"Rey-Dau ?"
Bai Chen immediately recognized the name.
Compared to the brutish Balahara, the Thunder Dau Wyvern was faster, smarter, and far more adaptive—capable of surviving in almost every biome across the New World.
Its strength easily outclassed its mud-loving cousin, specializing in thunderous electric bursts that could melt sand to glass.
But it was worth noting:
In this world, subspecies weren't necessarily stronger than their base forms.
The classification of "base species" and "variant" often depended only on which was discovered first.
If scholars had found Rai-Dau before Balahara,
then Balahara would've been called the "Earth Dau Subspecies."
And beyond subspecies, there was an even rarer classification — the Rare Species.
Those weren't just unusual in color or temperament; they far surpassed both their base and subspecies counterparts in sheer might.
Ira nodded when Bai Chen repeated the name aloud.
"That's right. It's a newly documented subspecies. The Research Team hopes for hunter assistance with ecological surveys. Since its numbers and habits are still unknown, they've decided not to authorize captures yet—only observation and data collection."
Bai Chen rubbed his chin, intrigued.
He was tempted.
But survey missions came with too many restrictions—no killing, no trapping, no "accidental" harvesting.
Then Ira smiled and delivered the final nudge.
"Of course, these missions can be dangerous. And—strictly speaking—if the target happens to attack first, self-defense is fully permitted under Guild code."
Her tone carried a hint of mischief.
Bai Chen understood perfectly.
As long as he didn't kill or capture the target, the Guild would look the other way.
A "lesson" in self-defense didn't violate any clause.
And really—who would ever waste time "disciplining" a monster in the middle of a field survey?
Only him.
"Do you have the task sheet?"
"Of course! One moment."
Ira hurried off, returning with a clipboard stacked with forms.
Bai Chen took it and scanned the details.
Client: Research Team Captain
Objective: Investigate Rey-Dau Wyvern ecological behavior
Notes: Observe habitat, diet, tracks, social structure, and excretion patterns
Duration: 30 days
Reward: 6,000 zenny
That last figure caught his eye.
"Huh… quite the generous payout for a four-star."
A thirty-day window meant ample time to study—or fight—without rushing.
Ira, ever helpful, added softly,
"Lord Bai, I'm not sure how you handled such missions back in the Old World, but here in the New World, research assignments are… thorough. You'll need to follow the checklist exactly—food, footprints, nests, droppings. It's all part of the record."
Bai Chen chuckled.
"I figured as much. The fact that no one's taken it yet already tells me everything."
He flipped through the other quest sheets, then plucked out two more:
Capture a Nargacuga and Slay a Rathian.
"Please register these three for me."
Unlike the earlier two- and three-star hunts, these missions had no confirmed sightings.
Most were based on faint reports or partial tracks.
Lower-ranked hunts were almost guided tours—fly to the nearest camp by Wingdrake, let Scoutflies trace the target's scent, and finish the job.
That efficiency was what had let Bai Chen blaze through dozens of missions in record time.
But now—at the four-star level—each contract was a true expedition.
With no exact locations and wide territories, the Guild granted weeks per task:
Twenty-five days for the Nargacuga, twenty for the Rathian.
Grinding missions at this level wouldn't be about speed anymore—it'd be about precision.
Still, Bai Chen accepted it without complaint.
Ira quickly filled out the forms, stamped the Guild seals, and returned the signed papers and supply vouchers to him.
As he scanned them, she asked,
"Lord Bai, are you really in that much of a hurry to find electric monsters?"
"I am," he answered simply.
"Zinogre grows by clashing with opponents of the same nature. If he fights another lightning-type, his blood will resonate—and evolve faster."
"I see…"
Ira hesitated, then recalled something.
"Actually… last night while logging missions, I overheard a few hunters talking. Someone spotted what looked like a Sea Dragon near the coast. A few groups are even planning to petition the Guild for a capture expedition."
Bai Chen froze mid-breath.
Sea Dragon?!
The Leviathan of the Seas—the ocean's apex predator, rival to the Rathalos itself.
If the King of the Skies ruled the heavens, the Sea Dragon ruled the deep.
"Lagiacrus"
And more importantly—
Its electric organs and bio-conductive scales were said to store and discharge currents capable of vaporizing entire shoals.
Its lightning was on a different level—far beyond even a Zinogre's Overcharge.
His eyes gleamed.
"How many four-star missions do I need to clear before reaching five-star rank?"
Because he already knew—
The Sea Dragon would be a five-star hunt.
Ira quickly did the math.
"Normally, five completed four-star missions are required for promotion. But since you already finished the rescue operation and the Diablos capture assignment, completing these three will make you eligible."
Bai Chen nodded.
Of course, the Guild kept everything documented—every task, every signature filed through receptionists like her.
"Perfect."
He gathered the paperwork and rose to leave.
"Thank you, Ira. I'll be back before the month's end."
"Please be careful, Lord Bai."
Leaving the Starship, Bai Chen activated Super Perception—his awareness flaring wide.
He ghosted through the base, avoiding the clusters of Wyverian scholars still searching for him.
I'll deal with them later, he thought. Once I've got something to show.
By the time he returned to the arena, the Zinogre was still asleep—its body shimmering faintly, adapting to the Overlord's Presence.
"Probably needs another night," Bai Chen estimated. "Once he wakes, we'll move out to capture the Basarios ."
He frowned slightly at the thought.
The Ancient Forest had grown unstable lately—new monsters encroaching, territories shifting. He couldn't shake the worry that the young Basarios might've already fallen prey to something stronger.
After all that preparation, losing it now would be a waste.
That night, Bai Chen trained in silence.
Beside him, the Master Smith hammered away on metal plates, shaping them into a custom riding harness tailored for the Zinogre's physique.
The rhythmic clang of her hammer echoed softly through the night.
By dawn, the air was still and cool.
Then—
"Awooooo—!"
A thunderous howl split the morning calm.
The Zinogre was awake.
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