The Silver Guardian (銀の墓守り)

Hey.

Are you two here for the beginner's course?

Is this the right spot?

Me?

I'm in the same boat.

The name's Suigin Riku.

I mean,

you guys are trainees, right?

I'm looking forward to working with you, you know,

seeing as we're all newbies here.

Wait up.

I know you!

Suigin!

You're Suigin!

Jeez, man, why didn't you say anything!

You're that destitute student who works all the time

and has no social life!

-Thanks? -Incredible!

I never imagined I'd run into you in Grave Buster!

Luck, I guess.

Nice to, um, who are you?

Oh, come on!

You know me, Shaa!

You and I are in the same class together!

Though I totally see why you'd forget!

You are always sleeping in there, after all.

Kidding aside, you didn't forget

your student council president, right?

No! Shaa!

Student Council President!

Good to see you again!

Hey.

Why don't you two save the gab fest for your own time?

Uh, no hard feelings.

How about you and I break the ice here, stranger?

After all, the three of us will be working together as a team!

I'd rather not.

You must be the new trainees.

Titan.

Are you Shaa?

Uh, yes, ma'am!

You must be Suigin Riku.

Yep. That's me.

I'll be serving as your instructor

for the beginner's course today.

You may call me Rin.

Your lesson takes place here

and involves an actual battle.

What you see are the remnants of a looted tomb.

Hundreds of years ago, grave robbers defeated

the resident boss, took the treasure,

and left it a desolate valley.

Warriors dreamt of this place.

Now, only a wasteland remains.

[roaring[

What are those things?

You must mean the Tunnel Apes.

Welcome to your first challenge of the day.

They may not look like much,

but they're surprisingly fast and vicious.

So then we just have to defeat them all?

Sounds easy, huh?

Working together, we can take 'em without any problem.

Right, guys?

Can we start this mission

or are we just gonna talk them to death?

Funny.

Do you think they're waiting on me to say “go”?

Now, when each of you joined the game,

you received a unique weapon.

This is your “Buster Item."

You need to break 'em out if you want to pass this challenge.

You talkin' about my Storm Eye here?

I've got my Metal Fist.

Whoa, those are awesome.

What are you waiting for, Suigin?

Let's see your Buster Item.

I've got one.

Only,

I really wouldn't call it special or anything.

Attack!

Just as I thought.

No effect.

What the hell are we supposed to do

when physical attacks won't work?

Good question. Now what?

There's no chance we're going to break through

their armor this way.

New plan, we need to defeat the Elder.

The what?

That three-eyed giant, 12 o'clock.

The Grand Tunnel Ape, leader over the horde.

As long as he's around, the enemy's defenses are raised.

Which means we gotta take him out first.

No sweat.

Right team?

Amazing!

- -

That's impressive.

That move he just did.

I feel like I've seen it somewhere before.

Well, that didn't go the way I expected it to,

but hey, these chumps can still produce change.

First things first, I'll cut through these

apes with a triple combo!

And then to level up!

She's so beautiful.

That woman is no mere teacher.

She's an idol you see once a millennium!

I am your humble servant, Princess Rin!

Serving under your foot 'til my dying breath!

My heartbeat feels like it's going a million miles an hour!

Oh, God, what a total rush!

Sun.

Here.

Shaa.

Anyone see Shaa today?

Well, uh, now that you mention it...

I guess he's absent.

I didn't even notice he was missing.

Yeah, he doesn't exactly stand out.

That proved quite the haul.

So I'm guessing that concludes the beginner's course, right?

What?

Already?

We just got started!

Come on, don't you wanna

order me around anymore, Princess Rin?

Actually, things aren't wrapped up here quite yet.

There is one final objective left

before you complete this stage.

The three of you versus me!

If you wanna move on, then you have to win!

Seaweed, go!

Not bad.

Heh.

Based off your reflexive reactions,

I was able to measure the extent of your abilities.

Titan.

You managed to quickly summon a familiar

without even using your Buster Item.

A cautious choice based off your assumption my kunai

might have carried some additional effect.

Too cautious, though.

In the end it was merely a physical attack.

You have a familiar?

Crap, Titan, just how much money did you sink into this game?

I've invested about 500,000 myself

but there's no way I could afford a familiar!

Wait.

I'm guessing you must have defeated

some high-level monsters

and been saving for a while now.

Since you're always working it must be difficult

spending time on a game, right, Suigin?

Huh?

But don't worry. My family's rich,

so I'll pour even more money into the game and protect you!

And afterwards we can team up!

What do you say? Partners?

Shut up!

Yes, ma'am!

Shaa.

I suggest you remove that kunai

from your forehead.

Hold on. A kunai?

In my head?

There's a kunai in my forehead!

Get it out!

- Someone get it out! -Stop screaming!

And here I thought you were eager to follow my every order.

I am, but removing it sounds super painful!

Stop wasting time!

Right away!

Anything for you Rin!

Shaa!

There's no need to worry.

That wound is barely more than a scratch.

He's overreacting, big surprise.

Now then, as for you, Suigin.

If you underestimate me again, you'll end up getting hurt.

What, me?

I would never underestimate you!

For real.

I swear I wouldn't.

I can see right through you.

I must say, that item is rather unique.