One-Eyed Monster

After the advent of extreme winter, Guru Mountain underwent significant changes.

Although Guru Mountain did not go into its Deep Winter Slumber, the cold was still intense.

Snow blanketed the entire mountain within moments, covering it in a dramatic white mantle. At first glance, the sight was spectacular.

However, no one was in the mood to appreciate this grandeur. Whether on the mountain or below, everyone was preoccupied with their own thoughts and concerns.

This extreme winter snow provided a brief respite for those with various intentions. Following the snow, a new change was brewing as various forces eagerly made their preparations. The creatures on the mountain and the Alchemy Workshop below alike began to stir, readying themselves to face the harsh winter cold that had already descended.

While Great Mentor Guzan was in the Stone House, explaining changes to their defensive methods to the group, two teenagers were stirring in another corner of Guru Mountain.

These two teenagers were, naturally, our protagonists, Kadi and Igor.

Ever since Kevin had brought them to this safe house, they had been very quiet.

The wounded should rest; both Joseph and Kuren seem to have suffered severe injuries, Igor thought.

Though he hadn’t figured out the reasons behind it all, he still felt things weren’t simple.

It’s like I’ve been put under house arrest in this safe house, Igor felt. Despite the name ’safe house,’ it feels no different from a cage.

However, Igor was not unfamiliar with such places; he had experienced a safe house once before at Dawn Peak.

Indeed, the cave where he and his guides, Liko and Pita, had previously rested was also a safe house.

He now realized the cave’s invisibility was solely due to the World Setting Technique. Although Igor didn’t fully grasp how this technique functioned, he was utterly astonished by its effects.

While lost in thought, Igor also found himself dwelling on the myriad stories he had heard during his time with Guzan. These tales stirred profound reflections within him, causing the Scale of Faith in his heart to sway unceasingly. The voice of the storytelling old woman seemed to echo in his ears, her words lingering long after she had spoken.

These hidden secrets aren’t particularly special, Igor thought. But I despise those who only want to unearth them without making their own discoveries. They’re no different from Dark Wizards, always seeking shortcuts.

These people are just dreaming of getting something for nothing, Igor fumed internally. Such a vile mentality is even more despicable than selling one’s soul to the Devil! At least those who sell their souls understand the value of an exchange. These shortcut-seekers are no different from common thieves!

The Scale of Faith in Igor’s heart naturally tilted towards Master Guzan. As for Kuyi Tulan, the ’great villain’ spoken of by the monsters, Igor found he had no strong opinion. Kuyi Tulan hasn’t really done anything too outrageous, he considered. Both parties acted willingly. It seems the fault lies not with Kuyi Tulan, but with the world itself.

It’s this world that repels monsters, and it’s this world that has deprived the brave warriors of Guru Mountain of their right to a normal life.

Kadi, however, seemed even more unfortunate. Igor turned to look at Kadi; the one-eyed fellow was still on the ground drawing circles, clearly unhappy. Throughout their journey, Kadi had been mumbling to himself. Igor, preoccupied with his own thoughts, hadn’t had a chance to ask his companion what was bothering him.

Now, Igor decided it was time to ask his friend what was wrong. He caught Kadi’s eye and then tossed a small pebble in his direction, gesturing for them to find a corner to talk.

Kadi, seeing the tossed pebble, quickly understood. Having spent some time with this peculiar boy, he had gradually developed a tacit understanding with him. Without much verbal communication, they could roughly decipher each other’s intentions.

So, the two of them tiptoed to a corner. To avoid disturbing the resting Joseph and Kuren, they deliberately chose an unlit part of the cave. That spot was so dim that the cave’s torches couldn’t reach it, making it appear quite gloomy.

”What’s really going on?” Igor asked in a low voice, careful not to disturb the two who were resting.

”ER...” Kadi let out a soft, helpless sound. He didn’t know where to begin, as his feelings were currently a complicated tangle.

”Do you mean this safe house?” Igor asked. When Kadi didn’t speak, Igor knew something was on his mind. Considering his behavior earlier, it’s probably this safe house that’s worrying him, Igor deduced.

Indeed, Kadi nodded his head repeatedly, an expression of unspoken distress on his face.

”Being locked in here is certainly uncomfortable and restrictive,” Igor said quietly. ”But you have to understand, the Great Mentor is doing this for our own good. Someone has invaded the mountain; it’s dangerous outside.” He wasn’t just trying to comfort Kadi; he was trying to reassure himself too.

I feel so stifled myself, Igor admitted internally. Being cooped up here, unable to do anything... I can’t stand it.

”You don’t understand!” Kadi exclaimed, though he kept his voice down. He suppressed his surprise, but his one eye widened considerably, clearly disagreeing with Igor’s attempt at reassurance.

”Is there something strange about it?” Igor asked. He was naturally interested in such things; every unknown piqued his curiosity.

”You call this place a ’safe house’—I wouldn’t know. I only know it as the Slumber Room! It’s where you go when you make a mistake. Being locked in here means you’ve done something wrong and are going to be punished!” Kadi was agitated, but he kept his voice extremely low; he knew better than to make noise in the Slumber Room.

Kadi was all too familiar with this place.

Every time he’d made a mistake in the past, Kevin had locked him in the Slumber Room. To him, the term ’safe house’ was quite foreign; he knew it only as the Slumber Room.

Safe House, Slumber Room. Though both names referred to the same place, they meant entirely different things to Kadi.

A ’safe house’ is a place full of care, but the ’Slumber Room’ is a cage for punishment!

”So, every time you were punished, they locked you in this place?” Igor found that hard to believe.

”Yes, precisely this place.”

”That’s really interesting!” Igor exclaimed softly. An idea seemed to flash through his mind, but he quickly decided it wasn’t something to dwell on at that moment. He forcefully suppressed a flicker of excitement, his thoughts returning to the immediate problem: How do we get out of this safe house?

The question of how to escape this place was indeed something that required careful consideration.

Igor looked at Kadi, then at Joseph and Kuren recuperating nearby. A plan began to slowly form in his mind...