(Hunter's POV)
I woke up face-down on hot sand, my entire body throbbing, "Ughh....." I managed as I pushed myself up, spitting sand out of my mouth, "What the hell...."
I got up, feeling the hot sun shine down from above, the heat of the sand radiating up and hitting me in the face. I patted my pants, realizing I had brown pants with boots, my shirt was a white button-up.
"Damn...." I said as I stumbled, feeling my feet sink into the sand slightly, "Where am I?"
I looked around, seeing that I had been standing atop a sand dune, a rocky terrain in the far distance. I can only deduce that I was in some sort of Desert Region, somewhere in a foreign place.
"Wait....." I mumbled, "Wait, I was in my apartment.....and I fell asleep.....then.....I woke up in some sort of plane...."
Yes, that's right. I was told by a strange Screen that I was being transmigrated to a different world, the world of Monster Hunter. If I recall correctly, it said it was going to throw me into the Forbidden Lands, where Wilds takes place.
That must mean...
"This is the Windward Plains....." I said as I looked ahead of me, still feeling the heat of the sun, "Tch...well, the desert region at least."
I looked to the side, seeing that in the far distance, the Wind's Grasp half-circle rock formation was visible. It seemed to be quite far, barely visible in my line of sight. My guess is that I was still miles away from the proper location.
I looked around me, seeing nothing but the radiating heat of the desert, the sun was scorching hot. Judging by how clear the sky is, the locale was probably in the Time of Plenty. I can only assume that the Sandtide has just passed and the sky was not that cloudy.
I let out a sigh, "This....." I said, "This is a dream, right?"
I pinched my arm, feeling the sharp pain as I held it for around 30 seconds.
I then let go, "Damn." I said, "It must be a very realistic dream if I could feel that...shit."
I was told that I had a System Template relating to One Piece? Yes, that is right. I apparently received Kaido's Devil Fruit, the Uo Uo no Mi: Model Seiryu. Or the Fish-Fish Fruit: Model Azure Dragon. That was an insane thing to even discover, considering that Kaido was one of the most powerful characters in One Piece.
But not only that, I was given access to Haki? If that is true, that makes it more insane. A System that grants me access to a powerful Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit and Haki? And I am in the Monster Hunter world? What kind of overkill is this?! I mean, most Monsters in this world are strong and dangerous, but the Azure Dragon fruit going up against them? That's not fair at all....
But then again, the System mentioned how the Monsters will grow stronger in response to my progress. What does that mean? Will my System and its leveling force the Monsters of this world to evolve?
That is quite the terrifying thought; a Monster that is capable of rivaling the full power of an Azure Dragon. Especially if it is that one, the one that they speak of in legend. But I am sure it wouldn't be in the Forbidden Lands, there was no Elder here yet...
I sighed, "Okay...." I said, "First thing I should do is find some shelter. Some shelter and some water. I can't stay in the Desert for that long, I have no experience in such conditions. I will not last much like this."
I had to stay composed and calm, the complete opposite of my reaction to this whole shit when I was in that white plane.
I took a step forward and I saw that the System Screen appeared in front of me.
[System Start]
- Uo Uo no Mi: Model Seiryu (Dormant) Received
- Haki (Dormant) Trait Received
- Verse Equalization Complete: Your Body Is Now Equalized To This World's Standards. You Are Now Capable Of Feats Similar To The Guild Hunters of This World.
- To Activate Your Devil Fruit, You Must Complete A Major Task. [Task Tab Unlocked] and A Set Amount of Guild Authorized Hunts. After Activating It, Your Devil Fruit Tree Will Be Unlocked. You Must Complete Quests and Tasks To Level Up Your Devil Fruit Tree, Obtaining More Abilities That Relate To It.
- To Activate Your Haki, You Must Complete A Major Task. Doing So Will Unlock The Haki Tree, Allowing You To Level It Up After Completing Quests and Tasks.
- Your Body, Mind, and Willpower Will Get Stronger The More You Level Up Either Your Devil Fruit or Your Haki.
- Reminder That The Further You Progress, The Stronger The Monsters Will Get In Response. Strength Will Incite Challenge, Prompting Powerful Beasts To Defend Their Territories.
- Good Fortune To You.
The Screen disappeared, as if it was just going to leave me with that.
"So...." I said, "I have to level up by doing hunts and other Tasks? Do I get points or something? I'm so confused. Maybe later, I will get a more thorough explanation. But how thorough do I want it, geez...?"
I have dormant versions of a Devil Fruit and Haki. That is just great, I don't even have immediate access to that. It could be rather insane if I can immediately enter dragon form right off the bat, wouldn't it? But I suppose I cannot complain for the time being, my body has been upgraded to the standards of Monster Hunter.
That means I am capable of wielding the weapons that they use in this world. Not only that, I can take powerful hits from the crazy Monsters this place has inhabiting it. If I can gain access to the weapons, I can start hunting and level up my abilities.
Also, there was an Ultimate Goal that the System mentioned. I do wonder what that is about.
I sighed, "Alright....." I said, "I guess there is no other choice but to go along with this. I have to find shelter, though....."
I then heard a sound to my far right. I turned to see a large cloud of dust around a 100 meters away, closing in fast.
I squinted, "What the hell....?" I said as the dust cloud got larger and closer by the second, "Dust....sand.....? Something underneath....?"
For some reason, my vision clearly focused on what was in the dust cloud: various shadows that had a dark serpentine body.
I widened my eyes, "Oh shit." I said, realizing what I was looking at,
"A Balahara pack!!!"