One-Eyed Monster

When it rains, it pours.

Just as Igor and Stan Sol were fretting about what to do next, the previously settled Malice Spirit Entities suddenly stirred again, as if they had gone mad!

Those Malice Spirit Entities had initially been still, standing there absently. But after the thunder and lightning, they grew restless, each one moving as if possessed.

They twisted their bodies, pacing aimlessly. The initial orderliness was completely disrupted. The only tolerable thing was their silence; they uttered no horrifying cries, not even sighs, just silently and chaotically flitted about.

At this moment, Stan Sol couldn’t understand what was happening. Their Spirit Power was entirely suppressed by their opponent, leaving no chance for a counterattack. His Battle Pet Fiery Blaze had also shed its Ghostly Flame cloak and was curled up beside him; they were both exhausted.

Although their previous counterattacks had seemed ineffective, they had indeed expended all their strength, hence their current exhaustion. Their bodies were already overburdened, and now, under the opponent’s Spirit Power suppression, fatigue washed over them like a cascading waterfall.

Only Kadi didn’t feel this pressure, as he was only connected to Igor via the Ant Connection Spell and hadn’t fully entered this environment. He couldn’t sense the pressure, only witness these unusual changes.

He knew Igor and Stan Sol’s personalities; they would never surrender or give up easily. Their current immobility made Kadi somewhat uneasy.

Moreover, the scene before him was too shocking. Vast ocean currents swirled in mid-air, forming an enormous vortex. The original sea wall had vanished, transformed into this aerial maelstrom that continually converged on the great bird, causing the proud creature to repeatedly fall from the sky...

The stubborn bird continually flapped its wings, struggling to regain flight after each fall. Each descent was to a different height. Judging by the frequency, the bird’s wingbeats had slowed considerably.

This slowness caused it great distress. Its struggle was already agonizing, and even unwavering persistence couldn’t guarantee immunity from exhaustion. Yet, its resilient heart grew even more stubborn after countless setbacks. The more dire the situation, the higher it resolved to fly.

And indeed, judging by the distance of each fall, it seemed to be flying slightly higher than before each time.

Watching this horrifying scene, Kadi couldn’t help but feel a pang in his heart. He could understand this feeling of grief and indignation. At this moment, he desperately wanted to help the great bird, but unfortunately, he could only watch, unable to even sense the Spirit Power suppression...

Yet, even as a mere spectator, Kadi noticed something.

”Igor! Igor...” Kadi exclaimed, as if he had discovered a momentous secret.

”Hm?” The stubborn Igor, much like the great bird, was battling the Spirit Power suppression. His heart refused to accept defeat, and he was constantly searching for a way to overcome their opponent.

Kadi’s sudden interjection distracted Igor slightly.

However, Igor highly valued Kadi’s opinion. After all, this fellow always managed to devise daring solutions unexpectedly.

”Haven’t you noticed? The ocean is gradually disappearing!” Kadi shouted in astonishment.

”Huh?” Igor, preoccupied with how to resist, hadn’t noticed what Kadi mentioned and had paid no attention to the ocean’s changes.

Reminded by Kadi, he finally noticed. The seawater was continually vanishing. No, more accurately, it was constantly surging skyward, forming spinning torrents that relentlessly battered the great bird.

From this perspective, Igor’s great bird was indeed as stubborn as Igor himself...

Igor froze, stunned by the sight of the rapidly depleting ocean.

What on earth is happening?

I can’t understand. Could our plan have succeeded?

Could it be that the great bird’s plight has moved heaven and earth, and now the entire world is coming to our aid?

If it weren’t for the intense Spirit Power oppression, Igor might have truly believed it.

But reality was harsh; it wouldn’t be that simple. Although the ocean was gradually disappearing, the oppressive weight they felt crushed this hopeful thought. If the ocean were disappearing due to their actions, this oppressive pressure shouldn’t exist.

Unfortunately, this pressure continued to bear down on them like an enormous clamp, squeezing from both sides and leaving them no effective way to resist.

Igor didn’t want to dampen Kadi’s excitement. He was already in a dire situation and absolutely couldn’t let those around him succumb to despair. Yet, he also didn’t want to deceive Kadi. This was hardly a moment for celebration. They were completely suppressed by their opponent; under such pressure, they had to remain calm. Igor desperately wanted to speak, but if he broke his silence, he wasn’t sure how to guide Kadi, especially given Kadi’s current elation.

Although Igor was unwilling to accept it, the overwhelming pressure left him breathless, forcing him to confront the true disparity in their strength.

Even though this was his Inner World, where he should have complete control over every scene, his opponent still managed to suppress him entirely. This Spirit Power suppression prevented him from shaping this world as he wished...

Is it really going to end like this?

Is this really my limit?

I can’t believe my adventure is about to end before it has even truly begun...

No, I can’t harbor such negative thoughts! I need to become an Adventurer! My promise, my dream—none of it has been realized yet. I can’t give up like this!

But what can I do?

I feel like I’ve exhausted every option and there’s nothing else I can do.

Igor glanced sideways at Stan Sol. He was so suppressed that even turning his head was difficult. Igor saw the helpless and desperate expression on Stan Sol’s face, which wasn’t a good sign.

He couldn’t fall here, no matter what. Igor steeled himself again, ready to risk everything to break free from this oppression.

He strained, he struggled... Beads of sweat dripped continuously from his brow... He gritted his teeth, persisting. He refused to believe he would be stopped here.

”You’ve worked hard, Igor!” Just as Igor reached the point of utter exhaustion, a deep voice echoed in his ears.

That sounds like Senior Kuren...

”From now on, leave it to us!”