"Based on the size of this Dragon Gem, it should only be mounted on the chest plate to avoid hindering movement," the Second Expedition Leader informed him.
"Then I'll trouble you," Li Fan said.
"Don't be so polite. The crafting of the Dragon Heat Mechanical type last time provided the workshop with a lot of valuable experience."
"I have one more thing to ask. How many pieces of equipment can be crafted from a Steel Dragon's corpse?" Li Fan inquired curiously.
"After deducting the guild's commission and the needs of the ecological research institute, we can probably craft two sets of armor and four weapons. In terms of demand, hunters actually prefer weapons more when it comes to ancient dragon materials, so it's possible they'll all be made into weapons," the Second Expedition Leader replied.
Compared to wearing a full set of ancient dragon equipment, the activation strength of the weapons' abilities was relatively lighter. Coupled with the armor that had been worn for a long time and adapted to, it was not impossible to smoothly wield weapons of ancient dragon grade.
The next day, the Steel Dragon material auction began. The Aidemaasha group, using their accumulated research points, acquired one-third of the Steel Dragon's materials, immediately becoming a hot topic of discussion in the base.
Three days later, Commander-in-Chief Fray announced the future strategy for the Starry Sky Base. In summary, it was to expand and upgrade to accommodate more hunters. The mystery of the Dragon Crossing had been solved, and the Old Continent would no longer form new investigation teams to visit. However, the rich ecological resources, fewer hunting restrictions, and the improvement of the map and forward bases were very attractive to hunters. For instance, if a five-star monster was sighted on the Old Continent, even if you and your team dared to fight to the death, the guild would first conduct a series of assessments before deciding whether to issue a contract. The New Continent was different; as long as the team felt they could defeat it, they could attack directly. This was a paradise for hunter teams wanting to train and improve through frequent combat.
Five days later, a deep blue letter was delivered to Fray. The sender was the Third Expedition Leader Ni Zhen, and the content was an invitation for Fray and the Chief Hunter team to the research base to identify an unknown creature. It was also indicated that this was likely a special event. Fray recalled the frequent abnormality reports in the Ancient Forest and immediately contacted Li Fan.
"What is a special event?" Li Fan asked, confused.
"Matters related to other worlds are marked as special events when investigations begin," Fray explained.
"Other worlds... that touches upon my blind spot," Li Fan sighed, appearing unable to help.
"It's alright. Ni Zhen isn't entirely sure either, which is why she wants you to help identify the unknown creature," Fray informed him. As the Third Expedition Leader in charge of the research base, identifying monsters wouldn't normally require outside help. However, during their time away from the Old Continent, she had no way of knowing how many new species had been discovered. Therefore, to identify creatures more authoritatively, they needed the assistance of experienced hunters and scribes from the Old Continent. Li Fan had nothing pressing to do, and since it might involve other worlds, he agreed to go along.
Four days later, the Flame Wing arrived at the research base. As soon as they entered, they saw a group of dragon-human scholars gathered around a humanoid creature no taller than half a person. Its upper and lower gums were exposed, its yellow round eyes were sunken into their sockets, and a pair of drooping pointed ears were paired with wrinkled white skin, making it hideous to an extreme.
After a brief moment of surprise, Aibo took out a book and began to flip through it, hoping to find some clues. Ni Zhen introduced the origin of the unknown creature, stating that it was discovered by a hunting team and brought to the research base. Despite searching through all the ancient texts, no record of a similar creature was found. Furthermore, subsequent tests indicated that this monster could not survive long in the Coral Plateau, leading to the presumption that it originated from another world.
"I haven't seen it. Li Fan, do you have any leads?" Yudora asked.
"Uh... no." Li Fan recognized it as a ghoul from The Witcher series at first glance. The appearance of content from a crossover game made him a little bewildered. However, since the Monster Hunter world truly existed, the Witcher world being connected to it would naturally mean it wasn't just a game.
Boom~ Buzz~
Just as everyone was at a loss, a circular hole emitting an orange glow suddenly appeared in the air above the research base hall.
"This... won't a person fall out, meow?" Dielu asked in surprise. As soon as she spoke, her words came true. With a clatter, a silver-haired man leaped out of the circular hole and fell onto the floor.
"Ugh~ Damn portal..." the man grumbled in a magnetic voice. After checking his knees and finding no injuries, he pushed himself up and looked around. Wearing full chainmail, with a stern face, a wolf school medallion on his chest, and two longswords on his back, there was no doubt that this person was Geralt.
"Where is this?" Geralt asked curiously.
Fray stepped forward to initiate communication. "This is a research base established by the guild on the New Continent. I am Commander-in-Chief Fray. Who are you?"
"Geralt of Rivia, a witcher. I was fighting a monster in the forest... This seems to be another world." Looking at the diverse and strangely dressed humans before him, Geralt realized that the portal that had pulled him in was not merely for long-distance teleportation.
Fray and Ni Zhen exchanged glances; the special event was clearly confirmed. "Friend from an unknown world, when we deal with similar events, our first priority is to ensure the safety of this world. While ecological safety on the New Continent is not a major concern, the life safety of all members must be guaranteed. Therefore, please briefly explain your purpose for being here," Fray stated sternly.
"Hmm... that's a ghoul. It's a common monster in our world and wouldn't visit alone." Geralt didn't know why he was teleported here, but upon seeing the ghoul, he quickly sensed something was amiss. Fray, recalling the frequent anomalies in the Ancient Forest, immediately sensed a crisis. Geralt seemed to pose a threat, but at least he was communicative, unlike the unknown creatures infiltrating the Ancient Forest.
"Fighting monsters is my specialty. As long as you're willing to pay sufficient compensation, you can leave it to me."
"What do you want?"
"Is gold highly valued here?" Geralt said, taking out a gold coin from his pouch.
"It's acceptable. For the guild, it's not an indispensable resource."
"Good. I want as much gold as possible."
"No problem. Hmm... why are you carrying two longswords?" Fray asked after a moment of thought.
"The silver sword is for slaying monsters, and the steel sword is for killing humans or beasts," Geralt replied. A silence fell over the research base. After a long pause, Fray sighed, "It seems your world is not very peaceful. Good luck. To ensure the monster-slaying plan can proceed smoothly, I will assign a top scribe to assist you. Aibo, I'll leave the matter of assisting Geralt to you."
"Yes, Commander-in-Chief!" Aibo readily accepted. Yudora moved to the side, nudged Aibo with her elbow, and whispered, "Are you really going? This witcher has killed people."
"I've long wanted to witness the ecology of another world," Aibo said seriously.
"Alright..." Yudora sighed helplessly.
"By the way, to ensure you can hunt monsters without interference, the Chief Hunter team will suppress the surrounding monsters. Otherwise, the complex ecological environment will cause you trouble," Fray added another deployment as he saw Yudora approaching.
"Ah?... Okay!" Yudora's mouth twitched. She was not very willing at first, but thinking that this way she could protect Aibo, she agreed.
"My name is Yudora. I don't want to associate with murderers." Seeing Geralt look over, Yudora quickly stated her position.
"It doesn't matter," Geralt said, spreading his hands nonchalantly. Yudora's disgusted attitude actually made him feel a sense of familiarity. Li Fan, standing nearby, glimpsed the difference in values between the two worlds.
"This is the Fifth Expedition Leader, another member of the Chief Hunter team," Fray said, introducing Li Fan to prevent the atmosphere from becoming too awkward. Li Fan had played The Witcher series of games and could understand Geralt. So, he smiled kindly and stepped forward to shake hands. As for acknowledging each other, forget it. Even if they knew each other's backgrounds completely, they might not become friends in reality. Moreover, there was no way to explain the source of information.
Geralt did not extend his hand, but rather stared at him with a very strange gaze. "Li Fan, why are you here?" Geralt's face suddenly showed a trace of excitement.
"Ah?" Li Fan froze on the spot, completely unable to understand why the other party knew him.
"Do you remember Kaer Morhen? You fell from a great height and broke both your legs. Vesemir and I saved you."
"Mr. Geralt, you must have mistaken me for someone else," Li Fan said, shaking his head.
"No mistake. You were wearing extremely heavy black plate armor and wielding a greatsword. Yennefer deduced that you were teleported here from some unknown world. After you recovered, you helped me search for Ciri, and we fought together." Looking at Geralt's serious expression, Li Fan felt that the experience he described might have actually happened, but he had no recollection of it at all.
"Don't be silly. Li Fan wouldn't associate with a murderer like you," Yudora said, stepping in front of Li Fan and separating them.
"Did I reveal my past?" Li Fan asked.
"You only mentioned that you wanted to go back," Geralt replied.
"Go back... Thank you for the information. If there are no other issues, let's head to the Ancient Forest," Geralt recognizing him with such clear memory was more bizarre than any previous experience. The other party quickly adjusted his emotions and said somewhat coldly that they could depart at any time.
As everyone went to board the Flame Wing, Fray stopped Li Fan. He advised Li Fan not to get too involved in Geralt's monster-slaying mission. The reason was not a lack of trust in Geralt, but rather that in past special events, hunters had suffered greatly due to their unfamiliarity with the characteristics of monsters from other worlds. In summary, leave professional matters to professionals. Li Fan immediately understood Fray's intentions.
The Flame Wing took off. Geralt leaned on the hull, looking down at the Coral Plateau region.
"This is a fruit and vegetable pancake I made, meow. Everyone gets one, please try it." Dielu, holding a tray, came to Geralt's side.
"Thanks," Geralt said, picking up a pancake and chewing it.
"The scenery here is beautiful, isn't it, meow?" Dielu climbed onto the hull, supporting herself with her two cat paws.
"Hmm... I've never seen such a desolate place."
"Desolate, meow? Dielu asked incredulously, very surprised by this assessment.
"I prefer places with many villages and towns. In such a desolate place, you can't even get a contract," Geralt explained.
"How can that be, meow? Look at that team; they're undertaking a contract to hunt a Great Jagras." Dielu pointed with her paw. Geralt scanned the surroundings and found no settlements at all, so he deduced, "Did one of them have their child snatched by a Great Jagras? Or is this some kind of evil sacrifice to summon a monster?"
"I'm not sure, meow... Please enjoy." Dielu's ears drooped as she saw that communication was impossible.
"Dielu, did you find anything out?" Yudora asked expectantly from the kitchen.
"No, meow. It seems we can't understand what the other person is saying... Why does this feeling seem so familiar?" Dielu sighed. The gap created by different worlds was greater than she had imagined.
"This is troublesome. What if Li Fan is bewitched by him... I must think of a way!" Yudora pondered.
"Can I borrow the stew pot?"
"Leaves, someone is borrowing the stew pot... Ah! When did you appear?" Yudora turned around and found Geralt standing behind her.
"Hmm~ I've been standing here since you said Li Fan might be bewitched." Geralt stood with his arms crossed.
"Uh... there's a recipe here. If you want cat food, you can order it yourself. Why do you need to borrow the stew pot?" Yudora expressed her confusion.
"Brewing potions for battle," Geralt explained.
"It's probably similar to eating cat food, meow. It should be important," Dielu whispered into Yudora's ear.
"Don't worry, I won't make things difficult for him in this matter." As a hunter, Yudora could not bring herself to disrupt someone's combat preparations.
"Chef team, leave. Make space for Geralt to brew his potions. If he has any needs, we'll try our best to satisfy them." The three cats wearing chef hats immediately withdrew from the kitchen and waited outside the dining area. This scene surprised Geralt somewhat and his view of the strange world began to change.
Gurgle~ Gurgle~
After adding various unknown ingredients, the green liquid in the pot began to bubble and roll, emitting a strange odor.
"Is this potion for external application, meow?" Dielu whispered.
"No, it should be something applied to the armor... a kind of enhancer," Yudora speculated.
"He... he's taking out a bottle, meow!" Dielu clutched her cheeks with her paws and exclaimed. Geralt picked up a steel ladle, skillfully propped up the potion, and poured it into the bottle's opening.
"No way, is it really for drinking?" Yudora couldn't believe it.
Zhao Lala reminds you: Please remember to collect after reading.