One-Eyed Monster

Guru Mountain was blanketed by the severe winter’s snow very early on. The severe winter was fair to everyone; it neither favored nor shunned anyone, always bestowing the same freezing cold upon all. This bone-chilling cold, however, did not affect Igor and the others. They were in the Inner World, oblivious to the outside world, even if it were to turn upside down. Within the Inner World, their minds were their greatest weapon; their physical bodies could only endure the snow and freezing cold of the external world. Fortunately, they were situated in a valley. Though frigid, they were not in immediate danger of freezing. After all, they were not like the Dark Wizard Reed, who could completely disregard the severe winter’s chill.

It was a difficult thing to comprehend: a group of people, motionless in a valley, yet engaged in brutal combat.

Guru Mountain had long been engulfed by the severe winter’s cold, the snow and ice serving as a perfect natural camouflage. This intense chill deterred all Treasure Hunters, for no one would dare challenge the Natural Force. The harshness of the severe winter made this abundantly clear, driving more people to drown their sorrows in taverns, silently awaiting early summer’s arrival. The snow-covered landscape concealed everything happening on the mountain; even if earth-shattering events occurred there, they would go unnoticed by those at its foot. Indeed, who would imagine anyone active on the mountain amidst such severe winter conditions?

The Treasure Hunters at the foot of the mountain had noticed a change: Guru Mountain hadn’t fallen into its usual Deep Winter Slumber. Roads once blocked by heavy snow were now passable. This year’s severe winter was undeniably different. Yet, despite this difference, the Treasure Hunters could do nothing about the biting cold. Their professional levels were too low; they couldn’t use Spirit Power to shield themselves and could only endure its torment. Naturally, their hearts itched with anticipation. After all, they had roamed the mountain for so long without any significant gains. This year, for the first time, they had seen Guru Mountain’s monsters and witnessed this drastically different severe winter, causing their imaginations to run wild.

Most who came to Guru Mountain were people struggling in the real world. Life was harsh, giving many reasons for their struggles: disasters, injustice, and various forms of oppression and setbacks. The law of the jungle prevailed; even on the Yowein Continent, which supposedly followed the principle of Equivalent Exchange, the strong preying on the weak was the norm. While most might be content with the status quo, some harbored ambitions. All sorts of people constantly emerged, and Guru Mountain was but a small Reflection of this world.

Both the ambitious and those content with their lot survived at the foot of this mountain. Though their ambitions weren’t grand, the traps they laid still attracted all sorts of people. Most of these individuals were dissatisfied with their current situation and yearned for change. Guru Mountain appeared to be a shortcut, one not bound by taboos, and so this group of Treasure Hunters developed its own distinct character.

These Treasure Hunters generally fell into several types. Some, like Igor, came seeking luck and fame. Others, like Pita, Liko, and Aliusan, arrived with dreams, genuinely wishing to change their circumstances and eager for quick success. The final, most numerous type was more diverse but consisted mainly of opportunistic and lazy individuals. Their sole aim was to get something for nothing, hoping to find White Cloud Fruits on the mountain and make a fortune. They had a single goal, simple minds, and a significant tendency to brag and stir up trouble.

Lately, the situation at the foot of Guru Mountain had descended into chaos. Perhaps it was a ripple effect from the monsters’ appearance, but these Treasure Hunters were senselessly causing disturbances in the taverns. The villagers of Guru Village, for some unknown reason, had packed their bags and departed for another village in Gaga County, abandoning the taverns and shops they had managed for years. Elder Rostellum’s men alone couldn’t control these idle rascals. The two prison carts, once a deterrent, had long lost their effect; these Treasure Hunters had gone completely wild.

The taverns were heavily damaged, and the owners who chose to stay pleaded tearfully with Elder Rostellum daily, only to find that the once seemingly omnipotent man was now helpless. Elder Rostellum pinned his hopes on the Alchemy Workshop. His trusted Housekeeper, Uli, was missing—though Rostellum was unaware that Uli was an agent Black Crow had placed on Guru Mountain—leaving him with no one to help solve his problems. Furthermore, his new underling, Aliusan, proved useless at this critical juncture; his Black Mountain faction couldn’t stop the Treasure Hunters’ rampage. Rostellum counted on the Alchemy Workshop, believing its chief would help him resolve everything.

Unfortunately, Kuyi Tulan of the Alchemy Workshop had kept the Lubin Tavern closed to all visitors for days, refusing to see anyone. This deeply troubled Elder Rostellum. As he watched the Treasure Hunters run amok, smashing and destroying everything, both he and Aliusan were completely powerless. The members of Black Mountain proved utterly unreliable, joining the Treasure Hunters in their rampage at this critical moment and showing no loyalty whatsoever. Elder Rostellum knew Aliusan wasn’t to blame; these Treasure Hunters were like madmen, all dreaming of striking it rich overnight, devoid of any principles.

The area at the foot of Guru Mountain was now utter chaos. Aside from the Lubin Tavern, which no one dared approach, all other places were in ruins. Elder Rostellum and a few remaining tavern owners could only take refuge near the Lubin Tavern, relying on the Alchemy Workshop’s lingering authority. He had been anxiously pulling at his beard for days. Fortunately, these Treasure Hunters were currently focused on looting taverns for alcohol and hadn’t yet threatened the Gold Room or the pawnshop. Most of these ruffians, in this harsh severe winter, only wanted to eat and drink their fill. Besides, the Gold Room and pawnshop were near the Lubin Tavern and thus under the Alchemy Workshop’s protection, so the Treasure Hunters hesitated to act recklessly there.

Elder Rostellum had given up hope for reinforcements. News of Lord Babasha’s death had been sent to the higher-ups long ago, but the Court of Guards had yet to arrive. Transportation to this area was poor; it would take a long time for anyone from Liuli City to reach them, and even longer for the main forces of the Liuli City Court of Guards.

Elder Rostellum found it strange. Why hadn’t the severe cold quelled this moderately sized riot? While this area wasn’t in the far north, the damp cold could still be deadly. Yet, these Treasure Hunters seemed unfazed by it, going shirtless as they smashed and looted. He truly couldn’t understand it.

Thankfully, the Treasure Hunters were currently only fighting over the alcohol in the taverns. But there was a limit to everything. Although the taverns had stocked up well for the severe winter, they hadn’t anticipated this turn of events. More importantly, the old village chief had unexpectedly led all the villagers away. This was something Elder Rostellum hadn’t foreseen at all. He had originally planned to make use of them.