Please leave for now. Any disruption during my work hours is not permitted. Should there be any offense, I appreciate your understanding.

To stop people from conducting foolish and meaningless deeds... At least you and I have that goal in common. Given your rich experience, I am certain you are well aware of how fervently most humans court their own destruction. That said, until the time the others are fully prepared, it would be all futile, no matter how much you rack your brains about the sea.

Please inform your operators to avoid any physical contact with me or my weapon after a battle. Intense excrise raises my surface temperature. If someone were to complain about being scalded, I would hate to feel guilty.

The language I use is overly polite...? Hm, I'm still getting acquainted with the language used on the land. But, besides, in my humble opinion, it would not be in your best interest to see me being impolite.

As Abyssal Hunters, we must fulfill our responsibilities. To abandon the sacrifices of the past would be an unforgivable act of betrayal. That being said, how many Hunters can I still save other than Specter and Skadi? Even if I were to rescue another Hunter who survived by sheer luck, the fear may have crushed them whole long ago. Their future will be fraught with nothing but agony.

Do you like to sing? What about dancing? Would you like to dance with me? It doesn't matter if you don't know the steps. I will teach you. Poetry, art, music... You must never forget these things. They are proof that all humans once lived beneath the starry night sky. Through these arts, and upheld by us, humans become eternal. Come, let's dance.

Kal'tsit encouraged me to seek your help, though I still remain skeptical of its utility. The technology of land dwellers is primitive compared to that of Ægir, yet the average mental state is even more problematic. Fear and cowardice seem to pervade most of you. Honestly, I cannot imagine how you people would face 'that.'

The air here is dry. Fighting on land sometimes feels sweltering. Uncomfortable as it is, this is still better than being surrounded by the dead bodies of my comrades... I remember how the sea was littered with shreds of corpses. Their deaths etched onto your brain, and the stench lingers on your tongue whenever you open your mouth. Yet you cannot hang your head.

Do you think we can form an alliance? We may not even be counted as the same species. Kal'tsit is far older than me. The burden she carries is beyond anyone's imagination, but it is also a burden you must face one day... You must get stronger, strong enough to fear no loss. I will watch you by your side.

Hmph...

Dr. {@nickname}. I am Gladiia, the officer in charge of Rhodes Island's Ægir affairs. We will have many opportunities to collaborate in the future, but please see me as an outsider. I am not worthy of your trust yet.

I see. Your tactics and equipment match your kind's development progress.

A new contract? While I appreciate your recognition, I already have many important missions demanding my attention. The matters you assigned will have to wait. I apologize, for the inconvenience..

War. The concept of victory doesn't exist in a war that revolves around the continuance of a species. The only conclusion it can lead to is the destruction of the opposing side under the night sky. We Abyssal Hunters put our lives on the line to fend off and delay this fate. Unwavering, unrelenting, and without any regrets.

I'll join this training as your squadron's aide.

This seems to be a low-intensity battle. Allow me to use it as hunting practice for your operators.

You are slow like you're caught in an undertow. I will slow down and wait, try to catch up.

Considering the level of this battle, allow me to save my strength.

Speak your mind.

As you wish.

Who's the prey?

I'll manage them right away.

Watch out. The currents will pull the weak into the abyss.

Have I granted you the permission to run away, my prey?

Just a second, then this lance will pierce your heart.

Playtime is over.

Survive. That's the only rule you must follow.

An archetypical victory. One day, you will be able to defeat all feeble creatures that come your way.

Better hope that the fleeing prey won't share information, so you still have a chance to savor the rest of your life at ease.

How mediocre.

I appreciate the sentiment, but I'm perhaps more comfortable staying in my own little cramped dwelling.

Please respect the land's etiquette, Doctor, or perhaps discourtesy is more your thing?

Best be careful. By nature, my kind are all monsters.

Arknights.

And so another year has come and passed. How far has our plan come? Has the sea engulfed more land from the coastlines without us even realizing? Rhodes Island's operators celebrate the New Year. Let them. As for us, the more we know, the more we must judge our own actions.

Greetings, Dr. {@nickname}.

A species faces many threats in its survival. Under my assessment of dry land, I might equate Rhodes Island's intrinsic work to that of my Hunters. Dr. {@nickname}. It is yours to gather the weight of your decisions.