One-Eyed Monster

The words spoken by the World Setting Technique plunged Igor entirely into confusion.

According to the World Setting Technique, Igor had to overturn all his previous conjectures, especially the idea that the technique could extend, advance, and then evolve into a Living Entity. This proposition now seemed to be overturned.

”I really admire you, boy,” said the World Setting Technique, its tone full of deep affection.

”But what you’re saying contradicts many of my previous assumptions. I have to overturn everything and rethink it all, which is really troublesome.”

”That’s because your realization isn’t deep enough. But don’t be sad.” The World Setting Technique said lightly, ”Not everyone can achieve this kind of realization. You’ve done well to reach this point. My creator, Guzan, didn’t even reach your level, though he might be much, much stronger than you.”

These words from the World Setting Technique left Igor even more confused. It was indisputable that the Great Mentor was far stronger than him, but he couldn’t understand how his own realization could surpass the Great Mentor’s. Anyone would find this perplexing. If the other creatures of Guru Mountain heard this, they’d definitely thrash the one who said it.

Luckily, no one else was present in his Inner World. The only creature, Kuren, was still in a deep sleep due to previous mental exertion.

”That’s contradictory!” Igor blurted out without a second thought, so quickly that even the World Setting Technique barely sensed the shift in his thoughts.

”Contradictory? How so?”

”If one’s realization isn’t profound, how could they be powerful? You said Master Guzan is stronger than me, yet his realization is lower than mine. Isn’t that a contradiction?”

”Your thinking is truly peculiar,” the World Setting Technique reacted with exasperation to Igor’s statement. Honestly, what a dunce, it thought. How could he jump to such a hasty and arbitrary conclusion?

This Igor could be both endearing and exasperating; there was no other way to put it. Having to explain such simple things to him... he really was an oddball. But what could it do? Since this oddball had asked, it could only brace itself and explain.

”Sometimes I truly don’t understand you, boy. When your mind is clear, you’re like a sharp knife, slicing through any problem. But other times, you’re so dense, like a dull blade that can’t cut or break through anything.”

”Your examples still haven’t clarified the things I’m questioning,” Igor said, spreading his hands helplessly. He felt an unprecedented sense of superiority. To have managed to get the World Setting Technique flustered and at a loss—how could he not feel proud?

But Igor didn’t flaunt this sense of superiority, nor did he let it linger in his mind. As always, he earnestly awaited the answers from the World Setting Technique.

Seeing Igor’s eager, somewhat foolish-looking thirst for knowledge, the World Setting Technique sighed. Those who seek knowledge are so endearing, it thought. They look so silly, no different from children.

”Igor, Igor, I really don’t know what to do with you. Your realization is outstanding in this regard, yet you don’t perceive it,” said the World Setting Technique, feeling rather helpless.

”You still haven’t given me an answer,” Igor gently reminded the World Setting Technique.

”Don’t be impatient. The realization I speak of isn’t the vague, general ’realization’ you’re thinking of.” The World Setting Technique resumed its lecture, intending to be more detailed this time to prevent Igor from misunderstanding again.

”Then tell me, what kind of realization are you talking about?” Igor pressed, eager for the answer.

”That’s a good point about realization. Just as you suggested, realization also possesses thought and characteristics similar to a Living Entity.”

Igor was left speechless, completely muddled by what the World Setting Technique was saying.

”The realizations I’m referring to are all unidirectional, without any connection between them. So, if you can’t grasp this, that’s entirely your own issue,” the World Setting Technique began to lecture Igor again.

”Alright, I think I roughly understand what you mean by ’unidirectional realization’...” Igor trailed off.

Truthfully, Igor was skeptical of the World Setting Technique’s explanation. He felt he needed to verify it himself. Besides, he wasn’t convinced that what the World Setting Technique said was entirely accurate. Naturally, there were many things Igor still couldn’t be certain about.

”I’m still pondering many of the things you’ve said.” Igor once again slipped into deep thought. He felt he could uncover all the secrets within this Inner World, including all the mysteries of this now-talking World Setting Technique. His current approach was somewhat flawed; he needed to adjust it. But he would take it one step at a time. Many puzzles still awaited his solution.

”The realization I speak of is always directed towards a specific object or matter. Therefore, it’s fundamentally different from what you were talking about, so you don’t need to worry that contradictions will arise because of these different realizations.”

”You mentioned before that you are the ’control behind the technique.’ I still don’t understand what that means,” Igor began another barrage of questions.

”Honestly, your mind races so fast, I’m struggling to keep up,” the World Setting Technique admitted. It was genuinely flustered. Answering Igor’s myriad questions was no easy task. Having answered only one, it already felt inadequate, which spoke volumes about the powerful dynamism of Igor’s inner world.

”I hadn’t really noticed. I just say whatever comes to mind and ask about whatever I’m curious about,” Igor replied honestly. At this stage, there was nothing to conceal. Besides, the World Setting Technique could access his thoughts, so he had no secrets from it anyway.

”Since that’s the case, let’s speak openly and try to understand each other better,” the World Setting Technique proposed.

”Alright, I have no objection. Then first, please address the concern I just raised,” Igor said.

”The one from just now...” The World Setting Technique was perplexed. Igor had raised so many concerns just moments ago; how could it know which one he meant?

”You can’t remember which one?” Igor asked. It seems the World Setting Technique is getting flustered and wasn’t listening carefully, he thought.

”Yes, as I just said, your thoughts jump around too quickly. I’m no longer clear which answer you’re seeking. Is it about the contradiction, or the ’control behind the technique’?” The World Setting Technique tried to summarize based on its own understanding.

”Well, then just pick one and explain it,” Igor said, wanting to impart some of his own unrestrained thinking to the World Setting Technique.

”A broader perspective, a more powerful ability to generalize... these are indeed things everyone dreams of achieving.”

”What does this have to do with the answer?”

”It’s related. When all things revive, the answer will also naturally awaken,” said the World Setting Technique. It truly seemed to have absorbed Igor’s freewheeling style of thought; every word it uttered now sounded like it came from someone with an equally unconventional mind.