The Mymyne's Shell

Cerius... First you ask me to bring you all the way out here, and then you go and disappear on me? There's no way scouting out a village should take this long...

Aldo. I want you to bring me to your era, To some place where I can put my strength to the test.

Huh? What's gotten into you all of a sudden?

I've reached a plateau is all. The only way I'm going to improve as a hunter is if I face new trials, and there are none left for me in this era.

Your era is tens of thousands of years in the future.

The lands must have undergone vast changes in that amount of time.

Hmmm... If you're asking about harsh environments that are unlike anything in your era, then yeah, I can think of a few. The Rucyana Sands comes to mind.

Tell me more of this place.

It's a blazing hot, desolate ocean of sand. Even walking there could prove deadly.

Interesting. And can you take me there?

I hope he didn't get lost, He doesn't know anything about this era.

WHOAAAH! How did you DO that?!

Huh? What's all that commotion in the tavern about?

H-He ate the whole thing in one bite...

A-Are you okay, man? Don't you feel anything at all?

Nothing. These don't even come close to the peppers we had back in Acteul.

There you are, Cerius! Where have you been?

Burnin' the competition to a crisp at a chili pepper eatin' contest, that's where. The poor guy collapsed over there was his opponent.

The town champion no less! Your friend here's a real firebreather...

I thought you were out scouting...

Aye! I was indeed! And you'll be happy to know I've learned much of this village and its surrounding hunting grounds.

During my investigation I saw a local proverb written on a sign outside the tavern, "Nothing beats the heat like Chili Pepper Pete's!" I don't know who Pete is, but I thought I'd at least scout out the chili peppers while I was here.

I think that was an advertisement, not a proverb...

I mean, yeah, it's kinda nice to just sweat out the heat with a spicy meal and all, but...

...Aren't you eating a few too many of those things? That's gonna hurt later.

Worry not, I've come prepared. "An Izzak leaf soothes even the mouth of Nadara!"

A little capsaicin is good for the heart, you know. Some say it even helps focus the mind.

Hot and spicy is truly the path.

Maybe in moderation...

But, well, I guess you look alright. You should be fine...probably.

Urgggrgle...my stomach...

I'm not so sure about him, though...

Barkeep. Bring this man some water. And another pepper for me.

Another one?

Sorry stranger, but I've got nothin' left to sell ya.

Already? And here I thought I was holding back...

Don't worry, it's not your fault.

What do you mean by that?

I just mean that it's not unusual for us to sell out of 'em. Those peppers are a pretty hot item for people makin' their way back from the sand baths. I try to keep a lot on hand but it's never enough.

And to make matters worse, some monster has been raising hell out in the Rucyana Sands. It's put a real strain on our supply routes.

A monster?

Yep. Even attacked one of the peddlers makin' their way through the area. The knights have been scrambling to find a way to deal with it.

Sounds pretty bad...

How about me and you handle it, Cerius?

I wouldn't have it any other way. Any beast that would threaten a village's pepper supply should be put down immediately.

Cerius here is a top-class hunter, and I'd say I've got a pretty good sword arm myself. How about you leave this to us?

Really? You'd do that for us?

Of course. The entire reason I came here was to search for worthy prey.

I'm a bit worried about all those peppers you ate, though... Is your stomach gonna be okay?

As I said before, I'll be fine. I could hit a... burp...T-Rexsh in the eye from the edge of the horishun.

...You sure your tongue hasn't gone numb?

Numbness... Now there's a feeling I'd like to experience at least once in my life.

Huh?

Let's head to the desert. I wouldn't want somebody to beat us to it.

So these are the Rucyana Sands you spoke of? It's as hot as you say, though in a different way from the Vasu Mountains.

Yeah. It's a dry heat. Anyhow, we're gonna have to watch out for sandstorms as we search.

I'd like to know a little more about our target. I wonder if there's anyone we can ask.

Well the barkeep did mention that the knights had been mobilized. We should try and find them first.

Hey, you! Don't you think you're a little underequipped to be wandering the desert?

And you are? You don't appear to be affiliated with the knights.

Hunters from the looks of it.

Is that so? Well met, fellow hunters.

You're here for the bounty, too?

Bounty?

You mean you haven't heard? The knights are willing to pay a hefty sum to anyone who can bring down the beast of the sands. It's attracted hunters from all over.

Is that so? As a fellow hunter, would you mind telling us what you've learned of the creature?

We'll gladly lend our strength to your cause in return. If this beast is truly as powerful as people say, then combining our strength seems the logical path.

Us? Team up with you two? I think we'll pass.

Why? What could you possibly have to lose?

Your share of the payout, that's what.

Ah, so that's how it is. Well worry not, we aren't here for the reward.

Huh? Then why the hell ARE you here?

"Why do the coelus swim the waters of Lake Tiilen?" What hunter could refuse the chance to practice their craft in such a rigorous environment?

What are you even talking about...

Come on. We don't have time to be standing around chatting with weirdos.

H-Hey! We aren't weirdos!

Forget about them, Aldo. They're only in it for the money. We've got "hunters" like them in my era, too.

Though I must say, their conduct made them appear greener than most.

Hey, isn't that...

Something wrong?

......

Is that a glove? Think it belongs to the guys we met earlier?

It's a bracer, and not one that the hunters we met earlier would be capable of using.

In fact, very few hunters could use a bracer as intricate as this effectively... So what's it doing here?

Do you recognize it?

...Aye.

It's a hunting bracer from my own era.

The shape is incredibly unique, Only a master of the craft would be able to use it to its full potential. Aside from myself, only a few people in my era would have been able to use it.

I would've never guessed by looking at it...

But wait. What's it doing here then? You think it's been out here in the desert all this time, just waiting to be rediscovered?

Unlikely. It would have dissolved away long ago if that was the case.

It's a little dirty, but I can tell it's been used recently. The only explanation I can think of is that the techniques for making and using it were passed down through the generations.

I guess that's possible, yeah. You think the owner is still around here? Maybe we should try and team up with them. That would be the logical path of action, right?

You're learning, Aldo. Aye, that is indeed what I was thinking.

Heh! I've gotten pretty used to your way of doing things at this point.

We don't have enough information to start tracking our prey yet. I'd like to get in contact with one of this era's professional hunters and learn as much as we can.

Alright. For now let's try heading further in.

This bracer...it's too similar to be a coincidence. And this scratch...

Heeey! We got places to be, Cerius!

Forgive me. I'm on my way now.

It couldn't be...

So uh, you tired yet? 'Cause I am. There's no sign of the monster or the bracer's owner anywhere...

Aye... Let's take a short rest around here.

Hunting while fatigued is the path of the fool.

You look pretty comfortable for someone who's been wandering around a scorching desert all day. Wanna share your secret?

I'm used to it, that's all. I've spent my whole life traversing unforgiving terrain and lying in wait for my prey. Sometimes I don't move for days at a time, rain or snow.

Didn't you find it hard at times?

Hard?

Yeah. Like, didn't you sometimes feel exhausted or like you wanted to pack up and go home? You've got one heck of a poker face, but you're still human.

Feelings, huh...

No, I can't say I ever have. Even if such thoughts come to me, I act on reason, not emotion.

The way of the hunter will lead you to an early grave if you cannot let go of your feelings. Restraint, logic, and reason are the only paths to survival.

But...

You needn't worry for my sake. Do I look like I'm overdoing things?

Yeah, actually. A little bit.

I know you're usually trying to suppress your emotions, but you're always able to let loose at the tavern. You seem happier there. Things might be easier for you if you were more honest about your feelings.

The fact you're even saying that reflects badly on my conduct.

No it doesn't. What's the point in suppressing your natural feelings?

It's a matter of life and death in the hunt. Even if I do have emotions, I would be a fool for acting on them.

......

I appreciate your concern, Aldo, but I'm fine.

...If you say so.

You're a strong guy, Cerius.

And you're just learning this now?

You know that's not what I meant.

...Let's get going. I'm feeling a lot better than before.

Good. You're going to need your strength.

We need to find the owner of this bracer quickly.

Considering how you first reacted to seeing it they must be quite the hunter.

They're talented, of that I'm certain.

Come on, Cerius. I can tell you have an idea who the owner is, so...

UWAAAAAAH!

Wh-What was that?!

Nothing good. It might even be the work of our target. Let's go.

Hey! Are you alright?!

D-Dammit! He got me...

He's wounded...

Just as I thought. This is no ordinary mark we're after.

You have any idea what it is?

Look at the bite wounds on his back. Those came from fangs. Big ones.

But how did it manage to sneak up behind a group of experienced hunters?

That's what I'd like to know. There aren't exactly many places to hide in a wide-open desert.

We...we lost sight of it all of a sudden... It was like it just...disappeared. Before I knew it, everyone was...

A large beast that can mask its presence...

There's no way we can do this... We have to get out of here, or else...

That you should, and there's no shame in it. Let us handle the rest.

This mark is turning out to be a lot more dangerous than I expected.

If we don't do something, even more people are going to end up hurt or worse.

Aye. Let's catch up to the beast before that happens.

This is awful...

Over there!

We've gotta help them!

Our mark has the terrain advantage...

We won't make it in time!

Those moves...

Is that you, Laclair?!

A friend of yours?

Yeah, one of my traveling companions. She's a famous huntress in this era.

Now it makes sense. This bracer must be hers.

Let's back her up, Cerius!

...Understood.

Who's that?

A huntress from the looks of it, and a talented one at that.

Could she be the bracer's owner?

We have to help her!

...Understood.

You're wounded...

We'll keep the beast busy, so use the opportunity to withdraw. You won't last much longer in that condition.

Laclair! Are you alright?!

Aldo? What are you doing here? Not that it matters. We've got bigger things to worry about.

Don't let your guard down. That thing is more dangerous than it looks. You never know where it's going to strike.

That's why we're here to back you up.

And you are?

Cerius. A fellow hunter.

Are you alright?!

I don't know who you are, but you need to step back. I can barely protect myself, much less a couple of amateurs.

We know. That's exactly why we're here to help.

Yeah, don't worry about us. We can protect ourselves.

The name's Aldo, and this is Cerius. I promise we won't get in your way, so let us help you.

Fine. It's your life on the line. You can call me Laclair.

(...Laclair? The Laclair I know has a gun, and her personality seems totally different, too.)

(Could this be... The Laclair from this time layer?)

Just be careful. There's no telling where it will strike.

Laclair was it? What are your thoughts on that dragon just now?

...It's smart, cautious, and perfectly adapted to the desert environment.

We think alike. And that cautious nature will be its downfall.

It's able to make full use of the area without ever exposing its rear.

It's impressive to be sure, but also predictable. We should be able to handle it if we analyze its movements carefully enough.

...Not bad. I may have underestimated you, Cerius.

It's fine. "The waters of Acteul wash away all sins."

...Do they now? Well you're a little eccentric maybe, but your skill with a bow doesn't lie.

Neither does yours. The way you locked down the enemy's movements, each and every shot displaying maximum destructive potential... Even in my era few could be called your equal.

And are you? That bow's not just there for decoration, is it? Why don't you show me what you can do.

Very well. Let us fell this beast together.

Come, drake of the sands. Let's see how you fare against two bows at once.

Phew... We got it...

He's...on another level...

......

Thanks for the assist earlier. We couldn't have done it without you.

I did my duty as a hunter. Nothing more.

You're already going?

The threat to the village is gone. My work here is done.

Are you sure? The knights are offering a reward for its remains.

I've no interest. You can have it.

So you aren't here on orders, nor are you here for the gold or glory...

No. I don't hunt for such superficial reasons.

For what then?

To block out the screams.

...The what?

The screams of my brethren that have haunted me since the day my homeland was razed to the ground by dragon's fire. Avenging them is the only way to ease their suffering.

I see... So that is the nature of the dark cloud that surrounds you.

, A lust for revenge.

...Call it what you will, but it's the only thing that keeps me going.

I hunt to ease the burden of all who suffer the fangs and claws of monsters.

Be they common wolves or raging dragons, no beast shall escape my wrath.

There is strength in your words.

I can see that you've overcome much in your life. I know those eyes well.

......

And you? No amount of training would produce your level of skill. So what feeds the fire that burns inside of you?

...Nothing. No fire burns within.

You expect me to believe that after seeing how you fought out there?

Forget it... I didn't mean to pry.

It's fine.

May I ask you one other thing?

Does this bracer belong to you?

I'm afraid not, though it does look familiar.

It does? Can you remember where you saw it?

Hmm... No, actually. But if I do, you'll be the first to know.

I appreciate that. Sorry to keep you.

See you around.

Aye. Until we meet again.

Well, I guess that's case closed. Zarbo's trade routes are safe once again.

You have my thanks, Aldo. I couldn't have asked for a better hunting ground than this. I learned much today.

We should let the barkeep know how things went. And I'm worried about the owner of this bracer, too.

You needn't be. Whoever was using it isn't the type to go down without a fight.

...Though I'd imagine they aren't very happy about losing it.

Any ideas on how to find them? We've searched so much already.

I have an idea, yes.

Like?

I'll bring it back to my era.

Huh? Why?

Because it looks exactly like the one used by an acquaintance of mine.

Do you see this scratch here?

Yeah, it's faint, but I see it.

I was there when it happened.

Huh? But how? Isn't it from my era?

I thought that too at first, but...

What if the bracer somehow crossed the seas of time and space just as we have?

I guess it's possible... It could have fallen into a rift or been pulled in alongside somebody else.

It's at least worth looking into. Tracking prey is my specialty, after all.

Haha! Leave it to you to make returning some lost property sound like a grand hunt!

Alright, let's head back then.

Thank you again for bringing me here.

"Worth looking into," huh?

What's gotten into me?

...I've still got a long way to go.