Amid the raging storm—
And the relentless downpour—
A metallic Elder Dragon descended.
Graceful.
Silent.
Terrifying.
Winds coiled around its body—
As if the storm itself had given birth to it.
…
Su Yi slowly raised his head.
Less than ten meters away—
Kushala Daora stood before him.
…
The violent airflow carried rain like blades—
Lashing against his face.
The pressure alone—
Made his legs tremble.
…
Kushala Daora noticed him.
A "lamb"—
That had failed to escape the storm.
…
Its sapphire-like eyes—
Quietly observed.
…
No fear.
No curiosity.
No anger.
…
Nothing.
…
To ordinary creatures—
A hunter was a threat.
Something to fear.
Something to fight.
Something to hate.
…
But to an Elder Dragon—
Standing at the very peak of the ecosystem—
All beneath it—
Were insignificant.
…
Only when provoked—
Would it unleash destruction.
…
Fortunately—
Kushala Daora was not one that attacked without reason.
…
Otherwise—
Su Yi's only option—
Would have been to run.
…
Even so—
Just standing under its gaze—
Made it hard to breathe.
…
It felt as though—
The dragon was speaking without words.
…
Respect the storm.
…
In that moment—
Su Yi finally understood.
…
Why those who faced Elder Dragons—
And survived—
…
Were called—
Heroes.
…
He tightened his grip—
Pulling Lusha behind him.
Shielding her.
…
He could feel her trembling.
…
But truthfully—
His own body trembled just the same.
…
Right now—
Only the Flash Pods in his pouch—
Gave him even a sliver of courage.
…
As long as Kushala Daora didn't attack—
He wouldn't use them.
…
Because the moment he did—
This silent standoff—
Would become a fight to the death.
…
"Let's go… Lusha."
…
Forcing himself to remain calm—
Under the dragon's gaze—
He slowly stepped back.
…
Step by step.
…
Only after their figures disappeared into the curtain of rain—
Did Kushala Daora move.
…
It turned its head slightly.
Lowered its body.
And remained there—
Watching.
…
Silent.
Unmoving.
…
Camp — Shelter from the Storm
The coastal camp lay within the forest.
Trees blocked most of the wind.
The tent—
Still stood.
…
Su Yi and Lusha stumbled inside.
Drenched.
Cold.
Shivering.
…
Fortunately—
The supplies he had purchased earlier—
Proved their worth immediately.
Charcoal.Fuel blocks.Lighter.Kettle.Dry towels.
…
He quickly lit the stove.
Water boiled.
Warmth returned.
…
Then—
He carefully dried Lusha first.
…
"You okay, Lusha?"
His voice softened.
…
This was likely her first time facing an Elder Dragon.
Her paw—
Still trembling.
…
"I—I'm okay now, meow…"
She shivered lightly.
…
"So that's an Elder Dragon…"
"It's terrifying, meow…"
"Like the storm itself…"
…
Su Yi exhaled slowly.
…
"This…"
"Is the peak of power in this world."
…
"Commanding wind and rain…"
"Mysterious."
"Overwhelming."
…
Even he—
Felt a sense of awe.
…
A human.
A Palico.
Standing face-to-face with an Elder Dragon—
In the heart of a storm.
…
For many hunters—
Such a moment would never come.
…
And for many—
It would also be their last.
…
"Looks like Kushala Daora won't leave anytime soon."
"We'll have to stay here for a while."
…
Fortunately—
They had prepared.
…
"Get some rest."
"Don't catch a cold."
…
Midnight — Fear and Truth
The wind howled.
The rain hammered against the tent.
…
Sleep—
Wouldn't come.
…
Every time Su Yi closed his eyes—
He saw those cold, distant sapphire eyes.
…
No game—
No illusion—
Could replicate that feeling.
…
"Su Yi… can't sleep, meow?"
…
"Did I wake you?"
…
She shook her head.
Sitting up.
…
"No… I couldn't sleep either, meow."
…
After a pause—
Su Yi spoke quietly.
…
"When we faced Kushala Daora…"
"Were you scared?"
"Did you regret it?"
…
"Of course I was scared, meow!"
…
"That feeling…"
"Like my heart would stop…"
"Even worse than Nargacuga…"
…
"But—"
…
She smiled.
Bright.
Steady.
…
"I don't regret it, meow!"
…
"If I did…"
"I wouldn't have chosen this journey."
…
Su Yi exhaled slowly.
…
"…I was afraid."
…
"That bringing you along would put you in danger…"
"That you'd start fearing this life…"
"And leave."
…
"How could that happen, meow?"
…
"As long as I'm with you—"
"I won't fear adventure."
"I won't run away."
…
"I'm happy traveling with you."
…
"You've shown me so much."
…
She paused—
Then added softly:
…
"I think…"
"Living your whole life in one place…"
"Without ever knowing what blooms in spring…"
…
"That's what's truly scary, meow."
…
"…Then what if we face Elder Dragons again?"
…
"Then we face them together, meow!"
…
"I believe in you."
"You'll grow stronger."
"Strong enough to face them without fear."
…
Su Yi smiled.
…
"…Thank you, Lusha."
…
"Let's keep going."
…
"Meow!"
…
They raised their hands—
And high-fived.
…
Dawn — A New Beginning
The storm faded.
By midnight—
The rain weakened.
By morning—
It was gone.
…
Only the wind remained.
…
Su Yi stepped outside.
The cold air bit his skin.
…
He lit a fire.
Prepared breakfast.
…
When he released Great Jagras and Kulu-Ya-Ku—
They grew restless instantly.
…
The instinctive fear—
Of an Elder Dragon—
Was still there.
…
He fed them quickly.
Then returned them.
…
Walking to the edge of the forest—
He looked out over the soaked plains.
…
And there—
Still resting—
…
Kushala Daora.
…
"…Why is it still here?"
Su Yi frowned.
…
"At this time…"
"Nergigante shouldn't be active yet…"
"That only happens when Zorah Magdaros migrates…"
…
Then—
A thought struck him.
…
"…Wait."
…
"Could it be—"
"Zorah Magdaros has already begun crossing the ocean…?"
…
The more he thought—
The more it made sense.
…
Elder Dragons—
Could sense things others couldn't.
…
It might not just be wandering.
…
It might be waiting.
…
For something greater.
…
A surge of life energy—
Approaching from across the sea.
…
"…The future Sapphire Star…"
Su Yi murmured.
…
It felt like—
Something massive was beginning.
…
And he—
Wasn't ready yet.
…
"…Then I'll start preparing now."
…
"And right now—"
…
A smile slowly formed.
…
"Isn't this the perfect opportunity?"