One-Eyed Monster

Kevin inwardly cried out, Oh no!

He was helpless, clueless about why Kadi had chosen to come here. He was furious, but there was nothing he could do. Kadi’s recklessness had caused him to be struck by lightning. While this strike likely wouldn’t kill Kadi, such a heavy blow would undoubtedly require him to rest in the Slumber Room for many days...

Kevin turned his angry gaze towards the monster, his hand gripping his blade tightly. He had to slash this monster several times to vent his anger.

However, before Kevin could vent his rage, a familiar voice echoed through the air once more.

”COUGH, COUGH. Great Lightning Thunder attack, perfect for roasting meat!”

It was unmistakably Kadi’s voice; even if he were blindfolded, Kevin could still recognize this little guy’s voice.

Kevin refused to believe it. How could someone survive a lightning strike unharmed? He turned his gaze back to Kadi.

Indeed, Kadi was unscathed, with only a slightly larger pit next to him, making it appear rather miraculous.

”Hey, big monster, don’t think you’re awesome just because you can emit lightning. If you’re so great, zap out another Thunder!” Kadi stood with his hands on his hips, provocatively.

Snickering, Kevin almost broke out in laughter. This was undoubtedly Kadi’s style: never forgetting to stir some mischief even during dire situations. What a curious little guy indeed.

Milo also curiously eyed the one-eyed monster…

The monster emitted an unpleasant GROWL, a sign, as Kevin and Milo knew very well, that it was enraged!

WHOOSH! The monster released a Soundwave Attack. Kevin and Milo smirked at each other. Kevin readied his blade, waved it in a circle, and bravely met the Soundwave Attack.

CLANG! The monster’s Soundwave Attack was completely repelled by Kevin’s blade. The sound was loud, but it no longer disoriented those it struck.

Their shared grin was an unspoken agreement. They might not have uncovered the pattern to the creature’s lightning attacks, but they had realized that the monster couldn’t produce lightning at will. Every lightning strike, though irregular, required a specific interval. The creature couldn’t launch consecutive lightning attacks; it always alternated them with other types of strikes...

”Hey, ugly monster, see us over here? We’re ready for your lightning! Come on, strike me if you dare!” Kadi ramped up the provocation, seemingly trying to infuriate the monster.

Indeed, the slow-moving monster seemed to take the bait, letting out another GROWL.

The monster barely paid Kevin and Milo any mind anymore, its entire focus on moving towards Kadi...

”Heh, underestimating us, were you?” Kevin said, somewhat irritated. The tense atmosphere had lifted with Kadi’s arrival.

Although Kevin didn’t know how Kadi had made it this far, he wasn’t about to waste this opportunity now that the tension had eased.

You may spit out Black Lightning, but I, Kevin, am as fast as lightning!

Kevin struck once again, slashing swiftly before retreating. The blade edge was slightly rolled and corroded.

But this made one thing clear: his strikes had genuinely landed on the beast.

GROWL, GROWL, GROWL... The monster let out an unpleasant cry. This was a significant reaction, clearly in response to Kevin’s attack.

HOOHHH... The dull monster began to growl slowly...

”Not good!” This time, Milo voiced his concern. After several clashes, it was clear that although they hadn’t figured out the pattern, they could anticipate when the monster was about to unleash lightning. Despite the monster’s slow reactions, its lightning was incredibly fast. Even if they detected its intention, they couldn’t react quickly enough to dodge.

The lightning was too fast!

BOOM!

Even though Kevin had attacked it, the monster’s focus remained on Kadi; the bolt struck Kadi unerringly.

Yet Kadi just stood there, showing no sign of avoidance, as if utterly indifferent to the lightning.

Has he lost his mind?

Who is this boy?

This break allowed Kevin and Milo a chance to converse.

”He’s a kid we adopted. What does it matter to you!” At this point, Kevin started treating Milo as an outsider again.

It couldn’t be helped; who would have thought the situation would de-escalate, all because Kadi was still standing there unscathed.

”Hey, ugly monster, we dared to come here because we’re not afraid of you! Where’s your lightning? Let’s have it again!”

These words, ”Let’s have it again,” were like another thunderclap, provoking the monster into a fit of ugly, repetitive GROWLS.

However, it was unable to launch another lightning strike right away.

Its corrosive liquid attack would be effortlessly neutralized by Milo, while its Soundwave Attack would be deflected by Kevin’s blade...

It seemed to have lost any advantage it once had – all it could do was wait for its lightning to recharge!

Kevin looked at Kadi, wondering. When had the little guy’s abilities grown so much? There had to be something fishy...

Ah, so that was it! He had reinforcements behind him.

On closer inspection, Kevin discovered three more people behind Kadi. One he recognized as the boy named Igor, highly valued by the Great Mentor, while the other two were total strangers.

However, these three were Kadi’s true safeguard!

Although Kevin still didn’t quite understand how Kadi had avoided the lightning while standing in the same spot...

Actually, Kadi didn’t need to dodge at all. A lightning-processing team protected him from behind. One member was responsible for strategy, another for capturing the lightning, and the last one for storing it. Both the one capturing and the one storing faithfully listened to the strategist.

That strategist appeared to be in poor health, seemingly having taken a massive blow previously. With a look of constant fear on his face, he was hiding behind Igor, who was in charge of storing...

Kevin also saw two beautiful, colorful stones beside them, appearing to be the legendary Rain Crystal Stones...

”Ugly monster, hurry up! You’re not that competent,” Kadi continued to taunt.

GROWL, GROWL, GROWL! The monster was hysterical, its unpleasant cries much more frequent and louder than before.

”Seems like this monster is susceptible to provocation!” remarked Kevin.

At the same time, he became intrigued by Kadi—or rather, by the small team protecting Kadi. Clearly, their arrival had not only eased the atmosphere but also improved the overall situation on the battlefield!