One-Eyed Monster

The Dark Force found it impossible. How could a young man, with whom he’d had no prior contact, possibly know his own story? It was unbelievable. Thus, he grew increasingly interested in the story this young man was about to tell. What story is this boy going to tell, and why is he dithering so much, only to narrate an irrelevant tale?

”I come from a mountain, once a barren wilderness. The people on our mountain survived by chopping wood and hunting,” Igor finally began his story.

Kadi had never heard this story about Igor, so he was quite intrigued.

”We all thought we would live this way, chopping wood, hunting, and watching the sunrise and sunset every day.”

”These inconsequential things are difficult to make into a story,” the Dark Force, drawn into Igor’s narrative, commented.

”That’s not necessarily true. Every story starts from the mundane; even wood chopping and hunting can lead to various peculiarities.”

”HUMPH!” Dark Force scoffed.

He didn’t believe that such mundane experiences could conjure any earth-shaking stories. He had devoured people with such lives before; their experiences were as bland as plain water, without a ripple of interest.

”But right now, I’m not going to tell you those stories about chopping wood. Those stories are precious, and I don’t want to waste them.”

”HMPH!” The Dark Force scoffed again. This boy is procrastinating too much, making such a fuss over a mundane introductory story. He’s quite the character.

Kadi shared the same view. Igor is so long-winded, completely inconsiderate of others’ feelings. Everyone is waiting! Yet, Kadi himself hadn’t noticed any significant changes in his surroundings; he, too, was captivated by Igor’s storytelling style.

”Our peaceful life was disrupted by a governor, a man with an exaggerated beard. No one knew he was a governor when he first arrived.”

Igor’s story was special. Despite being mundane, it held an unusual allure.

Igor’s story was actually the tale of the establishment of Yonder Travel Academy. The governor with the exaggerated beard was naturally Governor Rostov.

The location chosen for Yonder Travel Academy was indeed a secluded place. Yet, it was surrounded by mountains, forming a natural shield.

This was why Rostov chose to establish the institute there. After all, Yonder Travel Academy was his property, and he needed to protect it. The natural shield saved him much trouble.

”Our mountain underwent a revolutionary transformation with the arrival of the governor, influencing each one of us in unexpected ways.”

Igor began to narrate the story of the early days of Yonder Travel Academy’s establishment. Although the story was ordinary, Igor believed it could intrigue the Dark Force. He reasoned that the Dark Force rarely encountered such mundane tales and, faced with one, would become curious about its developments.

Perhaps, in the eyes of the Dark Force, nothing notable happened in the story because everything was so plain. There was no revenge or plot, only trivial household affairs.

But the more it developed this way, the more the Dark Force felt a yearning he couldn’t quite articulate.

”The Yonder Travel Academy founded by Governor Rostov changed us all. Even though the mountain was transformed and many were no longer able to chop wood or hunt, we found a new way of life.”

Igor slowly described the changes brought about by the Academy. His narrative was peaceful, drawing in many listeners as if they were there.

The Dark Force, too, experienced a strange sense of affinity. This story involved neither killing nor plotting, yet it still contained choices and struggles.

He was starting to feel the difference.

”Some of us chose to continue living in the mountains, while others chose to side with the Academy. They integrated themselves into the Academy, becoming cooks, gardeners, and even teachers.”

Everyone made different choices, but ultimately for survival. No matter what their previous struggles were like, the arrival of Yonder Travel Academy changed their original lives. Their descendants even gained the chance to change their destinies.

Igor chose to tell the story of the impact of the academy’s establishment, thinking such a tale could offer a slight sense of belonging to those who felt lost.

Direction is crucial, and your choice of where to go is the foundation. No one knows how the world will eventually turn out, but when one makes a choice, they find the world simple and clear.

Igor’s story had subtly touched the Dark Force, so much so that he hadn’t yet realized it had concluded.

”This is how I went from a child who only knew how to chop wood in the mountains to a young man hoping to explore everywhere.”

”HMMHMM!”

”That’s the end of my story.”

”WHAT?”

”Now it’s your turn. But this time, you need to tell four stories. My story was about myself, so it counts for five. You told one earlier, which offsets one of those, leaving four still untold.”

”WHAT?” The Dark Force was perplexed. How could the story be over already? I haven’t heard enough!

”It’s your turn to tell a story.”

”But...”

”No ’buts.’ Rules are to be followed, not debated,” Igor stated firmly, without the slightest hesitation.

”I...” The Dark Force didn’t lack stories to tell, but he felt deeply resentful. To think that abruptly ended story is worth five of mine! It’s utterly unfair!

The crucial point was that he had agreed to the rule. He couldn’t go back on his word now. But the thought of telling the stories under these conditions... I’m so unwilling...

The Dark Force paced like an ant on a hot griddle. Should I tell them, or not?

If I don’t tell, it will damage my image. But if I do, it’s too galling—his one story for five of mine!

”You could also tell your own story. That way, I would owe you a story,” suggested Igor.

”HUH?” The Dark Force looked as if he half-understood, yet was still confused.

”For instance, talk about where you come from, and what’s special about your home,” Igor coaxed patiently. He’ll fall right into my trap.

But the Dark Force became even more hesitant. Seriously? Topics like ’where I came from’ or ’where I’m going’... those are things beings like us instinctively avoid.

So, as for my own story... I truly know nothing at all...