Seeing the expressions of the crew, Charles knew that as captain, he had to come up with a solution. If it was just something from the sea climbing onto the ship and dragging a sailor into the water, that would be the best-case scenario. The real fear was that this was only the beginning, and the disappearances would continue.

“From now on, everyone must act in pairs, even when going to the bathroom. Also, everyone must carry their firearms at all times.”

“Yes, Captain.”

“Aye, Captain.”

With a grave expression, Charles lowered his head to eat his food. Just then, a fair hand reached over and patted his arm lightly.

A gentle female voice sounded in his ear. “Don’t worry, we’ve made it through so much already. This time will be no different.”

Charles’s anxious mood eased a little, and he forced a smile at Anna, who was sitting beside him. “No need to comfort me, it’s just a small problem. You shouldn’t wander around lately either—remember to stay by my side at all times.”

“No problem, just don’t get annoyed with me then.” After brushing the crumbs from Charles’s face with her right index finger, Anna popped the crumb-covered finger into her mouth.

After a couple of bites, Charles noticed Anna resting her chin on her hand, staring at him intently.

“Why aren’t you eating?”

“I just had some snacks, I’m not hungry at all right now.”

“Where did you get snacks on the ship? Don’t tell me you’re dieting again? You’re not even fat—starving yourself is bad for your health.”

“Alright, alright, mind your own business, Captain. If I get hungry, I’ll find something to eat myself.”

Chapter 11: The Attack on Bandage

After finishing his meal, Charles began patrolling the Rat, making sure everyone was safe.

No one knew what had caused the sailor’s disappearance. With the enemy hidden and themselves exposed, this clumsy method was all they could do for now.

The atmosphere on the ship returned to how it was before they set out—everyone was on edge, trying to keep themselves in plain sight, afraid they might vanish without a sound.

Whether it was Charles’s method working or that thing had left, the Rat was peaceful for the next few days.

Four days later, Charles stood at the bow, gazing out at the pitch-black sea in the distance.

“At most three more days, and the Rat will be back on the marked route. We should be safe then.”

Estimating the time to return to the island, Charles turned to look at Anna, who was sitting on the anchor winch. “Come on, let’s go check the engine room.”

“No. Wandering around with you all day makes me feel like an idiot. There’s nothing worth seeing in this dump. If you want to go, go by yourself.” Anna looked thoroughly impatient.

“Don’t let your guard down. It’s dangerous to be alone.” Charles went over and gently pulled her arm, but she shook him off.

“Oh, I said I’m not going! Why are you so annoying? Besides, isn’t the mummy up there watching? What could possibly happen?”

Charles looked up, and through the clear glass he could see Bandage at the helm.

“Alright, you sit and rest. I’ll be right back.” Charles opened the hatch and headed to the lowest level—the turbine room.

As the power core of the entire steamship, the turbine room was stiflingly hot. As soon as Charles entered, he saw the bare-chested chief engineer James feeding the furnace, and the chief sailor Dean panting like a dog from the heat.

“Captain, I can’t take it anymore. Let me switch out, it’s way too hot down here.” Dean complained to Charles with a miserable face.

“For the safety of your crewmates, bear with it a little longer.”

“Even if there’s a man-eating monster, it wouldn’t come down here. It’s so hot, who could stand it except the big guy?”

Charles walked over to James and patted his sturdy shoulder. “Thanks for your hard work. The new ship will have much better insulation.”

James gave a simple, honest smile. “I’m used to it. Other than the heat, the work down here is pretty easy.”

“When we get the new ship, you won’t be able to handle it all alone down here. You’ll be the chief engineer then, managing the first, second, and third engineers.”

But James seemed startled by Charles’s words. He quickly stepped back half a pace, waving his hands like a fan.

“No, no, no, I can’t manage people. Let someone else do it. I’ll just keep feeding the fire, really.”

Smiling, Charles was about to reassure his crew when suddenly a loud bang came from a nearby pipe. As the Rat let out a mournful groan, everything around them instantly tilted to a 75° angle.

Stumbling to the ground, Charles immediately realized—the ship had suddenly tilted, something must have happened to the helmsman. He scrambled on all fours to the speaking tube and shouted into it, “Bandage!! If you hear me, answer now!!”

But what came from inside was the sound of flesh being torn and Bandage’s cries of pain.

“Damn it!” Charles drew the revolver from his waist and, bracing himself against the swaying, quickly crawled toward the stairs.

“You two, come with me! Something’s happened in the wheelhouse!!”

When Charles rushed up to the deck, he saw the panicked Anna with tears in her eyes running toward him. “That mummy... that mummy!!”