—This is annoying.
I say as I watch the small group of hunters patrol the Wastes this week. Even though I'm keeping a considerable distance, it's still pretty obvious they're looking for something.
At first, I thought they were searching for the two hunters that, well… you know. But then I noticed they were skipping over the most obvious places where they could be, and they weren't checking for small details like pieces of clothing or blood.
So I thought maybe they were looking for me—but again, they're not searching for little things like footprints or leftover food. It's almost like they're making sure the mountains haven't moved.
That's when I realized they actually are looking for a mountain—or rather, a dragon the size of one: Zorah Magdaros.
So now I know exactly where in the story I am: the beginning of the game, before the first attempt to stop Zorah Magdaros at the Great Ravine.
I watch the hunters walk away and head back to the depths of the cave I'm in. I sit down on a relatively high rock, rest my chin on my fist, and say:
—Alright… what's my best course of action? Until they try to stop Zorah for the first time, I won't be able to go to the Coral Highlands, Rotten Vale, and even less the Elder's Recess. So I'm stuck between the Forest and the Wastes. I guess I could also return to the ocean, but I don't know much about the waters around the New World, and while I was hiding in the sea, I never strayed far from the mainland. So I didn't gain much experience there either.
I lie back on the rock and continue my monologue.
—Besides, as long as that Lagiacrus is lurking near the forest coast, I can't get through there without risking a fight… and if I can fight him, that means I should also be able to fight Diablos and Rathalos. So going back to the ocean doesn't make much sense anymore.
I stare at the ceiling of the cave, still deep in thought.
—In the end, I have two options: hunt a Rathian and wait for Zorah to open the way to the Highlands and Rotten Vale, then hunt the monsters there and fight Diablos and Rathalos later… or hunt a Rathian now while I'm in the desert, go after a Diablos, and then return to the forest to do the same with Rathalos.
I feel a smile spread across my face.
—Guess the answer's pretty obvious, right? But first, I need to prepare. There's no way I'm facing those two without being at 100%… besides, it's been a while since I used [Synthesis].
Iron intimidation crest + Retractable nasal bone + Musical tubes + Armored skull + Shovel crest + Respiratory tubes = Helm of Domination
Charged blood + Demonic mode = Demonic Blood
Impact absorption + Kinetic charge = Inertia Retention
Mud mantle + Natural oil layer + Oil ball = Hardened Oil Production
Alpha Colossus + Reinforced carapace + Tough skin + Compact musculature + Agile legs + Agile hands + Powerful long tail + Fire-resistant skin + Mass tail + Enhanced endurance + Hardened body + Heavy frame = Juggernaut
Lightning + Charged attack = Thunder Core
Accumulation + Defensive reinforcement = Amplification
In seconds, I feel my body change. My height doesn't increase by much—just a few centimeters—and my muscles don't grow drastically either, but it's obvious they're far stronger than before.
The most visible change is the obsidian-like protrusions now growing on my knuckles, elbows, knees, heels, and shoulders—like some kind of natural armor, although I'll probably use them more for damaging others than protecting myself. A collar of the same material forms too. It seems like [Mass Tail] played a part in the [Juggernaut] fusion.
I run a hand over my head and feel the differences. Though the ability is called "helm", it's still a crest—just much larger and thicker, with side vents I can open and close to activate the ability I got from the Hunting Horn.
—It was a good idea to fuse that ability with the rest of my body. My skull's so heavy now that without this design, I probably wouldn't be able to lift my head.
Other changes include my skin becoming even rougher—almost like sandpaper—and my shoulders getting broader.
Thanks to [Hardened Oil Production], I now have a new kind of pore on my skin… but that's not the important part.
I approach the wall, pull back my fist, and punch it—making the entire cave tremble.
—What matters is… I got stronger.
[Name: Chryssia, The Phageris]
Abilities:
Special: Devour, Synthesis, World Travel, Eliminate Residual WillBody: Tail Release, Dislocating Jaw, Rending Jaws, Expandable Stomach, Gills, Fluidic Mantle, Predator Tongue, Predator's Eye, Alternate Form, Retractable Fins, Fire Gland, Large Monster Physiology, Enhanced Lungs, Helm of Domination, Juggernaut (92/96)
Offensive: Bite Strength, Strength Boost, Ram, Meteor Crash, Cushioned Stomach, Poison Cloud, Poison Ball, Hardened Venomous Spikes, Potent Toxic Acid, Discharge, Blunt Force, Improved Strength, Demonic Blood, Thunder Core, Amplification (43/48)
Defensive: Paralysis Cloud, Distracting Buzz, Potent Powder Creation, Crushing Body, Ink Cloud, Potent Bioluminescence, Natural Armor, Royal Guard, Steel Skin, Hardened Oil Production, Inertia Retention (34/48)
Social: Pheromone Detection, Pack Synchronization, Pheromone Veil, Hive Alarm, Enhancement Chords (5/6)
Survival: Burrow, Photosynthesis, Antidote Properties, Pollination, Natural Constructor, 3D Movement, Escape Leaps, Danger Sense, Stable March, Agility Boost, Ambidextrous, Enhanced Healing Factor, Vibration Detection (30/24)
Evolution: Cloud (Offensive), Enhanced Nervous System (Body), Improved Pulmonary Capacity (Survival), Thermal Regulation (Survival), Muscular Compaction (Body)
—So far, Survival evolution options have been a bit situational. I'll wait until I have a better one before evolving again.
I stretch my arms and walk toward the cave entrance. The sun is setting, which means it's a good time to go out and hunt another prey.
If during the fusion process you noticed abilities that were already present, they came from the Barroth. I originally planned to show Chryssia eating one after defeating it, but I forgot to include that scene. Later, it didn't make sense to add a whole new hunt just for that.