To prevent Gordon from being overly distracted during combat, Oshura specifically simplified the coordination process.
Normally, the Great Sword User should move frequently, adjusting his position to attract the monster's attention, making it easier for the Archer to unleash full firepower and maximize damage output.
However, considering the lack of synergy between herself and Gordon, and his inexperience in team hunting, Oshura felt it would be better for her to actively cooperate with him.
Fortunately, she was a Light Bowgun User, capable of relatively quick movement even in a braced stance. If it were a Heavy Bowgun User, it might be a bit of a headache.
Gordon also knew that the other party was kindly easing his burden, so he nodded in agreement.
At the same time, he silently told himself that when he struck with his Burst Blade later, he must be careful not to chop up the few "brightly colored hairs" that Oshura cherished.
Since they knew the King Yian Kut-Ku was still asleep, they couldn't waste any more time.
In this world, no Great Sword User can resist the temptation of standing in front of a sleeping monster's face and delivering a fully Charged Slash!
Gordon was naturally no exception.
This unsportsmanlike Attack Up method is called "Sleep Cut" by the Hunters, and if there's a Great Sword User or Gunlance User in the team, it will definitely be left to them.
Whether it's the Great Sword's Charged Slash or the Gunlance's Dragonator, both are incredibly powerful moves that can decide the outcome with one blow.
While the monster is sound asleep, stealthily approaching its weak point for a fierce blow—could there be anything more satisfying in this world?
There actually was.
That would be bringing several Great Barrel Bombs, placing them next to the sleeping monster's head, and then letting art bloom.
For this very reason, most Great Sword Users and Gunlance Users, including Gordon himself, didn't really like Great Barrel Bombs.
Are you trying to steal my Sleep Cut?
My Great Sword is already thirsting for action!
Seeing Gordon's suddenly quickened pace, Zhu Pa and Oshura exchanged glances. They both understood his thoughts and couldn't help but chuckle in unison, then quickened their steps to catch up.
As the overly dense vegetation in the rainforest thinned, the rocky hill, their destination, also came into the Hunters' sight.
This rocky hill reminded Gordon of the Rathalos nest he had explored on Shuretsusen Hill a few months prior, though the structures themselves bore no resemblance.
If there was one commonality, it was the sparse vegetation.
—Rocky ground isn't so easy for seeds to take root in.
As for the location of the King Yian Kut-Ku, their hunting target, there was no need to search; its loud snores were the best guide.
The two people and one Felyne tiptoed around a four-to-five-meter-tall boulder, and the massive pink creature lay sound asleep on a flat rock bed.
Looking at this sprawling behemoth, which was four or five times the size of a regular Peach-hair Beast, Gordon finally understood why Zhu Pa always called it "Fatty."
Its highly distended black belly couldn't help but bring to mind the pot-bellied Haoshang in the commercial district.
No, it was even more exaggerated than that.
Its wide-open mouth looked just like a hippopotamus. Gordon couldn't help but wonder if this guy had just swallowed an entire Great Wild Boar King before falling asleep?
No more thinking, let's begin!
Just as Gordon found his position, rubbed his hands, and prepared to draw his Burst Blade, a pebble the size of a bean hit him on the back of his head.
Gordon quickly stopped and looked back, finding Oshura, hidden behind the boulder, waving at him and continuously mouthing, "Come here! Come here!"
Interrupted, Gordon quickly went to her side. He lowered his voice, with a hint of displeasure, "What is it?"
"I almost forgot to tell you," Oshura also lowered her voice to an extreme whisper, "King Yian Kut-Ku sometimes suddenly inhales and inflates its belly, knocking back enemies in front of it. Be careful!"
Gordon: "..."
Was this guy a bit confused about the situation and priorities?
While information about a monster's Attack Up methods was indeed important, couldn't you have remembered and said it sooner?! This was a Peach-hair Beast's nest; they could be discovered by other Peach-hair Beasts at any moment!
Amidst Oshura's embarrassed laughter, Gordon grumbled as he returned to the side of the still-sleeping King Yian Kut-Ku and drew his Burst Blade.
Before starting to charge, he looked up to confirm that Oshura had already moved to a suitable Attack Up position, braced her Light Bowgun, monster bird's wrath, and even took a moment to make a heart gesture at him.
Only then did Gordon confidently lunge forward, resting his Burst Blade on his shoulder, and began to charge.
Power flowed through his body like streams converging into a river, condensing. Every muscle in his body was like steel cables stretched to their limit on a winch, and he could almost hear the snapping sound of muscle fibers.
As a faint red glow, barely visible to the naked eye, flashed across his body and blade, Gordon exhaled and fully brought down the Burst Blade in his hand.
"Hoo-ah!"
With a powerful low roar, the Burst Blade's claw-shaped edge heavily struck the junction of the King Yian Kut-Ku's side neck and shoulder, a position similar to a human's trapezius muscle.
If these muscles could be severed or severely damaged, one of the King Yian Kut-Ku's forearms, and even a large part of its body, would be affected.
Of course, a better choice would be the vital throat area, but unfortunately, the King Yian Kut-Ku's huge and sturdy jaw completely blocked its throat and chest area, leaving no room for a strike, so they had to settle for the next best thing.
The King Yian Kut-Ku's muscles were relaxed in its deep Sleep Cut, and the Attack Up effect was excellent.
Under the enhancement of immense power, the sharp claw-blade successfully broke through its fur, cutting and tearing its muscles until it struck the shoulder blade, where it got stuck.
"Roar-hoo-hoo-hoo!"
Suddenly suffering a heavy blow, the King Yian Kut-Ku roared and prepared to flip over and stand up, but the right arm it used to support its body was precisely on the side Gordon had struck.
Under the strain of support and exertion, the massive wound on its shoulder and neck was further torn open, causing its arm to go limp. It couldn't help but roll back onto the ground, struggling and finding it difficult to get up for a moment.
"Ah ha! Well done!"
Oshura, who had been ready in the distance, immediately pulled the trigger. One powerful crossbow bolt after another continuously bombarded the King Yian Kut-Ku's rump and back.
Actually, what she truly wanted to hit was the large nitre Mushroom wrapped around the constantly thrashing tail of the King Yian Kut-Ku.
She knew very well that once the King Yian Kut-Ku recovered, it would immediately start eating the Mushroom. With its unreasonable metabolic ability, eating would allow its wounds to heal significantly in a very short time.
Not to mention that under the action of its powerful stomach acid, the nitre Mushroom would transform into scorching breath (and farts), posing a serious threat to the Hunters.
The twelve Lv3 Normal Ammo fully loaded in the magazine were all fired within a mere ten seconds.
However, facing that large Mushroom that bounced erratically with the King Yian Kut-Ku's tail, even the best marksmanship was futile; hitting it was entirely up to luck.
Coincidentally, she was never someone favored by luck. Although all twelve shots hit the King Yian Kut-Ku, none hit the true target.
"Damn it, this is insane!" Oshura, quickly reloading her magazine, couldn't help but curse.
However, just then, an inconspicuous small Explosive Bombs barrel was thrown from an unnoticed corner.
"Boom~."
The small explosion did not cause any actual damage to the King Yian Kut-Ku, but the scattered sparks that landed on the highly flammable nitre Mushroom ignited it in an instant, turning it into a dazzling ball of fire.
--+--
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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