One-Eyed Monster

Stan Sol’s question re-energized Igor, after all, being stared at by so many puzzled people always leaves you feeling uneasy, as if you’ve done something wrong.

Igor gathered his thoughts and said steadily, ”Because spirits are very simple beings, unlike us with our complexities.”

This reasoning sounds absurd at first, but upon closer reflection, it doesn’t seem outlandish.

After all, they don’t understand the spirit world that well, while Igor appears to be quite knowledgeable.

This might be a youthful impulse. Rostov and Hoffman immediately thought of this.

They believe the enemy must be the great demon of that world, which makes more sense.

So now they, like Stan Sol, eagerly await Igor’s explanation.

”I know you all think the enemy is a spirit from the spirit world, but I disagree. Our group awakened the spirits, and they provided us Spirit Power, regardless of our nature, whether good or evil, they always unconditionally support us with Spirit Power.”

”That seems to be the case, but we cannot conclude yet; we can’t say for sure.” Dean Hoffman maintained a scholar’s caution; without substantial evidence, scholars refrain from rash conclusions, for hasty conclusions mislead future generations and provide very bad guidance.

”None of you have been to that world, but I’ve communicated with spirits, so I have some understanding.” Igor tried to explain.

”You can’t guarantee that the spirits you’ve encountered represent the entire spirit world, can you? We must have ample evidence before drawing such conclusions.” Dean Hoffman became an arguer at this moment.

”What you mentioned is reasonable, Dean, but given the special circumstances now, we must treat them specially. Although the spirits I’ve encountered can’t represent all spirits in the spirit world, I believe they at least possess the characteristics of most spirits.”

”Oh? Tell me more.” Dean Hoffman suddenly became very interested in Igor’s statement. Dean Hoffman had previously researched Spirit Power, driven by a scholar’s nature—life is endless, exploration is boundless. At that time, he found many loopholes in past Spirit Power theories, such as why many Wizards can see natural spirit entities, while other professions cannot. Moreover, various professions have distinctive Spirit Sensing methods, with so many branches, making it difficult to find commonality; whereas normal rules can have common points.

Dean Hoffman was actually looking for commonality in Spirit Power Sensing.

Igor was about to mention those commonalities.

”Spirits are awakened by us, which puzzled me before, but now I understand. Our world and the spirit world, at some unknown point, formed a channel, which no one knows exactly how it was formed. Nevertheless, this channel enabled us to communicate with the spirit world.”

”Is what you mean by awakening the way Spirit Power is sensed?” Dean Hoffman’s eyes lit up. If Igor’s words hold true, it’s miraculous, as it could resolve many questions.

Thinking of this excited Dean Hoffman.

The topic once again veered off course.

Initially, it was about identifying the enemy, but now it’s about Spirit Power Summoning...

Stan Sol shook his head, knowing he felt helpless about the current situation. He just wanted to know what kind of person his real adversary was, caring little for other matters—not because he didn’t want to care, but he lacked the energy and leisure to do so.

Nevertheless, Igor had veered off track, no longer discussing the enemy’s identity.

”Spirits call us Adventurers with Class ’Awakeners,’ yet not every Awakener can see spirits. Those who can see spirits are called ’Awakeners’ by the spirits.”

”Awakeners?”

”Yes, Awakeners are rare, and it is unrelated to aptitude. Like the remarkable Alchemist Grand Master Guzan, he isn’t counted as an Awakener because he cannot see spirits.” Igor particularly used Teacher Guzan as an example to facilitate others’ understanding.

”You mean we are Awakeners?” Perkins suddenly interjected. ”But I’m not even an Adventurer with Class, how could I be an Awakener.”

Igor understood what Perkins implied, as these people had just seen those Dead Souls, so they naturally assumed they were all Awakeners.

Yet, reality isn’t like that, speaking out might be discouraging, but it is the truth.

”No, currently only Stan Sol and I are Awakeners among us; the rest are not.”

This statement caused everyone to fall silent.

How could this be? It was baffling, everyone clearly saw those Dead Souls, why aren’t they Awakeners?

Everyone eagerly looked at Igor, wanting answers from him.

”I’ll explain.” Stan Sol stepped up, feeling if he didn’t take the initiative, he’d lose the right to speak.

”Weren’t those lengthy talks from the spirits?” Perkins felt extremely surprised; he couldn’t believe it.

”Yes, they’re not entirely spirits, only a portion.” Stan Sol explained.

”This…” everyone struggled to comprehend.

”To be precise, they are Undead Souls, what we ancient Hunters refer to as Soul Spirits, yet they’re covered by spirits. Spirits expressed some content through these Soul Spirits.”

”You mean those spirits were parasites?” Dean Hoffman inquired.

”Exactly, that’s what it means. These spirits couldn’t find Awakeners after being awakened, then got exploited, bound to these Soul Spirits.” Igor continued to elaborate.

”Going by what you’ve said, things aren’t so simple. The mastermind might be the one who summoned them here.” At this moment, Dean Hoffman no longer fixated on whether he was an Awakener; he realized the situation was complex, overturning many of his beliefs.

”Indeed, it’s complex, so I’m keen to identify who is making fools of us.” Stan Sol’s primary concern was this.

”Let’s temporarily set aside the spirit world and master manipulator, focus on immediate concerns. Since the insect worm is resolved, we should inspect Tobin, maybe we’ll gain some new insights there.” Hustace suddenly spoke, having been silent prior.