Roy: Hm, I see.

Rudy: What do you think, old man? Do ya get it?

Roy: I get the main gist of it.

Rudy: So, old man, about Nei's silver dome...

Roy: Hm? Oh, the dome huh? Ha, of course there isn't anything I don't know about. But, it's not going to be free.

Rudy: Geh, you really know your stuff, old man.

Roy: Heheheh, of course I do.

Nei: If it's money you want, I have plenty. Please tell me about the dome.

Roy: Mmn, the dome that you're searching for is probably 'that place'. It's about as far away as the village I live in. If you wanna go, I'll tell you all about it.

Nei: Really?

Roy: Yep. Once we get to the village, I'll make up a detailed map for you! In exchange for the map, I'll be expecting compensation.* Are you ok with that?

Nei: Yes. Please.

Roy: Okay. So we've reached a settlement. Ah, now to head towards the village.

22:30 * * *

Roy: We're finally here. No need to be shy, come on in.

Rudy: Ok, comin' in.

Nei: Thank you.

Rudy: Wow, you've really cleaned the place up, eh old man? The last time I came up here you could barely move around.*

Roy: Ah, yeah I do most of my business in a new storehouse.

Rudy: Oh yeah? You've got a new storehouse??

Roy: I guess you could say that. Yeah, how can I help that with a klepto like you around. Oho, and weren't you in charge of the storehouse robbing? **

Rudy: Knock it off, old man. I haven't done anything wrong in this village.

Roy: Heh, you think that matters? I'll say this to you -- don't you go thinking anything stupid like breaking into my storehouse. I've recovered ancient relics from those ruins and if you so much as touch any of them I'll knock yer lights out!

Rudy: Knock it off, old man!

Roy: Oh yeah, and Rudy. I hear that some highly skilled hunter called Lyla has been hired to capture you.

Rudy: What?!

Roy: Yep, I heard that it was on behalf of the town*. I'd watch your back, hahaha. Ah, found it. Here it is. Hey Nei, come over here. I'll explain the map to you.

Nei: Ok

Rudy: Hey, me too!

Roy: You're fine over there.

Rudy: Aw c'mon, it's not a big deal.

Roy: This is information I'm telling to Nei.That is unless you wanna pay up for it.

Rudy: Augh, old man!

Nei: It's okay, Rudy! Let's look together, ok Grandfather?

Roy: Well if it's allright with you then I ain't got no complaints. Ahh. I can't see well -- ah ok, this mark here is this village. So, leave the town through the north gate and head towards the north east. The landmark will be this rocky mountain. If you make it there, you should be able to see the dome from it. But there's strong rumors of that place being extremely dangerous. Not a soul from this down dares to go near it. Now here, take it.

Nei: You're a life saver!

Rudy: That's great!

Nei: I owe it to you, Rudy!

Roy: Now then.... about that compensation.

Nei: Yes.

Roy: Hmm, that's right.. That information is gunna be pretty costly!

Rudy: Old man, don't take advantage! That's in poor spirit!

Roy: What's it to ya! Poor spirit is my nature!

Nei: How much is it? I can pay whatever amount of money you need.

Roy: Hmm.. Okay. I don't need money.

Rudy: Eh? What's with the sudden change in heart?

Roy: However, instead of money, I'll take that claw you've got on your left arm.

Rudy: Well that figures. As soon as he sees something rare, it turns out like this.

Roy: You're damned right.

Nei: But.. this claw is broken..

Roy: Oh, that's fine. If it's broken that makes it more interesting. I can take a look at it and see what makes it tick. And now that we're on it, I wouldn't mind having that ring around your neck too.

Nei: My.. ring?

Rudy: Now you're just being greedy, old man!

Roy: Ooh, ya think so?

Nei: Um.. well I'd love to give it to you, but this ring won't come off no matter what I do.

Roy: What, dont you worry. For someone like me, it'll be a cinch. Sit right there for me.

Nei: Okay.

Roy: My, this is really quite something.

Nei: I've tried countless times to take it off, but it was always fruitless.

Roy: Well, it certainly is a tough gadget. But I'll manage.

Rudy: Hey Old man, are you sure this is okay?

Roy: Yeah like you picking locks every other day.*

Rudy: Now you said it!

[jingling noises, clicking and unlocking sound]

Roy: Sit still now

Nei: Y..yes

Nei: Ahh!

Roy: Hehh. Looks like it came off somehow.

Nei: Wow, it feels so much more confortable now...

Roy: Haha, is that so? That's good. So I'll be taking this now.

Nei: Yes. Grandfather, thank you!

Roy: No need to thank me! I already collected the payment. Hey that reminds me. I need to get you your change. Just wait a moment. After hearing the name "Nei", I remembered it. Here you go.

Nei: That's a.... claw!

Rudy: Yea but it looks like an antique. What's up with this decrepid claw?

Roy: Well, that would be from a long, long time ago, back when monsters had come to this village. A blue-haired young man who had saved this village had entrusted the weapon to one of my ancestors for hiding. He said he would come back once more for it. But that young man never again came to this town.

Rudy: Wow..

Nei: Why are you giving something so important to someone like me?

Roy: This is called the "Nei Claw", and I've heard it was created for the person who bears its name.

Nei: Nei Claw...

Roy: So in the end, I think this weapon is more suited to being in your custody than in mine.

Rudy: But normally isn't a claw something you're supposed to wield in both hands? There's only one of them..

Roy: Who knows. Maybe the young man only used just the one. Besides that, it was the legendary magic user Lutz who created it.

Nei: Lutz... Rudy, do you know of him?

Rudy: Lutz... nope, never heard of him. Roy, who the hell is Lutz?

Roy: Jesus Christ! How about ya read a damn book once a while!

Rudy: Eheheh..

Roy: It is told that Lutz is one of the heros who used to travel around with Alisa Landale two thousand years ago, and together they saved Algol from evil ones. It is also told that he had some kind of incredible psychic powers, and they had the ability to travel the stars, wandering from place to place.

Rudy: Huh? What the hell is that. Is that load of bull really true?

Roy: Haha, I don't really believe it either. I'm just telling you how the legend goes.

Nei: Is it really okay? Is it really okay to accept this claw?

Roy: I don't mind. I told you it was your change, didn't I? I mean your name is Nei afterall. There may just be something connecting you to that claw.

Nei: Thank you, Grandfather! I'll treasure it!

Rudy: Looks like you've got some good points too, eh Old Man?

Roy: Heh heh. It's not like I could sell an artefact passed down from my ancient ancestors. I finally got a good deal for it.

Rudy: Should have figured.

* * * 29:39

[water trinkling sounds]

Nei: Wow, how pretty!

Rudy: Yeah, this is the village's watersource. The water pulled from here support's the life in the village.

Nei: What a nice place.

Rudy: But.. I wonder how much is left..

Nei: What? What do you mean?

Rudy: This area is in the middle of a desert. The river is being swallowed into the desert, and if the water here stops flowing, that would be the end of the village.

Nei: Oh.. I see..

Rudy: Nei..

Nei: What?

Rudy: I hope that you discover your memories when we get to the dome.

Nei: Yeah! Thanks. But... I feel a little scared. What if it ends up being better that I didn't remember?

Rudy: That won't happen!

Nei: Yeah.

Rudy: Nei... Well But, I don't want to talk like this, but.. um, if -- and this is just if -- your memories don't come back, what are you gunna do?

Nei: Hmm, yeah.. I won't have anything else to pursue. I guess I would go back to being a hunter and try to find some more leads along the way.

Rudy: Oh, yeah? Well then, if.. if it's okay with you, together I think we...

[ominous roaring in background]

[distant screaming]

Nei: What was that? Rudy, let's go!

* * *

[sounds of townspeople talking amongst themselves]

[Nei and Rudy huffing and panting after running]

Rudy: What happened here!?

Man: A bio-monster suddenly came inside the town! Old Man Roy is...

Rudy: Oh, no!

Nei: Bio-Monsters aren't supposed to come to places inhabited by people!

Rudy: ROY!! Please let me through!

[people talking in background]

Rudy: Old Man! Get ahold of yourself! C'mon!

Roy: Rudy..?

Rudy: Old Man!

Roy: Nei... Where is Nei?

Nei: I'm right here, Grandfather!

Roy: Be careful... they.. the monsters were after your... ring...

Nei: Grandfather!

Rudy: Old man, get a hold of yourself!

Roy: Some kind of.. some kind of secret.... you...

Rudy: Old man!!!

Roy: Listen... Be careful.... [death rattle]

Nei: No!!

[villagers start gasping in shock]

Man: She's not human!

Man 2: What is that?!

Man 3: Her ears!!

Rudy: Nei, your hood!

Nei: [gasps]

Man 2: Is she some kind of monster!?

Man 3: She's a demon!

Rudy: What's with you all??

Man: Its your fault! It's your fault that this happened to Old Man Roy! You demon! Leave this village!

Man 3: That's right! You monsters leave this place!

Rudy: Just hold on a minute!

Man 2: You damn demon!

Nei: Ahh!

[sounds of villagers pummelling Nei]

Rudy: Wait a minute!

Man 3: What's wrong with you? Are you siding with the monster?

Rudy: Ju... just listen to what I have to say!

[Nei gets further mobbed by villagers. fade out.]

* * * 33:35

Nei: Rudy, I'm sorry. All because of me...

Rudy: Don't worry about it. More importantly, let's start heading towards the dome.

Nei: But, Rudy... What the villagers were saying was partially true. It's my fault that Grandfather was...

Rudy: That's not true at all!

Nei: No, it's without a doubt. Everywhere I go, bio-monsters appear! If what Grandfather said about it being the ring's fault is correct, we'll be attacked again! So Rudy, I think it's better if you don't have anything to do with me anymo---

Rudy: What are you saying, Nei? Don't say such pathetic things!

Nei: Rudy...

Rudy: But... if it's true that bio-monsters are going to come after you, it'd be better if we had weapons with us. Allright. Nei! I'll be right back, just wait for a bit, okay?

Nei: ?

Rudy: I'm gunna go to Roy's shop and see if I can find us some weapons.

Nei: Will you be okay? Wouldn't it be really bad if the villagers saw you doing that?

Rudy: I'll be fine! Those guys could never catch me.

Nei: I understand. Well then, I'll wait.

Rudy: Yeah! I'll be going. Don't worry! I'll definitely come back!

Nei: Be careful!

Rudy: I'll be right back! Don't you go anywhere!

[sound of wind blowing by]

Nei: Rudy... I'm sorry. I'm going to go alone after all... I don't want to cause pain to anymore people I know..