One-Eyed Monster

What to do next was indeed a thought-provoking question, despite having mulled it over multiple times already.

Considering the situation in the cave, it seemed like the elders were grossly unprepared, except for Igor, who was always braced for action.

Potential invaders might find their hideout at any moment. Despite the elders professing to take the threat seriously, their actions had been decidedly sluggish. Apart from their exceptional skill in healing, most of the time they were preoccupied with endless laments that showed no signs of stopping.

What’s there to consider? We should just go out, Kadi thought. These people are making things too complicated. They think and think but never decide anything.

”Exactly, my master is still out there, and I’m very worried about her,” Kuruto, who had appeared at some unknown point, chimed in, his anxiety evident. However, hearing him speak using Hustace’s body always felt strange.

Unfortunately, neither Igor nor the elders paid any heed to Kadi and Kuruto’s suggestions. It wasn’t that their suggestions weren’t loud enough; it was simply that their suggestions were of no use.

Igor, naturally, was always prepared for the situation outside. At the same time, he was expectant and even fantasizing. He felt that no matter how terrible the situation outside became, it would help him on his path as an Adventurer.

An Adventurer needs a brave heart. He had come here precisely to seek bravery. The more dangerous the situation, the more it could awaken the bravery within him. As long as he could demonstrate the corresponding courage, then upon returning to Yonder Travel Academy, he would definitely be able to trade for a Courage Medal from the peddler at the academy entrance. Joining the Association of Adventurers at Yonder Travel Academy would then be a matter of course, and Clerk Spratt would write his name in that register… Igor became lost in these thoughts. This vision was so beautiful he dared not imagine it further.

Igor slapped his own face. He knew he couldn’t be as reckless as Kadi, although he also felt Kadi wasn’t wrong.

The problem was the presence of numerous elders, who far surpassed them in both experience and strength. Therefore, Igor felt he couldn’t be reckless; when necessary, he still had to listen to what these elders said.

Only when these elders had nothing more to say would he venture out to explore on his own...

However, these elders were not thinking as Igor was. Although they were also anxious, they were clearly too cautious, remaining stuck and silent for a long time.

In the end, it was surprisingly Igor who broke the silence—of course, the chattering of Kadi and Kuruto on the side was disregarded.

The way Igor broke the silence was still very particular. He didn’t use a question but rather offered a choice. He felt the elders must be hesitating about certain things. If he rashly asked a question, it would surely interrupt the elders’ train of thought, but if he offered them the right to choose, he might achieve an unexpected result.

Who knew if the elders would agree with his idea? Maybe it would even be adopted! Igor always felt his ideas were definitely feasible.

In fact, these elders were just as Igor had thought; they were indeed hesitating about some things.

It was just that what each person hesitated about was slightly different, but generally, it could be categorized as one thing: they were all unsure if they could defeat the enemy.

They had been in a terrible state outside before. Even now that their injuries had healed in the shelter and they knew the enemy’s specific identity and attack methods, they still weren’t 100% confident they could defeat the other party. Yet, they also knew they couldn’t just stay in this shelter and be sitting ducks.

This aspect made them start to hesitate, unable to make up their minds for a while.

”Shall we attempt to connect with the outer world? We’ve tried it before and succeeded. Can I try it again?” The choice Igor offered the elders was also very straightforward, and he seemed very confident.

”Trying at this moment is not a good choice,” Yuga directly rejected this option.

”Why? We chose this method before, didn’t we successfully connect to you all?” Igor found it incredible. How could a proven successful case be negated? I had such great confidence in this plan!

”Times have changed, Igor. You need to look at problems with a developmental perspective,” Kuren began to act as Igor’s mentor again, patiently explaining the situation to him.

”What do you mean?” Igor clearly didn’t comprehend.

Although he was always prepared for special situations to occur, Igor was, after all, young, and there were many things he didn’t understand. For example, he was looking at the whole matter with a static perspective.

Kuren found it hard to explain this to him, as it was common sense. If Igor couldn’t even figure this out, it would be a real disappointment to their expectations.

Take the Inner World Igor had entered previously, for example. Regardless, they had already emerged from that Inner World. The vast black ocean there had caused them considerable suffering. Emerging from it now, they were indeed quite relieved; after all, they had sustained a considerable shock within that scene.

Similarly, effects are generally mutual. If they felt they had sustained a considerable shock, then likewise, the controller of this Inner World would also be impacted. After all, the simultaneous disappearance of so many strands of Spirit Power from it was definitely not a small matter.

Once the other party discovered this situation, if they encountered a similar scenario again, do you think they wouldn’t be vigilant? Absolutely not. At that time, they would be on high alert, watching everything that happened. If a similar situation arose, they would definitely trace it to the end. Therefore, Igor’s plan was completely unworkable. Implementing it would only expose their location prematurely.

Igor wasn’t a blockhead. After thinking for a moment, he also understood the reasons and couldn’t help but lower his head.

Indeed, I thought too simply. If I did that, it would expose our position prematurely. Then the enemy could really surround us, and we’d be trapped like turtles in a jar!

Kuren let out a long sigh. Thankfully, Igor had thought of the inappropriateness of his plan; otherwise, they really would have been a little disappointed.

Actually, each of them was already prepared. It was just that sometimes, hesitation arose because they cared too much about these things.

Caring too much led to a fear of loss, and this mindset would cause hesitation. This hesitation, in turn, would lead to many missed opportunities...

Little did they know, the enemy’s footsteps were approaching. Their preparations at this moment were soon to face a great test...