Angal Scavengers

So this is Angal Settlement...

I can't believe this is what the surface becomes in the future...

Huh? There's someone over there...

I've been looking for you, Altena. What are you doing here?

G-Guildna... I wasn't doing anything.

It's just... When I look at Angal and the beasts living there, I can't help but think...

So that's what's on your mind.

But it's not something that should be troubling you, is it?

Angal was what the beasts of this era chose. No matter how painful that choice was.

Don't think too much about it. We have our own mission to attend to.

Guildna!

Surely there's no need to speak like that? Altena was just reacting to how the beasts are suffering here in the future.

It's all right, Aldo. My brother was just trying to cheer me up.

Is that so?

In fact, he was more shocked than I was when we first saw Angal.

You didn't have to tell him that, did you?

Hehe... You don't like letting others see your softer side, do you?

I see... Sorry, I shouldn't have butted in.

Hmph! Doesn't matter to me. But seriously, Altena...

If there's nothing else, we should get back to the others.

Yes, you're right. Feinne gets so worried when I wander off on my own... Ah!

Guildna, Aldo! Look over there!

They're gathering in one place. What's going on?

Something's not right... I'll go take a look!

Hey, Altena!

She's such a handful...

Let's go after her, Guildna!

Okay, is everyone here? Has all the equipment been checked?

Yes, sir! We're ready!

Then we're off... Huh?

Um, what is all this for?

We're preparing to head out for supplies. We gather food and usable items, and bring them back to Angal.

Are there that many supplies left lying about in all that pollution?

You'd be surprised. There's all the stuff that the humans couldn't take up to the skies, for one.

Almost everything we have in Angal has been salvaged from outside the settlement.

Is that so?!

Gathering supplies is an important job. It supports the very life of Angal.

By the way, you all look rather strong...

How about it? Would you come gather supplies with us?

Guildna, Aldo, let's go. I want to see what's out there!

I'd be glad to help, but...

What do you say, Guildna?

We don't have the time for this...

So you're not coming with us?

Okay, fine. I'll come, so stop looking so sad.

Haha... Guess you're no match for your sister, Guildna!

Then it's settled. Let me explain the process in more detail.

We'll explore the whole Wasteland. But no matter what, do not go near the Contaminated Pit.

That's all!

Really?!

Anything you can use, food that looks edible, whatever else you find...

Bring it all back to Angal! And most importantly, don't die out there!

Sounds like a treasure hunt. How fun!

I'm sure it's not as simple as a game to them...

Okay! Move out!

All right! I'm gonna find the most stuff today, just you wait!

I won't be outdone by a pup like you!

I'll head out as well. May you find something good along the way!

Everyone's in good spirits, aren't they? So much energy...

Hmph... But how long can they keep it up, I wonder? Let's follow them and see.

Hehe! You should just say that you're following them because you're worried.

Well then, we should get going too!

Hmm... What to do...

What's wrong?

Ah, it's nothing. I found a rare item, but I'm not sure what to do with it.

A rare item?

That's one of the drones you see in places like Elzion! What's it doing here?!

The humans probably brought it with them on their investigations of Angal.

It isn't moving, though... Do you think it's broken?

The battery might be empty, or, like you said, it might be broken.

In any case, it looks snazzy, but I doubt it'll work.

Aww... And there's no way we can fix it, is there?

No, but... Hey, you there.

Huh... Me?

Mind giving this a good whack?

What? Why should I?

Because everyone knows that machines can be fixed by casual violence.

And you look like the strongest among the three of you. Come on, give it a go.

It's worth a shot...

No complaints if I really break it, though. Are we clear?

Guildna... Are you sure about this?

Come on, it can't be that easy to fix a drone...

*beep* *boop*

*boop* Restarting...

You're kidding! That worked?!

Well done, Guildna!

......

Hahaha! Don't look so surprised!

Now then, let's see...

New master. Authentication complete. Awaiting command.

Success! Guys, this is a major find!

Looks like it can still move on its own... Transporting supplies will be so easy!

That's not what drones are for...

Thanks for the help, brother! Really appreciate it!

Hmph... I meant to break it with that hit... But I guess I hit the right spot... That guy got lucky.

Hehe! Let's look somewhere else.

AAAAAAHHH!

Over there! That group is being attacked by monsters!

Ack! Of all the times to hurt my foot... Guess my luck's run out.

Q-Quick, we've got to get away from here! I'll carry you on my back!

Don't be stupid! Leave me and go!

B-But...

Don't give up!

Ah! Thank you, my dear!

That was so cool!

All right, time for the final blow...

No! You mustn't kill it!

Huh?!

Wh-What?!

That's a valuable ingredient! Just leave it as it is!

This monster is...

An ingredient?!

Yes...

There, there... All the fight's gone out of it. Now we use a mild sedative, and...

Zzz...zzz...

We're done. Thank you kindly, my dears.

Whoo hoo! We caught a big one!

Erm... You're welcome?

Wait a minute... Are you really going to eat that monster?

Yes! It's quite gamey, but that's what makes it a delicacy!

We're going to have a feast!

That's right! In fact, I've got some jerky here, it's made from the same monster. As thanks for helping us, perhaps you'd like to try a piece?

Well?

Do as you wish. But don't come crying when your stomach explodes.

I'll pass too, thanks...

Uh... And there you have it! Right, we'll be off then...

Oh my... And there they go. Was it too much of a shock for those first-timers, you think?

Ah well, it's their loss. Come, let's eat.

I know, right! Too bad for them!

*chomp*

Ngh?!

Mmmmm! This plumpness, this astringency... It's irresistible!

This must be that fabled "marbling"! A little crunchy, and so yummy!

Looks like no one has come searching around here yet.

Take a closer look. The ground doesn't seem natural... Someone's been here already.

Ah, you're right. There are signs of activity around here too.

Guess we got a dud...

Indeed... Let's look somewhere else.

Hold on... Isn't this... The beasts of Angal carry this with them...

What are you doing, Altena? Hurry up.

Ah, sorry! Be right there!

Someone must have dropped it? I must return it when we meet up with the others.

Hmm... What's taking everyone so long?

You lot, weren't there others with you?

No, it's just us.

I see...

Something wrong?

It's past the meet-up time, but no one else has returned.

Now that you mention it... We're the only ones here, huh.

Usually, there's always someone rushing back to show off an amazing find, but...

Um, excuse me... Actually, I picked this up earlier in the Wasteland.

That pouch belongs to the patrollers! Where did you find it?!

Uh, let's see, I'm sure it was...

S-Sir...

What the... What happened to you!?

How did you get these injuries?

It was...the Imp Clan... They attacked us as we were heading back...

And they took the others with them!

Gah, how dare they!

Guildna, Altena! Let's rescue them!

Hmph, always the do-gooder, eh? But in this case, I'm with you.

Me too!

Are you sure about this?

Of course! Take the kid and return to Angal at once!

Thank you!

If they've been taken by the Imp Clan, that means they're probably being held in the Contaminated Pit.

The Contaminated Pit, got it! Guildna, Altena, let's go!

Guildna, Aldo, look at that!

Hey boss, d'you think they'll hand Angal over to us for these hostages?

Who knows? But if it doesn't work, we'll just beat these guys up for fun.

You there! Release those prisoners!

Huh? Who are you guys? Are you friends of these two?

Boss! These are the guys who beat Lord Zorme!

What?!

So that means... If we beat 'em, we'll be clan leaders next!

What's the matter? Are you here to save your wittle fwends?!

More tribute for Lord Zorme!

They don't seem willing to release the prisoners, huh.

Then we'll have to force them into it.

Hmm, what's this? Looks like there's a human with you. I thought there were no humans in Angal?

They must've come from the skies! Same goes for those two beasts with their strange outfits!

Of course, hahaha! Fools, what's the point of helping people who are gonna die out anyway?!

"Die out anyway," you say...

It's true that when I first saw Angal, I felt a similar sense of despair.

Guildna...?

But I was sorely mistaken. You cretins don't know the first thing about the beasts of Angal.

Huh?

They haven't given up. Even if this whole land were doomed, they'd still have hope for tomorrow!

That's right, Guildna. Searching the Wasteland with them made me realize the same thing.

They all looked so alive, didn't they?

I will not let the beasts of Angal be put down by the likes of you!

Oh please, stop talkin' already! You'll all become hostages too!

Don't bother putting up a fight!

It won't be much of a fight!

I, Guildna the Beast King, will punish you and rescue my brethren!

As the ruler of all beasts, I will punish you and rescue my brethren!

This ends now!

Gyaaaaaaargh!

Are we safe now?

Yes, we are! Thank you, thank you...

Well done, Guildna.

Now we just have to bring everyone back to Angal.

Indeed. The foulness of this place is unbearable. Let's depart at once.

Thanks to you lot, our companions have returned safely.

We are truly grateful.

There's no need to thank us. I simply did what I had to do.

It was incredible! Especially when he called himself "Beast King," that was so cool!

Aww, do it again! I wanna see it too!

You can forget about that... I got a little carried away, that's all.

"Beast King"... I've heard that name before, from my grandmother.

There was once a great king who ruled over all beasts... His name was the Beast King, yes...

It was incredible! Especially when he called himself "ruler of all beasts," that was so cool!

Aww, do it again! I wanna see it too!

You can forget about that... I got a little carried away, that's all.

"Ruler of all beasts"... I've heard that before, from my grandmother.

There was once a great king who led all the beasts...

......

Hehe!

Guildna, you look really conflicted right now.

If someone in this era were to take that name, a man like you would wear it just fine, I think.

Perhaps you're right.

We must leave now, I'm afraid. The supplies we found need to be sorted.

Today's gathering was a great success! Thank you for all the help!

Guildna, I feel better now.

About what?

About Angal. Gathering supplies with them today has opened my eyes.

It's just like you said, they haven't given up!

Yes, I've seen for myself the strength of the beasts of the future...

I'm glad for you both. Feinne was getting really worried about you, Altena.

Uh oh... I must've freaked her out. I'll have to tell her that I'm feeling better now.

We should meet up with the others soon and continue our journey.

We have our own mission to accomplish, after all.

Yes, you're right. We'll have to work hard, as hard as the beasts of Angal.

All right! Let's get back to our journey!