One-Eyed Monster

The back-and-forth among the Guru Mountain monsters led Igor to reassess his earlier statements. It wasn’t that I was mistaken before, he realized, I simply lacked confidence.

Now, with the encouragement and reminders from the Guru Mountain monsters, he no longer felt the need to blame himself.

Some things were better left unsaid, and there was no point in digging deeper. Now that the Guru Mountain monsters had reached an agreement, their next task was to recuperate and prepare for the changes in the outside world.

The inevitable conflict between the Black Crow and the Alchemy Workshop would eventually throw the entire world into turmoil, and at that time, they would need to undertake crucial tasks.

Having decided not to contend with Kuyi Tulan, the monsters’ mood eased somewhat. They quietly awaited the Great Mentor’s decision.

The Great Mentor held a high position in their minds, and everyone respected him deeply.

”We... don’t really have another choice,” the Great Mentor sighed. Xiso had already made things very clear, but as the leader here, he needed to state his position.

Kadi hung his head. He had anticipated this outcome, but it was still quite different from what he had hoped for. Thus, he was rather disappointed, and his earlier excitement vanished completely.

”Next, we must constantly monitor the situation down the mountain. But before that, we also need to repair our home.”

”Yes, repair our home!” a monster echoed.

”We must also continue to improve ourselves. The Alchemy Workshop and the Black Crow will not stagnate; we must keep pace with their progress,” the Great Mentor continued.

”Yes, Mentor.” The monsters returned to their previous attentive state.

”And, I think we should pass on our legacy.”

The Great Mentor’s words stunned the monsters.

This was something no one had anticipated. Passing on a legacy wasn’t something one person could decide. All the monsters here possessed their own unique skills. Truthfully, they all wished to pass on their legacies, but there had never been the right opportunity, nor any suitable candidates.

It was a very sad state of affairs.

”But, Mentor, this... this is something we’re powerless to achieve!” some monsters voiced their difficulties. Passing on a legacy wasn’t something that could be done just by wanting it.

”I understand your concerns. However, for so many years, we’ve overlooked the people right beside us. In truth, we are perfectly capable of passing on our legacy.”

Kevin immediately perked up. Those around us... isn’t he talking about Kadi? he thought. Everyone else is old and withered like me; only Kadi still has the heart of a youth!

Doesn’t the Great Mentor’s implication mean he wants Kadi to inherit his mantle? Isn’t this precisely what I, Kevin, have always hoped for?

Now that it was finally about to happen, Kevin was incredibly excited.

The monsters exchanged glances; if Kevin could think of this, they naturally weren’t exceptions. This is Kadi... can this child truly bear so much responsibility after careful consideration?

Besides, Kadi was always in a somewhat muddled state. His aptitude for Spirit Power didn’t seem particularly outstanding—no, ’outstanding’ wasn’t the right word. Kadi’s Spirit Power was, in some respects, abnormal. His Spirit Power, and his way of comprehending it, were vastly different from everyone else’s. Choosing Kadi as the successor... it doesn’t seem like a very good choice.

Actually, they themselves felt that Igor, who was always by Kadi’s side, was a more suitable candidate for the succession. However, Igor had already refused the Great Mentor to his face, so he probably wouldn’t hold any expectations for them either.

That proud youth, Igor, aspired to become an Adventurer. Yet, none of the monsters here had any experience as Adventurers...

The monsters looked at one another, all feeling that this method wasn’t very good. However, they couldn’t bring themselves to refuse the Great Mentor’s words, so they remained silent for the moment.

”I understand your concerns. Let me reiterate this point: regardless of what difficulties you perceive, think about your previous experiences. Weren’t those enough to make you take notice?”

The Great Mentor’s reminder jolted the monsters back to their senses. This reminder was no small thing; their recent experience on Guru Mountain had shown them all sorts of possibilities. Everyone had sensed the abnormality about Kadi. Kuyi Tulan had even prioritized abducting Kadi...

The Great Mentor’s decision actually had another underlying meaning: to protect Kadi.

They now realized that Kadi was definitely not just a simple little monster. The secrets held by this blue-skinned fellow might be even greater than the secrets of this mountain.

Regardless, for now, Kadi was just a little monster, and a somewhat foolish one at that.

The Great Mentor’s reminder made the monsters begin to scrutinize Kadi anew. This kind of gaze made Kadi a little uncomfortable, but he couldn’t stop them. He could only keep inching closer to Igor, asking as he did, ”Why is everyone looking at me like that?”

”Hmm, because they’re going to take turns torturing you,” Igor said. He had understood the Great Mentor’s intentions early on and decided to tease Kadi a bit at this moment.

”Huh? Why? Why torture me?!” Kadi, who genuinely couldn’t take a joke, earnestly asked everyone present. This left the monsters unsure whether they should continue staring at him or not...

”Do you want to learn skills?” Igor asked Kadi, a wide smile on his face.

”Huh?” Kadi still didn’t understand what was going on and could only look at Igor, utterly bewildered.

”The elders are preparing to cultivate you. Do you have the resolve for it?” Igor didn’t beat around the bush. He was on the elders’ side now, anyway. He felt the world’s impending changes were deeply connected to him; if it weren’t for him, Guru Mountain’s secret wouldn’t have been lost.

Kadi looked at Igor, then at the other monsters, and nodded firmly.

This turn of events surprised everyone. They had initially thought Kadi wouldn’t accept so easily, yet now he had been persuaded by just a few words from Igor. This was simply incredible.

Kevin burst out laughing, clapping Kadi on the shoulder as he did, catching Kadi off guard.

”I knew you’d choose this, you little rascal!”

”Suddenly, I feel like there’s so much to do.” Kuren, too, scratched his head thoughtfully.

Indeed, passing on a legacy was no simple matter. Now that Kadi was willing, he would next have to face severe trials.

Watching the others, Igor was reminded of himself; I also need to improve, he thought.

However, they still faced many problems that had to be resolved one by one.

Kadi looked at everyone, feeling a little embarrassed. But it feels wrong not to say something at this moment, he thought. After all, I’ve accepted, so I should give some kind of acceptance speech!