If this place even has history that isn't about sea monsters.

[Ash's pessimism is just a little unnerving, though. He doesn't sound like he's offering opposition on reflex - he sounds like somebody who knows what he's talking about.

The bombast retreats from his voice. Now he sounds like a guy talking to a friend.]

Look, I'm going to be careful, here. I'm not going to end up with a bullet in my back.

Or whatever the local version is.