The Otherworldly Immigrant Affairs Office

"First of all, welcome to Earth! Esteemed visitors, whether you're aliens from beyond the stars, ancient beings awakened from prehistory, or mysterious travelers through time, you're all welcome. Register now by filling out an Otherworldly Visitor Registration Form, and you'll receive a month of support services! Plus, enjoy discounts starting at 40% off our series of books on fitting into human society with ease!"

The young man in a navy coat smiled as he raised his megaphone and cheerfully called out to the mountain-sized shadow looming over the sea. "Oh, and you can just call me 'Captain.'"

The colossal beast, like a mountain's shadow, slowly bore down on him, its oppressive presence rushing toward them.

A moment later, the captain returned to the cabin with a little black octopus in his hands and began asking questions with practiced ease. "Can you speak human? Do you know anyone here? Oh, looks like you can't. Get the interpreter over here... Mr. Evil God, please step back. It's not time to start fighting yet."

The black-haired young man obediently retreated into the shadows.

He reached out and stroked the octopus's slick skin, smiling warmly. "Don't worry, sir or madam. Earth welcomes you. I promise you'll feel right at home."

A colleague, ready to jump into action at any moment, couldn't help muttering, "I can't take it anymore. How can anyone be this devoted to their job?"

The captain looked back over his shoulder. "Because I own a little island."

His colleague said, "Huh? Why are you suddenly showing off your wealth?"

The captain smiled. "Then I mortgaged the island to build a resort hotel on it, so I could reach the pinnacle of life and fulfill my beautiful dream."

His colleague said, "Wow! And then? Why are you still working here?"

"Ha ha! And then..." The captain's smile deepened. "Then an Evil God fell from the sky and ruined my dream of earning rental income from my island!"

His colleague: "..."

"Of course, there's good news too. The organization helped me rebuild the island, and the culprit, His Evil Godship, is covering the costs." The captain pulled the black-haired young man, who was trying to hide in the shadows, closer with a beaming smile. "But the bad news is, His Evil Godship is broke."

"So now I'm working to pay off my loan, and he's working to pay me back for the damages."

"Look on the bright side, buddy. If I don't, I feel like I won't want to live anymore."

The black-haired young man guiltily lowered his eyes and rubbed his cheek against the captain's. "...I'm earning money."

His colleague said, "Captain, stop smiling. You're kind of scaring me."

"Come to think of it, it's not all hopeless." The captain looked at the little octopus with bright hope in his eyes. "Whenever some world-ending disaster happens, His Evil Godship's fee for stepping in will go through the roof."

"Keep it up! Once the loan is paid off, I can go back to my wonderful life collecting rent on my island!"

Reader's guide:

1. A collection of everyday-life episodes. The story ends once the captain pays off his debt.

Theme: Never give up hope.