MHGA Chapter 345 – The Dragon of Celestial Return
"What is that?"
Inside the command center, the creators' side also caught sight of the golden figure plummeting from the sky on the screen.
The sudden change left everyone in panic, and most terrifying of all… was that the birdcage-like space enclosing the train station—reshaped by the rules of perception—briefly cracked open upon the golden being's arrival, revealing the night sky beyond.
"RROOOOOAAAAARRRR——————————!"
The Chaotic Gore Magala let out a cry of agony and fury at the golden silhouette plummeting toward them from above. Altair could feel the sheer emotion woven into that roar.
"Dark dragon… you…"
Altair began to invoke Holopsicon to ease its pain, reaching out toward it—but before she could complete the gesture, the Chaotic Gore Magala suddenly flared its wings, shattering the rooftop beneath it, and shot into the air like a released arrow.
The jet-black figure soaring upward collided with the radiant golden dragon in midair. At the moment of impact, a burst of virulent purple-black miasma erupted from their clash.
The clash had released a torrent of Frenzy Virus, which immediately enveloped both the platinum and jet-black dragons in a fog that resembled a thundercloud above the station.
But their shapes weren't hidden for long—barely a moment passed before the golden dragon, pressing downward, slammed the Chaotic Gore Magala toward the ground.
"RROOOOOAAARRRR————————!"
The Chaotic Gore Magala howled in agony, struggling in vain. Yet, the golden dragon's more powerful wing-claws clamped tightly around its throat, driving it down from the sky.
The dark dragon that had once soared skyward like an arrow was now crushed downward with terrifying force. As they neared the ground, the golden dragon used its powerful wing-arms to hurl it earthward with full strength.
They separated—the Chaotic Gore Magala crashed into the earth at terrifying speed, smashing an entire building near the station into rubble and sending a dust-choked shockwave across the battlefield.
The golden dragon, meanwhile, hovered in midair, having effortlessly shattered the futile resistance of its kin. It spread its majestic platinum wings wide.
Those wings, shining under the sunlight like a golden sun, refracted rainbow-colored rays, adding a divine aura to its presence.
Then… a roar that utterly eclipsed all the previous roars of the Chaotic Gore Magala spread outward in all directions.
Kairo Retsu's expression shifted. He immediately turned around and covered Setsuna Shimazaki's ears.
That roar shook heaven and earth—it seemed as if it could tear apart the eardrums of all who heard it.
The more fragile individuals clutched their ears in pain, yet blood still trickled from their ear canals due to the sheer force of the dragon's cry.
Even Rui Kanoya, inside his massive mech, couldn't escape its effect—clutching his head in pain as the sound pierced his defenses.
No one on the field could meet the gaze of the radiant golden elder dragon shining beneath the sun.
Kairo Retsu, protecting the ears of the purely human Setsuna, bore the full brunt of the roar. Blood streamed from his ears, but his expression remained grim, eyes locked on the golden dragon above.
The Elder Dragon of Celestial Return—Shagaru Magala, the true source of all Frenzy Virus.
In the mythology of Monster Hunter, it was once recorded as the divine harbinger of catastrophe:
"At the end of conflict, in the place none may tread—
When the sovereign appears, resistance is futile.
Those who defy are crushed without mercy; not even bone shall remain."
A dragon of celestial cycle, also known as the World-Revolving Lord, this elder dragon had now come in search of its escaped kin.
"Your ears…!"
Seeing those around them affected by the overwhelming presence of the golden dragon, Setsuna Shimazaki grew anxious. When she noticed Kairo Retsu's ears bleeding after protecting hers, she became outright alarmed.
"Hmm?"
Kairo gave her a glance—his hearing dulled by injury—but he still understood what she meant.
"It's nothing. This is a mere scratch for a Hunter."
While reassuring her, Kairo reached into his item pouch and grabbed a handful of Life Powder. He flung it into the air, instantly healing the wounds of everyone on their side.
Then, taking a deep breath, he pushed from his lungs the loudest command he could manage:
"ALL UNITS—READY FOR COMBAT!!"
The moment their hearing recovered, all present clearly heard Kairo's roar.
"That's Shagaru Magala! It's the adult form of the Chaotic Gore Magala! An Elder Dragon that transcends the natural order—a living calamity!"
Raising his weapon, Kairo's warning sent everyone on the battlefield into immediate action, bracing themselves for what could come.
"Shit…"
After issuing the alert, Kairo muttered under his breath and spoke to himself:
"There wasn't anything in the plan about Shagaru Magala making a sudden appearance… Can we handle it? Probably? If Himmel's here… Shit, just how old is this Shagaru Magala? Its wing crests have way too many growth rings…"
Sweat beaded on Kairo's palms and brow.
He kept his focus locked on the massive wings of the Shagaru Magala that all but blotted out the sky, his mind racing.
The dragon's appearance was a clear herald of disaster. Kairo didn't believe the birdcage surrounding Altair could contain it—just now, when it forced its way in, the sky itself visibly tore.
Maybe the Hunters could push it back through sheer force… but could the battlefield really remain confined to the cage?
Let's not forget: there was still a Chaotic Gore Magala nearby—one that could spiral out of control at any moment and become a true aberration.
If Shagaru Magala unleashed its full power, how many ecosystems would be destroyed? How many lives lost?
Kairo gripped his Great Sword tightly, scrutinizing the celestial dragon.
Then…
He realized Shagaru Magala was staring at him.
"…?"
Kairo looked into the dragon's eyes—but suddenly understood.
It wasn't looking at him.
It was looking past him—at Setsuna Shimazaki, standing behind.
And that gaze—
Though they were not of the same species, Kairo inexplicably understood what that dragon was thinking.
That was the look…
…of a predator locking eyes with its prey.
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