"Good day, Head Chef. Any recommendations?" Eudora inquired.
"How about the Fish-Cat Rice? It's our signature dish, made with steamed fish and grilled meat patties," the Head Chef suggested.
"Excellent, I'll have the Fish-Cat Rice! Two portions for hunters, and two for Felynes," Eudora declared.
"Let's get cooking! Fish-Cat Rice! Two portions each for hunters and Felynes!"
The Head Chef's deep voice boomed as two Felyne chefs, sporting white bandanas, darted out from either side. They placed fresh, large fish and meat patties onto a rectangular stone grill, then liberally sprinkled various seasonings. Beside the grill, a Felyne chef, standing on a crate, stirred a pot of red broth hanging from a wooden rack. As the lid covering the large fish was lifted, the Head Chef, holding a small sprig of herbs with a paw, gently placed it on top. Once the browned meat patties were skewered, a portion of Fish-Cat Rice was complete.
The team found the meal not only delicious but also exceptionally filling, a stark contrast to previous Felyne meals. Furthermore, both the ingredients and the cooking style differed significantly from what they had experienced before. Li Fan surmised this was due to regional differences.
Although the Starry Haven had a branch of the Guild's Starship, the current priority was maintaining the outpost's safety. Coupled with resource scarcity, unrestricted hunting in the Ancient Forest was impossible. This allowed for a steady supply of ingredients, unlike on the mainland. Li Fan also noticed that the resident hunters at the outpost wore new weapons and armor, albeit at a relatively basic level. Situated on the coast, the outpost's inability to upgrade their gear due to a lack of monster materials highlighted the investigation team's precarious situation.
The team took a cable car to the outpost's ground-floor plaza, where Di Yan rushed to greet them. "Elder! The leader of the Fifth Expedition Team has arrived," Di Yan called out. A silver-haired elder with dark skin approached slowly.
"Welcome to Starry Haven. I am the overall commander of the investigation team, my name is Fly. We have been anticipating your arrival and are delighted to meet you," Fly introduced himself, shaking hands with Li Fan and Eudora. This spry elder was a member of the First Expedition Team and had visited the New World 40 years prior.
"I am Li Fan, leader of the Fifth Expedition Team, and this is my Palico, Dilu," Li Fan stated.
"Hello, Commander Fly, meow," Dilu said, raising a paw. After introductions, Fly suggested Li Fan settle in the living quarters and attend the operational briefing in the council area at noon. Following the signs, the team arrived at a dilapidated ship hull resting on the shore near the ground-floor plaza. Crossing a makeshift wooden bridge, they found the interior had been minimally modified, resembling a ship's cabin. Eudora, after examining the entrance carved into the hull, expressed her surprise. "There's not even a door. This is unbelievable."
"My apologies, but this is the best available in the second-class cabins," Di Yan said apologetically.
"Let the injured have it. We can make do on the Ignis," Li Fan instructed. With 500 hunters suddenly arriving at the outpost, housing would undoubtedly be tight. Further construction plans depended on the salvage of the White Wind.
Back in their cabin on the Ignis, Li Fan felt the situation at Starry Haven was grim, with significant safety concerns. For the Fifth Expedition Team, the main issues were the injured recommended members and the lost weapons and armor from the White Wind's sinking. These were elite members, crucial for exploration. Li Fan felt he couldn't remain silent like in the game and intended to address this at the upcoming operational meeting.
At noon, Li Fan arrived at the council area, primarily constructed from a half-sunken ship. A large sand table occupied the center of a square table. However, the flags marking explored areas indicated that, apart from one purple flag on the far side of the Great Canyon, all other known regions were confined to the vicinity of Starry Haven. Tragically, the Third Expedition Team, focused on ecological research, paid a heavy price for that purple flag, failing to return to the outpost for twenty years.
Participants, mostly heads of various outpost teams and a few elderly Dragonborn scholars clutching books, gathered on the deck. Aibo, Eudora's Palico, also attended as an invitee. The clatter of armor announced the arrival of a hunter clad in worn Rathian armor, carrying a Wyvern Blade [Verdant].
"Master!" Di Yan called out.
"Yes, Di Yan," the hunter replied, crossing his arms and sitting upright. His deep, resonant voice suggested he was at least forty. His old Rathian helmet completely obscured his face.
"Is this the Sword Master?" Li Fan whispered.
"Yes, he is my mentor. My greatsword skills were all taught by him," Di Yan said gratefully. The outpost suffered from resource scarcity, making the transmission of hunting knowledge difficult. The previous four expedition teams had not focused on hunting, hindering the development of new hunters.
"What is your master's name?" Li Fan inquired.
"Sword Master," Di Yan replied curiously.
"Doesn't he have a name?" Li Fan asked, surprised.
"He used to, but after a past he prefers not to discuss, he erased his name," Di Yan explained. Li Fan and Eudora exchanged glances, sensing something peculiar. "Can you provide more details?" Li Fan asked.
"I don't know the specifics, but it's said to be related to the hero hunter of Kokoto Village. You must have visited there when you were on the mainland?" Di Yan showed a keen interest in Kokoto Village.
"We did, and we even captured a Rathian," Li Fan replied.
"Were the Rathians there any different?"
"We haven't seen any Rathians on the New World yet, so we can't say," Li Fan responded. After a brief conversation, Commander Fly arrived precisely on time. All attendees gathered around the table.
"This is Li Fan, leader of the Fifth Expedition Team. Their arrival fills Starry Haven's last gap. We have all awaited this moment. I believe it is time to uncover the truth of the Elder's Crossing," Fly announced solemnly, eliciting excitement from the faces around him. Even the logistics team leader, who arrived with the Fourth Expedition Team, had prepared for ten years. The prospect of venturing deeper into the New World filled them with immense anticipation.
"However, we still have many practical issues to address. Today, the Zorah Magdaros landed, and within half a day, five members of the Fourth Expedition Team on collection duty were attacked and injured by monsters. The attackers were primarily Jagras, Apceros, and Triceratops. According to the ecological survey, the monsters are likely agitated by Zorah Magdaros. If we cannot even ensure safety around the outpost, all our plans are in vain. Therefore, I have decided that securing the outpost's safety will be the starting point for the Elder's Crossing investigation."
The attendees murmured in agreement. Li Fan realized his thoughts aligned perfectly with the Commander's. To investigate the New World, the priority was not rapid advancement but securing their base.
"Commander Fly, the uninjured members of the Fifth Expedition Team can accept contracts immediately and join the effort to clear the surrounding threats. However, when the White Wind sank, the recommended members' equipment was largely lost. Can you assist with this?" Li Fan stated his position.
"Rest assured, the workshop established by the Second Expedition Team five years ago was prepared for such an eventuality. We have produced 300 sets of standard weapons and armor. The Fifth Expedition Team can collect them from the second-floor workshop by presenting any accepted contract," Fly informed him. 300 sets? Considering this reserve, it was truly a miracle that they managed to land even after losing the White Wind.
"Thank you very much," Li Fan said, confident that with this equipment, the recommended members who lost their gear could at least participate in hunting around the outpost.
"Alas, this is all Starry Haven can do for the Fifth Expedition Team. Oh, and this is Miss Alice, the logistics team leader from the Fourth Expedition Team. On the mainland, the supply fleet theoretically visits twice a year. If you have any material needs, you can discuss them with Miss Alice." Fly introduced Alice, a dark-skinned woman with wavy curly hair, who smiled heartily and expressed her eagerness to cooperate with the Fifth Expedition Team.
As knowledge of Zorah Magdaros was still limited, the main discussion points were concluded, with the remaining half-hour dedicated to minor details. After the meeting, Li Fan disseminated the resolutions. Starry Haven still followed the Guild's contract hunting system. However, hunting teams were now composed of a hunter and a Palico, a two-person unit, instead of four-person teams. Without field researchers, the Palico partner would confirm mission results. This did not prohibit four-person hunter teams, but in Starry Haven, every hunter was precious. To form a four-person hunting team, they would need to register and certify the hunt at the Guild's Starship outpost. Hunts for sufficiently dangerous monsters required outpost approval. Simply put, Starry Haven did not want to risk losing four hunters in a single reckless hunt; the cost was too high.
A large gathering of Fifth Expedition Team members congregated at the entrance notice board. While most contracts involved clearing the surrounding Jagras, Apceros, and Triceratops – one-star missions – the new ecosystem excited the members.
"Great Jagras… Found it! Only two stars?" Eudora, pushing to the front, finally found a contract involving a Great Jagras but was puzzled by its star rating.
"Eudora! You don't need to pick up quests here. I've already recorded all the contracts," Aibo called out from outside the crowd, holding a book. Hearing this, Eudora pushed off the ground and floated out. Seeing her upside down, Aibo quickly found the relevant contract, flipped the large book, and brought it close to Eudora's face.
"Good job, Aibo! This is the contract. Let's go!"
"Don't you need to prepare?" Aibo asked, surprised.
"Uh, yes. Li Fan has already departed on the Ignis. Let's go prepare separately and meet here in two hours."
"No problem. Remember to apply for a tamed Wyvern from the logistics team!" Aibo shouted as Eudora departed.
"Got it!"
"Hmm, does Eudora really need a Wyvern?" Aibo suddenly pondered.
Meanwhile, Li Fan was observing the Ancient Forest from high above on the Ignis. The Great Ape on the deck toilet had turned completely black from pink. Although its excrement could still be used as fuel, it now produced black smoke. However, this did not deter the Great Ape from diligently reading a book.
"This area for Cheche, and this underground cave should have minerals for Zhanzhan…"
Roar! Roar!
The thick black smoke trailing from the stern elicited protest roars from the Wyverns.
"You're so annoying, can't you just endure it?" Li Fan, leaning against the railing and looking down, holding a map, was slightly irritated by the interruption.
Roar! Roar!
The Wyverns continued their clamor. Li Fan immediately threw out two Poké Balls, and two fire dragons, one gold and one silver, appeared. The Wyverns' wing movements froze as if time had stopped.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
They scattered in all directions. Previously, the monster team's deep incursions into unknown areas meant they were no longer afraid of being spotted. Li Fan's only concern was the local ecological pressure. The New World was different; apart from the coastal Starry Haven, the monster team could inhabit any area. If no Elder Dragon-class monsters resided there, they could easily become the dominant force.
Roar.
The little fool let out a low growl, looking towards the top of the giant ancient tree. Wriggle turned his head and his eyes lit up.
"Is this a top-tier mansion in the eyes of your dragon kin?" Li Fan looked at the giant tree's crown, formed by tangled branches, and thought that perhaps fire dragons had a similar taste in nesting sites.
Roar?
The little fool let out a roar.
"It's not impossible, but there's a waterfall there. If it collapses, the dragon eggs will be in danger," Li Fan informed him.
Roar.
The little fool immediately abandoned the idea.
"However, establishing a temporary camp there would be a good idea," Li Fan suggested. The giant ancient tree's crown offered an excellent vantage point, overlooking a vast area. The difficulty of climbing it would deter most hunters.
"Ferry, continue ascending. We're heading to the top of that giant tree!" Li Fan instructed.
(End of Chapter)