A Man's Insanity: A Changing World

"Here, please sit here while you wait for our master." A girl, who had her whole body covered in a violet cloak, brought Yang Zhai and his group to a room.

This room had two floor tables with cushions placed around them. On the tables were many dishes. Right in the middle of these tables were clay pots. In the pots was tea made from tea leaves.

They didn't say anything and sat around these tables and began to wait.

Jun Haru picked up the pot and poured some tea into a bowl.

"This tea is nothing special." Jun Haru muttered.

"Anyway, do you know anything about the master that the servant just spoke about?" Shi Kim asked.

"No, it is my first time on this mountain."

"What about the person you speak about…"

"Quiet, we cannot talk about him from now on. Don't you know where we are sitting?" Jun Haru hurriedly stopped Shi Kim from speaking any further.

We don't know if we are being watched or not, so we cannot speak about Brother Yang casually here. It will get us in trouble if they end up saying anything related to how we won: Jun Haru reflected.

He was just contemplating when the door opened and an old man entered the room.

He was the same old man who had ordered the opening of the Mantora Mountain to the world. His beard was thin and reached his chest. He came and sat down without saying anything.

"I am Mu Kang, people of this mountain call me the master of this mountain even though I am not. But… one of you for sure can become the master of this mountain." Said the old man.

Jun Haru and the others were quiet. They didn't understand what this old man was trying to say.

"First of all, you need to know that this mountain has many stronger figures than me, I am not the peak here. Second, on this mountain, trust matters. Third, a big event is about to take place on the Mantora Mountain. Exactly after three days, a unique torus is about to wake up after many decades. It would recognize the one it sees as its master…"

"This competition was held to select the one worthy of inheriting that torus. Know this, on this mountain live three races, one human and the other one torus. But there is a third one that comes into existence when these two come together…"

"This is the reason this mountain is called Mantora Mountain. That third race is called the Mantora race. Separating the word would make Man and Torus. At first, this Mountain was called Mantora because of these two races. But, when a third race came into existence, we named them Mantora…"

"Nobody dares to mess with us. Forget about that third race, even when only the human race and the torus race on this mountain work together, we become formidable. This is the reason trust matters the most on this mountain." Mu Kang said.

Others listened to him carefully. This man was getting straight to the point without any greetings or other talk.

"You seven were selected when we saw how much you value and trust each other. Tell me, why did you want to compete?" Mu Kang asked.

"Well…" Everyone was quiet. However, Jun Haru spoke after a while and went quiet again.

"Well…" Mu Kang repeated.

"Well, there is someone we respect more than anyone else in this world. He wanted to compete in this competition being held on the Mantora Mountain. However, we were separated a few months ago. We… came here hoping to find him. But…"

"But, we didn't find him here. However, we still went for the competition. First, because we respect him and also wanted to stay on this mountain to wait for him." Jun Haru replied after thinking.

Mu Kang was silent.

So, they went for it to respect their friend, huh? We were right to select them: He thought.

"Do you know why many people compete in this observation even though there aren't many rewards? The reason is that the one they want is the unique torus that awakens after many years, decades, or even centuries. It would have the ability to strengthen its body along with being able to fuse with its master…"

"I think this is the reason your friend wanted to compete in this observation." Mu Kang answered the question that wasn't even asked.

"Can we ask what would happen to us after we obtain that torus?" Si Yu asked.

"That's up to you. However, I would recommend staying with us. In the past, we used to force people to stay with us, but not anymore. Know this, that a torus isn't something ordinary, many people want it. If you leave this mountain, you will be chased by many. On this mountain, we can at least protect you, but if you leave…"

"Besides, the one to inherit that torus would be able to bypass the people of the same rank in strength. This is the reason they seek this. Anyway, if you stay with us, we will not only protect you but also train you until you can walk into the outside world."

Mu Kang thought a little before answering.

I need to be careful as I cannot let them think it would be like a prison staying here. Besides, if they stay here, we would be able to change their minds into becoming one of us instead of leaving: he thought.

"This is an opportunity for which many people give their lives. Just as you saw that people came here from all around the Suru Continent just for this torus. This is an opportunity that cannot be missed."

Jun Haru and the others were thinking.

…..

After three days,

On Mantora Mountain, in a cave.

Many people had gathered there, and accompanying them were Jun Haru and his group.

They had gathered today for the Torus that was about to awaken.

In front of them was a spring. From the spring rose something with a round shape. This thing was completely brown and was glistening.

"You seven, stand there," As Mu Kang said this, he pointed at the eight round shapes around the strange thing.

They did as they were told, they made a circle around and stood on the seven spots.

As they did this, another person from among the guards came forward and stood on the eight round shapes.

In the past, we used to choose the two to three most prominent groups and complete the eight-person requirement. However, this group, strangely and fortunately had seven people to begin with. As there's only one spot left, I cannot choose another group and will have to substitute with one of my people.

If this group had six people, I would have chosen another group and let them compete against one another to choose the winner who would inherit that unique torus. And everyone else would fill the eight spots required for awakening the torus.

These were Mu Kang's thoughts.

!|!*****!*****!|!

To clarify, this torus isn't the same as Taurus, it's different.