One-Eyed Monster

Kadi’s network seemed vast. It took a significant amount of time to traverse from one end to the other.

During this process, they encountered Estev, ran into Milo, and came across Brad.

But without exception, none of these individuals could communicate with them. Each one was deeply engaged in battle with the Dark Force in their own unique way.

”Why, until now, are you the only one able to communicate with me?” Kadi was confused, but he continued his relentless exploration. Although theoretically, Kuren might still be tainted by the Dark Force, Kadi decided to take a gamble at this point, not dwelling on it further.

I’m committed to this path, all the way to the end. That was likely Kadi’s current train of thought.

Kuren wasn’t one for making justifications. Faced with Kadi’s questioning, he could only shrug. This was equally a mystery to him.

”So, is there no way to understand the strangeness of this situation?”

Kadi seemed unwilling to give up. He still felt they should be able to find a breakthrough.

However, contrary to his hopes, they still hadn’t found anyone they could communicate with.

Kadi fell silent. Complaining won’t change the situation, he knew. It’s better to conserve energy; our task is still formidable.

Kuren had been contemplating the whole time. Though I don’t have any clear leads, I understand telepathic attacks better than Kadi, he thought. After all, I just defeated a powerful opponent in a mental battle not long ago.

According to Kadi’s explanation, Kuren inferred that the previous astonishing scene—where the monster devoured the Summoner immediately after being summoned—was an Illusion caused by a telepathic attack.

The reason these Illusions could infiltrate their minds was the enemy’s powerful mental strength.

To be able to invade so many people at once, this mental force was naturally very powerful.

Even a powerful mental presence like the Devouring One could only occupy one person’s mind.

Therefore, the mental force of this Dark Force was exceptionally strong.

Kuren mused, In my understanding, the most effective method for group telepathic attacks should be a more profound level of the World Setting Technique—the Inner World. But the Inner World can only trap people; it can’t devour them.

Could it be that telepathic attacks possess even greater power? Kuren wondered.

Kuren wasn’t sure, so he and Kadi had to continue their search.

Finally, they reached the end of a pathway that connected to Stan Sol.

When they arrived, Stan Sol’s eyes widened in shock.

Thank heavens! Kadi thought, almost sighing in relief. We’ve finally found someone we can communicate with!

Although Stan Sol struggled to speak coherently, at least he *could* communicate. Kadi felt he no longer had to worry so much about Kuren.

”Hahaha, you finally have some company,” Kadi joked to Kuren.

Uh? Kuren and Stan Sol exchanged glances, unsure why Kadi was so overjoyed. Everything had only just begun; they had merely found one person they could communicate with.

Kadi’s relief was understandable; the feeling of a long-held tension finally easing was indeed wonderful. Now that Stan Sol had joined their group, they could finally discuss matters again.

After a brief exchange, they resumed their journey.

Kadi was surprised to find that Stan Sol wasn’t stuttering here. Then he recalled that Stan Sol had also spoken fluently not long ago, during that incident in the Inner World created by Igor. Of course, Kadi had witnessed that scene through the Ant Connection Spell.

Through Kadi and Kuren’s explanations, Stan Sol learned about Igor’s plan. He strongly agreed that causing disruptions was the best approach when unsure of the enemy’s strength.

Now they could continue their search while discussing things.

Although it took a long time, they had unknowingly explored two-thirds of Kadi’s network.

”Did you encounter any attacks over there? I mean attacks from the Dark Force?” Kuren seized the moment to ask for confirmation.

”There were some in the beginning, when I lost my ability to express myself,” Stan Sol said earnestly. ”The feeling was very intense then. My body was completely out of my control, as if my brain wasn’t my own.”

”That’s exactly what I experienced,” Kuren recalled. ”I don’t know how the Dark Force managed it.”

”What are you two talking about? I don’t understand a word,” Kadi interjected. ”Weren’t you fighting the Dark Force? Look at Joseph just now; he was using methods he’s not good at to fight it. And you two? When I found you, one was battling the Devouring One, and the other was just staring blankly!”

Kadi’s words left both Stan Sol and Kuren slightly embarrassed. Kadi was speaking the truth; they hadn’t actually fought the Dark Force, but it wasn’t their fault.

”I thought the enemy had put me in a maze, and I was looking for the exit,” Stan Sol explained. ”After I was isolated, just like Kuren, I didn’t experience any telepathic attacks.”

”Do you think this could be a coincidence?” Kadi asked.

”Do you really think the Dark Force would deliberately miss attacking two people?” Kuren countered, dismissing Kadi’s speculation.

”There must be something more to this. Perhaps we just haven’t found the key point yet,” Stan Sol said calmly.

”Kadi, you said you encountered Igor. Was he also fighting the Dark Force when you found him?” Kuren pressed, eager for details.

”Uh, when I saw him, he looked very tired, as if he’d just come out of a big fight,” Kadi replied.

”So you didn’t actually see the battle? That’s different from the scenes we witnessed earlier,” Kuren observed.

”Uh, that’s correct,” Kadi replied after a moment’s thought. ”Igor said the Dark Force couldn’t find him at that time.”

Kuren listened and then fell into deep thought.

”Do you remember what the Spirit said in the Inner World?” Stan Sol suddenly asked.

”You mean about the Awakened ones?” Kuren carefully sought confirmation from Stan Sol, sensing they were on the same wavelength.

”Yes. I’ve been thinking it over carefully and I’ve noticed something,” Stan Sol said seriously.

”What is it?” Kadi asked, looking at him blankly. He particularly enjoyed listening to others’ analyses at the moment; it gave him a sense of achievement.

”Those who can’t communicate with you... no, I mean with *us*... they aren’t Awakened ones,” Stan Sol stated.

”Oh?” Kuren and Kadi were equally surprised. ”We really didn’t think of that!” Kuren remarked.

”I think there’s only one way to verify my idea,” Stan Sol said, his expression now very grave.

”Tell us. I might be able to help,” Kadi said, becoming serious as well upon seeing Stan Sol’s intensity.

”Kadi, you really can help,” Kuren said, having already guessed Stan Sol’s thought.

We need to find Yuga, Kuren realized. If Yuga is in the same situation, then Stan Sol’s guess is correct.