One-Eyed Monster

There’s an old saying: no man can step into the same river twice.

Nothing stays the same forever. If you always view things from a static perspective, you will never reach the end.

Wizard Reed had somewhat overestimated himself. He felt as if he had just returned, gilded by his recent successes, under the protection of the spirits, ready to further display his overwhelming abilities. Yet, he was unaware that his adversaries had also progressed. Everyone undergoes a significant change after a tribulation, a fact Wizard Reed overlooked. He thought his old tricks would still work, a gross underestimation of others’ strength.

Indeed, his power was immense, as he had managed to contend with so many legendary individuals up to this point. Perhaps it was this fleeting advantage that made him a little arrogant.

While the Arrow Rain sneak attack couldn’t be considered a complete success, it had struck a blow nonetheless. This outcome made him even more complacent.

Wizard Reed didn’t know that his old enemies, despite forming a defensive circle, were not solely focused on defense this time around.

Joseph’s Eagle Eye ability wasn’t of much use at this moment, but as the Hawk of Guru Mountain, his instincts had long since informed him of the danger’s origin. United, they were all curious to see the true colors of this Dark Wizard who had been lurking in the shadows. Thus, at this moment, there was no need for further mobilization; they had all silently reached a consensus.

Jemma’s Night Vision ability had already come into play. His vision unimpeded by the darkness, his third eye promptly relayed everything it perceived. Through sharing their Spirit Vision, everyone present knew the enemy’s situation.

”Push him out!” Kevin commanded coldly. They were now seething with rage and absolutely would not show any mercy to this enemy.

Guru Mountain was their home, and this invader had wrought such devastation. How could they not avenge such deep-seated hatred?

Day was no longer day, night no longer night. The singing Moonflow Stream had lost every trace of moonlight, its songs utterly gone. What was once beautiful was now suffused with an aura of death. This was Guru Mountain, invaded by the Dark Force, now devoid of any vitality—deathly still, like a deep, abyssal graveyard.

Such a state of Guru Mountain was sickening; it was a sight no one could stomach. This was Wizard Reed’s creation, an outcome the creatures of Guru Mountain could not forgive. So now, they were all filled with righteous indignation.

When Kevin uttered the words, ”Push him out!” Yuga’s Wind Elementals had already swept forth with their weapons. They were going to force their opponent out!

Not just Kevin, the people from the Alchemy Workshop were also furious. Their anger wasn’t just because of Guru Mountain; it was because they had been used by this Dark Wizard. If not for the Alchemy Workshop’s prior explorations, Guru Mountain Kuren’s World Setting Technique Maze Array would not have been broken so easily, and Dawn Peak would not have fallen so swiftly. If Dawn Peak had remained, the battlefield would have been there, and it wouldn’t have reached the Moonflow Stream.

But these were all hypotheticals. The current problem was that the Moonflow Stream had already become a battlefield, and no one could change that. What they could change was to fight fiercely and vent their frustrations.

Yuga’s Wind Elementals were like knives, slashing and chopping everything around them, even shattering the stone that shielded Wizard Reed. This was the power of natural elements, capable of destroying everything as if it were rotten wood.

How was my position exposed? This shouldn’t have happened! Wizard Reed was shocked.

But before he could recover from his surprise, a barrage of spears came flying at him. This was Milo’s handiwork; each spear he threw was a heavy blow. Wizard Reed couldn’t dodge them all. SCRAPE! One pierced his arm.

With his movements restricted, his entire demeanor soured.

”You... how did you discover...” Since they’ve found me, I might as well speak plainly, Wizard Reed began to think. But he had underestimated their fury. Before he could finish his thought, the Alchemy Workshop’s Exchange Beast attacked again.

As far as the group was concerned, there was no need to waste words on this Dark Wizard; beating him up directly was the best approach. There were so many of them; they believed they should pin this Dark Wizard down and give him a sound thrashing.

Wizard Reed, dragging his wounded arm, continued to dodge the Exchange Beast’s attacks. The enemy’s onslaught was so relentless that he could only defend, unable to mount any effective counterattack. This wasn’t his style, and he felt deeply uncomfortable.

I used to be the one attacking while others struggled to defend. Now the roles are reversed. Is the sky falling? Everyone has witnessed the power of the Dark Force. Why can’t I, Wizard Reed, become powerful at this moment?

Wizard Reed desperately wanted to ignore these attacks and continue to crush his opponents. But the truth was harsh; he could only defend himself, without an opportunity to counterattack.

The disadvantage of ranged attacks was now apparent. He lacked competent Physique Techniques for close combat and could only attack from a distance. Now that his position was exposed, he was forced into passive defense.

If possible, I too would want excellent Physique Techniques. However, the spells and equations required for ranged attacks have deprived me of a strong physique, and I can’t summon any close-combat creatures to help me right now.

He had nearly exhausted his trump cards, yet the enemy’s attacks grew fiercer, unconsciously instilling fear in him.

But fear isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Fear can make one calmer. It was a complicated matter. The Dark Arts he studied were always different from other arts; its shortcuts were simply bought with greater sacrifices.

The people from the Alchemy Workshop were closing in. He could sense their fury, but not their murderous intent.

But even if there was murderous intent, I wouldn’t be afraid now. That earlier fear has given me a certain strength. Now, I am renewed. A person cannot step into the same river twice. Your sneak attack this time was quite successful. But as one of the few Dark Wizards in the Black Crow, I will not fall to the same people twice.

A faint smile touched Wizard Reed’s lips. To be honest, he was feeling a little excited.

I didn’t expect them to show such fighting spirit. Now I can test my own progress and let these furious fools experience what true Dark Force is. Perhaps they’ve experienced something similar before, but it doesn’t matter. This time, I’ll let them truly savor it...

Wizard Reed closed his eyes. Death... I am all too familiar with it... The power from the darkness has long allowed me to transcend the conventional...