"I did mean that."
Facing the cold questioning of the King of Nightmares, the Aquarius Director laughed softly, openly admitting:
"Although I am now defecting from the Clean-up Bureau, I was once a director there.
Having opposed you for so many years, suddenly letting you in personally this time feels a bit awkward, so I tried to harm you a bit to atone, but you saw through it."
"Not completely."
The blurred face faded away from the small boat and returned to its original position. The gray mist soaked in the black river water clung to the King of Nightmares' body like a drenched cloak, clearly outlining its emaciated form.
After wringing out the gray robe soaked with countless nightmares, the King of Nightmares extended a withered arm, adjusted the mirror-like crown on his head, and then looked down at the two on the small boat, speaking in a haunting tone:
