SABIKUI BISCO (錆喰いビスコ)

Hm?

Ah, Christ.

Hey, what gives?

I thought you said you fixed the dang thing, Ota!

But it still can't read these passes!

Huh? I did fix it.

Guess it prefers to stay broken.

Curious, huh?

You 'n' all those gossips over at the governor's place.

Y'know Mount Akagi, right?

Well, he turned what was once

our main tourist trap into shroom city.

Why do they call him "man-eating"?

He's got a habit of eating people. Why else?

Folks just call him that 'cause he's so bad.

So you're a monk with the Flamebound, huh?

Watari Gani Wataru? Fake as hell name.

With the Flamebound, it's my monastic name.

What's your real one?

I cast it off.

Ah. Must be on a pilgrimage, and next stop's Imihama, yeah?

So you're dying, huh?

You should visit the Tokyo crater.

S'pretty close,

and since you're on one of those "funeral journeys,"

you might as well.

Heard Imihama Prefecture

was gonna organize tours of ground zero a while back.

What a stupid idea!

Imagine advertising the Rust Wind

like it's a breath of fresh air!

Which is why Monks are all that pass through.

Nothing to see out here.

Just a big, boring desert of iron

that never seems to end beyond this gate.

Even we're bored to death.

Shut up, dumbass. Have a little more pride, will ya?

Sure, it may not be the most glamourous job,

but any criminal trying to get outta Gunma

would have to cross this desert.

I'd even go so far as to call us

the prefecture's "last line of defense."

Right. Sorry.

Acting like there's no excitement here.

They post those bounties 'cause the people on 'em

could come waltzing through anytime.

The Man-eater. Akaboshi.

The world after death is nothing to fear

if everyone goes together.

For all your funeral needs, turn to Banryouji.

Two's plenty. Thank you.

Welcome!

Wanna eat where it's cheap? Park it right here!

If your dreams are shrouded by a blanket of rust,

you can still find salvation in death!

Look! It's the Watch!

They're so cool!

You kids haven't seen anyone

buying or selling mushrooms around here, have you?

Not that I remember, no.

Well, if you do, you know who to tell. Right?

You can count on us!

Why, hello. You on your way home from work?

Want me to help relieve some stress?

Aw, you're no fun.

I up and left the village

at the tender age of eight.

After my father died from the Rusting,

my mother caught a bad case of it, too.

I blinked, and then all those heartless villagers

ran us out of our own home.

That client I had the other day was just the worst!

Said he couldn't pay after the fact,

so this nutcase hands me a toy doll

and tells me to "keep the change."

Like those artifacts they call "figures"?

The ones that were popular in Tokyo before it went boom?

Girl, those sell for a ton.

Uh! You're kidding me!

I was at my wits' end,

wandering through a field of floating algae at night,

when what do I see standing in the middle

of the wetlands but a black pole.

It was big enough for me to wrap my hand around,

but also bent like it had a crooked neck.

Then I realized what it was.

Turned out that pole was none other

than the finger of Tetsujin.

I mean, talk about foreboding.

That was the moment I cursed my fate.

Did she just say Tetsujin?

As in the thing that exploded,

ripping Tokyo a new one and ruining Japan in the process?

Why're you taking her stories seriously?

When she starts babbling like that,

do what I do and tune her out.

Who're you tuning out?

Ahh. That tickles.

Stop squirming.

I would, but it's bigger than I thought.

You won't feel a thing. Quick in and out.

Okay. I can handle a little pain.

Your temperature should go down now.

Just don't forget to take this medicine after your meals.

You really are the best, Doc.

Next patient, please.

Could you have a look at my boy before me?

Sure. Here, sit down and we'll start.

At least it isn't spreading.

Which tells me you've been a good kid.

Am I getting a shot?

No, an ointment will suffice this time.

The Rusting stuff you injected him with the other day

really did the trick.

I wish I had the dough to pay for such pricey meds.

Don't you worry. Though this isn't a real cure.

There's a difference between eliminating Rust

and delaying it.

So I still advise staying within the walls when you can.

And I'd heed that advice if I could,

but my job leaves me no choice.

There. All done.

Thanks a bunch, Doctor Panda!

Uh, that's Doctor Nekoyanagi.

Ah, he's okay.

It's the name people have come to know me by.

Now, let's take a look at you.

You better not get caught with this stuff.

If you do, you and I never met. Got it?

Hang on. Isn't this the same kind as last time?

I go through the hassle of smuggling these

into Imihama and you want more variety?

I can always take it elsewhere.

Plenty of people want to get taste of Heaven before they die.

Yeah, yeah. Beggars can't be choosers, can they?

But if you're lookin' to change it up,

a buddy of mine said he'd be bringing a new type.

A real choice specimen. Interested?

So I stared at Tetsujin's finger

who knows how long.

Once I looked closer, I saw a strange man standing beside it.

Alone.

Well, I thought he was staring, too, at first.

That's when I noticed he was scraping the Rust

off the surface and putting it in a little vial.

I wonder how much I can sell that doll for.

Though it might be helpful

if I could remember where I put it.

You need to keep better track of your finances.

He was a Mushroom Keeper.

Sent an icy chill straight through me.

Because that meant every rumor I ever heard

about them spreading the Rust was true.

All right. You're both good to go. Get home safe.

Thanks again, Doctor Nekoyanagi.

So never take a Mushroom Keeper as a client

or he'll spread the Rust to you faster than you can say,

"I prefer to be paid upfront."

Were those two the last patients?

That's all of 'em. Nicely done, Doctor Milo.

Feel free to stick around if you want.

I'm sure one of the girls would show you a good time.

On the house.

Me! I would love to!

I'm down for fun!

No! Pick me!

Why would he want you when I'm right here?

I appreciate the sentiment,

but my sister's waiting for me at home.

You never change, huh?

How'd these poverty-stricken streets

come to deserve an angel like you?

You should offer your services to the rich folks

at the governor's office.

At least, if you want a fatter wallet.

Maybe. But I love this town. Sis does, too.

Then I'll just count my blessings

if you and Pawoo feel that way.

The Rust Wind has been especially strong lately,

so be careful.

I'll see ya.

Hey, now. Call him "Doctor."

Welcome.

Oh! Hey, Doc! I saved two alligator ones for you!

Nice and fresh! Good stuff!

Ah, thanks.

And could I also get some giant mantis shrimp?

Yeah! Of course you can!

Sis said that she was feeling better.

She should eat up while she has the strength.

And eat up she shall.

I doubt there's any illness in the world

that could beat the combined power of your treatments

and our manju.

Here, mantis shrimp miso with gator for ya!

Do you have anything else for me?

I do. Nearly forgot. Glad you didn't.

This is all I have at the moment.

But I'm supposed to be getting

a "very rare specimen" later tonight.