"Is... is it over?"
One of the crew members slumped to the deck, gasping for breath.
His movement seemed to act as a signal. The other crew members who were still holding on dropped to the deck one after another, breathing heavily.
Relief at surviving the ordeal appeared on their faces, followed by wild joy.
They had seen a way to grow stronger. They might not become as strong as those Hunters, but they could grow stronger too.
"It's over," Morel said.
He took a puff, then put away his pipe and leaned against the railing.
Knov leaned against the cabin wall and wiped the sweat from his forehead.
Knuckle and Shoot lowered their fists and rolled their wrists.
Palm's hair had already retracted, and she was gazing at Knov with infatuation again.
Ponzu recalled the dragonflies and bees. The five Chameleon Cats returned to their original forms and curled into five little balls, which she put back into the cloth bag.
"Ho ho ho, that was a good workout," Netero said with a smile, rolling his shoulders.
After speaking, he looked around. Once he confirmed that not a single person had died, his smile grew even wider.
Ponzu walked over to Odin and handed him the canteen.
Odin took it and drank a few mouthfuls.
"How's it going?" Ponzu asked.
Odin smiled. "It's getting a beating right now. We'll see if it can be tamed."
"Tamed?" Ponzu looked at Odin in surprise.
Only after Odin confirmed it did she nod in wonder and put the canteen away.
Morel walked over and said, "Things will probably get pretty troublesome back there."
"A bit troublesome, sure, but they won't die," Odin said casually.
Morel paused, then smiled. "So you never intended to let them go to the Dark Continent, Chairman."
Knov