One-Eyed Monster

Although Kadi was reluctant to be a jerk, he couldn't stop others from thinking he was one.

There were plenty of people who thought he was a jerk, and at the top of that list was Kevin, the old scoundrel Kadi often complained about.

This Kevin had a white beard, several sharp angles protruding from his head, and looked undeniably ferocious.

Kevin was Kadi's mentor on Guru Mountain. He took great care of Kadi and was very concerned about his every word and action.

Kadi often recalled Kevin's angry, scolding expression. If Kadi made even the slightest mistake in his research, Kevin would glare and scold him harshly.

But sometimes Kevin was very caring towards Kadi. Especially when Kadi was being mischievous and got lost, Kevin would always be the first to appear, smiling kindly.

Therefore, Kadi had mixed feelings about Kevin. Sometimes, Kadi was so opposed to Kevin's strictness that it bordered on hatred; he would grit his teeth and shiver with anger. Yet, at other times, he felt extremely comforted by Kevin's meticulous concern, considering himself fortunate to be cared for by such an elder.

Kadi didn't know that Kevin felt the same way about him.

As a monster on Guru Mountain, Kevin was known as one of the foremost among them. He had a robust physique, extraordinary courage, great agility, and abundant Spirit Power.

At a glance, Kevin seemed like a leader among the monsters, with the ability to rule an entire mountain peak. Yet, this seemingly perfect monster was saddled with a tail he couldn't shake off, forcing him to be cautious in everything he did.

The tail Kevin couldn't shake off was Kadi, the little blue-skinned monster who was often more trouble than he was worth.

At this moment, Kevin was pacing with his hands behind his back, contemplating the various issues that had recently arisen on Guru Mountain.

As one of the guardians, he clearly sensed an unusual situation on Guru Mountain. However, he hadn't expected things to happen so suddenly—even Kuren of Dawn Peak had fallen. Without the Shield of Dawn Peak, many things on Guru Mountain would become transparent and vulnerable.

However, as a guardian, he had always been inept at planning and setting up defenses. His true strength lay in protecting a specific individual. It was for this reason that he became Kadi's Guide.

Kevin was now in the Stone House Kadi had longed for. His current mission was to stand guard.

Through the house, under the moonlight, he could see the thin mist over the white marshes, but only for a short while. Before long, true night would descend, and all of Guru Mountain would plunge into darkness and biting cold.

Kevin's task at this moment was to protect the owner of this Stone House: the 'monster boss,' as Kadi called him; their Great Mentor, now named Guru Guru, formerly Guzan.

"Kevin, there's really no need for you to guard me." The Great Mentor's voice was deep, carrying weight.

"Mentor, given the current abnormal situation, I can't take that risk," Kevin answered decisively, a testament to a guardian's most basic quality.

"Actually…" The Great Mentor hesitated, as if struggling with unspoken words.

"Mentor, you don't need to say much; we all understand. This mountain has given us a new life. We're not just protecting you; we're protecting the mountain itself," Kevin said with determination, his reverence for the Great Mentor clear.

The Great Mentor sighed and rubbed his eyes. "Ai! It's been so many years. It's been hard on you all."

"Mentor, it's not your fault. If anyone is to blame, it's that arrogant boy. Without him, we wouldn't be in this state."

"Kevin," the Great Mentor could hear the anger in Kevin's voice. Past events were indeed unpleasant, and it wasn't easy to quickly determine who was right or wrong. "Kuyi Tulan... that child is merely blinded. I still believe he is good-hearted deep down."

"No, Mentor, you are too kind!"

"After all these years, I think it's time for another face-to-face conversation." The Great Mentor sighed, seemingly having already decided something.

"But, Mentor!" Kevin shouted hoarsely, trying desperately to prevent something.

"I understand, Kevin. I'll handle it. I've been in a fairly good mood these past couple of days, and I've even felt like fishing."

"We... we are willing to follow you, Mentor!" Kevin also hesitated, a familiar reluctance surfacing within him—that reluctance was also a tail he couldn't shake off.

"I know your concerns, Kevin. Kadi is a child we all watched grow up. I promise I won't let him get involved in this."

"Mentor…" Truthfully, Kevin wasn't worried about Kadi getting drawn into this conflict; he was worried about Kadi's current situation.

But as the little monster's Guide, Kevin naturally knew Kadi very well. That little rascal would say one thing and do another, insisting on challenging the impossible despite lacking the strength.

Kevin knew Kadi couldn't possibly make it out of Ghost Wind Valley alone, so every time Kadi went to Dawn Peak to play, Kevin would remind Dastan and Kuren to look after him carefully.

And every time, Dastan and Kuren indeed helped a great deal. They would secretly guide Kadi, letting him believe he had found the way himself, which fostered a sense of superiority in him.

The reason Kevin allowed Kadi to experience this sense of superiority was that he deeply understood Kadi's loneliness. As a lonely outcast, if Kadi became disappointed in himself, despair would likely follow.

"Mentor, I've failed as a Guide. That little rascal Kadi, I…"

"No, no, no, you're doing very well, Kevin. Kadi is growing up just fine," the Great Mentor interrupted.

"But, I don't even know where that little rascal is right now."

CHUCKLE. "That little fellow? He's at Moonflow Stream," said the Great Mentor.

"Huh? How did he end up there?" Kevin couldn't believe his ears.

"Look at you," the Great Mentor chuckled, a note of wonder in his voice. "I truly didn't expect your concern for that little fellow to run so deep."

"I…" Kevin felt somewhat embarrassed. When it came to that little rascal Kadi, he genuinely did care a lot.

"I sensed his Spirit Power, and he even has a companion with him." The Great Mentor smiled, seemingly content with Kadi's current situation.

"A companion?" Kevin couldn't believe his ears. That little rascal Kadi actually had a companion!

"And they even broke the World Setting Technique in Ghost Wind Valley. The younger generation is truly formidable."

"What?" Kevin was even more incredulous.

What in the world had that little rascal Kadi experienced to be able to break the Great Mentor's World Setting Technique!

"Don't underestimate that little fellow Kadi. He and his companion... well, they've allowed me to sense an old friend's Spirit Power once more!"