One-Eyed Monster

Chapter 25: Chapter 25 The Hesitant Spectator

Kadi, the monster, lay on a thick branch of a large tree, his head pillowed on his arm, his face a mask of discontent. Unfortunately, he had nowhere to vent his grievances. He could only bottle them up, making his frustration grow.

Theoretically, we—no, I—have always felt that Kevin and the others can’t be considered my kind. So, it should really just be me.

Theoretically, I should be the real master of Guru Mountain. But until now, I’ve had to skulk about, hiding here and there, rarely showing my true form openly.

Even in the depths of Guru Mountain, Kevin forbade him to reveal his true form; it was suffocating. The only time he’d had any freedom was when he’d played make-believe all by himself...

I’m the rightful master...

Kadi grumbled, a bellyful of frustration with nowhere to direct it. And he didn’t even have anyone specific to be angry at.

Kadi was a one-eyed monster. When he got angry, all he could do was widen his single eye. But with his childish face, it never looked particularly terrifying.

Kadi had always wanted to go down the mountain, but that old man Kevin always stopped him. No matter what he tried, he could never reach the foot of the mountain. His few attempts to sneak down the mountain still lingered in the shadowy corners of his memory. Each attempt had been like walking through a circular maze, always leading him back to his starting point, never finding an exit.

To Kadi, Guru Mountain was a strange place. Take Dawn Peak, for example: snow rarely accumulated there, even during the Deep Winter Season. Yet, this shortest peak of Guru Mountain sometimes became impassable not because of snow on the peak itself, but due to heavy snowfall at the mountain’s base during the Deep Winter Season. Whether the snow at the mountain’s base fell like goose feathers or fine frost, Dawn Peak itself never saw any accumulation.

Kadi always wanted to laugh whenever he heard those Treasure Hunters talk about heavy snow sealing the paths...

Kadi wanted to go down the mountain, mainly to interact with the people from below, to see how he differed from them.

But those old geezers like Kevin...

Kadi’s permitted range of activity was limited to Dawn Peak... or rather, he could roam the entire Guru Mountain. But if he wanted to encounter people from the foot of the mountain, he could only wander around Dawn Peak.

Kadi was growing tired of wandering around Dawn Peak. He’d hidden in bushes, climbed trees, overturned rocks, raided bird nests... He had done every enjoyable thing on the mountain, and more than once.

What Kadi wanted most was to find someone from the foot of the mountain to chat with...

But old man Kevin...

Because of the restrictions from those old geezers, Kadi couldn’t reveal himself freely. (He actually wanted to risk it, but the thought of the Slumber Penalty made him suppress that dangerous idea). Kadi often quietly observed the people who came up the mountain. Some hurried along, while others strolled leisurely, completely oblivious to their surroundings.

Most of them only cared about finding treasures on the mountain, like the White Cloud Fruit.

White Cloud Fruit? As long as I’ve been alive, I’ve never seen even a shadow of it, not in the deep mountains, let alone here on Dawn Peak.

Why don’t these people care about where they came from and where they’re ultimately going?

Or at least care about what makes the mountain different from its foot.

Failing that, even wondering why this tree on the mountain is taller than that one would be a good start!

After observing these Treasure Hunters, Kadi would usually lie on a tree branch, mulling over these questions.

But today, Kadi was troubled by one more issue than before. This new issue didn’t stem from the Treasure Hunters; it seemed to be stirring vaguely within himself.

He was hesitant.

He was hesitating whether to reveal himself to that young treasure—no, that fellow didn’t seem like a Treasure Hunter. It was precisely because the aura he exuded was so unique that Kadi was even considering it.

Of course, the trigger for this hesitation wasn’t just the young fellow’s different aura; it was also something old man Kevin had said.

Kevin had said at the time, ”If you really want to interact with those people at the foot of the mountain...”

Kevin used the word ”interact” then, didn’t he? He didn’t use his usual words like ”observe,” ”track,” or ”monitor.”

This ”interact” must mean he was tacitly agreeing that I could reveal myself, appropriately!

But what if old Kevin denies it all later?

Kadi shifted restlessly on the branch, now lying down, now straddling it, now half-hanging by his tail...

The thought of his hesitation made him toss and turn on the branch...

All the while, he kept a wary eye out for the strange Exchange Beasts that appeared from time to time.

For the past two days, these small, agile Exchange Beasts had been appearing on the mountain with increasing frequency. Some even ventured deep into the mountains; Kevin had killed one just the other day. He wondered what big shot had arrived at the foot of the mountain to cause such a commotion, practically turning the place upside down.

Whoever these important figures were, it had nothing to do with him. Right now, Kadi only wanted to figure out if he should go talk to that young fellow.

If I go, I’ll have to deliberately reveal myself to humans. If I do that, will old Kevin and the others force me into the Slumber Room?

But if I miss this chance, will I torment myself over it for the next six months? That feeling is just too much trouble.

Wait, haven’t I already met that guy?

Kadi suddenly recalled last night—no, to be precise, yesterday evening. No, it was last night... it shouldn’t be yesterday evening... Damn it! Kadi could never quite figure out how to describe that period when dusk had just ended and night was just beginning.

Let’s just say it was when night first fell yesterday. He’d been hiding in the bushes, watching a fight with keen interest, and had forgotten to maintain his camouflage.

In that instant, the young fellow, who had been kneeling on the ground, suddenly rushed to the side of another person who was rolling in agony. Just as the young fellow was about to open his mouth to speak—who knows what happened then—his dark eyes suddenly met my blue eye!

The consequence of that meeting of eyes was obvious: the young fellow was terrified and leaped to his feet.

These people are still afraid of me, Kadi thought.

Besides, that guy must have seen me. So I’ve already revealed myself, even if I did quickly blend back into the bushes right after.

Since I’ve already revealed myself, old Kevin and the others will definitely lock me in the Slumber Room. In that case, I might as well grab that fellow and have a proper chat. I’m heading to the Slumber Room anyway!

That settles it!

However...

Kadi suddenly realized the current situation was also quite tricky. A large group of people had gathered around the Spirit Power-infused cave, clamoring to catch the young fellow.

That young fellow is trapped in the cave and can’t get out. If he can’t come out, how am I supposed to chat with him!

Looks like I’ll have to find a way to help him escape.

Speaking of which, those shouting people are really annoying. They’ve been at it all night and all morning without a break...