"Zhang Tian, have you ever been trained as a hunter?" Utsushi asked.
"No, I've never received any hunter training," Zhang Tian replied, shaking his head.
"In that case, come with me to the training grounds," Utsushi said, beckoning for him to follow as he walked out.
"Pidgeotto, Great Izuchi, after you finish eating, train as usual," Zhang Tian instructed. "As for you, Tobi-Kadachi, I want you to practice and master every skill you know." After giving his orders, he strode off to follow Utsushi.
They soon arrived at the Kamura Village training grounds.
"Before you can train as a hunter, you must choose a weapon that suits you," Utsushi said, gesturing to a nearby weapon rack. "Take a look and see which one you like."
"Choose a weapon?" Zhang Tian looked over the rack and began to ponder.
In the game Monster Hunter Rise, he had used and mastered basically every weapon type. The one he found most convenient was the Light Bowgun. It was simple to use, had decent damage output, and offered high mobility, making it his favorite weapon in the game.
But reality was not a game.
The Light Bowgun might be strong in the game, but in reality, it was underwhelming. Its damage was too low, making it difficult to land a fatal blow on a monster. In the official novels, the three ranged weapons Light Bowgun, Bow, and Heavy Bowgun were rarely featured due to their low damage output. Against powerful Elder Dragons, their shots couldn't even break through their defenses.
"Long Sword."
"Master Utsushi, I choose the Long Sword." After long consideration, Zhang Tian made his choice.
He chose the Long Sword because, in this reality, it was incredibly broken. It had five "invincibility" skills skills that granted invincibility frames, a terrifyingly powerful effect.
These skills included the standard moves Foresight Slash, Sacred Sheathe Combo, and Iai Spirit Slash, as well as the Wirebug Skills Soaring Kick and Tempered Spirit Blade. It was because of these five skills that he chose the Long Sword. Additionally, its mobility and damage output were not to be underestimated, especially with the Full Moon skill, which could double its damage.
"The Long Sword?" Utsushi nodded slightly, then took an iron Long Sword from the rack. "Before you learn to wield it, I will teach you how to use Spirit."
"Whether it's a Wirebug Skill or a standard Long Sword technique, it requires Spirit to activate. Only those who can successfully control their Spirit can become true hunters."
"Listen closely. Spirit is..." Utsushi began to explain, launching into a detailed lecture on how to use and cultivate one's Spirit.
"Did you get all that?" he asked ten minutes later, his throat a bit dry.
"I've learned it." Zhang Tian raised his hand, and a potent aura a hunter's Spirit materialized in his palm.
"You've learned it?!" Utsushi stared at him in shock.
To master the use of Spirit after hearing the explanation just once was beyond monstrous. Utsushi had never heard of anyone learning it so quickly. As far as he knew, the fastest record in the Hunter's Guild was ten days.
To be honest, Zhang Tian hadn't expected his own talent to be this good either. But after a moment of thought, he figured it had to be related to his Pokémonization. The reason his talent was so exceptional was likely because he had been Pokémonized using a hunter as a template. It was only natural that he would learn a hunter's skills with incredible speed.
"Terrifying talent," Utsushi sighed. "Perhaps you really can save our village."
He then tossed the iron sword to Zhang Tian.
"Next, I will teach you the combat skills of the Long Sword, starting with the Step Slash." Utsushi picked up another sword, demonstrated the stance, then stepped forward and executed a perfect slash.
"When using the Step Slash, your Spirit flows like this..." He raised his hand, showing the path the Spirit took.
Just like before, Zhang Tian learned it after seeing it once.
Two hours later, he had learned every technique and skill for the Long Sword. What took a normal hunter years, decades, or even a lifetime to master, Zhang Tian had accomplished in just two hours.
"Have you really never learned the Long Sword before?" Utsushi asked in disbelief. Even for someone as calm and composed as he was, Zhang Tian's talent was staggering.
"I really haven't. Today is my first time," Zhang Tian replied with a casual smile.
Haaa... Utsushi took a deep breath, his eyes now burning with an intense fire as he looked at Zhang Tian. This terrifying talent gave him hope hope of saving the village, hope of defeating Magnamalo.
"From now on, whatever you need, just ask," Utsushi said, clapping him on the shoulder with utmost seriousness. In his eyes, Zhang Tian was now their hope, and he intended to pour all his resources into training him.
"Don't worry, I won't be shy," Zhang Tian chuckled.
"At this point, aside from actual combat experience, there is basically nothing left for me to teach you," Utsushi said. "From now on, we will spar. Combat experience can only be accumulated in battle; words are useless." He picked up his own Long Sword and faced Zhang Tian.
Utsushi was incredibly strong, at Level 79, on par with Hinoa and Minoto. He had no fear of Zhang Tian accidentally hurting him. This made him the perfect sparring partner, and Zhang Tian's combat experience began to increase at a rapid pace.
For the next five days, Zhang Tian trained with Utsushi at the training grounds every day.
After five days of training, Zhang Tian's level had reached 35. The Escuregot was Level 32, Pidgeotto was Level 35, and the Great Izuchi was Level 36. The Tobi-Kadachi and the Arzuros were still Level 39, but Zhang Tian could sense they were on the verge of a breakthrough. Once they hit Level 40, they would be at the Gym Leader tier. At that point, he would have the strength to hunt monsters like the Rathian.
"We're out of food. Time to hunt." Zhang Tian glanced at the nearly depleted supply of Great Wroggi meat and began to put on his gear.
Using the materials from the Great Wroggi, he had crafted a Wroggi Long Sword and a full set of Wroggi Armor. As a resident hunter, the crafting was free. The moment he equipped the gear, his entire aura changed. His Worn Equipment ability had activated.
"System!" He opened his interface to view his new stats.
Zhang Tian
Level: 35 (Elite Tier)
Type: Poison
Ability: Merciless (When attacking a poisoned enemy, attack power is x2.)
Unique Skills: Evade Window, Poison Attack, Poison Resistance, Mind's Eye
HP Base Stat: 80
Attack Base Stat: 120
Defense Base Stat: 80
Special Attack Base Stat: 80
Special Defense Base Stat: 80
Speed Base Stat: 100
Total Base Stats: 540
"I've gotten so much stronger. This is great." Zhang Tian was very satisfied with his new information. The difference between being equipped and unequipped was night and day; his strength had undergone a dramatic transformation.