Monster Hunter: A New Hero

Chapter 3: The Strength To Protect

Beams of morning sunlight seeped through the shutters of Shin's window and hit his face, signaling him to wake up. "Ahh..Right..It should be finished by now.." Shin said under his breath. He slowly got up and got ready to take a bath. After bathing, he put on his casual clothes. "Mom, I'm going out now." Shin called out. "Okay, deary. Take care!" replied Shin's mother. He headed out of the house and started walking leisurely, thoughts of recent events flooding his mind. Shortly, he arrived at the blacksmith's shop where he was greeted by the old wyverian blacksmith, Raizo.

"Ahh! Shin!" Raizo's voice was hoarse and manly. Even though he was already beyond fifty years of age, his body was as muscular as ever. "Good morning, Sir Raizo." Shin replied, smiling courteously. "Good morning, Shin." Raizo's son, Kotaro greeted, coming from the forgery. "Ah. Kotaro. Good morning too. Is it ready?" Shin inquired, looking at the sweaty Kotaro. He was just as muscular as his father and it seems that it was his turn to do work in the forgery. "Aye. It's ready, Shin. Come into the forge." Kotaro replied and brought Shin into the forgery. There, a crimson armor set was ready for use on a manikin. The very design is likened to the ferocity of the beast from which it was made from. The plates of the armor was made from the strong scales and hide of the Rathalos. It was a work of art, a masterpiece of both beauty and strength. It gave off a magnificent and intimidating crimson glow.

Shin was speechless at the sight of such armor. "W-wow..." was all Shin could remark. His eyes were widened with amazement. "You like it?" Raizo chuckled as he brought Shin closer to the armor. "Kotaro and I worked day and night to complete this here, my boy." Raizo added. "I-It's wonderful! Absolutely perfect!" Shin remarked again. Kotaro took the armor off of the manikin and took out a platform. "Come here, Shin. Let's equip this beauty on a genuine hunter." Kotaro requested to Shin. "Can you put it in this bag, Kotaro? I want to show this armor to someone first." Shin asked, getting out a large bag. Raizo immediately knew who Shin was mentioning. "I understand Shin. You can take it with you." Raizo said, taking each piece of the armor and carefully placing it in the bag. Kotaro also knew who Shin was talking about and helped his father put the armor piece by piece into the bag.

After giving the payment for the armor made, Shin went off with the bag on his back. "He's really remorseful, up until now, huh?" Kotaro asked his father. "Yes, son. He has been constantly putting the blame of Lai's death on himself...He was the leader of the team." Raizo replied. "That experience surely made Shin stronger. I can see a new strength growing inside him." Kotaro said, looking up to the sky. "The strength to protect others." Raizo said, patting Kotaro's shoulder.

Shin arrived in front of Lai's grave and put down the bag on his back. "Hey Lai...I'm here again." Shin chuckled sarcastically. "A lot has been on my mind lately...But...The one thing that I can't seem to get out of my head is the tragedy that befell you..." Shin then gave a forlorn expression. "I was the team leader...I was responsible for everyone on the team...Even you." Shin then opened his bag. "That's why...I promise...From here on end...That I will give it my all to protect my teammates. No matter what. I will never let another comrade die on my watch." Shin then started to put on his new armor, piece by piece. He started with the leg pieces, then the waist piece, followed by the chest plate and gauntlets and finally, he donned his helmet. "Watch me Lai, as I become the greatest hunter the world has ever known!" Shin said, raising his fist in determination. 

After saying what he needed to say, Shin left Lai's grave and headed back to the village. On the way, he met up with Ronald and Miku, on their way to Lai's grave. "Oh, hey Shin!" Ronald called out. "Oh, hey, Ronald, Miku. Heading for Lai's grave too?" Shin asked. "Y-yes. We are. We just got back from a mission." Miku replied, looking up to Shin's face. "Oh, hey, nice new armor you got there!" Ronald remarked, patting Shin on the back.  "Thanks, Ronald." Shin smiled. "Well, I guess I should head off now." Shin continued, chuckling. "R-right. Take care now, Shin." Miku smiled then gave Shin a small kiss on his cheek. Shin smiled and nodded. "Take care too, you both." Shin replied and walked off. "He's changed, Ronald." Miku said. "You're right. He's changed a lot ever since. Though he's still the same kind and modest Shin we know, he's stronger now." Ronald replied as he and Miku watched Shin walk back to the village.

After a great fall, the strong always rise back up. The tragedy that befell Shin and his companions was great.  It had shocked many in the village. But that never stopped Shin and his companions. The tragedy gave birth to a new strength within each and everyone of them. A new strength to protect others. It is about time that Shin returns to his regular duties.