Last we left off in the story, we were taken to the Shrine Ruins as per Kanba's first assigned quest to learn the basics of any expedition or hunt, the latter arriving at the first camp where Utsushi was waiting and sending off his Cohoot ahead of him, then Utushi speaks up.

Utsushi: Yo, Ace! What's up? Accepted my quest, huh? Niiice! Come over here and let's get started!

Kanba walks over to Utsushi to begin the lesson.

Utsushi: Congrats again on making it as a hunter! A whole new life awaits! Heh, I can see in your eyes that you're ready to thrash some monsters, but let's start out with the basics first.

Kanba: Of course, Master Utsushi.

Utsushi: So, to start off, this is your tent right here next to us. Here, you can change your clothes, equipment, or organize your items. If you wanna change your current loadout, you're free to step in and change it anytime you want.

Kanba: Okay, but I think I'll run with the Longsword for now.

Utsushi: Right. And over there is the Supply Box. It contains helpful items that you'll need during a quest. Everything that's in there is provided by the Guild, so take whatever you need.

Kanba: Right.

Utsushi: Okay, that's it for camp. Now moving on to the next part. I'll be waiting for you down by the river past the ledge. If you get lost, check your map.

Utsushi uses his Wirebugs and heads off to the river, as Kanba takes a couple essentials from the Supply Box, mainly a few EZ Potions and Rations before heading down to the river himself to find Utsushi standing on a boulder.

Utsushi: Yo, Ace! Up here! Let's talk about Wirebugs! Those bodacious insects are a must in any hunt! Use 'em right, and you'll be able to zip around anywhere you want! Even on top of this boulder!

Kanba nods and uses a Wirebug to jump onto the same boulder Utsushi was standing on.

Utsushi: Hey, look at that! You're a natural! Next, let's talk Buddies! Today I brought my Palico and Palamute, Flash and Rumble, with me. They'll be lending you a paw for this part of the training.

Utsushi's Palico and Palamute suddenly appear from the ground, having dug all the way from camp to join them.

Utsushi: First, try mounting Rumble, my Palamute! Palamutes are as fast as the wind, so if a monster gives you the slip, mount onto your barking Buddy! I'll be waiting for you up the trail, meet me there!

Utsushi takes off deeper into the area as Kanba hops off the boulder and walks to Rumble, petting the Palamute before hopping onto his back.

Kanba: Good boy. All right, let's go.

Kanba rides Rumble past an old shrine structure to the entrance of the bamboo forest where Utsushi was waiting next to a Spirit Bird.

Utsushi: Hey! Check out this Yellow Spirit Bird! If you touch one, it's pollen will enhance that good luck charm of yours, your Petalace. When that happens, the scent of the pollen surrounds your Petalace and boosts your stats. Since this little guy is yellow, he'll increase your stamina. Similarly, Spirit Birds of other colors can buff different stats. Pretty gnarly, if you ask me! The effect is only active during your current quest, but you can be sure as shurikens that they are worth using! Oh, and over there is a Clothfly! Clothflies are one of many small creatures you'll encounter out in the field! We call these little guys Endemic Life. The powder these floaty friends have can boost your defence! There's lost of Endemic Life out there that can boost your hunts in many ways! Have a look around to see what kind of Endemic Life you find, and play around with them to see what kind of effects they'll have on you!

Kanba: Got all that crystal clear.

Utsushi: Okay, just a little bit more. Follow me!

Utsushi heads off further into the area, collecting Endemic Life and crafting materials from different gathering spots before meeting Utushi again at a fork in the trail.

Utsushi: Hey there, Ace! Getting the hang of riding a Palamute?

Kanba: Definitely.

Utsushi: Radical! They're super helpful Buddies, especially when you need to cover a lot of ground! And you can even tell them to attack while riding them! But their attacks won't be as strong as yours, so when you're ready to get down to business, it's best to dismount. Speaking of which, there's some monsters nearby. How's your health and stamina looking? Always remember to keep tabs on them while out in the field. When you're ready, follow me through here, then we can really get this show on the road!

Kanba: I'm already up for the challenge. Let's rock.

Utsushi: That's the spirit! Let's do it!

They head up the trail further to the right before Utsushi spots a small raptor like small monsters, Izuchi.

Utsushi: Look, there's a pack of Izuchi up ahead! Don't hold back, good luck!

Kanba dismounts Rumble and draws his Longsword, heading into the fight with Izuchi and starts attacking them one by one until they were dead.

Utsushi: Sweet! Awesome job, Ace! Don't forget to carve the monsters for materials to use at the Smithy. When you're done carving, come see me!

Kanba begins harvesting the materials from the dead Izuchi that he slayed before going to Utsushi.

Utsushi: Awesome! I expected nothing less from my star pupil! I'll meet you back at camp! Sure it might be quite the distance, but Fast Travel can make the trip shorter! See you there, Ace!

Utsushi takes off back to the camp as Kanba uses Fast Travel, tossing down a smoke bomb and using a Wirebug to take off before he arrives back at camp before walking to Utushi to complete the quest.

Utsushi: Well done, Ace! You've completed the training quest! Now you should be up to speed on how to handle yourself out on a quest!

Kanba: Thank you, Master.

The quest was complete as Utsushi and Kanba return to Kamura Village, Kanba reporting to Elder Fugen in regards of the completed quest.

Fugen: Well, Kanba. I see Utsushi's quest was no match for ya! Ha! I expected nothing less!

Kanba: It was a decent warm-up. Now I'm feeling more confident than ever.

Fugen: That's good to hear. What you learned today was the very essence of hunting. Wherever the hunt takes you, those lessons will always hold true.

Kanba: I will always keep those lessons close to heart, Elder Fugen.

Fugen: Good. Now, Hinoa has some One Star quests ready for you. So get out there, and happy hunting!

Kanba nods and heads to Hinoa, sitting in the same spot.

Kanba: Hey, Hinoa.

Hinoa: Hello, and welcome back! How'd everything go with Master Utsushi's quest?

Kanba: It was cakewalk, finally got the basics needed for every hunt.

Hinoa: Wonderful! Anyway, there are some One Star quests ready for you whenever you're feeling up for it!

Kanba: Let's see what we have.

After taking care of some delivery quests and a small monster culling regarding some Jagras and Izuchi, while also gathering some materials from the biome, Kanba was able to occupy his first urgent quest upon arriving back to Kamura, going to Yomogi who seemed distressed.

Yomogi: Kanba! Have you heard?! Have you heard the terrible news?!

Kanba: Yomogi, what's wrong?

Yomogi: A Great Izuchi is tearing up the Shrine Ruins! It's absolute carnage! Okay, a little bit exaggerated, but there really is a Great Izuchi! And it parked it's big monster butt in the middle of our main trade route. Without that route, my supply of Dango will never get delivered!

Kanba: Don't worry, I'll get it taken care of. You won't be running out of Dango any time soon on my watch.

Yomogi: Oh thank you so much, Kanba! You're already a hero in my eyes now! Okay okay, it's now an urgent quest! Go talk to Hinoa when you're ready!

Kanba: You got it.

Kanba heads on over to Hinoa to undertake the Urgent Quest.

Kanba: Hey, Hinoa. I'm here for the Urgent Quest. I won't let Yomogi's Bunny Dangos be in vain from this inconvenience.

Hinoa: So noble of you to help a friend in need, especially since you're also helping me as well, because... Well, you get why. Here, let me get the Urgent Quest ready for you.

The Urgent Quest is signed and Kanba was set, but not before taking a moment to eat some Bunny Dango from the Tea Shop to boost his stats in the hunt. And now he was ready to fight his first large monster, Great Izuchi. As the cutscene plays out with the Izuchi trio hunting a Gargwa in the bamboo forest trail.

First comes the vanguard
Unstoppable tank
Then comes a second
Attacking the flank
Finally the general
The highest in rank
A trio of blades
Swift as a gale
They cut to the bone
And kill without fail

Trinity of Terror: Great Izuchi

Kanba arrives at the first camp with Jasper and Banzai to take care of the Great Izuchi, first he starts gathering Spirit Birds and other Endemic Life to give him the edge in the battle.

Kanba: Okay, let's do this. I have trained for this for the longest time, I won't fail here.

Kanba finds the Great Izuchi and engages in battle with the hook tailed monster, taking some hits in the process, but he was able to pull through and slay the beast, carving for materials shortly after and gathering shiny drops that may have fallen during battle.

Kanba: Well done guys, I knew we can do it.

Banzai and Jasper cheered in victory as they return to the village, reporting to Elder Fugen about the quest completion.

Fugen: Never thought I'd see anyone put more enthusiasm into hunting a Great Izuchi! Ha! I knew you had real talent, but you're putting all those other hunters to shame!

Kanba: This is what I trained for, and I'll use those skills I've gained accordingly to pull off a successful hunt.

Fugen: And we all expect great things out of you, great work! Speaking of, Hinoa has Two Star quests ready for you. Why don't go check it out?

Kanba: Of course, Elder Fugen.

Kanba walks around the village to acquire villager requests before returning to Hinoa.

Hinoa: Kanba, thank you for handling that Great Izuchi. Now Yomogi is back to her usual routine and I'm no longer in panic mode. Crisis averted!

The two share a laugh before Kanba speaks up.

Kanba: I'm glad I could help. I wouldn't handle seeing my friends down in the dumps so I had to do what felt right.

Hinoa: And we greatly appreciate it. Anywho, Two Star quests are available to you as we speak.

Kanba: Let's see what we have then. I'm ready to do some work.

After taking care of gathering and small monster culling quests, he's ready to take on some new large monsters, like Lagombi. Coming to a new biome filled with ice, the Frost Islands.

Chilling to the bone
A trial for the brave
Those who go alone
Will meet an icy grave
Snow so cold it burns
From here no-one returns

We soon start the Lagombi cutscene where we get the POV of a monster, possibly a Popo, encountering the rabbit like beast and not surviving the encounter.

On a frosty mountain range
Far from human haunts
An abominable beast
Does whatever it wants
Is it hare?
Or is it bear?
It is neither
So beware
It will drench the snow in blood
And wreak nothing but despair

Silver Slider: Lagombi

Kanba arrives at the first camp in the Frost Islands, sending off his Cohoot before he begins searching for materials and Endemic Life.

Kanba: "Brrrr... It's cold out here. But I won't let that stop me. I'll power through like a warrior."

Kanba finishes the gathering phase and goes to face the Lagombi, and though it was a slightly tougher fight, he manages to pull through and put down the beast, carving for materials and picking up shiny drops when it was done.

Kanba: "I feel like I'm getting better and better with each battle. I'll save the village in no time."

Kanba returns to Kamura to sign for another quest, going to Hinoa.

Hinoa: Kanba, welcome back! How was the fight with the Lagombi?

Kanba: Chilly and hard-fought, but I pulled through. I feel like I'm getting stronger.

Hinoa: A strong hunter is a great warrior, and we need one to protect the village.

Kanba: So let's see the next quest.

Kanba signs the next large monster quest, Great Baggi, departing immediately.

The Great Baggi cutscene plays with a Popo getting chased by a couple of Baggi, before getting caught by the Great Baggi in it's nest.

Running into the darkness
Fangs snapping at your heels
When at last you stop to rest
A quick look around reveals
You walked straight into a nest
Littered with previous meals
Don't stop, don't linger
Don't sleep in this den
For the beast will find you
And you'll never wake up again

Cunning Usurper: Great Baggi

Kanba arrives at camp, sending off his Cohoot and doing his regular hunting routine, collecting Endemic Life and gathering materials.

Kanba: I think this thing uses some sort of liquid that puts the animal it hunts to sleep, I'll need to be wary about that.

Kanba soon engages the Great Baggi in combat, watching out for the saliva that'll put anything to sleep, and he eventually slays the beast, carving for parts and collecting shiny drops.

Kanba: Piece of cake. I'm getting better each fight.

Kanba returns to Kamura, and the first thing he does is go to Hamon to forge better weapons and armor for himself, Jasper, and Banzai, coming out with better improved equipment before going to Hinoa to finish the final large monster quest.

Kanba: Check out our new equipment, Hinoa. Feeling stronger already.

Hinoa: Amazing. You all look wonderful.

Kanba: Thank you, let's see that last quest.

Kanba signs for the last large monster quest, Arzuros, heading out to deal with the beast, the cutscene playing as the Arzuros slowly lumbered to the river for a meal.

Roaming hill and dale
A gluttonous brute
Leaves a sluggish trail
Attempts to sait it's hunger
Prove of no avail
It keeps eating more and more
And with every bite
It succumbs yet further
To it's destructive appetite

Bloodlust Incarnate: Arzuros

Kanba goes on with his routine of gathering Endemic Life and collecting crafting materials.

Kanba: Never thought I'd fight a bear like wyvern. What about you guys?

Jasper tilts his head and Banzai shrugs his shoulders.

Kanba: Yeah me too. Let's go.

Soon Kanba encounters the Arzuros and starts fighting it, though admittedly, he did get his honey stolen a few times before he was able to put the beast down and collect the materials.

Kanba: Jeez, you really are a glutton for punishment huh big guy? No longer.

Kanba returns to Kamura and reports to Elder Fugen.

Fugen: Well, well, Kanba! Looks like you're rackin' up those notches on your hunting belt. Speaking of which... Iori said he needed your help with something. That kid's usually the DIY type, so I guess he sees something in you. Him and everyone else in Kamura, I'm sure. You've got something good going on, Squirt! Don't go and disappoint them! Bwahaha!

Kanba: Of course, Elder Fugen.

Kanba heads to the Buddy Plaza and goes to talk to Iori.

Iori: Oh, Kanba. Thank you for coming.

Kanba: No problem, so what do you need?

Iori: Okay, so do you remember Yomogi's supplier who got held up in the Shrine Ruins and you helped him out?

Kanba: Yeah, what's the problem?

Iori: Well... I'm not sure why, but since then, more of the monsters have been acting weird around the Ruins.

Kanba: Acting weird?

Iori: I know that monsters get fidgety when the Rampage nears, but it's strange to see that they all congregate in one spot. Plus the merchant mentioned "a strange presence", and now the whole village is talking about ghosts. Creepy, right?

Kanba: What's the cause for this?

Iori: Well about that, a couple of eager Felynes and Canynes went out to go hunt this "strange presence". And now I hear an Aknosom has shown up here! Please, Kanba! Will you take care of the Aknosom while I go search for the Buddies?

Kanba: I'll take care of it, no problem.

Iori: Thank you so much! An urgent quest has been sent to Hinoa!

Kanba was about to go take care of the Aknosom quest, until he spots a new face at the trading ship, walking over to find Rondine the Trader.

Rondine: Greetings, Hunter.

Kanba: Greetings. I believe you are the trader?

Rondine: Indeed, any items you wish to trade with will be found here at your convenience.

Kanba: Thank you for the information.

With the meeting over, Kanba hurries over to Hinoa to undertake the Urgent Quest.

Kanba: Hinoa, I need to sign the Urgent Quest, no Felynes or Canynes are going missing if I have anything to say about it.

Hinoa: Okay, good luck.

(To be continued...)