Crossing International Waters

Mu Yuze stood on the deck, his hair fluttering against the breeze, his unwavering gaze locked onto the large vessel at sea.

A dozen small boats were scattered around, their powerful searchlights piercing the abyss-like ocean. The search and rescue operation had been ongoing for nearly two hours, and that's also how long Mu Yuze had been waiting. Everyone on the scene had already been evacuated, leaving behind only a few officers in charge of overseeing the operation and guarding the harbor entrances, as the area would officially be sealed for the next few days. 

The night air was cool and crisp, and the lingering smoke of the AX–03 bomb had long since dissipated, prompting Mu Yuze to remove his mask and take in a mouthful of the salt-tinged air. The tip of his nose was red, and his fingers were chilled from the bite of the cold. 

Standing on the deck froze him down to the bones, yet Mu Yuze had no doubt that it was even colder within the unforgiving ocean.