Monster Hunter: The Telepathic Hunter; Ch41: King of the Strange Masks
Hunter Stats
1. Alex Kasai (HR6)
Weapon: Eagle Cleaver Longsword (Thunder Element)
Armor: Kirin EX
Skills: HG Telepathy, Kasai Potential, Element Attack Up, All Resist, Item Usage Decline, Elder Dragon Influence.
2. Clarence Scorcher (HR6)
Weapon: Blue Claw Blade Greatsword
Armor: Ceanataur Blade Master
Skills: Sharp Sword, Sharpness Protection, Sword Sharpener, Endurance Down, Thunder Damage Increase.
3. Qilin Kaminari (HR6)
Weapon: Dual BattleAx Dual Blades (Poison Attribute)
Armor: 4/5 Battle Blade Master and Chaos Cap Helmet
Skills: Strength Up, Sword Sharpener, Detect, Hunger Increase, Abnormal Status Up.
4. Sakura Rosada (HR6)
Weapon: Sakura Parasol Light Bowgun
Armor: Chain 'S' Gunner
Skills: Vitality Up, Spirit's Whim Up, Backpacker, Gathering +1.
December 3rd, 2098. Great Forest Outskirt, Far East Continent. 2:00 AM.
Because Alex felt like obtaining some company for this excursion, he had sent out word via air mail. It took some time, but he received positive replies. He and Clarence first went to N'Ganga to pick up Qilin, and then to Jumbo for Sakura. From there it was several hours of flight to the East Continent.
"Wow…" Just as Alex was landing his Airship in a designated clearing, he could just barely make out through the darkness of the early morning a large structure in the center of the Great Forest. "Hopefully, the view will be better by daylight."
"Hey, Alex, before we go adventuring, I suggest we rest here on the ship," said Sakura. "I heard from Chief Ryuu that the Shakala here are known for invading basecamp. The Guild is still working on making it more secure."
"I see… Maybe that's why… The quest sheet said the Guild would send a small team after I reported back to them the results of this 'investigation.' Okay, let's do that."
"No objections here," said Qilin, surprisingly. "I've fought those things before, and I have to say they creep me out. I prefer wyverns and Elder Dragons over them, any day of the week. But I really wanted to see this forest, so I didn't object to joining you."
"G-good to know." The Basket touched down. "Who wants some grub? I brought Bentos from my Felyne Chef." Alex began unpacking four of the eight he had brought, and handed three to the others.
"How thoughtful of you!" thanked Clarence as he opened the lid. "Ooooh! This smells delicious! I think I'll have to rent Apple sometime."
Alex looked strangely at him. "I doubt you would need to go that far. You're welcome to use the side entrance to get to the kitchen of my house."
"Thanks again, Alex." Clarence held a thumbs up.
The four enjoyed their meal together, occasionally making small talk. But some fifteen minutes later, Alex began to feel strange. He held his head, nursing a headache from out of the blue.
"Ugh… I don't feel so good…"
"Alex? Alex!? What's wrong?" asked Clarence with worry.
"My head…" Alex placed down his almost empty Bento tray. "Wait…" He closed his eyes and began to focus. His body began glowing a faint red.
"What's happening to him?" asked Qilin. The others shook their heads.
Alex opened his eyes to find himself in the world of his mind. Before him, was Maxwell. "Huh? Uncle? Wow, it's been a while since I've been here."
"Yes, it has," replied Maxwell. "Alex, I need to explain something to you."
"Does it have to do with my headache?"
"In a way… It's about your Telepathy. It has grown, ascended. You have finally grasped enough experience to transition from the basic version to what is known as High Grade, or HG for short. You have unlocked HG Telepathy."
"HG… Telepathy? That sounds cool. So, how is it different?"
"You now have a greater range of detecting both monsters and people, and you can detect them even if they empty their minds. You also now have a greater inherent sixth sense against impending or immediate danger."
"Wow… This sounds incredible. Maybe I can use this to help better protect my comrades."
"Hey, this doesn't make you invincible. Dropping your guard a little may not be too dangerous now, but not maintaining focus and discipline could really cost you. I had HG Telepathy and I still got killed by Tiggy, for example."
"Yikes! Don't remind me…" Alex shook himself exaggeratedly. "I understand, Uncle."
"Good; as long as you get it." Maxwell nodded with approval. "Now, your headaches should be gone when you leave this space. The transformation should be complete. Be careful here in Bateyubatom. Even I have only been here less than four times, and thankfully I have never had the pleasure of encountering the Jet Black Panther. That thing is more dangerous than Tigrex. Even I probably would have been done in by an ambush…"
"Jet Black Panther…" repeated Alex as he returned to reality. He looked at his comrades. "Sorry for worrying you all. I'm alright now. My body was just learning a new power."
"A new power?" repeated Sakura.
"Yeah. My Telepathy got upgraded, so to speak."
"You Kasai have all the luck," commented Qilin. Alex just chuckled nervously.
Great Forest Basecamp. 7:00 AM.
After getting what rest they could, Alex and company decided to get started.
"If I may make a suggestion," said Sakura. "The structure in the center of the forest is an old, hollowed out tree. Perhaps we should start our search for our little bloodthirsty friends from there?"
"Sounds good to me," said Clarence.
The quartet began to set out, choosing the path that took them to what was designated as Area 6 on the map. There were eight zones. According to Jaunie's warnings, Areas 4 and 5 were off limits. The path finally ended into a break in the trees, with enough space that the canopy was not blocking out the sky.
To everyone's surprise, there were quite a few clusters of Great Thunderbugs here. The team took advantage, collecting the rare resource of Thunderbug Juice.
Area 7 marked the hollow inside of the giant tree. Here, the team found a small herd of Aptonoths. The ground was littered in puffy white spore plants, and rounding the ancient wooden walls was a ring of green bushes. There were occasional red flowers. Alex laid eyes on a cluster of mushrooms and went to inspect it. He crouched for a closer look.
"Getting distracted, are we?" mused Qilin.
"Maybe he's looking for clues?" suggested Sakura. "Those mushrooms are "Select Mushrooms." They are super rare and collect even higher prices than the "Special Mushrooms" found in the Arcolis region, The Metappe Wetlands and the Terosu Jungle. These are used in the creation of a very exotic seasoning that can make almost anything taste good."
"Wow, you are well informed!" commented Clarence. Sakura seemed to smirk with pride.
"Ha!" Without warning, Alex quickly unsheathed Grace and made a swipe. Something that was falling onto him at a precise moment was batted away like a soft ball. The sudden commotion caused the timid herbivorous Aptonoths to flee the area. Everyone heard a squeaky voice and turned to find that the assailant was none other than a Shakalaka.
"HUH!?" went the others.
"Wow, it actually works just as he said," said Alex to himself but out loud as he walked over to the downed Lynian. He held up his katana, the point of Grace aimed forward at the small creature. "Thought you could sneak attack me, huh? Think again. Now, talk; where is your king?"
Even through its pumpkin mask, Alex could see the Lynian's beady eyes of defiance. "Go ahead, do your worst, human! We Shaka are loyal to our own! We are not in the business of endangering our comrades!"
Alex brought Grace to his side. He also dropped the rather negligible amount of Killing Intent he was radiating. Whether or not he admitted it to himself, his disposition even in the thick of mortal combat was always flat and neutral. The few times murder was on his mind was the few times he was pushed to his breaking points, such as that time Anna's life was being threatened in the most devious and sinister way possible. "You are free to go, but first answer one other question of mine in exchange. Sounds fair?"
"Huh? Okay…"
"Alex, what are you saying?" asked Clarence in alarm. "You can't just…"
"Wait. I promise that this is important." Alex focused back on the Shakalaka, who had not made its escape in the momentary distraction. "You are clearly smarter and less aggressive than the Shakalaka I've meant on the other side of the world. I knew you and the four others in hiding were here. Why did you choose only just now to attack?"
"I thought you were going to take from our precious mushrooms. They belong to us. You humans should also stop coming to this forest as a whole. The Kurokiba Clan doesn't like invaders."
"Ku-ro-ki-ba? Blackfang?" Alex had learned quite a few words of Patricia's language. "Is that the name of your clan?"
"No. They would be the…"
"Not another word, young Shaka!" exclaimed a new voice. As Alex and the others turned to the path that led to Area 8, the other Shakalakas in this area came out of hiding, emerging from the ground. A large Shakalaka with what appeared to be a bar-be-que spit on his head for a crown was approaching from the path that led to Area 8. When I say large, I mean only as big as a seven-year-old child. Most regular Shakalaka were as small or smaller than three-year-olds. In one of his hands was an unwieldy-looking blunt instrument for a weapon, some sort of long triangular paddle.
"My King!"
Alex became on guard. He had not noticed before, but he could tell now. For something so small, the King Shakalaka had a Chikara presence on par with a wyvern, some level above a Garuga but below a Diablos. "So, you're the King Shakalaka, huh? It is an honor to make your acquaintance."
"A Kasai? How rare… Nevertheless, I will have to humbly ask you to leave this forest. It is not a place for you."
"Aw, don't be like that. We've just met, and you're already trying to get rid of us."
"It is not my fault you humans give yourselves a bad name. Your kind has no respect for nature, at all. You slay and plunder as you see fit."
Alex became slightly unnerved. "You know, it wasn't but over two centuries ago that all of Monster Kind had us under their reign. Don't speak about us as if you have any idea of our suffering!" Alex took up his signature stance with Grace. Jaunie, I know we just met, but I'm afraid I'll have to begin by disappointing you. I'll try to make it up to you when I get back.
"An act of war, I see. Fine, I didn't quite see a peaceful alternative anyway. We cannot see eye to eye."
"Everyone, prepare for battle!" exclaimed Clarence.
"You don't have to tell me!" exclaimed Qilin.
"All hands! Repel these filthy invaders off of our land!" And with that command, more Shakalakas began flooding this already restrictive space. Alex noticed that their swords were laced in an ominous purple fluid.
"Everyone, do your best not to get hit! Their weapons are poisoned!" Alex warned as he dodged his nearest attacker. With a retaliatory slash, the Lynian was taken down. Alex then really went on the offensive, wading through enemies as he advanced towards the King. "What sort of warrior king hides behind his subjects?" Alex taunted.
At that, the King Shakalaka leapt at Alex with a fury. "I'll show you the pride of the Shakalakas, you knave!"
Alex dodged a powerslam of the King's weapon. "That's the spirit! Now take this!" Alex made a wide, horizontal slash. The king brought up his weapon to parry the attack, and wobbled backwards unstably due to the force. Alex pressured, and the King did his best just to stave off Alex's attacks.
"Grr. Instead of a Might Pill or an Armor Pill, you should take a chill pill." The King suddenly tunneled into the ground. As he did so, a ball of fire flew out.
Alex's new danger sense ticked off and he hit the deck. The ball of fire released an explosion, but Alex protected his head with his arms. "Whoa!" Once the explosion cleared, Alex slowly got up, but even his danger sense was not fast enough to warn him as the King struck his face with his paddle, sending Alex rolling. "Aaahh!"
"Alex, get it together!" exclaimed Sakura as she repeated a process of firing a shot and moving, occasionally performing a rolling evade to avoid her attackers.
Qilin was nimble and quick, swiftly axing down his foes like weak trees without them getting so much as a swing at him. Any that survived a single or second hit often became poisoned, and soon succumbed to that. Shakalakas did not possess a lot of lifeforce.
Clarence rushed over and parried the King's follow up attack aimed at Alex with his own unsheathe attack. "Not on my watch!"
"What a nuisance. Fine, I'll play with you for a bit." The King attempted a downward powerslam. Clarence blocked it with his azure greatsword.
"Haaa!" Clarence tried a giant horizontal sweeping slash. The King simply jumped, not a moment too late with how heavy his weapon was in contrast to his own size and weight.
At that moment, Alex flashed into place, his blue Khezu Cloak flaring. "Take this! Single Spirit Slash!" The King's eyes widened before he was sent flying from a super-fast direct hit from Grace, a blue flash of Thunder Element static occurring.
"OW! OW! OW! Ah!" The King Shakalaka bounced a few times before rolling to a stop. He just lay where he stopped, with a growing pool of blood forming under him.
"Everyone, our King is down!" exclaimed a few Shakalaka. All fighting ceased as the troops converged on their fallen leader.
"Listen! Let us stop right here," Alex relayed. "We only came here to investigate things. We didn't have to fight if it could have been avoided. Now that I have your attention, allow me to make a request… No, a deal with you."
Even as his remaining subjects patched up his wound, the King stood up. "Speak."
"Allow the Hunter's Guild to finish setting up their Basecamp here in peace. This forest is dangerous enough without your meddling. It's not like we're going to put a village here or something. You could also stand a lot to gain by forming an alliance not unlike your fellow Lynians the Felynes have."
"That cannot ever happen, not while Lord Akashiroi the Seventh rules over these parts. Humans once lived here, centuries ago. They abused their power and were driven from this land. Only that cursed Ancient Tower remains, built out of the scales of many Kushala that were slain then." Everyone of the Hunter quartet gasped, never having heard of anything like this before. "Thank goodness that unholy weapon they were building was never completed. The Fatalis Order saw fit to that."
"Fatalis… Order…? What are you talking about?" asked Clarence.
"Oops… It appears that I have said too much in my fit of emotion. I cannot allow this information to be brought back to your superiors. So, I'm afraid you all cannot be allowed to leave here alive."
Alex began to focus intensely. "PLEASE DON'T FAIL ME NOW! SUPER KHEZU CLOAK!" The calm blue cloak of thunder transitioned into a flaring red. Alex's injuries began to hurt him, but he got into a familiar stance with Grace held up to the sky. "Everyone, sheathe your weapons and sidle yourselves against the walls! DO IT NOW!"
The others quickly obeyed as more Shakalakas began pouring into the venue. "It's a little late for that, but try not to overdo it!" exclaimed Qilin.
"Huh!? What's happening!?" said the King in shock. All the Shakalakas seemed to be in fear of the ridiculous amount of power Alex was doling out just by existing.
"No promises, Qilin. Chikara Focus: Thunder Element!" Grace began glowing a bright white.
"What are you all doing!? Attack HIM!" barked the King as he attempted to make his escape.
"Too late! Ultimate Lightning Spirit Sword Attack!" Alex began his attack, first starting with three unbelievable attacks on the King.
"AAAAHHH!"
The remaining forty Shakalakas all received one slash each as Alex advanced like a blur. They all stood like statues with a red line of electricity through them, only the King having three at different angles. "I love this part," whispered Alex as he slowly slid Grace back into her scabbard. Once he was done, all the enemies fell over as the electric lines burst into sparks. Alex's body then powered down. "Well, that's that… Oh, there's the complimentary fatigue." Alex collapsed to his hands and knees as the others took their cue to rush to his aid.
"Reckless as always," commented Qilin with a chuckle.
"Hey, it takes one to know one. You and I are in the same boat," countered Alex weakly.
"Save your strength. We need to get back to camp," scolded Sakura.
"You fools… Don't… count me… out… just yet…" The others turned in shock as the King Shakalaka was shakily getting up, too hurt to speak normally. The fire on his crown was blazing, though, as the strength of his Chikara was opposite to his appearance. "You really… cannot… leave… with that… inform… -ation…"
"Oh, for the love of…!" Sakura loaded a Cluster Shot into her Bowgun, and took aim. "Say goodnight." She fired.
"NOOOO!" Boom! Bang! Bang! Bang! The King's scream was silenced in four successive explosions. Alex felt the Chikara signature vanish.
"I think he's down for good this time…" Alex relayed.
"Then our job here is done," replied Clarence. "Let's go home."