02x10 - Track It Like a Bloodhound

[bunniefuu]

[wings flapping]
[birds chirping]

[footsteps approaching]

Took you long enough.

Well, I suppose
I can't be too mad at you

for being a little late.

I'm the one who invited you
here, after all.

So,

since you decided
to meet with me.

I'm guessing
you're open to negotiations.

Am I totally off base, or what?

Arthur Pencilgon.

[chuckles]

[RAKURO]
First order of business.

I'm gonna straight-up
m*ssacre those support joints!

Using these Twin Titans
of Punch with my skill combo

should beat the heck out
of doing it with my bare hands.

Gilta Brill!
Time to punch in!

INFIGHT

We'll throw down with Infight,

and then
it's my Hand of Fortune!

Get smashed, bro!

[explodes]

Yeah!
Now that's a one-hit k*ll!

One column outta the way!

Next.
Your twin brother!

Uh.

My Shana...
Oh Incarnate crapped out!

No way I'm making it
to the other side

without some sort of
skill boost.

[gasps]

[thuds]

[RAKURO]
It'd take twenty seconds

to scale Mount Dumpus
from that side,

which ruins my speed-run.

What now?

Divinity-era tech.

[thuds]

I read the description,
but that's it.

Guess I will have to test
these beauts out in the field!

I'm firing up!

[fires]

It's got
some special functions,

ala voice activated commands,

like this Crystal b*llet!

[whirring]

Let's try another one,
shall we?

You're Growing-up!

[clangs]

When the crystal b*llet

detects a certain
vibration wave-length,

those bad boys grow faster
than mega-weeds!

[shatters]

[chuckles]

That's a Legacy Weapon for ya!

It's not only
insanely powerful,

but it's the greatest toy
in the world!

And, land!

Thirteen seconds left!

I can't wait for
Hand of Fortune to recharge,

or wax poetic!

Brace yourself, big boy.

'Cause you're about
to feel the wrath

of a BERP-style
Quick-Draw Fist!

[punching]

[gibberish]

-[explodes]
-What?

I've come too far
to be crushed like this!

Perfect slam dunk.

Comin' in hot!

[thuds]

[explodes]

[groans]

[beeps]

[groans]

[rumbling]

So, gravity plus its own weight
equals insta-death, huh?

Can't believe
you can beat the thing

by hitting it
with its own wheel.

That's one of the derpiest
deaths of a late-game boss

that I've ever seen.

Well, derpy or not.

That's a 59 second clear, baby!

Hell, yeah!

Got me a new solo record, boy!

And holy crap,
these crystal b*ll*ts seem like

they'll come in handy
all the time.

Not to mention
they've got more secrets

under the hood too.

This oughta be so freakin' fun!

[laughs]

[thuds]
Nice try, scrap heap!

No mere area boss
shall hinder my questicle!

[beeps]

[laughs]

This thing adds 400 vitality?

And it looks
very becoming on you, sir!

[RAKURO]
So you're telling me

if I wore nothing
but this sash,

it's all I would need
to equip the Gilta Brill!

It's kinda funny in hindsight,

the Spiked Battlehelm Four-A
I crafted pretty early on

still nets me
more vitality than this.

Between that
and the Gilta Brill,

Bilac has proven herself
to be quite the skilled smith!

[SHOPKEEP] Thank you
for your business, sir!

[door creaks shut]

[RAKURO]
Okay.

Still got a little time to blow

before my meeting
with Psyger-0.

-Huh?
-[ADVENTURER 1] Man,

Psyger-0 looked pissed.

The sheer intimidation
is insane.

Pretty sure he earned that
"Attack Master" nickname.

He kept looking around

like he was waiting for
someone else to show up, too.

I'd hate to be the person
he was waiting for,

he's been standing there
at least an hour now.

[ADVENTURER 1]
Whoever it is,

they're gonna get wrecked
the second they show up,

poor sap.

[ADVENTURER 2] Sheesh,
don't wanna be near that!

[RAKURO]
Oh, crap!

[gasps]

I must have gotten
our meeting time totally wrong!

This is no time to be shopping!

[panting]

Sorry, your Murderousness!

[REI]
What? Sunraku.

[RAKURO] I don't know
how I could apologize enough

for making you wait,
but I'm sure gonna try!

[REI]
Oh, no, no, no, no.

I just, I got here a bit early,
we're all good!

Please,
you don't have to kneel!

Uh...

Really!
I had time to k*ll.

I mean, it's not, uh,
like it's life, or, um...

Uh.

[RAKURO]
Oh, guess I'm not a dead man.

-What a relief.
-[REI] Death.

[RAKURO]
Death?

They were right
about the "pissed off" part!

Wait,
that was just finishing

the "It's not life or death"
line, right?

[sighs]
Scared me so bad

I almost crapped my new sash.

I was starting to think I broke

some unspoken
Schwarz Vulf rule.

"Thou shalt meet an hour
before the planned time"

or something.

Well, then,
it's "Psyger-0," isn't it?

[REI]
Uh, yes?

[RAKURO]
The reason I wanted to meet up

is because I was hoping

you'd help me clear
the Lightless Barrens.

I'm not sure how I could
repay someone like you, but...

[REI]
Oh, no!

I don't need anything from you!

[RAKURO] Huh?
But, that's like...

[REI]
I mean. We're...

We're friends, after all,
aren't we?

Please, don't worry about it!

[RAKURO]
Huh?

[REI]
Today, I have only one goal,

to make a great impression
on Hizutome,

so we can get closer!

As for my strategy.

[gasps]

I'll help you all I can,
totally free of charge!

[RAKURO]
There's nothing scarier

than a charity pitch
with no strings attached.

Seriously?
Like...

what are you thinking,
Attack Master?

[REI]
What do you say?

Shall we head
to the Lightless Barrens?

[RAKURO]
Yep!

[REI]
The Lightless Barrens are like

the Ruins of Past Glories
before it.

It's littered with remnants
of Divinity-era civilization.

But unlike the ruins,

which was an ancient factory.

This place was
a massive b*ttlefield.

[RAKURO] Yeah, "massive"
is an understatement.

Looks like whatever
fighting happened here

was super gnarly.

LIGHTLESS BARRENS

Hey, uh,

is that a giant arm?

[REI] According to
the lore clan The Library,

the battle that happened here
was so enormous and intense

that the defenders were
forced all the way back

to where the Ruins
of Past Glories are now.

[RAKURO]
There's that big spinal column

over the ruins too.

Whatever those guys were
fighting back then

had to be freaking huge.

[REI] Yes, monsters so large
and mysterious

they have
yet to be seen in SLF.

From what I've heard,

The Library was founded
to figure out

exactly what happened
to those people

who lived
in the Age of the Divinity.

[RAKURO]
Hmm.

There was that monster hologram
I saw in the underground lab.

This giant arm, that spine.

There's gotta be
some connection, right?

[SETSUNA]
Now, listen carefully.

If you wish
to know of your roots,

to learn more
of the truth of this world.

You will seek out "Bahamut."

[RAKURO] I've got this mess
of disconnected info

buzzing around.

There's gotta be
some kind of uniting thread.

And I bet I know
where to find it.

Those dang
Bonus Unique Scenarios.

So, basically,

"if you wish to learn
the truth of this world,

get out there and take down
the unique monsters."

[REI]
Mm?

[RAKURO] Oh, me?
Yeah, it's nothing!

[REI]
Hm.

Uh, Sunraku?

Can I ask?

[RAKURO]
Yes?

[REI] You said you wanted
to clear this zone,

and you needed to do it
to get to Fifticia

by tomorrow morning.

I was just wondering.

Is it because,

I dunno,
you're going there to, uh...

-[RAKURO] Huh?
-[REI]...meet someone?

[RAKURO]
Um...yeah.

It's these two players
I know from another game

I used to be really into.

[REI]
Oh,

so like,

could there be...

a woman, maybe?

[stomps]

[RAKURO]
Well, one of 'em is, yeah.

[growls]

Look out!

[roars]

[slices]

[gasps]

[thuds]

[gasps]

-[REI] And this woman.
-[RAKURO] Huh?

[REI] When you say
you know her from that game,

is she your friend?

[fire crackling]

[RAKURO]
I mean...

If it's any consolation,
we haven't met on SLF yet,

so we're not even
on each other's friend lists.

[REI]
I guess,

she's technically
not your friend?

Okay, just keep it together!

That means we might
still have our chance!

[RAKURO] Boy, you really
one-shot that flying mob!

Bet you've got
some pretty sweet buffs!

[REI] Focus.
Before we reach Fifticia.

This time we spend

clearing the Lightless Barrens
is precious.

It's my opportunity to

strengthen my bond
with Hizutome!

[RAKURO]
Man, everything they do

is intimidating as hell.

I know I'm the one
who asked for help and all.

But there's a tiny part of me

that wants
to jet back to Rabituza.

[REI] Is something wrong?
Oh, no, Sunraku!

Are you feeling okay?

[RAKURO] [chuckles nervously]
I feel fantastic!

What are we waiting for?

-Let's do this!
-[REI] Yeah!

I'll mow down
anything in our path!

[Rakuro chuckles nervously]

[RAKURO]
I don't doubt that one bit.

[monster breathing heavily]

[Rakuro pants]

[growls]

[roars]

[REI]
Supreme Divineslash!

SUPREME DIVINESLASH

[thuds]

[thuds]

[RAKURO]
Look at you go!

That was freaking awesome!

You sliced through its armor
like it was butter!

[REI]
Oh, no, please!

You're the one who was
kiting it around like a pro,

that's why I was able
to k*ll it so fast!

I must say,
I've spent a lot of time

dispatching mobs in SLF.

But I've never seen
someone dodge like that.

You didn't take a single hit!

Well, I'm basically
a walking glass cannon.

I'd die instantly, thanks
to this mark and lack of armor.

[REI] Uh.
Oh, that's right!

How could I forget
he plays the game half-naked!

I, uh, think you'd better hurry

and get that Mark
dispelled fast.

So you can, you know,
wear more gear and stuff.

[RAKURO]
Uhh.

Actually, I'm not totally sold

that I'd be
better off without it.

The Mark does have
its drawbacks,

but it comes with
a lot of sweet perks, too.

That said,

I wouldn't hate it if I could
uncurse just my legs.

If I remember this right,

Psyger-100 said
an NPC named "Eristella"

is my biggest hope for that,
right?

She's the only NPC capable
of dispelling all curses.

This leads us to believe

she should be able to remove
Lycagon's Mark as well.

If I were
the type to place bets,

I'd be all in on her.

But Saint Eristella
is an extremely popular figure.

Not only is she surrounded
by NPCs in her church,

but by hordes
of high-level players

seeking to gain her favor.

It's hard to even meet her.

[RAKURO] Great,
a legion of loyal fanboys.

Wouldn't wanna
tick those weirdos off.

So, what you're telling me is,

normally meeting her would take
a boat-load of money

and some connections,

but as the clan leader
of Schawrz Vulf,

Psyger-100
could pull some strings

and make a meeting happen

without having to empty
our pockets or suck up?

[REI]
Right.

[RAKURO] Well, I'm in
no big rush on that front,

so let's table this for now.

Besides,
we've got bigger fish to fry!

Namely, the area boss
of the Lightless Barrens!

Come on, Psyger-0, let's go!

Wouldn't wanna get caught
talking 'til the sun goes down!

-[REI] Real quick.
-[RAKURO] Huh?

[REI]
Could I...

ask a small fav...

Or I guess,
make a small suggestion?

[RAKURO]
Sure.

[REI]
It's just,

"Psyger-0" is a long name,

it must be quite the mouthful,
don'tcha think?

[RAKURO]
Yeah, I guess.

[REI] And if you shorten it
to "Psyger,"

well, you might
confuse me with my sis,

with Psyger-100, right?

[RAKURO]
Uh-huh.

[REI]
So, I mean...

All I'm trying to say, is,
maybe,

I dunno, it would be easier to,
uh, just call me "Rei?"

[RAKURO]
Yeah, that is shorter.

I'll call you "Rei"
from now on, then!

[gasps]

[chuckles excitedly]

[RAKURO]
Wait,

doesn't everyone else
call them Psyger-0?

How does
the "Rei" factor in, here?

Hm?
Rei?

Zero?

Psyger-Rei.

Something about it
kinda rings a bell.

Huh?
You all right over there, Rei?

Oh my gosh, I think Hizutome
actually used my given name!

[laughs excitedly]

[RAKURO]
Are you okay?

Rei?
Hey, Rei!

[REI] Thanks for
your cooperation, Sunraku!

I'm so amped up right now,

I could even
take on Lycagon herself!

[RAKURO] Great.
I'm happy you're happy.

[REI] We're practically
on a first-name basis!

Time to clear the zone
and bring it home.

By the way,

I happen to know
a really useful shortcut

to the area boss from here!

-[RAKURO] Huh?
-[REI] The route is too hard

to explain,
so in the interest of time,

I'll just show you instead!

[RAKURO] That would be great!
You're awesome, Rei!

You sure know this game
inside and out, huh?

[chuckles]

[REI] Well, I have been playing
SLF for a year or so, I think.

[RAKURO] Wow, I'm talking
to a real SLF Vet!

You're a rockstar!

[REI]
Oh, no way.

[RAKURO]
Oh, yes, it's true!

[laughs]

This day is going
so well for me!

[RAKURO]
To be perfectly honest,

since I was already
in the Lightless Barrens,

I was kinda hoping I'd be able
to knock out Vash's quest

while I was out here.

I'll just have to come
poke around some other time.

[REI] We'll pass through
this hole right here.

[RAKURO]
Lead the way!

Still, Psyger-0
or Rei, I guess,

they were kinda scary at first.

But they're actually
really down to earth!

And quite helpful, too!

I'm so glad I invited 'em!

At this rate, I oughta be
able to make it to Fifticia

by tomorrow morning
with plenty of time to spare!

[wind gusting]

Hmm.

Can I ask you something, Rei?

-Hey, Rei?
-[gasps]

You do realize the sun's down,
and the moon's out, right?

[REI] Don't worry, please!
We're almost there!

We're gonna hit the area boss
any minute now, I swear!

[RAKURO] Okay, but you said
the same thing an hour ago.

[gasps]

[REI] I was so busy
trying to act cool

that I took him down a route
I barely remember!

And now I'm totally lost!

[Rei pants]

Ah, yes!
I remember this wall.

[RAKURO]
And, there it is.

We're totally lost.

But what do I do now?

This is the Attack Master
I'm dealing with.

If I keep whining
and piss him off, well,

I'll get sliced in half
like those mobs earlier.

They're doing me a favor,
anyway.

Maybe I'll play along
for a bit more time.

[sighs]

[yawns]

They don't call it
"God-tier" for nothin'.

Even the night sky's
got a ton of detail.

The moon is so beautiful.

[gasps]

[gasps]

[whimpering]

[REI]
Why...

Why would you say that?

[RAKURO]
Huh?

[REI] Yes.
Of course!

They say
the quote is apocryphal,

and that Soseki Natsume
never said it.

-But, why, why would you?
-[RAKURO] Huh?

Why are you talking about
a dead novelist?

[gasps]

Look out!

[REI]
Somebody just used a curse!

[ANIMALIA]
Who, me?

Hey, I know you two.

I apologize
for the inconvenience,

but I'm afraid
the road's closed from here.

Guess you're gonna have to find
another way through.

Bummer, right?

[RAKURO]
It's you.

[REI]
Animalia?

I gotta say, it's an honor
to have a top-ranked player

remember my name!

The great Psyger-0, too.
Oh, and you.

[RAKURO] Is there a reason
you and your well-armed party

are cruisin' through
the Lightless Barrens?

Haven't caught
the PKing bug, I sure hope.

[chuckles]
That's rich of you to ask me,

when you're miles
from the exit,

tooling around in the middle

of some obscure
part of the zone.

[RAKURO]
Come on, we're out here

trying to complete the area!

Wait, obscure part of the zone?

[exhales]

[RAKURO]
Rei's a great fighter,

but a tad
directionally challenged.

Cool your jets, it sounds like

we're not dealing
with a double booking

like I thought.

[RAKURO]
Double booking?

What's she talking about?

Is there an event that's
supposed to spawn over here?

[REI]
Mm-mm.

[ANIMALIA] If you're trying
to clear this area,

you'd better turn back.

You're not gonna find
the area boss way out here.

And I know
you're high-level and c*ck,

but even you have to realize
that taking on

SF-Zoo all together
is a no-win proposition.

[RAKURO] You're sounding
pretty feisty all a sudden.

You mad
because I haven't given you

the Invitation
to Rabituza info yet?

I'm gonna need more time.

I'm good, bro.

I've moved on from that now.

Sorry, but I think it's time

we tear up
our little ol' agreement.

[RAKURO]
Then what are you really after?

[chuckles]

Well, that clan leader
friend of yours squealed.

All I had to do was take on
some of her debt,

and she spilled everything.

That unique scenario

you've been trying
so hard to hide.

Thanks to her, I know
the trigger conditions, now!

[RAKURO]
Huh?

Pencilgon's a snitch?

[RAKURO] That
double-crossing little rat!

Next time I see that turd,
I'm pinching her off!

The secret is to land
one hundred or more crits

on Lycagon the Nightslayer,

and you'll unlock
a unique scenario

in which you'll be invited
to Rabituza

by a cute li'l bun-bun.

[RAKURO]
Huh?

Uh, I think
there's a little more

to unlocking
the unique scenario than that,

but whatever...

Guess Pencilgon is safe
from my tyrannical wrath,

for now.

If we can do that,

we'll be able to visit
the Kingdom of Rabituza

whenever we want!

And with that,
all our fluffy dreams

will finally come true!

[all cheer]

[RAKURO] These poor furries
don't realize

that Pencilgon sent them
on a rabid wolf hunt

with nothing to gain
but imminent death.

Okay, I understand now.

I see
what you're trying to do here.

But there's still
one thing I don't get.

Huh?

[RAKURO] If you've got
your sights set on

fighting Lycagon,

then why are you
spending your time

camping the Lightless Barrens?

And in an "obscure part,"
no less.

You seem so amped up,

you're willing to fight us
to defend this area.

[wind whooshing]

[wind gusting]

[both gasp]

[RAKURO]
Wait, don't tell me.

[ANIMALIA] We're called
SF-Zoo for a reason.

If we have our eyes
on a mob or an animal,

we'll go to any length

to research every detail
about its physiology,

movements, et cetera.

We catalogue each
characteristic meticulously.

[both gasp]

[wind blowing]

When it comes to animal lore,
well,

the Library fails.

We've got those guys
beat at their own game!

[thuds]

[whimpering]

No creature is safe.

Even unique monsters.

Ladies and gents,
our guest has arrived!

Lycagon the Nightslayer!