The notification echoed softly in his ears.
[Skill "Hyper Regeneration" +1 EXP]
Bai Chen winced.
"Great… so the system's telling me to hurt myself more often just to train?"
Unlike level experience, skill experience was earned by using or stressing the ability itself — meaning practice, pain, or both.
Sighing, Bai Chen looked at the vial of blood he had just collected.
Under the light, the sample showed two distinct layers—one bright red, one faintly golden.
It was a strange, mesmerizing sight. The two didn't mix, like oil and water.
"So the golden layer must be the Elder Dragon's blood. I wonder… if one day all my blood turns gold—what will I become?"
It was a question with no answer. Not yet.
He capped the vial, then crouched beside Nergigante.
"Listen, little one. I'm heading out for a bit. No noise, no flying around, and under no circumstances leave the house, okay?"
The hatchling blinked her molten-gold eyes, chirped once, and nodded.
Bai Chen smiled. The bond stone truly worked—she understood him.
After throwing on his hunter's gear, he stepped out into the bustling streets of Astera, the Research Commission's main base in the New World.
This was humanity's forward fortress—established to study the mysterious Elder Crossing.
Hunters in full armor rushed about, carrying weapons as large as themselves. The clang of metal and shouts of crews filled the air.
Bai Chen was part of the Fifth Fleet, the latest group sent to continue the investigation.
As he walked through the courtyard, familiar voices called out:
"Hey! Isn't that the Mushroom Hunter?"
"What, no forest run today? I thought you'd already be knee-deep in spores by now!"
He waved back, smiling awkwardly.
The nickname "Mushroom Hunter" wasn't an insult—it was recognition.
Since his arrival, Bai Chen had taken endless foraging jobs. If he wasn't looking for mushrooms, he was on his way to look for them.
Even veteran hunters admitted—when it came to tracking fungi, no one in Astera beat Bai Chen.
After some light banter, he took the chain lift up to the third floor—the Canteen.
The smell of grilled meat and spices wafted through the air, making his empty stomach growl.
His eyes immediately locked onto a familiar figure behind the counter—an one-eyed Palico with a massive broken greatsword strapped to his back.
The Felyne Chef.
In this world, Palicoes were indispensable partners to hunters—combat assistants, field medics, cooks, and all-around lifesavers.
"Chef!" Bai Chen greeted, walking up to the bar.
The old cat turned, his scarred face softening.
"Back already? Got me any mushrooms today?"
Bai Chen scratched his head sheepishly.
"Sorry, Chef. Slept in this morning… woke up just now."
The Palico blinked.
"You? Slept in?"
Of all hunters, Bai Chen was among the most hardworking. The Chef had seen him countless times—training with his katana, lifting weights, studying monsters.
To hear that he'd overslept was… almost unbelievable.
"No worries. My order isn't urgent anyway. What'll it be? My treat today."
The offer made Bai Chen's stomach growl even louder. He didn't hesitate.
"Then… I'll take three meat platters."
The Chef nodded, tail flicking.
"Coming right up."
Each Monster Hunter meal could feed seven or eight people back on Earth—but here, it was just a normal serving.
Moments later, three towering platters landed in front of him.
"Eat up, meow."
Bai Chen didn't need to be told twice. He tore into the food like a starving beast.
Warmth flooded his limbs; buffs began stacking one after another.
Felyne Meals were one of the world's great mysteries—dishes so rich they literally enhanced a hunter's strength, stamina, and resistance.
But only a handful of Palicoes possessed that culinary gift.
Bai Chen had admired the Chef's cooking since day one… but sadly, he wasn't anywhere near strong enough to challenge the one-eyed veteran in a duel.
After all, this old cat wasn't just any cook—he was the former companion of the First Fleet's Commander, now retired after breaking his sword in battle.
Even in retirement, he was level 56—far beyond Bai Chen's current strength.
Bai Chen devoured the three platters in record time, then—without missing a beat—ordered five more.
The Chef froze mid-stir.
"You… you mean to eat those? Not take them to go?"
"Eat them right here."
The Palico blinked, then shrugged. Hunters were big eaters, but this was a new record.
Soon, five more platters arrived—and disappeared just as fast.
The Chef could only stare as the system chime echoed in Bai Chen's head:
[Skill "Blood of the Elder Dragon" +4 EXP]
[Skill "Blood of the Elder Dragon" +7 EXP]
"Chef, ten more, please."
The Palico's tail bristled.
"Ten!? You trying to out-eat a Deviljho, meow!?"
Still, he cooked. Word spread quickly through the canteen.
Before long, a crowd of hunters and Palicoes gathered, whispering as they watched Bai Chen eat like a monster in human skin.
"Twenty-one platters, meow!" one of the kitchen hands yowled in awe.
"Five more!" Bai Chen called, unbothered.
At that point, even the Chef's paws trembled.
"In all my years, I've never seen anyone go past ten… and he's at twenty-one! Who is this man?"
Rolling up his sleeves, the Chef shouted to his kitchen crew,
"All right, everyone—today, we feed this walking Deviljho! Fire up every grill we've got!"
"Aye, meow!" the assistants chorused.
It took nearly three hours before Bai Chen finally leaned back, satisfied. Three Palicoes had collapsed from exhaustion.
"F-Forty-two platters, meow…" one muttered faintly.
Bai Chen patted his stomach, grinning.
"Thanks for the meal, Chef. Oh, and could you pack me ten more to go?"
The Chef's single eye widened like a saucer.
"You still have room!?"
"Not for now. They're for later."
When the food was packed, Bai Chen placed a small pouch of coins on the counter—everything he owned.
"This should cover it."
The Chef frowned, swatting the pouch back.
"I said my treat, didn't I? I won't go back on my word just because you eat like a Lagiacrus."
Bai Chen smiled faintly.
"Then hold onto it. Deduct it from my next visit."
Before the old cat could argue, he grabbed the food and strode out of the Canteen of the Lynian Chef.
Outside, the wind from the ocean blew across his face.
He looked back once at the towering spires of Astera—the only home he'd known in this world so far.
"Guess this is goodbye for a while…"
Because starting today, Bai Chen wasn't just a mushroom hunter anymore.
He was leaving the base—venturing into the wilds of the New World.
And this time, he might not return for years.