Holding the Echo Paper Currency in both hands, John turned to leave with a sly smile. He pushed the door open, but just as he was about to step out, he hesitated and turned back, looking conflicted.
Looking at the figure of Charles, silhouetted between the light and the dark, he seemed to want to say something but held his tongue.
"Captain, I'm leaving too," John finally said. "To be honest, why don't you come ashore as well? Even if you save up enough money to buy an Exploration Ship, what good will it do? The Land of Light doesn't exist."
"It does exist."
Though Charles's tone was calm, his eyes held a firm resolve.
"How can something bigger than an island hang in the sky, selflessly providing us with light and warmth, driving away the Darkness? That's all a fabrication by the Light God Sect to deceive people."
Seeing that Charles remained silent, old John sighed and continued his plea. "When I first met you, you couldn't even speak, but you were so vibrant, so cheerful and confident. I thought to myself, what a fine young man. If I had a granddaughter, I would have definitely introduced her to you."
"You don't have to hide it from me. I know you've been hearing the voice of God for many days now. If this continues, you'll truly go mad. Just give up."
Expressionless, Charles walked to the door and shut it with a BANG.
"Son, you're too stubborn." John's footsteps slowly faded away, and the world outside the door returned to silence.
"Am I too stubborn?" Charles murmured to himself, leaning against the door as his expression slowly contorted.
"What's wrong with wanting to go back home?" Charles suddenly roared, his face twisted in pain.
"I've never done anything wicked! Why did this have to happen to me? Why?!"
"Eight years! Eight whole years! Why do I have to suffer this ordeal?! What's so wrong with just wanting to go home?!" Charles screamed hysterically.
"glui mglw…na…" The whispers in his ears returned, an immense and grating irritation.
"Fuck this!" In a fit of rage, he pulled out a pistol and pressed it against his temple.
Just as his trembling finger was about to pull the trigger, a muffled protest came from his neighbor through the wall.
"What's all that noise?! Keep it down!"
The sudden shout startled Charles into silence. He reholstered his pistol, then picked up a piece of cloth and carefully wrapped the wooden knife he was holding.
That night, Charles dreamed of many things, but when he woke up, he couldn't remember any of it.
KNOCK. KNOCK. KNOCK.
The door was knocked on again.
When Charles opened it, he found a bald man with octopus tentacle tattoos on his face standing before him.
"Are you Captain Charles of the Rat? My name is Hook. Pleased to meet you."
Charles eyed the man warily. His face was unremarkable, but his inward-curving, deformed ears marked him as a native of the Coral Islands. The octopus tentacles tattooed on his face declared his faith.
"What do Futan believers want with me? You aren't planning to offer me to your omnipotent god, are you?"
Sensing the hostility in Charles's words, Hook didn't get angry at all.
"You're not necessarily qualified to become a sacrifice to the Great Power. I'm here for something else, Captain Charles. I heard you're in dire need of money, is that right?"
Charles wasn't surprised. This wasn't the first person of his kind to approach him.
"I don't smuggle contraband," Charles said, starting to shut the door.
He was lying. He would smuggle if the profit was high enough; his decisive refusal was simply because he wanted to avoid any extensive contact with these cults. The only real difference between Futan believers and the madmen on the street was that the believers could speak coherently. What sane person would worship a monster from the bottom of the sea as a god?
Just as the door was about to close, Charles heard a number drift in from the doorway. "One million Echo."
Staring at the black pupils through the crack in the door, the bald man, Hook, gave a confident smile.
"Mr. Charles, this reward can completely cover your financial gap, allowing you to buy a top-tier Exploration Ship. Think about it. If you discover a new island, you will have your own land and become the Governor of the new island. By then, women, power, and endless Echo Coins will all be yours."
Charles didn't know how these people knew about his goal, but he was tempted. With that much money, his journey home would be a huge step closer. Still, he didn't let his guard down. The Futan Cult was no charity; a massive reward surely meant extreme danger.
"What needs to be smuggled?" Charles asked warily.
"We aren't asking you to smuggle goods. We need you to help us find something. Please, come with me. Our High Priest will explain the details."
After a few seconds of thought, Charles opened the door and followed him out.
The two of them left the harbor, passing through its fish-reeking expanse and heading toward the island's residential district.
The residential area of Coral Main Island was less chaotic and more lively. If not for the grayish-white coral architecture, Charles would have felt like he was walking the streets of mid-18th-century London.
Banks, hospitals, clothing shops, theaters—the island had all sorts of modern facilities. Everything would have seemed normal if it weren't for the people's deformed ears and deathly pale skin.
An island was like a city, its main streets bustling with people. Lights from the shops lining the sides cast a bright glow over the road. Their clothing revealed a mix of rich and poor, and everyone seemed preoccupied with their own business.
"Grilled spider crab legs, only four Echo Coins each!"
"Daddy, I can't walk anymore! I can't!"
"Extra, extra! Big news! Governor Nico is set to marry her sixth husband in six days!"
"Sir, could you spare a moment? Allow me to introduce you to our Father and Savior, the all-knowing and all-powerful Great Power, Futan Savito."
However, the tranquil scenery didn't appeal to Charles. No matter how peaceful it seemed, he knew everything here was as fragile as foam. It was a rare occurrence, but entire islands inhabited by millions had sunk before.
The two men wove their way quickly between the grayish-white buildings, eventually arriving before a solemn church with a black spire.
As they stepped inside, the surrounding noise immediately vanished. The light from gray candles seemed to shroud the interior in a layer of gray gauze. In the center of the main hall stood a gargantuan stone sculpture that was only barely humanoid.
It was described as humanoid, but its features more closely resembled a standing, rotten octopus. Outward-curling scales and countless eyes covered its body, a sight that was disturbing at a single glance.
The devotees, dressed in black robes, stood in neat rows, quietly reciting a language that seemed to have no consonants. The sound was somewhat familiar to Charles; the words were similar to what he heard in his hallucinations.
"The High Priest is in the Confession Room. Please follow me," Hook said, leading Charles through the crowd and deeper inside.
The security grew tighter behind the main hall. A black-robed believer was stationed at every corner and in front of every door. Though no one spoke, Charles could feel their eyes on him.
In a dimly lit room, Charles saw the High Priest of the Futan Sect: a red-robed figure prostrated on the floor.
Hook respectfully performed a ritual salute and then withdrew.
The High Priest slowly rose to his feet but did not turn around.
"Captain Charles, my sect needs you to find something. A Holy Relic of my Lord."