One-Eyed Monster

Igor was baffled. What on earth was happening outside the safe house to make everyone alternate between anxiety and excitement?

Could it be that this intruder possessed such earth-shattering power as to place so many people from Guru Mountain at a disadvantage?

Judging by the current situation, there seemed to be a seventy percent chance of that, while the remaining thirty percent could only be attributed to a miracle.

Igor looked at the assembled group. Although everyone was prepared for a bloody battle to the death, the expressions on their faces varied greatly. Some showed joy, some sorrow, some fear, and others helplessness. Apart from Great Mentor Guzan, whose expression was relatively calm, the others looked unsettled. Even the usually indifferent Stan Sol wore a grim look, which made Igor feel something was amiss.

Of course, in their presence, he was just a junior, one who had only just dipped his toes into the world of Adventurers with Class. No, to be precise, he hadn’t fully entered that world yet; he was merely lingering at the threshold, though his gaze had already ventured deep inside.

Igor’s heart pounded, his emotions surging not because of these new discoveries, but because of the impending unknown.

The world of an Adventurer is difficult for ordinary people to comprehend, so very few could truly understand Igor’s current state of mind.

Great Mentor Guzan slowly rose to his feet. He felt he had rested sufficiently and now possessed the energy to help others recover their physical strength and Spirit Power.

At this moment, the busiest person was Yuga. As the only Wizard present, only he could assist the injured. A Wizard’s Spellcraft could be used for both combat and healing. Moreover, a Wizard’s potions were vastly different from those concocted by Alchemists. This was why Brad could only brood silently to the side, knowing his own Alchemist potions were only effective for inducing Berserk states in battle.

Brad’s current mood, however, was exceedingly complex. This was not only because he had seen the Great Mentor but also due to the events that had transpired outside the cave.

Indeed, the Great Mentor held an exceptionally important place in his heart. It was from the Great Mentor that he had received the answer to the Alchemist’s saying, ”What doesn’t kill me only makes me weirder.” Without the Great Mentor’s enlightenment that time, he might have remained a taciturn eccentric, forever bullied by others. The Great Mentor had given him sanctuary and the drive to move forward, allowing him to successfully attain a Golden Seat in the Alchemy Workshop.

One could imagine Brad’s profound gratitude upon seeing the Great Mentor, but unexpected events always occur suddenly. Brad, along with Milo and others, had been teleported to Moonflow Stream by Stan Sol. He hadn’t had a chance to exchange more than a few words with the Great Mentor. Initially, the Great Mentor had tried to discuss certain secret matters with them, but it wasn’t long before an unforeseen incident interrupted their intention to exchange pleasantries.

The incident was an attack, one that struck with utter suddenness, without the slightest warning—even more abruptly than the onset of extreme winter.

At least before extreme winter arrives, the cold acts as a warning. That frigid weather constantly reminds people of its approach, allowing them some time to prepare.

But this attack? It was silent, utterly devoid of any prior indication. If not for the stone at the entrance of Moonflow Stream suddenly leaping up, no one would have noticed that the enemy had already arrived.

The enemy carried a strong Aura of Death. No Spirit Power emanated from him, only that deathly presence—an experience the people from the Alchemy Workshop were already familiar with. Even with their eyes closed, they knew this aura belonged to that fellow named Reed. What puzzled the Alchemy Workshop members, however, was that they couldn’t see any sign of a person.

That mysterious Reed was the shadow of Kuyi Tulan from their Alchemy Workshop; they had previously fought one of his avatars. They never imagined this Dark Wizard would rise from the ashes again, and this time, target this very place.

To this day, the Alchemy Workshop still didn’t understand what purpose this Dark Wizard had in coming to this mountain.

Even their chief, Kuyi Tulan, couldn’t fathom this Dark Wizard’s objective. They had initially assumed it was all merely a transaction, but who could have guessed that this strange, secretive Dark Wizard was actually after the Great Mentor?

It was strange, really. It was because of the Great Mentor that the Alchemy Workshop had become entangled with this Wizard Reed. The Alchemy Workshop’s outdated intelligence had led them to cooperate with the Black Crow, resulting in their current collaboration. They had assumed the cooperation would be mutually beneficial, but who could have known that this Dark Wizard was also merely using their Alchemy Workshop!

Amidst the swirling snow, that detestable Dark Wizard had let out a rampant laugh. He had thanked the Alchemy Workshop and, at the same time, issued a formal challenge to the Great Mentor, though his true self never appeared throughout the entire process.

And it was also because of the Great Mentor that the Alchemy Workshop, originally invaders, had suddenly transformed into protectors, just like the monsters of Guru Mountain...

Brad had spoken a great deal; even he felt a little unaccustomed to it.

But his words were clearly important. At the very least, they allowed everyone present to understand who was behind this invasion.

”The Black Crow!” Estev, who was familiar with the Empire’s clandestine intelligence organizations, knew it well. He wasted little time in sharing what he knew, including the fact that the leader of the Black Crow was a renegade Soul Guardian.

The information shared by Brad and Estev increasingly clarified the events unfolding outside...

”It seems that bastard Kuyi Tulan is behind this mess again!” Joseph seethed, gritting his teeth. He had always detested the man, and now his hatred intensified.

”You—!” Brad began, his voice sharp. While he held immense reverence for the Great Mentor, he still respected Chief Tulan and would not permit such insults.

”Enough,” Great Mentor Guzan said quietly. ”The Alchemy Workshop has also paid a price. Milo and the others are still entangled with that Dark Wizard. We must unite now. Let us temporarily set aside past grievances. The entire world is on the verge of upheaval; do these minor squabbles truly matter now?” He felt it was necessary for the Alchemy Workshop and the denizens of Guru Mountain to temporarily shelve their previous conflicts.

Joseph lowered his head, acknowledging his impulsiveness.

Igor, meanwhile, scratched his head. There was much he didn’t understand, but at least now he had a general grasp of what was happening outside.

The enemy seemed to be targeting the Great Mentor. But why him? I can guess it’s related to what Lord Soron and the Great Mentor discussed before—that secret the Great Mentor is guarding.

However, even if I understand the enemy’s objective, many details remain unclear, and these details are crucial.

So, I must voice these new questions and let these seniors enlighten me.