A Smile

"I hate feeling so scared...Hunter, tell me. How do you just keep walking into danger like that? Your almost indomitable spirit and courage..."

The Hunter said nothing, Azure Rathalos platemail a calming presence. While she couldn't see it, she knew it was there.

His smile.

Whenever his helmet was off, he was smiling. Whether it be having dinner with the Capital C Caravan, or waiting with The Man while having something upgraded, bartering with the Wycoon, and especially whenever he went for and came back from a quest.

"Because..." He started, getting Sophie's attention. "Whenever I go out there, I do it for all of you."

"For...us?"

"It's not the money of hunting, it's not the fame that I've gathered. I want to see people, and especially my friends, smile. And if they're safe, they can smile."

He pulled his helmet off for a moment, looking Sophie in the eye.

"Besides, you know who I am, right?"

The Guildmarm thought for a moment, and then it clicked. He was exactly who they told him he was.

With the Gore Magala. With the Shagaru Magala. With the Seregios AND the Apex Seregios. And now, with the scarred Kushala Daora.

"B-because you're the one to get it done!"

"Damn straight." He said with a grin.

The Hunter slid his helmet back on, and sprinted on to help the Ace Hunters.

"You're the one..." Sophie echoed, closing her book and waiting for the Capital C's Hunter to return.