Unlike the departure of Altaïr's group, which involved carts and an airship, the Professor's team was traveling light.
Isis, of course, went without saying; to this day, she didn't even own a second set of Gunlances. Aside from her Defender Gunlance, she didn't have much else to carry.
After careful consideration, Nymera brought along the highly versatile Light Bowgun, "Valkyrie Fire." This Light Bowgun could perform Rapid Fire with Lv1 and Lv2 Spread Ammo, eliminating the need to worry about elemental shots.
All Ammo and supplies were carried by the Palamute, Hibiki.
Unlike Altaïr and the others, who had prepared a vast stash of food and water, the Professor only arranged for three days' worth of emergency rations. However, they carried plenty of medicine, such as Potions and Antidotes, along with a small amount of coal.
This special mineral, harvested from the Volcano, could serve as fuel for airships and was equally suitable for portable stoves. When dry wood was unavailable, it could be used as fuel for cooking or warmth.
Everyone was unencumbered; the only one burdened with luggage was Hibiki, and under the Professor's strict supervision, the Palamute's load was kept within a reasonable range so as not to hinder normal movement.
In this state, given the stamina and mobility of Hunters, covering fifty kilometers a day was effortless, and that distance could even be doubled if necessary.
Without any ceremonial speeches or parting words, they performed a final check of their supplies. With a single "Move out" from the Professor, the three humans, one Felyne, one dog, and one bird plunged into the Jungle.
Over a week had passed since the successful subjugation of the Seregios.
Altaïr's group was still trudging through the Jungle.
In this hot, humid environment swarming with flies and insects, even a tiny scratch could cause widespread skin ulceration or attract parasites, to say nothing of the massive laceration on Altaïr's leg.
It was only thanks to Shalan, who cleaned and treated his wound every few hours, that he had avoided infections, maggots, or further complications.
Using her sharp claws to snag the sutures, Shalan pulled the threads out of the wound bit by bit and sprinkled on some Lifepowder.
"It's mostly healed, meow. If you engage in high-intensity combat right now, there's still a risk of tearing the wound open again, but if it's just normal walking, running, or jumping, there shouldn't be much of a problem anymore, meow," Shalan said, patting Altaïr's thigh.
"Thank you, Lady Shalan. So, that means I don't have to stay lying down anymore, right?" Altaïr asked, looking at the centipede-like twisted scar on his thigh.
"That's right, meow." Shalan waved a paw and said casually, "Remember to gather any herbs you see on the way, meow. We're almost out of Potions and powder, meow."
"Understood." Altaïr hopped off the cart and stretched his stiff limbs.
Sajji, who had been pedaling, immediately felt the load lighten significantly.
"Whoa! It's a Jungle Subspecies of the Great Hornfly!" One second he was dutifully pulling the cart, and the next, it was as if Erik had suddenly lost his mind. He lunged outward in excitement, only to be yanked back by the rope around his waist.
Altaïr practicedly pulled the rope, dragging the restless fellow back. "Never mind everything else; this isn't even the first time you've seen a Jungle Subspecies of the Great Hornfly over the last few days. Why are you still so worked up?"
"A specimen! Just let me catch one for a specimen! The coloration of the Jungle Subspecies is different from those found in the Desert. I have to take one back for a comparison!"
"Not this time," Altaïr refused him mercilessly.
It wasn't that he was being cold-hearted; if he gave Erik even an inch, the man would immediately take a mile and vanish to who-knows-where in the blink of an eye.
They had encountered enough danger on this trip already. He had to avoid any possibility of unnecessary complications.
Lazy as ever, Shalan lay on the cart and tossed a small pebble between her paws. With a flick of her wrist, she threw it, hitting the tree trunk where the Great Hornfly had perched and startling it into flight.
"Argh–!" Erik let out a cry of frustrated anguish, only to be ignored by his companions.
Altaïr went as far as to clamp a hand over Erik's mouth to prevent the commotion from attracting any nearby Monsters.
"Lady Shalan, could I ask for your help in checking the surrounding area?" After easily suppressing the delicate, high-maintenance scholar, Altaïr turned to ask the loafing Shalan, his tone very polite.
Altaïr's humble attitude satisfied Shalan immensely.
"You lot are such a handful, meow." Shalan slowly assembled her great kite and strapped it to her back. "Stay right here, kids. Don't wander off. I'll be back in a jiffy, meow."
As she spoke, a gust of wind happened to blow through. Shalan caught the breeze and rose into the air, disappearing into the dense, sun-blocking canopy of the Jungle.
They waited for two minutes. When Shalan didn't return to sound an alarm, it meant there were likely no Large Monsters in the immediate vicinity.
Altaïr relaxed and helped Sajji stabilize the cart. "While Lady Shalan is scouting the path ahead, take the chance to get some rest.
I'm going to gather some food nearby. I won't go further than five hundred meters. If anything happens, shout for me.
Sajji, keep an eye on Erik. Don't let him wander off. If necessary, tie him up."
"Hey!"
"Understood, meow!"
Having given his orders, Altaïr shouldered his Dual Blades and searched around for a bit. He soon found a game trail used by small animals. Muttering that his luck was holding up, he ducked his head and followed the trail into the thick of the Jungle.
Trails like these were usually left by animals like Kelbi or Mosswine.
Following a game trail made it easier to find water sources or areas where mushrooms grew in clusters. If he was lucky enough to stumble upon a Mosswine, their food for the next few days would be sorted.
Sure enough, before he had even gone two hundred meters, he spotted a fallen, rotting log lying across a small stream.
The wood had become soft and porous under the combined effects of the stream, moss, and fungi, providing the perfect environment for mushrooms. Large patches of them were growing all over it.
Altaïr rubbed his hands together in excitement.
Avoiding the fungi he couldn't identify, Altaïr first picked two Blue Mushrooms. These weren't typically eaten as food, but when combined with herbs and other medicinal ingredients, they possessed excellent medicinal value.
Next were the Specialty Mushrooms, which were the most numerous. These mushrooms were delicious whether sautéed or roasted, and could even be eaten raw.
When dried and processed, they were one of Metapetatto's flagship commodities. Altaïr picked several of the largest ones, and then, on the other side of the decaying log, he spotted a few dark purple mushrooms.
Poison mushrooms. They were inedible, of course, but they could be used to craft certain special Ammo and items, such as Drugged Meat.
Having been born and raised in the barren Great Desert, Altaïr had a habit of scavenging resources. Even if he had no immediate use for them, he instinctively walked toward the poison mushrooms, intending to bag them.
Just then, a small shadow burst from the ground, shrieking as it blocked his path.
It had a scrawny frame with grayish-green skin like tree bark. It wielded a rusted shortsword and wore a strangely shaped mask over its head.
"Gaya kaba ga!"
Looking at the aggressive little thing, Altaïr paused. "A Gajalaka?"
These were small Lynian monsters, roughly the size of a Felyne. They usually lived in tribes, were skilled with tools, and possessed an intelligence close to that of a human.
The Jungle was one of the primary habitats for the Gajalaka, so encountering one here wasn't surprising.
That meant those beast trails were also paths commonly used by the Gajalaka; he had likely intruded upon their territory.
"Gagaya!"
Seeing that the Hunter wasn't reacting, the Gajalaka, which had been feeling a hint of trepidation, immediately grew fierce. It brandished its broken sword, looking for all the world like it was about to charge and hack him down in a frantic rage.
Altaïr thought for a moment.
Killing this Gajalaka would be easy, a matter of a single strike.
However, the Gajalaka had a very strong tribal sense. Killing one could easily draw an entire swarm. Since they hadn't come here to hunt Gajalaka, he felt there was no need to invite unnecessary trouble.
Wait...
Altaïr suddenly recalled that the senior Hunter Francesca had once taught them a few methods for dealing with Gajalaka. It was worth a try.
Before the Gajalaka could scream and charge, Altaïr suddenly drew the Cool Cleavers from his back. He simultaneously entered Demon Mode to enhance his physical capabilities and delivered a backhanded slash into a small tree nearby, nearly twenty centimeters thick.
The serrated blades tore through bark and wood with ease, severing the small tree in a single stroke. A burst of mist and bone-white freezing air followed, coating the tree's cross-section in a layer of frost.
With a loud rustle of branches and leaves, the upper half of the small tree fell right in front of the Gajalaka, making it leap backward in fright.
The previously violent small Lynian instantly became dead quiet.
(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.
PEOPLES
Gajalaka — A tribe of small, hostile Lynians found throughout the New World. Unlike the catlike Felynes or Grimalkynes, Gajalaka have a more humanoid build and bare, grayish skin. They are distinguished by their large, ornate tribal masks, which conceal their faces entirely, leaving only their bright yellow eyes visible. Gajalaka live in close-knit tribes, are skilled with blades and blowdarts coated in various status ailments, and are known to use explosives. Highly territorial and quick to turn aggressive, they nonetheless possess an intelligence comparable to that of humans and can, under the right circumstances, be negotiated or dealt with nonviolently.
HERBIVORES
Mosswine — A small, pig-like herbivore common across many hunting regions. Named for the moss and fungi that grow across its rounded back, the Mosswine has a highly developed sense of smell and uses it to sniff out mushrooms, which form the bulk of its diet. Despite its passive nature, it will charge aggressors head-on if provoked. Its meat is considered a delicacy, and hunters often track Mosswine by following game trails through forested areas.
ITEMS
Blue Mushroom — A bright blue fungus found in cool, damp environments. While unsuitable as food on its own, it is a key ingredient in many medicinal preparations. Blue Mushrooms are commonly combined with herbs and other organic materials to produce Potions and similar healing items.
Specialty Mushroom — A large, flavorful mushroom prized both as a trail food and a trade commodity. It can be eaten raw, roasted, or sautéed, making it one of the most practical and versatile foodstuffs a hunter can gather in the field.
Poison Mushroom — A dark, highly toxic fungus that is inedible in its raw form. Despite its danger, it is a valued crafting ingredient, used in the preparation of items like Drugged Meat and various specialty Ammo.
Drugged Meat — A piece of raw meat laced with a toxic or sedative compound. Left on the ground as bait, Drugged Meat can cause smaller creatures to fall unconscious when consumed. Hunters use it as a non-lethal way to subdue or redirect animals blocking their path.