The duel between Bai Mo and Jasper was scheduled for the next morning.
The location was a seaside cave in Astera, which also served as a training ground for other hunters.
Curious about the duel between the Investigation Team Leader and the outsider, many hunters came to watch. Due to the Commander's orders for information lockdown, aside from a few key figures in the Investigation Team, only a handful of people knew about Bai Mo's background.
In the training ground, Jasper, clad in Anjanath armor, looked at Bai Mo, who was still in casual clothes, and asked, "Bai, what weapon do you prefer to use? As for armor, there's a spare Chainmail set made by the workshop earlier. Why don't you try it on?"
Bai Mo didn't refuse Jasper's kindness. After putting on the slightly snug Chainmail set, he picked up an iron Charge Blade from the weapon rack and said, "Teach me how to use this."
"A Charge Blade? It's a great weapon, but since you're not familiar with it, maybe you should practice first. We can duel after you've learned it properly."
Jasper then picked up another bone Charge Blade and began teaching the basics of its usage.
In Monster Hunter: World, Bai Mo's favorite weapon was the Charge Blade—versatile, capable of offense, defense, and high damage output, with stylish moves like the Super Amped Elemental Discharge (SAED) and the savage axe mode.
Not enough damage? Discharge! Weak defense? Discharge!
First came the Charge Blade, then the heavens; the SAED reigns supreme!
The Charge Blade consists of a sword and a shield. Basic moves like the advancing slash, jumping slash, and spinning slash are all foundational techniques. However, once the sword is inserted into the shield, the weapon transforms from a sword-and-shield style into a brutal, high-output giant axe mode.
Jasper then demonstrated the three major attacks of the Charge Blade: the Elemental Discharge I, Elemental Discharge II, and the ultra-high-damage Super Amped Elemental Discharge—commonly known as the "one-hit," "two-hit," and "SAED" among Charge Blade users.
As a practitioner of magnetic field martial arts, Bai Mo's brain had long been enhanced. Within just half an hour of Jasper's instruction, he had mastered the weapon's techniques.
Watching the young man wield the Charge Blade with ease, both the Commander and the Master of Arms among the spectators, as well as Jasper himself, felt that Bai Mo was a true prodigy.
Once the training was over, Bai Mo and Jasper began their formal duel.
Jasper, with a bone Greatsword strapped to his back, didn't underestimate his opponent. From the training session, he was certain Bai Mo was a formidable warrior. If he didn't go all out, he might truly suffer an embarrassing defeat.
Meanwhile, Bai Mo hefted the Charge Blade in his hand, feeling its weight.
Earlier, he had noticed the weapon felt too light. If he activated his Current Control to stimulate his cells, the Charge Blade would become even lighter, which might lead to mishaps.
No wonder magnetic field warriors usually fought with their fists. Once Bai Mo reached the Magnetic Field Rotation level, his own body would likely become his best weapon.
But for now, he'd make do—after all, the Charge Blade was undeniably cool.
Seeing Jasper holding his Greatsword without making the first move, Bai Mo decided to take the initiative to test his current strength.
With his shield raised, he charged at Jasper with a Death or Glory rush.
This ability, derived from the Courage Eel, seemed to surge through Bai Mo's body as he activated it. His muscles tightened, and his speed increased dramatically, closing the ten-meter gap in just a few breaths.
To Jasper, Bai Mo's charge was blindingly fast. But as a veteran hunter who had faced countless life-or-death battles against monsters, Jasper instinctively raised his Greatsword horizontally, hoping to block the impact with its broad blade.
However, his defense failed. Bai Mo's Death or Glory rush didn't just enhance his speed—it also temporarily boosted his defense and strength.
Even without activating Current Control to stimulate his cells, Bai Mo's raw power, amplified by the shield, sent Jasper flying.
The description of Death or Glory was simple: Heaven is on the left, warriors charge to the right!
Bai Mo hadn't fully understood the ability's true potential until now. The rush not only increased his speed but also granted him extreme damage resistance, allowing him to ignore certain attacks entirely.
The sheer force of the impact could send opponents flying—or, if Bai Mo had used his sword instead of the shield, it might have cleaved through Jasper's armor entirely.
As Jasper struggled to his feet in the distance, Bai Mo didn't press the attack, instead waiting for him to recover.
Shaking out his numb and aching arms, Jasper pulled his Greatsword from the ground. "Incredible strength, Bai. I acknowledge your skill, but I won't admit defeat so easily!"
With that, Jasper launched a countercharge.
Bai Mo blocked Jasper's attacks with his shield, and the two exchanged dozens of blows, drawing cheers from the watching hunters.
However, the Master of Arms and the Commander, seated in the observation area, shook their heads.
"That kid is holding back."
"Indeed. Jasper's strength is on par with a high-rank hunter, but he still hasn't pushed Bai to his limits. Maybe you should step in, old friend."
The Master of Arms shook his head. "No, I mean the boy hasn't even shown his true strength yet."
He glanced at the Nargacuga lounging nearby. "Besides, didn't you hear? He subdued that thing bare-handed. How do you think he managed that?"
The Commander chuckled, realizing he'd overlooked something.
"That boy might even be a match for the Huntsman."
Thinking of the man who rivaled a Rajang in sheer force, the Commander nodded in agreement.
It really did seem that way.
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T/N:
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