One-Eyed Monster

Elder Rostellum carefully picked up the gold coin, squinting as he scrutinized it. From the way he caressed the coin, it seemed no one in the world was better qualified to examine such a gleaming object.

He had a unique expertise: one touch, a second look, a third listen, and if those weren’t enough, there was always fire or a bite… When it came to determining if a glittering yellow thing was gold, no one was more adept than Rostellum. In fewer than three steps, Elder Rostellum could tell if the shiny yellow object was indeed gold.

Much like a killer has a signature technique, a chef a specialty dish, or a merchant a prized treasure, Elder Rostellum also had his own unique skill. This ability was formed from years of habit. For many years, if Elder Rostellum set his sights on a glittering treasure, he would stop at nothing to obtain it. These acquired glittering items had been subjected to his tests time and again—biting, burning—all these methods of identifying genuine gold had become second nature to him. After thousands upon thousands of trials, he eventually honed his skill to the point where he could discern true gold merely by touch.

”This is a gold coin,” was Elder Rostellum’s first judgment.

No one dared to question it; even Aliusan, who had just been shouting loudly, didn’t dare to breathe.

”However, it looks somewhat strange,” was Elder Rostellum’s further judgment.

Aliusan rolled his eyes, wanting to say something, but reconsidered and gave up.

The village chief was in a daze. He still couldn’t quite understand how this matter was connected to a gold coin.

As for Oha, the scolding from Elder Rostellum had left him stunned. He currently looked dumbfounded, nervously wringing his hands.

”This gold coin lacks any vitality; it feels as if it’s been ravaged by the fiercest winter cold,” Elder Rostellum said thoughtfully, putting down the coin.

Still, no one dared to speak up…

”Was this gold coin given to you by that Dark Wizard?” Elder Rostellum turned to Oha.

”Ah, yes, yes, it was that strange Wizard who gave it to me.” Nudged by the village chief’s elbow again, Oha snapped to attention and quickly responded.

”This coin does feel strange to the touch.”

”Because it’s dead, sir. It has no life,” Oha, recovering himself, once again began to speak without restraint.

”Are there living coins?” Aliusan tilted his head, his face full of mockery. When Aliusan first held this coin, he’d felt an odd sensation all over, but he couldn’t articulate what it was. At the time, aside from an involuntary shout, he had no other way to express this peculiar feeling.

Now, hearing the shopkeeper call the coin ’dead,’ Aliusan first felt a jolt; it was as if that strange sensation from before carried a hint of death’s aura… However, this feeling lasted only a moment before stubborn common sense reasserted itself: it was impossible. How could coins have a distinction between life and death?

So now his face was full of mockery.

”Yes, all things in existence have life and death. This world is both distant and infinite; life and death are merely mysteries of this world that we do not understand.”

Oha suddenly seemed like a different person. His words were winding and cryptic, leaving everyone present bewildered.

”The coin in your hand is dead because it has been circulating among Undead Souls. When it suddenly falls into the hands of the living, the conflict between their Spirit Powers is too great, naturally causing ordinary people to feel uneasy,” Oha continued, his tone now calm and experienced, not at all like a shopkeeper.

”How dare you speak to Elder Rostellum like that!” The village chief was frantic. Oha’s sudden transformation had caught him completely off guard, and he didn’t know what to do.

”Disaster is imminent, yet you all remain indifferent! It truly is as the old proverb says: the truth is often known only to a few!”

”You!” Aliusan could feel the sarcasm and contempt in the shopkeeper’s words. He himself couldn’t tolerate such intense scorn, let alone allowing it to be directed at Elder Rostellum.

But just as Aliusan was about to shout, he saw Elder Rostellum raise his arm. This gesture was a signal, telling him not to interrupt, to let the shopkeeper continue.

”You probably have no idea what Guru Mountain is really like, HAHAHA.”

”I’d be willing to tell you, but ultimately, you are all just low-level Spirit Power users. The more you know, the more you’ll panic, WAHAHAHA!”

”How can those of you who only judge by appearances understand the application of wisdom? You are only fit to await annihilation, WAHAHAHA!”

”WAHA... HA... HA...” The laughter grew weaker and weaker, eventually fading away in the tavern. Then, with a THUD, Oha’s less-than-sturdy frame collapsed to the ground.

The instant Oha fell, Aliusan limped over and nudged the shopkeeper on the ground with his foot.

”Don’t touch him. His consciousness was just possessed by a Spirit Power, and his body is now very weak,” Elder Rostellum said, wiping the sweat from his brow. He had never imagined that such a technique, something he’d only heard about in dinner table tales, would actually manifest before him. It was truly incredible.

”So, those words just now weren’t Oha’s?” the village chief asked, trembling.

”Mm, you’ve done well this time, reporting the unusual situation promptly. Very good. Now we are forewarned and won’t be caught unprepared later.” Although Elder Rostellum said this, he still felt a deep unease in his heart; he ultimately couldn’t be certain what would happen next.

Hearing Elder Rostellum’s praise, the village chief finally let out a sigh of relief.

Before the group could recover from the unsettling incident, one of Aliusan’s Earth Wolves burst in excitedly, holding a money bag. ”Sir,” he cried, ”they paid! Those stones actually sold for money!”

Rostellum was immediately captivated by the bag of glittering gold. If others hadn’t been present, he would have roared with laughter. However, his dignity as a Politician forced him to control his emotions.

But when he reached into the money bag, his expression changed instantly. This entire bag of gold coins felt exactly like the one Oha had submitted earlier.

Ice-cold to the bone, without a trace of vitality.

It seems this mountain has always been under the control of outsiders! Elder Rostellum muttered to himself.

Seeing this, Aliusan also grabbed a handful of coins from the bag, then couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise again.

”Elder,” the village chief said uneasily, looking at Oha on the ground and then at Aliusan’s strange expression, ”over all these years, visitors to Guru Village have never been so troublesome. But today, Oha collapsed inexplicably. This is truly...”

”It seems some wicked people have come...” Elder Rostellum stroked his beard.

Meanwhile, a rat slipped out furtively from a corner of the tavern...