Prey VS Hunter

Chief Sibylle.

There's a piece of bad news, and a, um, another that might be considered bad as well.

Let's hear the worse one first.

The unit left on Purgatorio Island has been searching the area for three days, but they've yet to find any trace of that girl who was with No. 0.

We searched the nearby waters immediately after she fell off the cliff. Theoretically speaking, she shouldn't have drifted far. Unless...

Hmm?

Unless someone rescued her.

...Continue investigating the residents on nearby islands. Leave no suspect or witness unchecked.

Already on it. And we're expanding the search area. But if I may ask...

If we do find her... the host of Resonance, what's your plan for it, Chief?

As far as I'm aware, unlike No. 0, Hyperborea can't effectively harness this power, it might even backfire... After all, Resonance is capable of affecting all Daimons in ideal conditions...

This power can vanish, but must never end up outside Imperial control. Now, what's the other bad news?

It's about the other matter you've asked me to investigate, Chief.

During the search, on a deserted island, I encountered some villagers who had fled there by boat. And then, we discovered something quite intriguing.

It's as if you were tasting a bowl of ordinary thick soup, only to find the spoon you had just used turned from shiny silver to a dreadful black...

Cut the fancy talk. Get to the point.

Ah... yes, Chief. That intriguing thing is a tiny time discrepancy.

The villagers told me, that the Filthoids of Purgatorio Island always lived in the mountains without much aggression; but two days before our arrival, they suddenly went berserk and started attacking the villagers.

"Two days before our arrival"...

...It appears you've already figured it out, Chief. Quite a coincidence, isn't it? Due to a last-minute change of plan, we arrived two days later than initially scheduled.

The only force capable of manipulating Filthoids is The Forsakens.

...Whoever it is, the 13th Legion has been compromised by unwelcome elements.

After all these years, those worms have started wriggling again...

It's time for a thorough extermination.

I gotta give "that thing" a little tweak. It's still early, so why don't you do some casual practice on those beasts nearby? Just don't wander too far, Button Mushroom is in town keeping watch for us.

I've already set up some traps. They may look like junk, they're made from scrap, after all, but they work quite well.

Be careful with them, though. They aren't made of the sturdiest materials and might break if you step on them. Haha...

These things on the ground... must be Outsider's traps.

...This is really something. I didn't know Outsider had such a knack for this.

Whew... Whew...

Not bad, you've improved a lot these past few days! Still, there's more to learn.

For example, with larger beasts and Filthoids: they're fast but clumsy, so you can stand in front of something solid, like a wall or a tree, and provoke it to charge at you, then dodge its charge to let it knock itself out.

Hah, naturally. It's a trick I picked up growing up tough. It's the same with these enemies, an enraged person isn't much different from a beast.

Alright, those random critters weren't much of a challenge for you. Now, let's find you a worthy opponent...

It's just a life hack. You wouldn't call using an umbrella in the rain "underhanded," would you?

Maybe it just sounds particularly underhanded coming from you...

Alright, enough with the petty bickering. Those random critters weren't much of a challenge for you anyway. Now, let's find you a worthy opponent...

@#￥%……

What's this? ...Is it your voice howling in there?

A piece of scrap metal I picked up from the scavenger girl. It's tougher than it looks, and those Filthoids can't easily smash it. I've stuck a loudspeaker inside to lure them.

Aww, look! Here they come!

There's something I've been meaning to talk to you about.

You possess the power of Resonance, don't you? Be cautious with that power, especially around anyone from the Legion.

The power of Resonance? Never heard of it.

Don't play dumb.

Back in the pit, I felt something trying to "guide" my actions. It reminded me of the legendary Resonance, only it was much subtler, barely noticeable.

Neither of the other two girls there were Daimons, so it had to be you. I've grown even more certain of it just now.

...

It's mostly tavern talk, really. They say that years ago, there was this fellow in Hyperborea who had it. Your power, though much weaker, is very similar to that legendary power of Resonance.

So you're saying... Resonance is a sort of power that can "guide" people's actions?

Yes, or to put it more bluntly, it can "control" people.

Haven't you noticed? Your magic can affect the Daimons around you, enhancing their powers, sometimes even manipulating them to act on your whims.

Of course, you're not there yet. Your power's still waking up.

(...Control other people? Could it have been from that time with Berry...)

You bet it is. That's why I'd advise keeping it under wraps in public to avoid any trouble.

I mean... the last person with that power, turned the whole empire upside down, and ended up with a noose around their neck in Dismania's square.

You don't know what you're talking about.

I mean... the last person with that power, turned the whole empire upside down and ended up with a noose around their neck in Dismania's square. You wouldn't want that, would you?

Well, the sun's setting. Time to head back, we've got a tough fight lined up tonight.

Not bad. Your combat skill has gotten sharper than I thought. So quickly you've become a fully-fledged Phoxhunter. Hmm, the young nowadays do have talent.

The sun's going down. Let's go, it's time to meet Button Mushroom. I wonder if everyting on her side went smoothly.

It sounds like a steam whistle. Is there a train passing by?

...

That's nice. Do the passengers have lights on? Are the windows looking pretty and warm, like tiny flames in a fireplace?

...Oh, I see.

Psyche... when did your eyesight start to fade?

When was it...

I don't really know. I thought it'd be the same as before, just blurry for a while, and then it'd go away. But now it just...

Let's not talk about that. There's a place I'd like to visit; could you come with me?

It's by the Lamenting Lake, near an old tree stump. My dad once took me there when I was little.

...It's been so long.

Here we are.

There should be a small box buried near the roots. Vita, could you help me find it?

Could you open it?

This is a...

It's called a "camera," an amazing treasure.

Dad gave it to me when I was four. That year, he had managed to grow beautiful Lamenting Lake Bellflowers. A wealthy man from the inner city loved the flowers and gave this camera to Dad, which he then gave to me as a birthday gift.

But I cherished it too much to actually play with it. I thought, if I buried this precious treasure in the ground, it would sprout many more cameras by harvest time. Then our family would become rich, and my parents wouldn't have to work so hard.

So I came here alone and "sowed" it. I was quite silly back then.

When Mum and Dad found out about this later, they didn't get mad at me. Instead, they said, "Let's dig it up on your coming of age, as a gift to your future self."

Vita, thank you for keeping me company these past days, but I don't have anything valuable to give you. Please take this camera as a gift from me.

I no longer need it because of my eyes, but your journey is still long.

Please see the world for me with your eyes.

...

Since we're already here, how about a little stroll around the lake?

When I was little, Dad would sometimes bring me here for walks.

Despite the occasional hide-and-seek with the Filthoids, I always looked forward to coming here.

Because I loved the floating ice and mountains here, and more so, I loved watching the trains roar by.

You like trains?

Yeah. I'm fascinated by their destination... the "South."

I've read that it's nothing like Icelake.

The sun's warmer there, and you get to see seasons change.

When spring comes, the ice and snow melt away, and there are flowers everywhere, even in the wilds.

I always dreamed that if I could catch a train, I could actually get there.

But Dad told me, it was not a dream we could afford.

Because... you're Charons?

Yes. And also because Mum and Dad are just ordinary gardeners. We were poor and didn't have the means to board that train.

So, the day you showed up at the door of the Hypnos' House, I was thrilled... I'd never met anyone outside Icelake.

I've always secretly wondered what your homeland is like. Have you seen the ocean with your own eyes? Is it as large as a hundred lakes put together?

If only I could also see it for myself...

...Look at me, almost eighteen and still daydreaming like a child.

Listen, Psyche. It can be more than just a dream.

Besides Berry, you were the first one to be so kind to me. I've always wanted to do something for you.

There's no one else here, so tell me, have you been under threat? You can trust me. No matter how scary the enemy may be, I'll protect you.

I'm a stranger here, I can take you away, just like the day we went to the pit together.

Once I find Berry, we can go to my hometown in the South, build little houses by the sea, and grow flowers around our homes. When spring comes and the flowers bloom, your eyes will heal.

Every day, the sun will shine so brightly that you might even find yourself missing Icelake's snow... Oh, it might be a slight damper on your dream, but are you scared of bugs? The ones in the South are bigger and noisier.

Thank you. I'm not under threat, it's just that...

I just can't leave Icelake, no matter what.

Psyche.

...!

Henrik...!

It's not safe outside the city. You've been out too long.

Sorry! I'll head back now.

Psyche, keep in mind what I said. If you decide to trust me...

Meet me by the ticket booth south of the Hypnos' House at 2 AM.

...Goodbye, Vita.

...

What's going on here?

Ah, well, I made a bit of noise while tweaking that thing and these little critters just came at me...

Come on, my friend, help me out here!

Serves you right! ...Fine.

Whew... Whew...

Not bad, you've improved a lot these past few days! Still, there's more to learn.

For example, with larger beasts and Filthoids: they're fast but clumsy, so you can stand in front of something solid, like a wall or a tree, and provoke it to charge at you, then dodge its charge to let it knock itself out.

Hah, naturally. It's a trick I picked up growing up tough. It's the same with these enemies, an enraged person isn't much different from a beast.

Alright, those random critters weren't much of a challenge for you. Now, let's find you a worthy opponent...

It's just a life hack. You wouldn't call using an umbrella in the rain "underhanded," would you?

Maybe it just sounds particularly underhanded coming from you...

Alright, enough with the petty bickering. Those random critters weren't much of a challenge for you anyway. Now, let's find you a worthy opponent...

@#￥%……

What's this? ...Is it your voice howling in there?

A piece of scrap metal I picked up from the scavenger girl. It's tougher than it looks, and those Filthoids can't easily smash it. I've stuck a loudspeaker inside to lure them.

Aww, look! Here they come!

There's something I've been meaning to talk to you about.

You possess the power of Resonance, don't you? Be cautious with that power, especially around anyone from the Legion.

The power of Resonance? Never heard of it.

Don't play dumb.

Back in the pit, I felt something trying to "guide" my actions. It reminded me of the legendary Resonance, only it was much subtler, barely noticeable.

Neither of the other two girls there were Daimons, so it had to be you. I've grown even more certain of it just now.

...

It's mostly tavern talk, really. They say that years ago, there was this fellow in Hyperborea who had it. Your power, though much weaker, is very similar to that legendary power of Resonance.

So you're saying... Resonance is a sort of power that can "guide" people's actions?

Yes, or to put it more bluntly, it can "control" people.

Haven't you noticed? Your magic can affect the Daimons around you, enhancing their powers, sometimes even manipulating them to act on your whims.

Of course, you're not there yet. Your power's still waking up.

(...Control other people? Could it have been from that time with Berry...)

You bet it is. That's why I'd advise keeping it under wraps in public to avoid any trouble.

I mean... the last person with that power, turned the whole empire upside down, and ended up with a noose around their neck in Dismania's square.

You don't know what you're talking about.

I mean... the last person with that power, turned the whole empire upside down and ended up with a noose around their neck in Dismania's square. You wouldn't want that, would you?

Well, the sun's setting. Time to head back, we've got a tough fight lined up tonight.

Not bad. Your combat skill has gotten sharper than I thought. So quickly you've become a fully-fledged Phoxhunter. Hmm, the young nowadays do have talent.

The sun's going down. Let's go, it's time to meet Button Mushroom. I wonder if everyting on her side went smoothly.

Filthoids?!

Just think of this noisy piece of scrap as someone you want to protect, and these Filthoids are the baddies after her.

Try to keep it safe, make sure it doesn't get banged up from Filthoid attacks.

But I'm not ready...

Well, we Phoxhunters are always dealing with unexpected situations. Don't panic, I've got your back!

Whew... Whew...

Not bad, you've improved a lot these past few days! Still, there's more to learn.

For example, with larger beasts and Filthoids: they're fast but clumsy, so you can stand in front of something solid, like a wall or a tree, and provoke it to charge at you, then dodge its charge to let it knock itself out.

Hah, naturally. It's a trick I picked up growing up tough. It's the same with these enemies, an enraged person isn't much different from a beast.

Alright, those random critters weren't much of a challenge for you. Now, let's find you a worthy opponent...

It's just a life hack. You wouldn't call using an umbrella in the rain "underhanded," would you?

Maybe it just sounds particularly underhanded coming from you...

Alright, enough with the petty bickering. Those random critters weren't much of a challenge for you anyway. Now, let's find you a worthy opponent...

@#￥%……

What's this? ...Is it your voice howling in there?

A piece of scrap metal I picked up from the scavenger girl. It's tougher than it looks, and those Filthoids can't easily smash it. I've stuck a loudspeaker inside to lure them.

Aww, look! Here they come!

There's something I've been meaning to talk to you about.

You possess the power of Resonance, don't you? Be cautious with that power, especially around anyone from the Legion.

The power of Resonance? Never heard of it.

Don't play dumb.

Back in the pit, I felt something trying to "guide" my actions. It reminded me of the legendary Resonance, only it was much subtler, barely noticeable.

Neither of the other two girls there were Daimons, so it had to be you. I've grown even more certain of it just now.

...

It's mostly tavern talk, really. They say that years ago, there was this fellow in Hyperborea who had it. Your power, though much weaker, is very similar to that legendary power of Resonance.

So you're saying... Resonance is a sort of power that can "guide" people's actions?

Yes, or to put it more bluntly, it can "control" people.

Haven't you noticed? Your magic can affect the Daimons around you, enhancing their powers, sometimes even manipulating them to act on your whims.

Of course, you're not there yet. Your power's still waking up.

(...Control other people? Could it have been from that time with Berry...)

You bet it is. That's why I'd advise keeping it under wraps in public to avoid any trouble.

I mean... the last person with that power, turned the whole empire upside down, and ended up with a noose around their neck in Dismania's square.

You don't know what you're talking about.

I mean... the last person with that power, turned the whole empire upside down and ended up with a noose around their neck in Dismania's square. You wouldn't want that, would you?

Well, the sun's setting. Time to head back, we've got a tough fight lined up tonight.

Not bad. Your combat skill has gotten sharper than I thought. So quickly you've become a fully-fledged Phoxhunter. Hmm, the young nowadays do have talent.

The sun's going down. Let's go, it's time to meet Button Mushroom. I wonder if everyting on her side went smoothly.