Kamura Village, truly a home made for heroes, and not just any hero in particular, this is birthplace of the greatest hunter to have ever walked the Earth; Kanba Kenshi. After the Rampage and the defeat of Thunder Serpent Narwa and Wind Serpent Ibushi, the Hunter of Kamura continues his work in hunting monsters to protect his home and family from devastation. But little did our favorite hunter know, a journey to the west would introduce him to new challenges unseen. History is written by those who make a difference, and all it takes is the will of a single hunter.

At the moment, Kanba is out in the field hunting a very challenging monster, Crimson Glow Valstrax, both Elder Dragon and Hunter fighting it out until one falls. Eventually, the hunter defeats the beast with his newly upgraded weapon in its "final form", Tamonowo.

Kanba: This isn't even that challenging anymore. I wish something could happen.

As if his wishes were answered, his Cohoot flies in with a message attached to its feet, the hunter collecting the message before sending off the feathery companion, reading the note it brought him as it says to return to Kamura immediately as something urgent has come up.

Kanba: Urgent? Haven't had something like that in a while. I wonder what's happening?

Kanba carves the Valstrax for pieces and returns to the village before being caught up by Rondine.

Rondine: Ah, Kanba. I was waiting for you.

Kanba: Rondine. Is there something you need?

Rondine: Well, I have received a letter from my home country that contains somewhat troubling news.

Kanba: Troubling news?

Rondine: The letter was sent by my sister, and in it she details how monsters from the Kingdom have started invading neighboring territories. My sister belongs to the Knights of the Royal Order and has assembled a research team to combat this threat.

Kanba: I see...

Rondine: Ideally the research team would halt their advance before the village, but... It's only a matter of time before some of these monsters reach Kamura's shores, if they have not already... Elder Fugen has already been brought up to speed, however, as you are the defender of the village... I would like you to be part of this discussion.

Kanba: Okay, Rondine, you caught my attention. I'll indulge you.

Rondine: Come, let us go speak to Elder Fugen. There isn't a moment to waste.

Kanba and Rondine return to Elder Fugen to discuss the situation, Utushi being present as well.

Fugen: There you are, Squirt! We've been waiting for you! All right, Utsushi. Fill us in.

Utsushi: Kanba, I'm sure you've already heard the not-so-gnarly news from Rondine.

Kanba: That I have.

Utsushi: Monsters from the Kingdom are starting to invade other territories. And looks like Kamura has made the list of "other territories"...

Kanba: Hmm...

Utsushi: We've just received word that a Daimyo Hermitaur has been spotted in the Shrine Ruins. That's a first for the region.

Rondine: Merciful heavens! We're already too late?! To think the turmoil of my home would jeopardize the safety of this village... How can I even begin to apologize-

Kanba: Rondine, calm yourself. Nobody could have seen this coming, not even us.

Fugen: Kanba's right, previously, we barely knew anything about the Rampage for years. At any rate, Squirt, we're gonna need you to go to the Shrine Ruins and give our guest a proper Kamura welcome. Minoto already has a quest lined up for you. Utsushi, you've got your own mission. And Rondine, let us know next time you hear something from that research team. All right, Kanba, go get to it!

Kanba: Yes, Elder Fugen.

Kanba talks to a couple people before rushing over to the Gathering Hub to speak to Minoto.

Minoto: Kanba. As you're aware, we have a situation that needs your attention.

Kanba: Yeah.

Minoto: Orders have come in for you to hunt a Daimyo Hermitaur that has wandered into the Shrine Ruins. I've done a lot of research and you're in for a fight. Their massive claws are capable of crushing anything, especially hunters!

Kanba: As if that's ever deterred me. I'll get it done, no problem.

Kanba signs for the Urgent Quest and heads off to the Shrine Ruins, the cutscene playing with three Grimalkynes wandering before encountering Daimyo Hermitaur.

Fearful, fidgety Felynes
Advancing through the night
When suddenly out of nowhere
A horrid face cause fright
Be calm, there's no need to cry or moan!
It's just some old weather-beaten bone!
Yet not all is what it seems
For below this giant shell
Hides a devious monster
Waiting for some prey to gull

Shelled Sovereign: Daimyo Hermitaur

Kanba arrives at camp and begins his usual routine of the hunt, the gathering phase.

Kanba: I've never seen a monster like this. Especially from another land. Something awful is happening, I can feel it.

Kanba then does battle with the menacing crustacean, the battle being a little tougher than all his previous battles but he wins in the end.

Later in the night, a cart comes to pick up the corpse of the giant crustacean, Utushi showing up as well.

Utsushi: Hey there, Ace. Got the job done already huh?

Kanba: Yeah.

Utsushi: That's why you're my number one pupil!

Kanba: ......

Utsushi: Is something wrong?

Kanba: Something is bothering me. This isn't the work of an Apex driving this thing out of it's home. I fear there's something greater at work.

The Cohoot on the cart suddenly senses danger and flies away before an Aknosom is suddenly thrown into the cart, Utsushi and Kanba diving out of the way.

Utsushi: What the-?

Kanba spots something moving on the cliff behind Utsushi and he chases it.

Utsushi: Hey, hold up!

An azure wolf like beast suddenly darts past Kanba and attacks Utsushi, the shinobi ducking out of the way as the lupine monster finishes what it started with the Aknosom.

Utsushi: We need to evacuate the village... I'll use a Flash Bomb.

Utsushi pulls out a Flash Bomb as the beast turns its attention towards them, and before it throws the Aknosom towards them, a female knight arrives and knocks Utsushi out of the way and Kanba uses a Wirebug to jump out of the way.

Utsushi: Who are you?!

The female knight doesn't answer, Kanba landing on the ground and drawing his Longsword as the wolf like beast snarls at them with an icy breath. Utsushi tries to go on the offensive but the knight blocks him with her sword.

???: Leave the beast to me. This is a royal matter.

Utsushi goes to the sidelines as the knight does battle with the beast, but Kanba couldn't sit idle anymore and he gets in between her and the beast before parrying the beasts attack by knocking it aside with Tamonowo, going full Huntsman mode and he scuffles with the azure fiend. Naturally, Kanba outclassed the beast and drives it away with a Wirebug shoulder tackle that knocks the monster onto its side and forcing it to flee to parts unknown.

Kanba: "What in the heavens was that? It was nothing I've ever seen before."

???: You.

Kanba's thoughts were interrupted when the female knight calls out to him, turning his attention to her.

???: I said to let me handle the beast. Why did you interfere?

Kanba: I apologize for the intrusion. It's my duty to protect the village from monsters like the ones that just showed up. I couldn't sit idle any longer.

This seems to have caught the knight's attention.

???: What is your name, hunter?

Kanba: Kanba Kenshi, the Legendary Hero of Kamura Village. Come, we'll talk more with the village elder about the situation.

When day comes, Kanba, Utsushi, and the female knight returns to Kamura to report their findings to Elder Fugen.

Fugen: First a Daimyo Hermitaur, and now we got other monsters showing their ugly mugs... In any case, we appreciate the backup. So you're Rondine's sister, huh?

Kanba: You're Rondine's sister?

Fiorayne: Indeed, Dame Fiorayne, Knight of the Royal Order, at your service.

Rondine: Dearest Sister, it appears that the monsters from our homeland are invading this region at an unprecedented speed.

Fugen: The monster's behavior... You think that crater has anything to do with it?

Fiorayne: As expected of the village elder, you have commendable insight.

Kanba: Crater?

Fugen: Kanba. Most of the villagers aren't aware of this, but fifty years ago, the Kingdom suffered its own calamity...

Kanba: What?

Fugen: You see, this massive hole opened up far away from Kamura. In a costal region right outside the Kingdom's domain. And because of that, it fell under the royal jurisdiction. But there was another reason why the Kingdom got involved...

Kanba: What is it?

Fiorayne: The Kingdom got involved because a similar phenomenon had occurred centuries before in the capital. The ground gave way and... The Elder Dragon, Malzeno, emerged and nearly brought out precious Kingdom to the brink of ruin. Then it simply disappeared. This same disaster ensued fifty years ago. A crater opened, Malzeno emerged, calamity ensued, and then it disappeared. It's whereabouts remain unknown...

Kanba: Heavens forbid...

Fiorayne: Yes. Fearing its return, the Royal Order established an outpost in an old fort to monitor the crater. However, in light of recent events... Construction has begun to rebuild the fort. We've given it a proper name; Elgado. A grand name, is it not?

Fugen: So you think these monsters are acting this way because old Malzeno is back?

Fiorayne: Too soon to say; the crater has shown no signs of activity. Still, that hypothesis is the basis of our team's expedition. We knights vow to protect our fair Kingdom from any threats. If it has returned, we shall lay down our lives for the cause!

Kanba: It sounds like me and you have the same purpose.

Fiorayne: That we do, as you have mentioned it before you... How shall we say, "saved" me from that beast last night.

Kanba: It was simply an act of my duty.

Fugen: Hm... Kanba, I've got a new mission for you.

Kanba: Yes, Elder Fugen?

Fugen: I need you to work with Fiorayne and the Kingdom. Help them resolve this situation. This goes beyond Kamura. If the monsters keep acting up, every ecosystem out there will be in jeopardy. The Rampage is Kamura's problem, but this crater business affects all surrounding regions. I'm making it your top priority!

Kanba: Of course, Elder Fugen. I will not fail.

Fiorayne: Oh! Y-You're sending Kanba to the Kingdom!? We are in your debt. As a knight of the Order, I must show my respect and gratitude to the Elder's decision to lend us your strength.

Kanba: Oh believe me, it ain't just me.

Nergigante suddenly flies overhead, roaring loudly as he flies in the direction of the outpost, though now, he's changed into Ruiner Nergigante after being tempered by many battles.

Fugen: Oh yeah, I almost forgot about him, he'll probably want a piece of that action too.

Fiorayne: What manner of beast was that?

Kanba: That's Nergigante, the Eater of Elders. Though now after many hard fought battles, he's evolved into a stronger beast, the Guild now calls him Ruiner Nergigante. But we nicknamed him "Nergie".

Fugen: Nergigante was a massive help when it came to the Rampage, but now our hunter here and that old beast share a relationship based on mutual respect.

Fiorayne: I see.

Kanba: Don't worry, Nergie won't be an issue for the Kingdom, as long as he gets a share of any beasts that happen to roam outside the outpost.

Fiorayne: Very well, if that beast wishes to follow us, I shall concede. As long as we have you to help us with our current situation.

Kanba: You'll get my full support.

Fiorayne: Good, call upon me once your preparations are complete.

Kanba: Of course, Dame Fiorayne.

Fiorayne: Please, just call me Fiorayne if you wish.

Kanba: All right.

Kanba heads on his way to prepare some essentials and equipment, including Banzai and Jasper's equipment, says his farewells to some friends, and returns to Fiorayne.

Fiorayne: I must thank you again for lending us your strength, Kanba. I've already sent word of your cooperation to my superior.

Kanba: No problem, I don't want this situation to affect my home too. I worked hard to keep it under my protection.

Fiorayne: And it is admirably appreciated.

Kanba: *Blushing slightly* Thank you, I hope the others at the outpost see the same in me as everyone here does.

Fiorayne: Well, shall we go then? The others are waiting for you.

Kanba: Yes, I wish not to delay any further.

Later on, the ship that Fiorayne arrived on is sailing across the sea, Kanba stepping out of the sleeping quarters to look at his surroundings.

Fiorayne: I pray the seas weren't too rough on you?

Kanba: No, I've endured worst things. This isn't one of them.

Fiorayne: That's good to hear. We shall be in port soon.

Ruiner Nergigante flies by them before he heads off ahead of them, looking for a place to stay outside of the outpost, mainly just some new biomes that he can call home, as Kanba and Fiorayne step onto the stern of the ship to see the outpost ahead of them.

Fiorayne: This is our outpost... Elgado.

Kanba: It looks decent, I must admit.

Fiorayne: Thank you.

(To be continued...)