One-Eyed Monster

”What?” Everyone looked at Igor, puzzled. They had thought the young man was about to make a staggering discovery, but instead, he simply stated that he had observed enough.

What did he mean by ”observed enough”?

Everyone here had established some understanding of what was happening at the Moonflow Stream. If he meant they had gathered enough observations, that was indeed true, but this knowledge alone was insufficient to mount a viable counterattack! Everyone was discussing how to confront this monster when Igor inopportunely interrupted. If he had proposed a viable strategy, that would have been one thing, but to disrupt the discussion with only, ”We have observed enough,” was rather casual and seemed aimless. Such interruptions were not appreciated... The way everyone looked at Igor started to change...

Igor blinked, seemingly oblivious to any anomaly, and continued, ”We’ve been observing for a long time now. We really have seen enough.”

This remark, which only compounded their previous frustration, left everyone even more speechless.

”So what’s the plan now?” Unlike the others, Kadi was quite straightforward. He always spoke his mind, especially when it came to addressing Igor. ”You can’t imply that just because we’ve ’observed enough,’ we can act recklessly. The creature can summon lightning, you know!”

Igor was pleased to note that Kadi also realized the dangers of impulsive action. Maintaining composure in such a difficult environment was commendable. So, building on his own understanding, Igor continued, ”That’s correct. We can’t act rashly. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have asked everyone to observe first...”

This remark left everyone speechless again. What was wrong with him? How could the ordinarily astute Igor be so obtuse, completely oblivious to the awkward atmosphere?

”Er, um, Igor, we’ve actually been pondering how to deal with that monster...” Kuren felt it necessary to remind the youngster. Continuing like this wasn’t just a waste of time; it was becoming detrimental.

”I know that, but we’ve observed enough. As long as we can control the creature’s Black Lightning, everything else will be easy,” Igor stated confidently, believing this discovery would play a crucial role.

However, Igor was unaware that, to everyone else, his statement was painfully obvious.

Of course it was obvious! Who didn’t know that if they could control the lightning, the monster’s threat would be significantly reduced? But given the current circumstances, who could control lightning? Igor was just talking idly, completely detached from the reality of the situation...

They couldn’t find an appropriate way to tell Igor his thinking was flawed. Even Kadi, known for his bluntness, was rendered speechless, seemingly completely taken aback by Igor.

But Igor continued to repeat, ”We’ve observed enough,” without any consideration for others’ feelings. Everyone understood the key aspects had been observed, but that didn’t equate to having a method to combat the monster! These were two completely different matters, yet the young man had conflated them, which was wrong.

”So, tell us what you’re planning,” Kuren finally said. He had no idea what Igor was really up to, so he decided to ask him directly.

”I mean we can go help the elders at Moonflow Stream now!” Igor exclaimed, bewildered. In his mind, everything he said was logical, but everyone else seemed not to understand, which he found unsettling.

His response only bemused the group even more. Honestly! Everyone knew they needed to help Kevin and Milo, but the crucial point was *how* to help. They couldn’t just offer verbal support and then, upon reaching Moonflow Stream, end up just as flustered as Kevin and Milo, effectively bolstering the enemy’s morale! Of course, if they went there right now, Kevin and Milo might be encouraged, and their spirits might lift. However, the fundamental situation wouldn’t change; they would still be the ones getting beaten... This was certainly not the outcome they desired. They aimed to deliver a crushing blow to the enemy upon reaching Moonflow Stream...

Therefore, despite all Igor had said, they still felt he was spouting nonsense and completely wasting their time.

Among the entire group, only Kadi seemed excited. Kadi cared deeply for Kevin and was eager to help. Although he didn’t know exactly how he could assist, the fire Igor had ignited fueled his impulsiveness.

”Yes, yes, we have to go help Kevin! We can’t just keep dawdling here!” Kadi exclaimed hastily. He was truly anxious to get to Moonflow Stream and help Kevin. Even if he couldn’t be of much practical assistance, he wanted to be there, standing by Kevin’s side, even if only to offer moral support.

”Igor, earlier you cautioned us against acting impulsively. But now you’re the one pushing to rush off to Moonflow Stream. How do you explain this...” Joseph said, steeling himself. He too wanted to help at Moonflow Stream but understood that reckless assistance could just create more problems. They couldn’t act rashly without complete confidence.

Yet, Igor’s demeanor suggested he believed they already had the upper hand and didn’t need to worry about the monster at Moonflow Stream at all.

With someone finally broaching the awkward subject, the others felt a sense of relief. Questions they had been hesitant to ask, or that they felt might discourage Igor, came pouring out.

”Have you discovered the monster’s weakness?”

”Do you have a detailed, comprehensive plan to completely avoid the monster’s Black Lightning?”

”We can’t take risks without adequate preparation!”

”Helping like that will only make matters worse! It’ll just be pure interference!”

”Exactly! We need a foolproof plan. We can’t just act recklessly. For instance, do we currently have a way to avoid the lightning, or to nullify the monster’s Black Lightning?”

One by one, they voiced their well-reasoned points, turning it into something like a public criticism session directed at Igor.

However, Igor neither blushed nor did his heart race with shame. He remained as calm as before and then quietly replied, ”More or less.”

This response landed like a bombshell on the chattering crowd, instantly silencing them. They stared at Igor, utterly incredulous.

”Yes, really. More or less. Lightning. Some among us know how to capture lightning, and there are definitely people here who can capture this lightning,” Igor said nonchalantly, as if discussing something as mundane as eating or drinking tea.

Catching lightning? Such a preposterous idea! It was almost unbelievable. But coming from Igor, it sounded so... simple? Everyone exchanged glances. Indeed, Igor always managed to give them rather unusual experiences...