Not until Zorah Magdaros smashed a breach through the southern side of the Great Ravine did the mysterious Elder's Recess enter the Research Commission's view.
Delving deeper, the scent of sulfur gradually permeates the air. An orange-red glow, accompanied by parched gusts of heat, hits the face. Before long, crimson waterfalls forged from molten lava come into view.
Black rocks eventually give way to dragon crystals, from which the region derives its name.
These crystals are brimming with energy; the Research Commission suspects they may be the life energy left behind by deceased Elder Dragons.
Three days later, Leon received his brand-new equipment from the Workshop. He and Vos arrived at the Elder's Recess as agreed.
Naturally, Dumpling and Biscuit tagged along.
[NAME: Leon]
[LEVEL: Lv.25]
[EXPERIENCE: 103,000 / 125,000]
[TRAIT: Lone Wolf]
Description: When hunting alone, increases experience gain and material drop rate by 100%.
[ATTRIBUTES: Strength 51, Agility 38, Vitality 36, Perception 35 (Unassigned Points: 21)]
[EQUIPMENT: Kirin Bolts, Kirin Horn α, Kirin Jacket α, Kirin Longarms α, Kirin Hoop α, Kirin Legguards α]
[EQUIPMENT SKILLS: Free Elem/Ammo Up Lv.3, Thunder Resistance Lv.2, Marathon Runner Lv.3, Divine Blessing Lv.3, Thunder Attack Lv.3, Blight Resistance Lv.1]
[QUEST LIST]
[MAIN QUEST: ???]
[PRE-REQUISITE QUEST: Defeat Nergigante]
Quest Reward: Unlock Main Quest
Clad in the new Kirin set, Leon felt much more confident. Meanwhile, Vos was armored in the Damascus set, looking like a light tank.
Their footsteps crunched over the charred rock, making faint clicking sounds as if they were stepping on the long-dormant skeletal remains of some creature.
The air was so hot it felt like it could sear the lungs. Every breath brought the taste of sulfur and metal.
"The terrain here is even more complex than it looked on the maps." Vos surveyed the crystalline forests rising like jagged blades and whispered, "And it's a bit too quiet. It doesn't seem like any monsters are around."
"They might have just finished a fight." Leon knelt, tracing the smooth scrapings on the ground. "It's an Uragaan. We need to hunt it first."
"An Uragaan?" Vos's expression shifted slightly as his hand moved toward the shield on his back. "Are you sure?"
Leon nodded, his gaze lingering on the track gouging through the ground. "Only an Uragaan could leave a friction mark of this width while rolling."
Just as he finished speaking, the ground trembled violently.
Thump— Thump— Thump—
A moment later.
A deep, heavy sound echoed from the distance, like the beat of a giant drum, the rhythm growing faster and more intense.
"It's coming back." Vos's face hardened as he scanned the area for cover.
"Quick!" Leon grabbed Vos and pulled him under a nearby rock ledge.
It was a natural fissure in the crystals.
Dumpling and Biscuit had already hidden themselves behind the two hunters, ears pressed tight against their heads, motionless.
BOOM—!!
With a deafening roar, the Uragaan's massive form burst from a distant passage. Cloaked in waves of scorching heat, it curled its body and began to roll at high speeds, resembling a burning meteor crushing everything in its path!
It swept over the rock wall where the two were hiding, the blistering wind whipping across their faces and kicking up clouds of ash and crystalline shards.
CRASH—!
The Uragaan slammed into a crystalline grove, shattering the thick crystals into dust. Sharp fragments flew everywhere, embedding themselves into the vibrating rock walls.
"...That's way too intense." Dumpling muttered under his breath, cold sweat sliding down his forehead.
Leon narrowed his eyes. "Its route seems to be repetitive. We can set an ambush."
The Uragaan slowly stopped rolling and shook its massive body. Several charred scales slid from its torso, dripping with heat into the rock crevices with a sizzling hiss.
It let out a low growl, swinging its exaggerated, hammer-like tail to leave a deep furrow in the ground before turning slowly to roll back the way it came.
Once the Uragaan's silhouette vanished deep within the rock walls, silence returned.
Leon was the first to emerge from the crystal fissure. He looked around cautiously and, after confirming it was safe, whispered, "Move. It'll be back in a bit."
Vos followed closely behind, asking curiously, "How do you plan to set the ambush? This is its turf."
Every hunter had their own style. Vos mostly relied on his formidable defense to tank hits directly.
Leon was different. Over the months, his hunting experience had taught him to simplify the process as much as possible.
Whether using tools or traps, if you could immobilize the monster, the hunt became significantly easier.
Some ranged hunters developed incredible stamina, allowing them to kite monsters and toy with them in the palm of their hand.
"We'll set traps on its route." Leon pulled out a Pitfall Trap and several Large Barrel Bombs.
"Right here. The debris from the crystal grove it just hit forms a natural bottleneck." Leon carefully observed the space and the Uragaan's rolling path.
He quickly placed the Large Barrel Bombs in sequence along the Uragaan's path, then took the Pitfall Trap from his pouch. After measuring the distance, he concealed it in an inconspicuous notch behind a crystal.
Vos stood guard nearby, gripping his shield, his gaze darting toward the distant tunnel.
"Three Large Barrel Bombs and one Pitfall Trap... If it steps in, we need to maximize our damage immediately." Leon tapped the Flash Pods hanging at his waist. "After that, we'll use Flash Pods to keep it dazed."
Vos nodded. "I'll draw its attention from here. You find cover. Once it hits the trap, don't hesitate."
"Just don't die," Leon said, the corner of his mouth twitching into a smirk.
"Don't blow yourself up either," Vos replied before walking into the center of the path.
Dumpling and Biscuit took their positions. Biscuit leapt onto a high rock, raising a spotlight-like device to track the Uragaan's return, while Dumpling hid in a crystal gap, eyes fixed on the passage.
Leon hid behind a crystal, his hand tightening around his hilt. Every ambush felt like a gamble with his life—but he knew this was a bet he had to win.
In the distance, the familiar thumping returned, the roar growing louder.
Dragging its mountain-like weight, it slowly appeared from the depths of the rock tunnel. Its crimson hide shimmered with a metallic luster in the lava's glow, and its blood-red eyes were still filled with restlessness and fury.
Sure enough, the Uragaan rolled right toward the Large Barrel Bombs Leon had placed. The consecutive explosions forced it to a halt.
Vos raised his greatshield in front of the Pitfall Trap and shouted, "Hey! Metal-head! Over here!"
The Uragaan stopped abruptly, instantly enraged. It let out a low roar and curled back into its gyro-like form—
The next second, it charged!
Leon watched the Uragaan's path intensely, his heart racing.
The scorching heat surged again as the Uragaan, like a flaming projectile, hurtled straight toward Vos.
Vos lowered his center of gravity and braced his shield, planting his feet firmly into the ground.
BOOM—!
Sparks flew the moment the Uragaan collided with the shield. Vos absorbed the impact, his body only being knocked back half a step.
At that same moment, the Uragaan triggered the Pitfall Trap.
Vos roared, "Now!"
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