Friends or foes, I'll meet with valor! Fame or glory, I don't really care!
Bet my spirit, bet my passion, bet my courage!
Bet my spirit, bet my passion, bet my dignity!
[Pause]
I'm... on the hunt, (on the hunt). I... won't give up, (until I win).
I'm... on the hunt, (on the hunt). I'll... keep fighting, searching, walking, marching, conquering!
I'm a hunter, rain or shine, I'll carry on, with youthful strength.
[Pause]
Catch or miss, I'll search thoroughly!
Hidden Treasures, lie in wait for me!
Farming, Fishing, mining! Finding resources!
Working so diligently! I'll give it my all!
Win or lose, this is my battle! On my honor, bet my dignity!
Bet my spirit, bet my passion, bet my courage!
Bet my spirit, bet my passion, bet my dignity!"
[Song End]
Applause rang out from the audience. Alex was clapping too. He had thoroughly enjoyed the song, hanging on every verse and word, his spirits uplifted.
"Thank you, thank you! Y'all are just mighty kind."
Anna smiled, happy that Alex no longer seemed down.
December 2nd. Pokke Village.
Some time has passed. This month marked almost a year since Alex had started his journey to become the best Hunter he could be. Now HR6 thanks to the Dondruma Defense Urgent Quest, he had been quite busy going on more "High Rank" quests, facing tougher and tougher opponents. Sad to say, while Ai was able to keep her life, she was not able to keep her profession, at least not for a while. She had taken quite an awful hit, the kind that killed most run-of-the-mill Hunters. She was instructed by her doctors to take at least three months off from going on quests, unless she just wanted to off herself.
There was some Pseudo Winter going on in the last week of November, so Alex was cooped up at home. Of course, he had not forgotten to keep his promise to Emperor. Oh, no. He had bought tonnes of supplies from Dondruma, as much as he could fit on his Airship without it being unable to fly. Apple, as well, had a field day cooking with premium ingredients she had only ever dreamed of getting her paws on.
Some time in early November, Red and Black Oni came to visit Pokke, and Alex decided to throw a party. He had been reminded of the importance of taking time to just enjoy life with the people around him. Despite the current level of stability on Planet Macha, as compared to centuries before, life for Hunters remained ever fleeting. If Alex wanted to truly become strong, he knew he needed to keep positive and keep moving forward.
Speaking of moving forward…
Alex sighed. "Okay… what shall I do today? I guess I'll visit the Guild Outpost." Alex got out of bed and began gearing up. In the mirror, as he was about to place on his Garuga Helmet, he noticed the strands of yellow in his hair. His Thunder Affinity had not vanished temporarily like the first time he used Super Khezu Cloak. Perhaps he had not used too much power this time. He had not used Ultimate Lightning S.S.A., after all.
When Alex arrived at the gathering hall, he was surprised to find a new face. Sitting next Patricia behind the counter was another Guild Maiden, this one dressed in yellow. 'Hi!" she exclaimed as she looked up from whatever it was she was doing.
Alex approached cautiously. "Hello…"
"So you're Alex Kasai, right? It's such an honor to finally meet you!" The girl was bubbly and bright, causing Alex to relax. She held out a hand. "I'm Jaunie Sol. May I shake your hand?"
Alex obliged her. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Jaunie."
"I'm from the Guild's G-Rank branch, the section that handles the most difficult of quests. While you are not quite ready for those yet, Miss Patricia's processing workload is sure to increase as you become flooded with High Rank Quests."
"Whoa… I have done quite a few of those already, so far…"
"That's why the Guild saw it fit to dispatch me here. I am here to help make life easier for Miss Patricia and Miss September. I look forward to working with everyone."
Alex chuckled nervously. He stole a glance at Patricia, who simply waved shyly. "Thanks, Jaunie. I'm sure you'll be a huge help. Well, anyway, I'm in need of a quest right now."
"That's perfect. I came here with a request from the Guild themselves."
"For real?"
Jaunie went back behind the counter. With a smile, she produced a Quest Sheet. "Have a look."
"Okay." Alex took the scroll and began to scan through it. "The Bateyubatom Great Forest!? I've been wanting to visit there at least once for so long now. So, does this mean I'm eligible now?"
"Yup… But under one condition. You are free to explore any of the zones except the northern and north-easterly ones. A very dangerous jet-black Flying Wyvern prowls there. While I don't doubt your skills, even you would probably get slain without laying eyes on one were you to capture its attention."
The fact that all of this was said without breaking her cheery demeanor is what frightened Alex the most. But he reigned in his composure. "Warning acknowledged. I wouldn't want to tempt the hand of fate, now would I…"
"Your objective is to investigate the Shakalaka tribe there."
"Oh, those murderous Lynians again. This shouldn't be too much of a problem now that I'm a bit stronger."
"I wouldn't underestimate them if I were you. Their king is quite dangerous and ferocious. You don't need to fight him if you run into him. As a matter of fact, don't fight him if possible."
'I-I see… Well, I'd better go tell Anna what I'm doing. Maybe she'll want to come with me."
"Sure, you go do that. She's the one you love, no?"
Alex almost fell over from that. "This girl will be the death of me. I feel it. She is just too… care-free? With her words, I mean. She also seems like the kind of person who has never been sad a day in her life."
Anna and Matthew's House.
"You're going on a quest to the Great Forest?" Anna asked for clarification. "Want me to tag along?"
"Only if you want to," Alex replied.
Anna smiled. "I'll sit this one out. How about you ask Corra?" Both of them fell silent for a moment. Matthew glanced between them a few times with a curious expression. "Yeah, what was I thinking? Still, it would give me peace of mind if you weren't alone."
"Maybe I'll ask Clarence. Hopefully, I'll run into him and he won't be too busy. He's been working hard, last I checked. Heck, Corra has been working hard."
"Well, everyone can only get stronger from where they are."
"In that case, I'd better get rolling. Enjoy your day, you two."
"See you later, Alex," said Matthew.