One-Eyed Monster

This scent is so familiar, am I dreaming? The first thing the Spirit Book did upon awakening was to search for the one who had imbued it with Spirit Power this time.

”Likewise, I also sensed that familiar scent on you,” Great Mentor Guzan said calmly, as if he had long anticipated what the Spirit Book would say.

”Now that it’s awake, I think we can get back on track.” Just like before, Kadi remained fixated on the peculiarities of Guru Mountain and constantly urged the Great Mentor to reveal the answer quickly.

Yet, the Great Mentor was neither rushed nor flustered, methodically continuing his account at his own pace.

The story was nearing its end, yet Grand Master Guzan held off the finale. This left Kadi extremely restless, almost storming up to shake the Great Mentor and bombard him with questions.

Why is Guru Guru so hesitant to finish the tale? Could it be that he himself is unaware of the mountain’s mystery and has been leading us around in circles? Kadi pondered.

However, Kadi couldn’t dwell on it much, as the chatty Spirit Book, having awakened, kept the conversation lively even if others stayed silent.

”I feel much better after some sleep. Pulling my master out of the Time Gap earlier drained a lot of my Spirit Power. I nearly thought I wouldn’t wake up. Ah, isn’t that a bit tragic?” The Spirit Book started its own monologue; for it, the stage was wherever it was free to talk.

It always managed to be the center of attention, even when the topic had nothing to do with it. Its wildly imaginative and eloquent chatter was somewhat reminiscent of its current owner, Igor.

”I wonder how my master is doing. He should have leaped out of the Time Gap. He is one of the few truly exceptional Adventurers with Class I have ever come across; he can even perceive a Time Leap. That’s just remarkable,” the chatterbox casually stirred up the conversation. A few sentences later, the entire talk had shifted focus.

Now, at least for the moment, the main topic was Igor. Regardless of Kadi’s impatience, the conversation had inconspicuously taken this course.

Kadi, desperate for answers, could only sigh in exasperation again.

”I am surprised you managed to tame this Spirit Book. You know it’s incredibly unruly, refusing to submit to anyone,” Great Mentor Guzan said, looking at Igor with a strange glint in his eye. He had not expected Igor to tame the Spirit Book.

However, Igor himself was unclear about how he had tamed the Spirit Book. Was it that threat from before? If so, this Spirit Book truly has no backbone.

”This familiar scent... It must be Guzan, right?” The Spirit Book again adopted the tone of an elder, as if it were older than Grand Master Guzan.

”It is me indeed, esteemed Lord Soron’s little attendant,” Guzan was quite familiar with the Spirit Book. He was there when Lord Soron created it and even helped with some modifications. It’s fair to say that a trace of Grand Master Guzan’s Spirit Power resided within the Spirit Book.

”I knew it! So, you, the little attendant of Lord Soron, have been staying on Guru Mountain,” the Spirit Book continued to act elder-like.

”It was an agreement between Lord Soron and me.” Before the Spirit Book, Grand Master Guzan truly behaved like a mere underling.

”Now tell me about your new master. Why do you believe he’s a rare talent? I remember you used to look down on everyone.” Grand Master Guzan steered the conversation back to Igor, eager to understand him better.

”Because his dream is to be an Adventurer, and he truly behaves like one. Of course, these are secondary. Most importantly, this fellow possesses a unique quality: no matter what happens, he will never change his original intentions. This point is very rare.” The Spirit Book rattled on, its words leaving Igor quite astonished.

After his surprise, Igor felt a surge of anger. This Spirit Book has actually been hiding on me and observing so much! If it were an enemy, wouldn’t I have been completely exposed? This Spirit Book is a spy!

”And you chose to serve him just like that? That’s unlike you,” Great Mentor Guzan deliberately raised his voice. Of course, he knew the Spirit Book wouldn’t completely devote itself to someone just because it admired them. There must be an untold story behind this.

However, this Spirit Book would certainly not reveal the humiliating scene it had experienced. Even if Guzan were to press it further, it would not utter a word.

”This quality alone is enough. Why would I need any other reason? You don’t know me that well, Guzan.”

Grand Master Guzan laughed as he looked at Igor. Regardless of anything else, this Spirit Book had become Igor’s bookworm. Perhaps Igor still didn’t understand what this ”bookworm” meant, but one day he would. Guzan was utterly confident of this. Even though the young boy before him was still clueless, the fact had been established. Now that this young boy had appeared on Guru Mountain with Lord Soron’s Spirit Book, fate had already placed a formidable task on his shoulders.

”Everything is now in order,” Grand Master Guzan said, the smile on his face becoming more and more composed, as if a heavy burden had suddenly been lifted from his shoulders.

Kadi, who had been supporting his forehead, suddenly lifted his head, his big eyes instantly filled with anticipation.

He’s finally going to say it, right? No more digressions, please!

”This was another promise I had made with Lord Soron,” Grand Master Guzan said, looking at Kadi, his smile slightly forced.

There’s still more story... Kadi once again pressed his hand to his forehead in frustration.

”This time, as you wish, Kadi.”

”You go ahead and speak. I’ll just listen.” Kadi no longer held much hope; he was used to it.

On the other hand, Igor had an expression of eager anticipation. To him, all stories were welcome, and the more, the better.

”Lord Soron once made an agreement with me. If, during my time guarding Guru Mountain, someone came to this Moonflow Stream carrying his Spirit Book, then I, together with Lord Soron, was to truthfully tell them every single secret hidden in this mountain.”

”With Lord Soron?” The Spirit Book was incredulous. How could this be possible? Lord Soron has been dead for many years. It was, after all, Lord Soron’s last Spirit Book.

”Indeed. Now is the time to show your worth, Spirit Book.”

After finishing his words, Grand Master Guzan picked up the Spirit Book, placing his hand on its cover: ”Heaven-Earth Spirit Pact! By my blood, Spirit Power converge! By my strength!”

Igor was confused about what was happening. He had never witnessed this before, and his eyes widened so much they nearly sparkled.

A wave of heat began to radiate from Grand Master Guzan’s entire body, steam rising, and then an astonishing scene unfolded.

Lord Soron appeared again, once again in a Spirit Power State.

This... Igor found it incredible. A Spirit Power State can actually appear again? Including the last time, this is the second instance. This is somewhat beyond common sense.

However, on second thought, Igor felt a sense of relief. He had encountered many things beyond common sense recently; this was just one more.

For instance, right now, he could actually see this Lord Soron. He remembered that previously, he and Kadi had only been able to see him through the Spirit Connection. Now, he no longer needed the Spirit Connection.

Is it because my Spirit Power reserves have increased, or is there some other reason?