Time rewinds to before the battle began. Having arrived in this world, Andrew could no longer accurately perceive how long he'd been in this bizarre space. However, based on his internal clock and the consumption of his supplies, it was now the seventh day.
In this long hunt, the biggest obstacle had always been the very ground beneath his feet. The space in this godforsaken place was completely chaotic.
Most of his daily explorations ended with him just walking in circles. A smaller portion of the time, he'd run into some decently strong monsters. Only when his luck was absolutely through the roof could he find his actual hunting target.
But what made things incredibly difficult for Andrew was that the monster seemed to be perfectly at home in this space, moving through it like a fish in water.
For such a long time, Andrew hadn't seen any change in the sky; it was always in the same state as when he first arrived. This blurred his sense of time, making him wonder if he'd crossed over into a world where time had stopped. But the constantly active and appearing monsters told Andrew that any idea of time stopping was just Ann illusion.
His tachi was already showing considerable wear and tear after many major battles. Although he had been careful in the subsequent fights, in a place teeming with monsters, he was still forced to draw his blade against the occasional powerful foe.
After seven days, no matter how careful he was, the extended use had drastically reduced its durability. In its current state, it could probably only withstand one more full-power attack from Andrew. And while his bow was in much better shape since it didn't need to clash directly, the dwindling supply of arrows was also a major problem.
And he was saving this one last chance for a specific target. To prevent his tachi from failing him in that crucial battle, and to avoid being forced to just plink away at the monster with his bow, Andrew had no choice but to risk injury and fight with his hunter's dagger for the time being.
But it was the only option he had. Andrew wasn't afraid of ordinary monsters with just his dagger, but he had no idea if these damn things would release something strange upon death, infecting people with some weird virus or something. The description of the Frenzy Virus that Fabius gave him before he set out for the Forbidden Lands was still fresh in his mind.
So, if possible, it was better to be extra cautious.
However, besides his weapons, a more fatal threat now loomed before him.
He was out of food.
It sounded ridiculous, but he discovered he actually had a system when he arrived in the Monster Hunter World.
But this crappy system was basically just the hunter system from the Monster Hunter game. No attribute points, no skill learning, not even a personal status screen.
Its only few functions were a spatial backpack and Ann equipment display. The number of items the backpack could carry was almost identical to the item pouch in the game.
And its biggest function was to directly send carved materials to the item box in a safe settlement.
The ten portable rations he originally carried in his backpack should have been more than enough, but they were long gone. Even the roasted meat and ingredients, and the wild jerky used to recover from bleeding, had been eaten, leaving only the last piece in his pocket.
Now, all that was left in his backpack were various herbs, seeds, and fruits he had gathered on previous quests. With no way to get more in this new world, Andrew didn't want to stuff these things into his mouth unless it was a last resort.
And most importantly, for a hunter, this stuff wasn't filling at all.
After so many days of finding nothing in this godforsaken place, Andrew felt that without supplies, his days were numbered. His life already began to flash before his eyes, his rather eventful existence quickly scrolling past.
Andrew wasn't from this world. He wasn't even a native of the previous Monster Hunter World he'd been in. Originally, he was just Ann ordinary university student from China.
When he first crossed into the Monster Hunter World, he became a novice hunter in the New World Research Commission and met his most important partner, Meowster the Felyne.
But lacking any real combat experience, Andrew could only follow the Sapphire Star, diligently learning hunting techniques and the art of the tachi. When faced with the endless stream of Elder Dragons that followed, he could only watch from a distance and provide whatever support he could.
Until one day, after the New World had mostly stabilized, his mentor, the Sapphire Star, finally acknowledged that he had reached a level where he could graduate. Patting Andrew on the shoulder, she handed him a new commission: to investigate the Forbidden Lands.
Eager to prove himself to his mentor, Andrew resolutely boarded the ship to the Forbidden Lands.
And with that, Andrew began Ann adventure of his own.
During the investigation of the White Wraith, Andrew, along with Alma, Nata, and a hunter known as Lone Bird, went through a wondrous adventure. Ultimately, facing the threat that could erupt at any moment from the Dragon Lantern, the two hunters joined forces to hunt the Forbidden-Class monster—the Incandescent Dragon.
That terrifying beast had been perched on the Dragon Lantern, which served as the energy source for half a continent, absorbing its power for a full thousand years. Thinking back now, it was Ann incredibly arduous battle. Fortunately, by coordinating with Lone Bird, they finally defeated it completely.
With that, the commission to investigate the Forbidden Lands was complete, bringing a close to a quest filled with laughter, adventure, and challenges. After crafting the Incandescent Tachi: Velkhana from the harvested materials, Andrew, with no major commissions for the time being, earned a period of rest.
But less than a month later, bored out of his mind and itching for a fight, Andrew spotted the first proper hunting quest among a pile of plant gathering and ecological survey tasks: a commission to hunt a Rathian.
He accepted it at lightning speed, the fastest he'd ever moved. Donning the Lockblade Dragon Armor set he had crafted from high-rank materials, equipping the Lockblade Dragon Bow as his secondary weapon, and carrying the Incandescent Tachi he was most eager to christen, he set off with Meowscular Chef in a flash.
And as a result of that commission, Andrew once again crossed over into Ann unfamiliar new world.
Memories flooded back like a tide. The emotional ups and downs were like waves crashing on a beach, leaving only dampness behind after they receded.
Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, Andrew refocused his gaze on the claw marks he had just found. No matter what, sadness was no reason to give up fighting and surviving.
"Regardless, letting that monster run rampant goes against the hunter's code."
Andrew watched as his Scoutflies pointed him in a direction based on the tracks, leading him to the edge of a tall building. The next step was to jump off.
Seven days of pursuit had given Andrew some understanding of the rules here. He stuffed the last small piece of wild jerky from his bag into his mouth. The unique curing method gave the tough jerky a distinct flavor that lingered even after prolonged chewing. After alleviating his hunger this way, Andrew leaped forward without a moment's hesitation.
As he fell, Andrew passed through a purple spatial portal in mid-air and, in the next moment, arrived in a plaza surrounded by buildings. The monster, mutated from the corpse of a Rathian, finally appeared before his eyes once more.
"Come on, monster, it's time to end this!"
————
With a final Helm Breaker as the finisher, Andrew successfully completed the week-long hunt. Although his surroundings were now completely unfamiliar, he couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.
"I wonder what kind of name Alma would give this thing if she were here. I'm actually curious."
The prolonged, high-intensity hunt, coupled with the lack of food, was even making Andrew feel a bit dizzy, but that didn't matter now.
With the hunt's success, the most important and enjoyable part could finally begin: material gathering. But before he could carve much, Andrew was shocked to find the mutated Rathian's corpse crystallize and then shatter into specks of dust.
"Damn it! Where are my materials?! I was only halfway done carving!"
Andrew searched fruitlessly on the empty ground, trying to find any remaining materials.
He had experienced the pain of a successful hunt being ruined by another dragon barging in, forcing him to abandon his hard-earned materials, once before. He never wanted to experience it a second time, yet here he was in a similar situation.
Alma, who would always follow not far behind during a quest, was gone. Meowscular Chef, who would inevitably pop out to dance and celebrate enthusiastically after a hunt, was nowhere to be seen. Even Lone Bird, who would always rush over to compete with him for carving materials after every hunt, would no longer appear.
Oh, well, maybe it was a good thing that last one wasn't here.
But that wasn't the point. No hunter can accept the agony of finishing a hunt and not being able to carve materials. None!!
"If I had known, I wouldn't have put my weapon away first! Damn it!! I was halfway through scooping out the marrow! I didn't even get to collect it!"
Just as Andrew was overcome with grief from hunger and the loss of his materials, kneeling on the ground in a posture of utter dejection, a round, rolling figure charged towards him from a spot he hadn't noticed.
"Materials... my materials... what will I do without you...! My materials!!"
"Are you okay?! Were you injured in the fight just now?!"
A young girl's voice came from it, filled with panic and nervousness. But as she seemed to hear Andrew's sorrowful cries, her movements suddenly stopped.
Andrew looked up to see a unique mechanical creation before him.
A black body with a white head. The whole thing was so round that if it weren't for Ann orange scarf with the number 01 on it serving as a divider, you wouldn't be able to tell where the head ended and the body began.
Its two ears, one black and one white, and its short limbs were surprisingly agile. Paired with expressive eyes, the whole thing looked very lively.
But wasn't this little thing a bit too lively and human-like? Could it be a spirit like the Forest People he encountered in the rainforest?
Realizing Andrew was actually completely fine, and remembering that to avoid exposing her H.D.D System, a Bangboo couldn't appear to be controlled by someone in front of a stranger, Belle decisively chose to play dumb.
"Booboo? Boo booboo? (You're okay? You weren't hurt?)"
"..."
The sudden burst of incomprehensible language stunned Andrew. He instinctively began to wonder if he was starting to have auditory hallucinations from being in this godforsaken place for too long.
Looking at the tall man before her, Belle wasn't about to just sit and wait. Seeing him unresponsive for a moment, she decisively chose to try and pull a fast one while he was distracted, her little legs starting to pump furiously as she made a run for it.
Seeing the little thing trying to escape, Andrew, sensing something was amiss, decided not to dwell on whether he had misheard. Although the little thing's running speed was surprisingly fast, its two short legs moved at Ann astonishing pace.
But for Andrew, with his years of grappling hook experience, zipping through the air was second nature. Using the aerial advantage granted by his hook, Andrew quickly caught up and scooped it into his hand.
"Booboo! Boo booboo!! (Don't hurt me! I'm just passing by!)"
Her escape attempt having failed, Belle went all in. Her years as a Proxy had made her a master of Bangboo movements, and her Bangboo-speak was flawless. Anyone else would have thought it was just Ann ordinary Bangboo.
Unfortunately for her, this whole act was like casting pearls before swine for Andrew, who had never seen a Bangboo before.
"I heard you speak normally just now. So, can you stop pretending? Are you controlling it remotely? Or are you a unique, sentient species?"
Seeing the little thing remain completely unresponsive, its eyes even turning into X's as it started to play dead, Andrew began to try and communicate earnestly.
"If you can, could you please lead me out of this place? I've been trapped here for quite a while and can't find a way out. I'm willing to pay a reward. Although I don't have your currency at the moment, please believe me. Whether by selling materials or finding work, I will definitely give you the compensation you deserve later."
Hearing this, Belle, with her Proxy spirit that couldn't ignore someone lost in the Hollows, could no longer stay quiet. Forgetting all about being exposed, she asked anxiously.
"Trapped here? Are you lost?! Did your Radish break down or something? Are you okay? Is the Ether Erosion severe? What's wrong with your Proxy?! How could they just irresponsibly leave you here alone?!! That's so irresponsible of your client too!"
Furious, the girl fired off a barrage of questions like a machine gun. A pile of unfamiliar terms left Andrew dizzy and unable to answer, so he could only reply honestly.
"You could say I'm lost, yes. But I don't have a Radish, I've never heard of a Proxy, and I don't have a client. As for my body..."
Clenching his fist, Andrew didn't feel anything wrong with his condition. The biggest problem was his stomach, which was starting to give out after eating nothing but a small piece of jerky for most of the day.
"My body's fine too."
For some reason, though, as soon as he said that, the girl seemed to get even angrier.
"Without a Radish and a Proxy, you just came into a Hollow like this?!! Do you have any idea how dangerous that is!"
After her angry scolding, the girl seemed to give up, as if she'd seen this all too often, and said to Andrew.
"But, it's my principle not to leave people I find lost in the Hollows to die. I'll get you out. As for the reward, you don't need to worry about it. I was already preparing to leave anyway."
"No, that's not a reason for me to accept your help without giving anything in return. This may be a small matter for you, but for me, it's a life-saving grace. Since you're unwilling to accept money as a reward, then from this day forward, as long as it is within my power, I will do anything you ask. Provided, of course, that it doesn't violate any laws or morals."
Watching the man's earnest gaze fixed on her, Belle finally couldn't hold out and conceded.
"Alright, alright, you don't have to go that far. If you really feel bad about it, then... three favors. Provided, of course, that it doesn't violate any laws or morals."
Tapping Andrew's forearm with the Bangboo's small hand to signal him to put her down, Belle turned to lead the way. After just two steps, she suddenly realized something.
"Wait, you said you don't have a client? Does that mean you weren't on a commission either?"
Seeing Belle's blank stare, a confused Andrew decided it was best to be honest.
"I was originally, but not for the monster I just hunted. I ended up here by accident."
Hearing this, Belle was in disbelief. She said in astonishment:
"No commission, no reward, then why did you fight it?"
Hearing Belle's question, Andrew was a bit confused himself, but he still answered seriously.
"Actually, after a successful hunt, the carved materials are the reward, but unfortunately, the body suddenly disappeared. But if you're asking about other rewards, then no, there weren't any."
In the Monster Hunter World, for a hunt of such a high-risk target, the Guild would certainly provide points and material rewards after verification. But this was a new world, so it was perfectly fine to say there was no reward.
Hearing Andrew's answer, which could be described as nothing short of selfless, she fell silent for a moment before she couldn't help but ask a question.
"Why?"
"Why what?"
"Why would you fight a monster like that with no reward?"
Hearing Belle's question, Andrew rubbed his chin for a moment and then smiled.
"Because it's a hunter's duty."
"Duty?"
"A hunter's duty is to maintain the ecosystem, to ensure ecological balance through hunting and gathering. As a hunter, I cannot ignore Ann absolute destroyer like that."
Hearing Andrew's reply, the siblings mulled over its meaning. Finally, Belle broke into a smile.
"In that case, getting you out is a Proxy's duty, so I have even less reason to accept your reward, right?"
"No, no, that's different. Even if it's a duty, it's still not right to let someone work for free."
Seeing Andrew's repeated insistence, Belle had to give up on dissuading him from repaying her. She decided then and there to use those three requests on something completely trivial.
"But you'll have to wait a little bit. No matter what, we still need to earn money to eat, so next we have to go dig up some Ether Crystals. After all, we can't leave empty-handed."
"Ether Crystals?"
Hearing the unique name, Andrew figured it must be a type of crystal mineral. After some thought, he took out the crystal ores he'd found while exploring and some residue left after killing Ethereals.
"Is this it?"
Belle turned around and saw a huge armful of Ether Crystals being held by the man. The problem was, she hadn't seen him carrying such a large volume of anything before.
"It is, but how do you have so many? This isn't Ann amount you can collect in a short time, is it?"
"Let's see... it's been about seven days, I think?"
"Seven days?!! You've been in a Hollow for seven days without any protection?!! Come with me, we're getting out of the Hollow NOW!!!"
-
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