One-Eyed Monster

An arrogant laughter echoed incessantly, ringing throughout the entire Moonflow Stream.

This laughter sent shivers down the spine, like a Devil intent on Devouring everyone, constantly toying with them all.

The laughter showed no signs of stopping. It seemed to come from underground, or perhaps from the sky. No one could determine its origin, yet it continued unabated.

”Can you see anything?” Kevin, irritated by the laughter, turned to ask Joseph, with his Eagle Eye, and Jemma, with her night vision.

”I’ve found nothing. I can’t sense any presence,” Joseph replied helplessly to Kevin’s question, despite his strenuous search.

”I can’t see anything either. There’s no change in the surroundings.” This was the first time Jemma had faced such a situation: sound, but no discernible changes. It was a strange occurrence indeed.

”Milo, did you find anything?” Chief Kuyi Tulan of the Alchemy Workshop asked.

While the Alchemy Workshop and the creatures of Guru Mountain were currently allies, they each still had their own unique methods of reconnaissance. If one side found nothing, the other could provide complementary information if they discovered something.

”There are no Spirit Power fluctuations! I can’t feel anything!” Milo’s method of exploration was through his Exchange Beasts. He was known for using meticulous Exchange Beasts, like ants and other small species, to investigate the surrounding environment, relaying their findings via the Ant Connection Spell.

But now, his intricate ants couldn’t sense any Energy Fluctuations, meaning the enemy was virtually invisible.

Could it be that they were about to face the same situation as before: hearing the enemy but not seeing them?

That feeling was truly unbearable. Luckily, they’d had a preview before, so this time, they shouldn’t be so flustered.

HEHEHE, HAHAHA...

The arrogant laughter didn’t cease, yet nothing else changed. This was extremely frustrating for someone as impatient as Kadi.

What’s this guy laughing so arrogantly about? Kadi thought. Hiding and constantly laughing—it’s so boring! If he wants to fight, he should just come out. With so many of us here, we’re not afraid of him. But this fellow just won’t show himself. It’s infuriating!

Besides, why is everyone frowning? What’s there to worry about? The other party just laughed, that’s all.

Kadi didn’t understand the intricacies of the situation. There were many things he didn’t grasp. He simply believed there was no obstacle they couldn’t overcome.

Kadi’s optimism set him apart, but unfortunately, it couldn’t influence the others. He could only experience this emotion alone.

Everyone was on high alert. After all, they couldn’t afford another surprise attack like the Arrow Rain.

Vigilance could prevent the damage from a surprise attack.

They were facing an unknown Dark Force. What abilities did this Dark Force possess? No one knew.

Kadi looked weary. He desperately wanted to fight, but he couldn’t find an opponent. The enemy kept hiding, refusing to appear.

Kadi glanced at Igor, who showed no signs of waking.

Guru Mountain has been plagued by strange occurrences lately, Kadi mused. It’s hard to tell what the problem is. The people drawn here are so indecisive. The people Guru Mountain attracted in the past were so straightforward, not complicated like these ones at all. I really don’t understand why so many strange individuals have come here recently. It seems these strange people started appearing one after another only after Igor arrived...

Just then, Igor’s fingers twitched slightly, but Kadi didn’t notice. His mind was still preoccupied with the strange people on Guru Mountain.

Igor’s eyes fluttered open.

But Kadi still hadn’t noticed. His thoughts were still on Guru Mountain and the increasing number of strange people...

”Kadi!” Igor sat up, realizing he was in the center of a circle, surrounded by the seniors.

Only a few people were in the center of the circle: besides Igor, there was Hustace, trembling with fear; the Great Mentor, sitting upright with his eyes closed; and the injured Estev, who had lost an arm.

Igor’s call startled not only Kadi but also Hustace. At that moment, both were ecstatic. If not for the oppressive atmosphere, they would have jumped for joy.

”You’re awake?” Hustace immediately moved closer.

”You’re back?” Kadi obviously knew Igor hadn’t truly been unconscious; he had merely been in the Inner World.

”Hmm.” Igor looked at Kadi, then at Hustace, answering both their questions with a single, simple word.

”That’s great!” Kadi said, feeling that with Igor awake, they could defeat this hidden enemy.

”It wasn’t easy!” Hustace’s exclamation seemed more for himself; he had finally awaited his friend’s return.

”Why is it still so dark here?” Igor asked, looking around in confusion.

”This...” Kadi didn’t know how to respond.

”Where’s the song? The song of the Moonflow Stream?” After observing for a moment, Igor felt something was very wrong. ”How can it be like this?”

”What do you mean, ’like this’?” Hustace tried to follow Igor’s train of thought. Igor’s return had a significant impact on him. Having a friend by his side made him feel secure and unafraid, and he wanted to share the burden.

”No, this shouldn’t be happening! I sent them all back. They’ve returned to their world!” Igor clutched his forehead in disbelief.

”So the Little Black Hands have returned?” Kadi’s concerns were always unique.

”Yes, they’ve found where they belong. They were just a bunch of playful fellows. That Dark Force has also returned. He was merely deceived by others. He has now found himself again and returned to his original place.”

”Just like you now, you’re back!” Kadi scratched his head. ”You’ve really done a good deed.”

”But why is it still dark here?” Igor looked around again, still not understanding.

”Maybe you weren’t the only one who returned,” Kadi shrugged. Just then, the arrogant laughter rang out again.

”That voice...” Igor looked around. To him, the voice sounded somewhat familiar. He observed for a moment but found nothing. However, the vigilant expressions of the seniors made him understand.

”Could it be... that Dark Wizard?”

”Probably...”

HEHEHE, HAHAHA... Before Kadi could finish, the lingering laughter of Wizard Reed echoed out once more.

Igor bolted upright, only now realizing that the true enemy had never left.

”How should we deal with this bastard?” Kadi was itching for action. Igor’s return had given him confidence; he’d been wanting to fight for a while.

”Beat him directly!”

That was Igor’s response.