Amid the raging storm and relentless downpour, a metallic Elder Dragon descended from the sky.
Graceful. Silent. Terrifying.
Winds coiled around its body as if the storm itself had given birth to it.
Su Yi slowly raised his head.
Less than ten meters away—
Kushala Daora stood before him.
The violent airflow carried rain like blades, lashing against his face. The sheer pressure alone made his legs tremble, his body instinctively resisting the overwhelming presence before him.
Kushala Daora noticed him.
A "lamb" that had failed to escape the storm.
Its sapphire-like eyes quietly observed him.
There was no fear. No curiosity. No anger.
Nothing.
To ordinary creatures, a hunter was a threat—something to fear, to fight, to hate.
But to an Elder Dragon, standing at the very peak of the ecosystem, everything beneath it was insignificant.
Only when provoked would it unleash destruction.
Fortunately—
Kushala Daora was not one that attacked without reason.
Even so, just standing under its gaze made it hard to breathe.
It felt as though the dragon was speaking without words.
Respect the storm.
In that moment, Su Yi finally understood—
Why those who faced Elder Dragons and survived were called heroes.
He tightened his grip and pulled Lusha behind him, shielding her instinctively.
He could feel her trembling.
But truthfully—
His own body trembled just the same.
Right now, only the Flash Pods in his pouch gave him even a sliver of courage.
As long as Kushala Daora didn't attack, he wouldn't use them.
Because the moment he did—
This silent standoff would become a fight to the death.
"Let's go… Lusha."
Forcing himself to remain calm under the dragon's gaze, Su Yi slowly stepped back.
Step by step.
Only after their figures disappeared into the curtain of rain did Kushala Daora move.
It turned its head slightly, lowered its body, and remained there—
Watching.
Silent.
Unmoving.
The coastal camp lay within the forest, where the trees blocked most of the wind.
The tent still stood.
Su Yi and Lusha stumbled inside, drenched, cold, and shivering.
Fortunately, the supplies he had purchased earlier proved their worth immediately—charcoal, fuel blocks, a lighter, a kettle, and dry towels.
He quickly lit the stove.
Water boiled.
Warmth slowly returned.
Then he carefully dried Lusha first.
"You okay, Lusha?" he asked softly.
This was likely her first time facing an Elder Dragon. Even now, her paw was still trembling slightly.
"I—I'm okay now, meow…"
She shivered lightly, then looked up.
"So that's an Elder Dragon… It's terrifying, meow. Like the storm itself…"
Su Yi exhaled slowly.
"This… is the peak of power in this world."
"Commanding wind and rain… overwhelming."
Even he felt a sense of awe.
A human and a Palico, standing face-to-face with an Elder Dragon in the heart of a storm—such a moment would never come for most hunters.
And for many—
It would also be their last.
"Looks like Kushala Daora won't leave anytime soon," Su Yi said quietly. "We'll have to stay here for a while."
Fortunately, they had prepared.
"Get some rest. Don't catch a cold."
The wind howled through the night as rain hammered against the tent.
Sleep refused to come.
Every time Su Yi closed his eyes, he saw those cold, distant sapphire eyes again.
No game, no illusion, could replicate that feeling.
"Su Yi… can't sleep, meow?"
"Did I wake you?"
She shook her head and sat up.
"No… I couldn't sleep either, meow."
After a pause, Su Yi spoke quietly.
"When we faced Kushala Daora… were you scared?"
"Did you regret it?"
"Of course I was scared, meow!"
"That feeling… like my heart would stop… even worse than Nargacuga…"
She paused—
Then smiled.
Bright. Steady.
"But I don't regret it."
"If I did… I wouldn't have chosen this journey."
Su Yi let out a slow breath.
"…I was afraid."
"That bringing you along would put you in danger… that you'd start fearing this life… and leave."
"How could that happen, meow?"
"As long as I'm with you, I won't fear adventure. I won't run away."
"I'm happy traveling with you."
"You've shown me so much."
She hesitated, then added softly:
"I think… living your whole life in one place, without ever knowing what blooms in spring…"
"That's what's truly scary, meow."
"…Then what if we face Elder Dragons again?"
"Then we face them together, meow!"
"I believe in you. You'll grow stronger."
"Strong enough to face them without fear."
Su Yi smiled faintly.
"…Thank you, Lusha."
"Let's keep going."
"Meow!"
They raised their hands and high-fived.
By midnight, the storm began to weaken.
By morning, it was gone.
Only the wind remained.
Su Yi stepped outside, the cold air biting against his skin. He lit a fire and prepared breakfast.
When he released Great Jagras and Kulu-Ya-Ku, they grew restless instantly.
The instinctive fear of an Elder Dragon still lingered.
He fed them quickly, then returned them.
Walking to the edge of the forest, Su Yi looked out over the soaked plains.
And there—
Still resting—
Kushala Daora.
"…Why is it still here?" he frowned.
"At this time… Nergigante shouldn't be active yet. That only happens when Zorah Magdaros migrates…"
Then—
A thought struck him.
"…Wait."
"Could it be… Zorah Magdaros has already begun crossing the ocean?"
The more he thought about it, the more it made sense.
Elder Dragons could sense things others couldn't.
It might not just be wandering.
It might be waiting.
For something greater.
A surge of life energy—
Approaching from across the sea.
"…The future Sapphire Star…" Su Yi murmured.
It felt like something massive was beginning.
And he—
Wasn't ready yet.
"…Then I'll start preparing now."
A slow smile formed on his face.
"And right now…"
"…isn't this the perfect opportunity?"