Another three days passed like this in the search for the Alpha Zinogre.
In the lower layer of the Ancient Forest, within the Zinogre territory, there lay a semi-enclosed woodland surrounded by trees and vines, with a hidden underground stream nearby. Atop the highest boulder in the area, the Zinogre Alpha crouched. Below him, five massive Tempered Zinogres tore into their prey, devouring it in large, savage bites.
Scattered throughout the shadowy forest, sturdy Zinogres rested in small clusters. Swarms of Thunderbugs fluttered through the dim surroundings.
These were all the remaining Zinogres the Alpha had managed to gather in the Ancient Tree region over the past two days. The others had either died after being dispersed earlier or left the area entirely.
Their numbers were insufficient—but it no longer wished to wait. The injuries from Logan’s flames had fully healed. It was time to begin the war!
This was its final chance: either win the battle—and live—or fall in the fight—and die. There were no other options.
With a long, echoing roar, the Zinogre Alpha charged out of the forest, leading the way. The five Tempered Zinogres followed closely behind, with the rest of the Zinogres trailing them.
From every corner of the forest, more regular Zinogres joined the charge as the Alpha ran past.
By the time they stormed out of their territory, they had formed a massive force—visually estimated at no fewer than sixty strong.
The Ancient Forest was vast. Sixty Zinogres scattered across it wouldn’t stir much commotion—but when they moved as one, there wasn’t a single creature that dared to block their path.
They brimmed with the will to fight, exuding the spirit of living by charging into death.
Ever since the tribe split and they chose to remain in the Ancient Forest, their sole purpose had been clear: to devote everything they had so the Zinogre Alpha could break through its limits and grasp even the faintest chance at survival.
This war might mark the end of their lives, but not a single Zinogre would retreat.
...
On a vine-covered platform in the western part of the forest’s midlayer, a Tobi-Kadachi was hanging from a tree branch, dozing lazily and enjoying this rare moment of peace.
Five Fire Wyvern Grimalkyne warriors, riding Jagras, quietly approached the area and quickly located their target.
Sita dismounted from one of the Jagras. He hadn’t expected riding Jagras through the Ancient Forest to be this convenient.
He had even asked the Fire Wyvern Grimalkynes for advice on how to communicate with the Jagras. Unfortunately, he seemed to lack the talent for it—despite personal instruction from the Fire Wyvern Grimalkynes, the most he could manage was to pacify the creature. Getting them to fight for him—or even to let his ride—was out of the question.
In the end, he had no choice but to ride together with one of the Fire Wyvern Grimalkynes, arriving here under the Jagras’ visibly resentful gaze.
“So that’s the target?”
Sita carefully observed the Tobi-Kadachi.
Judging by its size, it was a standard specimen. Its scales were somewhat damaged, and its fur uneven in length—likely signs that it had recently been attacked by something.
All in all, it was a monster he could handle.
“Meow! Hold up!”
A Fire Wyvern Grimalkyne warrior stopped Sita just as he was about to draw his greatsword and sneak up on the Tobi-Kadachi for a surprise wake-up slash. Seeing the confusion on his face, the Grimalkyne quickly and deftly set up a vine trap beneath the Tobi-Kadachi, then gave Sita a look—signaling that he could now proceed.
Fair enough. Making good use of traps was a basic skill for any skilled hunter.
But after so many years at the Admiral’s side—given the Admiral’s direct, brutal combat style—Sita had almost forgotten traps even existed.
When it came to hunting monsters, their routine had always been simple: make some basic preparations, grab their gear, and charge in head-on. That was how he and the Admiral had fought for years.
Shifting his body—which was significantly bulkier than a typical Felyne’s—he quickly climbed toward the Tobi-Kadachi.
He watched as its nose twitched, as if catching the scent of something unfamiliar, and it looked like it was just about to wake up.
Sita struck without hesitation—draw slash!
The weighty greatsword came down hard on the Tobi-Kadachi’s forehead, breaking through its scales and sending a splash of crimson blood into the air.
Just from the sound of impact, he knew it was a solid hit.
The intense pain jolted the Tobi-Kadachi awake. Instinctively, it launched an attack, snapping its jaws forward.
Sita leapt nimbly down from the branch, rolled midair to sheath his sword, and dodged the Tobi-Kadachi’s furious pursuit as it roared and followed him down in a leap.
The next instant, the vine trap was triggered.
The net—specially treated for superior toughness—tangled tightly around the Tobi-Kadachi, throwing its body off balance.
The Fire Wyvern Grimalkyne warriors lying in wait immediately moved in. Working in tandem with their Jagras mounts, they pulled both ends of the vine tight, locking down the frenzied monster and slowing its attempts to break free.
Sita delivered another draw slash, this time cutting into the Tobi-Kadachi’s lower jaw. As it howled in pain, he followed up with a shoulder bash that shut it up mid-roar. Then, gripping the hilt with both hands, he began charging in place.
Two poisoned boomerangs struck precisely at the Tobi-Kadachi’s wounds. The venom took effect, paralyzing it briefly—and buying Sita more time.
But the Tobi-Kadachi thrashed wildly. The vine net began to tear.
Sita’s charge was complete.
The first strike produced only the sound of blade scraping over scales—minimal damage.
But just as the Tobi-Kadachi reared its head and tore free of the vines—
Using that momentum, Sita followed up with a second slash!
He twisted in midair, channeling his full body weight into the massive blade. With overwhelming force, the blow landed squarely across the Tobi-Kadachi’s upper torso.
The slash exploded a large swath of scales across its chest. Muscles tore apart, and for a fleeting moment, bone glinted beneath the shredded flesh.
The body of the Tobi-Kadachi was flung a good distance, crashing down heavily and sliding limply from the edge of the vines.
The Fire Wyvern Grimalkyne warriors were right behind it. Mounting their Jagras, they leapt down from the edge of the platform to give chase.
Beneath the platform was a passage connecting the lower and upper levels of the Ancient Forest.
Just as the Grimalkynes landed and prepared to check the condition of the Tobi-Kadachi, they heard the dense thunder of countless giant beasts charging from afar.
“Meow! Sounds like a lot of monsters! Fall back!”
As seasoned Fire Wyvern Grimalkyne warriors long accustomed to the wilds, they reacted instantly.
Calling out to Sita, who had also jumped down, they quickly climbed a nearby tree trunk on their Jagras and disappeared into the canopy, hiding among the branches.
Moments later, under the watchful eyes of the Fire Wyvern Grimalkynes, a massive horde of Zinogre came charging through.
They didn’t even spare a glance at the Tobi-Kadachi still struggling on the ground—just trampled past like a surging tide through the corridor.
The poor Tobi-Kadachi, still clinging to life after escaping the Grimalkynes’s pursuit, ended up crushed to death under the Zinogre stampede.
“This direction? Looks like the Zinogre are headed for the upper levels of the Ancient Tree, meow!”
Peering through the gaps between the leaves, the Fire Wyvern Grimalkyne warrior tracked the horde’s movement and judged their destination.
“This is bad, meow! Are the Zinogre about to start another war?”
These Fire Wyvern Grimalkynes had all lived through the Chameleos incident years ago, and they clearly remembered the species war that broke out after the Zinogre migrated into this region.
Judging by the current posture of the Zinogre, there was no doubt they came with hostile intent. If this wasn’t the start of another war, then what was it?
Surely they weren’t here to reminisce with the Fire Wyverns.
“No good! We have to get back!”
The Fire Wyvern Grimalkynes quickly dropped down from the branches and urged their Jagras into a full sprint in another direction.
Their small size meant they didn’t need to take the main roads—cutting through side paths would get them home faster.
“Meow! War’s coming. You should go back first. After the fighting’s over, we’ll come find you, meow!”
The Fire Wyvern Grimalkyne warrior carrying Sita paused deliberately, giving the warning before urging him to leave.
“Wuu~ Let me come with you. Maybe I can help a little.”
Though still wearing the title of a Palico, Sita had long been regarded as a full-fledged Felyne hunter by the entire First Fleet.
A war between monsters—this was something he had never even heard of before, let alone witnessed.
No way he was going to miss this.
As for danger?
No true hunter fears danger.
Seeing that Sita insisted, the Fire Wyvern Grimalkyne warrior didn’t refuse. Urging the Jagras forward, he sped off to catch up with his companions.
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