One-Eyed Monster

Chapter 39: Chapter 39: Igor and Kadi

The drawn-out wail did not last very long, as both parties quickly regained their calm.

Igor, in particular, alertly took his hand back and quickly retreated to one side, his mind full of questions.

Is this the monster from the legends?

Blue skin, pointy ears, o-one eye?

And why is this creature wearing my clothes!

”HUFF HUFF, GAK GAK, OOH OOH.” Igor carefully tried to test the creature, using the sounds he imagined a monster would make.

The blue figure was torn between laughter and tears. Is this guy trying to play with a dog?

Yes, this blue-skinned, pointy-eared, one-eyed creature was Kadi.

It was all due to my momentary carelessness, appearing in such a humiliating way, Kadi thought. So much for the heroic entrance, so much for the admiration.

Kadi wiped his forehead, thinking, It wouldn’t be unfair if I got locked in the Slumber Room for this. I have to bear the consequences of my own mistakes. It was all my gluttony... but on second thought, I can’t solely blame my greed. After all, it’s been a while since I’ve eaten, and that long thing tasted pretty good...

”HOHOHO, WOOF WOOF...” Igor tried various strange calls, but the blue figure in front of him just sat on the ground, rubbing its forehead, showing no reaction. The creature had one leg bent, the other casually stretched out, and one arm propped on the ground; it didn’t display any monster-like fierceness or baring of teeth.

It doesn’t seem to be a vicious monster, Igor thought. Perhaps it’s a kind of animal I’ve never seen before. With this in mind, Igor started whistling at Kadi, as he normally did when faced with a gentle creature.

The sharp whistle brought Kadi back to his senses. Is this guy really treating me like a dog?

Kadi scrambled up and dusted himself off with his long tail, squinting at Igor, ”Hey! Do you take me for a dog? Whistling? Can’t you just say hello normally?”

This sudden speech sent Igor, who was originally relaxed, into a state of tension. He couldn’t help but shudder and stammered, leaning back in fright, ”You can actually speak our language!”

”Why wouldn’t I be able to speak your language?” Kadi was utterly confused.

”Are you a Dwarf Monster?” Igor, having finally found a wooden stick on the ground, brandished it. ”Don’t come any closer!”

”Why would I be a Dwarf Monster?”

”Then are you a Mountain Monster? A Tree Spirit?” Igor wracked his brain, trying to recall the few names of Alien Species he knew.

Kadi was speechless. He didn’t understand what the other person was saying, and for a moment, he didn’t know how to respond.

”Then what are you? How can you speak human language? And why are you wearing my vest? What’s the deal with stealing my hardtack? That was a trap I set up with a lot of effort! Hey, don’t move! I have a weapon in my hand! I’m talking to you, don’t try anything...”

Kadi extended his hand, then counted on his fingers one, two, three, four, and raised his head helplessly, ”Exactly how many questions did you just ask me? Nine? Or seven?”

Igor trailed off. Actually, he didn’t know how many questions he had just asked. When he got nervous, he lost track of what he was doing. It was strange; Igor hadn’t been nervous when he encountered wild beasts or bandits on his journey, yet he was completely flustered by Kadi, this harmless creature. This was a far cry from the usual Igor.

Perhaps he was just a bit excited to encounter the legendary monster of Guru Mountain. After all, his whole purpose in setting off on this journey was to capture a monster! With the mission about to be completed and his dream about to come true, it was only natural to get excited and nervous.

But it might also be a natural awe of strange things. This one-eyed creature had never existed in his imagination, unlike the familiar beasts and bandits he knew so well. It was normal to be a little fearful at a first meeting.

Or perhaps it was a bit of both...

Igor tried not to think about his nervousness. The current situation isn’t good for me. I can’t judge whether this creature is an evil entity, a demon reincarnate. Without that certainty, my Faith Balance can’t measure it. If my Faith Balance can’t take a measure, then the Storytelling Granny won’t appear in my mind... In other words, the mighty Igor can’t jump out right now and teach this thing a lesson!

”Remembered how many questions you asked?” Kadi looked at Igor, who was pacing back and forth, and was getting a little sleepy.

”Don’t bother me for a moment, let me think again.”

”How about this: let’s take turns asking each other one question at a time.” A thrill went through Kadi; this was the first human he’d exchanged more than a few words with. Finally, I can have a proper conversation with a human!

”Hmm, your proposal doesn’t sound bad.” Igor closed his eyes and thought. Right now, the only one who can unravel the many doubts in my mind is this blue fellow in front of me. ”But I ask first.”

”Okay.”

”Are you a monster?”

”I don’t know.”

”What kind of answer is that...”

Kadi said, ”That’s my answer. Now let me ask you, are you a monster?”

”Of course not, I’m human.”

”You see, from your perspective, I look different from you, which implies we aren’t the same species. So, you think I should be considered a monster. But think about it: I’ve always lived in these mountains. I find your appearance quite strange too. By that logic, shouldn’t I also classify you as a monster?”

”Well... you do have a point.” Igor was convinced.

”So I can only say I don’t know.”

”Okay, you just asked me the same question. Now it’s my turn to ask you: why is my vest on you? Why are you wearing my vest?”

”Well, hehe,” Kadi chuckled. ”I found it on that scarecrow. By wearing your clothes, I thought we’d have something in common, share the same scent. When you sensed your own smell on me, you’d surely feel some goodwill and wouldn’t see me as an enemy, right? Because of this shared scent, maybe you’d even see me as one of your own kind.”

”Hmm... you do have a point,” said Igor, his hand on his chin in thought.

”Of course! I’ve observed this carefully. Bees, for example, find their companions by scent... Hey, it seems like you actually asked two questions just now.”

”Did I?”

”Of course you did. You’ve now asked three questions in a row, so it’s my turn,” Kadi said, blinking his single eye. ”Why did you come to Guru Mountain? For treasure hunting, or for White Cloud Fruit?”

”Now, before I answer, let me remind you: that counts as three questions from you too. So, we’re even.”

Kadi lowered his head, thoughtfully counting on his fingers again. Then he looked up with conviction. ”Hmm. Three questions. No mistake there.”

Igor chuckled quietly to himself. ”I came to Guru Mountain neither to hunt for treasure nor to find White Cloud Fruit. I’m searching for courage. Many people say there are monsters in the mountains. I thought if I could find a monster and capture it, I could prove I’m brave. Then I’d understand what bravery truly is. Once I know what bravery is, I can determine if I can become an Adventurer.”

”An Adventurer?”

”Yes, the greatest profession on this continent!” Igor’s eyes narrowed as he mentioned Adventurers.

”How is it different from other professions?”

”Of course it is! As an Adventurer, you wouldn’t be so confused. A qualified Adventurer can always identify what’s troubling them. A qualified Adventurer always knows where they’re going and what they need to do.”

”Would they also know where they came from?”

”Er... A qualified Adventurer should know, I think. Qualified Adventurers have traveled all over the continent. There probably isn’t much they *don’t* know.”

As Kadi listened to Igor’s words, his single eye shone with a brilliant light. I’ve always been so confused about where I came from and where I’m going. Now, this human says an Adventurer can know these things! He was already desperate to find out where he could locate these Adventurers.

”To be an Adventurer, one must be brave. If you’re not brave enough, you don’t qualify. Bravery is measured by Courage Medals. As long as you can earn a Courage Medal, becoming an Adventurer is no longer just a dream.” Once the topic shifted to Adventurers, Igor forgot their question-and-answer rule and simply continued to speak enthusiastically.

”By the way, my name is Kadi. What’s yours?”

”Igor. Nice to meet you.”

”Same here. Say, do you have any more food? Like that long strip you had earlier?”

”Sure, I still have some jerky.” Igor snapped his fingers, retrieving the rations he had hidden with a Concealment Spell. ”By the way, was that shadow I glimpsed in the bushes last night also you?”

”Yes, that was me. I just felt you were different from other people, so I’ve been following you.” It was clear that the human and the creature were now chatting freely.

”How did you manage that? Can you also use a Hunter’s Stealth Ability?”

”I just hid myself. See? When I hide next to a big tree and camouflage my colors, I become almost indistinguishable from the tree. It’s the same in the bushes...”

Igor and Kadi chatted on. Kadi explained how he managed to stay hidden in his surroundings, while Igor recounted how his ”mighty Igor” persona could emerge from the old woman’s stories. They chewed on jerky, leaning against a large tree, thoroughly enjoying their conversation.

Without them noticing, the evening sun was already hanging low in the sky.

Suddenly, a powerful force grazed Kadi’s head. WHOOSH! A transparent hole appeared in the tree they were both leaning against.

”Something’s up.” Kadi and Igor both became alert at the same time.

”Heh, heh. Originally, I wanted to wait for them to gather before taking action. But now, with this... special situation... I can only catch one and question one.”

A deep voice floated down from mid-air, but no one was visible. Kadi and Igor tried to duck behind the rocks near the tree, but they found their bodies suddenly felt bound, unable to move.