One-Eyed Monster

Estev squinted, indulging in his unique habit. For years, his forbearance had fostered many such habits, which became perfect ways for him to waste time.

Estev pulled out some fine-cut tobacco and stuffed his pipe, then struck a match on his boot to light it. The smoke drifted thinly for a moment before he sank into his second habit.

Logically, he shouldn’t have been smoking. At a critical juncture like this, he should have been conserving his mental and physical energy, preparing for the impending unknown. Unfortunately, at his core, he was a gambler. He always recklessly trusted his own luck, paying no heed to such prudent advice.

Thus, the rare caution he displayed lasted only a moment before vanishing completely. After all, his third favorite pastime was gambling with luck. Squinting, smoking, and gambling with luck—these three habits had accompanied Estev for over a decade, helping him through countless long days and arduous nights. From dew-kissed dawns to twilight skies ablaze with sunset, he had waited, patiently anticipating this very day.

This day felt like his judgment day, destined to determine the very meaning of his existence over all these years. Although the verdict seemed preordained—either he would leave lying down, or he would remain standing—he still looked forward to it. He was eager for this day to arrive because it also signified liberation.

Estev took a deep drag from his pipe, a look of profound satisfaction on his face. He squinted at the Hunchbacked Boss nearby, who was tracing patterns on the tabletop with his fingertips, and a wave of sentimentality washed over him.

Years pass silently, taking so much with them, he mused. The Hunchbacked Boss, for instance, was once a renowned Scholar across the continent. Now, however, he could only huddle in this tiny tavern, playing the part of a pitiful, hunched-over proprietor. What on earth made them forsake their former selves, willingly concealing themselves among the masses, day after day, month after month, year after year?

Estev exhaled a perfect smoke ring. He knew that he and the tavern owner were birds of a feather, perched with folded wings on a branch of this vast continent, dedicating their all to the cause of order.

They were Soul Guardians, an ancient and forgotten profession.

No one remembered what Soul Guardians looked like; people were only interested in the secrets they protected.

Soul Guardians carried thick satchels slung over their shoulders, ever-prepared for the arrival of Judgment Day, wherever and whenever it might occur.

Only when Judgment Day finally dawned could the Soul Guardians lay down the heavy burdens they carried.

Everything was for the sake of rightful order.

Estev muttered the words softly, as if reciting his sacred creed.

Everything was for the rightful order. Yes, the secret they guarded concerned the succession of the powerful on the entire Yowein Continent. Once the seal on this secret was broken, the continent would face a disaster of unprecedented proportions.

”Why do you think that day is approaching?” the Hunchbacked Boss asked, his fingers still idly tracing patterns on the table.

”Because of Willem,” Estev answered, his words as simple and direct as his usual manner.

”Willem,” the Hunchbacked Boss chuckled dryly. ”Heh, he used to be one of us, you know.”

”Traitors are generally difficult to deal with, especially one who possesses so much of our internal information,” Estev remarked leisurely, releasing another smoke ring.

”Bigas is here too. It seems you’ve won your bet again,” the Hunchbacked Boss observed.

”I’ve always trusted my luck,” Estev replied.

”I’m ashamed,” the Hunchbacked Boss said, a hint of self-reproach in his voice. ”I’ve been here so long yet failed to notice anything unusual. It seems I’ve grown old and useless.” He was stationed at the very forefront of Guru Mountain, yet he hadn’t been the first to realize that the secret they protected was being coveted. If it hadn’t been for Estev, he would likely still be sitting in the tavern, waiting for customers as usual.

”I was merely fortunate. What surprised me was Bigas arriving so quickly. When the team split, their stance was quite clear.”

”They are radicals, always believing the world revolves around them, so Bigas’s arrival doesn’t surprise me. He has the formidable Wizard Alliance backing him, which should be enough to contend with Willem. As for us, we seem increasingly outnumbered and weak.”

”Hmph. We are ancient fossils, playing our part in the shadows.”

”Have you ever considered what comes next?” the Hunchbacked Boss asked quietly.

”Next?” Estev seemed perplexed.

”I’ve said before, what we guard is exceedingly old; perhaps it’s time for it to see the light of day.” The Hunchbacked Boss finally stilled his fingers. His gaze wavered, revealing a profound inner conflict.

The Hunchbacked Boss’s eyes seemed to hold the exhilarating thrill of impending release, yet also a subtle reluctance to let go. His expression shifted between excitement and sorrow, leaving Estev utterly bewildered.

”I know what our mission is, Estev.” The Hunchbacked Boss stood up. His stooped posture, far from conveying frailty, now seemed to emanate a sense of solid purpose.

”If we were to give up prematurely, what would become of the rightful order?” After a moment of silence, Estev, having weighed all the pros and cons, still couldn’t fathom the Hunchbacked Boss’s implications.

”You misunderstand, Estev,” the Hunchbacked Boss smiled. ”You’re still the same as when you were young—innocent and straightforward.”

”Hmm?”

”We are Soul Guardians. Under no circumstances can we allow the secret we protect to be revealed.”

”Indeed. Either we stand, or we fall. There’s no third option,” Estev stated, conveying to the Hunchbacked Boss the outcome he believed inevitable.

His presence was imposing, carrying an air of heroic resolve from which there was no retreat.

”You’re right. But some things aren’t as you imagine; many events are interlinked, and the occurrence of one can trigger a chain reaction.”

”I don’t understand.” Estev shook his head, the tobacco in his pipe now half-smoked.

”The order of this continent has already begun to change. While we can safeguard the secret, we cannot intervene in the transformation of that order.”

Order? Transformation? Estev found it incredible.

”Yes, something new is emerging on this continent. My old friend often mentions it in his letters, but I’m too old now; I can’t for the life of me recall what it’s called.”

”Could you possibly be referring to something like the Mail Birds?”

”Yes, yes, that’s it! The appearance of things like these will trigger a change in the order,” the Hunchbacked Boss declared excitedly, spittle flying as if he were desperate to ensure everyone understood him.

Our mission… Estev grew even more confused.

He didn’t understand what the Hunchbacked Boss was truly getting at. In his mind, however, his mission hadn’t changed in the slightest. He was a Soul Guardian. As long as he drew breath, he would protect this secret.

”I know, I know, what I said is a bit obscure. Perhaps it’s time for you to see my deductions. After you’ve seen them, I believe everything will become clear at a glance.”

The Hunchbacked Boss walked back to the tavern table. The faint traces of his earlier finger movements still lingered on its surface, resembling a cryptic drawing…