One-Eyed Monster

”Kevin!” Having pondered for a while, Kadi stopped in his tracks and called out loudly.

”What is it?” Carrying the injured Kuren on his shoulder, Kevin moved slowly. He stopped walking and turned to look at Kadi.

”What kind of place is the safehouse we’re heading to?” Kadi wanted to confirm if the safehouse was a hideout, a place they could only hide once they got there.

”The safehouse is your Slumber Room.” Kevin’s response was straightforward and untroubled. To him, Kadi was still a child, deserving protection, meriting the same treatment as an injured person.

”The Slumber Room?” Kadi exclaimed, his eyes widening in surprise.

”Yes, the Slumber Room. But don’t worry, you won’t be punished by being placed into slumber this time.” Kevin noticed Kadi’s apprehension. He knew Kadi had a dark impression of the Slumber Room. After all, whenever Kadi had made a mistake in the past, Kevin had forcibly put him into the Slumber Room to slumber. This form of punishment had seeped into Kadi’s very core, causing him to tremble and feel uncomfortable at its mere mention.

”I…” The mention of the Slumber Room caused Kadi to instinctively react this way, leaving him at a loss for words.

”Don’t worry, this time it’s not a punishment. You also have an important task.” Kevin attempted to comfort Kadi, noticing the bewilderment etched on his face.

”But why should I go to the Slumber Room? I didn’t do anything wrong. Even if I did make a mistake, I can’t be sent to the Slumber Room.” Suddenly, Kadi started to resist, indicating the weight of the negative impression that the Slumber Room held in his mind.

”I told you, you won’t be punished with slumber this time. Why are you being so stubborn?” Kevin was growing impatient. He really wished he could just knock Kadi out and carry him on his shoulder, saving himself the trouble of explaining. These were special times, and they couldn’t afford to let Kadi waste any more of it.

”But I…”

”But you what? If you keep dawdling, I won’t be polite. I’ll send you to the Slumber Room to slumber as punishment.” Kevin left no room for negotiation; Kadi had no say in the matter when facing him.

”You can’t be so unreasonable!” Although Kadi had no say in the matter, he now had a valuable ally by his side. Igor didn’t know who Kevin was, nor was he aware of Kevin’s capabilities; he only recognized reason. He now found Kevin to be unreasonable and excessively domineering. This was especially clear in how Kevin had just been shouting Kadi down. This struck Igor as unfair, and he was determined to help Kadi.

”Where have I been unreasonable?” Kevin replied with a faint smile to Igor, not overly concerned with him.

”You’re always threatening to punish Kadi. According to your logic, where’s the justice?” Igor’s face set into a serious expression as he held onto Joseph, deeply disturbed by Kevin’s previous words. He felt it was time to talk some sense into this unreasonable person.

But Igor underestimated others, and things didn’t go as he expected.

Igor originally thought that Kevin would argue with him. Through this, he could instill a bit of reason into Kevin’s mind, simultaneously helping Kadi to escape trouble.

Regrettably, Igor’s perfect plan was shattered by Kevin’s dismissive chuckle.

Kevin said, ”My mission is to lead you and the injured to the safehouse. Any other discussions are a waste of time.”

Having completed his sentence, Kevin shouldered Kuren again and continued on his way.

For Kevin, time was of the essence. Events had taken an unexpected turn, and he couldn’t afford to relax even for a moment, regardless of whether the enemy was the Alchemy Workshop or those mysterious figures. He had to protect his mentor and safeguard Guru Mountain.

Just as the Great Mentor had said, Guru Mountain needed him, and he had to give it his all.

Seeing that Kevin hadn’t stopped despite his earlier halt, Kadi started to run and catch up. Since he wasn’t supporting Joseph, he moved quite quickly.

In no time, he caught up to Kevin. He had questions but didn’t know how to voice them. His earlier attempt to probe, along with Igor’s unintentional help, had been utterly dismissed by Kevin’s words, leaving him feeling quite embarrassed.

”You’ve been darting suspicious glances around. What are you really up to? I’ll give you a moment: describe what’s on your mind. Don’t tell me you don’t want to go to the Slumber Room. That’s not your decision to make, nor mine. It’s the Mentor’s will.” Kevin sensed something was off with Kadi. He’d seen that hesitant look of his countless times before.

”Why are we going to the Slumber Room?” Without realizing it, Kadi repeated his earlier question.

”Are you confused? Didn’t you hear what I said just now? Why do you keep asking these meaningless questions?”

”I…” Kadi didn’t know what else to say.

”This ’moment’ is very short. If you don’t hurry, I’ll have no way of knowing what you’re thinking. So, speak up.”

”I don’t understand,” Kadi finally voiced what was troubling him.

”What do you not understand?”

”You’re taking us to the Slumber Room, that safehouse... isn’t it just so we hide inside and don’t come out?” Kadi deliberately emphasized the word ”hide,” hoping Kevin would understand how strongly he felt about it.

”You’ll be safer there. Besides, Joseph and Kuren are injured and need someone to look after them.” Kevin detected part of Kadi’s intent and instantly felt a mixture of joy and concern.

He was happy Kadi showed a sense of responsibility, but worried he might impulsively leave the safehouse later...

”I can’t understand why I have to hide. As a member of Guru Mountain, how can I behave like a timid turtle? After all, I’m a member of this mountain, a guardian!”

The title ’Guardian of Guru Mountain’ sounded extremely pleasing, and anyone could claim it without any preconditions. It was a title devoid of glory, bounty, or prospects.

”I know you’re a Guardian of Guru Mountain. But right now, everyone has their own duties. Your role, going to the Slumber Room, is also shouldering a heavy responsibility of guardianship!” This time, Kevin genuinely comforted Kadi.

”I don’t see it. I still feel like I’m a scared turtle.”

”If you were a scared turtle, you wouldn’t be saying the things you just said.”

”Uh…” Kadi scratched his head, feeling that Kevin seemed to make a bit of sense.

”Kid, Guru Mountain is facing a crisis. We can’t act impulsively. We must follow arrangements and guard this mountain, our home, together.”

”Alright!”

”You need to take good care of Kuren and Joseph.”

”Don’t worry!”

Kevin sighed. He still couldn’t understand how Grey Eagle Peak had fallen. Whether Yuga or Simon, they were both top-class fighters. For them to lose Grey Eagle Peak like that was simply inexplicable.

”How could Grey Eagle Peak have fallen? Weren’t Simon and the others there?” Only then did Kadi begin to think about Grey Eagle Peak.

”Ah, Joseph and the others might know the details. You can ask them later.”

Kevin couldn’t answer Kadi’s question either. His thoughts flew to Grey Eagle Peak, and he began to mentally list the guardians stationed there...