Rinzler did see. Understand? No, not completely. But he saw, and he isn't likely to forget the sight. He listens, sound scraping out raggedly as Asriel talks. When the monster finishes, there's no stall. A moment, maybe, for evaluation. To wonder, a little, that Asriel would need to ask.

But Rinzler nods, short and unhesitating. That's how things work here. That's how they work everywhere. The strong survive, and the weak are used or discarded as the victor prefers.

Kill or be killed? Yes. If you're lucky.