[That explanation is fair enough, Hijikata supposes. It's not like otherworlders generally have to be anywhere if they don't have a steady job like he does (and even he gets time off for quests and expeditions, seeing how those serve the greater good!).

They make it across the danger zone, which really pleases him, and take down some more enemies (including another fireman robot - Hijikata shoots Ezra a brief warning glare so he doesn't try anything funny), but the sight of a person a bit further ahead of them throws him for a complete loop. As they approach, it turns out to be a robustly built older man.]

You made it this far, Mister? You're right in front of the final boss!

[The man seems just as happy to see them as the boys earlier did, though nowhere near as desperate as them. "I've been waiting for some of you otherworlders to come and take me along! I want to be part of the boss battle!"]

Yeah, no, absolutely not. We may be experienced adventurers, but there's no telling what may happen in any given battle. One wrong move, and you'll be a goner.

[He takes an Escape Rope off his belt and offers it to the man, but he crosses his arms and shakes his head. "Son, I know what I'm about! I want to see the defeat of Lavadoom!" This is going to take a while, isn't it...]