One-Eyed Monster

Igor and Kadi found themselves in a slightly awkward situation. They couldn’t move forward, nor could they retreat.

As true strangers in this place, they felt a sense of powerlessness, a feeling that made them vulnerable at this moment, as if something were to suddenly attack, they might shatter.

They looked at each other, each hoping the other could come up with a solution in this short time.

But neither Igor nor Kadi seemed prepared for this; they never anticipated Coban Kangen would disappear like that, right under their noses.

”Will he come back?” Igor asked Kadi. He felt this was the only question he could ask now, as many things in his understanding had begun to collapse, without warning!

”I can’t be certain!” Kadi answered honestly.

”He should have gone in to seek help, but we’re stuck here accomplishing nothing!”

”Then let’s leave and take a look elsewhere. After all, everything is unfamiliar here; it doesn’t matter where we go.” Kadi suggested, believing it was a practical idea and something they should do now.

”Leaving like this wouldn’t be fair to Coban.”

”Why wouldn’t it be fair? Tell me, what’s unfair about it?” Kadi felt Igor wasn’t making sense, and he wanted to set the record straight.

”Coban trusts us enough, right?” Igor retorted, thinking this guy was being a bit selfish.

”He trusts us a lot. In our previous experiences, he chose to trust us shortly after meeting, a rare quality.”

”So, you say, if someone trusts us like that, shouldn’t we respond with the same attitude?”

”Of course, one good turn deserves another, no need to say more!” Kadi agreed with Igor’s view.

”Exactly, if we leave at this moment, it clearly shows a lack of trust in Coban, and such distrust is a form of disrespect, leading to unfairness!” Igor said, feeling he had explained his point well enough for Kadi to understand.

Kadi could understand, but he also had doubts.

”If he really doesn’t come out, are we going to just wait here?”

Igor was a bit worried too, but sometimes life is like gambling, and a rash decision could mean losing everything. Igor’s rational side cautioned against being too stubborn, preparing for the worst outcome, yet a voice within firmly told him that Coban Kangen was trustworthy.

Though he didn’t know where this feeling came from, it was curious, as it filled his mind, gradually hardening his originally fragile heart.

Trusting Coban Kangen was something Igor’s inner voice kept telling him.

Perhaps it was the spirits’ voices; they always helped him in particularly tough times, bringing him comfort. Though he couldn’t be certain if the spirits were aiding him now, it at least eased his troubled mind.

Igor’s persistence made Kadi choose to stay too. He couldn’t claim to trust Coban Kangen as unconditionally as Igor did, but his trust in Igor was unquestionable; if he couldn’t even trust Igor, he reckoned he couldn’t leave Guru Mountain...

Time ticked by, for Igor this waiting was a gamble, for Kadi it was a choice!

And for Coban Kangen, it was a test. A test from the entire Bayes Avenue for Igor and Kadi, and a test of his assurance.

Freedom comes at a cost.

Bayes Avenue is indeed free, but to enjoy this freedom, one must meet its tests. Not everyone can roam freely here; only those with integrity can stand firm; any stain on one’s character will be detected by the people of Bayes Avenue.

Only those who pass the test will earn someone else’s guarantee and can navigate the outer palace of Bayes Avenue unrestricted.

”Are you so sure these two young men can pass this test?” asked a strong old man inside the door where Igor and Kadi waited, turning to Coban Kangen beside him.

”Of course, I’m certain. Although my time with them was short, I sensed a unique force; this force compelled me to believe, to believe the world can have miracles!”

”Your view is novel, but regarding your guarantee, I’m still neutral!” The old man shrugged, finding it hard to believe Coban Kangen’s claim.

”Let’s wait and see! These lads will definitely be waiting for me, waiting for me to bring them hope!”

”The way you say it, it seems like a great turmoil after you leave!” The old man was indifferent to Coban Kangen’s words, ”Even without you, these lads will continue on.”

”You’re right; even without me, they will reach their destination...” Coban Kangen also trusted in Igor and Kadi.

This trust was mutual; without understanding, Coban Kangen wouldn’t have done this, and Igor and Kadi wouldn’t have stayed at the door, unwilling to leave.

”As long as they pass this test, I’ll believe your guarantee. With your guarantee, they too can move freely in Bayes Avenue like you.” The old man continued, seemingly posing a challenge.

The old man was a Fighter, and his strong body made him look young, but the white hair and the wrinkles on his face revealed his age.

”I trust they can pass the test. They’ll keep waiting, even if it gets dark, they won’t leave!”

”The rules remain the same as ever, two hours; if they’re still here after two hours, I’ll accept your guarantee and make a guarantee for you, ensuring you can move freely across Bayes Avenue.”

”Alright, let’s witness this moment together!”

The old man was curious, curious about what kind of power Igor possessed that could earn such trust from a member of the Kangen Family, willing to bet for these youths.

No one could tell why exactly this was.

Coban Kangen had long felt a trustworthy power within Igor, a power that always drove him to support Igor and Kadi without hesitation.

This time was no different; he believed his guarantee would be effective.

Igor always had this magic, a magic that made others want to help him without realizing it.

The real reason for this magic was that Igor himself was a helpful person...