"Very well."
Strangulation nodded slightly, briefly acknowledging.
He gathered the twinkling, stardust-like white radiance around him and absorbed it, transforming it into an extremely thin shield glowing with a faint light.
He placed this shield over the motionless Ya, then slowly stood up.
He had already heard it, someone was approaching the boat from underwater. The sound of breaking waves was not coming from just one direction.
"Heh. A bunch of scum."
Strangulation said in a deep and slow voice.
His voice, deep as a lion's roar, was full of laughter and mockery, "Indeed, it's the same everywhere."
Strangulation opened his eyes, which had completely transformed into vertical pupils, and straightened his back. He stepped out of the cabin covered in shadows.
His twisted, bent right hand was still dripping with blood, but Strangulation's stride was unwavering.
