Narration starts up by taking things 180 years to the past of the current setting and somewhere almost due north of Orient City. What's now referred to as the Invisible Mountain in an area where entry is prohibited stood there. This mountain straddles both Yamanashi and Shizuoka Prefectures, and it was known as the most famous mountain in the country and as a national symbol. But on the other hand, it being a national symbol acknowledged by many people as such turned out to be fatal for it. When the Southern Kanto region was attacked, the mountain was eaten along the big cities in the giant Monsters' way when they came past Mt. Hakone. But just before it was completely eaten, the Monster doing so stopped for some reason. The mountain was then left in its mostly disappeared state, sitting in static like it was never there.
Back to the present, Exio says that the story above is something passed down as stories among long time Observers as one of the episodes that concern Orient City. Huckle says he's heard of it before too. The stories say that Orient City was built to be a home for heroes so that when the Monsters that haunt Southern Kanto attacked or the one that ate Mt. Fuji reappeared, they'd be there to stop them. Exio says that a majority of Observers believe that the giant Monster just pissed off somewhere like the stories have said, which he refers to as the common understanding. He then floats the idea that this common understanding is wrong.
Huckle is concerned as he asks Exio what he means by that, so Exio clarifies: what if that monster never actually went away? What if it's been next to everyone this whole time? Mokdai has to ask if he's saying the Monster is next to the city, and Ryekie asks if you all have been living next to a threat like that for the past 180 years. If that is what Exio's saying, then Ryekie asks how nobody had noticed a kaiju-sized Monster that could eat a mountain in all that time.
Exio concedes that no normal Observer, hero, or regular civilian has ever recalled seeing such a thing. But he says that's natural as the last time it revealed itself and went on a rampage, it was 180 years ago. But he asserts that the thing is there, and there are people around who have seen it he says as he looks at you.
Exio then starts asking you if you've seen a giant Monster and heard it while no one else did, so you think back for a moment and say you did. Akashi is shocked by your answer, and Exio says that Melide has seen it too along with himself. He admits he hasn't actually heard it though. Sui says that still leaves some questions, like why the thing never attacked. Something that big should be able to annihilate the city in minutes.
Melide answers that the monster has been asleep the whole time. Mokdai is surprised at the concept of monsters sleeping. He justifies it to himself by saying it makes sense if they're like a type of animal, but he's never heard of something like that before. Akashi reacts with a start as he says he remembers seeing a similar case of a sleeping monster, and you either remember the labyrinth adventure event or ask Akashi about that. In A, Akashi nods as he points out that what the phantom labyrinth actually was is a perfect parallel. In B, Akashi explains there was a monster that people called a phantom labyrinth that only heroes and Observers could see on some other planet. A bunch of people went in but never came back, and a hero he saw at his old workplace said something like that.
Anyways, Melide says that it's unclear why the monster went to sleep. But once they do, only the strongest Observers can actually see them. The monster then sleeps for years, decades, or even centuries. She's heard of them sleeping for forever. Huckle asks her where she got that information in surprise since Melide looks like a teenager to him. Melide sadly tells him she can't answer and apologizes for that.
Crowne asks what the problem is if the monster is asleep if it isn't doing anything at the moment. After all, Orient City has been built up to its current state without issues. Monomasa has to point out to her that things would be different if it were to wake up today, and Crowne is alarmed at the monster trying to awaken. Melide points out all the frequent quakes happening and how the details about them can't be determined. The epicenter, the epicenter's depth, the directions of the quake, the time of outbreak, all unreadable. But every time they've happened the Monster becomes visible, noticeably thrashing around.
Crowne asks if Melide is saying the Monster is the cause for all the earthquakes. She's noticed that they've been getting more frequent, so she asks if that means the monster is getting closer to awakening. Melide admits there are only guesses to that, and that no one can really tell when it'll go off. It is however pretty easy to imagine what will happen when the thing does wake up though.
Huckle says that all the cities by Mt. Fuji will be at risk of attack since Monsters tend to go where more people are around. The northern side of the mountain has about two million people, while to the south where Orient City is has about 20 million. If the thing is going anywhere, it's clearly going to be Orient City. Akashi is in disbelief at this since he more or less doesn't believe a literal city full of heroes could stand up to a mountain eater. Monomasa says that no matter how many heroes get involved, the damage is going to be disastrous and the city is getting wiped off the map.
You react in horror and ask if anything can be done, and Exio says there's likely no way to prevent the damage at present. Even if you guys managed to gank the monster while it's asleep, there's no way to mitigate its attacks. An attack of your own would awaken the thing, and then it's bye-bye to the city. Ryekie admits he's never heard of a hero strong enough to do that himself. Exio says that on top of only the strongest Observers being able to see the thing, it's unclear where heroes should even attack the kaiju. Unless enough Observers/operators able to sense it get together, resistance is futile. But if those Observers were to align together, it should be possible to lessen the damage to some extent.
Huckle asks Exio if that is the reason he asked you all to come see him. Exio nods back with a serious expression on his face, then says he's reaching out in secret to villain organizations and hero agencies for that purpose. Most of them have rejected the idea out of disbelief in him, but there has been some groups who have agreed to help at least. It's still not enough. He could put together all the heroes and villains he's gotten agreements with, but its Observers he's scrounging for. That's why he's asking for your guys' help.
Huckle says sees and asks if the short version is that Exio wants your help. Ryekie decides to ask Exio's reason for spearheading this plan. He agrees that it would save a lot of people and recognizes it as justice. But from everything he's heard, he hasn't actually figured out what Exio's personal view of justice is. Exio considers the question, and Ryekie continues by noting that Exio has shown a tendency for unscrupulousness in protecting minorities, making him thoroughly an ally of minorities. On the flip side he's apathetic to arguably hostile towards the majority. But Exio's suggested plan is to use the power of the minority to save the majority, meaning he's trying to ally with the party he's not out to defend. This is contradictory, so Ryekie asks where Exio's sense of justice in the plan supposed to be.
Exio scratches his chin in thought, and he notes that trying to say he just wants to save the people he has the power to save wouldn't fly with Ryekie. He comments that of course the S Rank hero would have an opinion on the idea of justice, but Ryekie firmly asks Exio to answer the question. Mokdai is surprised as he says he hasn't seen Ryekie be that serious about something in a long time. Huckle says Ryekie is a man of justice, so he'd never let anyone trying to pretend to be just to walk by without comment.
Exio admits he can't tell Ryekie without him joining the alliance he's building up, but then says he'd continue to hide it even if Ryekie did. The most he can allow himself to say is that he's pulled all kinds of shenanigans to look for strong enough Observers and this is only a smaller part of the big picture. He apologizes for not being able to give a more satisfactory answer, and Ryekie looks wholeheartedly disappointed but doesn't press any further. After a moment to recompose himself, Ryekie says he can't trust Exio right now. His own justice says he can't align with someone whose views on justice differ from his. He apologizes, saying that he at least can't agree to help.
You react to Ryekie's declaration with shock or concern, and Huckle says coming this far is a curse in a way, though he's known that already. Huckle then looks to everyone else in the party and asks what you all think now that you've heard Ryekie's answer. He himself isn't the kind of Observer Exio is looking for to begin with so him joining would be pointless, so he decides to back out. Sui says she's still not used to fighting against monsters, so she admits to being afraid of going against a giant monster. Akashi says he straight out doesn't trust Exio, and says he's not that strong him, so joining wouldn't have meant much anyway. And on top of that, he's philosophically against Exio's approval for erasing memories. Mokdai says that if you're saying you can see that giant monster, then everything discussed must be for real. But in that case, he's unsure how to fight against the thing and whether attacks would even work on it. He can't just agree if that isn't made clear.
Crowne seems saddened by everyone's responses, as are you as you understand their feelings. Everyone hangs their head as they say no. It's pretty clear how things would go given how the two parties are from each other, and you either say out loud that you can't help or silently look down. Exio sadly accepts your answer, but Yoshiori takes offence at keeping quiet while you guys have spoken your minds as he interprets it as a denial of Exio's thoughts and feelings. He accuses you guys of not showing the justice you've been talking about, and Ryekie is hurt by this.
Exio orders Yoshiori to stop, saying the result is understandable. This is pretty much first contact for both sides here, so asking for an alliance would be a bit much. Both sides just don't agree in values and perspectives on a basic level. Exio isn't going to deny your point of view, which means the discussion stops here. Yoshiori is still upset, but he doesn't argue further. Exio tries to calm him and has him sit down, and he nods slightly to you guys apologizing for the sudden invite turning out like this. If nothing else, he does want you guys to think about what you guys would do when the giant monster does wake up and threatens the city. Huckle says he will, so Exio thanks him and says that's fine.
Exio turns to Yoshiori and asks him to escort you guys back to the surface. Yoshiori is shocked at this and asks who'd protect him in the meantime. Monomasa says he can do it, saying Yoshiori should do as he's been ordered to. Yoshiori is indignant at this before eventually pouting and agreeing to go, and he makes a dramatic gesture to tell you guys to follow him.
The party starts leaving the room, and just before you walk out Melide calls to you and stops you. You apologize to her for being unable to help, so Melide says she understands and doesn't blame you. She does however have something she wants to say to you. There are tons of people out to get you, so she hopes you'll be careful. Her life has been filled with suffering, so she figures you must have as well. She wants you to survive for a long time, so you thank her and say you'll keep an eye out. She nods, then says goodbye.
Some time after you guys leave, Monomasa comments on you all being gone now. Exio nods at this, then asks Monomasa how things are. Monomasa says there's definitely someone who's been after this part, and he figures they're already in. Exio reasons that since they've come in at this point, they're after him specifically. Melide tells Exio she's scared, and Exio shows concern for her.
Exio turns to Monomasa and says he has a Favor to ask of him. Monomasa asks what he's planning on doing as he points out that Yoshiori isn't there. Exio says that was the entire point of sending him, since having him around would make his evac too easy. And even if Exio is taken out of the equation, he feels things should work out of Melide is okay. Melide however is not happy with what he's saying, and Exio looks serious as he asks Monomasa to hear him out.
Back to your side of things, Yoshiori has escorted you guys back to the surface where it is now nighttime. No one has spoken the entire time you all walked back, and there's an oppressiveness making it hard to speak. You either weakly point it out, wonder if talking it out would have been better, or keep quiet.
Yoshiori abruptly starts talking to you, so you ask him what's up with some trepidation. Yoshiori brings up that Bitchface had asked you to rub out Exio, so he asks if it's okay for you to have not done that. Crowne reacts with shock before going silent, and the reminder makes the silence even heavier. You carefully pick out your response and either tell Yoshiori you weren't planning on doing so or say you don't think you need to do anything now.
Yoshiori says that's fine after a moment. He looks relieved for a second, but he tells you that if you're going to go after Exio after this then he won't hold back. Exio is the reason has to live, so him dying would be an issue. If you're gonna try to kill Exio, then he'll kill you instead. You say you understand or give a little yelp, and Akashi steps in to say he won't let you kill anyone. Yoshiori says he's just speaking hypothetically and that no one was outright saying killing would happen as he calls Akashi a dumb bitch. Akashi is pissed at this slight, but Mokdai attempts to get him to calm down. Huckle is about to say something to you when a quake interrupts things.
Crowne is thrown by surprise at the quake, and Akashi notes how big it was as he asks if the monster is doing it. The quake makes everyone shake, but once it stops the nearby street starts getting loud. Sui wonders why the noise is happening, but Huckle senses that monsters are around and tells everyone to move and prioritize saving citizens. You respond affirmatively, as does Ryekie as he tells Akashi, Mokdai and Sui to follow him. Akashi obeys, complaining about the sudden outbreak. Mokdai does as well as he notes how busy the day has been, and Sui needs a second to process before following. Crowne asks for an explanation since Huckle never actually said monster explicitly, and Yoshiori follows along out of surprised resignation.
Out on the main street, a bunch of smaller monsters have appeared. Akashi asks if monsters appearing after a quake was ever a thing and points out that there's actually a lot of them. Mokdai says this is making Exio's explanation a lot more believable, and Sui asks if you can see the giant monster now. You turn to Mt. Fuji as prompted, and you do indeed see the thing lying down over there. You relay this to the party and express disbelief that it actually is a monster.
Huckle says that if that's true, then the monster outbreaks has to be due to the giant monster's influence. Ryekie tells him to think about it later and focus on dealing with the monsters in the area. He signals to you to transform the whole party, and you comply as quickly as you can. Ryekie loudly announces his presence when his transformation is done. Akashi is ready to fight, though he does have his doubts that the four of them can handle the entire crowd. Ryekie assures him he himself can handle as many as ten heroes put together, but Mokdai reminds him not to push himself too hard and hurt himself again in concern. Sui says having one more person to help would be great, so the party all turns to Yoshiori.
Yoshiori is baffled that you're all looking to him for help, and Ryekie pleads for his assistance. Yoshiori complains that you guys rejected Exio's proposal earlier, so Akashi has to clarify that this is a temporary battle assistance request and not a formal alliance. Yoshiori gets pissy as he calls Akashi an uppity brat. Ryekie tells Yoshiori that he can't ally with Exio due to differences in perspectives, but he does know how strong Yoshiori is and believes his help can help you guys solve the current problem in front of you. He admits it's convenient for you guys, but he still pleads for Yoshiori to lend a hand.
Yoshiori is flattered by Ryekie's recognition of his abilities and thinks to himself while scratching his head. He eventually gives in, saying Ryekie's speech is actually giving him hives, but having a hero bow to him and ask for help feels good so he agrees to help for now. He turns to you and demands you transform him too, so you either quickly respond affirmatively or sigh at how surprisingly simple he is. B gets an extra line of Yoshiori getting pissy again and threatening to punch you out if you don't get a move on.
Anyways, Yoshiori gets suited up and says it's been forever since he fought monsters, so he'll use this battle as a warm up. Ryekie calls Yoshiori dependable, but Yoshiori takes offense at this and threatens to shoot him before the monsters first. But that aside, he reminds you he can't contribute much in terms of view count due to his condition. Only monsters, villians, Observers, heroes, or someone capable of becoming one of those can see him, so the rest of you will have to generate them for him. Huckle comments in surprise at the risks of having someone half erased fighting. Crowne is confused as to why she can see Yoshiori as she hasn't connected the dots yet, but the monsters drawn everyone's attention again. Ryekie signals to you guys to get things rolling, so Huckle says the camera is up and says it's time to work together. You follow up and declare the episode battle as it begins, and more happens after that.
After the battle, things tune in to Yoshiori making his way back to Exio's hideout, where he thinks on Ryekie calling him dependable and someone whose strength he's recognized. He complains to himself about not liking Ryekie, kind of amazed he can say it with a straight face without needing booze. He still admits that it felt kinda nice, then reminds himself that he shouldn't be moved by heroic speeches. He's supposed to be the Invisible Mercenary who'd work for anyone for the right price, and he recomposes himself as he opens the door to the hideout.
Yoshiori announces his return, only to be dumbfounded when he walks in to find a weird shadow Procy that is apparently a monster dragging a badly bleeding Exio around. Crowne Alter clicks their tongue at his return since it was faster than expected. Yoshiori recognizes their voice in shock, then demands an explanation for what happened. Crowne Alter tells him to back off as they can totally change plans and gank Exio then and there. If Yoshiori wants Exio to live even a second longer, then he'll sit his ugly ass down and shut up. Yoshiori however flies into a rage and demands Crowne Alter to unhand Exio. Crowne Alter sighs saying they hate men for being loud monkeys, but then rethinks things and says that's a good enough reason to make Yoshiori shut up instead. They command the Procy monster to get him, and Yoshiori is surprised before calling out to see if Melide or Monomasa are around. The episode then ends with Yoshiori yelling.
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