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200z?!
Too expensive. I pass!
Ethan had planned to stop by the drink shop for a cup before every mission, but after hearing the price, he had to temporarily abandon the idea.
One cup of the drink was almost the entire reward for a one-star quest. With his current earning ability, he couldn't afford such a luxury. Even the reward level for two-star quests made him wince a little. He probably had to wait until he advanced to three-star rank before he could stop by for a cup every time without worry.
After thanking Ethan, the Felyne proprietor looked around, hoping to find a few more volunteers to "test the medicine." Ethan glanced at him and didn't linger, formally setting off to hunt the Great Jagras leader.
He was highly familiar with the route to the Hunter's Camp halfway up the mountain. After a brief rest, Ethan expertly crept to the cliff top near the Jagras nest.
The nest was much more lively than the previous two times he had visited. Not only were the Female Jagras maintaining vigilance around the perimeter, but even the Jaggi, which should have been patrolling the territory, were gathered in the nest, making the otherwise spacious mountain platform feel somewhat crowded.
Shading his eyes with his hand, Ethan squinted at the sheltered spot partially obscured by a few bamboo clusters. Sure enough, he saw a curled-up beast shadow. However, compared to when Ethan saw it a few days ago, the creature looked pitiful.
Many of the silver-white scales on its body were broken, and the surface had multiple scorched areas. The roots of its wide, frill-like ears were raw with fresh blood, supported only by cartilage, making the ears appear precarious. But the most striking feature was the center of its skull: a long, narrow wound with a blackened surface that was constantly seeping fresh blood. The raw white bone was clearly visible in the deepest part of the wound.
This was the wound Ethan inflicted with one Super Discharge. It was also the most severe injury on the Great Jagras leader's body. Given the monster's physique, an injury of this degree should have been well into the initial healing phase after so many days. However, judging by the dense burn marks surrounding the wound, Senior Kia must have also "kindly cared" for this area with Fire Ammo during their battle, likely causing the partially healed wound to rupture again, which explained why the creature looked so miserable.
A tiny bit of sympathy arose in Ethan's heart, but he dismissed it instantly. Since this creature had developed hostility towards humans, if he didn't eliminate it, more people would be injured because of it.
The immediate question was how to deal with this creature that was hiding in its nest to recover.
If it were another solitary large monster, Ethan could easily charge his phials, activate the Red Shield, rush over to the sleeping monster, and unleash an Ultra Discharge to initiate the attack. With luck, a single strike could potentially end the fight.
But the Jagras was a communal monster. Ethan couldn't possibly sneak past the vigilant Jaggi and Female Jagras unnoticed. He either had to find a way to lure these annoying small creatures away, or somehow isolate the Great Jagras leader and draw it to a suitable location before engaging in combat.
What should I do?
Ethan scratched his chin. If only I had a partner Palico! Splitting up and luring these creatures away would be much easier.
Recruiting a Palico needs to be put on the agenda… For now, I need to think of something else.
Hmm… I've got it!
Ethan suddenly narrowed his eyes, a sly smile curving on his lips. "After being injured, you must desperately need to eat and sleep to recover, right? Perhaps you need me to help you provide some food?"
With a plan in mind, Ethan silently retreated. For his brilliant idea, he needed to gather a few more things.
…
"Huff… huff…"
The crystalline snot bubble on the Great Jagras leader's nose expanded and contracted with its breathing, until it abruptly popped.
It opened its eyes. Its skull felt like it had been drilled through. Waves of continuous pain surged through it, making its body tremble involuntarily. Only by sleeping could it suppress such agony.
However, the burning sensation in its stomach faithfully reported the hunger to its brain, filling its bloodshot eyes with bestial rage and frenzy.
Since the battle yesterday with that small creature that could "bite" from a distance, and its subsequent weakness that prevented it from defeating that 'banana'-like creature, the entire pack was forced to abandon a large area rich in food and water. It hadn't eaten for an entire day and night. The hunger and pain gnawed at its nerves, making it exceptionally irritable.
Suddenly, a scent of blood, distinct from its own, subtly entered its nostrils. The Great Jagras leader immediately raised its head, constantly sniffing every trace of odor in the air.
This scent! There's no mistake! It's the blood of fresh, delicious Kulu-Ya-Ku!
Food! Food! Go find food for me! Bring the food back!
Viscous, foul-smelling saliva dripped from its sharp, jagged teeth. The Great Jagras leader let out a frantic roar, transmitting its command to the entire pack.
The few large, plump Female Jagras guarding the leader looked at each other. Then, one stood up, howled a few times at the Jaggi, and led them out, rushing out of the nest. They followed the sweet scent of blood and flesh in the air and didn't have to run far before they found a fresh Kulu-Ya-Ku carcass in a clearing.
One of the Jaggi, unable to resist its hunger, took a few steps forward, ready to start gnawing, but was immediately hip-checked hard by the tall, robust Female Jagras, sending it flying backward.
The Female Jagras bared its teeth and roared threateningly at the disobedient Jaggi. Only when the smaller monster cowered and whimpered did the Female Jagras lower its hostile posture.
Pack rules dictated that the food must be enjoyed by the leader first, followed by the breeding females. Only the remaining scraps were left for the small fry whose individual combat power was near zero.
The Female Jagras paced a few circles around the fresh Kulu-Ya-Ku carcass. Its small head felt a little confused. Something didn't feel right, but it couldn't quite figure out what it was. Then, a faint howl drifted in through the air. It stopped pacing, howled once, and led its pack members to drag the intact Kulu-Ya-Ku corpse back to the nest.
They were still far from the cliff face when the agitated Great Jagras leader, unable to wait any longer, burst out of the nest and rushed eagerly to the Kulu-Ya-Ku corpse.
Snarling and snapping to drive away the surrounding Jaggi—and not being gentle with the Female Jagras either—the Great Jagras leader immediately moved to the Kulu-Ya-Ku's abdomen, opening its large mouth full of sharp teeth and biting down.
The ravenous Great Jagras leader didn't notice the incision in the Kulu-Ya-Ku's abdomen. In its desperate frenzy, it also failed to notice that, in addition to the usual fresh deliciousness, the flesh and blood in its mouth seemed to have an unfamiliar, mushroom-like taste.
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