Monster hunting used to be a respectable profession.

Now, it's not uncommon to see Teostra armour, Daora weapons when one strolls into any of the Commission's base. Even Fatalis equipment - forged from the mythical dragon monster that would lay waste to nations in centuries past, now hangs unceremoniously on one a dozen Master hunters in any hunters' hub.

With technology, monster hunting has become too lucrative, and too quickly. Remember when the Research Commission does, well, "research" ?

Greed has overtaken our kingdoms. Hubris has overcome wisdom. The ecology is disintegrating before our eyes. People ask why Gaismagorm, an ancient beast of a thousand years, has arisen to resist us. Why Xeno'Jiiva, a hybrid dragon of a thousand species, would be formed to fight us.

The answer is simple: we have become the monsters. And nature is fighting back.

Today I take the head of a Master hunter. An innocent beast lives. Tomorrow I'll take a head of another, another beast will live. A losing battle to be sure, but as I breathe, I'll continue my fight as a true Monster Hunter - a title I was given as I first held my sword, and as Sapphire Star - a title I have forsaken for decades.