One-Eyed Monster

The question of ”Who are you?” suddenly spread throughout the Moonflow Stream.

Even though it was only the Dark Force and Kadi communicating now, it didn’t prevent others from listening attentively. Besides, aside from listening, they couldn’t do anything else.

Igor, for example, felt a bit envious at this moment. Even though emotions were slowly fading, this particular feeling became all the more precious because of it.

However, Igor couldn’t express it. At this moment, his ability to express himself, just like that of others, had vanished.

The only one present with the full ability to express himself was Kadi.

The Dark Force, despite encountering such a situation once more, seemed to enjoy it. He felt that what he was about to face was unprecedented and increasingly interesting.

However, this wasn’t Kadi’s perspective. He was as impatient as ever. To be honest, Kadi had been itching for a fight ever since those Little Black Hands appeared. Holding it in until now was genuinely uncomfortable.

Previously, Wizard Reed, with his mystical ramblings and air of superiority, hadn’t taken them seriously at all.

This time, however, this new entity actually showed interest in them. Of course, this interest seemed akin to that of a gourmand eyeing a lavish feast...

Since being summoned to this world, this Dark Force had Devoured countless souls. Each time, he was left unsatisfied. So much time had passed that he’d almost forgotten his last Devouring. He was aimlessly summoned by others, Devoured everything, and then was sealed by them again. This process was like a cycle, so mundane that even he found it tedious.

He had initially thought he would have to repeat the same old journey, planning to share his story with these people before seeking new pleasures.

To his surprise, enjoyment had presented itself. This one-eyed creature had somehow slipped from his control, which he found somewhat unbelievable.

He was no weakling. After experiencing so many summonings and confinements, he had long ago elevated his power to an indescribable state.

His claim of never engaging in fights also had a basis.

After all, the countless cycles and Reincarnations had led him to reflect repeatedly. No matter the era, he could always recall his slow, lonely growth within the Space Eye.

Summoning him wasn’t easy. Those Summoners were too weak; they could only sustain his presence in this world for a short time. A longer duration would make him unstable. Even if he Devoured those Summoners, he couldn’t remain in this world for long...

Deep contemplation eventually bore fruit. He finally realized his inability to remain in this world freely stemmed from insufficient strength.

Thus, he swallowed his pride, studied patiently, and finally awaited an opportunity to discover a secret that would allow him to remain in this world permanently.

This secret might be perceived as paramount power by others, but to him, it simply meant an end to the constant back-and-forth. He desperately wanted to avoid returning to the Space Eye; it was utterly dull. This world was much better.

No, any world would be better than the Space Eye...

The secret, naturally, was related to Backlash. After a Summoner summoned him, he could use his formidable power to inflict Backlash upon them, completely assimilating them. Then, he could replace that person and live in this world.

However, he wasn’t a skilled imposter. He always exposed his identity almost immediately, and people would quickly discover his true nature. No matter how strong he was, he couldn’t defeat a group. Thus, after each exposure, he would be sealed back into the Space Eye while he slept.

Then, he would begin his long slumber again.

He had long forgotten whether it was nine hundred and eighty-seven or nine hundred and ninety-seven times. All he knew was that after so many Reincarnations, he always ended up back at square one.

Nobody could explain why this vicious creature was defeated every time. And every time, the one who defeated him was an insignificant being.

He didn’t need to fight; he won through Devouring and lost in sleep.

This was his truest nature, and also the aspect that had frustrated him for all these years.

In the Space Eye, he had reflected countless times.

”So, you turned into such a chatterbox because you’ve been holding it all in!” Kadi remarked with a sigh after listening to the Dark Force’s lengthy tale.

”You certainly can’t understand this feeling,” the Dark Force replied. ”I’ve been lonely for such an incredibly long time. None of you could possibly comprehend it.”

”I can’t truly comprehend that length of time,” Kadi said, ”but I’ve certainly experienced loneliness for periods shorter than yours.” Kadi found himself opening up to the Dark Force. Just moments ago, he had been rolling up his sleeves, ready for a fight; now, they conversed like old friends.

Perhaps this was a common ground born from shared misery.

Fortunately, while all this transpired, everyone else was rendered emotionless and incapable of communication. Otherwise, many would undoubtedly be voicing their disbelief or making sarcastic remarks at this moment.

The seemingly congenial conversation didn’t make Kadi lower his guard. After all, an enemy was an enemy; they wouldn’t spare you just because of a pleasant chat.

So Kadi continued to observe everything cautiously.

”I didn’t expect my first formal conversation with someone to be so pleasant, WAHAHAHA!” The Dark Force laughed so hard his cloak billowed around him.

The darkness still held the dominant position. The Dark Force’s laughter was powerful enough to overwhelm everything else. It seemed to contain a multitude of things, complex emotions, like a vast entity suddenly enveloping a chaotic jumble of items.

Kadi was not Igor. He couldn’t discern anything from the laughter. He just knew that this Dark Force harbored no goodwill; even if he seemed to enjoy their chat, he hadn’t shown any true kindness.

The feeling was completely different from his conversations with Igor. When he first met Igor, they also had cheerful talks, but the joy they brought felt entirely different. Igor gave him a refreshing sensation, like sitting under a cool parasol tree. This Dark Force, however, was utterly different; from start to finish, it made him feel as if he were standing on the edge of a cliff.

One could only say that an enemy is always an enemy; there’s no room for even a shred of complacency.

Kadi also knew he was now shouldering a heavy mission. All his friends had been rendered speechless and motionless by this inexplicable Dark Force, leaving him alone.

The feeling wasn’t particularly pleasant, but Kadi didn’t resent it. It was loneliness, and the only way to break this loneliness was to bring everyone back...

Despite how animated his conversation with the Dark Force seemed, he knew he was lonely at this moment.

At this moment, he truly understood what he wanted. Even though he still didn’t know where he came from or where he was going, he was certain he had found his companions.