One-Eyed Monster

All of this happened so abruptly. Joseph gazed up at the sky, where he had been soaring moments before, a grey eagle surveying everything from Grey Eagle Peak, overseeing it all.

It was hard to imagine an invader infiltrating Grey Eagle Peak so stealthily; he hadn’t detected them, nor had Jemma.

Joseph could still feel the aching wound on his wing. The opponent’s sneak attack had been meticulously planned and utterly undetectable.

Initially, there was only one individual, cloaked to conceal their identity. Joseph couldn’t tell if the person was a Hunter until they laid their weapon flat. Only then did Joseph deduce they were a Wizard, because only Wizards used Magic Staffs.

”Was the opponent a powerful Wizard?” Kadi blurted out, pulling Joseph from his thoughts.

Joseph knew their defeat stemmed from a lack of understanding of their opponent. If he had detailed the information he’d gathered, perhaps Kevin could have been better prepared.

”Yes, the opponent is a Wizard, and a Dark Wizard at that. His staff isn’t just a magical implement; it’s a weapon. The staff can freely emit projectiles that look like Spirit Arrows, but they are definitely not Spirit-based attacks.”

Dastan clenched his teeth as he recounted his experience, unaware of what had become of his other companions at Grey Eagle Peak. His injuries were severe. Simon and the others had covered his retreat, urging him to relay the news of Grey Eagle Peak’s fall. Everyone knew that Simon and his team couldn’t hold out for long; it would be a victory if they could all retreat safely. After all, besides the unidentified dark intruder, the menacing Alchemy Workshop also posed a significant threat...

”So, the opponent has supporters?” Listening to Joseph’s fragmented account, Kadi made his own guess. He considered himself a Guardian of Guru Mountain, always ready to dedicate his strength to it. Even the bothersome task of strategizing was something he was determined to attempt.

After all, Kadi felt needed, and this sense of being needed made him feel indispensable among the guardians.

Joseph didn’t directly address Kadi’s assessment. He continued to share details, primarily for Kevin’s benefit. It was thanks to Kadi’s relentless ’whys’ throughout the journey that Joseph had realized this. Information was crucial in battle. They had suffered a loss and absolutely had to learn their lesson.

Among those heading to the safe house, Kadi asked the most questions, pestering relentlessly. Kevin, carrying Kuren on his back, looked serious. His ears weren’t idle either; he was already forming his own judgments from Joseph’s fragmented information. This way, should he encounter the mysterious invader, he wouldn’t be caught off guard by the same attack methods again. His ward, Kuren, was still moaning; the internal struggle with the Berserker seemed never-ending. Surprisingly, Igor, a boy usually full of endless questions, remained uncharacteristically silent, quietly supporting Joseph as they walked...

Grey Eagle Peak served as a natural shield before Moonflow Stream. If Grey Eagle Peak was breached, Moonflow Stream would be immediately exposed. The White Swamp and the Stone House would be revealed, losing their protective veil of mystery.

Xiso understood the importance of Grey Eagle Peak. That was why he had assigned four guardians to this single mountain, more than Moonflow Stream itself had.

Moreover, these four were not ordinary individuals. They had once held renowned titles, but a pact with Kuyi Tulan had transformed them into monstrous beings, stripping them of the right to their former glory.

The guardians of Grey Eagle Peak were Simon, Joseph, Jemma, and Yuga. Simon, once a Golden Seat in the Alchemy Workshop, was an Alchemist whose presence had sent shivers down many spines. Joseph and Jemma, formerly of the Empire’s glorious Seven Knights, possessed an expansive field of vision; Joseph excelled at reconnaissance, while Jemma was a deadly assassin who exploited blind spots. Yuga, a former wise Wind Wizard of the Wizard Alliance, though now as gaunt as a skeleton, could still summon mischievous and violent wind elementals.

By any measure, these individuals were top-tier fighters. It was inconceivable that they would be defeated so easily. If there hadn’t been any surprises, the outcome would surely have been different.

Whether it was Simon the Alchemist or Yuga the Wind Wizard, they possessed formidable strength and would undoubtedly fight back rather than surrender meekly. That they were now entangled with both the Alchemy Workshop and the mysterious invader was the truly unexpected part.

From this point alone, Kevin could discern the severity of the situation. The enemy had the Alchemy Workshop with them, and those despicable people knew each of them intimately—their strengths, their unique skills, everything was clear to the enemy. Therefore, conventional tactics were useless against these bastards. They had to use their evolved abilities to have any hope of deterring them. Yet, some of their techniques could only serve as a deterrent, as these bastards were already familiar with their characteristics. While they might not be able to counter them directly, successfully evading them was not an issue.

”The Alchemy Workshop members have significantly improved their combat abilities,” Joseph continued. ”Especially in their use of Berserk Potions. They seem to have integrated some alchemical techniques, ones seemingly unrelated to combat, into their fighting styles.”

He had shared a considerable amount of information, albeit sporadically, giving Kevin much to ponder. Kevin thought that if these insights were shared with Xiso, Xiso might be able to devise an effective counter-strategy.

Unknowingly, they arrived at the safe house.

”Alright, Kadi, I’m leaving the rest to you. Don’t disappoint me,” Kevin said, also cultivating Kadi’s sense of being needed, which instantly made Kadi’s heart swell.

”Don’t worry, old man! I guarantee Joseph and the others will recover fully,” Kadi replied, willingly entering the Slumber Room without a single complaint.

After settling Kadi and the others, Kevin hurried back. As a key guardian, he knew the enemy’s thorough knowledge of them suggested a well-planned invasion. He had to reach the Great Mentor’s side, whatever the cost. The safety of the Great Mentor and the stability of their home were paramount to him.

The information Joseph had shared was substantial. It was clear the bastards from the Alchemy Workshop were targeting the Great Mentor; they were clearly willing to invest heavily to get to him.

As Kevin ran, a sense of unease gnawed at him. Kuren’s recent ordeal was a stark reminder. No one could have predicted that the Berserker hidden deep within him would be provoked and begin to stir. Everyone knew Kuren; he wouldn’t willingly summon the Berserker. It had to be due to external influence; otherwise, it was impossible.

So that mysterious invader was definitely a bastard too.

While Kevin was lost in these thoughts, in another corner of Guru Mountain, on the besieged Grey Eagle Peak, the battle raged on.

The members of the Alchemy Workshop were astonished. They hadn’t anticipated the Exchange Beast manifesting in such a form, and they couldn’t help but marvel at the truly extraordinary capabilities of the Workshop’s legendary figures. Simon, however, had no time to bask in the admiration of any onlookers. He had to fight with all his might. Behind him lay Moonflow Stream, and beyond it, the Great Mentor.