In Rainier's eyes, Wayne's performance was nothing short of breathtaking.
The Silver Rathalos has two modes for its aerial fireball attack. One is hovering in place while rapidly spitting fireballs in random directions; the other is spitting fireballs forward while retreating in a straight line.
Every time the Silver Rathalos flapped its wings to take off, Wayne could accurately judge which mode it was entering. He instructed Rainier to save his Flash Bombs specifically for the latter mode.
During the first mode, Wayne would carry his Greatsword to the edge of the shadow directly beneath the Silver Rathalos. He would then raise the blade with both hands, hoisting it high behind his back to enter a charged state.
Once the Silver Rathalos finished its fireballs and landed, Wayne was positioned perfectly beside its tail every single time. By then, his charge was complete, and a maximum-damage overhead slash would slam into the dragon's tail the moment it touched the ground.
It is worth noting that in the original PS2 version of Monster Hunter G, the Greatsword did not have a charge mechanic. However, it was added in the later Wii version. For this VR Enhanced Edition, such limitations didn't exist. Aside from being unable to use real-world skills and spells, players were free to choose their attack motions and styles.
In just a few rotations, the thick tail of the Silver Rathalos was severed by Wayne. The dragon collapsed on its side, letting out a piteous howl.
"Strike now!" Wayne shouted. He and Rainier simultaneously entered a "Dragon-Tiger Dance" mode, unleashing relentless, full-power damage on the grounded dragon.
After a few cycles like this, Rainier soon grasped the shifting patterns of the Silver Rathalos's attacks without needing Wayne's commands. Their coordination grew increasingly seamless.
Aside from taking some unavoidable damage while learning the mechanics, Wayne didn't have to worry about Rainier's survival at all. Just like the last time he watched him play, the Westbrook Commander treated the game with the attitude of a real operation—victory or death, even if he knew he could respawn.
However, the person most enthralled by the spectacle was Little Tess, the only one in the room not playing.
Everything appearing on the six screens before the players was difficult for her to grasp or understand, so much so that she didn't even notice when someone walked through the door.
"Um... excuse me... who is the boss here?"
A polite, slightly shy question snapped Little Tess out of her focus on the screens. She turned toward the entrance.
A young girl, barely an adult, stood at the door. She pulled back the hood of her cloak to reveal a head of deep grey hair. She said timidly, "I'm here to play the game..."
By this time, Wayne and Rainier had already finished off the Silver Rathalos and were busy carving materials. Neither paid much attention to the newcomer. Seeing a potential customer, Little Tess greeted her warmly: "Please take a look at the rules..."
The grey-haired girl was dressed simply, but her blue surcoat and inner lining were made of silk. This outfit was not cheap, indicating her family background was anything but ordinary.
She took thirteen gold coins from a small crossbody bag and handed them to Little Tess. "Is this... enough?"
Tess's eyes went wide. Having never seen so much money before, she immediately ran to Wayne's side and gently tugged at his sleeve. "Boss, Boss... look at this."
She held the gold coins out in her cupped hands for Wayne to see.
Wayne was long past being surprised by such sums. However, seeing Tess's enthusiasm for her work, he nodded encouragingly. "Very good. Help the guest get settled, register her name, and get her on a machine. If you forget how to set it up, call me."
"Yes, Boss!"
Tess quickly tucked the money away and hurried back to the grey-haired woman.
"May I have your name, please?"
The woman replied softly, "Just call me... Tara."
Those words, though spoken quietly, were explosive. The Westbrook quartet, who had been indifferent a moment ago, all turned their heads in unison. Their eyes went wide!
The four of them immediately began shouting in the in-game voice chat.
"It's her! Right?! It's definitely her!"
Verdan exclaimed, "The number one beauty of Stormwind's Mage District!"
Hudson asked, "Is her father that Archmage Malin who lives in the Mage District?"
Verdan replied, "Yes! Absolutely! I didn't lie to you guys—there are so many female mages in that district, but compared to her, they're all just plain commoners."
Hicks remarked, "With looks like that, she's only the 'Mage District' beauty? Is there actually someone better looking in Stormwind?"
Before coming to Westbrook Garrison, Hicks had been a guard at Sentinel Hill in Westfall. After the Defias Brotherhood riots, they had retreated from Westfall under the Regent's orders, and he had been reassigned to Westbrook. Stormwind was still an unfamiliar place to him.
Verdan, being the one with the deepest family background among the four, had been a wealthy young socialite in Stormwind before enlisting. Naturally, he had participated in plenty of discussions regarding beautiful women.
After confirming that their conversation was happening within the game and couldn't be heard by anyone else in the room, he spoke with a proud, slightly lewd smile:
"If you ever get the chance, you have to see Countess Katrana. The fact that our Regent follows her every word absolutely has to do with that seductive—ahem, stunning face of hers."
Despite being inside the game, he lowered his voice even further.
"This isn't just me talking; half the nobles in Stormwind are whispering that the Regent and the Countess are having an affair... And honestly, it's no wonder. With a face like that and a body like that... the Regent has been single for so many years, and his daughter was sent away and isn't by his side... Tsk tsk tsk... It's understandable if he can't control himself..."
In the game, Hudson slapped Verdan's arm hard. "If anyone else heard those words, it'd be enough to convict you of spreading rumors about the High Commander. You'd be looking at the gallows."
Verdan replied, "Take it easy, man. We're in a game; people outside can't hear us."
While the others truly couldn't hear their conversation, Wayne—as the net cafe owner with administrative privileges—heard everything crystal clear through his headset.
Wait, so there's gossip about Bolvar and Onyxia (Katrana) already? Wayne thought to himself.
"Speaking of beauties," Hudson added in the game, "I don't know if you've seen her, but there's a Teacher Dana at the orphanage outside the Cathedral of Light. I saw her several times when I went to the Cathedral to see the Archbishop. I heard she has no shortage of suitors."