Nestor, Quest and Graer travel to the town of Effluvium seeking Gatling. Gatling knows where to find the Dagger of Way which will lead Nestor to the five swords which make up the Shatter Soul Sword. They are promptly arrested for stepping on the grass, one of many crazy laws in the town. They get thrown into prison where they find Gatling, a cyborg whom Quest blames for his banishment. It turns out that the town is on the back of an enormous monster, and the prisoners are food for the creature. They escape and Gatling joins them on their quest.