"Tell me about your master,"
"You're willing to listen, meow?"
Pachi asked in surprise.
"Yes, how else can I find him?"
"You believe Master isn't dead... meow!"
Pachi sat on the ground and burst into tears.
From the inside of the doorframe, four cat heads poked out to observe.
"Pachi didn't cry even when he was heavily injured by the Great Jaggi, what's wrong, meow!"
The Treasure Hunting Team member Jin exclaimed.
"If Pachi is this emotional, it must mean there's progress in finding his master, meow!"
Member Yin speculated.
"Oh! Then this is truly setting sail, meow!"
Member Fei cheered.
"Alas~ it's not that simple. Pachi's master has been gone for five years, and..."
Cai Bao sighed.
"I understand how you feel, but only by gathering more information can we have a better chance of finding him. First question, what is your master's name?"
Li Fan began to inquire.
"That... I don't know, meow."
Pachi said dejectedly, lowering his head.
"Huh? He didn't tell you?"
"No, it's... I've forgotten, meow."
"Alright, then describe your experiences as detailed as you can recall."
"Okay!"
Half an hour later, Li Fan returned to the room and opened his notebook, which was about half-filled.
He didn't rush to study the details but leaned back in his chair, lost in thought.
The house they were in was the residence of the protagonist from Monster Hunter P2.
Considering the PSP handheld, it was likely that a transmigrator had visited Pokke Village about seven or eight years ago.
He hired Pachi to hunt together, formed the Felyne Treasure Hunting Team, developed the village's farm, and helped resolve various crises Pokke Village faced.
However, after hearing Pachi's account, the lack of recognition from the villagers made more sense.
Because apart from some minor details, Pachi had forgotten everything about this transmigrator's name, appearance, language, and other information.
It truly felt like he missed his master so much that his mind had been affected.
However, if anything was strange, it was Pokke Village as a whole.
The protagonist's room was right next to the Guild branch, making it hard to miss.
In the past, everyone in the village knew what monsters anyone hunted, and even simple gluttony would become gossip and be remembered.
Yet, after failing to hunt a Tigrex over forty times and reaching G-rank, such a sensational event left people with very limited impressions of the person involved.
Analyzing the hunter's own strength, there were even more doubts.
Pachi mentioned that the bow his master used most often was called the "Bao Gong · Ni Tian Hong Ming" (霸弓·逆天轰鸣). His master cherished it dearly and meticulously maintained it after every hunt.
This was a weapon that could only be crafted after hunting a Fatalis, and by the game's rarity classification, it was definitely an ultimate weapon.
With such a longbow as his weapon, the possibility of being forgotten would be even lower.
Furthermore, his disappearance after failing to hunt a Tigrex over forty times seemed even more bizarre.
Other people investigating these details might not have noticed.
But I'm different, because this strange memory erasure had also occurred with the former chief hunter of the Dragon Historical Institute.
The hunter most proud of Vega, the chief researcher Devyn's best friend.
The pioneer who created legends, also seemed to exist only in fragmented whispers.
If a transmigrator completed his mission and returned to his original world, why would even his image be faded?
Li Fan pondered for a long time but still had no clear leads, so he could only record the collected information in his notebook.
After finishing the recording, he noticed the bookshelf filled with old books by his desk and his eyes lit up.
He stood up, pulled out a notebook with a dry, cracked cover, and opened it with anticipation, only to find it filled with blank pages.
The second book was also blank, and the third...
Regardless of whether they were stained with blood, soaked in water, or had claw marks on the cover, the insides were all blank.
It was becoming increasingly incomprehensible...
Speaking of which, Sophia was also a member of the Hunter's Guild. When they returned to Dundorma, he could ask her to investigate.
Li Fan thought of a new avenue of investigation.
Just as he was about to write this down in his notebook to avoid forgetting, he cautiously flipped forward.
Seeing that the previously recorded information was still there, he couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
After completing his investigation and organizing his thoughts, Li Fan led his team to the Guild branch.
After submitting the Elder Dragon Observation Team's seal to the receptionist, Guild Master Quincy invited the team to the third floor of the branch.
Since no sightings of the Kushala Daora had been reported, Quincy had only been in charge of the Pokke Village branch for two years, and he knew nothing about Pachi's master, so the exchange was very brief.
In less than five minutes, the team completed the certification for the Absolute Strongest Contract and left the Guild.
"Yiyo~ Yiyo~ Pokke Village's unique Great Sword treasure hunt, young hunter over there, want to give it a try?"
A Dragonborn granny by the campfire not far from the Guild branch called out.
"Granny, I still have a lot to do. I'll visit when I have time."
Li Fan replied.
"Alright, as long as it's not a blizzard, I'll be here."
The Dragonborn granny smiled and nodded.
The team then split into two groups.
Li Fan headed to the market to rent a large sled.
Eudora went to the small modification plant at the airport to arrange for the installation of a heating system on the Flame Honoo.
Tracking Elder Dragons was not a task that could be accomplished overnight. The lack of Kushala Daora sightings in Pokke Village was within Li Fan's expectations.
In the evening, after the team had finished their preparations in the wooden house, they were ready to set off for the snowy mountain area.
"I want to go too, meow! ...Is that okay?"
Pachi asked, not very confidently.
"Yes, but no alcohol allowed."
Li Fan made a condition.
"Uh... okay, meow."
Ding! Ding! ...
After six bottles were magically produced from his backpack, Pachi's backpack became noticeably flatter.
"Cai Bao, meow! Take care of everyone, meow! I'll be back soon."
Just as he reached the door, Pachi suddenly turned back and instructed.
"Who's taking care of whom? Pachi, you always worry me... Got it! Let's set sail!"
Cai Bao sighed, holding his forehead in exasperation, and waved goodbye with the Treasure Hunting Team.
"I know a wild Popo gathering spot, meow. It's only a day's walk with the sled. Once we're there, all we need is a tether..."
As Pachi was planning the route, he saw the sled shop owner waving towards them from the village entrance.
"Hunter team! Your four-person luxury sled is ready!"
"Thank you."
Li Fan said, taking out a money bag.
"Do you really not need Popo to pull it?"
The sled shop owner asked.
"No, just leave one tether."
Li Fan informed him.
"The feed for our Popos is top-notch, no worse than any other."
The owner still wanted to persuade him.
"Popos are too slow. We have a better option."
Li Fan's explanation surprised the owner, but he still led away the two Popos at the front of the sled.
Thump! Thump! ...
A rapid thudding sound came from behind.
"Qing Tian has turned, meow."
Dhiru called out, while Qing Tian made a sharp right turn and stopped in front of the sled.
"A Great Boar King! You're not kidding, are you?"
The owner looked incredulous.
"You have to be brave to try, boss. Popos are steady, but they're far inferior to the Great Boar King in terms of burst power and speed."
Li Fan explained.
"Alas, perhaps I'm just not keeping up with the times."
The owner sighed.
Thump! Thump! ...
With Qing Tian's swift gallop, the four-person sled left the village and soon disappeared on the night mountain path.
"Pachi, the Guild said that due to severe weather, the G-rank Tigrex's tracks have been lost for three months. Can you pinpoint its general location?"
Li Fan asked amidst the bumpy ride.
"Yes, meow! In fact, the continuous sighting reports were provided by me to the Guild. Later, the weather became increasingly severe, and I rarely ventured deep into the snowy mountains, so the information on its whereabouts was interrupted."
Pachi informed him.
"You ventured into the snowy mountains to track it?"
Eudora was quite surprised.
"That's right, meow. And I would often cause it some trouble within my capabilities."
Pachi informed them.
"So brave, meow!"
Dhiru praised.
"Um... I have a question, meow?"
"Go ahead."
Li Fan replied, looking at the map.
"This Great Boar King named Qing Tian, why does it sprint in mid-air every few steps, meow?"
Pachi asked, puzzled.
If the Great Boar King was pulling the sled, it was understandable.
But sprinting in mid-air, completely off the ground, was beyond his comprehension.
"This is a side effect of the 'Wind-Whipped Armor.' As for the principle... it's probably that when it sprints, its wind sacs absorb the surrounding airflow, allowing Qing Tian to hover briefly."
Li Fan explained.
"Such a magical characteristic, meow!"
Pachi exclaimed.
"I forgot to introduce you earlier. Our team has many special aspects, so you might need to adapt."
Li Fan informed him.
"Don't worry, I've been to many places with Master, meow. I've seen many monsters, and I can adapt to any abnormal situation very quickly!"
Pachi said confidently. xxs壹贰
"Well, that makes things easier. By the way, didn't you say you knew a wild Popo gathering spot?"
Li Fan inquired.
"That's right, meow! I'll guide you there."
Pachi said, pulling out a map.
Four hours later, on a snow-covered plain.
Pachi, by the campfire, watched the male and female Rathalos tearing apart a Popo carcass on the left for a moment, then looked to the right, where a Barioth was deboning beast meat.
His wide eyes were filled with disbelief.
"Is there a possibility that I've really lost my mind, meow..."
Just as Pachi was doubting himself, another Zinogre entered his field of vision.
Screech!
A streak of emerald lightning flashed from high above, and a Zinogre carrying a deer carcass descended from the sky.
"Mmm... Pachi, are there any other wild Popo gathering spots around here?"
Li Fan asked, chewing on roasted meat.
"Uh... no more, meow! I don't know anything."
Pachi couldn't help but step back. He felt something hard pressing against him, and when he turned, he saw a one-eyed, broken-horned Arzuros.
The Arzuros stared at Pachi for a moment, opened its mouth, and bared its fangs.
Pachi could only retreat towards the campfire.
"Don't be afraid, Pachi. Yuan Jiao just has something stuck between its teeth."
Li Fan informed him, then drew his hunter's knife and approached.
Scrape! Scrape! ...
After removing the meat fibers from between its teeth, Yuan Jiao let out a grateful roar.
"It's a bit hard to adapt, isn't it?"
Li Fan asked tentatively.
"It's... still okay, meow."
Pachi said timidly, then his eyes suddenly lit up, and he said excitedly, "With so many monster helpers, we can definitely hunt the Tigrex, meow!"
"Hunting the Tigrex isn't the main objective. Finding your master is the key. Now, I'm going to have a small meeting with the monsters. You can listen in if you're interested."
Li Fan said, then summoned all the monsters.
"As we get closer to the snowy mountains, the temperature will drop, and the storms will become more frequent. Therefore, I've decided to assign the reconnaissance team members to Xiao Bendan and Wanpi. The post-hunt logistics will be handled by Xixi in the outer areas of the snowy mountains. The combat team will consist of Lei Ge and Yuan Jiao, and Ya Ya will be primarily on free movement, responsible for familiarizing himself with the terrain and gathering intelligence."
The monsters showed no objections to Li Fan's deployment.
"Alright, then everyone, proceed with your respective actions."
The monsters dispersed and immediately began their tasks.
"I remember Zhan Zhan went to the ore vein to forge his tail blade, and why is Puff gone too?"
Eudora asked curiously, looking at the monster lineup.
After all, even if Puff didn't participate in the action, he could still come out of his ball to relax and move freely.
"After Puff destroyed countless flowers in the abandoned shrine area, he was blacklisted by the collective of Will-o'-wisps there. Later, he befriended Jingang... a Rampage monster that is very popular with small creatures, and then he crossed the sea to Elgade to study."
Li Fan informed them.
"Study? Study what?"
"How to gain the favor of small creatures."
Li Fan said helplessly.
"So Puff is working so hard! By the way, why was Jingang in the abandoned shrine area?"
Eudora asked curiously.
"Jingang said he sensed the call of the Hundred-Beast Night, and impulsively rushed into the sea. By the time he reached the Dragon Palace Ancient City along the path laid by the monsters, the event was long over. Being unfamiliar with the place, he could only retreat with the monster tide. As it turned out, the monster tide landed in the abandoned shrine area, and Jingang was dumbfounded as soon as he came ashore."
Li Fan explained.
"You know so much?"
"I captured Jingang, so of course, I know very well."
"Did no battle occur?"
Eudora asked in surprise.
"Jingang really wanted to return to his hometown, but he couldn't cross the sea and had to rely on Puff for transportation. However, crossing the ocean is no small feat. Any minor mishap could send them to the bottom of the sea. So, I came up with a plan: I put Jingang into a Poké Ball and let Puff carry him. This made things much easier."
Li Fan explained.
"Is that so... Won't Puff be in danger?"
Eudora asked with some concern.
"No, Puff has even participated in Elder Dragon subjugations. Ordinary ecological environments are unlikely to pose a threat."
Li Fan said with certainty.
Their seemingly ordinary conversation, however, filled Pachi with constant astonishment.
The fear and timidity in his heart gradually gave way to excitement.
Because the stronger the hunter team that accepted the contract, the greater the hope of hunting the Tigrex for revenge and finding his master.
"It's possible, meow. This time it will definitely be possible..."
Pachi looked up at the full moon, his confidence surging.