The wyvern had long since disappeared into the sky.
Only then did the smaller creatures begin to stir.
One by one, they cautiously peeked out from their hiding spots, slowly returning to the clearing. The herbivores resumed grazing, as if nothing had happened at all.
…
Su Yi stepped out from the bushes and let out a slow breath.
"…That was a Rathian."
A predator both fierce and elegant.
From Monster Hunter: World.
"Beautiful… and terrifying."
Even now, recalling that moment—
His nerves tightened.
For a split second—
He had truly felt like prey.
But beneath that fear—
There was excitement.
When will I be able to capture a monster like that?
Just the thought—
Made his blood stir.
Still—
One step at a time.
…
Su Yi turned his gaze toward the grazing herbivores.
He opened the book—
His Hunter's Manual.
Selecting [Monstie]—
A Capture Ball appeared in his hand.
"Chansey, I'll rely on you for support."
He tossed the ball.
Pop!
A round pink figure appeared.
"Lucky!"
Chansey looked around curiously.
This was something Su Yi had already confirmed—
These Capture Balls functioned exactly like Poké Balls.
They could capture Pokémon—
And monsters.
Whether real Poké Balls could capture monsters—
That still needed testing.
Also—
Captured Pokémon could be stored inside [Monstie], just like companions.
Multiple could be carried—
But only six could be active at once.
Just like a party system.
Flexible.
Efficient.
"Lushui—counting on you too."
"Leave it to me, meow!"
Lushui drew his bone dagger, full of energy.
Su Yi smiled faintly—
Then pointed ahead.
"That one."
"Lushui—use Cat Combat!"
"Let me try this new power, meow!"
A faint white glow wrapped around the dagger—
Extending its edge.
What was once an ordinary strike—
Now carried weight.
Slash!
Blood sprayed.
A deep wound tore across the herbivore's body.
"Wuu—!"
It cried out in pain—
Then tried to flee.
The others panicked, scattering in every direction.
Slow.
Clumsy.
Defenseless.
Unlike armored species—
These creatures couldn't fight back.
The battle—
Was completely one-sided.
Under Lushui's relentless strikes—
The target collapsed—
Barely alive.
…
Su Yi's eyes sharpened.
This—
Was his first real battle command.
And undeniable proof—
Lushui had become Pokémon-like.
"…Alright."
"First real capture."
Excitement surged through him.
He raised the Capture Ball—
ROOOAR!!!
Suddenly—
The clearing erupted into chaos.
A massive yellow-green lizard burst from the bushes—
Charging straight toward them.
"Lucky?!"
Chansey froze in fear.
"Lushui! Chansey—fall back!"
Su Yi shouted instantly, retreating.
ROAR!!
The creature lunged—
Crushing the injured herbivore beneath its claws.
Claiming it like a tyrant.
"It's a Great Jagras, meow!"
"…Yeah."
"And it just stole our target."
Su Yi frowned.
The Great Jagras—
The first large monster most hunters encounter.
Low-tier—
But far from harmless.
Driven by constant hunger—
It hunted relentlessly.
Which meant—
Frequent danger.
ROOOAR!!
Without hesitation—
It bit down—
And swallowed the herbivore whole.
Its stomach swelled grotesquely.
Then—
A satisfied belch echoed.
A display of dominance.
From the surrounding bushes—
Five or six smaller Jagras emerged.
Circling their leader.
Snarling.
Like thugs backing their boss.
…
"…Stay calm."
"Step back slowly."
Su Yi guided quietly.
Step by step—
They retreated.
Eventually—
The Great Jagras lost interest.
Dragging its bloated body back toward the forest—
Its pack trailing behind like loyal followers.
…
"…Hah."
Su Yi exhaled.
In the game—
This would've been easy prey.
Here—
Still dangerous.
He glanced around.
The clearing—
Was empty.
Nothing left.
"…Unlucky."
It made sense.
Rathian's hunt had drawn the Jagras.
And they had taken advantage.
"…You bastard."
Su Yi muttered coldly.
In-game—
He would've hunted it down immediately.
No mercy.
But this—
Was reality.
…
On a higher coastal ridge—
Su Yi pushed aside the branches.
A hidden camp revealed itself.
Abandoned.
Worn down.
A crooked tent.
A cold firepit.
Scattered debris.
"…Nice."
Following his memory—
He had found it.
"Good location. Just needs cleaning."
…
Half an hour later—
The camp was restored.
At the same time—
The Hunter's Manual glowed.
The map updated—
Marking this location.
From now on—
He could return here safely.
"…Perfect."
"Let's stay here tonight."
"Lushui—you go handle your business."
From this height—
Astera could be seen faintly in the distance.
The Commission's base.
"You're not coming, meow?"
"…Not yet."
Too risky.
An unknown outsider—
With no records.
He would be questioned.
Watched.
Not yet.
Not until—
He had strength.
Monsters.
Pokémon.
A team.
Then—
He would appear properly.
As a trainer from another land.
"Alright! I'm off, meow!"
Lushui waved and ran off.
…
"…It's quiet without him."
Su Yi sighed softly.
"Lucky!"
Chansey suddenly pulled out an egg—
Offering it to him.
"…For me?"
"Lucky!"
Smiling.
"…Thank you."
He accepted it warmly.
Then—
Took out mushrooms.
"Dinner's on me tonight."
Fresh.
Fragrant.
Cooked over stone—
Their aroma deepened.
Simple—
Yet rich.
"Lucky…"
Chansey chewed happily.
A new taste.
A new experience.
"…Next time, Lushui needs to try this."
"One day…"
"I'll taste everything this New World has to offer."
…
Morning.
"Su Yi! I'm back, meow!"
Lushui waved excitedly.
"All done?"
"Yep! And I brought gifts!"
He pulled out—
A telescope.
And—
"…This is…"
"A sword and shield, meow!"
Basic iron equipment.
Simple.
Reliable.
Perfect for beginners.
"…Thank you."
Su Yi gently pressed his forehead against Lushui's.
"Let's go."
"Meow!"
…
Back at the clearing—
New herbivores had gathered.
The same cycle repeated.
Eat.
Flee.
Survive.
"…Let's try something stronger."
"Apceros are too passive."
They moved toward the slope—
Where a group of Aptonoth rested.
"Better targets."
But—
ROAR!!!
"…Not again."
The Great Jagras returned.
Charging.
The Aptonoth tried to resist—
But failed.
Then—
SPLASH!!!
The sea exploded.
Water surged violently.
A massive figure rose—
Long.
Serpentine.
Dominating everything around it.
A roar thundered across the coastline.
The Great Jagras—
Froze.
…
Su Yi's eyes widened.
"…Oh damn."
"…That's a Lagiacrus."