[QUEST NAME: Zorah Magdaros Capture Operation]
[QUEST LEVEL: 4★]
[OBJECTIVE: Repel Zorah Magdaros]
[VERIFICATION ITEMS: None]
[LOCATION: Great Ravine]
[CLIENT: Commander]
[DESCRIPTION: We are conducting an operation to capture Zorah Magdaros within the Great Ravine at dawn. Hunters, please accept the quest and proceed to the site. May the Sapphire Star light our way.]
[REWARD: 4320z]
[TIME LIMIT: Urgent Quest]
"Repel... Zorah Magdaros?" Leon read the quest details, his gaze narrowing.
Zorah Magdaros was like a wandering volcano, now slowly traversing the Great Ravine toward the unknown depths of the New World's veins.
If left unchecked, it might fundamentally alter the regional ecology or even wipe out the entire base.
"The Commander is calling all hunters rank four and above to join the mission. Go on, get moving!"
"Rank four..." Leon glanced at Flora, a smirk playing on his lips. "Doesn't that mean you can't go?"
"You!" Flora's smile stiffened. She shot him a glare and sighed. "Don't remind me. I already asked the Commander, and he won't even let me near the staging area..."
Leon scratched his head, confused. "Then why were you so eager to drag me here?"
Flora chuckled and leaned in close to Leon's ear, lowering her voice. "How could I miss a mobilization quest like this..."
She scanned the area to ensure no one was eavesdropping before continuing. "I want to team up with you."
"Again?" Leon was taken aback. Seeing her serious expression, he shook his head in refusal. "I think you should just stay safely back at the base."
"Why?" Flora's expression froze. She clearly hadn't expected him to turn her down.
At that moment, Leon's mind was flooded with memories of that day in the Rotten Vale. He didn't want Flora to face such danger again...
He exhaled and looked her in the eye. "You remember what happened in the Rotten Vale, right? If I had been half a second slower, you might not be standing here."
Flora's expression hardened.
But she quickly lifted her chin with determination and countered, "What about you? Is it any less dangerous if you go alone?"
Leon opened his mouth to speak, but she cut him off.
"Do you know why I want to go?" Flora's voice carried an undeniable resolve. "I'm not trying to steal your spotlight. I just want to prove that a real hunter doesn't back down from danger."
Her eyes burned with conviction.
Leon stared at her. This familiar stubbornness was uncannily similar to his own.
He sighed helplessly and muttered, "You really are a handful..."
"So you agree?" A smile tugged at the corners of Flora's mouth. "I promise I won't do anything reckless."
***
Tens of minutes later.
The sun had yet to rise.
They arrived at the temporary camp set up on the edge of the Great Ravine. Mist mingled with heatwaves rising from the rocks, and the ground trembled periodically.
Leon donned his Rathalos helmet, the entire set gleaming with a dull red metallic sheen in the firelight.
Flora was busy organizing her pack by the supply box.
Vos and Ramsey were also there, waiting for the operation to begin.
For this urgent quest, all Felynes were assigned to logistics. Besides helping resupply ammunition at the front, they were tasked with rescuing critically injured hunters.
The Great Ravine was already buzzing with tension.
Every hunter held their breath, looking toward the distant horizon where a massive black mountain range moved slowly, shrouded in billowing white steam. It was a heart-stopping sight.
"The temperature is even higher than yesterday..." Vos stood at the edge with his lance shouldered, sweat beads forming on his forehead.
Ramsey checked the cannons and ballistae mounted on the platforms, murmuring to himself, "Can these things really stop that titan?"
Leon stood to the side of the platform, watching Ramsey. He hadn't expected the boy to reach rank four in less than half a month.
'He really is the protagonist...'
If that was the case, it seemed the New World didn't strictly need him. He should focus more on finding a way home.
Flora finished packing the supplies and ran back to Leon's side. "All set! Potions, Demondrugs, Armorskins, Dash Juices... Flash Pods and Shock Traps, I've got everything. I won't hold you back today."
Without realizing it, their roles had shifted. Perhaps Flora now truly acknowledged Leon's capabilities from the bottom of her heart.
Leon simply nodded and reached out to tighten a strap on Flora's gear, his gaze as steady as a mountain.
He had grown accustomed to the silence that preceded danger in this land. The tremors were faint, yet they felt like a blade slowly drawing near, tightening his chest.
Just then, a Felyne wearing a medical scarf scurried over.
Holding up a command brief, it shouted, "The temporary camp is ready! Frontline cannoneers, prepare to load the first volley! Hunters, proceed to your stations! The operation begins in five minutes!"
"Ramsey!" Leon called out to the boy who was heading toward the deployment point.
Ramsey looked up and smiled when he saw Leon.
He walked over and said, "It's only been half a month, but that Rathalos set looks incredible on you."
"You're not doing too bad yourself. You've climbed the ranks fast." Leon's eyes settled on the Diablos armor the other was wearing.
Ramsey laughed. "With my skills, I wouldn't dare act tough in front of you."
Leon raised an eyebrow. "You're afraid of me?"
"Afraid? No, I admire you," Ramsey said earnestly. "When I saw you hold off that High Rank Great Jagras on your own, I realized that gear isn't everything. Courage is what makes a hunter."
The horn signaling the start of the mission sounded again.
Ramsey patted Leon on the shoulder. "When this is over, let's grab a drink together."
"Sure." Leon nodded, then headed to his station with Flora.
Leon and Flora were responsible for the elevated cannons and the heavy ballistae on the flanks, while Vos took control of the Dragonator at the front.
Ramsey was part of the assault team, tasked with boarding Zorah Magdaros via Wingdrakes.
Cannons alone weren't enough to stop the beast; they had to attack its magmacores.
Leon looked out across the ravine. The grey mist was gradually turning fiery as it rolled, and a glowing red silhouette emerged from behind the mountain's edge—
It was the lava flowing through the cracks in Zorah Magdaros's shell, pulsing like veins of fire.
Five minutes later, the Commander stood on the high platform and shouted, "Attention everyone! The target is entering range! Cannon crews, load! Felyne units, keep the ammo lines moving and evacuate any injured immediately! Our objective is to drive back Zorah Magdaros!"
"Commence operation!"
The first volley of cannon fire tore through the pre-dawn silence.
BOOM!
The battle between the hunters and the colossal Elder Dragon erupted in the darkness before the light.