In the dim, underground rocky cavern, Charles stared at the massive black-and-white striped worm encircling him. The worm didn't appear to have any visual organs, yet Charles felt distinctly watched.
"Your woman informed the Explorer Association of the Darkness's coordinates, so I arrived early," Pai Bo's voice sounded in his mind, tinged with dissatisfaction. "My subordinate gods and I had intended to locate the Darkness directly and bring it back to the Abyss-Sea. But, as you've seen, things aren't that simple."
Although Charles was amazed at how quickly Pai Bo had arrived, more pressing concerns filled his mind. "What's up there? Was that thing just now a God from the Earth's surface? Did you encounter the Foundation?" A barrage of questions burst from his lips.
"You're not focused. So many questions—which one do you want me to answer? There's something out there that could kill us at any moment, yet you aren't even scared. You still have time for all this."
