Originally, according to Sherwin plan, they would use the cave they currently lived in and the surrounding area as a temporary base, gradually developing their strength before beginning any exploration of the island.
This wasn't because he had been influenced by those survivalist novels he had read in the past, but rather because, in his current half-grown body, even though he was physically stronger than before he crossed over, there were still many inconveniences.
From a cost-effectiveness standpoint, as he grew older, his physical condition would definitely improve significantly.
Coupled with the fact that he would undergo rigorous training during this growth period and also have his nutrition supplemented by Sanji-meow cat meals, no matter how he looked at it, this was a very worthwhile plan.
So it was enough to just practice on some small monsters nearby for now. As for large monsters, better wait another two or three years before taking them on.
Of course, Sherwin had to admit that part of the reason he kept delaying exploration was, to some extent, due to his own fear of death.
In short, the plan to train while waiting for his body to grow was something Sherwin had set after carefully evaluating his situation after crossing over.
And he didn't think there was anything wrong with it. Even Sanji-meow, who was eager to meet a Beautiful big sister Felyne, agreed with Sherwin plan.
To be fair, the plan itself was indeed sound. It might seem a bit cowardly, but on the flip side, it was also the most stable approach.
However, as the saying goes: no plan can keep up with changes. And Sherwin had forgotten one thing—even in the game, large monsters didn't just sit around in one place like idiots. They would wander.
If that was the case in the game, how much more so in a world that was likely not a game at all and probably had nothing to do with Monster Hunter?
"So, this really is the worst possible situation..."
Sherwin looked at the monster that had suddenly appeared before him and let out a helpless, bitter smile.
As usual, he was doing various kinds of training in the clearing outside his cave, while Sanji-meow had left early to explore a new area.
And just as his stamina was nearly drained and he was getting ready to take a break, this monster that looked like a goat—though it was about the size of a rhino and had a mouth full of sharp teeth—suddenly barged into his territory.
Judging by its bloodshot eyes and the heavy snorts it was blowing from its nose and mouth, it clearly had no intention of coexisting peacefully with him.
Fortunately, Sherwin had previously considered this kind of scenario when he once foolishly pushed himself until his stamina was depleted.
Since then, he had asked Sanji-meow to prepare some food that, like portable grilled meat, could quickly restore stamina—just in case. And per his request, they were all made into easy-to-eat meatballs.
So, while facing off against this clearly carnivorous goat, Sherwin kept one hand tightly gripping his Longsword and with the other reached into his waist pouch, quickly pulling out two meatballs and stuffing them into his mouth.
Sherwin luck wasn't bad—the goat monster didn't attack him during that brief window, allowing him to recover from his stamina crisis smoothly.
Now that he'd luckily restored his strength, Sherwin didn't even consider running away.
Not to mention whether his two legs could outrun the other four, just from the inherited hunter memories he'd received, there was one thing made very clear:
when encountering a monster, running was the worst possible response...
Because in real life, hunters couldn't rely on switching map zones to shake off a monster pursuit like they did in the game.
"Huff—hiss—huff—hiss—"
Sherwin gripped his Longsword tightly, trying his best to regulate his breathing.
Although his mind was filled with a vast amount of hunting experience, those implanted memories and actually facing a monster in person were two completely different things.
Just standing in front of this goat monster made his thoughts slow and his body so tense from nervousness that it barely moved.
After all, judging by how things had gone in this otherworld so far, if he got trampled by a monster, it was highly unlikely that a cute Felyne would suddenly show up with a cart and haul him to safety.
But Sherwin good luck didn't last.
The goat monster must have determined that he wasn't a high-level threat, or perhaps it was enraged by his stance with blade drawn.
In any case, before Sherwin could finish adjusting himself into peak condition, the goat monster let out a roar, lowered its head, and charged straight at him...
"Woof!"
"..."
That completely mismatched bark, coming from a monster that looked nothing like a dog, actually helped ease some of Sherwin tension.
At the very last moment—just before getting skewered by the goat horns—he pulled off the essential skill every hunter must master—
A roll!
And the constant training Sherwin had endured these past days finally showed its effect.
After evading the goat monster charge with a well-timed roll, he followed up almost instinctively with a spinning slash, striking hard at the creature hind leg.
"WOOF!!!"
The goat monster went completely berserk after taking a blow, turning sharply and lunging to bite Sherwin.
"You're way slower than a Zinogre!"
Sherwin taunted as he used his trusty rolling technique once again to dodge the creature fangs.
Though he had never actually fought a Zinogre himself, his inherited memories were full of battles against it.
Still, Sherwin words were more for self-encouragement, trying to build a psychological edge over the monster in front of him.
After all, if "he" could handle a Zinogre with ease, then this beast—whose power, speed, and even overall structure didn't come close—should be a piece of cake, right?
It had to be said: Sherwin mental self-empowerment was far more effective than the spiritual victories of Master Ah Q.
With the Zinogre as a benchmark, he finally shed the fear and nervousness inside him. His movements and thinking began to flow freely.
Thrust, horizontal slash, Spirit Blade, roll...
Monster Hunter Rule No. 1 — Never get greedy with your attacks.
Now calm and composed, Sherwin kept his distance, fighting the goat monster patiently.
A good hunter had to know how to seize the perfect moment to strike—and if that moment didn't come, then it was up to him to create it.
Step Slash, Diagonal Cut, Spirit Roundslash, Spirit Gauge Ready!
Longsword Style Rule No. 3 — Seize every opportunity to charge your Spirit Gauge.
At this point, Sherwin had never been more focused. Against the goat monster attacks, he dodged what he could, and those he couldn't, he intercepted with perfectly timed Iai Slash counters...
After all, reality wasn't like a game—taking a full combo from a monster wouldn't leave you bouncing back up, full of energy and ready to keep fighting.
That why Sherwin had to ensure he maintained his mobility while looking for chances to deal damage.
Even if most of those hits were insignificant on their own, over time, the accumulation of both big and small wounds would inevitably reach a point where the tide of battle could be turned...
That was the judgment of a skilled hunter, based on his own experience.
Vertical slash, thrust, upward cut, quick backstep...
Guerrilla tactics truly lived up to the reputation left behind by the ancestors. With Sherwin constant pressure, the goat monster finally revealed a critical opening.
Longsword Style Rule No. 7 — Spirit Thrust! Spirit Thrust! Spirit Thrust!
Charged Thrust, Leap, Spirit Helmsplitter!
Sherwin soared high and unleashed a classic Longsword-user move—Spirit Helmsplitter—aiming straight for the goat monster neck.
But the beast wasn't just going to sit and take it. It twisted its body desperately, trying to evade the blow.
Sssk—
With the sound of blade meeting flesh, the Longsword carved a vicious path from the goat monster left shoulder downward, nearly severing the shoulder along with the entire left foreleg.
A massive spray of blood burst out, and the goat monster let out a harrowing scream.
"RAHHH—!!!"
With one of its front limbs critically injured, the beast collapsed onto its side. Its remaining three legs flailed wildly, struggling to get back up.
To a monster hunter, this situation couldn't be more familiar. And Sherwin—who had gradually begun converting the memories in his head into real battle instinct—wasn't about to let such a rare opportunity go to waste.
"Now my chance!"
Sherwin reached his left hand behind him and grabbed the scabbard hanging from his lower back.
With his stamina nearly depleted, he still went through the sheathing motion, aiming at the goat monster neck—all while entering Demon Mode to seal the deal with a single decisive strike.
Monster Hunter Code, Rule No. 2 — When it time to go all out, don't hesitate!
This would be the final blow...
Iai Spirit Slash!