One-Eyed Monster

If they were going to be a nuisance, they’d have to gradually find the enemy’s blind spots and bite there. They were like mosquitoes; unable to inflict significant damage, but constant annoyance was well within their capabilities.

Kuren, Joseph, and the others couldn’t help but shake their heads. They didn’t object to Igor and Stan Sol’s harassment plan, nor did they fully endorse it. At this moment, Igor truly exhibited the qualities of a leader, keeping everything orderly under his command. If Igor were to halt everything and entrust it all to them right now, they weren’t certain they could maintain the peace of mind needed to think clearly.

Thinking was the most important thing. Only by understanding the invader’s characteristics could they provide Igor and his team with accurate information, enabling Igor’s plan to be carried out effectively. More importantly, if Igor succeeded, they would have a chance to fight back. At that point, they could regain control of Guru Mountain and drive the invader away.

But what exactly was Igor’s plan? Although they all knew they were to harass the invader, how to do so was known to only a few.

After all, there weren’t many who could enter the Inner World, and even fewer who could meet the requirements of the Awakened.

Igor’s plan was closely related to the Awakened.

Igor and Stan Sol had previously wandered in the dark ocean of the Inner World. Although the enemy controlled it, Igor and Stan Sol clearly sensed that their opponent hadn’t fully grasped their thoughts within it. This meant that while the controller could manifest a vast Inner World and exert immense pressure, Igor and Stan Sol could still perceive this crucial limitation. Otherwise, the two of them, agile as fish, wouldn’t have found an opening.

Igor had initially assumed the controller could perceive everyone’s thoughts in the Inner World, just as he could. However, upon reflection, he realized the controller lacked such an ability. This controller was similar to Kuren before his Awakening: able to influence people’s thoughts within the Inner World, perhaps even understand portions of them, but unable to fully grasp them.

This was Igor’s conclusion, which he explained to Stan Sol.

”Even though I still can’t entirely understand this Awakening business, why don’t we give it a try?” Stan Sol replied. He usually took Igor’s words seriously. The moment Igor had led him to escape the Inner World was seared into Stan Sol’s mind like a brand, fundamentally altering his perspective of Igor. Previously, he had regarded Igor merely as a talented youth. Now, he saw Igor as a young man who surpassed all his expectations, someone always capable of achieving remarkable feats.

”Alright, let’s go inspect that vast ocean,” Igor said, having already formulated a detailed plan.

However, he first needed to ensure their hiding spot was secure. If the invader discovered them causing disturbances while their main group was exposed, they would lose far more than they gained.

”Senior Kuren, Sol and I are going to stir things up a bit. We’re temporarily leaving control of this place to you. I’ve marked the required slow pace. As long as you operate within this designated range, you won’t disrupt the rhythm.” Igor formed a circle for Kuren, one that only Kuren could perceive.

”Understood, Igor. Leave this place to us. If you need Spirit Power, feel free to ask,” Kuren said. He knew that all they could do now was follow Igor’s instructions. His current task was to ensure everyone moved within this circle.

”If you need any help related to the Healing Technique or the Natural Force, I can assist as well,” Yuga added.

”Potions!” Brad thumped his chest, signaling that he had the potions covered.

Feeling everyone’s enthusiasm, Igor knew he would definitely need the help of these seniors later. Therefore, he offered them a reassuring smile. ”Don’t worry,” he said, ”we will be victorious.”

That simple comfort boosted everyone’s confidence immensely.

Everyone found hope in Igor and Stan Sol. Although they, too, were currently speculating on how to break the invader’s technique, with Igor and Stan Sol now taking the lead in exploring, their own subsequent responses should be a little easier.

Bearing everyone’s hopes, Igor and Stan Sol set off, leaving their sleeping bodies behind.

The sight of Igor and Stan Sol’s motionless bodies only deepened Kadi and Kuruto’s confusion, their faces etched with utter bewilderment.

”Them!” Kadi exclaimed, nearly jumping to his feet, but Kuren forcibly pressed him back down when he was only halfway up.

”Don’t worry, they are fighting just like us. Just do your part!” Joseph reassured Kadi with a pat on the shoulder.

Igor and Stan Sol’s consciousness had already flown out. Seeing Kadi’s surprise, they exchanged a smirk. Indeed, Kadi was a source of comic relief for them. In such a tense atmosphere, he provided welcome moments of levity.

For Kadi’s sake, too, Igor felt it was necessary to defeat this invader.

”What state do you think we should be in when we go to that ocean?” Igor asked Stan Sol.

”This is your world, Igor. You call the shots,” Stan Sol replied. ”Now, it’s not about us adapting to him; he should be adapting to us.”

Igor didn’t understand the source of Stan Sol’s confidence. ”But we’re going into the vast ocean, aren’t we?” he asked.

”Oh, Igor,” Stan Sol said, ”we’re just going to harass him. Who said we have to fully enter his world? Don’t forget, his world hasn’t affected us here yet!”

”Oh, right!” Igor exclaimed in realization. He had almost forgotten that their safe house was in a blind spot. Even if they ventured out now, the invader still couldn’t pinpoint their exact location. After all, he was the one who had led Stan Sol and the others out of that vast ocean.

Although most of Guru Mountain was now engulfed by that dark ocean, the invader’s coverage remained limited. It couldn’t possibly span everywhere, and these uncovered areas were precisely what they could exploit.

”Even if those places get covered, we can still turn his world upside down, can’t we?” Stan Sol’s confidence far surpassed Igor’s expectations. ”Our plan is about to be implemented. Aren’t you excited?”

For the first time, Igor saw a rare, different side of Stan Sol…

Their plan was to first mislead the invader, and then disrupt them.

To put it bluntly, their goal was to wreak havoc.