With the help of Naziya and Sajji, Altaïr and Isis left the Fissure where they had been hiding.
Under the starlit night sky, the golden steppe appeared serene and peaceful, but Altaïr and the others were in no mood to enjoy the scenery. After what they had just experienced, they felt an unsettling sense that some large Monster might suddenly burst out of the shadows.
To avoid further accidents, they did not linger in the steppe area. After forming a tight security formation, they hurried toward the Hunter camp.
When they arrived back at the camp, the campfire was burning brightly.
Altaïr and Isis were surprised to find that Jara, whom they had been worried about, had actually returned to camp earlier than them. At that moment, he was sitting cross-legged by the campfire, slowly roasting a steamed bun skewered on a branch.
"Brother Jara! You're okay!" Isis shouted happily.
Because they both shared a love for fine food, her relationship with Jara was quite good.
Hearing footsteps, Jara, who was roasting his bun, stood up and patted his rear. Just as he was about to say hello, he was taken aback by Isis's cheer, a look of confusion crossing his chubby face.
What do you mean "I'm okay"? I'm a 4★, and you two are a 3★ and a 2★, shouldn't I be the one asking if you're okay?!
Approaching the fire, Altaïr looked at the chubby senior whose armor was completely intact and showed no signs of struggle. He couldn't help but ask, "Brother Jara, how did you manage to shake off that Tigrex so quickly?"
Jara smiled and handed the roasted steamed bun to Isis, who was secretly swallowing her saliva. "I just made some preparations in advance. Before approaching that Tigrex, I set two traps along my retreat route and drank a bottle of Dash Juice.
I also had Bun, that's my Kinsect, extract some White Extract from the Tigrex to enhance my mobility.
Then I just ran with it. The open area of the steppe was a bit thrilling, but once I entered the hilly terrain with its uneven elevation and trees everywhere, it was easy to maneuver.
You guys threw that Paintball at its face, right? That was also crucial. Its sense of smell was disrupted, making it very easy to lose it in complex terrain."
Jara made it sound easy, but Altaïr and the others, who had been chased by the Tigrex earlier, knew very well it wasn't as simple as it sounded.
Should they expect nothing less from a 4★ Hunter?
The group sat around the campfire as Naziya added a handful of wood to the flames. "So, what's the move? Go back and report the situation, then call people to come and gank this Tigrex?"
Altaïr and Isis looked at Jara. As a 4★ Hunter and the leader of this temporary team, they naturally wanted to hear what he had to say first.
Jara pulled out a few more steamed buns, skewered them, and moved them close to the fire to roast slowly. "Going back directly to call for backup is obviously the safest option..."
Naziya cut him off with a sidelong glance. "Think carefully before you say 'but.' Only you are a 4★ Hunter here. The rest is one 3★ and two 2★s."
"Though that's true, Brother Altaïr actually has the strength of a 3★, doesn't he? You're the only 2★..." Jara muttered.
Naziya's eyebrows shot up, and she pat-slapped Jara's chubby chin several times. "You're full of crap! This lady has the strength of a 3★ Hunter too, alright!"
After the two finished their usual bickering, Altaïr spoke up: "So, Brother Jara, do you have another plan?"
"Hmm..."
Jara moved the bun away from the fire slightly to prevent it from burning. "Honestly, if this were any other time, I would definitely choose to take the Airship back home tonight.
There are plenty of seniors in Val Habar with the strength to handle that Tigrex; there's no need for us to worry or take risks.
However, I know a place that, when combined with the Tigrex's behavioral habits, gives us a real chance to screw that Tigrex over if we play it right..."
Saying this, Jara pulled out a map and gestured as he detailed his plan to the group.
Naziya listened with a skeptical curl of her lip.
Altaïr exchanged a look with Isis, and after gauging his partner's attitude, he continued: "What about the risks? This tactical plan has several critical points. If any one of them isn't achieved, the operation will fail. Is there a backup plan?"
"Yes." Jara's expression turned solemn. "I am the backup plan. If any step goes wrong, you all retreat immediately, and I will be responsible for leading the Tigrex away.
This operation centers around the mountainous area. In the complex terrain of the mountain forest, I'm confident I can escape it.
Of course, this is just a proposal. Regardless, a Tigrex is an opponent beyond our current capabilities.
If anyone disagrees, we'll simply retreat. Just treat what I said as nonsense."
Altaïr, Isis, and Sajji discussed it in low voices for a moment.
Then Altaïr nodded and said, "We agree. To be honest, we aren't quite willing to just tuck our tails and leave like this either.
However, there are two points. First, we must make more ample preparations in advance, like the traps you set on your retreat route.
Second, have the Airship return tonight to report the situation. That way, reinforcements from the Guild should arrive here around tomorrow evening, which serves as extra insurance."
"Of course, I would have done those things even if you hadn't mentioned them."
"Argh!" Naziya scratched her head of curly hair. "Since you've all put it that way, how can I not join in?
My Switch Axe is also one of the key points in this operation, isn't it? If I don't participate, this whole mission is a bust!"
"Exactly," Jara said with a shrug. "If you weren't planning to participate, we could pack our bags and head back now. We could even snag a meal from Chef Meow tomorrow morning, which would be nice too."
Altaïr also looked at Naziya and said seriously, "For Isis and me, this operation is a 'great if it succeeds, expected if it fails' kind of deal. It wouldn't be a shame to give up at all.
Please don't force yourself. In fact, choosing the rational path and objecting is something we would fully support."
"Rational my ass! When I charge in, even I'm afraid of myself. Let's do it!" Naziya cursed.
"This Valor Switch Axe of mine is a 4★–5★ Equipment. The most powerful Monster I've cut with it since I made it is a damn Great Jaggi. If we can take down a Tigrex this time, consider it properly blooded!"
"By the way, I have a question." Isis raised her hand and asked cautiously, "This doesn't count as poaching, does it?"
Altaïr smiled and said, "It doesn't. We're essentially finding a loophole. The mission the Valhabar Guild gave us was to scout this area, clear threatening Monsters, and report back if we encounter something we can't handle.
Whether we successfully hunt the Tigrex or not, we aren't violating any part of the mission description. It's just that we'll definitely get a chewing out from Guildmarm Sophia when we get back."
At this, Altaïr smirked and glanced at Jara. "Of course, as the team leader, Brother Jara will definitely be the one getting yelled at the most."
Jara: "..."
"Then I'm good." Isis gave a reassured thumbs-up.
Jara: "..."
Jara's chubby face twitched. He suddenly remembered that Isis was a junior of Ms. Sophia or something like that. Taking her on such a dangerous mission, even if they successfully hunted the Tigrex, would certainly put him in the Madam's crosshairs, wouldn't it?
"How about... we just forget it?" Jara asked tentatively.
"Forget your ghost!" Naziya raised her foot and gave Jara a hard kick in the rear. "Hurry up! Go tell the Airship pilot to get his ass back to Val Habar and deliver the news!
We're taking this Tigrex down for sure!"
(Translated by yourtl.app)
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TL NOTES: LORE SECTION
Some terms and creatures referenced in this story may be unfamiliar to readers new to the Monster Hunter universe. The following entries provide additional context.
EQUIPMENT
Switch Axe — A transforming weapon introduced in Monster Hunter Tri, capable of switching between a wide-sweeping Axe mode and a faster, more explosive Sword mode mid-combo. The Sword mode builds up phial energy that can be discharged in powerful blasts on contact. The Valor style mentioned here refers to a combat style introduced in Monster Hunter Generations that allows hunters to weather attacks and counter with empowered moves after a brief evasive delay.
ITEMS
Dash Juice — A consumable that temporarily eliminates stamina consumption while running and performing stamina-draining actions. Invaluable for escape scenarios where maintaining full sprint speed over a long distance is essential, as seen with Jara's retreat from the Tigrex.
Kinsect & Extracts — The Kinsect is a trained insect companion exclusive to the Insect Glaive weapon. Hunters launch it at monsters to harvest colored "Extracts" that provide temporary buffs. White Extract specifically enhances movement speed and evasion distance, making it a critical tool for hunters who rely on mobility rather than defense.