The Instructor paused, his expression softening slightly as he explained, "This system isn't a restriction, but a form of protection.
A Hunter's strength can be divided into two parts: 'personal ability' and 'equipment.' Lacking the latter leads to hunting failure, while lacking the former results in losing one's life. Do you understand what I mean?"
Gordon nodded thoughtfully.
With Instructor Ernest's strength and equipment, he has a chance to hunt Flying Wyverns.
If Instructor Ernest were to wear Gordon's equipment, while it would be difficult to kill a Flying Wyvern, he would at least be able to protect himself.
Conversely, if Gordon were to wear Instructor Ernest's equipment to fight a Flying Wyvern, he would most certainly not return.
Not relying on others is a matter of principle, meant to prevent certain Hunters from taking shortcuts and ultimately losing their lives.
"I understand, Instructor Ernest. So, with the materials I currently have, what kind of Great Sword can I forge?" Having understood, Gordon no longer dwelled on the training Great Sword, turning his attention to his own materials.
"If I recall correctly, you have Iron Ore and Earth Crystal among your ore-type materials, right?"
Although it was a question, Instructor Ernest's tone was very certain; he had been well aware of all Gordon's activities in the Hunting Field for the past two years.
"Yes, that's right!"
Compared to Instructor Ernest, Gordon himself didn't remember very clearly what materials were in his storage box at home.
"With a large amount of Iron Ore and Earth Crystal, plus a special mineral from the snowy mountains called Ice Crystal, you can forge a steel Great Sword named 'Burst Blade.'
This Great Sword is sturdy and durable, and its green sharpness is sufficient to last you until you become a Three-Star Hunter.
It can be said that this is a weapon many Great Sword Hunters choose to forge in their early stages."
Gordon's expression became very subtle upon hearing this.
He naturally wanted this "Burst Blade," but what good was wanting it? He lacked that "Ice Crystal"!
A rare smile appeared on Instructor Ernest's lips. He said, "Among all materials for crafting weapons and armor, the only type of material allowed to be traded is ore-type materials ①.
Of course, there are restrictions on the types of ore. As a One-Star Hunter, the types of ore you are allowed to purchase are only the most common ones.
I happen to have Ice Crystal, and its material grade isn't over the limit."
Gordon was overjoyed to hear this.
The Guild's policy of "allowing ore to be traded" was also based on humanistic considerations.
After all, most ore-type materials can be easily obtained; one just needs to bring a pickaxe and mine the veins. However, their production is completely limited by region.
He couldn't possibly be expected to travel thousands of miles across half the continent to a snowy mountain just to mine a few worthless pieces of ore, could he?
That would be too much suffering.
He was a decisive person; once he made a decision, he would act immediately.
Bringing the Iron Ore and Earth Crystal he had accumulated over two years, along with the Ice Crystal provided by Instructor Ernest, Gordon went to the workshop.
After asking the craftsman, he learned that even with all materials provided, the labor cost for forging the Burst Blade alone was over two thousand, nearly three thousand z.
This was more than ten times the cost of an ordinary knife.
This order directly depleted all his savings accumulated over two years. If Instructor Ernest hadn't agreed to let him pay for the Ice Crystal on credit, his entire fortune combined wouldn't have been enough to forge a Great Sword.
He went bankrupt in a single day, but he felt no regret.
Looking at the forge in the workshop, lit by the high temperature of burning coal, Gordon's eyes were filled with anticipation.
Unlike ordinary swords, forging a Hunter's weapon from ore materials takes more time.
The craftsman uncle gave a timeframe of four days; in four days, he would receive his long-awaited brand new weapon.
The waiting period for the new weapon, of course, could not be wasted.
Changing weapon types isn't as simple as just swapping out a weapon. Even though Gordon has a high affinity with the Great Sword, he has too many new things to learn.
The correct posture for wielding a Great Sword, the Connection of moves, how to quickly draw and sheathe the blade, how to block and defend with the Great Sword, how to roll and dodge while holding the sword.
Thankfully, Instructor Ernest had also used a Great Sword for a period in his youth, so he could directly teach these relatively basic knowledge points.
If Gordon had chosen something like Dual Blades or Shield Axe before, he might have had to go to Minagarde City, or even East Doruma, to find a good teacher.
Spending every day in the training ground, time passed quickly.
The Great Sword's moves, which pursue absolute power, are not complicated, but their thresholds for physical fitness and strength are very high. With both these qualities fully met, Gordon made rapid progress, basically mastering the use of this heavy weapon in just a few days.
What he needed to do next was to continuously accumulate experience and form his own combat style.
According to Instructor Ernest, the Great Sword's core move, the "Charged Slash," actually had further derived moves, which were advanced techniques called "Strong Charged Slash" and "True Charged Slash."
These were special moves that only excellent Great Sword Hunters, who constantly honed their skills, trained their physiques, and became powerful to a certain extent, could possibly master.
In the short term, Gordon didn't need to consider them at all; he couldn't access them, nor could he control them.
What Instructor Ernest didn't expect was that, though Gordon didn't say it, he had already deeply engraved the names of these two moves into his heart.
Becoming an Upper Hunter is the basic condition for learning Strong Charged Slash and True Charged Slash ②? Just wait, that day won't be too far off!
As Gordon sweated profusely in the training ground, a petite figure jumped off a cart and arrived at the entrance of Kokoto Village.
It was an Ailu Cat.
It had snow-white fur, with a darker golden-yellow tip on its nose and a striking, beautiful golden-yellow oval pattern on its belly.
It looked around cautiously.
Clearly, this Ailu Cat was visiting Kokoto Village for the first time, and possibly its first time in a human settlement.
It carried a huge, bulging bundle on its back, filled with what looked like hard objects, and its expression was a mix of bewilderment and unease.
A bone "Airou Pickaxe," commonly used by Ailu Cats, hung diagonally on its back, adding a touch of bravery, or perhaps, making it look even cuter?
The Ailu Cat walked into the village, looking around, wanting to ask for directions. The constant clanging from the workshop immediately caught its attention.
Due to insufficient strength and other reasons, the Ailu Cat tribe's smelting level was relatively low. The sound of metal striking was quite novel to it, as it hadn't had much contact with humans.
Stepping lightly, it approached a blacksmith who was currently forging and timidly asked:
"Um, excuse me, is this Kokoto Village, meow?"
"Hmm?"
The muscular craftsman uncle looked down at the tiny Ailu Cat. The red glow from the hot steel block on the anvil illuminated his large face, full of jowls and a messy beard.
In the Ailu Cat's eyes, the burly craftsman, raising his hammer amidst scattering sparks, looked like a demon from purgatory.
"I-I'm so sorry, meow! But please, please spare me, meow!"
The Ailu Cat, with all its fur bristling like a hedgehog, bowed deeply, turned, and scurried away on all fours.
"Hmm? Is my face that scary?" The craftsman rubbed his indeed not-so-friendly-looking large face in confusion and continued to work.
P.S.
① This is my own setting. It's unrealistic to have the protagonist travel halfway across the continent to the snowy mountains to mine at this point.
② This is also a personal setting. Great Sword Strong Charged Slash and True Charged Slash didn't exist in the early MH series. I can't release them too early. Just like I wouldn't let a protagonist born in Kokoto Village use a Shield Axe, I'm trying to find a somewhat logical excuse.
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T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
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If you guys wanna check it out.