The Lighter Had Upgraded

A door? Another door.

He was practically developing PTSD from that word.

Milluki leaned over to look as well, his face equally grim.

"A door could see? Who wrote this? Some sailor who escaped from a mental hospital?"

Captain Nishimatsu took back the fax, folded it, and slipped it into his inner coat pocket.

"This happened near the Old Trench thirty years ago."

Bai Zhu looked up.

"They vanished too?"

Captain Nishimatsu nodded.

"Not on this scale. It was a fishing vessel with twelve people. Only one came back."

Milluki immediately pressed for details.

"What happened to the one who came back alive?"

"He went insane."

Captain Nishimatsu did not keep them in suspense.

"He said there was a door beneath the sea, and someone was knocking behind it. Someone on the ship turned on a searchlight, and then the door saw them."

Milluki fell silent for two seconds.

"I'd like to withdraw from the exam. Does that need to be in writing, or can I do it verbally?"

Bai Zhu grabbed Milluki's chubby cheek and yanked him back.

"Is that person still alive?"

"No idea. The files were sealed. The copy I have was only obtained recently."

Captain Nishimatsu looked toward the distant Lighthouse.

"The old records Morel went looking for were from this batch."

Milluki muttered under his breath.

"Sealed files, deleted information about restricted waters, missing ships, and slime from some kind of locational creature... Isn't this exam way too dangerous? The reward doesn't seem to match the risk!"

Bai Zhu patted his shoulder.

"You're thinking too small. We should ask for a death benefit instead."

"Can you not joke about that at a time like this?"

Captain Nishimatsu glanced at them.

"Morel said he'd be back in three days. You'd better not wander around during that