One-Eyed Monster

Joseph descended in a spiral, having flown around Guru Mountain for a long time.

The loss of Kuren’s World Setting Technique at Dawn Peak took all the monsters by surprise. Compared to the ambush two years ago, this enemy seemed far more prepared.

When Joseph returned to the headquarters on Grey Eagle Peak with Kuren, all eyes fell upon them. Everyone wanted to know what had happened and awaited Kuren’s explanation.

Joseph still recalls the situation then.

Kuren had not shown such despair for a long time. His expression bluntly conveyed just how dire the situation was for the monsters.

They had hidden on Guru Mountain for many years, and now the peace they once cherished was about to be shattered.

Two years prior, a group had come to cause trouble. Although their strength was not insignificant, Kuren’s World Setting Technique had run them in circles, posing no real threat to Grey Eagle Peak.

As the monsters looked at Kuren’s despairing face, they didn’t know what to say. They all knew Kuren’s past; although the ”savage killer” aspect of him was not currently present, no one could guarantee when that ruthless side might reappear.

Kuren, despite his dejection, did not remain silent for long. Aware of the situation’s gravity, he recounted everything that had happened on Dawn Peak without much hesitation.

When Kuren mentioned the name Joela, all the monsters sucked in a sharp breath. The inescapable calamity of the Alchemy Workshop, it seemed, had finally arrived.

At the mention of the Alchemy Workshop, all the monsters clenched their teeth. Hot-headed types like Kevin slammed their fists directly onto the stone table.

Everything they had been through was because of the Alchemy Workshop. All their complex feelings, their intertwined history of gratitude and resentment, were directed at it.

”Even if the Alchemy Array of your World Setting Technique was breached, your main defensive position shouldn’t have been so easily overrun. Could it be that those people from the Alchemy Workshop have also mastered a High Rank World Setting Technique? Besides, we still can’t be certain that the ones who harassed Dawn Peak two years ago *weren’t* from the Alchemy Workshop.”

Xiso, the strategist among the monsters, had been the first to raise this doubt. He was responsible for planning the defenses in every corner of Guru Mountain.

Xiso’s question startled the other monsters. It was indeed a worrying prospect. The Alchemy Workshop couldn’t have remained stagnant after so many years, especially under the control of that young man, Kuyi Tulan. He was adept at unearthing new Alchemy techniques and might very well have mastered the Great Mentor’s own methods.

Kuren’s next words made the monsters’ already knitted brows furrow even deeper.

Kuren explained that the attackers possessed the same Spirit Power as the group from two years ago. However, as Xiso had pointed out, the monsters still couldn’t definitively say that the group from two years prior *wasn’t* from the Alchemy Workshop.

The attack on Kuren’s defensive position was perplexing. They all knew that the layout plans for an Alchemy Array were usually well-hidden. Anyone capable of striking at an Alchemy Array’s blueprint itself had to be exceptionally knowledgeable about Alchemy.

Had the Alchemists from the Alchemy Workshop truly reached a new realm of ability, capable of launching attacks from afar? This was simply astounding!

”Those people seem to be using the Dark Arts,” Simon said, stroking his chin thoughtfully as he offered an explanation to the group. Simon was the only Alchemist among them—a former Golden Seat of the Alchemy Workshop, now hiding on Guru Mountain as one of the monsters. ”That black vortex formed from swirling clouds, obscuring the sun—these are all external manifestations of Dark Arts drawing upon Natural Force.”

Simon continued his explanation. His knowledge of the Dark Arts stemmed from his time with Kuyi Tulan. While researching new Alchemy techniques, they had also studied Dark Arts, and it was during this process that he had encountered these particular external signs.

Simon’s explanation raised a new concern among the monsters: the attack on Dawn Peak might not have been solely the work of the Alchemy Workshop. They knew that even someone as detestable as Kuyi Tulan would not stoop to using Dark Arts.

There were levels even among villains. While Kuyi Tulan was undoubtedly a villain, he hadn’t sunk to the depths of being utterly irredeemable.

The monsters were all battle-hardened veterans; they weren’t easily flustered by such sudden developments. Once they understood the situation, Xiso quickly made the necessary arrangements.

Kevin was naturally dispatched to protect the Great Mentor. Among all the monsters, his combat strength was the greatest. The Great Mentor’s safety was paramount, making Kevin the clear choice for the task.

The other monsters continued to guard their posts, while Kuren was to recuperate temporarily at Grey Eagle Peak.

And Joseph, the only monster on Guru Mountain capable of flight, was naturally entrusted with a crucial mission by Xiso.

Dastan’s whereabouts remained unknown, and the situation at Dawn Peak needed to be reassessed. Both groups—be it the Alchemy Workshop or the dark faction—had to be observed up close.

If the World Setting Technique hadn’t been breached, this reconnaissance wouldn’t have been problematic. But now that the unexpected had occurred, Xiso had to devise an alternative plan.

Joseph was the key to this new plan formulated by Xiso.

Joseph could manifest wings and soar freely through the sky. This advantage naturally made him the fastest among all the monsters.

Moreover, Joseph possessed eyes like an eagle, allowing him to see every hidden nook and cranny of the mountain with perfect clarity.

He was the Grey Eagle of Grey Eagle Peak, perpetually circling the skies above it.

Of course, Joseph couldn’t complete this mission alone.

Although the mission to scout Dawn Peak seemed straightforward, it was, in reality, quite perilous.

The true strength of the two known factions was unclear. If anything happened to Joseph out there, they would lose their only way of knowing what was happening at Dawn Peak.

Therefore, to get timely information, Xiso deliberated for a long time before finally borrowing Exchange Beasts from the Great Mentor.

The Great Mentor’s Exchange Beasts were eagles, and they were important partners for Joseph at Grey Eagle Peak.

With the Great Mentor’s eagles, Joseph could, through Simon the monster Alchemist, connect to the Exchange Beasts’ perspective. Then, using Shared Perspective, he could transmit information about Dawn Peak’s situation back to Grey Eagle Peak.

And so, Joseph circled Guru Mountain for a long time.

He needed to relay everything that was happening in every corner back to them.

Only by keeping Xiso informed of the unfolding situation could they effectively protect Grey Eagle Peak.

Guru Mountain was the homeland where they had found a new life; Joseph could not abandon it. He was the Grey Eagle of Grey Eagle Peak, and he understood the weight of that title.

Thus, while soaring through the sky, he never once let down his guard.

Xiso’s decision to have Simon assist with the reconnaissance was a wise one. Joseph had no idea how to control the Exchange Beasts; without Simon’s help, he wouldn’t even know how to command them.

Fortunately, Simon had placed Alchemical Markers on all the Exchange Beasts. Joseph only needed to channel his Spirit Power towards Simon’s Alchemical Markers to share perspectives with those Exchange Beasts.

Several eagles, led by Joseph, soared towards Dawn Peak on Guru Mountain. To protect their home and the Great Mentor, Joseph was willing to endure any hardship the flight might entail.

He was the Grey Eagle of Grey Eagle Peak. No matter what happened, he had to be at the vanguard.