Chapter 129: Beasts Stirring in the Forest

"What kind of monster was that?" Aibo emerged from behind a rock, still lingering in fear. That creature had given her an inexplicable sense of oppression.

"Indeed. I couldn't help but hold my breath; it felt very similar to when I faced an Elder Dragon in the past," Aiden said with a solemn expression.

"That’s because it was an Elder Dragon—the Nergigante, known as the Eater of Elders," Su Yi replied.

The Nergigante was first observed during the Second Fleet’s investigation of the Teostra’s Elder Crossing. Since then, traces of it had been found sporadically throughout the journey. The Nergigante was not native to the New World; it had crossed the vast ocean specifically to prey upon Elder Dragons nearing the end of their lifespans. Its exact habitat remained unknown, or perhaps, much like the Deviljho, it was a nomadic hunter that wandered wherever prey could be found.

In the lore, it had failed in its attempt to consume the Zorah Magdaros, but in doing so, it discovered the Elder's Recess—a place rich in energy and teeming with Elder Dragons. The Nergigante then seized the territory of the Shakalaka tribe as its lair, displacing many of them and causing them to scatter across the New World. In a way, the "education" hunters occasionally received from the "Shakalaka Dads" (an honorific term for the tribe) in later hunts was indirectly the Nergigante’s doing.

"An Elder Dragon that eats other Elder Dragons?!" Aibo exclaimed in shock. In this world, Elder Dragons were viewed as invincible natural disasters—powerful and mysterious. To think there was one that specialized in hunting its own kind!

"Elder Dragons aren't gods. They are simply powerful biological entities whose abilities we haven't yet fully decoded. And if a living thing can be killed, it will die."

Although players in the Monster Hunter games can "slay" Elder Dragons, the lore often suggests that many are merely driven off rather than truly killed, their immense vitality making them difficult to extinguish. However, this does not mean they are immortal. The Elder Crossing itself is a final journey for these mighty creatures, who travel to their graves when they can no longer withstand the ravages of time. Everything is merely part of the natural cycle.

Su Yi walked toward the spot where the Nergigante had left its marks. His scoutflies turned blue, clinging to the white spikes and footprints, making them stand out. He used his Rotom Phone to take a few photos of the traces, then attempted to pull out one of the white spikes.

"Hnnngh!" It took all of Su Yi's effort to dislodge it. Beside him, Palico Navirou powered himself up with a Sword Dance and plucked one out with a triumphant meow, leaving Su Yi feeling rather envious.

"This might lead to some interesting research," Su Yi said, carefully storing the spikes away.

The Nergigante hunted Elder Dragons primarily for the vast energy within them. Its own formidable regenerative abilities required a higher caloric intake than other Elder Dragons. Yet, it wasn't strictly limited to them; any creature with high energy levels was potential prey, though Elder Dragons simply provided a higher quality of fuel. But why was it so obsessed with the Zorah Magdaros, given that such powerful creatures were abundant in both the New and Old Worlds?

Su Yi had once pondered this: if it were merely for regeneration, the Nergigante wouldn't need to be so fixated on the Zorah Magdaros. But what if it were for another reason—perhaps the need to acquire the sheer, high-purity energy that only the Zorah Magdaros possessed? Future research had shown that when nutrients were injected into Nergigante spikes, they exhibited biological reactions and began differentiating into germ cells. Could one hypothesize that the Nergigante was born from these specialized spikes it deliberately grew?

If a specific spike needed high-purity, massive amounts of energy to transform into a germ cell capable of developing into a complete individual, then its obsession with the Zorah Magdaros would suddenly become quite persuasive. While the research equipment in this world might not be up to the task, what about the technology from the Pokémon world? Following the Dalmadur fossil revival plan, another imaginative project was silently etched into Su Yi’s mind.

"Let’s go," Su Yi said. As long as they continued to investigate the Elder Crossing, they would inevitably cross paths with the Nergigante again.

Exiting the sweltering canyon, the group trekked along the outskirts of the Ancient Forest.

"We’ve seen so many interesting things during this investigation," Aibo noted, listing them off: "The Glavenus searching for quality minerals dropped by the Zorah Magdaros to craft its own blade; the fierce battle between the Tigrex and the Glavenus; the Zorah Magdaros rising, causing the very earth to crumble; and that mysterious, demonic Elder Dragon slayer."

Though incredibly dangerous, it had been an eye-opening experience. "Nature is truly full of vitality," Aibo sighed.

"It wouldn't be the New World without it," Su Yi chuckled.

The dense Ancient Forest was overflowing with life, even at its edges. Cobalt butterflies fluttered by, an Archaeopteryx glided between the treetops, and a cautious Gajalaka rabbit darted away. Everywhere were animals and lush, thriving flora—this was a true primeval forest.

*Whoosh.* A light breeze brushed past, the branches and leaves playing the forest's melody.

*Rustle, rustle.* The sound of friction against the leaves made one’s ears itch.

"Meow?" Navirou seemed to sense something and looked around, but saw nothing but the lush greenery. He scratched his head in confusion.

*Rustle, rustle.*

The wind died down, but the rustling of the branches did not stop.

"Something is nearby!" Su Yi immediately grew alert. In the treacherous Ancient Forest, one could never lower their guard, even on the outskirts. "Aibo, stay close to me," he said, gripping a capture ball.

"What kind of monster could it be?" Aiden tightened his grip on his sword and shield, ready for combat.

"Could it be a Great Jagras?" Su Yi guessed. Those small, pack-hunting monsters often roamed the woods looking for easy prey.

Navirou shook his head, sounding uncertain. "It doesn't seem to be coming from the bushes, meow."

"Then where?" Su Yi asked, puzzled.

Navirou pointed toward the dense canopy above them.

*Swish!*

As they looked up, a silhouette darted between the high branches, its exact form obscured by the thick foliage.

"Those pale cyan scales and white fur..." Su Yi analyzed the fleeting glimpse, murmuring to himself. "A Tobi-Kadachi!" he concluded firmly.

In the Ancient Forest, only this monster fit those features. But what puzzled Su Yi was that a Tobi-Kadachi usually wouldn't venture this far into the forest's periphery. They preferred the middle layers and were cautious hunters who typically avoided direct contact with humans.

*Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!*

A gust of wind whipped through the trees as the figure zipped rapidly between the branches.

"Are we being targeted?" Aiden scanned the surroundings, trying to track the monster.

"Yes. Prepare for battle," Su Yi said, clutching the capture ball tightly.