One-Eyed Monster

「At the base of Guru Mountain, Lubin Tavern.」

"Sir!" The usually tight-lipped Brad suddenly spoke up.

This utterance of "Sir" carried too many messages within it, yet nobody but the Golden Seats at the Alchemy Workshop would likely be able to interpret the message it concealed. There were too many emotions embedded within this call: regret, dissatisfaction, rage, and defiance. Most importantly, within this utterance of "Sir" was a hint of something left unresolved…

Kuyi Tulan shook his head with a bitter smile. He initially thought that the Dark Alchemist, also setting formations somewhere, would fight to his last breath because he witnessed the other party using Wire Puppets to a cruel extent, with no regard whatsoever. Using corpses in battle formations was a savage method, to say nothing of the horrifying imagery created by these reanimated bodies. Even if this manner of combat was employed in the brutal Ghost Realm, it would still be regarded with disgust by the armies of the Mantai Empire. Although the armies of the Mantai Empire were brutal, they still held great reverence for The Dead. They believed that once a person had entered the Eternal Tranquility Realm, they should not be disturbed. If anyone dared to do such things to the warriors who had died for the Mantai Empire, everyone in the Mantai Empire, from top to bottom, would come seeking retribution. Something similar had happened in the history of the Kayne Empire, but no one could properly recall during which National Defense War.

Kuyi Tulan collected his thoughts, realizing he had drifted off. Brad was still waiting for his answer.

"A tightly strung bow awaiting the command to release its arrow, only for the opponent to suddenly surrender. That feeling is truly unpleasant," the Chief Alchemist of the Alchemy Workshop said, gazing at Brad with pity in his eyes.

Young Hector, standing to the side, couldn't help but chuckle.

"Don't laugh. Be serious. We haven't withdrawn the formation yet!" Milo reminded everyone.

"Don't feel bad, Brad. There will be other opportunities," Carmello consoled Brad, whose face showed clear disappointment.

"Hmph!" Brad lowered his gaze, letting out his iconic grunt.

Brad was one of the more combative individuals among the many Golden Seats of the Alchemy Workshop. He was usually quiet and not good with words, but once truly engrossed in a fight, probably no one could stop him. Brad had a ferocious side. Once he entered combat, he would rapidly work himself into a berserk state, becoming unstoppable. Even when setting up formations from a distance, this combative Alchemist liked to imbue his primary controlled Exchange Beast with this same ferocity.

That was why everyone found the owl Brad primarily controlled to be rather... peculiar.

This combative Alchemist had naturally been ecstatic when he initially received the Chief's order to break the formation. Combat was what he enjoyed most and excelled at; he had no other particular hobbies. In my eyes, the monotonous work of researching Alchemy Equations should always be left to the likes of Carmello and Milo, he often thought. I'm responsible for delivering the output—combat power. Other matters are never my concern.

Logically, someone like Brad should have been a Fighter, yet he was an Alchemist—and a Golden Seat in the Alchemy Workshop at that. Such illogical occurrences were not unheard of on the Yowein Continent.

The reason Brad chose Alchemy was because after mastering Alchemy Equations, Alchemists could endlessly imbue themselves with various new beneficial states. These Alchemy Equations could be alchemically transmuted into all sorts of acid mists, potions, pellets, and powders. Once in combat, he could immediately write out Alchemy Equations, transmuting them into Berserk Potions to enhance his combat readiness. This was far superior to Fighters, who had to constantly study the limits of Physique Techniques.

Although Brad found Alchemy Equations dull and boring, he paid special attention to any Alchemy Equation that could enhance his own condition. In short, he pursued the Cultivation of Alchemy for one reason only: it made fighting easier.

And yet, just a moment ago, the combative Brad had already transformed his primary controlled owl into its berserk state, waiting only for the opponent's Annihilation Array to release its first attacking corpse fragment. Timing was crucial when breaking an Annihilation Array. The moment Brad initiated the berserk transformation had indeed caused quite a commotion; the creation of a Berserk Potion required an explosive burst of flame, and that rumbling sound from Lubin Tavern had been Brad's doing.

But Brad never got the chance to unleash his skills!

Their opponent had dejectedly withdrawn their Annihilation Array. The flame-clad Hunter had blocked their fierce assault with a wall of fire, burning one or two Wire Puppet Split Entities in the process. It seemed the loss of these one or two Wire Puppet Split Entities was a significant blow to them. Soon after, they began to protect their remaining Wire Puppet Split Entities.

They had discarded some already broken Wire Puppet Split Entities, allowing these shattered beings to truly "experience the value of their lives." This "value," supposedly priceless, turned out upon closer examination to be nothing more than serving as cannon fodder. Frankly, taking a bath, having a meal, and going to bed would have been a more worthwhile existence.

However, none of that concerned me, Brad fumed internally. I just wanted a proper fight with that Wire Puppet. But for them to chicken out before the fight even began... This is something I absolutely cannot accept!

"Sir!" Brad once again uttered his mournful cry.

This time, his voice held a hint of anticipation.

"Don't mind it, Brad," Kuyi Tulan said, signaling him not to be too hasty. "It's good you didn't reveal too much of our strength. The bait we've cast hasn't gone to waste. There will be plenty for you to do when the time comes; opportunities for combat will abound later."

I can see why they suddenly halted their momentum, Kuyi Tulan mused. Although that Wire Puppet is their sharpest weapon, it's also their greatest weakness. They're terrified of losing that thing. To lose the fighting spirit of their Annihilation Array merely because of the Hunter's Exotic Fire defense means they've exposed their weakness far too early.

However, Kuyi Tulan still appreciated their opponent's prudent decision to withdraw when the situation turned against them.

Retreating is merely like a building collapsing; it can be rebuilt. But losing something irreplaceable means the very ground beneath it sinks, from which there is no recovery.

Kuyi Tulan was suddenly reminded of the words of an old friend, an old friend who was currently on his way to Guru Mountain. Perhaps, not long after that friend arrived at Guru Mountain, they would no longer be friends, but adversaries.

Black Crow… what exactly are you planning?

"Chief!" Milo, whose primary controlled ant-like Exchange Beasts were spread far and wide, suddenly exclaimed, apparently having detected something unusual.

"What is it?" Kuyi Tulan had great trust in Milo; a tacit understanding had long formed between them.

"I can sense Wizard Reed's approach."

His timing couldn't be more perfect, Kuyi Tulan thought, a faint smile playing on his lips. It seemed everything was unfolding as he anticipated. "It's time to cast the net and see what we catch."

"Joela! Hector! Brad!" the Chief Alchemist called out, about to assign a new task.

"Sir!" the three Golden Seats replied in unison.

"Make your way to Guru Mountain. Keep an eye on Dastan. If you encounter any suspicious individuals, exercise discretion."

"Understood!"

"Brad," Kuyi Tulan added, "if you encounter that fellow with the Wire Puppet, you have my permission to go all out!"

"Yes, Sir!" A flicker of change finally touched Brad's grim face.

Guests from afar were about to arrive.

And for those already on Guru Mountain, were Brad, Joela, and their companions not also, in a sense, guests from afar?