The two stayed at the training ground until evening.
Altaïr didn't try to create any more new moves. Instead, he repeatedly practiced the existing Scarlet Blade Slash to ensure he could apply it in actual combat.
When they were preparing to leave the training ground and head back to their respective rooms, Isis suddenly called out to him.
"Um... Altaïr."
"Huh? What is it?" Altaïr turned back, only to see Isis looking bashful.
What's wrong with this girl?
"Well... after your Rank-Up Quest is over, do you want to come to Dundorma with me?" Isis asked, looking a bit embarrassed.
"Dundorma?" Altaïr certainly knew of that city. It was a majestic city located in the central part of the Old World, the center of politics and economy. The headquarters of organizations like the Guild and the Royal Paleontology Scriveners were all established in that city.
At the same time, it was also the place where Isis grew up; her home was there.
Altaïr asked with a smile, "Why do you suddenly want to go back? Homesick?"
"Ye, yes, sort of." Isis shifted her gaze guiltily, which made Altaïr grow wary.
This girl didn't know how to lie. It seemed she was hiding something, so Altaïr pressed further: "So why would you want me to come along too?"
"Just, just..." Isis tried to find an excuse.
"Tell the truth."
"...Fine." Seeing that she'd been seen through, Isis's shoulders slumped. "It's about that time we hunted the Tigrex. Didn't Guildmarm Sophia write a letter to my family?"
"Yeah."
"Because Val Habar was about to migrate at the time, it wasn't convenient to send a letter, so it wasn't sent until after the migration ended. Then, a few days ago, Grandpa Amos's reply arrived..."
Altaïr nodded. He remembered the name; he seemed to be the teacher of Isis's mother, as well as the person who raised her and taught her Long Sword techniques.
From a certain perspective, he could be understood as a grandfather figure to Isis.
"Grandpa Amos said in the letter for me to hurry back as soon as I finish what's on my hands." As she spoke, Isis clutched her head. "He must know about my involvement in hunting the Tigrex and wants to give me a harsh lecture.
Ugh, Grandpa Amos hates dangerous adventures like that the most!"
After a few seconds of silence, Altaïr pointed at himself. "So what does that have to do with taking me back?"
"Grandpa Amos values etiquette very much. If a guest is there, he won't be able to scold me too harshly, and since you also participated in hunting the Tigrex, you can help me share some of the fire," Isis said bashfully.
Altaïr: "..."
"And also! Grandpa Amos is very enthusiastic about guiding juniors in swordsmanship. He often goes to the Dundorma Training Camp as a guest Instructor to teach newcomers.
He'll definitely be interested in your Scarlet Blade Slash and will surely take the initiative to help you refine it!
That way, he might just forget about wanting to lecture me!"
Altaïr: "..."
He couldn't help but feel that compared to when they first met a few months ago, Isis had learned some bad habits. Just who did she learn them from? It seemed it was him... then it's fine.
But then again, he had heard from Isis that the old man was a powerful 8★ rank Hunter before he retired, even stronger than Madam Marydan in her prime.
To be able to receive guidance from such a senior, what did a few scoldings matter?
Besides, how could someone who values etiquette scold a guest? The one getting scolded would most likely still be Isis herself...
"Fine, I'll go with you!" Altaïr put on an expression as if he were facing certain death.
Isis patted his shoulder, deeply moved. "That's great! You truly are my partner!"
—--
Early that morning, Altaïr brought Sajji to the quest counter.
The inspection and maintenance of their equipment had finished. Whether it was armor or weapons, everything was tuned to its best state.
Sajji's mobile artillery cart had also been modified, and a considerable amount of shells had been prepared. According to Sajji's words: "'Rathalos Model-01 - Custom Custom Custom' is ready! Can blast them anytime, meow!"
Seeing Altaïr approach, Miss Hannah, the receptionist whose hair was dyed a bright pink with light green highlights at the tips, smiled and took out several quest slips.
"Unfortunately, there's still no request to hunt a Barroth, but there are several other requests suitable for a 3★ Rank-Up Quest. Do you want to take a look?"
Altaïr nodded. "Of course, let me consider it carefully."
According to his original idea, the most suitable target for the Rank-Up Quest would naturally be a Barroth, which he had experience hunting. He already understood the attack patterns of such a Monster; it couldn't fly, and the environment of mud and Gobi was exactly what he was familiar with.
With favorable factors in all aspects, he had at least an eighty percent chance of a successful hunt.
But there was nothing he could do if there were no related requests. He had already waited for two or three days and couldn't wait indefinitely, so he decided to look at the other requests.
Four quest slips were laid out on the counter in front of him.
The target of the first one was a Kecha Wacha, located in the Ancestral Steppe not far from Val Habar.
This kind of Fanged Beast isn't particularly ferocious and has no habit of preying on humans, but they love pranks. If they appear near trade routes, they can cause serious disruptions, so the Guild decided to hunt them.
The target of the second one was a Nibelsnarf, with the hunting grounds located in the sand sea over two hundred kilometers south of Val Habar.
Nibelsnarf are widely distributed in desert regions, intelligence in all aspects is quite detailed, and he was familiar with the sand sea environment, so he gave it heavy consideration.
The target of the third one was a Khezu. The hunting grounds were quite far away, requiring a boat trip from Leke Bay, across the Wardre Sea, into the underground caves of the El De Region.
The Khezu belongs to the Flying Wyvern species. Although its strength isn't as terrifying as large Flying Wyverns like the Tigrex or Rathalos, a Flying Wyvern is still a Flying Wyvern.
They possess the ability to release powerful electrical currents and are considered one of the most dangerous among 3★ Monsters. The receptionist suggested he consider it carefully.
The target of the last one was a Yian Kut-Ku. The distance was also very far, requiring a journey all the way north to the Old Jungle further north of the Ancestral Steppe.
This kind of Monster can be considered legendary, respected by the vast majority of Hunters as "Teacher Yian Kut-Ku." Altaïr really wanted to try it, but the Jungle environment was a huge test for him and Sajji. After careful consideration, he decided to exclude it.
The Khezu was very dangerous and the hunting grounds were too far, the Yian Kut-Ku was good at flying and hard to chase, and the Jungle environment was unfamiliar. Taking everything into account, the only truly suitable targets were the Nibelsnarf and the Kecha Wacha.
He discussed it with Sajji for a few moments, but the Felyne couldn't decide either.
So, Altaïr planned to leave it all to fate. He took out a coin, tossed it into the air, and as the coin landed on the counter surface and kept spinning, Altaïr's hand slapped down to cover it.
Hannah the receptionist's eye twitched. You call this "careful consideration," don't you?
Altaïr removed his palm, glanced at the coin's face, then looked up and smiled at the receptionist. "Miss Hannah, please help me process the quest to hunt the Kecha Wacha."
"Sure thing." The receptionist with a head of dazzling pink hair helped Altaïr complete the quest registration process and finally handed the quest slip to him.
"Good luck, little Altaïr. If you complete it successfully, you'll be a 3★ Hunter."
"Thanks, I'll do my best." Altaïr smiled and tucked the quest slip into his Hunter's Notes, then tilted his head toward Sajji. "Let's go, pack up, we need to get ready to head out."
Sajji, who was clinging to the edge of the quest counter, didn't move but just kept staring at Hannah's hair.
Hannah still remembered that when Altaïr and the others first arrived at Val Habar, Sajji had stared at her hair. It seemed the little fellow also liked bright colors.
Hannah giggled and reached out, rubbing Sajji's head.
"Well, does it look good? I just dyed it yesterday. Doesn't it feel like spring?" As she spoke, she flicked her bangs dyed light green, saying with a bit of a boast: "The prototype is a peach! A pink peach paired with light green peach leaves, cute isn't it!"
"Feels like a Congalala, meow," Sajji suddenly blurted out.
"?!" The receptionist's face stiffened.
"Boss said that a Congalala dyes the tips of the hair on top of its head green, meow." After saying this, Sajji turned around and ran.
(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.
PLACES
Dundorma — A large fortified city in the central Old World, serving as the political and economic capital of the known world in the Monster Hunter setting. It houses the headquarters of the Hunter's Guild and the Royal Paleontology Scriveners, among other major institutions. Its imposing walls were historically built to withstand sieges by Elder Dragons, making it one of the most defensible locations on the continent. First prominently featured in Monster Hunter 2.
MONSTERS
Kecha Wacha — A mid-sized Fanged Beast known for its large, wing-like ears that allow it to glide between trees and navigate vertical terrain with ease. Intelligent and mischievous by nature, it is not inherently aggressive toward humans but is prone to causing disruption when it wanders near settlements. Rated ★3, considered a manageable opponent for hunters transitioning out of low rank.
Nibelsnarf — A large Leviathan that inhabits sandy desert regions, spending most of its time submerged beneath the sand and surfacing to ambush prey. Its reliance on a sandy environment and its predictable ambush pattern make it a natural candidate for a hunter raised in the Great Desert.
Yian Kut-Ku — One of the oldest and most iconic monsters in the series, present since the original Monster Hunter. A Bird Wyvern with large, distinctive ears and a bright red crest, known for using fireball breath and its unpredictable movements. Affectionately nicknamed "Teacher" by hunters, as its mix of aerial and ground attacks has trained countless hunters in the fundamentals of combat.