"That old man really showed up, just like you said..." I muttered, turning to look at Crab. "Huh… Crab?"
He was gone.
I looked around, but there was no sign of him anywhere. Where did he go? Did he run off? That didn't make sense—we'd been standing right next to each other the whole time. If he'd run, I would've noticed.
"Hey! Kid! You gettin' on or what?" barked Charon, his voice gruff and impatient.
I jumped at the sudden outburst and turned toward him. His expression looked like he wanted to tear me apart. I tried offering a sweet smile, hoping to calm his mood.
"Don't bother with that grin. Just tell me—are you getting on or not?"
Okay, the smile didn't work. Charon was definitely not the friendly type.
"I'm getting on!" I quickly said and rushed toward the boat—only to be stopped by Charon's oar, blocking my way.
"Hold it. The fare," he growled, tapping the side of the boat with his oar.
Right… the obolus. I'd almost forgotten. I pulled out the coin Crab had given me and placed it in Charon's wrinkled, calloused hand.
Charon took the obolus and inspected it closely, turning it in the light, then bit into it with his yellowed teeth to test its authenticity. After a few tense seconds, a faint smirk formed at the corner of his lips—he was satisfied.
"Alright. Get in, and don't waste my time," he snapped.
I hurried aboard, not wanting to push my luck. I sat quietly and respectfully, trying another smile his way. As expected, he didn't smile back. It was as if smiling was forbidden in his presence.
Charon stood up, ready to start rowing away from the shore. But just as suddenly, he stopped and stared at me suspiciously.
"Wait a minute… kid. You come alone?"
I glanced around the boat. There was no one else aboard—just me and this grumpy old ferryman.
"Yeah, obviously. You can see it for yourself. Why?"
Charon didn't look convinced. His cloudy eyes bore into me, like he was trying to see straight through to my soul, searching for any hint that I was lying. I dared not look away, afraid he'd take it as a sign of guilt.
He stared for what felt like an eternity, trying to sniff out whether I was cheating him somehow. But eventually, he must've decided I was telling the truth—there was nothing suspicious to be found.
"...So, can we go now?" I asked calmly, trying not to sound nervous.
"Tch..." Charon finally turned away and went back to his post at the stern, preparing to row. But he was clearly still doubtful. I could hear him muttering under his breath, something along the lines of:
"Better not be scamming me, boy. Or I'll send you to the bottom of the lake myself."