On the surface, Isis seemed well-behaved, obedient, and respectful of the rules, but deep down, she was hardly the type to stay out of trouble.
She had no objection to sneaking off on her own; she only objected to Altaïr sneaking off without her.
With a crisp rip, she tore the stub from the form and tucked it away, then wiped the sweat from her face with her sleeve. "Did you ask Nymera about it?"
The corner of Altaïr's mouth twitched almost imperceptibly.
Senior Maki had clearly intended him to take on the challenge alone, but by the time he spoke to Isis, the conversation had turned it into a two-person Hunt. If he invited Nymera as well and counted Senior Maki as the nominal leader, they would practically have a full squad...
He was going there to hone his skills, not to make completing the Hunt safely his highest priority. Otherwise, would it not be more efficient for Senior Maki to handle it alone?
"Senior Maki isn't planning to bring too many people. I didn't even tell her beforehand that I was coming to get you..." Altaïr looked reluctant.
"All right."
Learning that Altaïr had only invited her pleased Isis a little. "What do we need to prepare?"
"Espinas is an extremely rare Large Flying Wyvern. There isn't much information on it. I've only read a little about the species in a book on the Great Forest's larger creatures.
"According to the book, Espinas can breathe fire, mixing potent poison and a paralytic toxin into its breath. A direct hit is extremely dangerous.
"The spines covering its body also secrete a deadly poison, supposedly even more toxic than a Rathalos's.
"However, the guide described Espinas as a relatively docile Monster that relies primarily on passive defenses against intruders. It only reveals its truly savage nature once thoroughly enraged. I don't know how accurate that is."
"Is there anything about its weak points or elemental weaknesses?" Isis asked the question every Hunter cared about most.
Altaïr shrugged. "No. It was a biology book, after all, not a Monster Field Guide written for Hunters. But Senior Maki suggested I ask around at the Gathering Hub.
"With her hunting experience, she must know Espinas's weaknesses. She chose not to tell me and sent me to find out for myself, so she probably wants to test our intelligence-gathering skills too."
"I see." Isis nodded, happy to leave the complicated matters to Altaïr, and returned her attention to the information they had. "So the main things we need to watch out for are its flames, deadly poison, and paralytic toxin.
"That's a lot to deal with. I suppose that's what you'd expect from a Monster with a 6★ danger rating?"
"The fire isn't too worrying. My Regios Armor Set and your Zamtrios Z Armor Set both have good fire resistance. The deadly poison is a major concern; we'll need to carry as many Antidotes as we can. If we can find Herbal Medicine, we should buy a few as well, just in case.
"As for the paralytic toxin... there doesn't seem to be any particularly effective countermeasure. We'll have to be careful during the fight and help each other if one of us gets hit."
After a brief discussion, they split up to make preparations.
Isis planned to go back and wash up first, then head to the shop to buy supplies such as Antidotes. Altaïr, meanwhile, was going to find Sajji and Clawdia and tell them about the Espinas Hunt.
Altaïr knew that Sajji and Clawdia had gone to seek instruction from the Meowcenaries, so after leaving the Training Area, he headed straight for the Buddy Plaza.
This was where Kamura Village's Palamutes and Palicoes trained and gathered, and it was also the base of operations for the village's Meowcenaries.
Kamura's Meowcenaries were not widely known among Hunters, but they were renowned among Palicoes.
The unit consisted entirely of Felynes and Palamutes, each one an elite among elites. It served as Kamura Village's intelligence agency and answered directly to the Village Chief.
The idea of a village having its own professional intelligence agency might sound a little strange, but the Meowcenaries' work was vital.
The lands around Kamura teemed with Elder Dragons and all kinds of powerful Monsters. The Elder Dragon Observation Team's hot air balloons and the Hunters alone could never monitor them all, so the Meowcenaries handled vital tasks such as reconnaissance, surveillance, and diversion.
In purpose, the Meowcenaries closely resembled the Felyne Corps under the Hunter's Guild headquarters. In fact, the Guild's Felyne Corps had been modeled after Kamura Village's Meowcenaries, which spoke to just how important they were.
At the Buddy Plaza, sturdy Palamutes with gleaming coats were everywhere.
The Palicoes in Kamura's iconic blue cloth armor looked equally vigorous. Some swung Felyne Swords to hone their Weapon Arts, while others lifted barbells to build their strength. The place felt like a Buddy version of the Hunter Training Camp.
Feeling something rub against his leg, Altaïr looked down and saw several fluffy Palamute puppies, each resembling an oversized Dango, crowding around his feet and sniffing him curiously.
Altaïr had never been especially fond of fluffy little animals, but even he could not resist crouching down to stroke them.
One puppy stuck out its wet tongue and licked his palm several times, while another rolled onto its back and showed him its belly, as if asking for a scratch.
For a moment, he even felt an impulse. Maybe raising another Palamute wouldn't be so bad.
"Fweeeet!"
At the sound of the whistle, the puppies crowding him so tightly that he could barely take a step sprang to their feet and scampered on their short little legs toward their caretaker nearby.
With a gesture, Master Iori sent the puppies off to play elsewhere, then said to Altaïr in a gentle voice, "Adorable little fellows, aren't they?"
"Yeah, they almost make me want one of my own." Altaïr stood and answered honestly.
Master Iori smiled. He could tell that Altaïr had only been charmed by the puppies' cuteness and did not truly want a Palamute as a partner, so he let the subject drop.
"You're here to find Sajji and Clawdia?"
"Yes, Master Iori. Do you know where they are?"
"Sajji returned earlier," Master Iori said with a smile. "The Meowcenaries' methods didn't seem to suit him, so Felyne Chief Kogarashi suggested somewhere else he could train."
"Clawdia, on the other hand, has greatly impressed Chief Kogarashi. He's been training her personally these past few days. Follow that path over there to reach the Meowcenaries' training grounds. She should still be there."
"Will anyone stop me if I just walk in?" Altaïr asked.
He knew little about the Meowcenaries, but they were clearly a secretive organization.
"You'll be fine. You've spent the past few days training with Maki, so the Meowcenaries assigned to her already recognize you. They won't stop you."
"Have the Meowcenaries been following us all along?"
"Yes. At least two Felyne Meowcenaries usually remain hidden near Maki, ready to receive orders at any moment."
Remembering the masked Felyne that had suddenly appeared, taken Senior Maki's sword, and vanished just as quickly, Altaïr felt a chill.
He had not noticed a single trace of any Felyne hiding nearby over the past few days...
After thanking Master Iori, Altaïr followed the overgrown path he had indicated, which looked as though it had long been abandoned, and soon reached a place hidden among rocks and bamboo groves.
Before he could look around, he saw several Felynes and Palamutes with enormous kites strapped to their backs catch the wind, soar into the sky, and disappear beyond the horizon.
The sight left Altaïr stunned for a moment.
Thanks to Lady Shalan, the sight of Felynes flying with kites did not surprise him. But Palamutes could fly too?!
"Master Altaïr, what brings you here, meow?"
Altaïr spun around sharply. On a roadside rock barely a meter or two away, a silver-furred Felyne clad in pitch-black light armor watched him silently from behind an equally black mask.
(Translated by yourtl.app)