"I put a lot of effort into this pair of Dual Blades. Use them well, young man."
Taking the azure Dual Blades forged from ice and bone from the old smith, Altaïr bowed deeply, solemnly expressing his gratitude.
Cool Cleavers, ice and water dual elemental weapon, blue Sharpness.
Featuring a rare, perfectly symmetrical design for both the primary and off-hand, the blades were shaped like sickles. The heavily curved, serrated bone edges looked like the wide-open maw of a Zamtrios. (The bone portion serves as the actual edge.)
Along the spine of the blades, sharp ice ridges, formed from freezing cold air, resembled the Ice Armor of a Zamtrios. These could easily tear through Monster scales while inflicting bone-chilling frost.
With a fluid flourish of his hands, Altaïr sheathed the Cool Cleavers behind his back.
He was already more than familiar with these Dual Blades.
He remembered clearly that eleven years ago, on the night his tribe was destroyed, Teacher Karin had been wielding a pair of Cool Cleavers just like these when she rescued him from the blood-stained maws and sharp claws of Monsters.
Countless times while Teacher Karin was away from home, he had secretly rummaged through the storage lockers to play with her Cool Cleavers. Now, he finally possessed the qualifications to forge the same weapon for himself.
"They will taste plenty of Monster blood. Thank you very much." After thanking him once more, Altaïr stepped out of the inconspicuous little smithy.
Karin and Haifa had already left Liber last night.
As the only two high-rank Hunters stationed in this city, the burden on their shoulders was heavier than Altaïr had imagined. As soon as his training ended, they didn't even have time to accompany him to pick up his new weapon before setting out on a new journey.
Since both teachers had left and the Cool Cleavers were now in his hands, this small northern city held no further attraction for him.
"Let's go, Sajji. Our vacation is over. We're heading back to Metapetatto."
"Right, Boss-meow!"
A massive Hammer, carrying enough force to shatter boulders, slammed violently against a Large Shield also forged of steel.
CLANG...
A metallic roar, like the tolling of a great bell, echoed through the Training Area.
Then came a second strike, a third... a countless number. The piercing, ringing sounds blurred together, enough to make one's vision swim.
Isis focused all her attention, constantly adjusting her posture and the angle of her shield. She carefully managed every hammer strike, occasionally taking a half-step back to help bleed off the momentum.
The power behind the Hammer wasn't unbearable, at least, it was nowhere near the full-force heavy blow of a Duramboros, and the attack speed wasn't so fast that she couldn't react.
However, her opponent knew exactly where the weak points in her Defense were and where her center of gravity was most unstable. The violent shuddering of her shield after every strike left her breaking out in a cold sweat.
CLANG!
With another thunderous bang, her retreating heel hit the wall. She had been backed into a corner with nowhere left to run.
Isis gritted her teeth and decided to take a risk.
Peering over the edge of her Large Shield, she locked her eyes onto the whistling Hammer. A fraction of a second before the Hammer and Large Shield collided, she lunged forward, thrusting the shield out.
Because the Hammer hadn't yet reached its full swing, she finally managed to gain the upper hand in this collision. Raising her shield, she knocked the iron hammer aside. Seizing a momentary chance to breathe, Isis attempted a counterattack, lunging forward to break out of the corner.
But the instant her shield cleared her lower body, a kick caught her in the shin. Prepared to charge, she immediately lost her balance and fell flat on her face.
"Ugh, failed again..."
The iron hammer, nearly as large as a human head, was set aside. Although it wasn't as exaggerated as the Hammers used by Hunters, a full swing to the body would likely result in something far worse than just a simple broken bone.
The severely deformed training Large Shield served as clear proof of that.
"Get up."
Isis looked up to meet Altman's cold, downward gaze. She quickly rolled over and scrambled to her feet.
If she dallied on the ground any longer, Instructor Altman's heavy boot would likely come crashing down on her.
She had returned to Dundorma intending to visit Amos and give herself a vacation.
On the first day back, Amos was delighted and cooked a massive spread; she had even eaten until she was stuffed.
On the second day, aside from the bare minimum physical training to maintain her condition, she had spent the entire day lounging in her bedroom, giggling as she read the pulp novels Francesca had left behind while snacking on treats brought to her by Amos.
The third and fourth days were the same. Life was simply too comfortable, and nearly a week passed in the blink of an eye.
By the seventh day, she had been dragged from her bedroom to the Training Area by Instructor Altman, whom Amos had called in, marking the start of a grueling, hellish training regimen.
It was a nightmare. If she had known, she should have fled Dundorma for Metapetatto under the cover of night on the sixth day.
Amos's expression had been quite dark that night, but unfortunately, she had been too busy lying in bed reading her books to notice.
"Tell me yourself: where is your biggest mistake?"
Altman's frigid voice jolted Isis out of her regret.
She clutched her head. "Ugh... at the final moment, for the sake of the counterattack, I neglected my Defense?"
"Wrong answer."
Altman picked the iron hammer back up. "Go change your shield. Continue."
"Woof woof!"
"Awoo–Woof!"
"Roof woof!"
Nymera lay flat on the ground, letting a pack of large dogs cluster around her, licking her face, her hands, and even her feet in their wooden clogs.
Submerged in dogs, she was utterly overwhelmed.
It wasn't until a sharp whistle called the over-enthusiastic Palamutes away that Nymera, her face covered in slobber, stared blankly up at the sky and muttered in a daze.
"It turns out... I actually am a dog person..."
"What kind of nonsense are you babbling!" A woman dressed in light green fabric, her hair tied in a simple bun with a pair of chopsticks and smelling of the fresh, sweet scent of bean paste, stood with her hands on her hips, looking down at her.
"Ehehe, Teacher Yomogi~" Nymera made no move to get up, feebly waving a hand to greet her.
Just then, another figure entered her line of sight.
It was a handsome man with long hair, surrounded by a noisy crowd of Palamutes and Felynes that refused to leave his side.
"You look like a Felyne high on Felvine." Looking at Nymera, who was still lounging on the ground, the man offered a helpless critique. "Mr. Iori."
Despite their relationship being akin to father and daughter, there were still boundaries between men and women. Nymera tidied her clothes and rose to a formal kneeling position.
"Well? You said you were looking for a Palamute to be your hunting partner, so I brought over all the little ones without partners. Does anyone catch your eye?" Iori asked, stroking the heads of the cats and dogs.
Watching the group of Palamutes jumping and frolicking around Iori, Nymera fell silent for a moment before shaking her head vigorously.
"I can't choose. I can't choose at all. Can I take all of them with me?"
Yomogi crouched down and gave Nymera an exasperated pat on the head. "What kind of nonsense are you talking?"
Iori also shook his head. "You don't have the ability to take care of all of them."
"But they're all so cute, it's impossible to choose!" Nymera hugged Yomogi's arm and wiggled her body playfully.
If Altaïr, Isis, or any of the Hunters who had worked with Nymera were here, their eyes would likely have popped out in shock.
Who would have thought that the usually mature, serene, and properly mannered Miss Nymera could actually act like a spoiled child? She had even forgotten her usual formal style of speech.
"Think of something, quickly," Yomogi urged, looking at Iori with dissatisfaction.
Iori rubbed the corners of his eyes, musing for a moment before looking up at Nymera. "How about this: let them choose instead?"
"Okay!"
Iori clapped his hands twice and raised his voice. "Everyone! Nymera will be leaving Kamura Village soon to continue her training in the Old World.
For a long time to come, she might not be able to return home, which means she won't be able to eat the food I prepare.
Even so, is there anyone willing to go out with her?"
"What kind of way is that to put it!" Nymera cried out in protest.
The vast majority of the Palamutes went quiet.
While they really wanted to see the outside world, considering Boss Iori's massages and delicious meals, staying in Kamura Village seemed much better after all.
A few remaining Palamutes looked hesitant. Only one, a massive Palamute with silver-gray fur, wouldn't stop howling and leaping about, looking as though it couldn't wait to charge out of the village right this second.
Nymera blinked. It seemed she didn't have to choose after all?
Iori, however, looked a bit hesitant. He stroked the Palamute's back, finally managing to calm it down. "This one is called 'Hibiki.'
He has a massive build, thick bones, and a strong competitive spirit. You could say he has almost every quality needed to become a top-tier Palamute."
Nymera looked at the big fellow named Hibiki, then at the hesitant Iori, sensing there was a "but" coming.
Sure enough, after a pause, Iori sighed. "But this child has a wild nature. He hates being restrained and sometimes refuses to follow orders.
Despite his obvious physical talent, he has been selected twice by Hunters to be their hunting partner, but both times he was eventually sent back.
To be honest, I don't recommend you take Hibiki. Other than me, no one can truly control him."
As if she hadn't heard a word, Nymera walked straight up to the giant Palamute, whose back was nearly as high as her shoulder, and scratched him under the chin. "So, do you want to come out with me?"
The Palamute named Hibiki hung his large tongue out and nodded rapidly.
Nymera laughed and rubbed his big head. "Then I'll choose him!"
Author's Note: I saw some readers commenting that they feel Shalan's character design is a bit eccentric. I fell into deep thought because I'm certain I designed her based on a specific character from my memory, someone who embodies tags like loving beauty, being a bit of a brat, not very smart, a troublemaker, arrogant yet cowardly, unlucky, and constantly being the butt of the joke.
For a while, I couldn't pin down exactly which character I used as the blueprint for this cat. After agonizing over it all night, it suddenly clicked.
Ah... it's Kuromi.
(Translated by yourtl.app)
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TL NOTES — LORE SECTION
Some terms and creatures referenced in this story may be unfamiliar to readers new to the Monster Hunter universe. The following entries provide additional context.
CHARACTERS
Yomogi — A resident of Kamura Village known for her cheerful and exasperated demeanor. She is associated with traditional cooking and confections, identifiable by her light green attire and the scent of bean paste that follows her. She appears to serve as a caretaker figure alongside Master Iori.
ITEMS
Felvine — A plant found in the Monster Hunter world that has a powerful intoxicating effect on Felynes and similar cat-type creatures, functioning much like catnip. Even a passing reference to a Felyne being "high on Felvine" signals a state of complete, blissful disorientation.