Monster Hunter: Broke to Boss

CHAPTER FOUR: Punishment Protocol

Leo stood frozen, the dense forest air heavy around him as he glanced nervously in every direction. The thick mist slithered between trees like silent ghosts, and every rustle of leaves made his nerves jolt. "Come on then! You think I'm scared? You ugly piece of oversized furball! I dare you to show your face!" he shouted into the trees, his voice trembling despite his attempt at bravado. "Yeah, I eat monsters like you for breakfast!" he added, waving his hands around. "You're just a glorified oversized raccoon!"

As if summoned by his taunts, the ground beneath his feet quaked slightly. A low, guttural growl echoed through the forest, causing birds to scatter in panicked flight. Branches snapped. Leaves rustled violently. Then—

BOOM!

From the dense underbrush, an enormous beast pounced out and landed a few feet from Leo, shaking the ground. Leo's legs nearly buckled under him as his eyes widened in horror. The creature was massive—easily three times the size of a bear, with rough, obsidian-black scales, yellow slit eyes that gleamed with hostility, and tusks that jutted from its lower jaw like jagged swords. Its drooling maw reeked of blood and rot, and Leo's gaze accidentally caught on the sight of his own torn shirt snagged between two of the beast's serrated teeth.

"Oh hell no! My shirt?! You wanna die, you dragon-faced flea pig?!" Leo shouted, flailing his arms, though his bravado cracked as his voice rose to a shriek.

Internally, Leo was spiraling. "This system... whoever's running it really wants me dead. First accident, now this kaiju-looking son of a bitch?! I take it back—I want to be broke and miserable in my old world, not dead in this one!"

The beast roared, a thunderous sound that sent a shockwave rippling through the trees. Then it lunged at Leo.

Leo screamed and covered his face, bracing for death. But death never came.

Instead, he heard a sickening squelch and the heavy thud of something large hitting the ground. Trembling, Leo peeked through his fingers.

The monster’s decapitated body lay sprawled in front of him. Its head was cleanly severed, and from its open neck, a shimmering green orb floated upward, pulsing with energy. Leo blinked in disbelief.

"What in the... did I do that? I mean, unless I’ve got ninja reflexes I don’t know about, that’s not me. Maybe I’m some kind of magical assassin now?" he muttered, watching the orb glow.

Cautiously, he stepped forward and reached out to touch the orb. But before his fingers could make contact, the orb floated higher, just out of reach.

"Hey! Come back here! I’m the one who screamed the loudest, I earned that!" Leo yelled.

Suddenly, laughter broke through the silence. He turned to see three people emerging from the mist, clad in sleek, high-end hunter gear that sparkled even in the dim light of the forest. Two young men flanked a woman with striking red hair tied into a tight braid. Her emerald green eyes were narrowed with disdain as she sized him up like he was a piece of gum stuck to her boot.

"Leonis Ardent. Still trying to claim other people's kills, huh? You're as pathetic as ever," she spat, her voice sharp and clear.

Leo furrowed his brows. "Leonis? Who the hell is Leonis?" he murmured as he pointed at himself. "Wait—you mean me?"

One of the guys beside her scoffed. He had slicked-back hair and a permanent sneer etched into his face. "Wow, not only did he survive a beast attack, but he also forgot how pathetic he is. Maybe the hit to your head knocked out the only brain cell you had."

Leo winced. "You know, that’s real lame. Did you come up with that yourself, or do you have a book of ‘Insults for Losers’ on standby?"

The second guy, stockier with a thick jaw and arms the size of Leo’s torso, took a step forward. His voice boomed. "Don’t get cocky, Leonis. You’re an orphan, a bottom-rung F-rank hunter who barely made it through the last trial. Whatever plan you have for getting close to Liora, forget it. You don’t belong in our world."

"Ah. So the girl’s name was Liora."

Leo glanced at her. She was glaring at him like he’d tracked mud into her palace.

"Listen," Leo said, scratching his head awkwardly, "I don’t know what your deal with Leonis is, but I’ve got bigger issues. Like what the hell just happened here."

The three exchanged glances. Liora stepped forward and smirked. "This orb is my kill. I’m a D-class hunter, and you're barely existing. Stay in your lane, Leonis."

With that, she plucked the orb from the air and turned, her two lackeys following her.

Leo watched them disappear into the mist. His fists clenched. He didn’t care about the orb. But being talked down to like garbage lit something in him. "Damn… the old Leonis must’ve really been a loser," he muttered.

Just then, a digital chime rang in his ears.

DING!

[System Notification: You have 4 days, 23 hours, and 11 minutes remaining to complete the First Mission.]

Leo groaned. "Oh come on! I just survived a kaiju! Can I catch a break?!"

He sighed and muttered, "System..."

Nothing.

He tried again. "System interface. Pop up. Open sesame. Show me the money. Siri? Cortana?"

Still nothing.

"Goddamn it."

Frustrated, he began walking through the forest, hoping to find a way out and back to Leonis’s home. He needed information—fast.

But just as he turned toward what looked like a footpath, the system chimed again.

DING!

[System Update Complete.]

[New Feature: Punishment Protocol.]

For every hour that passes without accepting and progressing the first mission, host will suffer internal backlash. First symptom: coughing blood.]