Amid spine-chilling chewing sounds and Sabog's agonized screams, Sifa and Nefi arrived outside the captain's cabin. While the old pirate knocked to request permission to enter, Sifa gently squeezed Nefi's hand. Seeing how pale she looked, he asked with concern, "Are you all right?"
Although she had already been through a great deal, this was Nefi's first encounter with such vast numbers of undead. Her lack of experience made her instinctively fear those terrifying dead creatures, and Sabog's "punishment" only intensified that fear, leaving her looking pale.
But now, with Sifa holding her soft hand and showing his concern, courage welled up in her again. Her spirits immediately recovered, and she shook her head gently. "I'm fine!"
"Good." Sifa knew nothing of the change in her thoughts, but he could feel her becoming lively again. Relieved, he let go of her hand.
Just then, the captain's cabin door creaked open a crack, revealing what seemed to be endless darkness within.
But once the door opened fully, points of light appeared inside. Lantern after lantern, candle after candle, their dim yellow light joined together into a sea, illuminating the room and dispelling the darkness.
The old pirate cleared his throat. "Only one person may enter. This young lady must wait outside."
Sifa glanced at Nefi. She tapped her chest with a fist. "Go ahead, boss. Call me if anything happens."
"All right."
Sifa gave her a slight smile, then gripped Ghost Scream's snow-white sheath tightly. His other hand slipped into his pocket so he could put on the River Styx Ring at any moment. With his preparations complete, he strode into the captain's cabin and immediately saw a figure behind a desk at the far end of the room.
The figure sat upright, his body hidden in shadow from the chest