One-Eyed Monster

Whenever Qi Liu recalled that moment, his eyes would moisten; even that instant when he had just frantically followed Stan Sol to the mountaintop was no exception.

That was one of the main reasons he had chosen to pull back his hand.

The battle had initially seemed to hold no suspense, but people often discover unexpected strength when they erupt, and Dastan must have erupted at that time.

His eruption was largely due to his family bonds. To protect his Young Family Leader, he was willing to sacrifice everything.

Dastan had given up everything for his family.

Not everyone could make such a sacrifice; he knew he couldn’t.

”Young Family Leader, the honor of the Sol Family still needs you to bear it. You are more important than anyone else. You must keep going,” Dastan, desperately fighting, comforted Stan Sol, who was at a disadvantage.

The Incomplete Moon technique consumed too much Spirit Power. Stan Sol’s hands were trembling, and he knew at that moment he had no way to defeat his opponent.

The opponent was an expert from the Alchemy Workshop. His attack, using an Exchange Beast as a carrier, arrived even before he did.

The opponent’s Exchange Beast consisted of ants. Combined, they could form various shapes; separated, they were numerous and tiny, densely packed, and extremely troublesome.

Stan Sol’s Sharkmon had opened its gaping mouth and devoured so many ants. The sight of it still sent shivers down his spine.

By the time Milo arrived, Stan Sol was already exhausted. His Spirit Power reserves were pushed to the limit, and he was struggling to cast the next spell.

However, Milo’s attacks never ceased. His assaults were layered, and soon, he had forced Stan Sol and the others into a desperate situation.

He didn’t remember how they got through it. He vaguely remembered Dastan jumping out, leaping high into the sky.

Dastan, one of the Seven Knights of Glory, leaped with all the strength of his life. This leap was the highest realm of his Stealth Ability; emerging from concealment, he borrowed strength from his momentum, his target not the few from the Alchemy Workshop, but the entire mountain path.

”No one shall allow the Sol Family’s crest to be stained with dust!” Dastan, his eyes red, stood defiantly in the middle of the road, the twirling of his two scimitars underscoring his resolve.

He still didn’t fully understand why the large Hunter had unhesitatingly chosen to stand by Dastan’s side. There was seemingly no interaction between them, no prior acquaintance, so how could they band together?

Perhaps it was a kind of sentiment; just like now, Stan Sol hadn’t even hesitated before standing beside the man smoking the pipe.

He remembered that the big Hunter desperately waved his two swords. He was no match for the Alchemy Workshop’s people, yet he still charged forth without hesitation. And what about them? They could do nothing but hide behind a rock, watching and sighing.

This was a gap in strength, a choice of belief. He really wanted to know what Young Master Hustace would choose, what he would do, if he were awake at this time.

The mountain path swayed precariously after Dastan’s attack, as if it was on the verge of collapse.

”Young Family Leader, do you remember the path we take after a family hunt?” Dastan shouted at Stan Sol.

”It doesn’t require much Spirit Power. You can take your prey and embark on this return journey.”

It might have been some secret language of the Sol Family. Anyone could understand the literal meaning of these words. Dastan was telling Stan Sol to escape immediately, but the method of escape was likely something only members of the Sol Family would understand.

”But, but, you...” Stan Sol obviously didn’t want to leave alone.

”I came out with Young Master Tobin. I failed to bring much honor to the family; instead, I brought shame upon us. I now have no face to return to our clan,” Dastan said sorrowfully to Stan Sol, while fending off Milo’s darts.

”It was I who didn’t consider things thoroughly. Now, I’ve lost news of Young Master Tobin and nearly forgot who I was. Young Family Leader, please, you and the clansmen must forgive me. Hiding here on Guru Mountain, I was not only hiding from myself but also from the hopes of the entire family.”

Perhaps it was due to an extraordinary surge of Spirit Power after his eruption, but Dastan spoke incessantly, showing no signs of fatigue.

This was a state not everyone could comprehend.

He could tell. With his innate Politician’s Sound Sensing Skill, he could tell that this was Dastan’s last conversation with his family.

This final conversation moved him; it signified an understanding between life and death.

”I’m a thorough failure, Young Family Leader. I’ve failed the expectations of our people.”

Dastan’s final conversation seemed to narrate his entire life. The swing of his scimitars went CLANG! CLANG! His narrative, accompanied by these sounds, created a thunderous sensation.

”I not only failed my family but also my benefactor. I couldn’t protect this mountain peak. This is another regret I have now.”

”Your, regret, I, will, make up, for you,” Stan Sol said, his eyes firm.

”The Sol Family, always repays their debts!”

”Young Family Leader!”

”Speak, speak quickly.”

”I...” Dastan choked up several times. He knew that using all the strength of his life, he could only escort Young Clan Leader Stan Sol safely away. If not for the help of this admirer of the Seven Knights of Glory, he might not even have had the chance to say these things.

”I am the Soldier who guards this mountain peak. There is something I protect on this summit,” Dastan confessed truthfully. He knew that as long as he said it, Young Clan Leader Stan Sol would surely fulfill it for him, even if his Spirit Power reserves were nearly depleted.

Because the Sol Family, always repays their debts!

”I, will guard, it, in your, stead!” Stan Sol declared loudly.

The mountain path, under Dastan’s relentless assault, began to sway. It was clear his attack had taken effect; collapse was merely a matter of time.

”Foolish!” Milo couldn’t help but exclaim. ”Why choose this path of mutual destruction? Do you think this can solve all problems?”

He recalled that the Alchemist named Milo was also a talkative person, constantly commenting on the current situation.

”No, I know this technique is currently incapable of putting you in a predicament. I am merely buying time for my Young Family Leader,” Dastan said with a smile. At this moment, he could finally face Milo calmly.

”Your Teleportation Spell indeed doesn’t require much Spirit Power. This strike of yours truly deserves my admiration.”

Milo didn’t say much more; he ceased his attack because it was no longer necessary. Dastan’s final blow had severed his hope of continuing to obstruct Stan Sol.

The mountain path collapsed, and everyone began to plummet.

Milo used his Exchange Beast to steady the members of the Alchemy Workshop; his ants clung desperately to the mountain wall on one side, and to themselves on the other.

He felt as if he too was about to enter the Eternal Tranquility Realm at that moment, but he was surprised to find a hand reaching out in the chaos.

This hand belonged to the Earth Wolf named Musa. That fellow extended his hand, gesturing for Qi Liu to grab it.

But Qi Liu had other thoughts. On one hand, he had to protect Young Master Hustace; on the other, he wanted to see if he still possessed his own choices.

Stan Sol slowly activated his secret technique. He picked up the unconscious Hustace from the ground and said nothing.

”Take us with you!” The Great Witch Biggs waved her arms, pleading for Stan Sol’s help. Perhaps because Wizards and Alchemists were inherently incompatible, Witch Biggs didn’t even spare Milo a glance.

Qi Liu looked at the outstretched hand, then at Young Master Hustace sleeping soundly on Stan Sol’s shoulder.

That voice, his innate Politician’s Sound Sensing Skill, made him reach out his hand.

But he smiled and withdrew the hand he had initially extended...

Now, he just wanted to see how this Stan Sol would continue to stand guard for Dastan.

He wanted to witness this moment. At the same time, he also wanted to see if he still had the true power to choose.