MHGA Chapter 376 – In Preparation
After speaking with Homura Akemi, Kairo Retsu prepared to personally take her to see the thing he had mentioned.
However, at that very moment, Kairo Retsu realized something rather awkward.
Just now, he had ordered two set meals at this family restaurant.
Originally, he had intended to treat Homura Akemi, but when it came time to pay, his instincts made him pull out his phone and tap into the blue game modifier. Midway through the action, however, Kairo Retsu's hand froze in midair.
In the end, amid Homura Akemi's expression of helpless resignation, she paid for the meal.
And inside, Homura Akemi began to question… is Kairo Retsu really reliable?
"Uh, I forgot, okay… Next time I'll definitely remember to bring different currency for different worlds…" Kairo Retsu scratched his head sheepishly. "Anyway, you should know where Walpurgisnacht first appears, right?"
Under Homura Akemi's guidance, Kairo Retsu quickly arrived at the place where Walpurgisnacht was said to appear.
It was a riverside within Mitakihara City. According to Homura Akemi, Walpurgisnacht would always appear here, without exception.
"...Doesn't look like there's anything special here." Kairo Retsu glanced around the area. The riverbank was fairly empty at this hour, and Kairo began thinking about what kind of large-scale device could be installed here.
"When Walpurgisnacht appears, Mitakihara City will experience abnormal weather. Her arrival triggers weather anomalies in the real world," Homura Akemi explained. "You should already know that."
"Yeah, I've got that intel."
Kairo Retsu crouched down and knocked on the concrete underfoot with his knuckles. "Judging from the weapons you prepared in your original plan—and based on the events you witnessed—how strong would you say Walpurgisnacht is?"
"..." Homura Akemi didn't want to admit it, but the firepower she had 'borrowed' via time stop in the future had ultimately failed to deal any real damage to Walpurgisnacht.
Arrow turrets, grenades, mortars, bombs, anti-ship missiles... Homura had practically assembled every ounce of firepower she could gather, but it still wasn't enough to take down Walpurgisnacht.
"Can you people deploy more effective firepower than what was shown in the original storyline?" she asked.
"Well, at the very least, we should demonstrate to you what… Monster Hunter Materials Science and Monster Hunter Technology are capable of," Kairo Retsu stood up. "But before that, let's conduct a little experiment."
"An experiment?" Homura Akemi furrowed her brow in confusion. "What kind of experiment?"
"Collecting some battle data against Witches," Kairo said, moving to the river's railing. "And there's someone very well-suited to help us test this."
"?" Homura Akemi's confusion only lasted a few seconds—because she soon saw a man descending from the sky, gripping a Wingdrake with a single hook claw.
Unlike Kairo Retsu's usual crash landings, this man landed normally, dressed in adventurer-style armor, a green cloak draped over his shoulders, and a rather simple shield mounted on one arm.
"We're ready."
As one of the few reliable members among the Hunters, Naofumi Iwatani spoke with a serious expression. And just as he did, a Winged Lion emerged from under Naofumi's cloak, perched on his shoulder, and gave Homura Akemi a friendly greeting.
"We meet again," the Winged Lion said, smiling at her.
"Homura, here's a rope." At some point, Kairo Retsu had already pulled out two ropes—one tied to his own belt, and the other tossed to Naofumi Iwatani. "Next, we'll need to borrow your ability for a bit."
"? Now?"
Homura Akemi was confused for a moment, but when Naofumi also tossed over the other end of his rope, she took hold of it.
Linked individuals could enter stopped time together, but Homura Akemi had no idea what Kairo Retsu and Naofumi intended to do here.
"Begin, Winged Lion," Kairo Retsu assumed a battle-ready stance.
The Winged Lion leapt down from Naofumi's shoulder and began walking across the flowing river as if it were solid ground.
Under Homura Akemi's startled gaze, the Winged Lion spat something out from its mouth—an object she recognized immediately: a Grief Seed.
"Then I'll begin forging a Witch," the Winged Lion said.
As it spoke, infinite magic began gathering around it. Using the Grief Seed as a core, a physical body began to take form.
With the surge of magic, a Witch's Barrier instantly unfolded, enveloping Kairo Retsu, Homura Akemi, and the others.
"What… is happening?" Homura Akemi stared in shock at the ever-growing figure of the "Witch." "Is this… a Witch?"
It felt similar to a Witch—but something was off.
That "Witch's" body continued expanding, and began producing corresponding "Familiars."
But why was this Witch… a ball?!!!!!!
"What did the Winged Lion do?!" Homura Akemi immediately turned to Kairo Retsu.
And Kairo simply replied, "That's just how the Winged Lion is."
"It studied the structure of Witches, analyzed the composition of the Grief Seed, and used that as a basis to create a Witch as a Monster."
"Don't worry. Its basic abilities are just like a normal Witch's. Plus, the Winged Lion can help us adjust its strength," Kairo Retsu said casually. "It's a training dummy! Hey, girl!"
"Huh?" Homura Akemi blinked, then turned to see Naofumi Iwatani, who had somehow pulled out a massive Heavy Bowgun and was now loading it with practiced ease. "Let's try testing out different ammo types against the Witch. I also brought a compact Wyvernsnipe Cannon…"
"Great! Homura, pause time in a bit, and we'll also test whether stacking weapon attacks boosts damage…"
"Oh, and fire more elemental rounds! People always say Witches have maxed out physical resistance and zero magic defense—I wanna see if that's really true…"
As Homura Akemi stared on in numb disbelief, Naofumi Iwatani—wielding his Heavy Bowgun—flashed a dazzling grin and began unloading an intense barrage on the "Witch."
"Ahahahahaha!! Nothing beats the joy of a Heavy Bowgun!!!!"
Naofumi roared with laughter as he bombarded the Witch, prompting Homura Akemi to instinctively take a few steps back from him.
These Hunters… they're all kind of weird…
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