One-Eyed Monster

Igor had polished the Meteor sword until it was gleaming brightly, and the Sword Spirit within the Meteor responded with a gentle purr, clearly satisfied with Igor’s meticulous maintenance.

Igor took a deep breath of satisfaction, knowing it was only with Master Lao’s guidance that he managed to polish the sword to such brilliance.

When everything had settled, Igor realized that Stan Sol and Kadi had been silently watching him for quite some time.

The way Kadi and Stan Sol stared at him made him feel uneasy, leaving him at a loss for words.

For Kadi and Stan Sol, it seemed such awkward situations had happened many times before, and each time Igor wore the same bewildered expression, as clueless as a child.

”Sol says he’s leaving and asked if we are going together!” Kadi broke the silence. He had changed over time; before, he looked up to Igor with admiration, but now he often regarded him with disdain. Kadi felt Igor was overly hesitant, lacking any masculine decisiveness. This change stemmed from the influence of Kevin over the past two years. Kadi had become a solid man, ready to face any challenge, and nothing seemed daunting to him anymore!

”Ah, leaving already? We just started talking!” Igor seemed surprised by this outcome.

”If you go with him, you can talk a little more!” Kadi thought Igor’s reaction was pathetic, never comprehending why Igor was so dense at times like these.

”Have you decided to go together?” Igor asked Kadi, his eyes filled with confusion.

This question also made Stan Sol look at Kadi. Wasn’t it agreed that it was Igor’s decision? Could it be otherwise?

Kadi scratched his head: ”I haven’t decided, I’m asking you!”

Stan Sol looked at the two of them: ”You two should discuss it first. I think things can be taken slowly...”

”We’ll work it out.” This time, Kadi and Igor answered Stan Sol in unison, as if they had made a pact.

”Alright, I get it.” Now it was Stan Sol’s turn to feel awkward, and he walked over to Master Lao to alleviate the situation.

Master Lao smiled, looking at these two young men, as if he too felt younger by years.

Igor and Kadi moved aside to discuss, whispering to each other and gesturing constantly.

”Master, do you have anything to pack? Let me help you.”

”There’s not much, just some clothes, and this hammer. I’m handy with this hammer, so I’ll take it back.”

”Alright, then we’ll wait for their discussion to conclude.”

”By the way, once I leave, what happens here? Will someone take over? What about when the residents in the county need nails or something?” Master Lao asked.

”A blacksmith will come. Gaga County has become quite significant, and changes will occur here, but people will be guided slowly, so Master needn’t worry,” Stan Sol patiently replied. From Master Lao’s words, he could tell that the Master was a compassionate person, still caring about this place even as he prepared to leave.

”I was a bit disappointed when I first came here, but now that I’ve adapted, I find it quiet and peaceful, quite nice.”

”Wouldn’t Master consider crafting a few more weapons?” Stan Sol asked, thinking Master’s sentimental departure wasn’t a good sign.

”That’s what often gets me down, the only drawback here. If I could forge weapons, life here would be perfect.” Master Lao confessed. When he first came, he felt a bit of frustration, even showing some languor before helping Igor forge weapons... But now everything had changed. Suddenly returning to Luona stirred complex feelings, making him a bit reluctant to leave.

”If Master wishes, you can always come visit here; at Yonder Travel Academy, anything is possible!” Stan Sol said, using an old academy slogan.

By then, Kadi and Igor had finished discussing and turned to face Stan Sol: ”We’ve decided!”

”What, are you coming with us to Luona?” Stan Sol probed.

”No, we’re not going!” Kadi waved his hand.

”That’s right, we’re on the road and can’t join you!”

”What are you planning to do next?” Stan Sol was a bit curious about where Igor and his companions would head to.

”Hehe, we’re going to look for the Circus!” Igor smiled lightly.

”And the Resistor, what about the Resistor we talked about? Aren’t you going to search for them?” Stan Sol was more concerned about this.

”I’ve thought about it, and there’s a connection. Finding the Circus clowns might lead to information about the Resistor.”

”Those looking for clowns might not know you...” Stan Sol said, clearly considering deeper implications.

”No matter how difficult, we will overcome it, don’t worry.” Igor gave a confident smile.

”Wish you success, I have nothing else to say,” Stan Sol replied with a gentle smile.

”You are our strong support, believe in us too!” Igor beamed brightly.

”Hahaha, we will keep communication open! If there are any new developments, I’ll inform you first, and Perkins will notify you too.”

”Me too!”

Igor and Stan Sol exchanged these words, their trust not only in words but in action.

Igor knew their priority was finding the members of the Resistor, but judging by the current situation, the invisible enemy had already acted against them. From fighting the Puppet Monster, Igor had surmised the Circus was a forefront of the enemy, supported by information from Stan Sol.

Thus, finding the Circus clowns might reveal some hidden truths...

Having settled their plans, Igor and his companion parted ways with Stan Sol. Since neither carried much, unlike Stan Sol who had responsibilities to the Gaga County County Administrative Office, they left first.

Parting always brings some sadness, but Igor and his companion had to muster their spirits, for new adventures and perils lay ahead, and they couldn’t be careless...