—And to think I'd see this with my own eyes.
I look at two people in the distance—one is clearly a researcher and the other a hunter. Normally, this wouldn't be worth paying attention to, but I noticed two things from afar.
The first is a type of overturned cart with no signs of the beast that pulled it, and the other is the corpse of a Barroth filled with white spikes.
I watch as a Jyuratodus appears and drags the Barroth's body into the depths of the mud before starting to fight the hunter.
Seeing this, I realize I recognize the scene. I stare at the hunter—he's wearing a Kulu-Ya-Ku armor set and wielding a Great Jagras greatsword. He has blond hair, a tall build, and though his armor makes it hard to see clearly, he doesn't seem very muscular.
His movements are fluid, but it's clear he lacks experience—though with each strike, both his and the monster's, you can see him improving rapidly.
This hunter is the protagonist—the hunter I used when I played.
I look at the hunter not as the rookie he is, but as the hunter he will become. He will be the one to drive away Zorah Magdaros, to hunt Nergigante, Teostra, Vaal Hazak, and Kushala Daora, to defeat Xeno'jiiva and kill it once it becomes Safi'jiiva. He won't just slay Velkhana and Shara Ishvalda—he'll also take down the black dragon, Alatreon, and defeat the destroyer of the nation of Skrad: Fatalis.
The blue star.
Seeing who will one day become a legend in this world, I can only think one thing: Should I kill him?
I watch him as he fights the mud-dwelling fish, but in my mind I see him battling dragons. I don't see a rookie—I see a threat to me.
—No… if he dies now, things could go very wrong— Like it or not, the Guild needs someone to drive Zorah Magdaros away, and the hunter will be key. Besides, I also need him to take care of Xeno'jiiva, and I have no idea where to find it. I only know it's somewhere underground.
Also, it's the Admiral who finds him—and I highly doubt he'll give me a boat ride too.
I look at the hunter and shake my head.
—Guess you got lucky today, hunter.
…
POV: Hunter
With one final strike from my weapon, the monster roars in pain as its scales crack under the weight of my blade.
That's enough to make it flee to another zone.
Now out of danger, I turn my gaze toward the distance—toward a small hill with rocky formations at its peak.
And I see nothing. But I know something was watching me from there. I could feel it—a gaze that made sweat run down my back and made me feel like I could die at any moment.
Not even when I faced an Anjanath did I feel in this much danger. And something, just by looking at me, made me break out in a cold sweat. I admit I'm a bit proud I didn't freeze up and kept fighting.
—S-Something wrong, hunter?— the researcher I came to find after his disappearance pulls me out of my thoughts.
—It's nothing— I say, shaking my head. —Just felt like something was watching me.
—S-Something!? Could it be the same thing that left those white spikes?— He was scared at first, but his curiosity seems greater than his fear.
—Could be… speaking of which, do you know what species those spikes belong to?
—In all my time as a researcher, I've never seen anything like it. I mean, spikes themselves are common among monsters, but not ones like those. And given the large number stuck into the Barroth, we can assume they're the main form of attack of whatever they belong to. Sigh If only we had the Barroth's body...
I take one last look at the hill and say to the researcher:
—Let's finish off that Jyuratodus and head back to Astera.
…
—A new and mysterious monster that uses spikes as a weapon? *Sigh* Just what we needed— says the Commander after I finish giving my mission report.
—Could this be related to Zorah Magdaros? It's a bit too convenient for a new monster to appear shortly after him, don't you think?— added the Chief Researcher.
—Well… our mission is to study the Elder Crossing after all, so this is just one more step— said the Hunting Master, trying to lighten the mood.
We all fell silent, thinking about what had happened. I'll admit it—coming to the New World… wasn't what I expected at all.
Sure, just being chosen to come here is a huge honor, and I don't regret accepting it. Still, to be attacked before we even set foot on land by one of the largest species in the world…
And the worst part… is that we were just collateral damage. The researchers explained it once things calmed down—Zorah Magdaros only attacked us because we were in its way. It's like stepping on an insect while walking—not intentional, it was just there and you didn't see it.
Honestly, I'm glad they keep me busy with missions. It keeps my mind distracted… well, that and my Handler. She can be a bit annoying at times, but her energy is infectious.
The Commander claps, drawing everyone's attention— Orders haven't changed. Zorah Magdaros remains top priority. The Phageris and this white-spike monster are secondary, but keep an eye out for them. So stop wasting time and get to work!
—Yes, sir!— we all respond at once.
The Commander nods and says —May the blue star light your path.
As I leave the meeting room, I think to myself—Whatever happens, I don't think I'll regret coming to the New World.
If you're wondering—no, the protagonist hunter isn't depressed, he's just going through a depressive episode (similar, but not the same). That's because, even if he doesn't say it out loud, he made friends with several people on the way to the New World—and some of them died during the attack by Zorah Magdaros.
Also, seeing how easily Zorah destroyed the ships and then learning it wasn't even on purpose was a harsh reality check for him.