One-Eyed Monster

”What does he mean by ’slow’?” Stan Sol became even more confused. He wondered what on earth Igor was plotting now, and why he was emphasizing the need for slowness.

Kadi, however, simply chose not to dwell on the complexities. He had always believed Igor held the upper hand and would quickly turn this advantage into a decisive victory. Although he found Igor’s current thinking somewhat extreme, he didn’t dismiss the logic behind it.

Even constant dripping wears away a stone, so in theory, a sea could be filled. It wasn’t entirely impossible.

Stan Sol felt something was missing from the entire situation, but he couldn’t pinpoint what. Igor’s analysis made sense—they were trying to buy time, and the longer they could stretch it, the better—yet Stan Sol still felt something was amiss. After much deliberation, Stan Sol concluded that the missing element was not on their side; by all appearances, their own plans were complete. Yet, the more complete everything on their end seemed, the more incomprehensible the situation became.

”Huh, why hasn’t the controller on the other side responded yet? Are they plotting something?” Igor was the first to exclaim. He had assumed his counterattack would significantly impact the opponent, expecting them to appear caught off guard or panic-stricken. However, the vast sea remained calm. Apart from the loud CRASHES of the hills falling into the sea, there was no other sound, which puzzled Igor.

Just as Igor voiced his surprise, Stan Sol, in contrast, had a moment of clarity. He finally realized where the missing piece lay!

The opposing controller’s prolonged silence was abnormal. This suggested their performance was subpar; some unusual reaction must have occurred on their part to cause such stillness. Considering the intensity of the Water Folk’s previous counterattack, the enemy would surely have struck back fiercely. Their continued silence, therefore, was highly significant.

Even if the opponent chose not to strike back fiercely, they were expected to at least deliver a solid blow. From any angle, the opposing controller didn’t seem like someone who enjoyed passive defense. They always sought to be in a dominant position, fiercely striking their enemies when in control.

This desire for control stemmed from confidence in their own strength. Yet, in a way, it was also a form of blindness. Such a weakness might be imperceptible at first, but over time, it would inevitably surface.

Stan Sol now understood: the missing piece he sensed originated from the opposing controller. Their inaction created a significant gap, making their own Timeline feel relatively extended. As moments trickled by, each one felt like several quarter-hours had passed.

It was an indescribable sensation. The opponent’s lack of reaction was a complete void. Even the most brilliant counterattack, if met with no response, felt like throwing a mighty punch into empty air. One felt the exertion of the blow, but nothing else.

It was indeed a peculiar feeling. As Igor and the others experienced it now, a flicker of tension ignited within them.

Little did they know, the controller on the opposing side, the Dark Wizard Reed, was equally tense.

His confidence was steadily eroding. He felt as if he were sinking into an abyss, having lost something significant—an unknown and unpredictable loss. The power he had acquired seemed to be draining away, a gravely serious matter.

How could this be happening? This isn’t normal at all! Such ordinary thoughts now surfaced in Wizard Reed’s mind. For Dark Wizards, this was a terrible development. Dark Wizards could abandon even themselves, could trade away their life Energy; how could such common feelings of gain and loss possibly trouble them? He felt that the opponent’s attack was definitely what caused him to have these ordinary feelings. The enemy could silently place the sun within his spells; it was evident their strength was unfathomable.

Yet, Wizard Reed couldn’t comprehend why the opponent’s initial performance had been so lackluster, so much so that they seemed nothing like their legendary reputation. Were they merely testing us at first? Or did they simply not use their full strength from the outset?

A torrent of thoughts flooded his mind, and Wizard Reed felt himself caught in a maelstrom.

Something that should not have appeared suddenly did, and a feeling that should not have arisen now surfaced in his mind. In that moment, he finally realized that Willem was the truly cautious one.

This sense of loss made him gradually recoil from the shadowy hall, uncertain whether to advance or retreat.

Though perplexed, Igor did not halt his actions. He truly intended to use the giant bird to fill the entire sea. It sounded incredible, but who could definitively say it wouldn’t succeed? Stories of legend often extol perseverance, and now he was applying that very steadfastness to this task, convinced he would not fail.

Rocks, branches, and all sorts of fill materials were continuously tossed into the sea, a sight that left Kadi utterly bemused.

Kadi felt that the current pace was too slow; they needed to speed up.

So, he suggested to Igor that they mobilize the individuals Stan Sol had rescued—namely, the Malice Spirit Entities Stan Sol had moved aside. He felt that, one way or another, they had to contribute their strength.

Igor relayed the idea, but Stan Sol simply shook his head, deeming the method unworkable.

”They are all lost Malice Spirit Entities, accustomed to oppression,” Stan Sol explained. ”They won’t exert their full strength willingly; they only submit to power. Although I can wield the Ghostly Flame more intensely, there’s no guarantee these Malice Spirit Entities will obey our commands.”

”So, they can only be bystanders?” Igor asked.

”Unless you help them find what they’re missing,” Stan Sol replied. He knew very well that these Malice Spirit Entities ultimately wished to reach the Eternal Tranquility Realm. However, their lingering regrets and attachments in the world had caused them to hesitate, giving the Dark Wizards an opportunity to capture them and make them prisoners of their power.

”Couldn’t the Ghostly Flame guide them just now? Why isn’t it enough anymore?” Igor pressed, unwilling to give up. After all, relying solely on the giant bird to fill the sea was still rather slow.

”The Ghostly Flame can only intimidate; it cannot issue direct commands, because the Ghostly Flame will not coerce directionless, wandering souls,” Stan Sol clarified.

Though Igor didn’t fully grasp the explanation, he got the general idea. He knew that, for now, they could only rely on themselves.

The missing piece always seemed to be the most crucial element. For Igor and Stan Sol, as well as for Dark Wizard Reed, this absence had emerged unexpectedly. And though the nature of what was missing was apparent, they still didn’t know how to confront it.

For now, they remained at a stalemate.