Day Zero, Part Five

(Rif walks of the house and sees the same Stray)

Rif: That was him just now! What is he still hanging around for? I won’t let him get away this time!

(She follows him into Manig Mine)

Rif: Huh? Where did he go?

(A slime slimes up)

Rif: Whoa, hold on! I wasn’t talking about you!

Slime: (annoyed)

Rif: (panics) Uh-oh!

(Slime fight!)

Rif: I did it!

Rif: … Which is great and all, but where did that guy run off to?
     -Heeyy! You can hide all you like, but you’ll have to come out eventually! You winged oaf!

???: Don’t! Stop!

(A flash of bright light)

Rif: (!) What was that?! (looks around)
    -Is someone there? Hey!

(Someone walks out of the trees)

Rif: (!) I knew I heard someone! What should I do now?

???: …

Rif: Aren’t you just a kid…? What are you doing out here?

???: Nothing.

Rif: I’m looking for a Summon Creature—a man with black wings. Have you seen anyone like that?

???: N-no, I haven’t…

Rif: I was sure he came this way. But you were just over there, right? Are you sure you didn't see anything?

???: …

Rif: What is it?! And what was that bright light just now? What’s really going on here?!

???: You…

Rif: What?

???: You shouldn’t associate with me!

Rif: Huh?!

Rif: Just what are you talking about?!

???: You’re better off if you don’t associate with me, so just…

Rif: What are you talking about? Explain yourself! My Master is hurt because of what that guy did!

???: (!) Hurt? No way…

Rif: So if you know anything about that Summon Creature, then just tell me! Got that?! (grabs kid)

???: Ah—! (!)

(They fall down, ending with an accidental kiss)

Smooch❤

Rif: (panics) W…  wa… wai… did… we just… k-k-ki…

???: N...
  nNYAAaa!!! (shoves Rif off her, stands up)

(Rif gets up slowly)

???: Uh…

Rif: Hey! You don’t have to scream like that…! Wait a sec, your voice…
    -Are you a girl?

???: Creep…

Rif: (annoyed) What is wrong with you! It wasn’t exactly a picnic for me, either, you know! Why, I…

(Kid starts walking away)

Rif: Where are you going? You still haven’t finished giving me an explanation!

???: Don’t come near me!

Rif: You don’t have to yell! It’s not like I want to get close to you because I like you!

???: ! (slaps Rif)
    -Ah…

Rif: That hurt…

???: You shouldn’t get yourself mixed up with me…. It would… it would only bring you misfortune…

Rif: (Is she crying?)

(She runs off)

Rif: Wait…
    -(…)
    -Good grief… only bring me misfortune? What on earth is that supposed to mean?
    -And my cheek still hurts, too…
    -Although I can’t understand why anyone would want to slap someone as wonderful as me!
    -? (notices something on the ground)

(Obtained Mysterious Stone)

Rif: This stone… was it here before? I wonder if it belongs to that girl… probably. I wonder if it’s valuable?
     -No way… is this be Summonite? Could this have called that Summon Creature from before?

Rif:
    -Try to summon something!  >Summon Up!
    -I shouldn’t. I don’t know enough about it.  >Caution

Summon Up!

Rif: Let’s do this…
    -Summon up!

(Nothing happens)

Rif: Ah…
    -Looks like I was wrong, huh…
    -What should I do now?

Rif:
    -I should probably give this back to that girl.  >Good Deeds
    -It might be weapon materials!  >Weapon Materials

Caution

Rif: Something bad might happen. I should stop now.
    -But what should I do now?

Rif:
    -I should probably give this back to that girl.  >Good Deeds
    -Maybe it’s material for a weapon!  >Weapon Materials

Good Deeds

Rif: I may not know what it is, but I should give it back—and maybe at the same time get that kid to tell me about the Summon Creature!

Weapon Materials

Rif: … I know this might be a problem, but I still need weapon materials.
      -But I can’t ignore how suspicious that girl was acting. I should see if I can track her down!

Day Zero, Part Four

(Sound of a crash in the other room)

V.E: What was that sound? Do we have a customer?
    -Anyway, you just keep up the good work!

(V.E leaves the Workshop)

Rif: All right! Gotta keep training!

Info: To equip your weapon for combat, press Select to bring up the Command Menu.
     -You can equip up to three weapons at a time. To switch weapons inside of combat, you can press the L button.

(Rif leaves the workshop)

V.E: Hey, just wait a minute!

Rif: (?) Master?

V.E: Aaaugghh!!!

Rif: (!) What was that?! What just happened?!

(She runs forward and sees a strange Summon Creature)

Rif: What on earth?! Are those wings?! A Summon Creature!

V.E: Hey, I said wait…! Urgh…!

Rif: Master?!

V.E: Owowowow!

Rif: Master, how did you get hurt?! Did that guy just now do this to you?!

V.E: My arm may have gotten a little twisted, but it’s not such a big deal. Guess this job can get pretty dangerous, huh…

Rif: That creep! Why I oughta…!

V.E: (!) Just wait, Rif!

Rif: Why should I?! Someone just tried to do you in! I can’t stand by and let him get away with it!

V.E: Do me in?! You’ll ruin my reputation with that kind of talk! There’s no way a little thing like this will keep me down.

Rif: But Master, he hurt you…

V.E: That’s right. For him to be able to give me this kind of injury, he must be a strong Summon Creature.
     -Being in your company is really too heavy a burden. You want to go rushing into trouble every hour of every day, but I’m the one who has to beg your parents’ forgiveness if you get hurt.

Rif: But…!

V.E: In any case, I’ve never seen a Summon Creature like that around here before, and something tells me he wasn’t a Stray.

Rif: Do you mean there’s a Summoner nearby?

V.E: Who knows… Only, he probably wouldn’t have come unless he had an important task to carry out.

Rif: Why would you think that?

V.E: There was no real fire behind his attack. I doubt he was targeting me or the workshop.

Rif: …

V.E: Still, he was acting pretty suspiciously. I should notify Chief about this. Meanwhile, I want you to stay put like a good girl.

Rif: Huh?

V.E: Understood?

Rif: Uh, yes…

(V.E departs)

Rif: Ooh, ‘stay put like a good girl,’ she says… She didn’t have to patronize me like that! It’s not like I’d do anything stupid.

//This goes basically the same no matter which Partner you have selected. The only difference is how you refer to him/her: for Killfith, it’s “black-winged man,” for RUN-DOR, it’s “drill-headed guy,” for Enzi, it’s “messy-maned beast,” and for Rufeel, it’s “sharp, spiky head.”//

Day Zero, Part Three

The other guys gone, Rif walks down the stairs.

Rif: Ah! It’s Master!

V.E: What’s up, Rif? You seem to be humming a happy tune. Don’t tell me you already found some nice materials.

Rif: Yeah, I did! Actually, Chief…
    -I mean, it’s a secret. Where I, uh, got it from.

V.E: Huh? That’s no good. If you keep stuttering like that, then your weapons will never achieve a cutting edge.

Rif: Aaanyway, the chief wanted me to thank you for him!

V.E: Hm? Is that right. Anyway, since you have all the materials you need, let’s get to making that weapon. Okay?
    -To the workshop! Let us go forth!

Rif: Okay!

(Inside the Workshop)

Info: This is a Save Point. It acts as a diary of your travels thus far.
    -In order to save your game, simply walk up to the sword and push the A button.

Rif: …

Info: The bed can be used any number of times each day to recover one’s physical strength and magic uses.
    -In order to do this, simply get into bed and push the A button.

V.E: From now on, your purpose is to forge weaponry. Just remember that while you are in the workshop…

Rif: Not to forget my original intention! Right?

V.E: Well, it certainly looks like you won’t hurt yourself. Just take some time to properly remember all the steps first.

Rif: Right!
    -(walks up to forge)
    -In order to make a weapon, first… put the weapon materials into the forge…

Info: The first step to making a weapon is to touch the forge. Push the A button to open the menu window, and then select “forge.”
     -The shapestone is the weapon’s base. Decide which composite item to join with it in order to make a completed weapon.
     -The shapestone determines the weapon’s type, while the composite item determines its appearance and strength.

Rif: All right! I’ve got this down!

V.E: Then throw those materials into the forge! Use that hammer to drive your soul into it until the weapon is fully formed!

Rif: Yes, ma’am!

V.E: Put in everything you’ve got!

Rif: You got it!

(Forges a sword)

V.E: Sounds like you made some good noise back there. Maybe you finally understand the rock’s heart?
     -You still have a long ways to go before you fall into a more comfortable pace, but it’s not impossible.

Rif: I still don’t understand very well what you mean about a rock or the music of the unknown world…
    -But… I think I was able to do a pretty good job with this weapon!

V.E: So you say. Come on then, let me take a look.
    -…
    -Well… it’s fine if you want to give something like this away for free, but it’s a far cry from being good enough to sell.

Rif: Oh… I see…

V.E: Don’t worry. As you grow as a woman and a Craftknight, you’ll forge so many weapons you’ll get sick of it, and refine your skills and yourself along the way.

Rif: Then I’ll got looking for more materials. I should be able to find plenty over in Manig Mine.

V.E: Be careful around there. Lately there’s been an unusual number of earthquakes coming from there—not to mention all the Stray Summons.

Rif: It’ll be all right! I can’t become a stronger Craftknight otherwise!

V.E: All the same, you’ll need more than just determination to see you through. Don’t forget to keep your weapon properly maintained as you use it.

Rif: Got it!

Info: Attacking with a weapon gradually chips away at its durability. If that disappears entirely, the weapon will break.
     -In order to restore its original durability, use a recovery item or the repair function on the forge.

Rif: You don’t need to worry about a thing!

Day Zero, Part Two

(Man in front of mine)
Man: No one’s allowed inside Deikel Mine right now. Thanks to that earthquake the other day, a lot of places inside have been collapsing. It’s still too dangerous to venture inside.

As Rif nears the store, someone calls her.

Village Chief: Ohh, Rif.

Rif: Ah! Chief! (walks up to Chief)

Chief: Thank you for the part you played in repairing my sword. Already I can tell its killing edge is far superior since I last wielded it.
    -Be sure to pass on my thanks to V.E as well.
    -With some proper training, it won’t be long before you can become V.E’s right-hand man.

Rif: Yes, sir!

Chief: Ha! Good answer. And since I’m in a good mood today, how about I give you something special for all your hard work?

(Obtained Iron Ore!)

Rif: This is weapon material! Is it really all right for me to have this?!

Chief: Well, it is, after all, my ore from the shop’s stock. Don’t worry about it; it is yours to keep.

Rif: Chief… you’re so cool!

Chief: Thank you. However, I’ll only let you have it on the condition that you keep it a secret it from V.E. What do you say?

Rif: Yes! Thank you!

(Chief walks back into store)

Rif: I have all the materials I need! Now it’s back home to make a weapon!

(Woman next to gate)
Woman: In this world, I believe there are two kinds of people.
    -Those who love cats and those who don’t. Which one are you?

(Glowing blue sword)
The portal will not start up.

Rif walks on. In the next area, two spike-haired dudes are standing in the way. According to the text beneath their pictures, both are simply called “man,” but for the sake of avoiding confusion, they will be named here.
first dude: Goon
dude whose eyes are shadowed: Creep

Rif: What do you want?

Goon: What does a Stray Summon’s apprentice think she’s doin’, loiterin’ in front of our workshop?

Rif: What did you just call me?

Goon: Any Summon Creature who’s lost its owner is a Stray, so why don’t you do everyone a favor and get rid of it?
     -’Course, if you’re too weak to handle it, we could always take care of it for you.

Creep: That’s right! This shrimp is a comrade of the Summon Stray that injured our Master.
     -We won’t let it get away with that! Where was that freak summoned from, anyway? Loreilal?

Goon: No way it’s a mech. Maybe a demon from Silturn, whaddya think?

Creep: There’s no way! Maybe a devil from Sapureth… nah, not that. And definitely not a beast from Maetropa…

Goon: Musta come from a world that don’t got a name! What a useless Summon Creature!

Rif: Hey, I’m standing right here. Knock it off!

Goon: Can it! You’re startin’ to piss me off, ya little runt! A Stray settin’ up a workshop and playing at bein’ a Craftknight needs to be run out of town—or better yet, kicked!

Creep: You think because you fancy yourselves smithy artists, that makes you better than us? Maybe we should start by putting you in your place, face-down in the dirt. Stray’s lackey!

Rif: (getting annoyed) Enough! You’re really starting to tick me off!

???: What is the problem here?

Rif: Huh?

Goon: Lemmy…

Lemmy: Did you not hear me? You are blocking the path, so kindly take this racket elsewhere.

Goon: Oh, come on. You hate this brat too, don’t you?
     -We just figured we’d do our Master a favor by pounding the comrade of the Stray that hurt ’im into the ground.

Lemmy: The Stray Summon’s comrade, is it…
    -Certainly, a person like that cannot be forgiven. By all means, ‘pound’ away…

Rif: You too?!

Lemmy: However, you must desist.
     -If you were to stir up such a pointless racket here, you would only end up tarnishing the dignity of Bostaph’s Workshop.

Goon: Nuh…

Lemmy: This goes for the rest of you, as well. Know that I am warning you only on Master Bostaph’s behalf.

Goon: Tch…! I got it.

(Goon and Creep disappear into workshop)

Lemmy: And just what are you still doing here? Didn’t I already say that you are blocking the path?

Rif: Excuse me? How rude can you get…

???: Lemmyyyyyy!

(A kid runs up)

Rif: Huh?! Where did—?!

Lemmy: Zakk, what are you…

Zakk: You can’t keep running off! You’re not feeling that well, right? If you don’t get enough rest…

Lemmy: I’m fine. I managed to get some rest.

Rif: Is that right…? So your face looks so awful because you’re not feeling well, is that it?

Zakk: What was that! Wait, aren’t you the Stray Summon’s apprentice?!
    -Is it a bad habit of Stray Summon’s apprentices to always go around picking on people for no reason? I’ll beat you up if you keep being mean to Lemmy!

Rif: Not you too…

Lemmy: Ugh… enough of this… (begins walking away)

Zakk: Aah! Wait for me, Lemmy! (hurries after him)

Rif: What on earth is wrong with those people? I mean, seriously!
    -Aaahh, just forget it! Who cares! I’m going back home!

//The only real difference playing as Ritch in this scene is that he is not nearly as polite as Rif is.//

Day Zero, Part One

Craftknight!

In order to be an expert of creating weapons, the master of the sword must also be an artisan.

It is not simply the process of forging and sharpening the blade. This special title can only be awarded to one who is an owner of both mind and body.

You understand this, do you not? Rifmonica…

Rif: Elder Sister V.E…

V.E: No matter how difficult your training has been up to this point, it has steadily drawn from you a deep-rooted power.

Rif: Thank you very much!

V.E: Now, however, it is time for your final test…

Rif: … Yes.

V.E: Rif, do you have your hammer?

Rif: Of course! (pulls out hammer)

V.E: Heheh… It’s a good hammer. It contains your spirit.

Rif: You’ve got that right!

V.E: For a Craftknight!

Both: A hammer is fellowship!
    -A hammer is strength!
    -A hammer is life!

Both: (hums happily)

V.E: (suddenly serious) Now, with that hammer, you must show that you can defeat me in combat!
    -That is what you must do in order to become a Craftknight…
    -(she yells) That is your final test!

(V.E and Rif fight, using hammers as weapons; Rif wins)

Rif: I did it! I won!

V.E: You’ve become a lot stronger, huh… It’s because you’ve come to inherit the tempered spirit of your hammer.
    -You’ve gotten pretty cool, huh.

Rif: Ah…! Thank you, sis!

???: You’ve done well, Rifmonica!

(Mysterious cloaked man walks up)

Rif: Master Rob!

(The scene darkens, leaving just Rif and Master Rob)

Rob: You’re already so grown up… congratulations… Rif…

(He collapses; Rif, alarmed, runs up to him)

Rif: Master…?

Rob: …

Rif: Master?!
    -MASTEERR!!

V.E: (in midst of a rainstorm, tears streaking her face) What are you saying, Bostaph?

-V.E… why are you crying?

???: By the time I found him, he was barely able to move his hands… He said to give this to you…

(a bloodied pendant)

-That’s… Master Rob’s…!

V.E: Something like that…
    -Rob… by a Stray Summon…

-He was killed!

-MASTER!!

V.E: What are you doing, Rif?

(Rif shakes head, getting up from ground, bewildered)

Rif: Wha… what…?

V.E: When you still hadn’t come home after so long, I started to wonder what had happened to you. Then I thought, Well, maybe she’s taking a nap in her favorite place.
    -Even your problems are pretty carefree, huh?

Rif: Well, you know, there are only so many places you can take an afternoon nap…
    -But never mind that! That is… um…

V.E: What is it this time? Lemme guess, it was a dream, right? You always seem to have dreams that play out like a good comic book.
    -Were you beating me up in this dream, by any chance?

Rif: Waah! That’s amazing! How did you know that, sis?

(V.E walks up to Rif and smacks her over the head. Rif crouches low, rubbing her head)

Rif: Ow! You’re so mean! What was that for?

V.E: Who is this sister person you keep talking about, huh?! You should be calling me Master! Master V.E!

Rif: That was still mean, Master! It was just a little slip!

V.E: What do you mean, a little slip! Why is it you never acknowledge me as your Master?
     -Is it because I’m a Summon Creature that you don’t listen to me, is that why you won’t call me Master?

Rif: I-it’s nothing like that!

V.E: Isn’t it? Because no matter what, you know I’ve always done the best I could, right?

Rif: (stands up) Y-yeah, I know.

V.E: The rock of my soul could have been used to put the whole world to sleep, so I left that house as soon as I could.
     -Even though I had never worked as a blacksmith in my life, I was summoned to Lyndbaum to be a Craftknight’s partner.
     -I followed the stream, drifting from place to place, until I came to this village. It was here I met Rob. Up to that point, I had never imagined myself willingly doing this kind of work.
    -And then… When Rob died…

Rif: Master…

V.E: I know I can never replace Rob, but I became your Master because I know he would have wanted us to keep going on without him.
    -But such a cruel fate… that these poor children must live without you… Rob…!

(V.E twirls around, chibifying)

V.E♡: Because the truth is, I could never forget all that you have done for us, Rob…
    -No; it would be impossible for me to forget such a thing!
    -Because you are my… My…!

Rif: Looks like Master’s gone off into her fantasy world again. I should head back while she’s still—

V.E: Wait.

Rif: Yes?

V.E: Did you already go see the Village Chief?

Rif: Oh, you mean about the sword we repaired! Don’t worry, I already returned it. See, I even have the money we got for the job! Now we can buy things!

V.E: Ohh, good job, then. You might just treat it like a stop along the way, but it seems you can work hard when you’re not dozing off, huh?

Rif: Ahaha… Yeah, but as long as someone has finished with their job, it should be okay for that someone to rest up for a little bit, right?

V.E: You’re still such a kid. You know, it’s thanks to that kind of attitude that you’re still an amateur.

Rif: (annoyed) Who are you calling an amateur!
    -Sure, I may be just beginning as a Craftknight, but soon I’ll be strong enough to take down the Stray Summon who beat Master Rob!
    -I’ll show you! I will definitely avenge Master!

V.E: What right does a half-baked novice like you have to make such a declaration!

Rif: Hey…! What’s that supposed to mean?!

V.E: Just think! Why are you here now? What have you been training for every day?

Rif: Well…
     -It’s because I want to become as cool a Craftknight as Master Rob and all the other Craftknights before me!

V.E: If that’s true, then revenge is a stupid thing to be thinking of in what free time you have. You need to discipline yourself and study the art of weapon forging!
     -That’s the only way you can hurry and become a fully-fledged Craftknight. You can give Mom and Pops that much peace of mind, can’t you?

Rif: Oooh… Mother and Father…
    -I understand! I’ll keep training! And I’ll be sure to gather weapon materials, too!

V.E: That’s the spirit! Do your best!
    -And, as a reward for the errand I had you run, I’ll give you this.

(Obtained Sword Shapestone!)

Rif: This is the base for a weapon! This is great! Master, you’re the coolest!

V.E: Oh? So I’m the coolest now, huh?
     -This time, you get a shapestone handed to you, but don’t expect this generosity every time. In the future, you’ll have to find these materials on your own.

Rif: I know that! Looking for materials is one of my jobs as a Craftknight!

V.E: And be careful! If something happened to you, how could I ever apologize to your parents?

Rif: I know! I’ll go out and find the materials I need!

V.E: Oh, getting fired up, are we? It is by that hammer that you will forge your self as a woman!

Rif: Oohh!

V.E: Well, I’ll be waiting back home.

(begins walking off, but pauses)

V.E: I really am glad. Rif really can get up the right spirit when she wants to. So long as I can get her motivated, that is. That old ‘candy and whip’ routine really works wonders.
    -I wonder… just what will we see? Rob, I promise you: we won’t give up!

(walks off screen)

Rif: All right! I’ll get going, too!

//Translator’s Notes: The “candy and whip” mentioned at the end refers to a Japanese saying: basically, that the best way to keep people in line is to punish them severely when they step out of line, but reward them with sweetness when they obediently do what they are told.

Also, I have no idea what V.E is talking about with “the rock of her soul.” In fact, I’m not even certain she said “rock.” She could have just as easily said “lock.” But, given the mention of it in later game-days, I’m fairly certain it’s the former.//