When the eerie Ferry Ghost Ship surfaced, the sky was already bright, and the coastline had emerged as a hazy line.
They were nearing their destination.
The captain, crew, and passengers gradually made their way onto the wet deck. Some gazed up at the blue sky above the fluttering flag, while others looked out toward the line where sea met sky.
Feeling the sea breeze, everyone felt a sense of relief at finally having made it to this day.
Anyone who had spent more than two months at sea would have had enough of life aboard a ship.
Jin had already struck up a rapport with the oddly shaped, octopus-headed captain.
He was always quick to make friends with strangers when it served his purposes. This time, of course, he wanted to ask about the underwater city he had seen the previous night.
Jin was fascinated by the enormous city buried beneath the sea and couldn't wait to go ashore and take a look.
"Ah..." The captain took a puff from his Pipe, his slick, yellow lips wriggling. "What you saw last night was 'God's Dwelling.'"
The captain didn't need to explain any further. Jin understood.
"'God's Dwelling'... Have you ever gone up to it?"
"You want to know whether there's a way for you humans to reach 'God's Dwelling' safely, right?" Smoke drifted from the holes in the tentacles on the captain's head. He smiled and pointed his Pipe at Jin.
Jin showed no embarrassment at being seen through. In fact, he had done it on purpose. "I knew I couldn't hide it from you. So, is there a way?"
Gelman and Morel were listening from nearby. They both turned to look over.
"I advise you to give up on that idea," the captain said bluntly. "The pressure underwater