One-Eyed Monster

Having grasped the significance of sharing within the World Setting Technique’s Inner World, Igor felt invigorated, no longer dwelling on why his thoughts had strayed so far. It was an involuntary process, impossible to halt, he realized. In this Inner World, one had to share and exchange insights; it was the primary method of communication.

Now, Igor had acquired a crucial skill: while in the Inner World, he could understand Kuren’s intended meaning without a single word being spoken—provided, of course, they were both within it.

Kuren’s initial satisfaction gave way to astonishment, then outright shock. I never expected Igor’s abilities to be so outstanding! he thought. He was only just introduced to the ultimate mystery of the Inner World, yet in just a few short minutes, the boy has already become so proficient! Exceptional talent... there’s no other way to describe him.

Through the Soap Bubbles he had formed, Igor not only saw Kuren sitting ramrod straight amidst the clouds but also perceived the smokeless battle raging behind him.

As Kuren had said, the scenes within the Inner World were for sharing. Imagination and mental fortitude were merely the catalysts. The places you wished others to enter, the sights you wished them to see—these were all expressions of your heart’s desires, your innermost wishes. You hoped the other party would see these things and, moreover, understand what you were describing.

This was sharing. Through it, one could pass on skills, gain joy, understand others, and even achieve spiritual sublimation. In short, sharing offered a multitude of benefits.

”This is a simple way to explore one’s inner world,” Kuren said softly. He hadn’t intended to show Igor the conflict raging behind him, but somehow, he had. It seemed to be an instinct. He held certain expectations for Igor, much like he once had for the Great Mentor. He felt this young man’s abilities could help him navigate difficult straits, just as the Great Mentor had once helped him through those arduous years.

Kuren’s hopes for Igor were woven into the Inner World. His sharing was his plea, his hope, and his guidance for Igor.

”This is the ultimate purpose of the Inner World: to explore our inner selves and mutually assist one another,” Kuren continued, though he knew that even if he remained silent, Igor would eventually grasp this truth through the shared Inner World. It was only a matter of time. Nevertheless, Kuren voiced it, partly out of an instinctive feeling that speaking things aloud helped solidify them in the listener’s mind.

Correctly understanding the meaning of the World Setting Technique’s Inner World was no easy feat, especially under such urgent and brief circumstances. Neither Kuren nor Igor had anticipated it would be so smooth or quick. They had initially thought this technique would require a long time, or at least a good while longer to comprehend. But events did not unfold as they had imagined. Ultimately, things proceeded with unimaginable smoothness; it was so easy that even Kuren felt this gamble had been won almost too simply.

However, since events had transpired and the outcome was decided, they couldn’t afford to linger in amazement.

With the limited time available, Kuren had originally intended to teach Igor some cultivation techniques for the Inner World. But he soon discovered that the methods Igor had mastered were even more exquisite than his own, rendering his instruction unnecessary. Igor possessed an innate, master-level aptitude.

This was attributable to Igor’s youth and mental acuity; his imagination was far superior to that of an older individual like Kuren. For instance, the dance of Soap Bubbles in Igor’s Inner World—bouncing, colliding, integrating, and bursting—was far more varied and rich than in Kuren’s. Sharing such diverse scenes naturally left a deeper impression on others.

This made Kuren reflect on how formidable the younger generation could be.

Igor... he truly is the one who can carry the aspirations of all us monsters and stir up a tempest in the professional world! Kuren’s thoughts drifted again, a rarity for a monster. Ordinarily, Kuren wouldn’t possess such prolonged trains of thought or the mental energy for them. It’s strange, he mused, how excited I feel today in the Inner World of the World Setting Technique. Could it truly be because of the strength gained from winning the gamble?

Kuren chuckled. Indeed, that’s a question worth considering. This unexpected surge of excitement has given me ample time to think about what to do next. Every experience in the Inner World was a rare opportunity for sharing, and Kuren had no intention of wasting this one.

Regarding comprehension, Igor had grasped it completely. His views were largely identical to the will passed down by the Great Mentor. Of course, Kuren thought, if Igor’s understanding had deviated too greatly from my own comprehension, I would have unhesitatingly severed the connection to the Inner World, leaving him to survive or perish on his own in this mental realm.

This is fate, preordained by Heaven!

Kuren’s thoughts strayed further and further, deviating from his original purpose.

However, within the Inner World, communication was an activity of the inner self, an exploration of each other’s hearts. If one’s thoughts drifted too far, neglecting the other’s presence, one could be completely seen through.

”So, what was the original intention?” Igor was no dullard; he always managed to notice unexpected things at unexpected times. This time was no different; he noticed Kuren’s wandering thoughts and asked without hesitation.

For Igor, his interest lay in the technique’s mysteries—from its application and purpose to the special meanings it encompassed. He wanted to understand everything. This thirst for knowledge was as natural and innate as breathing.

This trait of Igor’s was both endearing and exasperating. In Igor’s relatively short life, this characteristic had brought him far more vexation than affection.

It remained to be seen whether Kuren would find this question endearing or annoying.

After all, the question he posed was a tad sensitive.

My initial intention was, of course, to pass on the World Setting Technique, Kuren thought, but Igor’s question made it difficult for him to respond directly.

However, Igor had already pierced through to Kuren’s innermost thoughts. He knew what Kuren was thinking at that very moment.

”No, no, no,” Igor quickly clarified, ”I mean, what is the original intention of *this technique*? Damn it! Speaking imprecisely leads to unnecessary misunderstandings. I must be more careful in the future.”

Kuren was speechless, and a deeper sense of bewilderment washed over him.

This was a difficult matter to explain, he pondered. And another thing: here in the Inner World, why can Igor effortlessly perceive my thoughts, while I have to expend considerable effort to discern what he’s up to? Wherein lay the difference?

”Oh dear, I find this problematic too!” Igor exclaimed, also taken aback.

At this point, Kuren truly didn’t need to utter a single word, because Igor’s comprehension of his thoughts had reached a level of complete, almost unsettling, clarity!