One-Eyed Monster

Igor didn’t know where this voice came from, nor did he understand why he could still hear a voice in his current state.

Adventurer, he thought this was a distant concept, as he could no longer feel his own passion. If he could just obtain it like this, then his pursuit would be meaningless.

This is not the kind of adventurer I want to become, Igor replied, feeling utterly indescribable.

It seemed like he really wanted to reach that direction; the ropes with symbols pulling him towards that place were incredibly tempting. As long as he went there, it would be the position he had always wanted, the one he dreamed of as an adventurer. If only he crossed over, he would be an adventurer...

But he was torn because he felt this wasn’t the feeling he wanted.

The voice he originally heard disappeared again, leaving only silence and darkness...

Struggling, that was Igor’s state. He didn’t want to cross over like this!

Perhaps many things are not as beautiful as we imagine, but you will feel that they’re worth striving for.

In Igor’s mind, those words he once heard gradually echoed, taking root in the depths of his soul and growing into towering trees.

It was because of these words that he wanted to become an adventurer, and because of them, he became determined in his steps.

He hoped these words could pull him out of this abyss, even though he didn’t know where he actually was now.

This world has thousands of forms, and my brush merely sketches its outlines.

When you reach my age, perhaps you can become an adventurer.

Adventuring may not be a promising career, but it’s a great one because it demands sacrifice. If you understand this sacrifice, then we’ll always welcome your arrival.

Igor recalled those experiences he had in his youth on the mountainside.

At that time, he was just a little kid entering the world of adventurers. Although he could feel Spirit Power and roam freely among them, he still hadn’t forgotten he was a woodcutter, continuing to chop wood in the mountains.

Perhaps it was a coincidence, or maybe it was destined.

It was during that woodcutting trip that Igor met someone who changed his perspective.

An adventurer and his companions came to the mountain, searching for a strange phenomenon behind Alph Mountain.

Although Igor didn’t understand at the time, he later recounted it to Teacher Hadi, who explained that it was due to Spirit Power fluctuations behind Alph Mountain. The adventurers believed that the fluctuations could open a door, so they came to verify. Eventually, they discovered that the Spirit Power fluctuations were energy waves generated by the Thunder Army’s training; the adventurer’s journey wasn’t in vain, as he witnessed the awe-inspiring Thunder Army.

However, the adventurer and his companions left a deep impression on Igor.

Adventurer Alamos was a student of Teacher Hadi and spoke little. Igor’s admiration was reserved solely for Alamos, yet Alamos didn’t attract much of Igor’s attention.

What left a lasting impression on Igor was Alamos’s companion, whose name was Amira.

Amira said she was a cartographer, responsible for mapping the wheels of the world.

This filled Igor with longing and aspiration.

Igor remembered the scene at that time: sitting together eating grilled meat while Amira told him stories about adventurers and cartographers.

The world still harbors many unknowns; adventurers are meant to explore them while I am tasked with illustrating them.

I don’t know whether the world is round or square, disk-shaped or triangular, but I am determined to depict it.

Amira’s words opened Igor’s eyes to many things he had never known, letting him feel the world’s wonder.

Only then did he understand that the world was like this, filled with so many unknowns.

Faced with the unknown, most people avoid, fear, and become paralyzed with indecision.

But adventurers are different; they turn the unknown into the known so that the world’s wonders gradually manifest before people’s eyes.

It’s an incredible endeavor, and Igor believed those who could do such things were undeniably remarkable.

His young heart began to stir; he wanted to become one of them, too.

This was the main reason Igor wanted to be an adventurer.

At that time, his only goal was to be an adventurer—so pure, so simple!

He wanted to witness the wonders of the world; the rest didn’t matter to him!

Yes, that’s why he wanted to become an adventurer!

And now, the ropes with symbols pulling him over were not guiding him to the place he wished to go!

”This isn’t what I want!” Igor struggled to utter.

”I already said, this isn’t the adventurer I want to become!”

”I won’t become an adventurer just for the sake of becoming one. Whatever the result is, that’s for the future. I haven’t experienced this journey yet, and I won’t accept this outcome!”

As Igor struggled, he gradually became hysterical—this was his resistance. Weak it may be, but it was his entire stance.

Gradually, Igor was able to see those ropes dragging him in the darkness. They were emblazoned with words like shortcuts, power, and exchange.

Igor smirked sarcastically. Though these concepts had flashed through his mind, he wouldn’t let them dominate him; he couldn’t be controlled by such things.

Unbeknownst to him, Igor began hearing the voice again...

Then he was surprised to find his strength had returned.

With recovery, things became more manageable.

Igor started pulling on the ropes—once, they pulled him, but now it was the other way around!

He wanted to see the force behind those ropes that were pulling him!

I’m not done yet. I want to control my own path; I don’t wish to miss the scenery along this journey.

Igor exerted all his strength, his vision clearing as the surrounding darkness dispersed and the light grew gentler.

The mystery at the end of the ropes was about to be revealed soon.

Whatever it may be, Igor was ready to face it, refusing to be swayed again!

Once, twice, thrice...

Finally, Igor had pulled the rope over.

At the other end of the rope was also a person, draped in black, looking exactly like Igor in appearance and demeanor!

”Finally, you appear!” Igor gritted his teeth.

”Indeed, I’ve emerged!”