One-Eyed Monster

After Stan Sol spoke, Rostov didn’t say much more. He glanced at Dean Hoffman to signal everyone that they could proceed to that place.

Dean Hoffman then walked with heavy steps, saying with a cheerful tone, ”Follow me, everyone. I’m afraid these imprisoned individuals might affect the students’ mood if exposed, so I’ve kept them in the dean’s office.”

”The dean’s office?” Igor asked curiously. He wasn’t too unfamiliar with the place, having been there many times. But each time he visited, Dean Hoffman was either not there or asleep, never giving him a chance to chat. The only time they talked was when he was reprimanded for stealing. So when he heard of the dean’s office, he was quite surprised.

The office of Dean Hoffman at Yonder Travel Academy is located on the back hill, a remote place.

Some say Dean Hoffman is rather low-key and doesn’t like exposing himself in public, hence the office being set in such a secluded spot.

Now it seems that’s not the case, as it appears the office is hiding many secrets.

A group of people silently arrived at Dean Hoffman’s office. The office was quite simple; Igor had been there before delivering meals. It was just a two-story building, with the upper floor used to store a vast number of books.

Igor had the fortune to see it when he was punished to stand there. The dean had made him stand upstairs to help him realize his mistakes. Looking at the room full of books made him suddenly feel quite ignorant.

Sometimes, books placed there can make one feel small. And it was during those long hours of standing that Igor realized just how foolish he had been, swearing then to study hard...

That incident was long ago, and now Igor, once again in the dean’s office, still felt a sense of warmth. Although he didn’t interact much with Dean Hoffman, he felt an inexplicable fondness for him.

Maybe this is what people mean when they say familiarity breeds friendship. Without that standing punishment, Igor wouldn’t have developed an interest in books.

”Now, this is my humble office. The upstairs is all books, and downstairs is where I eat, drink, and sleep. Heh, don’t mind it,” Dean Hoffman said, creating a relaxed atmosphere as if they were guests at his home, though everyone knew it wouldn’t be that simple because something was definitely off about the place.

”Are the League Guards possessed by Insect Worms detained here?” Stan Sol asked. These League Guards were clues that might help him sort some things out.

”Yes, they’re detained here, but not upstairs, downstairs,” Dean Hoffman turned a light fixture in the room, suddenly revealing a secret chamber—an entrance leading underground appeared before everyone.

”This contraption!” Perkins said, eyes wide with curiosity. Like a child who had seen little of the world, he looked everywhere, eager not to miss a thing.

”When the building was constructed, I considered the need for closed cultivation and created a cellar. Although not large, it’s enough to store some food,” Dean Hoffman explained.

”How many League Guards are there? Such a small basement, how many people can it hold?” Igor suddenly found it inhumane to imprison those League Guards here...

”There were several initially, now there’s only one left,” Rostov said expressionlessly, though his heart was stirred.

”Didn’t you say there were several before!” Igor couldn’t believe it.

”They didn’t survive the extreme winter; the Insect Worms took them completely,” Dean Hoffman said, leading the group to the basement.

The basement wasn’t large but could accommodate five or six people. Under the light of the Night Pearl, they could see a person curled up inside.

”It’s too dark; Sol, can you light a flame to illuminate it?” Igor suggested.

”No flames are allowed. These Insect Worms become ferocious under the light of flames, constantly devouring the host’s blood. Once the flame is lit, the whole person won’t last through the night,” Dean Hoffman quickly said.

Governor Rostov remained silent, feeling uncomfortable inside. These League Guards were ones he trusted, and seeing them go, one after another, in such a tragic way, deeply hurt him.

”If you can find the mastermind, be sure to tell me. I want justice for these young men,” Rostov said to Sol.

Unexpectedly, in just a few days, more League Guards had passed, leaving Rostov deeply wounded. He had sent these League Guards out, and upon their return, they ended up in their current state.

”I want to see this Poisonous Bug,” Stan Sol declared.

”Unfortunately, I don’t have a live Poisonous Bug here. As you know, these bugs can’t survive without a host or nutrient fluid, which, disturbingly, is human blood,” Dean Hoffman explained.

”Every day requires a large amount of human blood to sustain this bug; it’s a vile thing,” Stan Sol said immediately.

”I didn’t even keep their remains, burned them all. After such a long study, I still couldn’t find a way to help these League Guards. Watching them being devoured by these bugs every day left me feeling helpless. I can’t think of anyone on this continent with the capability to breed such creatures,” Dean Hoffman said, being a well-read man, indicating that what he doesn’t know, few would clarify.

”Indeed, I can’t think of any of our ancient Hunters’ families mastering such a voodoo technique.”

”Not even among some Dark Organizations. I investigated, and there are no such methods!”

”There must be a huge conspiracy behind this,” Governor Rostov added.

”But, how do you explain that this bug appeared once and never again!” Igor suddenly asked. If there were a conspiracy, these bugs should be appearing worldwide by now.

”Creating this bug requires a cycle, with enormous costs. After appearing once, it takes seven years to cultivate them again. Seven years...” Stan Sol suddenly thought of something.

”Once this Welcome the New Festival passes, it will be the seventh year,” Governor Rostov continued where Stan Sol left off.

”I must see this bug!” Stan Sol suddenly became anxious.

”I’m not a Hunter, so extracting that bug is difficult. But if you have a way, feel free; the person is right there...” Dean Hoffman said to Stan Sol, implying that he could freely conduct his observations here.