MHGA Chapter 321: Pre-Battle Preparations
"Kinship Stone."
Kairo Retsu told Genjuro Kazanari the name of the gemstone in his hand. "It's a special tool—a medium that forms a bond between humans and monsters…"
[Kinship Stone: Also known as Bond Stone or Ties Stone, from the Monster Hunter Stories series. Functions as a foundational item in this Pokémon-style RPG.]
"Biological pest control?"
Genjuro frowned. "If you know about the Noise, then you should also understand they're not the kind of threat you can resolve with ordinary means."
"Their physical form hides in another dimension, which makes conventional firearms almost useless against them. And… they can only be damaged while they're attacking humans," Genjuro said bluntly. "Only Symphogear can forcibly drag them into this world… I don't understand what you mean by biological pest control."
"Well…" Kairo thought for a moment, then pulled out a massive egg from behind his back—so suddenly and impossibly that even Genjuro couldn't figure out where he had pulled it from.
One thing Genjuro was sure of: the egg's size was beyond what any known creature should be able to lay.
"This is a Rathalos egg," Kairo explained. "Before I came here, I confirmed with the great Granny Felyne: the Noise's carbonization ability, the one that incinerates humans, has little effect on monsters."
"If you want a simple explanation…" Kairo cradled the Rathalos egg carefully as he continued, "The energy and vitality inside a monster's body far exceed anything you've seen."
"This overwhelming life force is why the Noise's ability can't damage them at a fundamental level," Kairo concluded, then tossed the Kinship Stone to Genjuro. "The Noise may be the nemesis of mankind in your world—but not for monsters. Kinship Stones allow you to hatch monster eggs and turn them into battle companions. With them, monsters can fight alongside humans."
"If you're willing, the Gathering Hall can supply you with Kinship Stones and some wyvern eggs to help relieve the burden you're facing," Kairo said as he stood, clearly not intending to stay much longer. "Unless there's anything else, I'll be off—I've got a mountain of other things to handle. I'll leave the future of your world in Hibiki's hands…"
"Wait. Why are you doing this?" Genjuro called out, halting Kairo mid-step. "And this… future…"
The way Kairo had concluded everything and then immediately prepared to leave—it made Genjuro wonder if this was all part of some larger scheme. As if he didn't truly care about what happened here afterward.
"It's just part of the hunter's duty… And really, you don't need that much help," Kairo replied, shaking his head. "Hibiki's strong. Even if the future brings hardship and trials, she'll still find a way to reach the end—with the others."
"But other worlds aren't so fortunate," he said. "Some have had their balance broken by special monsters—the kind no one there can deal with. Those are the worlds that need hunters."
"I'm only here on behalf of the hunters—just because this concerns Hibiki."
Kairo grinned wide. "Everyone and every world has its own story."
"I'm doing this for the members of my team… Now that they're part of the Gathering Hall, it's our duty to support them as much as we can."
"I just want… even when they leave the Gathering Hall… for someone to still have their back."
Kairo reached out his hand toward Genjuro. "That's why I'm here."
"…Understood."
Genjuro clasped his hand firmly.
"Great! Then I'm taking Hibiki to the banquet!" Kairo immediately lit up. "Man, after all that serious talk, I finally get to party! Now Hibiki can bring her precious friend too—Hibiki! Let's go! Time to face your future!!"
"Uh…?" Genjuro blinked.
He hadn't expected all that buildup to be just for letting Hibiki bring Miku to the party.
After Kairo and Hibiki stormed off in a whirlwind, Genjuro was left alone, staring blankly at the enormous Rathalos egg and the pack of Rathalos jerky Kairo had brought as a gift…
"…What a bizarre organization… Does this make him an alien?" Genjuro muttered to himself.
Meanwhile, Kairo swiftly abducted Hibiki's designated BFF—Miku Kohinata—and brought her back to the Gathering Hall for the pre-hunt banquet.
The Gathering Hall designated this banquet as a vital energy replenishment before the coming battle against Military Uniform Princess Altair… and Gore Magala.
At the same time the hunters partied hard, in the world of Re:CREATORS, Meteora and the rest of the protagonists were also taking a rare moment to relax before the final battle.
All the preparations had been made.
With the increased Recognition Force, Meteora's magic could now interfere with the laws of all the interconnected worlds.
The final plan? Seal Altair inside the cage—The Birdcage—they had constructed together, thereby eliminating her.
But…
Even though it was a rare moment of respite, the creators' mental states were clearly falling apart.
"What is… sleep…?"
Takashi Matsubara stared blankly as he shoved luxurious food into his mouth like a machine. "It's really done, huh. I thought I'd died in the hell called 'deadline' already…"
"%＆*）＆..."
Next to him, Yatoji Ryo—creator of Yuuya Mirokuji—sat muttering incoherently, clawing at his hair, eyes completely void of light.
The rest of the creators didn't look much better.
Ever since Kairo Retsu contacted them and handed out that batch of potions, they had basically said farewell to sleep.
Or rather, what even was sleep? Didn't energy drinks solve everything?
What was eating? Wasn't that honey-colored green tea-looking potion good enough?
Out of stamina? No problem, just chug a Dash Juice…
Human rights? Ah… such a distant memory…
Fueled by Max Potions and Dash Juice, the creators finally finished integrating the backstories of Joseph and Kazuma—and the entire hunter cast—into the Birdcage project just before the final deadline.
The hunters' backstories were formally announced by the official site as part of a Special Feature, and the stories were updated sequentially using the notes Kairo Retsu left behind.
"You've all done an amazing job," Kikuchihara Aki addressed the worn-out creators. "Starting now… the Erasure Room FES project enters its final stage!"
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