Successfully subdued the Apex Arzuros!
Apex Arzuros beginning Pokémonization...
Pokémonization successful!
Apex Arzuros's information is as follows:
Apex Arzuros
Level: 69 (Elite Four)Attribute: Fighting / DarkAbility: Divine Power (+200% Attack)Passive Skill: Overlord (+5 to all base stats)Base Stats: HP 105, Atk 175, Def 105, SpA 35, SpD 105, Spe 125. Total: 650.
A simple but powerful ability, Zhang thought, very satisfied with his new capture. But he was even more interested in the new system prompt that had appeared.
Tip: You have subdued three monsters of the same species: Arzuros, Redhelm Arzuros, and Apex Arzuros. Special function "Mutation Evolution" unlocked.
"Zhang, I'm going down to help," Hinoa said, before jumping off the back of the Rathalos. With the Apex monster dealt with, she could help drive away the remaining horde.
"Be careful," Zhang waved, before immediately turning his attention to the new system function. He wasn't worried about Hinoa; a Champion-level hunter could handle these weaker monsters with ease.
He opened the panel and clicked on "Mutation Evolution." After a moment, he understood. The function would allow him to evolve a base monster into a rare or variant subspecies. For example, he could evolve a regular Arzuros into a Redhelm or Apex Arzuros. He could evolve his Rathian into a Pink or Gold Rathian, or his Rathalos into an Azure or Silver Rathalos.
To do so, he would have to accept a special hunting mission. Evolving an Arzuros to a Redhelm Arzuros would require completing a quasi-Elite Four level hunt. Evolving it to an Apex Arzuros would be an Elite Four level hunt. Evolving a Rathalos to a Silver Rathalos would require hunting an Elder Dragon. The stronger the desired evolution, the harder the mission.
The rules were strict. Upon accepting, he would be teleported near the target. He could not use any of his Pokémon and had to rely on his own strength. He could, however, bring an Ailu cat companion, even a Pokémonized one. Furthermore, neither he nor his Ailu cat could use any stat-boosting Pokémon skills. It was similar to a Fair Duel, but even more restrictive. The only silver lining was that if his own strength was on par with the mission target, he would receive Glory Points as a bonus reward.
A solo hunting mission, he mused. I'll need to find a good Palico, especially a "Prowler" cat. Their strength is on par with a hunter's. The best ones are from Bherna Village. If there isn't a suitable one here in Kamura, I can go there to look.
With that, he drew his Long Sword. "Alright, let's go help." He and his Rathalos joined the fray.
A few minutes later, Elder Fugen, Master Utsushi, and the other village leaders arrived. Without their Apex leader, the remaining monsters, though numerous and crazed, were no match for Zhang's team and the Kamura hunters. Soon, the Rampage was over.
"Xiaotian, I didn't expect you to be so strong. Are all these monsters yours?" Elder Fugen asked, gesturing to the powerful creatures beside Zhang.
"That's right," Zhang nodded, recalling his Pokémon. "Village Chief, I wanted to ask if there are any powerful Prowler cats in our village? I need an Ailu cat to help me."
"A Prowler?" Fugen frowned in thought. "Yes, there is one, but he is very troublesome. He is from Bherna Village and came here to hunt a Nargacuga. His skill is good, and I once tried to recruit him, but he demanded I help him get revenge. I cannot help him with his grudge."
Fugen sighed. "His parents were killed by the Elder Dragon, Amatsu. He wants revenge. That is an Elder Dragon, a living natural disaster. No one has ever successfully hunted one; at most, they have been repelled."
Hearing this, Zhang's interest was piqued. Seeking revenge against an Elder Dragon required immense courage. This cat sounded appealing. As for Amatsu, it was much weaker than Ibushi. If he dared to face Ibushi, Amatsu was certainly not out of the question. He was a gamer, after all, and a man with a system.
"Where is he? Can you take me to him?" Zhang asked.
"Right there," Fugen said, pointing to a black Ailu cat wearing a full set of Nargacuga armor.
"Hello, what's your name? My name is Zhang Tian," Zhang said, approaching the cat.
"I know you, the Rider of Kamura. Your reputation has reached even Bherna," the black cat said politely. "A pleasure to meet you. My name is Kuro."
"Kuro, I heard about your situation. Are you interested in following me? I can help you get your revenge."
"I want to hunt Amatsu. You can't help me," Kuro said, shaking his head. "Find another cat to be your follower."
"I can't hunt it now, that doesn't mean I can't hunt it in the future," Zhang said confidently. "I am the only one in this world who can help you. A month ago, I could only hunt a Great Izuchi. Now, I can hunt monsters like Mizutsune. In another year, an Elder Dragon will not be a problem."
"That's an Elder Dragon. A natural disaster. You dare say you can hunt it?" Kuro looked at Zhang with disbelief. He had traveled to countless villages, even the most advanced hunter settlements, and no one had ever truly hunted an Elder Dragon.
"Catastrophe?" Zhang's voice was light, but his tone was absolute. "Soon, even natural disasters will fall."
Kuro was stunned, then felt a flicker of admiration. He had never met anyone with such terrifying confidence, who spoke of hunting an Elder Dragon as if it were a foregone conclusion. That confidence was infectious. Maybe he really can do it.
"I accept, Meowster Zhang," Kuro said with a sincere bow. "I will be your Palico."
"Come with me. I won't let you down," Zhang said. "One year, at most. I will help you get your revenge." He beckoned for Kuro to follow him, then turned towards home. "Hinoa, see you tomorrow!" he called out as he passed her.
"I'm very happy today," Hinoa smiled back.
"Old friend, your vision is good," Master Utsushi said to Fugen, watching Zhang's back. "That boy's growth is truly fast. Soon he'll be hunting Diablos."
"My vision is naturally good," Fugen replied, his eyes flashing. "Perhaps one day, he will become the first person to truly hunt an Elder Dragon."
"How is that possible?" Utsushi shook his head. "In the eyes of many, Elder Dragons are gods. How can a god be hunted?"
"We shall see, old friend," Fugen smiled, patting his shoulder. "Zhang is different from us. We see Elder Dragons as gods, as invincible beings. But in his eyes, I see only battle spirit, and an emptiness that suggests he sees them as nothing more than another target. He does not place them on a pedestal. That is a courage I lack."
Fugen recalled the first time he met Zhang. He had a strange detachment, an aura that suggested he saw everything around him as part of a larger game.
"I'll bet you a bottle of my finest sake he can't do it," Utsushi declared.
"You're on," Fugen laughed.
"Kuro, are you willing to be my partner?" Zhang asked, holding out a Poké Ball. He had already explained what would happen.
"Master Zhang, I am," Kuro said, taking the ball and pressing the button.
Successfully subdued the Ailu cat, Kuro!
Kuro beginning Pokémonization...
Pokémonization successful!
Kuro's information is as follows:
Kuro (Prowler)
Level: 59 (Quasi-Elite Four)Attribute: NormalAbility: Attunement (Gains different abilities, exclusive skills, and base stat bonuses depending on the monster equipment worn.)Base Stats: HP 30, Atk 30, Def 30, SpA 30, SpD 30, Spe 30. Total: 180.
His stats are just like mine before the system, but lower, Zhang mused. But after equipping armor, he'll be like a replica of a hunter. A cat version of me. Not bad.
He released Kuro from the ball.
"Am I stronger, Meowster?" Kuro asked, looking at his paws in disbelief. "How did you do that?"
"This is my special ability," Zhang explained. "And it's the foundation of my promise to kill an Elder Dragon. Now, don't get too hung up on it. We're going hunting." Since Kuro was now a Pokémon, he would be loyal, so Zhang didn't mind revealing some of his secrets.
He opened the Mutation Evolution panel, selected his Rathian, and chose the evolution path for a Pink Rathian, a variant one tier higher than the base species.
Evolution Goal: Rathian -> Pink Rathian
Mission Difficulty: Quasi-Elite Four
Randomizing Mission...
Randomization Complete!
Mission Target: Legiana
Time Limit: 12 hours
Teleportation commencing!
A blue light enveloped Zhang and Kuro, and they vanished. They reappeared in the Hoarfrost Reach of the New World.
"The New World," Zhang said, recognizing the landscape from the game. Of course. Legiana is a monster unique to the New World.
"Meowster, where are we?" Kuro asked, looking around curiously.
"The New World, a continent on the other side of the ocean," Zhang explained. "Don't tell anyone about this place when we get back. It's a secret."
"Don't worry, Meowster, I won't tell!" Kuro patted his chest.
Zhang nodded and took out a drone. It had been a long time since he'd needed one, but without a flying Pokémon, it was his only option for scouting. As the drone flew up, he spotted something else. A Fulgur Anjanath?
The drone hadn't found the Legiana yet, but it had found a rare subspecies of Anjanath, unique to the New World. Its ecological niche was a tier higher than a normal Anjanath, on par with a Rathalos.
The mission time is 12 hours. That's enough time to catch the Fulgur Anjanath first, then hunt the Legiana, Zhang decided. This was a rare opportunity. He took back the drone and set off with Kuro toward the cold forest where the drone had spotted a 20-meter-long, blue and white Anjanath variant slowly searching for food.
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