Seeing that the first mate understood his intention, Charles lay gasping on the ground, feeling a terrible tightness in his chest. He spat out a mouthful of blood tinged with pink bubbles.
A concerned Lily was the first to run over. "Mr. Charles, what exactly happened? Are you all right?" she asked cautiously.
"Everybody back up! This guy ascended too fast and got decompression sickness again. Can't you just stop for a bit on the way up? You get it once, and now you have it a second time. Hey, you lot, carry him to the medical bay," the Doctor, flask in hand, barked orders at the gawking sailors.
As the sailors carried him into the ship's cabin, Charles slowly scanned the dark surface of the sea. Only when he confirmed there were no tentacles reaching out from the water did he finally, truly feel a sense of relief.
「Five hours later」
