Leon walked forward, taking in the magnificent natural scenery. 'If I hadn't transmigrated, I probably never would have seen a sight like this,' he thought.
"Newbie! Don't just stand there dazed. There's plenty of good stuff around here, meow!" Dumpling darted back and forth through the woods. Before long, the pack on his back was stuffed full.
Seeing this, Leon smiled. "You really are a treasure-hunting cat."
"Save the flattery, meow." Dumpling frowned at the leisurely Leon. "You didn't even take the free supplies from the Guild. You'd better pick some herbs and mix a few Potions just to be safe."
"I've already taken down a Jagras, don't worry about it." Despite his words, Leon obediently reached down to pluck a Blue Mushroom.
A system prompt appeared as he tucked it into his pouch.
[BLUE MUSHROOM: A MUSHROOM POSSESSING ENHANCING PROPERTIES. A NECESSARY INGREDIENT FOR CRAFTING VARIOUS RECOVERY ITEMS.]
[CRAFTING RECIPES]
[HERBAL MEDICINE: ANTIDOTE + BLUE MUSHROOM]
[NUTRIENTS: BITTERBUG + BLUE MUSHROOM]
[LIFEPOWDER: GODBUG + BLUE MUSHROOM]
The system prompt reminded Leon that 'combining' was a vital part of Monster Hunter. Being able to gather materials on the fly to craft items significantly improved hunting success and efficiency.
As an action-hunting game, Monster Hunter had become a classic for many players due to its high-freedom combat system and the thrill of hunting giant monsters.
Although Leon wasn't a hardcore player, he had logged over six hundred hours in Monster Hunter: World since its release. Because of that, he wasn't afraid of a mere Jagras.
In the game, Jagras were slow and dealt low damage. Even a Great Jagras was considered a starter monster.
Just then, a low grunt accompanied by the sound of snapping twigs echoed through the forest—
Some kind of beast was slowly approaching.
"Shh." Leon made a silencing gesture. Dumpling froze instantly, not even daring to put his raised paw down.
The bushes ahead suddenly trembled.
Familiar yellow-green scales and eyes glowing with an eerie green light entered Leon's vision once more.
A Jagras.
"Hey! The first one." Leon drew his iron bow, locking onto his prey like a hawk.
He loosed an arrow!
Whiz!
The arrow struck the Jagras's foreleg true, inciting a furious roar as the creature lunged at Leon.
Leon retreated while drawing his bow—
Second shot, third shot!
The arrows hit their mark one after another. The Jagras's movements slowed significantly, but it didn't fall.
Reaching for his quiver again, Leon's hand met nothing but air.
"...Out of arrows?" Leon looked down to see his quiver empty, save for one broken shaft.
He remembered that in the game, arrows weren't consumed. He hadn't given it a second thought, but in reality...
"Newbie, don't just stand there, meow!" Dumpling pulled out a bone baton from somewhere, now wearing a set of dark green leather armor and a pair of goggles.
He leaped high, the bone baton striking the Jagras squarely on the head.
Thud!
The Jagras staggered. Seizing the opportunity, Leon gripped the iron bow with both hands and swung it with all his might!
The Jagras was sent flying several meters, tumbling before crashing into a thick ancient tree. It lay still.
[KILLED: JAGRAS]
[EXPERIENCE GAINED: 50]
[LEVEL: LV.1 (150/500)]
Experience went down?
Is it because of Dumpling?
Leon opened his status panel again to check his traits.
[TRAIT: LONE WOLF]
DESCRIPTION: INCREASES EXPERIENCE GAIN AND MATERIAL DROPS BY 100% WHEN HUNTING ALONE.
He was now certain that hunting solo would yield more experience and materials.
'Even a Palico counts as help...'
Dumpling put away the bone baton and swapped it for a small carving knife. He began carving the Jagras carcass, praising, "Not bad, newbie, meow. Hurry up and get the materials, meow."
Hearing this, Leon walked over to the carcass, preparing to bend down and carve the materials, but the moment he reached out...
He froze.
He looked down at his empty waist, an awkward expression on his face. "I didn't bring a knife..."
Before they left, Dumpling had specifically reminded him about the importance of preparation. But Leon had only been thinking about a quick hunt and ended up forgetting even the most basic gathering tools.
"Don't tell me you really came out here to hunt with nothing but a bow?" Dumpling looked up, wearing a disdainful expression.
"And a broken arrow..." Leon said with a bitter smile, spreading his hands.
"Meow, I've had it with you!" Dumpling sighed and went back to his work, muttering, "A hunter can't conquer the world with just a weapon. To forget basic gathering tools... I'm a cat of many sorrows, meow..."
Leon scratched his head helplessly, crouching to watch Dumpling skillfully carve out hides, claws, and the chillingly sharp teeth of the Jagras. 'Hunting isn't a game. In a game, you can restart if you die, but... if I die now, that's it. I have to take this more seriously...'
Reality was different from the game; every detail could mean the difference between life and death. His expression grew more solemn.
"Hey, what are you zoning out for?" Dumpling had already packed the materials and tossed them to Leon. "Keep these safe. We can sell them for Zenny back at the base. I put the tongues needed for the quest in there too, meow."
Taking the materials, Leon took a breath and said, "Thanks for the help this time. I'll treat you to some BBQ when we get back."
"Meow! Now you're talking!" Dumpling's eyes lit up. He sat down on the Jagras's carcass and said seriously, "When we get back, I'll help you make a hunting prep list. If you head out without enough arrows again, don't expect me to cart you back when you get knocked out, meow!"
"Cart... Cart me?" Leon remembered that in the games, running out of health didn't mean death; you'd just be carted back to camp by Felynes on a wooden cart.
—Known colloquially as 'cat-carting.'
'So that mechanic is still here...'
'That's a relief...'
"You..." Seeing the look of relief on Leon's face, Dumpling added, "Don't celebrate too early. Death is still real, and we can't save everyone every time, meow!"
"What? Real death?" Leon's smile froze instantly. He looked at Dumpling hesitantly.
"Meow." Dumpling dropped his usual joking tone, becoming serious. "Of course, meow! You're a hunter. Hunting is a gamble with your life."
Leon fell silent.
Since transmigrating, this world felt strange yet familiar with its system and Monster Hunter settings—even the presence of NPCs like the Palico.
It had made Leon subconsciously fail to distinguish between the two, but now he understood. If he didn't give it his all, even with a system, he would die.
'Death means I can never return to my original world...'
"I understand." Leon looked down at the bundle of monster materials, still warm to the touch. "Next time I hunt, I'll be fully prepared—whether it's equipment, supplies, traps, or a way to escape."
"Very good, you're a pretty decent rookie, meow." Dumpling pulled a worn-out little notebook from his vest.
He handed it to Leon and continued, "This is a summary of my notes from over the years. Take a look, meow."
Leon took the notebook. On the cover, a line of crooked characters was scrawled—
"Dumpling's Survival Handbook (Beginner)"
Just as he opened the first page, Dumpling's ears suddenly twitched. The cat froze, unmoving.
"Something's moving." Dumpling nimbly leaped onto a thick tree trunk, his gaze scanning the forest.
Leon snapped the notebook shut. His fingers instinctively gripped his iron bow as he focused entirely on scanning the surroundings for any abnormalities.
The next moment.
Low grunts echoed through the trees, followed by shifting shadows. Four figures flashed out from different directions.
Yellow-green scales shimmered in the sunlight. Claws scraped against tree bark, leaving savage gouges. Four Jagras bared their teeth, their eyes locked onto Leon.
They stayed low to the ground, limbs tensed and ready to pounce.
Leon stared at the Jagras, involuntarily stepping back. His right hand gripped the iron bow while his left hand reached for his quiver—
Only to find an empty cylinder.
No arrows...
His heart sank as a chill suddenly crawled up his spine.