One-Eyed Monster

Is this an anomaly? Many must have been asking themselves this question at that moment.

When the shards began to float, the scene seemed frozen in time. This slow-motion, replay-like scenario left everyone in awe, their actions and thoughts becoming sluggish as a result. Like the slow-moving pieces, they found themselves becoming slower and slower. It was only when they eventually reacted that they realized this scene was indeed anomalous. This unexpected occurrence led to speculation about what the opponent intended to do with these fragments.

”This is bad!” Estev was the first to exclaim. He had previously dueled with a duplicate of Wizard Reed on the mountainside, where the clone’s subsequent detonation had caused them significant trouble. It was not just Estev; Stan Sol, Brad, and others had also experienced it. The one thing they all feared at this moment was a corpse explosion!

”Watch out for detonation! We need to increase our defense!” someone shouted.

Explosions were Milo’s specialty, and he was eager to see just how potent the opponent’s would be. So, Milo urged his Exchange Beast into action, intending to fight fire with fire, using an explosion to counter the opponent’s blast. Meanwhile, Joela quickly constructed a transparent, defensive Diamond Wall to shield against any impending rapid explosion.

However, at this moment, Wizard Reed did not opt for detonation. Although such kamikaze-style attacks appeared visually stunning, they could only be used sparingly. For example, for each Ant Explosion performed by the Alchemy Workshop’s wizard, he potentially risked losing an Exchange Beast—such a cost was quite lamentable. Therefore, the Dark Arts, which always pursued acquisition and Devouring, would not waste time on techniques that, despite their overwhelming effectiveness against foes, still entailed some cost to the user.

Wizard Reed’s plans far exceeded their imagination. They only acknowledged perfection, viewing broken remnants with a critical gaze. But the Power of Darkness is different. It devours everything and allows all to compete under equal conditions. In darkness, fearlessness and cowardice are one and the same. The Power of Darkness does not show special regard for the influential Politician, nor does it sneer at the destitute. It obstructs the sight of all and unsettles everyone. It accepts all things and devours all things. It plunges everyone into silence, yet it also allows them to revel in the uproar. The Power of Darkness is all-encompassing; it is everything.

Wizard Reed gauged his surroundings. The timing was perfect. All his power was about to merge with the darkness, making him the Messenger of Darkness, ready to devour everything. When darkness descends, the timing is always uncanny and precise.

The shards floating in the air paid no heed to Wizard Reed’s musings, despite having drifted like a slow-motion replay for some time. Conversely, Wizard Reed, floating in the air, transformed due to these fragments. Previously a pitch-black, motionless mass resembling a giant black moon, he now seemed to have grown wings, soaring incessantly.

This sudden change was rather bewildering.

”Heh heh heh... HAHAHAHA!” Wizard Reed seemed to expand instantaneously, bursting into hysterical laughter in mid-air. ”All of you will become offerings! The King of Darkness is coming! All offerings must give up their souls!”

”Has this guy gone mad? What’s this about offerings?” Kadi abruptly asked. Kadi always spoke his mind and never minced words.

”I don’t know, but him floating there with his cloak flapping in the air looks pretty majestic,” Igor replied to Kadi. For Igor, these were sights he had never encountered, so he dared not judge recklessly.

Others were even more perplexed. What happened to the promised explosion? Was this all a smokescreen? Thankfully, they always had a backup plan and had already established their extreme defenses. They had great faith in Joela’s defensive capabilities. The Diamond Wall was incredibly solid, not something anyone could breach at will.

”Pathetic humans, always thinking they are invincible. In reality, all this is but a puff of smoke,” Wizard Reed started musing again. Many who suddenly gain power tend to do this, constantly pontificating. It seemed to be the case with Reed; as his Power of Darkness grew, so did his words. It’s important to remember that this individual was previously a man of few words. Could it be that the power he had gained had driven him from silence to madness?

Igor found himself perplexed by the situation, an unsettling feeling lingering within him. Unable to put his finger on it, he decided to continue observing. Wizard Reed seemed engrossed in his own speech, as if he had forgotten what he was meant to do, still jabbering away in the air. Igor listened intently and deduced that it was nothing more than the opponent, having suddenly gained power, now mocking everyone. This mocking was indeed quite vexing, as nobody knew its purpose.

As Igor was lost in thought, Hustace suddenly approached. ”Igor, the Water Wall has changed! It looks like the Summoner’s abilities have advanced again,” Hustace reminded him, speaking only to Igor, the one person he trusted unconditionally.

At this moment, Igor genuinely didn’t know what to do. He had long since forgotten about the Water Wall. Over time, it had weakened, and even the water pillars it once spouted had ceased. Now, however, this Water Wall had suddenly become something entirely different; it began to move and strongly resembled a humanoid figure made of water.

This... Igor once again sensed a powerful aura from the Water Folk, one that seemed to carry an intense desire for destruction.

”Wa...Water Folk...” Igor wanted to share this critical information with everyone at that moment, but he found himself unable to utter a word.

”Here, only I call the shots,” Wizard Reed clearly sensed Igor’s stirring intent. He didn’t want his summoned creature’s weakness to be found by the opponent before it could truly display its power. Wizard Reed attached great importance to this. The Power of Darkness had already been infused into his body. Although it could be powerful enough to disdain everything, instinct still made him utter those words.

Sometimes, instinct can betray oneself. The Power of Darkness was indeed formidable, but how to control it was also an issue. Wizard Reed was clearly not yet a seasoned expert who could handle it with ease. In the current situation, instinct still held sway.