Reflection in the Eye

In the boundless darkness of chaos, at the edge of that shattered continent, the one-eyed giant bearing the entire land upon his back watched the ghost ship passing close by—this "ancient god," dead for who knew how many centuries, silently turned his cloudy eye, as though it had briefly awakened from the river of time to pursue an uninvited guest who had entered this place.

Duncan stared fixedly at that eye, his entire body gradually tensing. Even though he would not suffer so-called "mental contamination," the overwhelming sight still left him feeling suffocated by pressure—but he made no rash move, nor did he attempt any response to the eye. He merely let the Lost Homeland slowly pass before the giant, watching as the eye, having turned as far as it could, gradually receded beyond the stern.

The pale one-eyed giant showed no further reaction. He still bore that land upon his back, floating in the endless chaotic darkness.

Then, from behind Duncan, the Goat Head that was suspected to be the Skull of the Dreamscape abruptly spoke: "The giant was the first to die."

Duncan suddenly turned around and looked at the "Skull of the Dreamscape" resting obediently on the table.

"What did you say?" he could not help asking again.

"The giant was the first to die." The Skull of the Dreamscape repeated the words, with neither its tone nor content altered in the slightest—and no matter how Duncan questioned it afterward, that was the only answer it gave.

Realizing that this was the only response this "incomplete Ancient God fragment" could give at the moment, Duncan did not press further. He merely turned back thoughtfully to look at the one-eyed giant gradually fading into the distance beyond the rail. Only after a long while did he mutter to