prynovel 0044 Snow Mountain
0044 Snow Mountain
"Judging from this, something unusual did happen during the hunt for Usopp. Please tell us the details."
Just as Li Ai was about to take notes, Xi Kerui shook his head: "No, my village chief and the guild leaders have discussed it. It's best not to spread the word about that kind of situation."
Li Ai took off the Heart Medal and placed it on the table, then gave another explanation of the duties of the Love Hunter.
Sikeri quickly realized that the person in front of him was not only a professional, but also the only one who could answer his questions.
"Okay, then I'll tell you everything that wasn't recorded in the report."
After taking a sip of his hot drink, Sikeri began his story.
The content mentioned initially differed from what was recorded.
After the ancestors of the dragon people forced the collapsing dragon into the Arctic Circle deep in the snow-capped mountains, they were unable to pursue it further.
They then waited for the other side at the foot of the snow-capped mountain. Because they sheltered a large number of indigenous people, a settlement was gradually formed, which is today's Bokai Village.
Unfortunately, even after the death of the dragon people's ancestor, the Collapse Dragon never dared to leave the Arctic Circle again, and many hunters and scholars who went to explore the area did not find any trace of it.
After generations of settlement and inheritance, Benglong was known as the "White God" in the village legends.
However, several months ago, the avalanche reappeared and became extremely active, constantly triggering avalanches that affected the snow mountain ecosystem, and the trend has threatened Bokai Village.
To protect the village and to fulfill the last wish of their dragon ancestors, the village's strongest hunter team set off for the Arctic Circle.
The story is normal up to this point, but the problem arises after Sikorui's first encounter with the Pontauren in the Arctic Circle.
"It suddenly transformed into something almost human... and even looked like a woman."
"It should be that she was chased by the dragon ancestors and, in a state of extreme terror, spontaneously achieved the transformation into a monster girl."
After Li Ai finished taking notes, she discovered that Xi Ke Rui's notes had stopped.
"Senior, why did you stop talking?"
"Aren't you surprised?"
"What an unexpected turn of events! A massive monster suddenly transforming into a human is bizarre to anyone, let alone a hunter familiar with the anatomy of monsters."
"But you can't tell at all from your face."
Sikeri was completely baffled.
"I'm a professional. If I hadn't even seen it myself, how could I possibly answer your questions?"
Sikeri thought it made sense and continued, "The other party even spoke, questioning me about why I was wearing its shell, whether it was dead, and a series of other incomprehensible questions."
"What equipment were you wearing at the time?"
"Tyrant Dragon Armor, weapon is Tyrant Steel Blade - Doomsday Fall".
As he spoke, Xi Kerui looked toward the corner of the room at a wooden dummy dressed in a full set of Tyrannosaurus Rex armor.
"After that, it became extremely angry and transformed back into a Urous in the blizzard, engaging in the hunt in its enraged state... The team ultimately emerged victorious, but at a terrible cost."
As he spoke, Xi Kerui sighed helplessly.
"After transforming into a monster girl, she was later hunted down and killed..."
Li Ai sorted out her thoughts and quickly realized that something was wrong.
In terms of survivability, monsters will undoubtedly be greatly improved after being anthropomorphized.
Extremely small body size, ultra-low energy expenditure, and more rational choices...
All of these factors are extremely advantageous for survival. However, even though it has already achieved a feminized form and is incredibly powerful, the Ulva Dragon, which was fighting in its home territory of the Arctic Circle, was still killed by the hunters of Pokai Village, just like in history.
"They haven't expressed any hatred towards their dragon ancestors?"
"No, we don't have that."
"Didn't they try to transform back into a human, or escape by diving into the permafrost?"
"no."
"Then there's only one possibility."
Li Ai stopped taking notes, having already found the key.
"She is trying to avenge the Black God, the Tyrannosaurus Rex you hunted before."
"Tyrant Dragon...it sounds like it's related to the legend of the Black and White Twins, but doesn't the legend say that when the two twins meet, their deadly battle will cause the heavens and earth to collapse, leading to the world's destruction?"
Xikore felt that if the two were truly sworn enemies, then Benglong should be grateful to him, rather than engaging in a life-or-death battle.
"That's right. But if the Collapse Dragon had transformed into a monster girl a long time ago and possessed rich emotions, she clearly realized that she was no match for the ancestors of the dragon people. She spent hundreds of years hiding in fear and anxiety in the Arctic Circle, and the duel with her nemesis, the Tyrannosaurus, became her only spiritual sustenance. But just when she felt that the time was ripe, she was wearing the Tyrannosaurus's armor when the hunters came to subdue her... and she completely broke down and lost her mind. Everything makes sense then."
Thinking of the tragic loss of his three-man squad, which might be related to the armor he was wearing, Sikor was stunned.
"This is not your fault. The Collapse Dragon did not express hatred for the ancestors of the dragon people, but it is impossible for it to be at peace in its heart. If it were to lurk in the village in the form of a monster girl, and then transform to destroy everything, it is very possible that this would happen."
Li Ai was both comforting Xikeri and stating the facts.
The monster's hatred for humans does not diminish after transforming into a monster girl; on the contrary, it becomes more pronounced in terms of emotional perception.
"It would have been great if you could have participated in the operational planning as a scholar advisor."
"I'm so sorry," said Xi Kerui.
"It's no use. Currently, the focus is on repelling Elder Dragons. If you want to fight the Collapse Dragon, as the main force, you must wear the Tyrant Dragon equipment to have a higher chance of winning. And it is precisely because of the super strong hatred that it has aroused that this huge hidden danger has been eliminated forever."
The atmosphere inside the room fell silent.
The cold wind rattled against a wooden window, making a creaking and trembling sound.
An Elf, standing on a small cargo box, used its paw to turn the window latch, finally calming things down.
"I only intended to give it a try, but I didn't expect to receive such a professional answer. If I encounter this situation again, can I ask you for help again?"
"Of course, senior. The Love Hunters specialize in handling such matters."
"Okay... diamonds! Give me the money."
At Xikore's call, a cat-eyed Ailu came to the square table with a small money bag in her hand.
Li Ai initially thought the purse was too small to pay the fee, until the other party took out coins in denominations of 1 z and asked her to make change. Only then did she realize what was going on.
"Then let's move on to the next consultation."
Sikeri suddenly sat up straight, his face showing anticipation.
"Love and relationship counseling?"
"Yes."
Seeing the other party's firm answer, Li Ai realized that this was not a smokescreen.
The other person genuinely wanted advice on how to find a partner.
Because of her experience running a dating coaching center in Kokot Village, this wasn't difficult for Li Ai.
After further questioning, it was learned that Sikeri had no romantic experience.
Many years ago, when I first became a hunter, I was escorting a caravan through the snow-capped mountains when we were attacked by a Tigrex. I fell off a cliff and woke up to find myself rescued by an old woman in the village.
Although his life was not in danger, half of his face was disfigured.
To repay the village chief and seek revenge, he became a resident hunter in the village, a position he still holds today.
Her requirements weren't high; she just wanted someone who shared her love of dancing, had a good figure, and didn't mind her appearance.
"This shouldn't be hard to find. Aren't there any suitable ones in Bokai Village?"
Li Ai asked curiously.
"Because the achievements of the Sikoryu hunters are so remarkable, they give people a strong sense of distance, meow."
Ailu Diamond was the first to give an answer.
"Yes, many people respectfully call me senior, sir... actually, many are older than me. After those old teammates died, when I went to the guild hall, no one sat at the same table with me anymore."
Xikeri also expressed his helplessness about this.
Li Ai understood; Xikore was just like Sene in Kokot Village.
However, since Sene was a guild knight, he did not object to exuding authority.
Sikeri didn't like the sense of distance that came with his heroic status, but in the villagers' and hunters' minds, he wasn't someone they wanted to get close to.
"If the established impressions in the village are already formed, then we can only go to other villages and towns, but you are a resident hunter... so we can only wait for fate to come."
"When fate brings you together, are there any special signs?"
This time it was Xikerui's turn to take out his notebook and write things down.
"Won't..."
Li Ai looked longingly at the sight.
"She will suddenly appear on an ordinary day and enter your heart. You can't predict it and you can't prepare much for it, but when it happens, you know that it is the moment when you are destined to meet."
"Me...do I have moments like that too?"
Sikeri was stunned.
"Yes, everyone will."
"Any other hints?"
"No, it's your destiny after all, and even with my expertise, I can't analyze it."
"Can I bring my destiny forward? I'm willing to pay more."
Sikeri gripped his purse tightly, making a series of noises.
"Uh... I do really want to make more money, but that's impossible. My only advice is to follow your heart."
The pressure to survive here is indeed considerable, and the main themes for humanity are survival and continuation.
But when it comes to pursuing love, it remains very simple and pure.
As a result, even those who harbor affection for monsters can still be tolerated and understood.
Sikeri has sacrificed so much for Pokai Village, so it's unacceptable that he would be influenced by external factors and not follow his heart when looking for a partner.
Both consulting engagements were successfully completed, and Li Ai received a total of 13400 z in remuneration.
After being waved goodbye by Xikorui and the other cats, Li Ai turned around and returned to the guild.
The blizzard is still ongoing, so it's unlikely we'll be able to go hunting today.
After exchanging a few words with Qingtian on my phone and confirming that she was living in an ice cave and had adapted to the snowy mountain environment, I learned that she was already acclimatized to the snowy mountain environment.
Li Ai felt relieved and turned to study another matter: the crisis brought about by the powerful monster girl.
Miss Mira needs no introduction; even before the monsters were turned into female characters, she was already a world-destroying being.
As for the newly learned information about the Boke Village team, if the Boke Village team hadn't acted in time, or if the monster's anthropomorphism had made the Boke Village team even stronger, resulting in Sikorei's inability to defeat it, then the guild hall and the lively scene before them would have ceased to exist.
Li Ai felt that although nothing could be changed at the moment, it was still necessary to use her identity as a Love Hunter to submit a report to the guild as a warning.
So he asked the receptionist, Heather, for paper and pen, and began to write.
Before long, the guild hall door opened, and one after another, the Ailu, covered in frost, squeezed into the hall like little snowmen.
They ran together to the fire, their breath shivering, and stretched out their paws to warm themselves.
"Haha, you're obviously not a local Palico, meow. Here's a hot drink for you, drink it quickly to warm yourself up."
After the cat attendant in the hall finished speaking, it handed over a bottle of red beverage.
"Thank you, Meow, but we've already had hot drinks, why are we still so cold?"
"I can't understand it," asked the leader, Kabu, puzzled.
"It's a blizzard outside, meow. Luckily, the village is sheltered by the mountains. If we went to the snow mountain, unless we wore specially activated armor, we would have to find a place to take shelter first."
After listening to the cat's explanation, Kabu suddenly understood.
"Looking at it this way, it was really a wise choice for Li Ai not to go to the Mysterious Cave to see the Black Greatsword, meow."
Li Ai handed the completed report to Heather.
The next morning, warm sunlight streamed into the house, and the sounds of shoveling and clearing snow could already be heard.
Don the chainmail armor made of ore, put on the cotton coat, and equip the hunter's curved axe.
Li Ai led the rescue team to the counter to accept and authenticate the request from the [Snow White Rabbit Beast].
According to the commission description, the main threat posed by this white rabbit beast is that it constantly pushes huge snowballs down from the top of the cliff, hitting passing creatures.
Another point to note is that even though the current ecosystem of the snow mountain is stable, roe deer often come here to forage.
This is the greatest threat to the hunter team.
One of the Tigrex individuals, whose forepaws have overgrown due to injury, can be reported for reward.
"The description of this individual is somewhat similar to the Wild Claw Tigrex, but the information does not mention that its forelimbs are blue, so it may just be a coincidence."
After Li Ai finished eating the nutritious breakfast prepared for her, she and the rescue team officially set off.
As soon as I stepped out of the village, the towering snow-capped mountain seemed to be right in front of me.
But when you try to move toward it, you get the illusion that you're getting further and further away.
On the fluffy snow, the path leading up the mountain has been clearly marked by other teams and collectors.
By evening, it had successfully met up with the clear sky.
The four-wheeled flatbed truck, pulling the team, significantly increased their speed.
The problem is that the speed is sometimes too fast, and there is often a risk of the pig falling off and the vehicle overturning.
Fortunately, after a day of getting used to it, Qingtian had mastered the skills of pulling the vehicle on the snow before reaching the foot of the mountain.
After spending the night at the campsite at the foot of the mountain, the four-wheeled flatbed truck began its ascent.
Sitting on the platform, Li Ai took out her phone and began introducing the monster to the Ailus.
"Some of the white Velociraptors have been killed on the road, as you have seen, but their leaders are not to be trifled with. You must avoid them if you see them. The one with fangs is the Snow Lion, and the one with rabbit ears on its head is the target, the White Rabbit Beast."
The Ailus gathered around Li Ai, listening attentively.
This is all basic knowledge for companion cats or first aid teams that are usually active in the local area.
However, the rescue team, which had only carried out missions in the Forest Hills, did not have a clear understanding of these monsters.
After the introduction, Li Ai asked about her experience visiting the mysterious cave the day before.
"That black greatsword is huge. The blade is stuck in the frozen ground, and many iron chains are attached to the hilt. They rattle loudly when the wind blows, and the atmosphere feels very oppressive, meow."
"I'm still shaken," Kabu said.
Hmph!
Qingtian gave two quick groans, slowed her run slightly, and then suddenly turned to the side.
Li Ai looked ahead and saw a huge snowball rolling down the hillside.