MHGA Chapter 310: Monster Hunter: Talker
"The world is vast, but loot is vaster!"
Kairo Retsu swiftly dismantled the still-warm body of the Arzuros.
"A real Hunter brings materials to the Smithy while they're still steaming… Come to think of it, the Arzuros gear skills are pretty decent—hehehe… Looks like I don't need to wear leftover scraps anymore… Like a Felyne forced to suit up in castoff patchworks…"
While dissecting the beast, Kairo muttered things that made little sense to Yuuya Mirokuji, who scratched his head, wooden sword slung over his shoulder.
"Well, this ain't really my job, anyway… So… you're not our enemy, right?"
Aki Kikuchihara hurried over as soon as she confirmed the Arzuros' death, but her gaze toward Kairo remained cautious.
After all, his dissection technique… was disturbingly precise and efficient.
The bear's fur, shell, and even bone were expertly removed with just a small knife. Kairo even collected samples of the blackish-purple Frenzy Virus-infected blood into a vial, then slipped it into a pouch on his back. Oddly, despite stuffing the bottle in, the pouch didn't bulge at all.
Still, Aki didn't immediately initiate conversation.
This man had taken down the monster with his own hands, and had shown no signs of hostility toward this world. He was merely carving his prey.
She would grant him the respect a Hunter deserved.
Five minutes.
Aki waited no more than five minutes.
By then, Kairo had already finished gathering all the valuable materials—fur, bone, shell, teeth—and had even sorted through the meat and internal organs to salvage what he could. He carefully extracted the Arzuros' eyeball, squeezed out the lacrimal fluid, and collected the "Fanged Beast's Tear."
Finally, he sprinkled dried Antidobra powder across the Frenzy-infected bloodstains to suppress secondary contamination.
Only once he'd completed all this did Kairo finally raise his head to face Aki Kikuchihara directly.
"After learning about the Frenzy Virus… did you make any preventative preparations?" Kairo asked bluntly. "The virus has an expanding area of effect."
"Yes. After studying the Great Jaggi's remaining body tissues, we've started implementing infection control measures," Aki replied. Then she reversed the question.
"May I ask how I should address you?"
"Guildma—no, call me the Sapphire Star," Kairo replied, wiping the blood from his hands. "Next…"
"Sapphire Star, sir… would you and the young girls with you come with us?" Aki asked formally, maintaining respectful decorum. "Regarding the Frenzy Virus data you previously uploaded, and a number of other matters, we'd like to have a proper conversation. Also… about how you and your companions came to this world…"
"Ah, a 'talker' scene, huh?" Kairo snapped his fingers. "That works. I also have some intel on the source of the Frenzy Virus and the Military Uniform Princess. We'll need to work together."
"As for why we came to this world—and those stories I uploaded online—we've got plenty to discuss." Kairo flexed his body, still buzzing from the battle.
"Can you provide us a place to rest? I want a hot spring bath! Granny Felyne said our snow mountain outpost won't be open for us until later…"
"I'll make the arrangements," Aki said after glancing at the chaotic construction site. "But we'll need to keep your whereabouts confidential, so…"
After a brief exchange, Kairo called over the still-nervous newcomers and shared the good news.
In previous worlds, they never got to enjoy mid-mission hot spring breaks. Whether it was the Infinite Castle, a Dungeon, or Night City—none of those places had anything relaxing.
"Why are we suddenly going to a hot spring!?"
As the comedy-relief magical girl, Asuka took on the role of tsukkomi.
"I thought we weren't supposed to reveal our identities! I haven't even dared to untransform!"
"It's just about avoiding large-scale influence on this world. If we want to deal with our target, we'll need cooperation here," Kairo said with a grin, waving his hand.
"Besides, this is the information age—word travels fast. As Hunters, we can't disrupt this world's balance."
"Just enjoy the hot spring. Consider it your reward for your first fight against an Arzuros."
Hearing that, the girls had no choice but to accept the plan.
Aki Kikuchihara moved faster than expected. Before long, she had brought Kairo and the others to a well-prepared hot spring inn. There, Kairo saw many familiar faces—characters from the anime Re:CREATORS.
"That's the Hunter?" Meteora observed Kairo carefully. "Greetings. I am the librarian of the Material Library's Art Treasure Hall."
"Sapphire Star."
After shaking hands with Meteora, Kairo found a room in the inn to sit down and begin the formal meeting. Meanwhile, Madoka and the others were invited to the hot springs and other leisure facilities to relax.
"…Sigh."
Right as the meeting began, Kairo sighed.
"Adulting means endless damn meetings, huh… Everyone loves a meeting… even I'm holding meetings now…"
"Well, in terms of story structure, meetings are a good way to advance the plot efficiently," Meteora replied matter-of-factly, in a very un-typical Created Being fashion.
"Sometimes, a story's setting is so complex that the only way to convey it is through dialogue-heavy meeting scenes…"
"That's a good take!" Kairo clapped. "As expected of a veteran talker!"
"Back to business."
Kairo glanced at the Re:CREATORS locals seated in front of him:
Meteora, Aki Kikuchihara, the author of Selesia—Takashi Matsubara, and the protagonist Sota Mizushino.
"Let's talk properly. My condition is this—"
Kairo grinned, flashing his teeth.
"Let us join the battle against the Military Uniform Princess. Because the quarry we're hunting… has already appeared at her side."
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