With the Commander's detailed briefing and a fresh set of maps in hand,
Bai Chen was ordered to depart immediately for the rescue operation.
Every hour that passed meant greater danger for the missing hunters.
Back at his quarters, Bai Chen packed swiftly.
Nergigante was recalled into her monster ball, and he swapped his heavy armor for a set of light, flexible leather gear.
Of the three blades he owned, he brought only one—
The Rarity 4 Nergigante Katana.
This mission wasn't about firepower—
It was about speed.
If he had to rely on Wingdrake transport, heavy armor and three blades would only slow him down.
"If I really get cornered by something I can't beat, thick armor won't save me anyway,"
He muttered, tightening the strap of his belt.
"Better to bet on agility than defense."
He clipped his Trainer's Belt around his waist,
packed four empty monster balls, along with Max Potions and Revive Shards,
then gestured to the little Master Smith waiting at the door.
This time, she was coming too.
After making their final preparations, Bai Chen arrived at the western gate of the base to rendezvous with the Sword Master.
The old hunter glanced him up and down—light armor, travel belt, single blade—then raised an eyebrow.
"You're going dressed like that?"
"I need the mobility," Bai Chen said simply.
"The Wingdrake can't carry me in full armor.
And my body's strong enough—
even if an Ajanath bites down on me, it won't be the end of the world."
The Sword Master let out a quiet hum.
He'd already heard the stories—
how Bai Chen had once dragged a live Great Jagras back to camp using nothing but brute strength.
"Even the Commander went out without heavy gear once," he mused.
"You don't strike me as reckless either."
That was all the approval Bai Chen needed.
"If you're ready, let's move," the Sword Master said.
They whistled, and two Wingdrakes swooped down from the dark skies.
The little Master Smith climbed onto Bai Chen's shoulder, clutching her giant hammer like it was part of her body.
The night skies over the Ancient Forest were alive with danger.
Under the pale silver moonlight,
the trees looked like an endless wall of black—
a living abyss where unseen beasts stirred.
"Yamaa…"
The Master Smith's voice trembled as distant roars echoed through the canopy.
She gripped Bai Chen's hair for balance, ears twitching nervously.
"Don't worry," he said, voice calm.
"If we ever have to run for it—even an Elder Dragon won't be able to stop us."
The Wingdrakes flapped harder,
their wings slicing through the night air as they followed the Sword Master ahead.
Their destination:
The Treetop Camp — the highest established base in the Ancient Forest.
From there, they would descend toward Zone 13 and begin their search.
It took forty minutes of flight before the camp's torchlight came into view.
The moment they landed on the wooden platform, the warmth of the bonfire drove away the chill from their ride.
This camp was maintained entirely by Felynes.
Bright fires burned at the center,
a yellow tent stood to the north for resting hunters,
and neatly arranged crates of supplies surrounded the area.
Even a small kitchen stood ready—
Felynes was bustling around with ladles and skewers, cooking meals for whoever arrived.
It was a full support base—
built to sustain long hunts in the wild.
Transport Felynes, rescue Felynes—all stood on standby here,
ready to deploy the moment a distress flare appeared.
Three Felynes approached.
The one in front wore a small cloak and greeted them with a courteous bow.
"Welcome, honored hunters.
I'm the camp's overseer—you can call me Lana, meow~."
Bai Chen took in her appearance.
Pure white fur.
Soft, clear voice.
A female Felyne, no doubt.
"Please, follow me, meow," Lana said, padding lightly across the planks.
The two Felynes behind her went to feed the Wingdrakes chunks of raw meat.
As they walked deeper into the camp, Lana turned and asked politely:
"You're here for the rescue mission, correct, meow?"
"That's right," Bai Chen replied.
"Has your rescue Palicoes team scouted the area yet?"
Lana's ears drooped slightly.
"We tried, meow… but the Ajanath has been guarding Zone 13.
We don't have enough Cat Hunters to break through,
So the rescue made no progress, meow…"
Bai Chen caught the underlying meaning.
"So you're saying you've confirmed the two hunters are still alive?"
"We can't confirm, meow… but it's possible.
Monsters rarely stay in one spot for this long—
unless it's guarding something,
or seeking revenge, meow~."
He nodded slowly, understanding.
"How long from this camp to Zone 13?"
"If you move quickly, about twenty minutes, meow.
But the middle levels are crawling with new monsters lately.
Avoiding them could take longer, meow."
That was enough for Bai Chen.
He turned toward the Sword Master, waiting for his judgment.
The old hunter's words were brief, firm.
"No time to rest. We move now.
Lana, you'll guide us."
"Leave it to me, meow!"
Lana agreed, then pulled down her cloak.
She was wearing a white, fluffy coat with a pair of small black ears on the hood.
"That's a Tobi-Kadachi Palico set?" Bai Chen murmured.
"Didn't expect the camp overseer to be a Palico Cat Hunter."
Lana hefted an enormous shield almost twice her size.
It bore a fearsome tribal totem—so fierce that, from afar, it looked like the face of a monster.
"This must be the 'Guardians of the Wildspire' shield, right? I didn't expect this little female Felyne to have such gear."
Felynes are a race from the Old World, while the New World has its own 'Felynes'—the Grimalkynes, also called Lynx.
They are considered a race with a more ancient lineage than the Felynes.
The New World has four tribes: the Bugtrappers, the Protectors of the Wildspire, the Plunderers of the Rotted Valley, and the Troupers of the Coral Highlands.
Each tribe has its unique equipment, and they are very willing to share their knowledge and secret techniques with allies. Felynes can receive their help just by communicating with them.
"I'm ready, meow. Let's go."
Lana led the way, and the three followed without hesitation.
They descended from the canopy, weaving through vine tunnels and winding branches toward the second layer of the forest—
Zone 13.
They had barely crawled through a vine passage, just tall enough for small monsters,
When Lana suddenly raised a paw, signaling them to stop.
At the entrance of the next hollow, a Rathian walked past.
Bai Chen inhaled sharply and activated Super Perception.
In an instant, his world expanded.
A five-hundred-meter sphere of awareness unfolded around him—
every life form, every movement,
every heartbeat, every breath.
Even the insects buried deep in the bark glimmered in his mind's eye.
Then he saw them—
three massive silhouettes within his radius.
His pulse quickened.
"Three large monsters…?" he whispered, eyes narrowing.
Within his range—
One Rathian at the entrance, standing guard.
One Rathalos is patrolling above in the skies.
And deeper within—
a hungry Zinogre, its lightning aura flickering through the dark.
"This forest…" Bai Chen muttered under his breath,
"…is crawling with nightmares tonight."
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