One-Eyed Monster

Whether it was Wizard Reed, Kuyi Tulan, or Soul Guardian Estev under the tutelage of Great Mentor Guzan, they all shared a common trait. This commonality was, in fact, one that all humans shared: everyone strives for control.

Having control kept one settled and free from constant worry about the next meal; with control, one could be calm and relaxed. Thus, everyone at Moonflow Stream yearned for control. Although not everyone wanted absolute control, they still desired a certain degree of it. After all, taking the initiative was always better than being coerced into action.

It appeared that power was synonymous with control; whoever possessed significant power obtained sufficient rights. Power could make a person speak with confidence and act more resolutely. The possession of power that could defy anything allowed one to do as they wished; this was the critical reason everyone desired formidable power.

Control signified freedom. Even though this freedom was not absolute, it was far better than being constantly oppressed. At the very least, people with powerful abilities could come and go as they pleased, staying or leaving at will. However, those with slightly lesser power had to accept the reality of being ruled by stronger individuals.

On the surface, the world seemed fair, ostensibly established on the philosophy of Equivalent Exchange. In reality, however, one thing disrupted this balance: the inequity of power. Perhaps not everyone was born knowing how to change their own strength. Some were born weak while others were born strong, and these inherent traits could not be altered later in life through personal effort. Under equal conditions, Gold was always more valuable than copper.

It seemed like a choice, but not everyone could choose the right path. Some, even if they chose Gold, failed to harness its value. A strange scenario was now unfolding at Moonflow Stream.

Those who desired control had been controlled themselves. They had no means of counterattack against the current circumstances, as though their destinies were being dominated by a stronger power. Igor was curious why everyone had fallen silent. It seemed as if they had all been bewitched by some secret technique. The once passionate crowd had become completely calm, their emotions having seemingly vanished. Igor even felt his own emotions slowly fading away.

Initially, Igor assumed that the Dark Wizard was responsible for everything. After all, that wizard had devoured the Earth Dragon in plain sight, sending a chill down many spines. Such ruthless methods would astonish even the most cold-blooded individuals, let alone a compassionate group like theirs. Unexpectedly, however, the Dark Wizard now floated immobilized in the air. His cloak was fully spread, surrounded by flows of dark energy that had seemingly taken complete control of Wizard Reed.

In fact, Igor’s Energy was insufficient for him to see the dark energy gradually devouring Wizard Reed. It was as if Wizard Reed himself had long since departed Moonflow Stream. What remained was merely a husk; Reed’s consciousness, initially present, had now completely vanished.

Darkness consumed everything; even the last remnants of Wizard Reed’s consciousness were devoured by it. Igor could not see this, but Kuyi Tulan and the others could.

These Energy Fluctuations were consuming the Energy Fluctuations of another Energy Entity, gradually assimilating the weaker Energy Entity. This was a sight many had not foreseen.

It was as unfathomable as when they had seen Wizard Reed summon the Earth Dragon only to devour it. Back then, however, they had been able to distinguish the situation clearly because it was the Summoner devouring the Summoned. Everything had been within their expectations; or rather, Wizard Reed had still been in control.

But the current feeling was different: now it seemed the summoned creature had devoured the Summoner! This was simply inconceivable.

Wizard Reed, who had always sought complete control, had indeed played a high-stakes game and ended up destroying himself in the process. This was simply ludicrous.

Originally, he had wanted to become stronger and control all power. Who knew this power would become so abnormally potent that he could not command it? Not only could he not command it, but he also could not escape from it and was directly devoured. Both Great Mentor Guzan and Kuyi Tulan were shocked by this scene.

However, their shock quickly gave way to helplessness, as they too failed to gain control. Their collective strength was insufficient to resist this Dark Force. This meant their emotions would slowly be devoured by this force, just as Wizard Reed’s had been, and they would be forced to watch themselves perish.

There was no room to resist, nor the strength for it; everything became simple—a slow fade into oblivion under another’s control. Clearly, Kuyi Tulan was not resigned to this fate; he was still struggling desperately.

Moonflow Stream had completely fallen out of control, becoming unrecognizable. Not only had its inhabitants lost control of themselves, but the world itself seemed to have abandoned this place, granting not even a glimmer of light. This made it an extraordinarily strange place.

In truth, all of this was caused by the might of this Dark Force.

”Unexpectedly, waking up expended such great energy. This is my nine hundred and eighty-seventh memory. This one is truly lackluster, full of being bullied and unfair treatment.”

A voice resonated in the darkness.

”Still, it’s fortunate this memory left me so many fresh novelties. Once I devour them one by one, I’ll see whose memory is more interesting. Then, I’ll use that person’s body to continue roaming this world.”

The voice’s words made Igor deeply uncomfortable. At the same time, the Scale of Faith within his heart trembled violently. Is the old woman of the Scale of Faith going to lose control at this moment too? This is just adding insult to injury! Igor thought incessantly.

However, Igor was unaware that, given his strength, it was a miracle he still possessed free will. By now, even an expert like Kevin had lost the ability to consciously organize his thoughts and emotions, because everything about them was being subjected to Consumption. Although invisible to the naked eye, this was indeed happening.

”HEHEHE. I find you all more interesting than that last fellow. He was too monotonous, only knowing how to beg me repeatedly. You, however, are different; you actually know how to resist!”