A challenge against Kirin.
And a solo challenge at that.
Among all Elder Dragons, Kirin was considered one of the easiest to challenge.
Back in his previous life's game experience, even the Low-Rank five-star quest list included a Kirin hunt.
Though classified as an Elder Dragon, there were still clear differences in level and combat power among them.
After some thought, Bai Chen asked,
│ "Do you have information on Kirin?"
│ "We have discovered Kirin traces in the Coral Highlands," Zanza replied.
│ "How strong is it?"
│ "Naturally—extremely powerful."
Bai Chen realized Zanza had misunderstood his concern.
│ "Compared to my Nergigante, how strong is it?"
"Against your Nergigante, at most it has a ten-percent chance of victory."
Ten percent.
Bai Chen pondered this carefully.
"Zanza last saw Nergigante fight when it challenged Basarios back then. At that time, Nergigante was only level 36."
There was no way Zanza could imagine how rapidly Nergigante had grown since.
If that earlier Nergigante was still considered to have a ten-percent win rate, then this Kirin's strength likely matched its in-game incarnation—a five-star Elder Dragon at best.
│ "I'm a Rider. Am I truly forbidden from fighting alongside my companions?"
│ "My father once repelled an Elder Dragon entirely on his own."
Zanza did not yield an inch.
Bai Chen sighed inwardly.
Your adoptive father merely repelled Velkhana… and when it's my turn, it turns into a full defeat requirement?
Still, complaints aside, he was the one asking for help—conditions had to be respected.
And defeating Kirin carried no downside.
After defeating Zorah Magdaros yesterday, Bai Chen had copied two of its skills.
Both were fully compatible with Basarios.
Basarios had now inherited Zorah Magdaros's essence—becoming, in a sense, a "juvenile Zorah Magdaros."
In terms of potential, it had reached the threshold of a Tempered-tier Elder Dragon.
If Bai Chen defeated Kirin as well, he could copy Kirin's signature abilities and pass them to Zinogre—allowing Zinogre to truly step into Elder Dragon territory.
│ "I understand. I'll challenge Kirin and bring you its Thunder Horn. Give me the intelligence."
From Zanza, Bai Chen obtained a detailed map.
The Kirin's territory was not far from Coral Village—about fifty kilometers north.
At noon, Bai Chen ate lunch in Coral Village.
During the meal, he decided to challenge Kirin first, then retrieve the Valtstax egg afterward.
Valstrax was infamous for its terrifying flight speed and extraordinary dynamic vision.
It could spot prey on land—or even beneath the ocean—from several thousand meters in the air.
Bai Chen was concerned that if he attempted to steal the egg first, Valstrax might notice and remember him.
If that happened, future hunts would be a nightmare.
That afternoon, Bai Chen made a special trip back to Astera.
Since this would be a solo Kirin challenge, preparation had to be absolute.
He was currently wearing the Lagiacrus Armor Set (Drakesea Set), which offered solid Thunder resistance.
He found Tinkatuff hard at work in the workshop.
│ "Yama?"
Tinkatuff looked surprised to see Bai Chen return so soon.
│ "Plans have changed. I'm about to challenge Kirin—please help reinforce my equipment."
│ "Yama."
Tinkatuff helped him remove the Lagiacrus armor and took out Armor Spheres to begin upgrades.
In the Monster Hunter world, two rare enhancement materials existed:
One for weapons—Hardstones.
One for armor—Armor Spheres.
As Tinkatuff worked, Bai Chen's gaze drifted to a grenade-sized object on the nearby table.
│ "Is this the 'Flame-Soul Bomb' you mentioned before? How's the progress?"
│ "Yama!"
Tinkatuff stopped, picked it up, and handed it to him.
│ "Oh? It's finished already?"
Bai Chen weighed it in his hand.
It was extremely light—around 200 grams.
For reference, a modern hand grenade weighed about 500 grams.
In appearance, the Flame-Soul Bomb was a large pink sphere.
At its center was a silver hammer emblem—Tinkatuff's own hammer, marking it as her creation.
│ "Yama, yama."
Tinkatuff explained enthusiastically.
The bomb had been developed with help from the Second Fleet Leader and the Technical Division.
As she launched into a long technical explanation, Bai Chen gradually zoned out.
He honestly understood very little.
The one thing he did catch—
Its destructive power was 1.5 times that of a Small Barrel Bomb,
while weighing only one-tenth as much.
His eyes lit up.
Small Barrel Bombs were commonly used due to their high explosive force, but they were heavy—about two kilograms each—and usually required traps.
Now, Tinkatuff had created a 200-gram bomb with greater power.
More importantly, its effects scaled with the flame injected into it.
│ "We need to test this."
Bai Chen took the bomb to the training grounds.
Using telekinesis, he launched it like a cannon shell—pouring in all his psychic power.
A deafening explosion followed.
The training dummy was engulfed in roaring violet flames.
Bai Chen muttered,
This is basically a grenade combined with a Molotov—and with special effects.
He asked seriously,
│ "What types of Flame-Soul Bombs can you make now?"
│ "Yama…"
Tinkatuff explained via the Bond Stone.
She currently mastered five Flame Souls:
• Anjanath Flame Soul
• Rathian Flame Soul
• Garuga Flame Soul
• Rathalos Flame Soul
• Zorah Magdaros Flame Soul
The first three were acquired earlier.
Their effects were: Rage Flame, Poison, and Curse.
The Rathalos Flame Soul replaced the earlier Flame Soul.
The Zorah Magdaros Flame Soul—acquired just yesterday—replaced the Basarios Flame Soul.
Rathalos Flame Soul (Rarity 6):
Reduces metal weight slightly. Grants massive Fire element bonuses.
Zorah Magdaros Flame Soul (Rarity 9):
Born of a colossal mountain dragon.
Armor forged with it gains extreme defense.
Weapons gain massive Blast bonuses.
│ "If these are used in bombs, do they change the effects?" Bai Chen asked.
│ "Yama!"
Tinkatuff nodded firmly.
• Rathian → Poison flames
• Garuga → Green cursed flames
• Rathalos → Extended burn duration
• Zorah Magdaros → Double explosion power
≈ Three times Small Barrel Bomb damage
• Anjanath → Untested, but flame carries strange energy
After a long pause, Bai Chen asked,
│ "If you did nothing but make bombs all day, how many could you produce?"
│ "If the Second Fleet helps with the shells, about ten per day."
Ten.
Low output—but acceptable for handcrafted specialty weapons.
│ "When we return, we'll build you a dedicated production line."
│ "Yama!"
Tinkatuff nodded eagerly.
│ "For now, I need ten Zorah Magdaros Flame-Soul Bombs."
She agreed without hesitation.
Later, Bai Chen went to the Arena.
Basarios was still asleep.
Indeedee and Zinogre were out on quests.
Basarios was adapting to his newly inherited skills:
• Volcanic Body (Rarity 9)
• Magma Bloodline (Rarity 8)
Volcanic Body:
Removes size limits. Grants super-colossal Elder Dragon's physique.
Stores a living volcano within the body.
Magma Bloodline:
Generates continuous heat.
Internal temperature stabilizes at ~1500°C.
For Basarios, this synergy was perfect.
Normally, monsters like Basarios relied on lava immersion or Red-Lotus Stones for heat.
Now—
He was the volcano.
Bai Chen placed a hand on the massive stone back.
│ "Of all of you… You were the first to reach this level."
If allowed to grow freely—
Basarios might one day surpass Zorah Magdaros.
And that thought… was terrifying.
Bai Chen stepped away and began training Aura Hardening.
After nearly a month and a half—and guidance from the Swordmaster—
He felt close.
Very close.
Black-red aura flared around him.
│ "If nothing goes wrong… I'll master this before facing Kirin."
If you want to read more, join my Patreon/kazama677
I will drop 1 bonus chapter for every 50 Power Stones