What the...
Seems kinda early for... what exactly is this?
Early? It's nighttime, man.
It's a "Welcome to the Ground" party for Rudo.
Oh, that guy.
They're all just here to drink, I'll bet.
That's fine. It's a good chance for them to let their hair down too.
The man of the hour don't seem too happy about it.
Yeah.
His vital instrument crapped out at a job yesterday.
He's been like that ever since.
Sad.
Speaking of the job yesterday,
I hear you met a weird trash beast.
Yeah, unlike the usual,
its core wasn't Anima, but an object.
An object with power... That's a vital instrument, right?
And a trash beast was produced that was powered by it...
That really gave us all a jolt.
I just don't know what to do about it.
So I decided to leave that to a higher pay grade,
while we came back and got some food!
You never change, do you?
Enjin and Semiu said they'd come by after they talked, too.
Enjin's comin'?!
There you are.
We haven't been properly introduced.
I'm Gris Rubion.
Rudo.
I know. You did well yesterday.
I did jack shit.
You protected Follo from that trash beast.
Follo?
The young supporter. The one with the goggles.
Right.
But then I couldn't use my power right, and I needed you and Riyo to save me.
It was the same up there, too.
I was always losing my head and lashing out.
Then Regto had to cover my ass.
I... I have to get back up there ASAP,
but I'm no different than I was then, and I'm still getting bailed out.
I can't be what anyone wants from me.
Why am I like this?
Thanks a lot.
Most people, when they see supporters like us,
call us "powerless weaklings" and "a millstone around the Cleaners' necks."
Even now, there are members of the Cleaners who thought that way about us at first.
But you weren't like that.
That kid...
Follo joined the Cleaners to clear out trash beasts.
But without powers, you can't kill a trash beast.
So he's working on a treasured object of his own, in hopes of becoming a Giver.
But since he became a supporter, he's said,
"I'll remain a supporter even if I become a Giver."
"I'll show those people who look down on us."
Now he's working hard to make that happen.
Rudo.
Set aside ideas about getting stronger and being what others want.
What is it you've always wanted to do?
What I've always wanted to do?
Before you came to the Ground, before whatever it was that happened up there.
Was there something you just wanted to do?
Try to think back on that and return to first principles.
If you do that, your path to what you want should become clear.
Believe in yourself.
You might be down here with us now,
but you're still alive.
Man, I'm pooped!
Enjin?!
Hey, what's with you?
Haven't you eaten anything?
He's right, Rudo!
You're the star here, but they'll still eat all your food if you don't get to it soon.
You've eaten the most out of anyone here.
Let's go over there and have our fill, Rudo.
Watch this one, Rudo.
That's Gob.
That's a guy who never deviates from what he wants to do.
Hey, man, we're eating here!
It freakin' stinks!
At least open a window!
You've been by a lot lately.
Yeah...
There's plenty more script I wanna tag.
Don't care what you draw,
so long as it's not more poop.
Can't promise you that one.
Y-You've done enough...
I-I told you, right?
I told you everything, so just let me go!
Please!
Okay!
White hair that gets darker at the ends,
under-eye circles,
a Sphereite Giver...
Sounds like a great souvenir.
Good morning. This is the Cleaners.
Do you have a request?
Episode 5
"Raiders"
We have a new request.
Got a question, Big Sis.
What's the trainee doing with us?
I know I'm set to be his trainer,
but that was gonna be after he joined up officially.
He's not a real Cleaner yet.
I called him here because the request is relevant to him.
A merchant was attacked by a trash beast while crossing a polluted zone.
The creature stole their "precious cargo."
The merchant wants us to clean up the beast and retrieve the stolen cargo—
a living person who came down from the Sphere.
It's extremely unusual for two living Sphereites to be found so close in time.
So I thought you might be interested.
It might give you a hint as to how to get back.
Rudo, I'm sure you're having a lot of feelings about this.
It's up to you if you want to go or not.
I can't use my power well.
I might be a burden again, needing everyone to protect me...
But if it'll give me a hint about how to get back up...
I'll go.
Sure.
I initially planned to send Enjin along with you,
but he had another job to take care of.
I believe he said, "They'll be fine with Zanka along"
or something like that.
A'right, everyone! Let's get to work!
I want everyone givin' it their best!
By the way... Gris?
You don't carry a weapon?
I carry a knife for self-defense, but I mainly fight barehanded.
It's what I'm used to.
He does have a little talisman, though, Rudo!
He prays to it every time we head out, asking that we make it back safe.
You moron! Don't tell him that!
What's the big deal? Everyone knows it!
He's a really nice guy.
It's just a cheap thing I bought at some shop.
It's not like praying hurts anyone, so I think it's fine, right?
Thank you for coming.
I'm the merchant who hired you.
I'll guide you to the trash beast's lair.
You're the client?
Yes.
You really had a Sphereite?
Where'd you find them?
I mean... Did they say anything?
What did they look like?!
I was carrying my cargo along when I happened upon them and took them in.
They were unconscious, so I couldn't ask them anything.
I'm worried about them too.
That's why I want to get them back from the trash beast.
You weren't planning on selling off that Sphereite, were you?
Certainly not! I was really worried!
Trust me!
But I do happen to be very interested in Sphereites...
Trash beasts attack humans on sight.
Seems pretty unlikely this Sphereite's still alive.
Still... a trash beast going out of its way to kidnap a human?
There's a lot changing lately. Doesn't sit right with me.
Over there, everyone.
That building?
It ran in there.
Another Sphereite...
No telling where the trash beast might be hiding.
Be ready, everyone!
There. Someone's there.
It's the Sphereite! Quick, while you can!
You've got to hurry!
Stop pushing us!
What's with you?!
Is the trash beast that dangerous?!
Hey, that thing...
That's not a person!
Hurry! Hurry, get the Sphereite!
Ow...
What the hell happened? It's like the floor turned into mud.
Are you all right?!
We're all fine!
But what is this place?
Where's the Sphereite?!
Oh, they're in there!
Right there, in fact!
Sphereite Giver.
Ah, okay.
I get it now.
I was thinkin' something was up here.
Those purple electric lanterns...
You set us up, didn't you?
Raiders...
That Sphereite...
We want him.
Raiders?
Bandits, more or less.
They started as a simple band of thieves,
but their methods have grown more sadistic these last few years.
I hear they're even taking part in some dubious experiments.
And all Raiders are Givers, too.
You three, secure an exit route.
Follo, you protect Rudo with me.
Other Raiders could be hiding out there.
Stay alert!
Yes, sir!
Sorry, Zanka.
Can you handle them?
Don't love the idea, but that's the job.
Get goin'.
Rudo!
Even I could handle those guys!
They're not like those kidnappers you met when you first got here.
For now, we just need to get away.
We don't know what powers they might have.
Not again.
Feels like all you guys want the same thing—that Sphereite.
I mean, I figured it was only a matter of time 'til you sniffed him out,
but I didn't think you'd be this fast.
Bet he fetches a pretty high price.
You could sell him off and go on easy street for life.
We don't want to sell him.
We want to know more about the Sphere.
Asking a living Sphereite is the fastest way to do that, right?
Like... How did he make it across the border without dying?
For instance.
Border?
Well, I don't give a damn about the Sphere.
Point is, if this was all a trap to lure Rudo out,
that means there's not even a trash beast. Right?
There might not be a trash beast,
but there are plenty of my mud marionettes!
The creepy ol' lady who led us here...
The floor collapsing all of a sudden...
Would that be your power, then?
Still...
I can take care of these squishy little things easy.
Be careful!
Mixed in with the dummies,
you'll find the real thing!
You got overconfident and forgot about me.
Foolish.
Well, it's no wonder.
Trash beasts are all you people ever deal with.
You're not used to fighting humanoid opponents.
I'll treat you to a little game
of "spot the real one" before you die!
Oh, I forgot to mention...
I turned some spots of the ground into mud in advance.
Maybe you thought you could use lots of wide swings to clear them all out at once,
but if you move too much, you'll get yourself stuck.
You're the only member of the current crop who stands a chance against me...
Once you're neutralized, we win.
So go on and sink down, now.
In the meantime, we'll get that Sphereite—
Give it a rest.
These ticky-tacky tactics of yours are pissing me off...
But staying quiet and watching made it clear...
The lady there uses her shovel to control the mud,
while the man uses a vital instrument to deal damage...
That's what I thought at first, but I was wrong.
You just punch.
There, at your feet.
You're wearin' something like snowshoes.
And before the woman made her mud puppets,
I saw you crouching down to do somethin'.
I've heard snowshoes make it easier to walk on unstable ground.
Guess you were picked to be her partner 'cause you can walk on the mud.
I've never seen such a perfect li'l couple!
Are you mocking us?
This doesn't change anything.
In fact, it's about to get worse for you!
Maybe I do have less experience fighting people than you do.
But I know my vital instrument way better.
Weight, smell, texture—I know it all.
Every morning, I ask how it's doin', give it the care it needs,
and every single solitary day I test it
to see what happens if I strike something with it—
how hard and how fast and where it goes flying!
I commit it all to memory!
So, to make a long story short...
I can do...
this kinda thing!
There you are.
Those ticky-tacky things fall apart in one hit.
That goes for you too, then.