The forest was alive with shadows, a dense tangle of gnarled trees and broken branches that rattled faintly in the wind. Kael moved cautiously, bowgun raised, each footfall measured against the soft undergrowth. His eyes narrowed at a disturbance in the underbrush—a low, rolling growl vibrating through the air, shaking his chest.
Ahead, the massive shape of the Blood Fang—Velgrith—emerged from the darkness. Dark bristle-like fur shimmered under the dim light filtering through the canopy, its double-layered fangs jutting past a massive jaw, serrated and gleaming. Clawed feet dug into the soft earth as its crimson eyes scanned for prey. A deafening roar split the silence, shaking the trees and rattling Kael's teeth.
Kael instinctively raised his bowgun, tracking the monster's every twitch. His heart pounded, and his senses sharpened. He had hunted many dangerous creatures before, but nothing quite like this—the sheer aggression, the muscle under armored hide, the unpredictable speed—it was the epitome of a predator.
Then, movement in the periphery caught his eye. A young man stepped into view, hands raised, utterly unarmed. Beside him, a Palico crouched with sword and shield ready. Kael blinked in disbelief.
"Hey!" Kael barked, voice sharp, "Where's your weapon?!"
The young man's eyes—crimson and alert—met Kael's calmly. He flexed his gauntlets, letting a faint glint catch the light. "This is my weapon," he said simply.
Kael stared, incredulous. "You're crazy," he muttered under his breath. "Facing that thing… with only your fists?"
The forest shook as Velgrith's roar echoed again, deafening and filled with menace. Kael rolled behind a tree as the wyvern's claws tore through the ground where he had been standing moments before. He could see Hunnt step forward, fists raised, undeterred. Pyro, perched on a low boulder, brandished his tiny sword and shield with precision, ready to intervene.
Observation instincts flared. Kael watched Hunnt's every movement. The youth rolled under Velgrith's swipe, fists hammering into the monster's flank with controlled force. The beast's muscles rippled under the impact, but it barely faltered, snarling and snapping its jaws.
Pyro darted in from the side, shield raised to block a tail sweep, then slashed at Velgrith's knee, forcing it to stagger. The Palico's movements were precise, almost preternatural, as if anticipating the monster's attacks before they came.
Kael fired a round from his bowgun, aiming for the underbelly he could just make out. The bolt glanced off the thick hide with a metallic clang. The Blood Fang's crimson eyes snapped to him, claws digging into the soil as it charged. Kael pivoted, rolling to the side, heart hammering. The forest seemed to quake with each movement of the massive wyvern.
Hunnt's fists pounded against Velgrith's side again, the impacts echoing like distant thunder. Pyro moved fluidly, striking at openings with rapid, precise swings of the Sword & Shield. Kael realized that despite their youth, they moved in perfect sync—Hunnt's bold, punishing strikes and Pyro's agile, defensive maneuvers created openings Kael could exploit with his bowgun.
Velgrith's roar split the canopy again, sending birds fluttering into the sky. The monster's adrenaline surged; its muscles doubled in speed and strength as it lunged forward, fangs snapping toward Hunnt. He ducked expertly, rolling beneath the strike, fists driving upward into Velgrith's jaw. Pyro struck simultaneously at the underbelly, forcing the wyvern to stagger back, tail lashing violently through the trees.
Kael's pulse raced. They're something else… coordinated, precise… deadly. He fired again, hitting the underbelly more solidly this time. The Blood Fang let out a scream, staggering as it lost its footing, giving Hunnt and Pyro room to press their attack.
The young man's gauntlets struck the monster in rapid succession, fists blurring as he hammered at soft spots on the creature's legs and ribs. Observation Haki flickered in Kael's instincts, helping him anticipate slight movements, dodging debris and claws. He could sense the openings Hunnt and Pyro created, each strike measured, controlled, devastating.
The Palico leapt to Pyro's side, slashing at the wyvern's leg, its shield deflecting claws. Pyro chirped, tail flicking proudly. "Master, nyaah! I've got your back!"
Kael's amazement turned to awe. "I don't… I don't know how you fight like that without a sword or bow," he muttered, ducking a tail sweep.
Hunnt smirked, fists raised, muscles coiled. "You learn to fight with what you have, Kael. Weapons aren't everything."
Velgrith roared again, lunging at the two hunters with increased ferocity. Its claws dug into the dirt, fangs aimed at Pyro, who rolled under the strike, countering with a precise shield bash and quick sword jab. Hunnt took advantage of the momentary stagger, hammering a series of rapid punches into Velgrith's ribs. The Blood Fang flinched but regained composure, thrashing wildly in a desperate frenzy.
Kael fired again, this time aiming for the soft underbelly revealed by Hunnt's combo. The bolt struck home, embedding deep in the flesh. The monster staggered, bellowing in pain, and for a moment, the forest fell silent except for the rapid panting of the hunters.
The young man and his Palico moved fluidly, striking again and again at the openings, dodging every wild swing and snapping jaw. Velgrith reared up, tail smashing into a tree that splintered instantly. Hunnt rolled forward, striking the underbelly with a final, punishing blow. Pyro leapt atop a fallen boulder, shield poised, slashing with precision.
Velgrith let out one last, ear-splitting roar before collapsing with a ground-shaking thud. Dust and debris scattered in every direction as the massive creature lay still.
Kael lowered his bowgun slowly, chest heaving, staring at Hunnt. "I… I don't know how you survive like that," he said, awe and disbelief mingling in his voice.
Hunnt wiped sweat from his brow, smirking faintly. "Fists work if you know how to use them."
Pyro puffed his chest, tail flicking. "Of course! Master is Master, nyaah!"
Kael glanced at the small Palico, softening slightly. "I still don't trust you fully… but your companion trusts you. That's recognition enough."
Hunnt's eyes flickered with amusement. "You don't need to trust me completely. Just watch the hunt and survive."
Kael shook his head, exhaling sharply. "You're reckless, but… skilled. And your Palico—impressive."
The forest fell silent again, only the rustle of leaves and snapping branches remaining. Velgrith's massive body lay motionless, its rampage ended, at least for now. The three hunters—two humans and one Palico—stood among the shadows of broken trees, the air thick with tension and unspoken respect.
Kael nodded slowly. "For now… we survived. But don't think this makes us allies."
Hunnt laughed softly, fists still clenched. "I wouldn't have it any other way."
Pyro chirped proudly, tail flicking. Despite the tension, a quiet bond had begun to form, built on shared survival, skill, and instinct.
Kael's eyes lingered on Hunnt. This kid… fights like a master already. And that Palico… loyal to the bone. He allowed himself a small, cautious relaxation, knowing that for now, the forest had forged an unspoken agreement—a temporary alliance between hunters, wary yet capable, each respecting the other's skill.