Angel withdrew his gaze from Star Worm.
When he looked up, Gleipnir was still arranging the ritual some distance away.
Angel did not disturb her. Instead, he temporarily left this compartment and went to the one where those Undercurrent Hounds had been earlier.
Once there, Angel gave a light wave of his hand, and a pale-blue illusory giant hand immediately appeared beside him.
Under Angel's gaze, the illusory hand slowly opened, revealing a card in its palm.
It was the contact card for Zuniga.
On the card, Dan, the "Pattern Lady" with iridescent curls, had her eyes closed as though she were asleep.
Angel flicked out an energy tentacle. A warmth point, like a nourishing stream of water, flowed into the contact card.
The previously still card slowly began showing signs of "movement" under the activation of the warmth point. Pattern Lady opened her enchanting eyes, blinked, and looked around.
"So dark..." Dan turned to look around her. "Where is this? Why is it so dark?"
After muttering softly, Dan turned to Angel. "Honored Mr. Angel, we meet again."
"You awakened me because you wish to contact my master?"
Angel nodded.
"Very well, please wait a moment."
Dan gently closed her eyes, and the moving image on the card returned to stillness. It did not remain still for long before the image began moving again. This time, however, the card's surface slowly misted over. When the mist cleared again, Zuniga's appearance was what greeted Angel.
Judging by the background on the card, Zuniga seemed to have reached the surface. Neon-lit buildings flickered behind him.
"Angel?" Zuniga turned toward him, his voice reaching Angel's ears. "Huh, why is it so dark over there?"
"Dan, activate night vision mode."
As Zuniga's words fell, Dan said in the manner of background narration, "Understood.