A Masked Monster

*huff* *huff* Th-This should be far enough...

Ugh!

Huh?

Hey, are you all right?!

I-I'm fine. Just a little unsteady...

You're definitely not fine! What happened? How did you get those injuries?

It's embarrassing... But I was attacked by a monster.

A monster? But you look pretty strong. Are the monsters around here that formidable?

I wouldn't be outmatched by a normal monster, of course...

But this one's different.

I roam these lands searching for objects, ancient relics, that I can bring back to Angal.

But then this strange monster began wandering around these parts. At first it was harmless, you'd see it only now and then... But recently, it's been much more aggressive.

And it's not just me... That monster's attacking all the beasts in Angal, indiscriminately.

Indiscriminately, huh... Any reason for these attacks?

That's what I'd like to know! I don't know what grudge it has, but to lash out at every beast it runs into, that's just...

What's worse, it gets stronger with every attack... By now, there's not a single beast in Angal who can take it down! Myself included...

So it's that tough, huh?

At this rate, we won't be able to leave the settlement to gather food, even...

It even told me that if it got bored, it might just destroy the entire settlement!

Surely that must be a joke or... No, a monster couldn't possibly...

And that's why I have to stop that monster soon, otherwise...

Agh...!

Don't be foolish! You can't fight with those injuries!

But, Angal will be...

I'll defeat that monster for you!

Huh? What are you saying? This is Angal's problem! Why would you, a human, get involved?!

This monster's a menace, right? Human or beast, that doesn't matter. And I've listened to your story, so that means I'm already involved, whether you like it or not.

Thank you... Honestly, we need all the help we can get. I'll repay this debt, I promise.

Don't worry about that. So tell me, where is this monster now?

It's probably in the Wasteland. I ran into it around there earlier...

The Wasteland... Got it.

I'll go back to the settlement... And get these wounds treated.

Be careful, you hear? Its power... There's something abnormal about it.

I see... I'll keep that in mind. We'll head to the Wasteland.

Now then... Where's this monster?

That voice...

Hmm? What... You're just a lousy human. And here I was, certain that the beast of Angal had come back for revenge.

Revenge? That means you're the monster who's attacking the beasts! You will not attack the beasts of Angal anymore! Or else...

Or else what, hmm? Wait, don't tell me you're going to defeat me, on their behalf? Keh keh... How amusing! I'd like to see you try!

Don't mind if I do! Hope you're ready!

What the?! So strong... For a human!

This ends now! I won't let you attack Angal again!

W-W-Wait a minute! It was just a passing whim!

What?

I'll behave, I promise... So you can just let me go now.

Uh, umm... Only if you swear never to attack Angal again...

*sniff* What a kind human. I'm in your debt, child...

Not! Take that!

What the... Argh, that stinks!

You coward!

Keh keh keh! Your gullible faces were just begging for it! I let my guard down just now, but trust me, that won't happen again! Get a load of this!

Wh-What are you doing?!

That mask...

Heh heh heh... Come, puny human. Let's see what you've got.

Urgh?!

H-How can this be?! It's like a completely different fight...

What's wrong, human? Not going to fight back?

You wish!

Grr...

*snicker* Yes, I feel them. Fear, anger, all your negative emotions!

And thanks to you, power surges once more through the mask! Mwahaha!

What?!

This is the end for you!

Aaaaargh!!

How tedious. A worthless insect like you doesn't even count as a warm-up...

*choke* Gah!

Whoo hoo! Ah, what a glorious feeling! While you lie here sucking on your thumb, child, I'll wipe Angal off the face of this continent! Hee haa haa haaaa!

Ugh... I can't believe that happened... So this is what the beast meant when he said to be careful...

I can't stay here. I've got to go back to Angal at once, and inform that beast!

So it's true... The monster really does intend to destroy Angal...

I'm sorry... It's my fault for not defeating it.

No, you did nothing wrong. Please don't apologize.

I'll just have to fight it again.

Wait a minute! I noticed something during the fight. And it might just tell us how to defeat that monster.

A clue, you mean? What is it?

That monster... The moment it put on the mask, it became unrecognizably stronger.

The mask, you say... It's true, the monster is always wearing that mask. I remember how black, how stained and worn down it looked.

If that mask is giving the monster its power...

Then all we have to do is remove it, by force?

It stands to reason... But if the mask really is its source of power, then that monster will do anything to protect it.

So... Taking the mask will be almost as hard as defeating him. That doesn't leave us with many options...

You know, instead of taking the mask, there might be a way to nullify it.

That's why I want to learn more about the mask... Do you have any leads?

I know nothing about it, I'm afraid...

But I know someone who just might...

Who?

There is a scholar who's researching the history of this continent, Angal included.

A historian, of course... That mask looks like it's been around for a while, so there may be records somewhere.

Indeed. The only problem is whether that oddball will take your quest seriously.

Oddball, huh...

She lives in Eeza, but she'll come down to the surface just to look for human relics. It's amazing how much passion she has for those pieces of junk.

In other words, she has no interest in anything other than her research.

Yes, that's how she is. Well, what will you do?

I guess she's our only hope. If it doesn't work out, we'll think of something else.

Do you know where this historian is now?

You're in luck, she's usually down here around this time. She's been searching the Contaminated Pit lately. Perhaps you'll find her there.

Very well. I'll head there right away!

This is pretty far in... Where could our historian be?

Aaaah! Help, help!

Someone's in trouble!

Huh? A human girl... In a place like this?!

I'll take care of it! Just hang in there, okay?

Phew... That was close.

You're not hurt, are you? That's a relief...

Thank you, kind sir!

But why would a girl like you be in such a place, all by yourself?

Huh? Am I the "girl" you're talking about?!

Uh... There's no one else here, is there?

I... I...

I am, without a shadow of a doubt, a grown-up lady! Don't go around judging people by their bodies!

A lady... You?! No, you can't be serious... Really?

Hmph! Well, so be it. You may not know how to treat a lady right, but at least you seem to love history.

Excuse me?

Don't act dumb. Your outfit is clearly central continent gear, 300 AD. You must be quite the history geek!

I'm a historian, and I've come down to the surface in search of human relics. Pleased to meet you.

Uh... Yes, likewise...

And what brings you to a place like this?

Huh... Oh, right! You're a historian, correct?!

As if you had to ask! The number one history maniac in Eeza, that's me!

I've been looking for you! Someone told me you've been exploring this area recently.

Oh? Well, you must have a good reason for coming all this way.

Tell me more! But not here, this is no place for idle chatter. Don't want to get attacked by monsters again.

Yes, you're right... Let's return to Angal. I'll fill you in on the way.

Hmm, I see... A monster wearing an ancient stone mask. From what you've told me, it's clear that the mask holds great power.

Yes... Do you know anything about it? I thought you might, that's why I was looking for you.

Tsk tsk tsk... What do you take me for?! Of course I know about it.

Really?!

However! I will give you this information on one condition!

Wh-What condition?

Why don't you give me those well-made clothes of yours?!

What?! Now wait just a second...

Come, come, no need to make a fuss! You'll get my information, and I'll get your clothes! Give and take, you know, a little quid pro quo? A beautiful example of barter trade!

Even so... There's no way I can give you these clothes...

So we don't have a deal? Too bad. I'll take my leave, then. My research won't go on by itself.

Wait, hold on a second! If you won't help, Angal will be destroyed by that monster!

What's wrong? It's nothing to do with my research!

Urgh! You're really not interested in anything other than research!

Fine... I'll take off my clothes. It's a small price to pay to save Angal.

Huzzah! That's what you should've said from the start! Now then, here's your information...

Wait! I have a condition of my own!

What?!

You'll stick with us until we're able to repel the masked monster. Only when we have some hope of defeating it... I'll hand you my clothes. What do you say to that?

You're quite the negotiator, I see... Very well, we have a deal!

Great! Thank you so much!

Haha, such enthusiasm! Now then... You wanted to know about the stone mask, yes?

The stone mask is mentioned in a document I've unearthed. Lucky for you, it's well preserved.

What does it say?

"Feeding on the fears of men, the mask was consumed by a curse"... Apparently, it's known as the cursed mask.

Perhaps that curse is the secret behind its power?

That's more than probable. We don't have any evidence yet, of course...

Even without taking the mask, we might be able to nullify the monster by breaking the curse. Do you know how it can be undone?

Hmm... I don't recall seeing anything like that... But I may have overlooked it. Give me time to do more research.

I understand. You'll return if you find something?

Of course. Now then, back to my research.

Good... I won't let anything threaten the safety of Angal!