"Lower your center of gravity!" Asa roared, facing the sweeping giant sand wave.
Altaïr and Serl, who had remained standing to make it easier to adjust their positions, had no choice but to squat down, lower their upper bodies, and press their center of gravity down as much as possible, all while gripping the ship's gunwales for dear life.
This was the best way to avoid being thrown overboard.
Although they all had safety ropes attached to their waists, being thrown off in this situation would not only easily capsize the small Sandship, but trying to safely climb back aboard amidst the tsunami-like sand waves was also pure fantasy.
As the giant sand wave approached, the small Sandship the three were riding on was turned completely sideways, its hull gradually tilting.
This imminent danger of capsizing spurred a primal instinct to stop the ship and flee for their lives. But as an outstanding Sandship helmsman, Asa knew that he absolutely could not slow down at a time like this. On the contrary, he had to do everything in his power to push the Sandship to its maximum speed.
Only by doing so could he ensure the Sandship would stick close to the sand wave and move forward with it, rather than being overturned and swallowed by the sand below.
Altaïr found that his limbs were trembling. This was the first time a feeling of powerlessness, of facing something "absolutely unbeatable," had ever arisen in his heart.
Not even the Monster with the Azure Twin Claws that he had witnessed destroying his home as a child had made him feel this way.
He had always firmly believed that as long as he kept moving forward, he would one day find that Monster and hunt it.
But the creature before him was different.
Everything that was happening now made him feel a lack of confidence he had never experienced before. He couldn't help but recall something Madam Marydan had said; they are walking calamities.
Just by turning over, it can stir up a giant wave in the sand sea. Is this the legendary Elder Dragon?
Is this the kind of opponent I must face if I continue down the path of a hunter?
"Lean to the right!" Asa's roar echoed in his ears.
His mind still reeling, Altaïr didn't have time to think. His body reacted on its own, letting go of the port-side gunwale and throwing his entire weight to the right.
After another violent lurch and shudder, the hull of the small Sandship finally stabilized. They had successfully broken through that terrifying giant sand wave!
After all, the wave kicked up by the Jhen Mohran when it fell into the sand sea wasn't a true tsunami. The danger, however great, was only in that initial surge. They were safe for now.
"Woohoo!" Asa cheered, pulling on the sail ropes and rudder to adjust their course, continuing to race toward the Hozan-maru.
Serl straightened up, only to find Altaïr still squatting there. He opened his mouth, but in the end, said nothing.
He had heard Altaïr mention before that an elder had recommended him to the fleet to "gain experience." At that moment, he understood that elder's intentions.
Facing an Elder Dragon was an invaluable experience for any hunter.
As long as one could overcome that hurdle and step out from the shadow in their heart, there would be few Monsters left that could inspire true, heartfelt fear.
But if one couldn't overcome it, the scene that had just unfolded could become a mountain weighing on their heart. They might lose their drive, and it was even possible they would no longer dare to continue as a hunter.
After a good while, Altaïr finally stood up again. Serl spoke up. "How are you holding up? If you're not feeling well, don't force yourself. This isn't a mandatory fight for you. We can find a safe place and drop you off first."
Asa, who was focused on steering the Sandship, also glanced over.
The first time he saw a Jhen Mohran last year, his reaction had been even worse than Altaïr's, and his father had said something similar to him.
He had wanted to flee back then, but in the end, he had gritted his teeth and stayed out of pride. However, he also knew that the pressure a boatman faced was completely different from that of a hunter.
As the pilot of the Sandship, the most he had to do was steer the vessel close to the Jhen Mohran. What the hunters had to do, however, was use ropes to climb onto the dragon's back and personally attack such a creature.
Altaïr turned his gaze to meet Serl's. "Are you trying to comfort me, or are you trying to provoke me?"
Hearing this, a smile couldn't help but appear on Serl's face. "You can think of it as half and half.
Whatever you're thinking, you need to decide quickly. That big fella is chasing right behind us. You can't just keep squatting there in a daze."
"I was a little scared just now. Sorry." Altaïr's expression had returned to its usual calm. "But thinking back on it, so what if it's a moving natural disaster? Don't we repel it once every year?"
Hearing Altaïr say this, the smile on Serl's face grew wider. Asa, who was steering the ship, clamped the oar under his arm and gave him a thumbs-up.
Taking two steps toward the bow to help adjust the ship's center of gravity, Altaïr suddenly stared at Serl and asked in a low voice, "Serl-senpai, have you encountered them before? I mean, the Elder Dragon species."
"Er..." As if not expecting to hear this term from Altaïr, Serl fell silent for a few seconds before replying vaguely, "I suppose so. I've had some strange encounters in the past."
"I'm not trying to pry into your past, senpai," Altaïr asked quietly. "I just want to know, how did you overcome this feeling of powerlessness back then?"
Only then did Serl notice that Altaïr's hands were clenched tightly. It seemed he was using this method to tense his muscles and suppress the unconscious trembling of his limbs.
So he was just putting on a brave face.
Serl smiled, pursing his lips. He suddenly remembered that this young hunter, who seemed so mature, was actually still an underage kid.
"There's no such thing as 'overcoming' it. Your feeling is correct. As a newly promoted 2★ hunter, should you feel powerful and confident when facing an Elder Dragon species, instead of powerless?"
Altaïr was a bit taken aback by Serl's rhetorical question. "But–"
Serl cut him off. "Even if the legendary hunters of old were here, they couldn't shatter a sand sea tsunami like the one just now with the weapons in their hands.
Much less defeat a super-giant creature like the Jhen Mohran single-handedly.
You stood up again by your own will, decided to continue the fight, and began to think about how to overcome what you call 'powerlessness' to avoid it affecting your performance later.
That means you've already calmed down. Don't think about changing or proving something all at once. You've already taken the most difficult step.
To be honest, the goal your elders had in letting you participate in this 'Desert Feast' has already been achieved."
"What comes next is just a slightly special battle. It won't have any effect if you back out now."
"I can't do that."
Altaïr released his clenched fist, his previously stiff palm no longer trembling. "I heard you can gather some amazing materials from a Jhen Mohran's back. That's what I came for, so I can't back out now."
—--
Summoned by the SOS Flare, the small Sandships that had scattered to search gradually returned to the vicinity of the flagship, the Hozan-maru. The Hunting Fleet, composed of dozens of hunting ships of various sizes, also finished regrouping.
Everyone was on high alert, vigilantly watching the direction from which the SOS Flare had been fired.
"Eleven o'clock! They're coming! And a large school of Delex!" The lookout at the top of the mast lowered his spyglass and roared at the top of his lungs.
The fleet Admiral waved his arms forcefully, issuing a series of commands. "Hornblowers, sound the signal! The entire Sandship fleet, prepare for battle!
Load the Heavy Ballistae and cannons! Steam-charge the Dragonator! And get those One-shot Binder ropes coiled and ready!
Notify the Hunting Fleet! Have them intercept the school of Delex and keep them from interfering with the battle here! This year's feast is about to begin!"