During the waiting period for the test results, Isis was dragged by the "neurotic girl" named Lambert to answer many questions about hunters.
Isis had thin skin and felt bad about directly brushing her off, so she reluctantly answered each one.
From the questions Lambert asked, it was clear she had almost zero understanding of the hunter profession.
At first, she was quite interested in the Gunlance Isis had used in the Arena. In her view, the Gunlance, which could produce various "violent sounds," had the potential to become a musical instrument.
But when she learned that among the commonly used weapons by hunters, there was something called a "Hunting Horn" that could be blown, played, and even swung to smash monster heads, Lambert decisively adjusted her future direction of effort.
If she had known there was such a thing in the world, why had she ever practiced cello?!
When the test results came out and Lambert learned she had qualified to enter the Hunter Training Camp, her parents looked as if the sky had fallen.
But she herself didn't show much excitement, as if she already knew this would be the outcome.
Francesca couldn't help asking, and got this reply: "If I couldn't even pass this first hurdle, it means I don't have the qualification to play that kind of music myself; I'd rather go to the Arena and blow a horn instead."
This kind of baseless confidence, or rather arrogance, made Francesca unconsciously "tsk."
She had also taken a similar test back then; the final evaluation wasn't known, but from the disdainful look her mother gave at that time, it probably wasn't outstanding.
There was still much to do, and Gael, having no time to deal with these two "idle persons" Isis and Francesca, sent them away.
Francesca went off somewhere unknown, and Isis, returning home alone, was even more confused.
What had she done all morning? The training grounds aside, the training plan she wanted had been brushed off by Gael with "Just train like you did when learning Great Sword."
Then watched a neurotic girl's physical test? And got dragged to answer weird questions like "Can the Gunlance's firing sound be modulated?"
Her mind was a bit muddled, and she only remembered after being reminded by Clawdia that there was an Arena Challenge coming up in a few days.
Due to her outstanding performance in the initial match, this time the opponent arranged for her by the event organizers was no longer a 2★ monster like a Velocidrome, but a Yian Kut-Ku.
A Yian Kut-Ku that had beaten her into fleeing headlong just months ago.
Although considering audience safety, the event officials would damage part of the Yian Kut-Ku's wing membranes beforehand to prevent it from flying high, lowering the hunting difficulty, it was still a formidable presence among 3★ monsters.
Even though she felt fairly confident, she still needed to prepare properly, since she couldn't use her familiar armor and weapons at that time, but the lower-tier equipment provided by the Guild.
Isis had to put aside the matter of picking up the Great Sword again and focus her energy on the upcoming battle.
Equipment, items, and all external factors were fixed under the event rules. The so-called preparation could only be on the technical and tactical level.
As a former 8★ hunter, Amos could certainly offer many crucial suggestions, but he didn't do so, letting Isis think for herself, at most discussing with Altaïr, who was also a 3★ hunter.
—--
After lunch, the two humans and two Felynes sat around the dining table, while Amos lay alone on the recliner sunbathing, not intending to speak.
"Tell me, what's your plan?" Altaïr also didn't rashly offer opinions.
Isis had experience fighting Yian Kut-Ku twice. Though according to her, the first time, the 3★ promotion, was won by Clawdia carrying her, and the second solo hunt resulted in a crushing defeat, she still had real combat experience.
In comparison, he hadn't even seen a Yian Kut-Ku firsthand.
"What plan is needed meow? Jump onto the Yian Kut-Ku's neck and slit its throat meow." Clawdia nonchalantly licked its paw.
"A Mounting Attack? The Arena edges do have suitable steps..." Isis pondered seriously.
"Wait a moment." Altaïr's head started aching.
Though he didn't know or understand Clawdia well, just from that sentence he could judge that this guy might be strong in actual combat, but for tactical discussions, it was better to exclude it.
Clawdia stared at him, seemingly displeased that he interrupted its conversation with Isis.
Altaïr looked back unyieldingly.
Though Clawdia was strong, he wouldn't be intimidated by a Felyne; more importantly, this cat's "tactics" were too unreliable, and with Isis's soft-hearted nature, she could easily be led astray.
"Given the Yian Kut-Ku's body size, do you think Isis could climb onto its neck?"
"I can meow!"
"You can appear in the Arena Challenge?"
"..."
Clawdia choked but still stubbornly argued, "Anyway, attacking the throat is a good method meow! Even if you can't climb onto its neck, you can attack from below the neck meow!"
"With Isis's size and the Gunlance's dimensions, could she squeeze under the Yian Kut-Ku's neck to attack the vulnerable throat? Or are you saying again, you can?"
Not giving Clawdia a chance to continue arguing, Altaïr chuckled, "You, cat, only think about yourself."
"It's not like that meow!" Clawdia screamed, jumping up from the chair.
Unlike its brother Pawdrick, it was always one with strong initiative but clumsy speech. Suddenly being labeled like this by Altaïr, worried Isis might dislike it because of this, tears almost came out.
But Altaïr's words also made it realize something: it seemed it really had always planned things for Isis from its own perspective, never truly standing in her place to consider for her.
Seeing Clawdia angry and anxious, scratching its ears as if sinking into self-loathing, Altaïr stopped pressing further.
Instead, he "comforted," "I know you want to help Isis, but pay attention to the method, otherwise she'll run away from you again sooner or later."
"..."
Amos, lying on the recliner by the window but eavesdropping all along, couldn't help turning his head to glance over.
He had said similar things to Clawdia earlier, just not in front of Isis and not as sharply as Altaïr, so Clawdia didn't seem to take it seriously.
He had thought about finding another chance to say it again, but Altaïr broke through first.
Isis didn't develop any dislike for Clawdia because of these words; instead, she was concerned and wanted to comfort it, but Altaïr stopped her with a look.
Let it be broken more first, so it doesn't forget.
"Back to the original topic." Altaïr looked at Isis and asked, "You said earlier you were confident hunting the Yian Kut-Ku. With real combat coming in a few days, what exactly do you plan to do?"
Drawing back her worried gaze from the stunned Clawdia, Isis adjusted her mood and thought for a moment, "Actually, right after switching to Gunlance, I considered this problem.
During the first fight against the Yian Kut-Ku, Clawdia was the main force; I almost just skirmished. The second solo fight, I was on the front line.
The Yian Kut-Ku's pecking, Tail Swipe, including charge attacks like the charge attack, I could actually handle.
What truly crushed me was that splashing Fire Breath. At that time, I struggled to maintain offense while keeping enough strength to escape the breath's attack range.
Now with the Gunlance, my idea is suppression.
The Yian Kut-Ku's attack force isn't actually too strong. Except for that high-raised posture, wide-opening continuous pecking, I'm confident I can block other attacks with the shield.
Even the breath. The Yian Kut-Ku's breath impact isn't strong; it mainly relies on splashing sparks and high-temperature sand mixed in the breath to inflict damage. If careful, blocking these with the large shield isn't hard.
Thus, in most situations I don't need to consider dodging, and the Gunlance switches between attack and defense stance very quickly.
I can suppress the target with high-burst moves like Wyvern's Fire, Full Burst. If the target can't counterattack, continue attacking; if the target finds a chance to counterattack, use defensive counter and then continue attacking."
Isis spoke a whole series.
Not only Altaïr was surprised, even Amos on the recliner straightened up and turned to scrutinize Isis again.
Was this tactic complex? Honestly, not at all; essentially this was the most basic Gunlance tactic, the so-called turn-based tactic.
But this time, Isis didn't follow someone's suggestion; she truly, from the monster's habits and her own situation, seriously analyzed, carefully considered, and finally summarized a suitable coping strategy for herself.
Compared to the past where she just did what others said, this was a more crucial progress than a step up in physical fitness.
After a brief silence, Altaïr chuckled lightly.
"No need to discuss anything further; you've already thought it through quite clearly."
(Translated by yourtl.app)