Leon stood quietly before the Teostra's carcass, covered in blood—it was impossible to tell whether it was his own or the Elder Dragon's.
Two Elder Dragons lay fallen on the ground, a testament to the fact that Leon was no longer the rookie who had first arrived in this world.
The man he was now could not be compared to the person he had been back then.
Meanwhile, thunder rumbled on the horizon, and dark clouds had gathered over the volcanic firmament at some unknown point.
The wind had shifted.
Leon frowned and looked up at the swirling vortex of dark clouds that seemed to tear the sky apart, sensing an uneasy aura brewing within.
In the distance, where the volcano met the thunderclouds, a faint and mysterious figure flickered, its eyes—resembling deep blue sapphires—staring directly at Leon's position.
'A Kirin?'
'It's no ordinary Kirin...'
Leon could sense that this Kirin was extraordinary; it was clearly an existence that surpassed the High Rank.
It didn't just possess an aura that surpassed the norm; it even held the power to... distort the laws of nature...
Before Leon could react, four hunters charged forward, engaging the Kirin in a desperate struggle.
Even more battles were erupting across the Elder's Recess...
The air throughout the Elder's Recess became eerie and oppressive, as if it were being squeezed by an invisible hand.
Leon left the ravine and headed toward the makeshift camp; he had to regroup with the Admiral and prepare to hunt Malzeno.
Suddenly, a Gold Rathian dove down not far away.
In another valley nearby, fierce winds picked up, and the sounds of hunters in heated battle echoed incessantly.
The silhouette of a Kushala Daora flickered past the valley.
'It's madness...'
Energy was spiraling out of control across the entire Elder's Recess.
Hunters and monsters were locked in life-and-death struggles!
...
A moment later, Leon arrived at the makeshift camp. Before he could even rest, he saw hunters arriving at the Elder's Recess one after another.
The Admiral and Ramsey had also reached the scene.
The Elder's Recess... it's about to collapse...
So many monsters...
There are Elder Dragons, and there are Special Variants...
At this moment, even veteran hunters who had seen countless storms had to be on high alert.
The Admiral's expression was grim as he looked at the writhing vortex of dark clouds in the sky and then scanned his surroundings.
The gathered hunters had various expressions; some gripped their weapons tightly, some silently counted their ammunition, and others were busy crafting supplies.
The Admiral looked at the returning Leon and said, "We've confirmed the location of Malzeno's nest. It's continuously summoning monsters and using the Qurio to enhance and drive them to attack. It's like it's building a fortress of monsters..."
Leon's gaze was sharp as a blade. "Then let me be the one to tear that castle down," he said coldly.
"Exactly." The Admiral patted Leon lightly on the shoulder and handed him a map, continuing, "This is the map. We must control the other monsters on the perimeter. Malzeno is in your hands."
Leon took the map and turned toward the supply box.
Just then, a researcher ran over in a hurry, unfolding a tattered blueprint. "The... Xeno'jiiva has started moving..."
Without waiting for a response, the researcher continued, "The Xeno'jiiva seems to be influenced by Malzeno and is being awakened!"
Hearing this, the Admiral commanded, "Ramsey, you're responsible for stalling the Xeno'jiiva!"
Ramsey nodded without a word and turned to leave, his back appearing as steadfast and solitary as ever, as if he were walking toward the very edge of destiny.
The Admiral continued to direct the hunters on-site.
"Fulgur Anjanath, Seething Bazelgeuse, Kushala Daora, Gold Rathian... they're all pouring in like they've gone mad! We must hold the Elder's Recess!"
"YES, SIR!"
The entire makeshift camp immediately sprang into action.
Hunters geared up and formed ranks, supply wagons roared, some hunters climbed to high vantage points, while others descended into the ravines. Artillery positions were also established along the edges of the rocky plateaus.
Several familiar Felyne units jumped onto slingshots and hot air balloons, waving small flags as they moved forward.
They were responsible for logistics and medical support.
Leon stood before the supply box and took a deep breath.
He placed ten Potions into his Spatial Ring, sheathed his newly sharpened dual blades, and after confirming his supplies were complete, he prepared to depart.
At that moment, Dumpling also arrived at the camp, fully armed and ready to go into battle alongside Leon.
Having prepared everything, Leon turned and walked toward the edge of the camp.
His steps were as steady as iron, and as he passed, the hunters moved aside to clear a path.
It wasn't just respect or worship; it was a silent understanding—everyone knew that in this battle, Leon was heading for the most vicious enemy of all.
A heatwave rose from the depths of the volcano, tearing through the sky alongside lightning and black mist.
Violent monsters were emerging everywhere.
A Fulgur Anjanath let out a furious roar, its electricity shattering rock walls; a Seething Bazelgeuse erupted constantly, its every step a thunderous boom; a Kushala Daora soared through the air, whipping up hurricanes; and a Gold Rathian was like a falling sun, scorching everything in its path.
However.
Further away, within those crimson ruins that looked like a 'dead zone,' a massive figure was waiting.
Malzeno's scales resembled silver-plated crystals, and its hallmarks were its chest—adorned as if with a blood-red cravat—its golden horns, and its long, trident-like tail.
Countless Qurio flew around it like worker ants, continuously absorbing the essence of other monsters.
A true 'Monster Castle' was taking shape.
The earth trembled, and the air seemed to fracture.
Leon set out on the hunting path, taking one last look back at the camp. Dumpling followed closely behind with a serious expression, the small pouch on its back filled with various tools.
"I have a bad feeling about this, meow..."
"It's not just 'a feeling'," Leon replied with a sharp gaze. "It's beyond bad. If we fail..."
Dumpling's ears twitched slightly as it nodded. "I understand, meow. Failure means the fall of the Elder's Recess."
The two of them sprinted along the mountain path leading to Malzeno's nest, not daring to slacken for a moment.
The roars of monsters came one after another as the entire New World fell into chaos.
In the sky, hot air balloons took off one by one, and artillery fire rained down continuously on the ground and air.
As they drew closer to the marked location, Leon began to grow cautious.
The further they went.
The thicker the smell of iron rust in the air—the mixed scent of Qurio and monster essence.
In the next moment, Leon's expression changed instantly.
In the canyon ahead, Malzeno slowly turned its head—
It saw the hunter.
A flash of disdain and ferocity flickered within those pupils that seemed capable of seeing through one's soul.
Beneath Malzeno's feet was a 'throne' piled high with monster bones and metallic wreckage.
It was a king.
It sat as if upon a throne.
Leon took a deep breath, his dual blades already unsheathed. He was prepared to challenge Malzeno—to challenge this citadel of monsters.