An Jin never expected to run into this merman again.
The last time she saw him, he'd been acting strangely, his entire body steaming as if he were being braised. Then, with a PLOP, he had leaped into the river and vanished without a trace, not even leaving a ripple or a bubble on the surface.
An Jin had almost suspected the fish had drowned.
She pulled her hand back and looked at the merman who had suddenly appeared. "Your Shark Pearl is still with me," she said coolly. "You should take it back."
"T-Take it back?"
The merman's eyes darkened, his clear blue irises clouding with anxiety and helplessness. He asked timidly, full of fear, "Do you despise it? Don't you like it?"
Xi felt the emptiness in his palm and dejectedly pulled his hand back. He nervously poked his index fingers together. "The Shark Pearl is very useful. Lots of Beastmen fight over them. I thought... I thought you would like it too..."
"Hm?"
