"Um, excuse me, do you have any food? My companion and I got lost here while trying to escape the monster's pursuit. We haven't had anything to eat or drink for three days and nights. If possible, could you lend me some food? I'll pay you back later."
Mono's lies came effortlessly.
Anyway, if he made it sound tragic enough, if they were good people, they would surely feel sympathy.
Little Six stood to the side, silently watching Mono.
A hint of doubt flashed in her black eyes.
So mono can lie without even blinking?
The red-robed Little person was a bit hesitant.
Food was also a scarce item for them.
Because to avoid those adults, to avoid that monster with the two massive and slender
long hands, and other terrifying things, they had always done their best to
huddle in the darkest corners.
Unless necessary, they wouldn't go out.
So they were also saving as much as they could, living frugally, barely surviving.
However, the inherent kindness of the Little person was at work, making him want to agree, it was
just...
While he was hesitating,
"Little Red, give it to them." A slightly aged voice suddenly came from the side.
Mono turned to look and found that the speaker was that bloated figure covered in gray cloth from head to face.
So it was an old little man?
This was the first time Mono had seen an "old Little person."
However, this old guy seemed to have a decent heart, being willing to share food.
He could see their attitude toward food from the performance of the red-robed kid just now.
Under such extreme conditions, yet still willing to share with someone they just met—it was enough to testify to these people's hearts.
Their nature was at least kind.
Are Little People really mostly quite lovely beings?
Thinking of this, Mono couldn't help but suddenly think of his past life.
In his past life, if it were under such apocalyptic conditions, if he were to walk out so openly to seek help from his "own kind," he might instead have been robbed.
So, having the body become smaller and switching identities was, for once, a good thing.
...yet?
The red-robed Little Person took out a small package and placed it in Mono's hand.
"Here, these are some biscuits. For you!"
These were stolen from the Kitchen on the ship; they were one of the rare foods that were easy to store.
"Thank you," Mono said as he took them.
Although it wasn't much, since they were willing to give, Mono was already quite satisfied.
~7
...
In the world of the Little Person, there are mostly good people.
Mono silently took out a piece, chewed it, and swallowed it dryly.
There was nothing wrong with the biscuits, they were just a bit soggy, looking as if they had been kept for a long time.
The thought flashed through his mind as he turned around and stuffed the rest into the hands of the silently watching Six. "Eat up, you little foodie."
"Mono..."
Hearing the word "foodie," Six couldn't help but huff, clearly not satisfied with him calling her that.
"Hehe?"
The old fellow who had been sitting quietly to the side heard this and let out a kind...
...and well-meaning chuckle.
Vitality was already a rare sight here...
"If you don't mind, sit down and rest for a while. There's a fire here; it can help drive away the cold," the old Little Person said.
The other four Little Person just silently observed Mono and his companion, these two unfamiliar members of their kind, with no intention of stopping them.
Mono didn't refuse; he had already planned to ask these Little Person about the surrounding situation.
The seven of them formed a circle.
After introducing themselves to each other...
Mono learned everyone's names.
The old fellow called himself Old Gray. The two in green clothes were named Little Green and Xiao Lu, and the one in white...
...was named Little White, while the one in red was Little Red.
Mono also spoke about his experiences after being captured and brought onto the ship.
During that time, it could only be described with one word—miserable!
This naturally drew immense sympathy from all the Little Person.
Consequently, they tossed out a few more bags of biscuits to Six at his side.
Six refused nothing. While eating, she would occasionally look at Mono and stuff some into his mouth...
...as well.
Mono was actually quite embarrassed.
He only wanted to gather some information; he hadn't intended to trick these poor Little Person out of all their food.
However, these Little Person were far too trusting.
Was this actually... a good thing?
As Mono finished introducing his experiences...
"Sigh..." The old Little Person let out a long sigh. "The shadows have always been...
...around us, chasing us. We are unfortunate, but we are also lucky,
at least, we are still alive now."
Mono nodded in approval. Old Gray's attitude was optimistic, which was truly commendable under such circumstances.
"But Old Gray, have you never thought about escaping this ship?" Mono asked probingly.
Upon hearing this, everyone fell into a silence...
After a long while...
"Mono, I'm afraid you've only just been captured and don't understand the situation yet." Old Gray shook his head and explained with a sigh.
"This ship has always wandered upon the endless ocean. It never docks, never nears the shore, and very few people can even discover its existence."
"The only passage connecting to the outside world is the ships that transport Eaters and food here. And on those ships, there is simply nowhere to hide."
"From the moment we were captured, our fate was sealed—to be trapped here forever."
Who would want to stay in this place?
It's dim and damp, reeking of decay and stench everywhere. Every day, one must live in fear, guarding against all sorts of terrifying...
...shadows that might leap out from the corners at any moment to take one's life.
No one wants to stay here.
But they have no choice.
The North Wind has caught up with them; they can no longer escape.
"Is that so?" Mono also felt a hint of trouble.
If The Maw really was as this old Little Person said, it seemed his dream—to go ashore and live a stable life—was even further away.
His abilities might not necessarily support him in crossing this vast ocean that seemed to have no end.
So, must he find a usable boat to leave? Or perhaps make The Maw change its course? Either way, it seemed quite troublesome.
Seizing control of a ship was no different from declaring war on the Ship Master.
And at the thought of whatever monster might be hidden behind that cold mask, Mono instinctively felt uneasy.
He hated taking such risks; he hated gambling.
Because once he was wrong, he might lose half his life.
But if he truly wanted to leave, it seemed he had no choice but to consider it.
Unless he wanted to stay on this ship for the rest of his life.
But was that possible?
To stay on this foul-smelling, barren The Maw, filled with monsters and eyes, for a lifetime?
He feared he would be driven mad.
So... was it another choice where the answer was already predetermined?
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