Real Monster of Multiverse

I'm not sure where I am. Judging by the vegetation and the fact that I didn't stray too far from the coast of the Ancient Forest, I know I'm still here, but it's hard to say exactly where.

The game doesn't do justice to the immensity of this place, and while certain reference points like the giant tree still exist, the area is so vast that they are hard to find.

—I could climb a tree to get a better view, but…

—RRAaahhhh!

—...There's a damn Rathalos flying around here, so no going to high points.

So, I kept wandering aimlessly.

…

After what felt like a couple of hours of walking, I came across something unexpected—or rather, two unexpected things: a Kulu-Ya-Ku and a Pukei-Pukei, two monsters that are on par with the Great Jagras in the food chain.

In other words, my next meal.

…

POV Narrator

The two monsters were facing off for a reason that's hard to define as right or wrong, at least from a human perspective.

The Kulu-Ya-Ku feeds on eggs, like the one it's holding right now, and as expected, the Pukei-Pukei is the mother of this egg.

So, this is a dispute between hunger and motherhood—or at least it would be if not for the presence of a being that shouldn't exist in this forest, or even in this world at all.

Chryssia leapt out of the bushes where she had been hiding. With a speed disproportionate to her over-two-meter-tall figure, she landed a punch square on the Kulu-Ya-Ku's face, knocking it to the ground and causing it to drop the egg, which shattered.

The Pukei-Pukei, seeing the premature death of its offspring, let out a roar that was pure rage, then used its tail to release a purple cloud of poison.

This had limited effectiveness; the poison only affected the Kulu-Ya-Ku and not Chryssia, who had an even deadlier poison in her arsenal. However, what did affect her was the surprise charge of the Pukei-Pukei, which didn't hesitate to pass through its own poisonous cloud to attack.

The Pukei-Pukei's charging form involves stretching its body as much as possible before running at its target. Chryssia ended up holding the flying wyvern by the chest in a contest of strength.

This contest was interrupted by a jumping kick from the Kulu-Ya-Ku, which sent both of them to the ground.

Chryssia got back up and charged at the Kulu-Ya-Ku. Upon contact, she released an electric discharge that paralyzed it. Taking advantage of this, she executed an idea that came to her mind.

She spread her arms wide and… hugged the Kulu-Ya-Ku.

This move would have baffled any onlooker, but it quickly took a dark turn when spines began to grow from Chryssia's body, piercing the Kulu-Ya-Ku.

This was due to the [Rapid Growth Spikes] ability she had obtained from a coral. As if that weren't enough, she also injected her own acid through these spikes, leaving the Kulu-Ya-Ku agonizing on the ground.

Chryssia turned to look at the Pukei-Pukei, which was just getting back on its feet and preparing an attack with its tongue, sweeping it in a frontal arc. Chryssia dodged by stepping back and countered by leaping at her enemy.

When she reached her opponent, she delivered a punch accompanied by an electric discharge, which proved effective against the flying wyvern.

She quickly followed with a second punch and a knee to the face. This made Chryssia think she had the upper hand, but at that moment, the Pukei-Pukei used the momentum of the blow to turn around and strike her with its tail.

This forced Chryssia to take a few steps back, leaving her vulnerable to a second tongue strike.

Clearly annoyed, Chryssia grabbed the tongue with her left hand and began electrocuting it while stabbing it with spines, causing the Pukei-Pukei to groan in pain and try to retrieve its tongue.

Chryssia didn't let go of the tongue. With her right hand and a new ability, she began forming a lance made of coral.

The Pukei-Pukei, fed up with the pain and its tongue being held captive, decided to charge headfirst.

This was the opportunity Chryssia had been waiting for. Using the lance in her hand, she turned the Pukei-Pukei's charge against it, stabbing the weapon into its large left eye and piercing its brain, killing it instantly.

—Panting Well… that was more challenging than I thought.

…

POV Chryssia

[Skills obtained: agile hands, agile leap, long tongue, poisonous cloud, venomous ball, extendable tail, liquid storage, plumage

Accept: YES/NO]

Obviously, I chose yes, and both the burning sensation and the changes began, ending a few seconds later.

The most noticeable change to my body was the feathers that had grown on my arms, legs, and the edges of my mantle. All were black, with red tips and a small white circle in the center.

—They're not very useful right now, but they look good… though it's annoying not to have gained a flying ability… I guess I need to hunt something with six limbs for that.

And in this world, the only beings with six or more limbs are… Elder Dragons.

—For now, it doesn't matter. That's a very long-term goal.

So, I ventured deeper into the forest, looking for my next prey.