MHGA Chapter 314: Hunting for Hunger's Sake
Laios took the monster list Kairo Retsu had written down, studied it carefully, and passed it along to the others.
He recognized most of the monsters from reading through the base's bestiary, and several of them were notably powerful.
However… the truly exceptional monsters were absent from the list.
At most, the toughest foes listed were dominant apex creatures of specific regions—like Rathalos.
Aside from the typical "map kings," the monsters living within common ecosystems were all included on the list…
"No Elder Dragons or those super-strong ones?" Laios sounded mildly disappointed, though not entirely.
After all, map kings were already rare and powerful existences in the ecosystem. Setting aside those absurdly strong monsters, these were apex predators ruling their ecological niches.
[Map King: Typically refers to a dominant or symbolically significant monster in a given map/biome.]
Like Rathalos and Diablos—two monsters that are widely found across different regions.
(T/N: In Monster Hunter: World, quests reference this: Rathalos – "King of the Forest"; Diablos – "Terror of the Desert.")
So despite his slight disappointment, Laios still felt anticipation. He was curious how many unique monster ecologies he'd witness during the hunts—and more importantly, how much delicious monster meat he'd get to taste afterward.
"Well, monsters like Rajang and Brachydios can trade blows with Elder Dragons," Kairo shrugged. "Honestly, even map kings are a serious challenge for us."
"Let's be real—this is a world teeming with dangerous monsters. The most archetypal map king in our world, the one found nearly everywhere—is Rathalos."
Kairo continued, "How many of you can confidently take it down solo?"
The Hunters went silent.
Rathalos… the most iconic map king. Apex predator of regular ecosystems.
Exceptional flight capabilities, able to maneuver skillfully in the air, dive at prey from high altitudes, breathe searing flame from its mouth—and even strafe the ground like a bomber.
The King of the Skies—Rathalos.
"This is a trial. A test."
Kairo walked over to the big round table the Hunters were eating at, placing both hands firmly on the surface and addressing everyone present:
"If we're going to call ourselves Hunters, then our job isn't limited to the strength of what's on this list."
"Think back to all our past missions—we've never had to rely solely on our own strength to get through truly hopeless odds."
"But now, against Gore Magala and its Frenzied kin… there are no shortcuts anymore."
"If we can't even hunt these monsters—what'll happen when we run into an Elder Dragon? Are we just going to let someone like Himmel clean up for us?"
While the others remained quiet, Laios spoke up in his usual dreamy tone:
"Come to think of it… Rathalos meat is quite a delicacy. Especially the ribs of the male, and the shoulder cuts and pork belly of the female…"
His words immediately made the Hunters recall the Rathalos meat feast Granny Felyne had cooked.
And Laios kept going: "Granny said, once the Rathalos meat is properly cleaned and fresh-sliced, you sear it on a hot stone slab, brush it with her special sauce… it's better than roasted beef."
Gulp.
Several Hunters couldn't help but swallow.
"I still remember—my first meal at the Gathering Hub was Rathalos tail stew."
Laios continued his food fantasy: "Rich gelatin, the marrow melted into the broth… the meat carved right off the bone, stewed until so soft you could slurp it straight down…"
"Stop right there!!!"
Kairo suddenly reached out and stopped Laios mid-sentence. Laios snapped out of his culinary trance—only to notice the other Hunters staring at him like a pack of wolves that hadn't eaten for a month. Their breathing was ragged, eyes glowing.
"That was my mistake… I shouldn't have said all that inspirational stuff earlier."
Kairo was panting slightly now too. "Stuff like getting stronger or not taking shortcuts—it doesn't matter anymore."
Scanning the table, Kairo slowly spoke:
"Everyone… I want to eat grilled Rathalos. How about you?"
The next moment, the room exploded with battle spirit.
"Grilled dragon meat! Meat stew! Felyne Meal!!!"
The Hunters roared, "Grilled dragon meat! Meat stew! Felyne Meal!!!!"
"What more is there to say!!" Kairo's eyes gleamed with primal hunger. "Our most fundamental reason for hunting… is to feed ourselves!!!"
"HUNTING!!!!"
"OOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHH——————!!!!"
—————————————
When Madoka and her squad of new Hunters returned to the Gathering Hub from their Re:CREATORS hot spring retreat, they found the male Hunters frantically gearing up at the front gate.
"Listen up! We've got ten people! Everyone's heading out to hunt targets!" Kairo was rallying them with a rousing speech: "The Felynes will guide us to huntable and capturable monsters! Follow Hunter regulations!"
"Comrades!!! When we return—we feast!!! Let's go all out until we drop dead or die trying!!!!"
"OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHH!!!!!!"
The gate swung open, pushed by the Felynes, and the ten weapon-toting Hunters charged out of the base—leaping onto Wingdrakes and taking flight toward the hunt.
"What's going on?!" Hibiki flinched. "Are we under attack or something?!"
The male Hunters looked like they were charging off to war…
The girls hurried around the base, trying to figure out what happened, and eventually ended up at the canteen—where they found the ever-lazy receptionists Chino and Yuli lounging around.
After the girls voiced their concerns, Chino and Yuli exchanged a glance.
Chino sighed and pressed her palm to her forehead. "They're just doing it for the Felyne Meal…"
∑( 口 ||"Eh?" Hibiki froze. "Why do they look like they're heading into a life-or-death battle just to eat Felyne Meal…"
"Guildmaster and the others went out to hunt their own ingredients for a BBQ," Yuli muttered, sprawled over the table. "They said food you hunted yourself tastes best."
"In short, that's just how they are—one spark and they're off. Maybe that's just… boys being boys."
"Men… are like that?" Sakura said with a puzzled look.
She was pretty sure her dad, brother, or even Yukito never randomly fired up like that…
"I wouldn't know either. Guildmaster and the others are always suddenly launching into stuff like this. They call the guy who suggests it their 'Idea Guy.'"
Chino spoke deadpan. "I'm used to it. Maybe this is just what it's like when men group up."
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