So the rumors of those deaths were true, and the killer was admitting it outright, even analyzing the causes of death as though reflecting on its mistakes.
It was utterly absurd.
And it was a fish.
An absurd fish, yet one that left them unable to laugh.
Considering that this thing might be an Oddity, none of them dared speak carelessly, afraid that some unexpected change might occur and turn them into yet another tale of death for Big Fish to tell those who came after them.
"If there's anything you want to know, you can ask me. Don't be afraid. We're just chatting. Really, I'm only a fish that soothes children. That should make it easier for you to understand. I'm not some terrifying thing, just a poor, wretched fish longing to be understood. I've been like this from the moment I was born. Can you understand my suffering? That loneliness? Even the one I serve can't see me. I can only bear that loneliness alone. Only when the child sleeps do I get a chance to fulfill my mission. That way, if the child suddenly wakes up, he won't bother his family, and I can keep him company while he plays in the water-"
Big Fish spoke casually.
Ruger and the others listened with varying expressions.
Ruger could already imagine the giant child he had seen through the Divine Object Art waking up and playing in a lake like this, with Big Fish keeping him company.
A lake he could only see after waking up, and a Big Fish friend he could only see after waking up.
Perhaps it could even be used to coax the child before bedtime: behave yourself, and when you wake up, you can see Big Fish and play in the water. Though it