One-Eyed Monster

”Sir, you cannot abandon us!” Anything that threatened the gleaming valuables in Elder Rostellum’s eyes stirred his passions.

An impassioned Rostellum tended to act recklessly. He was now at the Initial Stage of emotional instability, instinctively uttering words unfit for a mayor. These words were riddled with fear, anxiety, and even a bit of anger.

”Sir, you cannot do this. The people of Guru Mountain are dependent on you to pull us through this hardship. We haven’t had a person of influence here in many years. Now that we finally have someone like you, we can’t be entirely without hope! This damn winter is so cold, and it brought so much human-induced disaster. Sir, you must advocate for us!”

Elder Rostellum rambled on and on, as if to vent all the frustration he had accumulated during the wait. His words seemed to hide an undercurrent of complaint. He appeared to be saying that if these people hadn’t come and stirred up so much trouble, they wouldn’t be so helpless today!

Kuyi Tulan paid no mind to the veiled complaints in the mayor’s words. In his eyes, an insignificant pawn wasn’t worth wasting breath on, even if this pawn was a bit rough around the edges; it wouldn’t pose a significant hindrance to him.

”I said there’s no need to worry, so there’s no need to worry!”

Presence. The sheer presence of the powerful can overwhelm anything. Kuyi Tulan’s voice wasn’t loud, but it was filled with a compelling force that instantly silenced the babbling Elder Rostellum.

At this moment, Elder Rostellum’s emotional instability had escalated to the growing stage. Resentment gradually welled up from within him, about to push his emotional instability to a climax.

”Before I head up the mountain, assemble everyone!” Ignoring Elder Rostellum’s unusual behavior, Kuyi Tulan proceeded to issue orderly instructions.

Holy shit… Emotional instability has reached a new stage and is on the verge of erupting into an unparalleled climax…

Elder Rostellum’s inner turmoil was intense, the feeling so powerful that it even affected Aliusan beside him. Sensing that something was amiss, Aliusan quickly stepped forward to comfort him gently.

”Stay calm, sir. Let’s hear what he has to say…”

If not for Aliusan’s comforting words, Rostellum might have been able to suppress his emotions for a while longer. Ironically, however, Aliusan’s well-intentioned reassurance became the spark that ignited the fuse. Rostellum’s emotional instability burst forth like an exploding firework!

A strong wave of Energy suddenly erupted from Elder Rostellum, as if an arrow had been shot from his body.

Elder Rostellum felt surprised. This wasn’t right. Even if he lost control of his emotions, he would normally only utter some unpleasant words. Why had he suddenly launched an arrow-like attack? Normally, such Spirit Power attacks were exclusive to Fighters or Hunters. Moreover, this arrow was aimed directly at Kuyi Tulan…

Kuyi Tulan’s reaction made Elder Rostellum’s cold sweat recede. Long before the arrow-like attack reached him, Kuyi Tulan raised his hand. With a slight flick of his finger, a shield resembling an ice wall formed in the air. This moving shield instantly dissolved the energy arrow.

With a mere raise of his hand, he had resolved the sudden incident.

”So, this is the effect of Awakening, huh?” Kuyi Tulan turned to look at Scholar Manjia. Scholar Manjia remained noncommittal, neither confirming nor denying.

”Hmm, the power of Awakening can make even a Politician exhibit Spirit Power Feedback that contradicts their professional characteristics. I’m actually starting to look forward to this now.” Kuyi Tulan shook his cloak, filled with anticipation for the events to come.

Elder Rostellum’s resentment vanished. His spiraling emotions, which had reached a climax, had been effortlessly crushed by Kuyi Tulan’s casual flick of the finger. He was left utterly dumbstruck.

What on earth was happening? He didn’t understand any of it. The emotional instability was gone, but a myriad of questions surfaced. However, he was unable to ask. He was completely incapacitated. His throat felt constricted, as if gripped by a hand, yet he felt no pain. In any case, he was rendered mute, and he felt that someone was intentionally doing this to him.

”I know the Mayor has many questions and much resentment, but I don’t have much time. So, I’m afraid I’ll have to inconvenience you, Mayor.” After saying this, Kuyi Tulan turned and strode away, utterly indifferent to the shocked Elder Rostellum left behind.

The retreating purple-cloaked figure filled Rostellum’s vision. He was anxious and enraged, yet utterly helpless. Not only him, but even his followers were powerless to act.

As he watched Kuyi Tulan’s receding figure, Elder Rostellum thought despairingly. It seemed Chief Tulan of the Alchemy Workshop couldn’t be relied upon to resolve this mess. But how could he address this pressing issue? He had no plan at all. Not only had Chief Tulan failed to offer any useful advice, but he had also burdened him with a task: to monitor this Hunchbacked Boss. Such a demand was utterly outrageous! Elder Rostellum desperately wished he could disregard everything; he was so distressed. But his body was out of his control, moving against his will.

”Scholar Manjia, please come with me…” Rostellum was inwardly astounded as he heard himself speak. He’d never intended to say those words, especially not while he was so utterly baffled. How could he have blurted that out? Such a strange event caught him completely off guard.

”You’re already part of his plans,” Scholar Manjia said casually. With that, he followed the stumbling Elder Rostellum.

Rostellum still didn’t understand what Scholar Manjia meant. His body was completely out of his control. His thoughts weren’t reflected in his actions, which frustrated him immensely. As for the Hunchbacked Boss, that whole affair was even more baffling to him, and his body felt increasingly unnatural.

Now, Elder Rostellum, belly protruding and a wide smile plastered on his face, led Scholar Manjia into the tavern. He knew this wasn’t his intention, but he did it anyway!

”Sir, what are you doing?” Aliusan was also puzzled; Elder Rostellum’s behavior was indeed far too unnatural.

”You, bring out all the wine from the tavern! You, unlock the Gold Room! And you…” Elder Rostellum was horrified. What was wrong with him? Why on earth was he doing such outrageous things?

Elder Rostellum couldn’t understand it at all. Yet, the real him, deep inside, was carefully observing his own actions. To his astonishment, he realized that everything he was doing was surprisingly logical and carried a strong sense of purpose…