The spoon sank into the minced fish, and tomato broth red as blood spilled out. Fragrant steam rose in its wake.
Roman blew on the spoonful, then eagerly swallowed it whole. She chewed as she gave her muffled verdict.
"Uh, today's minced fish is so salty..."
Manhunter didn't care. He dug in with great mouthfuls. "What do you know? A little salt gives it a kick. Everything's been too bland these past few weeks. We should've done this ages ago! It's good. Give me more."
Xia Lun picked up the ladle and served Manhunter another spoonful.
"Eat up and keep your strength up," he said with a smile. "The next stretch of this journey won't be easy."
"That's right," Carson added. "According to the sonar, the only route to the Sea Abyss is a narrow trench. Once the Submarine starts descending, it has to pass all the way through. There's no way to surface."
"What if the Submarine cracks?" Aislin asked worriedly, eating her "minced fish" in small bites.
Attendant gave a short laugh. "Then we die."
Aislin shrank back slightly, and Roman stroked her hair.
"Don't worry. There are still two intact diving suits on the Submarine. They'll give us a little protection against the water pressure.
"And look on the bright side. If we make it through the Sea Abyss and reach that so-called 'dreamland beyond the far shore,' then find the Typewriter, we'll be completely safe."
As she spoke, Roman withdrew her hand and rubbed her forehead.
"Ugh, I'm so dizzy..."
Aislin nodded. "Me too. I think I'm seasick."
The others agreed. Attendant's eyes went blank, as though he had fallen into a stupor.
There was no doubt about it. The food's "moderate reduction to Mental Health" had taken effect...
"Xia... Lun..." Roman staggered to her feet