Having a familiar person as a bridge, even if that person wasn't present, communication between both sides became much more lively.
"So, the two of you were entrusted by someone and plan to hunt a Duramboros, needing to find a Gunner to accompany you?" After hearing the duo's explanation, Nymera summarized simply.
Altaïr nodded. "That's correct. After all, although the Duramboros's danger level is only 4★, its weak points are situated quite high up on its body, making them extremely difficult to reach. Therefore, a Gunner's power is essential."
Nymera smiled, agreeing readily. "No problem. Even setting aside Francesca's introduction, with the two of you having helped repel the Lagiacrus earlier, I wouldn't refuse no matter what."
"Alright!" Isis happily raised both hands high.
Nymera smiled as she looked at this girl whose figure could no longer be described as merely "slender." Although there was no resemblance in build, facial features, or any other aspect, from Isis's lively personality, she saw a bit of Francesca's shadow.
She had also heard Francesca talk about her sister before. In her description, Isis was someone a bit shy and timid. Was it the change brought by the experience of becoming a Hunter?
Or perhaps...
Unaware of the somewhat meaningful look Nymera was giving him, Altaïr's thoughts were completely focused on preparing for their next task.
"Ah, right, may I ask how much you understand about the Duramboros Monster? Have you had hunting experience with it?"
"Duramboros? I've hunted one once, so I understand a bit, at least." Nymera nodded.
Hearing this, Altaïr felt even more satisfied. Although she spoke modestly, having actually fought a particular Monster was a completely different experience from just reading information in books or field guides.
His nomadic tribe of origin had coexisted harmoniously with Duramboros subspecies, but when it came to actually fighting a Duramboros, he could only say he'd analyze it as much as possible, not confidently provide a plan outright.
But Nymera was different. She had truly hunted one. If she was willing, it seemed he could leave the tactical planning and even on-site command to her...
Thinking of it, he acted. Altaïr beat Isis to the punch, taking the new dish brought by the guild receptionist and placing it before Nymera. "In your opinion, what preparations do we three need to make to hunt the Duramboros, and what tactics should we use?"
He unconsciously slipped back into honorifics, as he always respected capable people.
Nymera pursed her lips, thinking for a moment. "Based on my experience from my last Duramboros hunt, the responsibility for offense might fall entirely on the Gunner.
You just need one main vanguard to attract the target's attention, and leave everything else to the Gunner in the party.
Actually, I think one vanguard paired with three Gunners is the most efficient way to hunt a Duramboros."
Altaïr: "?"
So Isis is the 'main vanguard,' you are the 'Gunner in the party,' and I can be directly optimized away?
Noticing the strange look on Altaïr's face, Nymera, realizing the ambiguity in her words, quickly amended herself. "Of course, having a Blademaster join the attack to share the Gunner's pressure is even better!
The Duramboros is a Brute Wyvern. The strategy of repeatedly attacking the legs to force a fall, effective against other Brute Wyverns, is also applicable to the Duramboros.
However, considering the Duramboros's massive size, along with its particularly sturdy hind legs, the thickness of the keratin layer and skin alone exceeds ten centimeters, beneath which lies an even thicker layer of fat.
Penetrating through all these obstacles to truly damage the Duramboros's leg muscles, let alone its bones, is quite difficult, so the efficiency might not be ideal."
Nymera's voice trailed off.
Altaïr gave a forced chuckle. The gist of her previous words was that having a Blademaster join the attack was a good thing, but it wouldn't be very useful.
Although she hadn't needed to think much since partnering with Altaïr, this didn't mean Isis was foolish.
On the contrary, her emotional intelligence was actually quite high. She immediately noticed Altaïr's awkwardness and, after forcefully swallowing the food in her mouth, said, "Altaïr is proficient with many Weapons, not just the Long Sword.
If the Long Sword can't effectively damage the Duramboros's legs, what about the Great Sword? Or a Blunt-type weapon like the Hammer?"
Hearing this, Nymera's eyes lit up a little. "Can you use light weapons?"
Isis once again answered before Altaïr could. "Of course! He's very skilled with both the Sword and Shield and the Dual Blades!"
"What about the Insect Glaive?" Nymera pressed on. "Undoubtedly, the Insect Glaive is the most suitable Weapon for dealing with a Duramboros.
An Insect Glaive user can vault onto the Duramboros's broad back, easily and safely attacking its weak spot, the Hump. If one had a Fire Element Insect Glaive, it would be even more perfect.
The high heat can quickly burn away the layers of vegetation and moss covering the Duramboros's back, which are as hard as armor, melt the fat, and inflict heavy damage on the Duramboros!"
Altaïr's face darkened further.
There were eleven Melee weapons in total. He dared say he was good with about half of them. He wasn't skilled with the others but could handle them. As for weapons he had never touched, there were only two, and one of them was the Insect Glaive; the other was the Hunting Horn.
Nymera awkwardly fell silent. Judging by Altaïr's expression, she knew this topic wasn't suitable to pursue further.
The table fell quiet for a few seconds. Altaïr let out a long sigh. In his two years as a Hunter, this was the first time he had encountered a situation where he felt useless.
"How about this: for this hunt, I plan to use the Sword and Shield in a support role.
I have a decent Sleep Element Sword and Shield. I'll build up abnormal status, share the pressure on the front line, and then leave tasks like using various items, setting traps, or even helping carry ammunition to me."
"Yes, if you're willing, of course!" Nymera quickly nodded.
Beside the table, Clawdia tilted her head and asked, "Isn't that just being a big Assist Cat, mew? If you do all that, what will Sajji do, mew?"
Altaïr and Sajji exchanged a glance, then Altaïr covered his face and said, "You focus on attacking. Your Rathalos series can fire Incendiary Rounds, right? That should be more useful than me."
"Th-This right, mew?"
"You can do it." Altaïr patted Sajji's shoulder in turn, encouraging him.
"Ah, right, boss, mew. I just had a new idea, mew." Sajji said, looking at Nymera. "That move you used earlier, flipping over the Lagiacrus's back... was that a Wyvernblast you fired, mew?"
Nymera ruffled his head. "That's correct. That move is a Light Bowgun Silkbind technique passed down in Kamura Village, called Fanning Vault. Do you have any questions?"
"I remember Wyvernblasts usually require fixing the Light Bowgun against the ground, mew. But your Light Bowgun can actually launch Wyvernblasts, even if the range isn't long, it must have undergone special modifications, mew? Could I take a look at your Weapon, mew?"
"Of course." Nymera picked up the Khezu Syringe leaning against the table, removed the magazine, checked that there were no remaining rounds in the chamber, and then handed the Bowgun to Sajji.
Sajji pressed his face against the barrel, peering for quite a while. "So it's this kind of structure, mew. I think I understand now, mew. The Wyvernblasts you use must also be specially modified, mew?"
"Exactly. Would you like to see?" Smiling, Nymera took a set of Wyvernblasts from the ammunition belt at her waist and handed them to Sajji.
Sajji buried his head in tinkering once again.
"Seems fine, mew! Give me two days, I can integrate this into the Rathalos series, mew!"
"Truly impressive." As if coaxing a child, Nymera reached out and ruffled Sajji's head.
Clawdia beside Isis let out a soft snort.
Nymera hurriedly extended her other hand, placing it on Clawdia's head to give it a rub. "And this young lady as well, the damage inflicted on the Lagiacrus earlier was no less than what us Hunters could achieve."
Kamura Village enjoys perennial spring, and the Felynes living there are all of the short-haired breed. Sajji was, to her, a rather rare long-haired breed, while Clawdia was a mix of Felyne and Grimalkyne, with longer fur around the chest and neck.
She loved such fluffy Felynes the most!
When they first met, it wasn't polite to just reach out and pet them, but now she'd finally seized the opportunity.
Clawdia impatiently brushed Nymera's hand away; she disliked affectionate gestures from anyone other than Isis.
Sajji, on the other hand, didn't mind. You pet me, I fiddle with your Bowgun, no one loses out, mew.
Seeing Nymera petting Sajji with both hands, growing more and more excited, Altaïr cleared his throat. "Ahem, we arrived here aboard an Airship. When do you think would be suitable for departure?"
Unconsciously, his speech had adopted some vocabulary he didn't usually use so much.
"My apologies, I'm truly sorry." Nymera withdrew her hands, returning to her earlier serious and composed demeanor.
"I need a little time to prepare my Weapon and ammunition. If your schedule is pressing, would it be acceptable for us to depart in the evening?"
"Of course."
"Hey! Speak properly!"
(Translated by yourtl.app)
─────────────────────────────────────────
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.
SKILLS & TECHNIQUES
Fanning Vault — A Silkbind technique originating from Kamura Village, designed for Light Bowgun users. The Hunter fires a Wirebug forward and uses the resulting Ironsilk as a tether to launch into the air, flipping over a Monster's body in a single acrobatic arc. At the apex of the vault, with their torso inverted above the target, the Hunter fires downward, embedding a Wyvernblast or other payload directly onto the Monster's back or neck. The technique bypasses the standard limitation of Wyvernblasts needing to be planted on the ground, allowing precise placement on a moving target at a location of the Hunter's choosing.