Chapter 124: A Timely Downpour for the Investigation Team

The piping hot meal was soon served: roasted meat rich in color, aroma, and taste, accompanied by the freshest fruits and vegetables, and a glass of mellow, fragrant wine.

Su Yi and his Palico, Dewdrop, began to feast.

As he ate, Su Yi compared the meal to his own cooking in his mind. "As expected of the Head Chef; the dish is infused with a wild and rugged flavor."

Watching Su Yi savor his meal, the Head Chef tilted his head in confusion. Why was this hunter eating so delicately?

Just as Su Yi was finishing his meal, "Sunny" approached him.

"Yo! I remember your name is Su Yi, right? A rather unique name."

"Let me introduce myself formally. My name is Aiden, a member of the Fifth Fleet's recruitment group. The Commander has asked me to bring you over," Aiden said with a smile.

"Coming." Su Yi and Dewdrop quickly finished the last of their food and followed Aiden toward the Command Center.

Upon arriving at the Command Center, Su Yi realized that several key figures of the New World Research Commission were present. Aside from the Field Team Leader and the Wyverian hunter, who were often away and hard to track down, the Commander, the Field Master, the Excitable A-Lister, the Analysis Section Chief, the Provisions Master, the Research Base Commander, the Second Fleet Master, and the Director of the Ecological Research Institute—a gathering of all the important figures—were all present.

"So many people?" Su Yi was surprised, feeling as if he were facing an interrogation.

"Don't be nervous. After hearing the Commander describe your techniques, everyone here is simply curious to see them for themselves," the Field Master said with a laugh.

"In that case, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Su Yi, and I come from a distant and wondrous place," Su Yi said, pulling out a Poké Ball with a smile.

To the people of the Monster Hunter world, just as to those of the Pokémon world, he was a traveler from another realm.

"In that place, there exists a type of creature known as Pokémon. They possess an incredible variety of forms and abilities."

"Humans and Pokémon often work together, live together, and even view each other as family."

"Although friction occasionally occurs between humans and wild Pokémon, most are able to communicate, understand one another, and even strive toward the same goals."

"Some people become Trainers; they raise and train Pokémon to make them stronger so they can face all sorts of challenges."

At this point, everyone present wore expressions of astonishment. While they had learned to tame some small-to-medium-sized monsters, it was more of a master-servant relationship; the idea of mutual understanding, let alone being treated as family, was unimaginable.

"Does such a place truly exist?" the Director of the Ecological Research Institute, who was well-versed in the ecology of various monsters, asked in disbelief. Many monsters were not even friendly toward members of their own species, let alone humans. For humans and other creatures to cooperate, communicate, and live in peace was simply inconceivable.

"Training creatures similar to monsters? Trainers?" the Commander muttered, catching the keyword.

"Of course, such a place exists. And 'Pokémon' does not refer to just one type of creature. They exist in the sky, the sea, forests, deserts, magma, and even beyond the clouds. There are hundreds, even thousands of them, all in different forms," Su Yi smiled.

"What kind of creatures are they? Are they like monsters?" Aiden asked curiously.

"There are similarities, and you've seen one already. This is what I want to introduce next. Come out, Corviknight!" Su Yi threw the Poké Ball.

With a flash of light, the jet-black armored Corviknight let out a cry, hovering steadily in the air as it observed the crowd.

"It appeared suddenly from a tiny ball!"

"It's a creature I've never seen before!"

Except for the Field Master and Aiden, who had already seen it, everyone present was shocked by the sudden appearance of the Corviknight and the device that contained it. The members of the Second Fleet, who focused on technology, were particularly intrigued by the Poké Ball.

"This is a Pokémon called Corviknight. Although it isn't as massive or sturdy as a large monster, it can use elemental attributes and energy to attack."

Su Yi gestured toward the sea outside the Command Center. "Corviknight, use Hurricane on that stretch of water!"

"Caw!" Light shimmered on Corviknight's wings as it flapped them with great force. Instantly, a violent gale erupted, slamming into the sea and whipping up massive, surging waves. The roar of the wind and the crashing of the tide filled the air.

"This attack... it reminds me of a Kushala Daora."

"Though it's nowhere near an Elder Dragon, it's still incredible. Even some mid-to-low-tier large monsters couldn't pull off an attack like that."

"Such power hidden within a body that isn't even that large?"

The crowd buzzed with discussion. They knew that such special, powerful abilities were usually the exclusive domain of large monsters.

The Commander said in wonder, "This level of combat power is quite impressive." Even without going head-to-head with large monsters, simply assisting a hunter in battle could make hunting significantly easier.

"This is just one of the many abilities Pokémon possess. They have other unique traits as well. Come out, Chansey." Su Yi released another Pokémon.

"Lucky!" Chansey greeted them without a hint of shyness.

"This creature... it's very peculiar."

"Is it some kind of Felyne-type species?" The group didn't know how to describe it. Chansey's round, pink, and squishy appearance was a complete departure from their usual aesthetic.

Su Yi scanned the group and noticed some injuries on Aiden from his slide down the back of Zorah Magdaros. "Chansey, use Heal Pulse on this hunter."

"Lucky~" Chansey waved its short arms, and a wave of light enveloped Aiden.

"What is this!?" Aiden startled, but immediately felt a wave of relief and comfort where his wounds had been. As the light faded, he looked down to see his bruises gone and his cuts healed.

"Is this... healing?" Aiden asked in amazement.

The Analysis Section Chief was stunned. "How did it do that? Just with a beam of light?"

"It's not just their abilities; some have unique forms. Come out, Honedge."

"Hnggg—" Honedge floated in the air.

"A sword... floating in the air? Is this also one of those Pokémon creatures?" asked the Second Fleet Master, the man responsible for forging weapons and armor for the hunters, his eyes wide.

"That's right. It isn't a mechanical device; it's a living entity inhabiting a sword, fused with it." As Su Yi spoke, Honedge emitted a metallic ringing sound, drifted quickly through the air, and then allowed Su Yi to grasp it.

"It's a living entity! A life form that doesn't rely on flesh?" the Director of the Ecological Research Institute said in shock. This was a form of life that completely transcended their current knowledge.

Su Yi smiled. "These are Pokémon, my partners!"

Su Yi released all his Pokémon: Chansey, Kubfu, Larvesta, Honedge, and Corviknight.

"Each one is completely different and quite unique," the Director said, adjusting his glasses.

Su Yi laughed. "These are only a drop in the ocean of Pokémon species. And more importantly, they are not beasts or monsters; they are lives capable of understanding and communicating, existence that can live in harmony with people."

The Pokémon all cried out in unison, responding to Su Yi's words.

"Truly incredible creatures," the Commander said.

Su Yi continued, "When I arrived in this land, I discovered monsters and captured them using these Capture Balls I happened to have. Afterward, I tamed them using a special method, and they began to change, becoming similar to Pokémon."

Su Yi recalled his Pokémon and threw the capture balls. Kulu-Ya-Ku, Great Jagras, and Odogaron appeared, their massive frames instantly occupying a large portion of the deck. Because Great Jagras and Odogaron had already been exposed to the crowd and had learned not to react aggressively, and the Kulu-Ya-Ku was naturally bold, they remained calm.

"Large monsters!" The Excitable A-Lister, seeing three ferocious monsters appear at once, instinctively gripped his Rathian Long Sword, ready to enter combat. Those who hadn't seen these monsters before were also startled. They had assumed Su Yi was talking about small-to-medium monsters, not massive beasts, including a ten-meter-long crimson predator and a large Great Jagras.

"Calm down!" the Commander and Su Yi said in unison.

"Commander?" The Excitable A-Lister halted his move to draw his blade.

"Stay calm. Do you not see they are showing no signs of aggression? If this Trainer is so composed, there naturally shouldn't be any problem," the Commander said in a steady, deep voice.

Su Yi smiled and walked forward, stroking the scales of the three monsters. "Do not be alarmed. As I said, they are no longer monsters driven solely by animal instinct. They can communicate and interact with humans, understand my commands, and fight alongside me!"

The Monsties let out a low growl in response to Su Yi, these powerful monsters protecting the young man who didn't look particularly strong.

"Unbelievable. You really have tamed monsters!" The elderly Wyverian Director of the Ecological Research Institute was stunned, unable to hide his shock.

"So cool! Becoming partners with monsters... that feels amazing," Aiden said with excitement and curiosity.

"While I still find it hard to believe, seeing is believing. It is a remarkable ability. I heard you also captured a Nargacuga?" the Commander remarked.

"That's right. It's not a good time to bring it out, but it’s no longer hostile toward me," Su Yi nodded.

"With these monster partners, you alone are an efficient hunting squad," the Commander said. Being able to subdue a creature like a Nargacuga placed him among the best of the hunters. Though the Field Master had said the young man was a bit of a greenhorn by hunter standards, his ability to tame and command monsters was already a powerful asset.

"I see. A Trainer from another continent, arriving in the New World and taming powerful monsters—this is your primary objective, isn't it?" the Commander asked.

"Exactly. And at the same time, I am very interested in this continent," Su Yi smiled. There was nothing to hide.

"So, you are cooperating with us because you need information on the monsters?" the Commander asked.

"That is one aspect. I also hope to replenish various resources here and utilize the base, or areas near the base, to let my partners roam," Su Yi said. Of course, this was just on the surface; through his "Hunting Guide" system, he could obtain much more. "In return, I will provide all sorts of information about monsters and this continent, and offer you my help."

"By the way, these are gifts for our first meeting." Su Yi handed over a stack of documents. These were maps and ecological data he had transcribed and copied from his "Hunting Guide." Beyond the actual monster tracks and information recorded in official reports, Su Yi had added his own ecological insights.

"Oh? These documents..." The Commander flipped through them quickly, surprised. Although the drawing style was somewhat amateurish, the information was incredibly comprehensive. What was more important were the details on certain monsters.

"Glavenus, Bazelgeuse, Deviljho..." The Commander looked at the monsters, some of which he recognized and some he didn't. "Have these monsters appeared? Could the conflict between the Black Diablos and Glavenus be the reason for the abnormal activity in the Wildspire Waste recently?"

The Commander had gained a wealth of information at once, and some of the questions from previous investigations seemed to have found a path forward. Most importantly, the information regarding new, unique monsters of the New World was detailed, covering habitats, habits, and weaknesses—information vital for hunting and investigation. In the world of Monster Hunter, this kind of information was usually written in blood and was incredibly precious. It meant hunters could prepare appropriately for future investigations and reduce casualties. By cross-referencing information on known monsters, the Commander believed these records to be authentic.

"A fantastic gift," the Commander thanked him.

"Just repeating what others have said. There is also this," Su Yi said modestly, handing over a large bag he had prepared.

"This is..." the Field Master realized something.

Su Yi nodded. "That's right. Paolumu hide. With this, we can craft high-quality balloons to get the Third Fleet's airships flying again."

"Really?" the Commander asked. Being separated from the Third Fleet researchers was one of the reasons their progress had stalled.

The Field Master said happily, "The Third Fleet scholars have already approved this method; we were just waiting for the balloon researchers to begin their work."

"With this, the Commission can finally become a unified whole!" A smile appeared on the Commander's usually stoic face. The powerful support of the Fifth Fleet, combined with the Third Fleet scholars, made the New World Research Commission unprecedentedly strong. With Su Yi's data and assistance, the Commander felt eager to finally begin a full-scale investigation of the New World.

"Su Yi, if the Fifth Fleet is the favorable white wind, then you are the timely rain," the Commander thanked him again.