The Truth of the Dinosaur Slayer

Urgh. It's always so hot here.

But it's great that it's always so lively. Everyone always seems to be smiling. And it's all because you're here to protect them.

Aldo, that's enough! There's something I want to talk to you about.

Hm? What is it? What do you want to talk about?

......

Yio, what's wrong? Come on, out with it.

Aldo... Not here. There are too many people. We need to go somewhere alone.

Huh?

Let's head to the Zol Plains. I want go somewhere... as far away... fwom Ratle as possible...

O-Okay. You want to go somewhere deep in the Zol plains?

All right! Looks like we're all alone.

We're...finally alone. Now I can tell you my secret, and reveal...all...to...you!

W...wait, just calm down!

I can't! My heart is screaming. Even now it feels like it might burst! The feelings I've held inside all this time... Aldo...you need to understand!

Please, listen to me! I...I... I...

I'm scared of dinosaurs!

What?! H-How can that be? You're the Dinosaur Slayer!

That's all one big misunderstanding.

My family were warriors. They'd hunt on their own and take down game, but band together for the village in times of need.

That's why I trained every day, to try to become as strong as possible. That's how I quickly became known as the strongest in the village!

That day when the giant dinosaur attacked Ratle... That was the day all my hubris came back to bite me...

......

I took my friends with me to hunt the giant dinosaur. I thought I would be able to take it down easily. But its fangs, claws, they put me in my place pretty quickly. My arrogance cost my friends' lives.

What happened to you?

I was saved by a traveling warrior. That warrior defeated the dinosaur, and then left. I blacked out, and when I woke up I was in Ratle. Before I knew it, people were saying that I'd defeated the dinosaur.

But you've gotten strong enough to defeat dinosaurs now, haven't you?

Exactly. If it's a fight, then I'm strong enough to not be scared. Thinking back on my friends' deaths and the strength of that warrior... I began training again. For my fallen friends, I made sure that I would become the "Dinosaur Slayer" that everyone knew me as.

But... when I face a dinosaur, I start trembling, and can't stop! Everyone's expecting me to be this "Dinosaur Slayer." When I think about that, I lose all my strength, I can't do it. The thought of my failure keeps going around in my head, and I get worried that I'll make the same mistake again.

Go ahead, laugh at me. A pitiful warrior like me protecting Ratle is enough to make anyone laugh. I'm...so pathetic... What can I...ugh!

Hey, Yio. If it hurts that much, why don't you just tell everyone in the village the truth?

I've thought about that before. But whenever I try to, I clam up.

What if I'm there with you? Maybe you'll be strong enough if you're not alone? Let's go talk to the elder.

You sure about this?

Of course. We're friends, after all.

Oh...Aldo...

Oh, Yio. What's wrong?

E...Elder! I...I have...sometwing to tell you.

Come on, just calm down! It's okay. Just tell him everything.

Uh...Um... Elder...there's something I've been meaning to tell you. About the time the giant dinosaur attacked...

Yio, what's wrong? Why bring up that old story?

You see, I...

Somebody! Miss Yio! A dinosaur's appeared on the Zol Plains! It's heading for the village!

What?!

Come quick! The village is in danger!

......

Okay! I'll come right away!

And I'll help!

Thank you, I appreciate it!

Strange. It was just here a moment ago!

There! Over there!

Grrrrrr... Grargh!

Urgh... I can't give up. I have to defeat it, or the village...everyone will be in big trouble.

Yio, don't push yourself. You don't have to do this alone!

Yes, I know that.

But... I still want to do everything I can! I'll be counting on you to step in if my best isn't good enough.

Phew. The village should be safe now!

Once again, you saved us from certain peril! How lucky we are to have you as our protector, Yio.

That was spectacular, Miss Yio!

No, please, don't misunderstand. I didn't do this alone.

That's our Dinosaur Slayer! Strong enough to split the earth, but modest, too.

E-Excuse me, Elder. About that name... The truth is, I...

......

No, never mind.

You sure about this, Yio? There's still time to tell them the truth.

I'm sure. I'll keep trying to improve little by little. Being able to talk to you has been a great help. Can I rely on you a little longer?

Of course. Anything for a friend.

Thank you!

"Yio the Dinosaur Slayer." One day, I'll become truly worthy of that name.