Unaware that she had been backstabbed by her good friend.
After two days of recovery, her cracked arm bone and internal bruising were completely healed. Isis headed to the smithy in high spirits to retrieve her repaired Large Shield.
According to the old smith, the main body of the shield remained undamaged. He had replaced the cracked Glavenus Shell and, at his own expense, used high-quality Armor Spheres and some advanced techniques that Isis didn't quite understand to further reinforce it.
"The sturdiness of this shield has reached a whole new level. Now, not even a Wyvern's Fire could dream of causing it any damage!" the old smith declared confidently.
To reclaim his dignity as a craftsman, he had really gone all out this time. He had poured every bit of the labor fees earned from forging this Gunlance back into the repairs, and had even chipped in quite a bit of his own coin.
Isis naturally believed the old smith. Just as she was about to take back the shield, which now weighed several kilograms more, from the rack, Sajji poked his head out from behind them.
He looked at the shield in Isis's hands, then at the Glavenus Gunlance folded on her back.
"Can it really withstand a Wyvern's Fire, meow?" Sajji asked, paws tucked. "It's not that I don't believe you, meow, I'm just curious, meow.
After all, the power of a point-blank Wyvern's Fire shelling is incredible, meow. When you say it can withstand it without a scratch, is that literal, or is it just a flowery metaphor for it being very strong, meow?"
Altaïr quickly grabbed Sajji and pulled him back, giving the old smith a dry smile. "Please don't take him seriously, sir. This guy's brain has gone soft from tinkering with machinery too much."
The old smith thumped his Forging Hammer against the ground repeatedly. "If I say it can take it, it can take it! Move the brace over here; we'll blast it once so you can see for yourselves!"
"No, no, that's not necessary," Isis said, waving her hands frantically. "I can already feel how solid it is!"
"He's right, Father. The shelling power of a Glavenus Gunlance is immense. It would be terrible if it ended up broken again," the workshop owner urged from the side.
But the old smith, whose pride had only recently been wounded, couldn't stand to hear such things. He slammed his hand against the anvil. "I said it'll be fine, so it'll be fine!
Consider it a factory inspection! If it breaks even a tiny bit, I'll provide the materials to strengthen it further myself! I'll do it until it stands as unmoving as a mountain before a Wyvern's Fire!"
The old smith's grandson, Arman, asked in confusion, "Didn't you say this shield was already reinforced to its absolute limit based on its current foundation? You said only the Gunlance part could be improved further."
The workshop owner gave his blunt son a dissatisfied glare. "Fool. As long as we obtain materials from an even more powerful Glavenus individual, we can naturally take it a step further."
Arman scratched his head. "So we'd have to find a Glavenus in a Hyper state?"
The old smith clutched his chest, his breathing becoming as heavy as a bellows. The group was terrified and rushed to soothe him, eventually managing to calm the old gentleman down.
Having quieted down slightly, the old smith finally abandoned the idea of blasting the shield with a Wyvern's Fire. After all, this was a customer's weapon; he couldn't just test it on a whim.
To show his confidence, he dropped a guarantee of "free repairs for life" before huffing and turning to leave.
Altaïr let out a long sigh of relief. Given the old man's stubborn and prideful nature, even a hairline fracture on that shield would be tantamount to dragging his dignity through the dirt and stomping on it.
Yet, if the shield remained completely unscathed, it would pose an equal blow to his ego. He had crafted that Glavenus Gunlance with his own hands as well; if the shield took no damage, wouldn't that imply something was wrong with the power of his Wyvern's Fire?
Worrying about it further might actually make the old man sick with stress.
Altaïr grabbed Sajji by the cheeks and tugged them back and forth. "That mouth of yours... stop with the sarcasm next time."
Sajji felt wronged. "I didn't mean it like that, meow. The principle of Wyvern's Fire is meant to mimic a Rathalos's breath attack, meow.
If this shield can truly withstand the blast of a Wyvern's Fire without taking damage, then it should be fine against the breath attack of most Monsters, meow. This affects Isis's tactical choices when facing similar attacks in the future, meow."
"Sajji has a point." Isis's expression turned serious. "I also want to find out exactly how sturdy this shield is before the next Hunt.
How about we find a spot and try firing a shot? Anyway, the old gentleman did say repairs would be free."
Altaïr rubbed his face with both hands and let out a sigh. "Fine, do whatever you want."
Isis's initiative was second to none; the moment she stepped out of the smithy, she headed straight for the city gate.
Clawdia naturally stayed by her side without question, and Sajji, driven by curiosity, followed behind. Altaïr, who originally had no interest in this experiment, hesitated for a few seconds before following them as well.
He was worried that if he wasn't there, these guys would do something incredibly stupid.
He could already imagine the scene: Sajji and Clawdia holding the Gunlance together while shouting "Wyvern's Fire incoming, meow!" at Isis, who would be braced in a Defensive Stance behind her Large Shield.
It was a terrifying thought.
The two humans and two Felynes followed the main road out of the city gate. Since they hadn't planned on leaving the city today, they weren't equipped with their full heavy armor, and their only weapon was the Glavenus Gunlance they had just retrieved from the smithy.
However, Hunters regularly cleared the Monsters near the city, making even harmless small animals like Kelbi a rare sight. The residents of Metapetatto frequently came out to chop wood or gather mushrooms, so there was little need to worry about safety.
Isis found an open clearing and wanted to start the test immediately, but Altaïr quickly called a halt.
"Wait, this is too close to the city. The roar of the explosion will attract the city guard, and it'll be a huge hassle if they catch us."
Isis scratched her head. "Should we go further out then?"
"Within five kilometers. The ten-kilometer radius around the city is a safety zone repeatedly swept by the Guild, so within five kilometers should still be quite safe."
It was a display of the confidence that came with skill; though they lacked armor and weapons, Altaïr was certain he could handle the usual 1★ or 2★ Monsters with nothing but his Carving Knife.
Isis had the Glavenus Gunlance, and with Clawdia, who always carried her steel claws, plus Sajji, who had Flash Pods and other hunting items on him, they were confident they could make a clean escape even if their luck bottomed out and they encountered a Large Monster like a Rathalos.
They walked for four or five kilometers until they reached a hilly area with undulating terrain.
Standing on a slope and looking back at the distant city, Altaïr turned to his companions. "This is far enough. Sajji, Clawdia, do you smell any Monsters or hear any movement?" The two Felynes shook their heads in unison.
"Nothing at all, meow."
"This is a well-traveled forest; it's perfectly calm, meow."
"Good, let's test it here," Altaïr said, nodding in satisfaction.
"You got it!" Isis laid the Large Shield flat on the ground.
Watching her do this allowed Altaïr to relax.
He really was overthinking things; even Isis wouldn't be foolish enough to actually hold the Large Shield and let a Felyne blast her with Wyvern's Fire.
Still, he didn't forget to voice a warning. "Be careful. Don't stand too close. You aren't wearing any armor, and the stones kicked up by the explosion can still cut you."
"Don't worry~!"
Isis stood her ground about two or three meters away from the Large Shield. At this range, the power of the Wyvern's Fire wouldn't be any different from a point-blank blast.
"Here it comes! Wyvern's Fire!"
Rumble!
The thunderous roar of the artillery shook the mountain forest. Because it wasn't secured to anything, the Large Shield lying on the ground was sent flying.
Altaïr lowered his hands from his ears and walked over to where the Large Shield had rolled. He crouched down, examining it closely and feeling the scorching heat of the shield's surface.
"How is it? How is it?" Isis ran over excitedly.
Altaïr smiled. "The old gentleman certainly didn't exaggerate. The surface is a bit blackened by the blast, but it'll come off with a wipe. There are no structural issues at all.
What's more, the back of the shield is completely cool. The heat insulation is excellent."
"That's amazing!" Isis marveled sincerely. "Once the barrel cools down, let's try one more shot. If it's still fine after that, I can rest easy!"
Altaïr shrugged. "Suit yourself."
It was under warranty, anyway.
Isis loaded her Shells and fired off a few "bang bang" shots. Once enough time had passed for the Wyvern's Fire to finish cooling, there was another deafening roar.
The sturdiness of a Large Shield meticulously crafted and specifically reinforced by a master smith was truly extraordinary. Isis pulled at the corner of her shirt and wiped the black soot off the shield's face.
She found that, aside from a few negligible scratches, it was essentially unharmed.
"Satisfied now?" Altaïr looked at her askance. "Remember to thank the old gentleman when we get back so he can stop worrying."
"Mhm! Let's hurry back and tell him the good news!"
Isis happily hoisted her Gunlance and Large Shield onto her back. Just as the group was about to head back, Clawdia suddenly flinched and unsheathed her steel claws with a schwing!
"Who's there, meow!" Sajji's ears twitched, his uneasy gaze locking onto a specific spot.
Altaïr and Isis followed his gaze. Out from the deep shadows of the trees stepped two figures.
One was clad in pitch-black armor, his eyes scanning the two confused Hunters and two Felynes with a gaze as cold as if he were sizing up prey for the slaughter.
The other had a deeper complexion and was equipped in the famous Guild Knight Armor Set. He adjusted the brim of his iconic wide-brimmed hat and spoke in a solemn tone:
"You lot, drop your weapons and come with us."
(Translated by yourtl.app)