One-Eyed Monster

The issue had strayed further and further, deviating far from its original nature. Before the old issue could be satisfactorily resolved, a new one had unknowingly emerged without any warning.

This is a real headache. Igor couldn’t help but tap his head inside the colossal soap bubble.

”My brain always gets muddled at critical moments.”

He didn’t just tap his head; he also kept muttering, like a criminal about to be interrogated, constantly trying to justify himself. Though he knew this wasn’t ideal, Igor felt he had no other choice.

His earlier words, though not causing a major misunderstanding, had certainly made things awkward.

He knew Kuren had pulled him into the Inner World solely to teach him the World Setting Technique. It was an act of pure goodwill, a sign that Kuren truly thought highly of him, Igor. Yet, his own recent words...

What was your initial intention?

That question... it sounded like a challenge to Kuren’s earnest advice, as if Kuren harbored some conspiracy, some ulterior motive.

The more Igor thought about it, the more frustrated he became. How could I make such a mistake at a time like this, and in such a disrespectful way?

This awkwardness was entirely his own doing, so he hoped to resolve it himself. Tapping his head might seem like a crude, affected gesture, but it was born of sincerity.

However, Kuren didn’t feel awkward as Igor imagined, nor did his thoughts stray in the direction Igor assumed. He was genuinely surprised, and this surprise stemmed from Igor’s reaction.

The moment Igor asked the question, Kuren paused. This pause was purely due to surprise, not the awkwardness Igor had presumed.

By now, the Inner World aspects of the World Setting Technique had been mostly imparted to Igor. Kuren had been about to discuss other facets of the World Setting Technique, pondering where to begin, when Igor suddenly interrupted his train of thought in such a fashion.

The interruption was abrupt and jarring, yanking his mind from one train of thought to another. Now, Kuren found himself stuck in this new line of thought. Within the Inner World, the two of them were opposed yet connected. It was a good thing that Igor could see through his thoughts; it meant the boy understood the profundities of the Inner World Spell well enough to use it freely and hadn’t strayed onto a wrong path. However, this also raised a question: why could Igor perceive his thoughts, but he couldn’t perceive Igor’s?

This was the crux of the matter and the main reason for Kuren’s surprise.

The only advantage now was that Kuren didn’t need to waste words; Igor could perceive his thoughts. Thus, Kuren focused on contemplating this issue, occasionally tossing out a discussion point or two. Without Kuren needing to speak, Igor would grasp them soon enough.

”Senior, I find it very strange too, but I can’t quite articulate the mystery behind it.” Igor was still flustered, his words hesitant and unnatural.

Kuren couldn’t help but chuckle inwardly at Igor’s bewildered expression as he scratched his head, utterly at a loss. This boy truly has a child’s heart. Such pure, simple goodness is practically a treasure in today’s world.

However, since he’s a child, he needs to be guided like one.

”Well then, let’s talk about initial intentions,” Kuren said, spreading his hands. He still felt that speaking aloud was more effective for capturing a child’s attention.

Just as Kuren expected, Igor jolted. He looked as if he wanted to climb out of his soap bubble, but the moment his head touched its edge, he recoiled. Outside the soap bubble lay a vast sea of clouds; he had no idea how high up he’d brought this Inner World.

So, he didn’t dare to step out of the soap bubble casually.

”I know your intentions were good, Senior. You wanted to impart everything you’ve learned in your life to me. But I misspoke in my haste... No, it wasn’t exactly misspeaking... Ugh, this is so convoluted! I can’t seem to straighten it out in my head...” Igor, who had been scratching his head with one hand, suddenly started scratching with both. It truly felt as if he’d fallen into a mental trap and couldn’t find his way out.

Watching Igor, Kuren found the boy increasingly endearing. His kind of innocence is so rare, especially in this treacherous world. If not for the limited time, I’d really like to sit down and have a proper talk with him. Innocent people always make you feel that the world is a beautiful place. It’s been a long time since we ’monsters’ have truly appreciated the meaning of ’beautiful’. Now, we finally have a chance to experience it again.

Kuren narrowed his eyes, savoring the moment.

In his heart, he was grateful for everything. All that had been fated, as if guided by an unseen hand, was an object of his gratitude.

He was grateful for this technique. It was this technique that had brought him to this stage, and it was this technique that had led to his encounter and initial clash with Igor, ultimately resulting in a mutual understanding. This was a gratifying technique, and also one that evoked countless emotions.

Kuren also had one person to thank, and this gratitude, he felt, was the most profound of all: he had to thank the Great Mentor, Grand Master Guzan.

He thanked Grand Master Guzan for inventing this magnificent technique, which allowed them to share their experiences and skills with each other on Guru Mountain. He was also grateful for the Great Mentor’s remarkable eye for talent. The Igor he had chosen had accurately grasped the profundities of the World Setting Technique and had even given the technique a new direction. This was truly precious.

This young, innocent Igor was walking a path that everyone hoped for.

”Igor,” Kuren’s face broke into a warm smile, a smile that radiated a gentle kindness. ”Let’s talk about the initial intentions behind these techniques. As long as it’s something you want to know, we will do our best to tell you.” Kuren’s demeanor was very amiable, like a kind mentor explaining a complex subject to a student.

Igor was taken aback by Kuren’s attitude; he felt he was being overly coddled. But I don’t think there’s anything about me that deserves the favor of these ’monsters’ on Guru Mountain. This new question began to trouble him.

Is this a bottomless pit? Will it never end? Igor didn’t dare to let his thoughts venture further.

”Igor?” Seeing Igor’s distracted state, Kuren couldn’t help but prompt him.

”Oh, you’re right, Senior. Let’s get back to the matter of initial intentions. There are many questions, but we should address them one by one. There’s no use in rushing; worrying won’t help.”

Worrying won’t help. Having snapped out of it, Igor regained his characteristic composure, that air of nonchalance.

Deep down, however, Igor still took it seriously; after all, this too was part of the technique.