One-Eyed Monster

Slayer Kuren and Kuren were still locked in a fierce struggle. They were battling over who would claim this body. It was a conflict between two entirely different consciousnesses within Kuren, and the outcome would determine a new Kuren entirely.

However, neither of these consciousnesses had noticed that not far from them, a young boy was brewing chaos.

”You think you can just push me out, huh? Too naive!” Slayer Kuren, meeting strong resistance, hadn’t anticipated that this initially feeble individual would fight back.

”I fought tooth and nail for my reputation; you can’t just erase it so easily!”

Slayer Kuren’s power was indeed somewhat stronger. Throughout the struggle, Kadi only heard Slayer Kuren shouting; he heard no sound at all from Kuren. Most of the time, Kuren was gasping for breath. It appeared that resisting Slayer Kuren took a great deal of his effort.

Kadi, meanwhile, was looking for an opportunity, a safe moment to lend Kuren a hand. But for now, he had to observe. Premature intervention might disrupt Kuren’s rhythm, and the cost would outweigh the gains.

Kadi firmly believed Kuren could defeat Slayer Kuren. He had never seen Kuren so determined. This conviction made him think he only needed to nudge Kuren’s destined future a little closer.

”Every military honor in this Empire bears my name! I’ve shed blood for this continent! How could I lose to a nobody like you?”

Slayer Kuren’s advantage seemed to grow, as he spoke for longer periods.

”Actually, I don’t think he’s a nobody at all!” Kadi felt the timing was perfect to strike a blow just as the enemy’s confidence was swelling.

His remarks naturally caught Slayer Kuren’s attention. He glanced around in disbelief.

This is supposed to be Kuren’s own mental battle. What on earth is happening with this sudden appearance of another indistinct entity? he wondered. Could it be that a new consciousness has emerged?

Slayer Kuren’s momentary lapse in thought gave Kuren an opening to counterattack. Kuren seized the upper hand, landing a heavy punch that left Slayer Kuren utterly shocked.

”Where did you get the nerve to hit me?!” This was a voice from within Kuren’s consciousness, one Kadi naturally couldn’t hear. If Kadi had heard it, he would have definitely followed up with another verbal jab to further pressure Slayer Kuren.

Unfortunately, Kadi could only perceive the surface manifestations of Kuren’s mental struggle. If Igor had been present, he could have observed the entirety of the battle through the Inner World. Kadi could only see the superficial aspects.

”I am Kuren, not some ’Slayer’!” Kuren managed to say, his voice strained. The prolonged resistance had indeed consumed much of his Spirit Power. However, Kadi’s arrival had suddenly become a new wellspring of strength. Though Kuren didn’t understand how, the continuous surge of Spirit Power made him vaguely sense that this peculiar development was connected to Kadi.

Kadi, too, felt something peculiar at this moment. He suddenly found his vision expanding. Previously, he could only see Kuren’s physical actions here, but now, things seemed different.

”Kadi, lend me your strength!” Kuren said, his voice soft and faint, yet filled with a power that invigorated Kadi.

Before Kadi could process what was happening, he found his vision not only widening but also becoming richer in detail...

Kadi stared, transfixed. It seemed he was witnessing the deeper layers of Kuren’s mental battle. Logically, I shouldn’t be able to see this, he thought. How can I be seeing this? Is it because of Kuren?

Kadi suddenly recalled Igor doing something similar before. This must be the Inner World...

However, Kadi could still only observe and communicate; he couldn’t participate in the action. But that was enough.

Kadi felt he could now achieve much more with far less effort. Previously, he had to carefully choose his moment for a Verbal Attack. Now, he didn’t need to; he could needle Slayer Kuren whenever he pleased, because the fiend was right there in front of him. No more searching required.

”Isn’t this the renowned Slayer Kuren? How have you fallen to such a pathetic state? You’re an utter disgrace to the name of a war god!”

Though the taunt wasn’t perfectly crafted, it still stung Slayer Kuren, like a dagger to his thigh.

”This...” Slayer Kuren stared at Kuren in disbelief. How is this possible? Another consciousness appearing in such a short time? A triple split?

Kuren remained silent. He had no desire to converse with this Slayer.

”What ’this’? Hurry up and surrender!” Kadi interjected recklessly. He’d say anything to provoke Slayer Kuren.

”Good! Very good!” Slayer Kuren was visibly enraged. His form began to swell as he prepared for battle. ”I don’t care how many consciousnesses there are! This body is mine alone to command!”

After speaking, Slayer Kuren lunged at Kuren, completely ignoring Kadi. Slayer Kuren figured this new consciousness couldn’t be very powerful, so he decided to deal with the immediate trouble—Kuren—first.

Kuren was long prepared. With Kadi present, he had ample Spirit Power. Therefore, he could use his most proficient method against Slayer Kuren.

His specialty? The World Setting Technique!

Kadi then saw Slayer Kuren’s attack miss with a BANG!

This flustered Slayer Kuren even more. What in the blazes is going on? The ever-cowardly Kuren actually dodged my attack?

My attack method must be off, he thought, deciding to switch tactics. As a Slayer, I have countless ways to kill someone.

Slayer Kuren remained supremely confident in this regard. However, he hadn’t anticipated Kadi...

”I don’t understand the source of your pride. What power gives you such confidence?”

Slayer Kuren’s train of thought was abruptly cut short. The unexpected question made him uneasy.

This confidence was naturally forged through countless battles—does that even need asking? Those titles were all dyed in blood...

Slayer Kuren wanted to retort, but then dismissed the idea. It’s just a newborn consciousness, not worth my breath. I’ll deal with the troublesome Kuren first.

But could Kadi be so easily ignored?

”I’ve always wondered,” Kadi continued, ”all that talk about being a war god, making enemies tremble... weren’t those Kuren’s achievements? I truly don’t understand how you can so shamelessly claim them as your own.”

Ordinarily, such a statement wouldn’t have provoked Slayer Kuren’s ire. In his current state, however, he couldn’t help but seethe.

”What the hell do you know?!”