Monster Hunter Monster Girl Story

0036 Guard

After easily clearing several levels using in-game purchase items, Li Ai felt extremely relieved and relaxed. She then started reading the in-game messages.

Sisel said that everything was fine in Sheep Village, and that he and Mitsuha were also safe, so Li Ai shouldn't worry.

Sunny said the truck was well concealed, and Green Grass and the rescue team were all fine, but it was a bit boring.

As always, Wang was asking questions or sharing what was happening in the village, while Sister Luanma was still taking care of her heart condition as usual.

After Li Ai replied to all the replies, she suddenly felt a strange sense of being stared at.

Looking around and finding nothing unusual, he figured it must be due to his own anxiety, so he covered himself with a camouflage net of leaves and climbed to the top of the tree.

In the distance, amidst the hills and forests, plumes of smoke rose into the sky, resembling a battlefield engulfed in flames.

Numerous fire dragons, circling high in the sky, swooped down repeatedly, vying for the already scarce food.

"Instructor Lund, I hope nothing goes wrong with you while hunting in this environment."

Looking at the scene in the distance, Li Ai couldn't help but feel worried.

Midday, in the forest, in a mountain cave.

Langde was leaning against the cliff wall, and the surface of his female Rathalos armor was covered with a layer of black ash.

Senegal stepped closer, looked at the half-pierced black thorn embedded in his shoulder armor, and tentatively asked, "Are you sure it didn't go all the way through?"

"no."

"Alright then."

As he spoke, Senegal gripped the thorn tightly and pulled it outward with force, spurting out blood and pus mixed with venom.

"Didn't you say it didn't penetrate?"

Senegal looked at the bloodstained thorn tip and asked, puzzled.

"I meant it didn't go through the shoulder!"

Lande clutched his wound and said through gritted teeth.

Jim the cat servant quickly brought the bottle containing the antidote to Land's lips.

After drinking it all, Land wiped the antidote from his mouth, leaned his head against the rock wall, and began to pant.

Seeing this, Sene sighed and sat down beside him.

"You haven't gone hunting in years; this place is simply not for you."

Seneca pulled a bent cigarette from the crumpled cigarette box and was about to hand it to Landes when the latter shoved the intact cigarette into his mouth first.

"I felt the same way when I set off, but once the hunt started, I found that the feeling from back then was gradually returning."

As he spoke, Lande also popped a cigarette into his mouth.

Jim took out a lighter and lit the cigarettes in the mouths of the two hunters.

"When you say 'feeling back,' do you mean bumping your shoulder into the Pink Rathian's tail?"

Sene looked at the wound that was still oozing pus and blood, his face full of helplessness.

"That was my misjudgment. If it hadn't suddenly whipped its tail, I would have used the momentum I had built up in place to unleash a powerful slash at the head of the Sakura Fire Dragon."

Lande stretched out his palm and gestured, then slashed forward.

"Greatswords are already bulky, why bother charging up in place?"

"If a single blow inflicts enough damage on the monster to stop it from moving, why not?"

"Okay, but is this kind of technique actually usable in a real hunt?"

"Of course... but the combat power of these two subspecies is indeed too formidable."

As the resident hunter of Kokot Village, Londo naturally has a wealth of experience hunting fire dragons in the Forest Hills.

But it was precisely because of this that he deeply felt the power of the two monsters.

"Once you can resume operations, you should evacuate."

"You mean the hero team is giving up too? They're in terrible shape!"

"Land said excitedly."

"It's bad, that's true, but the team's condition has reached its limit."

As Seneca spoke, he looked at the other two members who were sleeping on the ground on the other side of the cave.

The spear hunter, Layton, has barely rested since he started hunting. Facing the combined attack of two fire dragon subspecies, he has accumulated multiple injuries.

The heavy crossbow hunter, Yasani, was almost out of ammunition, and her breastplate had been pierced by the Azure Rathalos's claws.

"According to the latest intelligence from Investigator Grave, after yesterday's battle, the Azure Rathalos went out to hunt, leaving only the lone Pink Rathian in the mountains. The team is planning one last attempt. You should know that the key to this kind of raid hunt isn't the number of people..."

"I understand. If I were to participate, I would only become a burden."

Lande interrupted.

"That's not what I meant. I meant we should be more rational about hunting and minimize casualties."

"Hmph~ If we're really talking rationally, do you think I would have come?"

After speaking, Langde got up and began packing his luggage and equipment.

"Besides being recruited by the village chief and fulfilling my hunter's duties, there's another reason I came here. Do you know why?"

"I know, because we are friends."

"It's good that you haven't forgotten. I understand you. Keep going, Hero Hunter."

After speaking, Langde disregarded his injuries and straightened up to walk out of the cave.

Senegal could tell that the other person was very unwilling, but because he was afraid that it would affect his own mentality, he refrained from confiding in him as usual.

Land walked into the forest at the foot of the mountain and glanced back at the cave entrance above.

"Hmph~ They didn't even come out to stop me."

After lighting a cigarette, he covered his wound and continued walking.

"We have to be careful. If we encounter danger again and need Sene's rescue, we'll be utterly ashamed... His decision to let me evacuate first is a form of protection, I suppose."

After calming down, Lande realized that Seneca's plan didn't seem wrong, and his mood immediately relaxed.

After traveling for about half an hour, the familiar roar of a dragon and the sound of explosions rang out from the jungle behind us.

"The operation has started so quickly... Regardless of success or failure, you must return safely."

Landes looked back and sighed, then prepared to continue on his way.

A huge dragon-shaped shadow was cast onto the ground through the gaps in the leaves.

Lande hid under a tree and looked up to observe.

What you see is a Azure Rathalos gliding through the air, its claws gripping a herbivorous dragon.

"Oh no, they're back so quickly!"

At that moment, Azure Rathalos seemed to hear the angry roar of Pink Rathian.

With a loosening of its claws, it tossed the herbivorous dragon into the jungle below to reduce its weight, then flapped its tattered wings with all its might and began to fly at full speed.

Londo realized that the hero team was in danger and wanted to rush back to provide support.

But before he could run two steps, the wound on his shoulder tore open again.

He ran a few steps despite the pain, then remembered the enhancement set that Li Ai had entrusted to Greif to give him, and immediately opened the package.

"The stuff in this bottle seems to be chewable but not swallowable, and this jar can be opened by pulling the metal ring to drink from, and there seems to be a specific order to eating it... Never mind!"

Knowing there was no time to waste, Langde quickly took various buffs and even indulged in the experience of inhaling four cigarettes at the same time.

"This feels like I've returned to my peak performance from when I was young."

Langde glanced down at his arms, at the armor that was slightly deformed due to the swelling of his muscles, and then dashed off in the direction where the Azure Fire Dragon had flown.

Seeing that the little fool had woken up, Li Ai continued to boil water for instant noodles and added chopped luncheon meat.

Although the creature had not eaten enough, thanks to its own regenerative abilities and the fading effects of the tranquilizer darts used for capture, it was now more energetic, both mentally and physically.

As it lay prone and twisted its body, the ivy binding its skin creaked and groaned as it tightened.

"Hmm... Li Ai, isn't this a bit unsafe?"

After observing for a moment, Yang Kuku quickly gave a reminder.

"Yes, you'll have to stay away from here from now on."

As Li Ai spoke, she moved closer, bringing the two tranquilizer balls she was holding toward the little fool's nostrils.

The other party smelled it, realized what it was, and immediately began to struggle violently.

"If you spill the noodle bucket, you won't be able to soak up the soup."

Li Ai didn't dodge, but instead put the bucket of noodles on the ground, and the little fool's struggle immediately stopped.

"Yes, just stay like this. As long as you don't struggle, I won't use this on you."

As Li Ai spoke, she put the tranquilizer ball used for capture back into her waist pack.

"The first performance while fully awake is crucial. Are you ready?"

"With Yangkuku here, there won't be any problems!"

Yang Kuku blinked one eye and clenched his fist with great confidence.

"Sigh~ Being able to maintain a good mindset for a long time is truly an excellent quality."

Li Ai was somewhat envious of Yang Kuku, because no matter what the situation, the other party could always cope with it happily and optimistically.

After taking a drag of a cigarette to refresh herself, Li Ai closed her eyes.

I started trying to temporarily forget my worries and also tried to enter that state of heightened emotion.

But at this moment, the feeling of being watched that morning resurfaced.

"It couldn't be Miss Mira... But even if she really wanted to see, she wouldn't need to spy on her."

Feeling something was off about the place, Li Ai cleared her mind and, together with the sheep-like lizard, resumed their performance.

Although the content is the same, the little fool seems to have a deeper understanding of it now that he is clear-headed enough.

Every now and then, it would turn its head to look at its wing claws on its left and right sides, as well as the empty noodle bucket on the ground.

As the demonstration ended and Li Ai fell into deep thought, she received a notification that her favorability rating had increased to negative one heart.

"If we upgrade one more, we'll have a chance to guide the transfer!"

Seeing Li Ai, who had finally won over the hope of winning over the enemy, he was especially excited at this moment.

"Haha! Our demonstration team is truly invincible!"

Yang Kuku jumped up happily.

Boom! Crash!

The sound of a fireball exploding, along with the tearing sound of trees snapping in half, suddenly came from the nearby jungle.

The two immediately fell silent, but Li Ai thought again that the team hadn't been discovered.

Even if they launch an attack, it won't be aimed at me.

Climbing to the top of the tree to secretly observe, I saw the elderly female Rathalos, "Matchmaker," covered in wounds, taking off from the forest not far away, her figure elusive as she began to fly away.

Before it could fly too far, another female Rathalos suddenly flew out from below, rammed into it, and then lashed out with its tail, knocking the "matchmaker" directly into the jungle.

The female fire dragon's mouth was filled with blood, and venom was constantly seeping from its tail, which was missing a small portion.

After letting out an extremely ferocious roar, it swooped down into the forest.

"If we intervene now, we might be able to win over the matchmaker grandma... but we'll be facing a G-rank individual, the Tailless Sister."

Although Li Ai has observed the opportunity to take advantage of the situation, he clearly does not yet have the ability to seize it.

At this moment, the little fool kept wiggling his body on the ground, trying to stand up.

Li Ai could understand the other party at this moment. Faced with such a dangerous individual as the Tailless Sister, if they were discovered in this entangled state, even escaping would become a luxury.

As for myself, I don't even know if I can survive and escape, let alone continue the campaign.

Hearing the approaching sounds of trees breaking in the forest, Li Ai approached the little fool, pulled out her hunter's knife, and began cutting the binding vines.

The little fool understood his intention, stopped struggling violently, and ceased making noise.

"If you have a chance, run away quickly. If you get blocked and confronted, don't look at her tail again."

As Li Ai muttered to herself, she pointed to the little fool's tail and gestured with her hand.

Although continuing to restrain the little fool, even if the tailless sister kills him, can still fulfill the commission by hunting him, Li Ai does not want to do so.

After cutting the last vine binding her feet, Li Ai slowly retreated.

"If fate allows, I believe we will meet again."

Hey~

The little fool squinted and let out a slightly fierce breath.

"Alright, even if we're not meant to be, don't come to Morioka again."

After Li Ai finished speaking, she quickly ran to a large tree and, together with Yang Kuku, peered out from the left and right.

After a brief period of wailing, the forest suddenly fell silent.

Yang Kuku spread out the ear-like horns on its neck and began to listen for any movement.

At this moment, the varying depths of footsteps behind us sounded especially clear.

Li Ai turned her head in confusion and saw the limping little fool walking towards her: "Don't come any closer! With your size, even the thickest tree can't hide you."

The little fool tucked its neck in, pressed its wings tightly against its feet, and contracted its entire body.

"It's no use, monster girls don't transform like that."

Li Ai felt that the other party seemed to understand the demonstration, but still misunderstood all the details.

After failing, the little fool sighed and tried to spread its wings.

Seeing the wing membrane riddled with holes, Li Ai understood why the other party hadn't escaped.

Although the little fool can barely take off, in its current state, whether in the air or on the ground, if Sister Broken Tail finds it, it will only face certain death.

For Li Ai, Yang Kuku hiding in place and trying not to be noticed is actually the best strategy.

However, her nearly twenty-meter-long body was simply too large, and even with her emerald green color resembling that of the jungle, she could not hide at all.

Thud! Thud! ...

The sound of rapid footsteps suddenly rang out from the forest.

"Two fire dragons are chasing each other, heading this way... Wait, one of them has already been knocked down!"

Yang Kuku listened to the sound with great confusion.

Li Ai was unaware of the situation, but she knew that if she didn't run now, she might miss her chance.

So he pointed in a direction, and then Yang Kuku ran off.

Before long, an elderly female Rathalos with a face covered in blood crashed through several trees and charged out, with the tailless Rathalos close behind in pursuit.

The ground trembled as the female Rathalos stomped its claws.

The matchmaker was quickly caught up and knocked over from the side by the woman with the broken tail, falling to the ground.

Awooo! Awooo! ...

The tailless woman stood in front of the head, flapped her wings, and roared continuously.

The matchmaker's neck tilted to the side, and her head fell limply to the ground.

Just as Sister Broken Tail continued to proclaim her victory, the figures of two people and a dragon came into view in the forest, and then turned and rushed away.

Once the sound of stomping feet faded into the distance, the matchmaker's eyelids fluttered, and she quickly opened her eyes again.

Before she could even rejoice at faking her death and escaping, the matchmaker spotted another, extremely threatening figure behind the tree.

So he quickly pushed himself up and watched warily.

"What are you looking at? You're not my target, old woman."

After the lone wolf finished speaking, it also began to chase after Li Ai in the direction she had fled.