Chapter 125: A Shift in the World Line?

With the intention for cooperation established on both sides, the subsequent matters became much simpler. The Commander-in-Chief represented the New World Investigation Team and discussed the details of the partnership with Su Yi in depth.

For instance, Su Yi would gain access to the various intelligence gathered by the investigation team and be permitted to use the facilities within the base, with priority given to certain functions. Furthermore, accommodation would be provided, and a shelter for his companion monsters would be constructed near the mountain behind the base.

In return, Su Yi would need to share information regarding the New World and its monsters. Provided that his companions were not harmed and their own will was respected, he would cooperate with the scholars on ecological surveys and provide support for missions whenever possible. In short, this was a mutually beneficial agreement that could be supplemented and refined at any time.

"Things will get busy around the base from here on out," the Commander said. "I will assign a Handler to be your contact, and she will handle the details of our collaboration on our behalf."

Because Su Yi maintained a fair degree of freedom, it would be impractical for personnel from various departments to seek him out every time a matter arose; thus, a liaison was necessary.

"No problem," Su Yi nodded.

"Then this Handler shall accompany you," the Commander said, glancing outside the command center.

Beyond the crowd surrounding the command center, a lively girl wearing the uniform of a Handler hopped up to catch a glimpse of the scene before squeezing her way through.

"Hi! I'm here!" the girl, carrying a thick tome strapped to her waist, raised her hand and said with youthful exuberance.

"It's you?!" Su Yi was surprised. Isn't this the Handler? In the game, she was the player's assistant, handler, and partner, known for calling the player "Aibo" (partner), which led to her being widely recognized by that moniker among players.

Meanwhile, the three companion monsters behind Su Yi turned their heads to look at the young girl who had dared to ride a Fulgur Anjanath.

"Uh, hi there. Thanks for saving me earlier," the girl said, giving an awkward wave as she felt the gaze of the monsters. The three companions nodded, as if acknowledging her gratitude.

"They really understood me? That's amazing!" she exclaimed in wonder.

"You've met, then," the Commander said. "This Handler was originally intended to be paired with a hunter I had high expectations for. But shortly before departure, we were notified that the hunter had been assigned a more critical mission by the Guild and thus did not board the ship to the New World." The Commander sounded quite regretful.

Su Yi paused. Had the timeline shifted? Did the future Sapphire Star fail to board the ship? No, no! The game is a game; reality is reality. Ultimately, the future Sapphire Star is the player themselves; in this real world, that person could have been any member of the Fifth Fleet. Yet, the Commander insisted that the hunter existed, only that they hadn't boarded. Was this the butterfly effect caused by his own arrival?

Su Yi’s brain overloaded for a moment. He didn't know if such an immensely talented "Star of the Future" truly existed, or how much influence he had already exerted on this world. On the surface, his arrival hadn't directly influenced—and couldn't have influenced—the Fifth Fleet back in the Old World. But as the concept of the butterfly effect suggests, seemingly insignificant and minute changes could potentially lead to massive shifts in the future.

"Her capability as a Handler is beyond doubt, and she should be able to assist you in your explorations and surveys," the Commander said, noticing Su Yi’s furrowed brow and mistaking it for dissatisfaction.

The arrangement of pairing Handlers with hunters was proposed by the Field Team Leader. Its purpose was to allow hunters to focus on the hunt, while other matters—such as intelligence gathering and writing survey reports—were handled by the Handler. However, not just anyone could become a Handler. First, they required a high level of knowledge; second, they had to be willing to follow hunters to the front lines, a task that was both dangerous and exhausting. Therefore, currently, only members of the Recruitment Group had such pairings. It could be said that every Handler possessed real skill and was capable of genuinely assisting their hunter.

Su Yi snapped back to reality. Seeing the Commander’s explanatory tone and the girl's uneasy expression, he quickly said, "I have no objections to this arrangement."

The Commander nodded, and the Handler visibly relaxed.

"That's good. I have an urgent mission now; would you be available?" the Commander asked.

"Let's hear it," Su Yi replied, as this was part of their cooperation.

"Under current circumstances, we should be prioritizing the settlement of the Fifth Fleet members and managing the monsters that have become restless and dangerous due to the arrival of an Elder Dragon. However, I must keep track of Zorah Magdaros’s movements. If we wait until the hunters are settled and the surrounding threats are cleared, it may become difficult to track it down. That is why I want to ask you to investigate its trail now, especially since you have that Pokémon capable of carrying riders."

The Commander was worried about losing track of Zorah Magdaros, but with the Fifth Fleet just arriving and not yet settled, and their gear not fully prepared, he lacked the manpower to spare for the investigation. Su Yi, however, possessed a team’s worth of strength with his monsters and Pokémon, and based on the information he had provided, his ability to gather intelligence was not to be underestimated. With one or two others accompanying him, a tracking mission should be well within his reach.

After considering it, Su Yi agreed.

"Then, without delay, Aiden, a hunter from the Fifth Fleet's recruitment group, and the Handler will set out with you," the Commander decided.

"My first mission in the New World? Leave it to me!" Aiden said confidently.

"I'm ready! Let's get used to working together, Aibo!" the girl said to Su Yi with great enthusiasm.

In truth, Handlers and hunters usually spent the time before boarding the ship building rapport. However, because her partner never arrived, she had never had the chance to sync with one. At first, she thought she would lose her partner upon arriving in the New World and have to work alone. Now, not only did she have a partner, but he was an extraordinary individual capable of taming monsters and fighting alongside them. She couldn't help but look forward to their upcoming adventures.

Su Yi smiled. "Then I look forward to working with you, Aibo."

"Meow!?" Palico scratched his head, then immediately realized he had lost his nickname!