[It's not as if Murphy treats his life too lightly. He doesn't really feel that he's risking it. But if he does risk it, it is his own to risk. He's no longer accepting of anyone that'd just decide that they had some kind of entitlement to it. Presidents die and eventually have their corpses discarded. Rich men lose their minds. No one decides what to do with Murphy but Murphy.]

I'm not making the offer lightly. But considering what I see and hear, I think it's worth it. [He insists grimly, not really realizing how infrequently Ryo swears. But it's worth that one small shred of altruism in him. No one cares about the dead, especially the dead that still have threads of thought tied to the living world.] And I don't think you can kill me. But if I go get Thanatos, make sure that you don't hurt me, yell if you so much as even make a cramp, will you figure out this thing?

[Wait. Backtrack. Did Ryo call him his friend? That? He doesn't get. Not in the slightest, because Murphy is... well, himself. But also this kid seems like he needs friends.]

[After his face twists up in some contemplation.]

Okay, so. You have a very strong point. Sounds like it's something you have to think about. If the risk is worth it. It's a hell of a price to pay. But if I'm right, and... I dunno, maybe your other power being active is making it do something different. [He doesn't know how magical juju works.] If I'm right, it is worth it. What I am is important back home.

[When the dead didn't speak for themselves, he needed to speak for them. When they could speak for themselves, they needed someone to shout for them. And Ryo just proved he can raise his voice on occasion, even if he doesn't particularly like it.]