One-Eyed Monster

”How can you judge that something’s abnormal just because of the length of time? What does time duration signify?” Kadi asked, still a bit confused and slightly worried.

Kadi was concerned that Igor might encounter some mishaps within this Inner World. If anything went wrong, their dream of leaving the Slumber Room to help Kevin would also be shattered.

”Previously, Kuren ventured into the Inner World. He told me it requires massive Spirit Power support and generally couldn’t last too long.”

”Oh, I see. So, what does it imply if the time is too long?” Kadi asked, displaying a high level of comprehension and a quick responsiveness.

”Anomaly. It might mean that one’s Inner World has been devoured by someone else, or there might be some unpredictable events happening within the Inner World. It’s very dangerous, which is why I’m extremely worried.” Joseph had shared all he knew, effectively exposing everything that was originally hidden.

”Doesn’t that mean they’re in danger now?” Kadi asked anxiously. For him, although all this was fascinating, it was also very unusual. He didn’t understand any of it. He didn’t even know the basics of the World Setting Technique that Joseph referred to. He realized Kevin had concealed many things from him—things that all the other creatures on Guru Mountain knew.

He felt a bit resentful, but also somewhat relieved, as he could clearly sense Kevin’s deep concern hidden behind the concealment. Sometimes, concealment isn’t malicious but benevolent. Only by benevolently hiding some secrets can one protect those they wish to safeguard.

Kadi could feel this protection. The more he sensed this concern, the more he wanted to get out and help Kevin. He knew his help might not make a difference, but now there were invaders. As a part of Guru Mountain, he felt he had to do something.

However, Kadi quickly reined in his thoughts. This isn’t the time for such ponderings, he told himself. Igor and Kuren were still in an unknown state; he and Joseph had to focus on the immediate situation and not let their guard down for even a moment.

”I cannot confirm whether they’re in danger, but the time spent in the Inner World is indeed a bit too long, which makes me uneasy,” Joseph confessed, the discomfort he felt making him somewhat restless.

”Then we can’t just wait and do nothing. We have to figure out a way to help them,” Kadi stated urgently.

”What you said makes sense, but we need to think about how to start.” Joseph, though incapable of lying, was extremely calm and knew what should and shouldn’t be done.

”You just mentioned that Spirit Power is the limiting factor inside their Inner World, right?” Kadi asked, remaining calm and reacting with surprising speed.

”Yes, that’s correct. Having sufficient Spirit Power can maintain the Inner World for a while. Kuren told me himself,” Joseph informed Kadi.

”Then, if we share our Spirit Power with them, could it help them in any way?” Kadi asked, seeking Joseph’s validation for his guess.

”Possibly, very likely.” Joseph’s eyes lit up with excitement, but he quickly regained his composure. ”I am able to operate outside the Inner World and share my Spirit Power, but I can’t enter the Inner World itself. So, how can I share my Spirit Power with them?”

”I have a way. It’s something I just learned; it’s called the Ant Connection Spell,” Kadi said. He had already thought of this countermeasure when questioning Joseph earlier but hadn’t been entirely sure and wanted to verify it. Now that Joseph had confirmed its potential feasibility, he felt relieved.

He had to try, whether it succeeded or not.

This was, after all, the help he could provide Igor, even if he didn’t yet know if it would be effective.

”You have a way?” Joseph was a bit incredulous. Could Kadi really have a method to transfer Spirit Power to Kuren and the others?

”The Ant Connection Spell. It’s a skill I just learned; haven’t you heard of it?” Kadi asked, puzzled. Shouldn’t Joseph and the others be completely familiar with such techniques and Spirit Power? Why was he so surprised when I mentioned it?

”I know that the Ant Connection Spell is a skill used by Alchemists, but it’s usually for things like sharing perspectives. How could it transfer Spirit Power?” Joseph expressed his doubts to Kadi.

The saying goes, the more one knows, the more one is confused. Kadi had only a superficial understanding of such techniques and Spirit Power, so he didn’t share Joseph’s many doubts. All he knew was that he could use this skill.

”I don’t know the principles behind the skill, but I know it really can share Spirit Power. Igor and I tried this method at Moonflow Stream to see someone in their Spirit Power State,” Kadi sincerely disclosed this information to Joseph. As they had discussed before, they truly needed to trust each other now.

”Then let’s try it. So much time has passed; they must have encountered some trouble.” Joseph no longer questioned Kadi and quickly urged him to give it a try.

So, Kadi, following the method he and Igor had used at Moonflow Stream, placed his hands on Kuren’s back. Joseph did likewise, and together they began to release their Spirit Power towards Kuren.

Joseph clearly felt something, like tiny insects, crawling inside his body. Then, a surge of heat, not his own, roamed within him.

Is this Kadi’s Spirit Power? Joseph wondered. He perceived how Kadi’s Spirit Power circulated and began to imitate it. Soon, his own Spirit Power started to surge, feeling as if it were about to burst from his body.

So this is the Ant Connection Spell? Joseph marveled. To his amazement, it turned out the Ant Connection Spell truly could transfer Spirit Power.

And so, Kadi and Joseph began transferring Spirit Power to Igor and Kuren. Although they didn’t know if it would be effective, they were at least trying to help the two who were arduously battling within the Inner World.

”What do you think they’re discussing in the Inner World?” Kadi asked Joseph during a lull.

”Who knows? Maybe they’re discussing trust, just like we were. Or perhaps they’re attempting something new.” Joseph found the Ant Connection Spell truly amazing; he realized that as long as one mastered the method, there was no strain at all. He could even chat with Kadi.

Just as Joseph and Kadi were speculating about what was happening inside the Inner World, Igor’s and Kuren’s bodies suddenly trembled involuntarily.

”Did you feel that?” Joseph quickly stopped their casual conversation and asked Kadi if he had sensed the change in the two within the Inner World.

”Yes, I felt it! It seems like they’ve awakened!” Kadi exclaimed, particularly excited.

At the same time, Igor slowly opened his eyes...