Francesca gritted her teeth and angrily punched Isis in the chest a few times.
Not to mention whether her strength was enough to budge Isis at all, the latter's rock-like Barroth Armor alone made her hands ache from the impact.
Hopping on the spot and shaking her hands, she looked up to meet Isis's gaze, which held an innocent yet concerned expression.
"..." She felt a bit of a headache coming on.
Seeing Francesca fuming, Isis grinned foolishly and thumped her own chest twice, producing two dull "thump thump" sounds, as if to say, "I'll hit myself to vent your anger for you."
At that, Francesca finally turned her anger into a smile, pulling Isis to sit down on her bedside, and asked about how she'd been lately.
Actually, she had already learned some things from Clawdia earlier, knowing that Isis had hit a bottleneck recently and had some disagreements with Clawdia.
As for the bottleneck, Francesca didn't care about it at all; who doesn't hit a plateau?
And regarding the conflict with Clawdia, seeing how Clawdia now stuck to Isis like glutinous rice cake, practically trying to crawl into her clothes, what unresolved conflict could possibly remain?
As long as Isis was happy, healthy, and unhurt, any other problems didn't count as real problems!
"What? You're not practicing the Long Sword anymore? Because some guy told you you weren't suited for it, so you switched to Gunlance, planning to become a defense-oriented hunter?"
"You and that kid became permanent teammates? You're the one holding the great shield drawing the monster's attention, while he switched to Long Sword to play skirmisher and slack off?"
"You even took that brat home?!"
"Don't tell me that scumbag saw you were easy to fool and sweet-talked you, did he?!" The more Francesca listened, the higher her eyebrows rose.
In her mind, she conjured the image of a useless guy, relying on smooth talk to wrap the simple-minded Isis around his finger, getting her to do all the work for free all day long.
Now that was a problem!!
"No, no!" Isis hurriedly waved her hands.
Although she felt a tiny bit annoyed because Altaïr had "stolen" Amos's attention, she didn't want Francesca to misunderstand her partner.
"I wanted to switch to Gunlance myself. I'm not good at seizing attack opportunities, so I kept failing challenges against 3★ threat level monsters before. "But now it's different! After switching to Gunlance, whether it's Barroth or Yian Kut-Ku or whatever, I'm confident I can win!"
"Really?" Francesca was still somewhat skeptical.
In her impression, Isis had been practicing Great Sword and Long Sword since childhood. How could switching to Gunlance suddenly make her stronger?
"Really!" Isis nodded emphatically.
Francesca and Clawdia, who was nestled in Isis's arms, exchanged a glance, both a bit surprised.
Isis had always had a soft, gentle personality since childhood; it was rare to see her state any opinion so firmly.
"Amos thinks highly of him too, he's personally teaching him Long Sword swordsmanship!" Isis quickly added.
That statement made Francesca feel a bit more at ease.
Isis was an honest kid, but she wasn't stupid, and even if someone could fool her, getting past Amos wouldn't be easy.
"You've met him before, right? What's your impression? Is he reliable?" Francesca asked Clawdia this time.
Clawdia, looking utterly indifferent, licked her paw. "Don't know, meow, didn't pay attention, meow. But if he dares bully Isis, I'll finish him, meow."
"Another one with no brains." Francesca curled her lip, opened the window, and shouted outside a few times, "Pawdrick! Pawdrick! Where'd you run off to? Get out here!"
After a moment, a dapper Felyne with impeccable attire and elegantly curled whiskers flipped in from outside the windowsill.
"What matter requires summoning this one, meow?" Pawdrick, standing on the windowsill, casually shook the fur around his chest and neck a couple of times. Under the sunlight, his meticulously groomed mane gleamed with a dazzling golden luster.
(Get the spirit)
As siblings from the same mother, both Clawdia and Pawdrick, being mixed-blood Felynes and Grimalkynes, actually had manes too, but Clawdia's was very short, and she never groomed it, so it didn't look much different from an ordinary long-haired breed Felyne.
Watching Pawdrick flaunt his beautiful mane, Clawdia muttered under her breath, "Find a chance to shave it all off later, meow."
"Stop showing off and get over here!" Already accustomed to her partner's antics, Francesca called impatiently. Pawdrick didn't mind, hopping down from the windowsill and strolling over leisurely.
After a brief explanation of the situation, Francesca asked, "What's your read on that kid?"
Pawdrick looked at Isis. "How does he usually talk to you, meow? His demeanor, tone, and specific content; imitate it for me, meow."
"He, he said..."
"Stop, meow, you tall girl with only height, imitating and performing isn't for you, meow."
Francesca: "..."
Isis: "..."
Under Francesca's displeased glare, Pawdrick continued, "Better take this one to see the fellow in person, meow. One glance is enough, meow."
Pawdrick extended two claws and pointed at his own eyes. "Just one glance, and this one can judge whether he's a freeloader, meow."
Unable to stand his attitude, Clawdia snorted. "Talk as if you're so amazing, meow."
"Regarding freeloading, this one is a professional, meow." Pawdrick confidently lifted his chin.
"... What did I do to deserve being partnered with this guy?" Francesca covered her face. "Let's go, I want to see for myself too."
Francesca tossed aside her pajamas, changed into casual clothes, thought for a moment, then dove into the wardrobe and put on an exquisite, obviously expensive dress.
Baffled, Isis still led Francesca and the others back to her home.
There was movement in the underground training ground, clearly someone was still there. Pawdrick rushed ahead, full of excitement, diving into the basement, while Francesca pulled Isis along, quickly following.
In the training ground, Altaïr was discussing something with Amos, occasionally waving a wooden sword and gesturing, not immediately noticing someone had come down.
"Boring, meow." Pawdrick, who had been eager moments ago, now wore a bored expression.
"How so?"
"Doesn't have that freeloader-specific scent, meow." Pawdrick glanced at Francesca. "You're overthinking it, meow."
"Tch." Francesca clicked her tongue.
She trusted her partner's judgment, but out of concern for her silly sister, she couldn't help but scrutinize Altaïr with a somewhat critical eye.
Then, as she looked, she started to feel something was off. This kid... seems kinda familiar? Might I... know him?
She walked towards the two in the training area.
Noticing their arrival, Altaïr and Amos paused their discussion and turned their gazes over.
Seeing Francesca's face clearly, Altaïr also felt a sense of familiarity. After recalling for a few seconds, he remembered.
A few years ago, that legendary-level Charge Blade user who had some connection with Teacher Karin came to Loc Lac with her apprentice.
Teacher Karin had asked him to be a guide, showing the apprentice around Loc Lac City, and he had asked her many questions about hunting.
Although a few years had passed and appearances might have changed somewhat, he could still recognize that the young lady of somewhat short stature before him was the apprentice from back then.
"Senior Francesca." Altaïr put down the wooden sword and bowed quite respectfully towards her.
"So it really is you, kid." Francesca chuckled. "You did become a hunter after all."
Isis, following behind Francesca, looked at the two with astonishment. "You knew each other already?"
"Met once a few years ago. I received much guidance from her." Altaïr's tone held undisguised respect.
Initially, his impression of this young lady wasn't particularly good, but after interacting, he discovered she was an outstanding senior; powerful, knowledgeable, with a deep background yet not arrogant. (Childhood filter)
"Francesca has always been a role model I strive towards. When she was only fourteen or fifteen, she participated in hunting a Cephadrome. It wasn't until I became a hunter myself that I truly realized what an astonishing achievement that was. "This has always served as a reminder to me: the world is vast, and there are always people better than you. Never become complacent over the slightest bit of accomplishment."
"Yes, yes!" Isis nodded vigorously, looking completely convinced. "She's amazing! "I remember clearly, it was five years ago. She hunted an Anjanath in the New World and even tanned its hide into leather goods to bring back as gifts for everyone. I learned from her example when I got Tigrex hide for gifts!"
"That truly is an awe-inspiring achievement!" Altaïr exclaimed with genuine admiration.
Isis beamed with pride. "Although she never wants to talk about what she's done these years, she must have already been promoted to high rank!"
"For high-rank Hunters, many missions are highly confidential. It's common not to be able to disclose details." Altaïr nodded, unsurprised.
Amos glanced at Francesca, whose expression had stiffened, with an amused look.
Pawdrick also shot her a sidelong glance. "Serves you right for bragging everywhere. See how you're gonna get out of this one, meow."
(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.
MONSTERS
Cephadrome —A large, shark-like monster that burrows through desert sand as easily as water. Appearing since the early Monster Hunter titles, it leads packs of smaller Cephalos and can spit paralyzing fluid.
Anjanath — A large, aggressive carnivore native to the Ancient Forest, introduced in Monster Hunter World. Resembling a theropod dinosaur with a prominent fleshy nose and folded wings, it is known for its relentless pursuit behavior and fire-breathing attacks.
EQUIPMENT
Charge Blade — A versatile weapon introduced in Monster Hunter 4, capable of switching between a sword-and-shield form and a large axe form. Hunters charge phials during sword mode and release them as explosive discharges in axe mode. Considered one of the most technically demanding weapons in the game, mastery of it marks a highly skilled hunter.