MHGA Chapter 322: The Beginning of the Story (Battle Arc Begins)
"Is everyone ready?"
Before setting out, Kairo Retsu donned his newly crafted high-rank armor—crafted from Nergigante materials.
The Nergigante Set, featuring the special ability Nergigante Hunger, allowed him to gradually recover health during attacks.
Clad in armor that made him look almost like a demon king, Kairo carefully checked his pouch and confirmed that all necessary items were packed. Then he turned to the hunters who would be participating in the hunt.
Kairo Retsu, Naofumi Iwatani, Joseph, Kazuma, Laios, Tanjiro Kamado, Rakuro Hizutome, Himmel, Sakura, Madoka… and Mamika Kirameki from the world of the Creators—eleven people in total.
The other members had matters to tend to in their respective worlds and would neither fight nor spectate this time.
Perhaps because their opponent—Military Uniform Princess Altair—possessed a unique and overpowered ability, all the hunters carefully inspected their equipment before departure.
They also asked the Felynes to craft their gear discreetly and modify the visual appearance to resemble the versions of themselves that existed within the story.
"Naofumi, those materials I gave you earlier…" Kairo looked toward him and asked.
"Yeah," Naofumi nodded. "Just like before, those materials only allowed for the initial unlocking of my shield's potential, but… what can I say? As expected of Elder Dragon parts, the effects are incredibly powerful."
"Good."
Kairo swept his arm. "If we're ready… then let's move out!"
A massive fleet of Wingdrakes took off from the stable near the Gathering Hub, each hunter hooking themselves onto one as they soared toward the world of Re:CREATORS.
At the same time, eager spectators in the world of the Creators boarded various means of transport, heading toward the venue of the event.
These spectators would become a part of the Recognition Force—fueling the creation of a massive Birdcage intended to trap Military Uniform Princess Altair.
That Birdcage would also serve as the battle arena for the hunters' hunt.
Altair and Gore Magala.
One was a creation born from the hands of an illustrator driven to death by online hate, a being who sought revenge on the world.
The other—a monstrous dragon cursed from birth to bring disease and calamity wherever it went.
But…
The spectators arriving at the venue knew none of this. They came only for the stories they loved. For the characters they cherished.
Backstage, Meteora chanted incantations, linking her magic to the stage's systems and channeling the Recognition Force fueled by the crowd's passion.
The summoned characters already on standby had all recharged and were ready for combat.
Rui Kanoya stood in the middle of the street, inspecting the colossal mecha he piloted.
"It's been a while since I deployed at full power! Everything's in great shape!" he said excitedly, stretching the giant robot's limbs.
"That hunter old man and his crew aren't here yet?" Yuuya Mirokuji tapped his shoulder with his wooden sword. "Man, I never thought I'd be fighting a dragon today. What a weird day."
[Selesia, the magnetic field has shifted. Meteora has activated the ritual. Are you ready?]
Akira Kikuchihara's voice came through the communicator as Meteora, using the Recognition Force, re-manifested Selesia's magical mech.
Selesia eagerly climbed back into her reconstructed steed. Just as she activated it, she spotted something in the far sky…
The hunters were arriving atop their Wingdrakes.
"Seven people? That's a lot," Yuuya Mirokuji raised an eyebrow. "Looks like that hunter old man knows this is gonna be a tough fight."
And just as he finished speaking—
The largest and sturdiest Wingdrake leading the pack—the special one reserved for the Guildmaster—suddenly bucked mid-air and flung Kairo Retsu from the sky. With a sharp turn, it vanished into the horizon.
Kairo plummeted several dozen meters, crashing directly into the pavement in front of the other characters, carving a crater into the road.
Seeing the fearsome, demon-king-like hunter embedded into the asphalt, Selesia and the others had rather complex expressions on their faces.
"Ahem."
Kairo stood up without so much as flinching. As his teammates landed behind him, he introduced them to the others.
"These are my companions. We'll be fighting together."
"Naofumi Iwatani, Joseph, Laios, Tanjiro Kamado, Rakuro Hizutome, Himmel—" Kairo pointed to himself last. "Including me, seven front-line combatants. All present."
"Hunter old man, you really went all out with that… intimidating gear," Yuuya Mirokuji eyed him up and down. "If I didn't know better, I'd think you were the Demon King."
"Here, communications equipment."
Yuuya flung over several earpieces that Akira Kikuchihara had prepared ahead of time. "You guys really do have… wildly different styles."
The seven hunters standing there each had their own distinct look.
Laios looked like an ordinary adventurer, equipped with a Sword and Shield.
Joseph Joestar appeared as his elderly self.
Naofumi wielded his iconic massive Shield.
Tanjiro, wearing his haori, held a Long Sword.
Himmel looked every bit the traditional Hero.
And then there was Rakuro—shirtless, covered in bruises, wearing a blue bird mask, and wielding Dual Blades. Easily the most eye-catching.
"Now we just wait for the other side to show up."
Kairo looked toward the sky. "I'm sure the Military Uniform Princess can see us by now… I bet she'll come."
"She'll bring Gore Magala with her. Because that's how stories work…" Kairo stared into the distance. "For her, for the dragon, and for the hunters… this is fate."
At that moment, Kikuchihara's voice came through the earpieces:
"Hunter-san, your remaining companions have also arrived… including Mamika Kirameki."
"Huh?" Rui Kanoya was surprised. "Wait, there's more of you? Just how many people did you bring!?"
"Exactly the right number," Kairo grinned wide. "Now come! Gore Magala!"
Like this story Leave a review ; it would really help me out a lot.
Want to Read Ahead in Advance?
Join my Patreon!
+75 Chapters
Support me in
Patreon.com/BestElysium