One-Eyed Monster

Hustace felt his entire head was in a daze. Logically, given his current situation, he should have felt sorrowful, anxious, and even a little frightened.

But reality always seemed to clash with the world one imagined. Not everything proceeded according to one's wishes; unexpected disruptions would inevitably arise, rendering the imagined world utterly unrecognizable.

This, perhaps, was the difference between reality and imagination.

Young Master Hustace, having long since departed the Government Mansion, had experienced this disparity more than once. Consequently, in some corner of his heart, his emotions did not fluctuate excessively because of it.

What currently left Young Master Hustace at a loss was the persistent loneliness he always felt deep within his heart.

This loneliness was not outwardly visible, but Hustace had endured it for a long time. He always felt he was different from others—and as the Governor's son, he truly was. Others could go wherever they pleased, but he could not; someone always accompanied him. Others could personally experience the value of an exchange, but he could not; no matter what he acquired, someone else would always pay, sometimes even gifting it to him for free. Others could do whatever they wished, but he could not; he had to report everything he did to his father. If he failed to report, his mother would confine him, preventing him from going anywhere.

"Why can't I be like Jerma next door, go to the Dusk Market by myself to buy fishing gear, and go fishing?" he would sometimes ask his mother, unable to hold back.

"Jerma next door is just an unruly child; when he grows up, he'll be a merchant at best. You are different. You are the Governor's son; your words and actions reflect your father's image!" his mother would always tell him, imparting many grand principles.

"If you want to buy fishing gear, you can go to the Daylight Market. The Dusk Market is beneath your status. Remember, you are the Governor's son!"

"The Governor's Mansion has a dedicated fishing pond. If you wish to fish, just have Guard Goding take you. The wilderness is fraught with danger; it's no place for you."

"You must always remember that you are the Governor's son. Everything you say and do relates to your father's honor. Your life is not as simple as just living for yourself."

In his younger years, Hustace could not fully comprehend his mother's grand principles. At that time, he could only grasp superficially that he often could not speak casually, much less act rashly.

From that time on, he felt he was utterly different from others. They were like birds in the sky, chirping and flying as long as they pleased. He, however, was a sparrow kept in a cage; though well-fed and watered, his time to fly was far too limited. Even when he could fly, there was always a string tied to his leg...

This difference gradually nurtured a sense of loneliness within Hustace. He could not find anyone similar to himself around him. No one else was watched over when they went out, had others rushing to pay for their purchases, or had meals delivered to them...

Consequently, Hustace spoke less and less; he dared not say much. His personality also grew increasingly withdrawn; similarly, he dared not do much.

This sense of loneliness only began to lessen when he attended the Yonder Travel Academy. Besides Qi Liu, his loyal coachman, Igor also helped soothe Young Master Hustace's lonely heart.

At this moment, however, Young Master Hustace was in no mood to recall the warm moments Igor had brought him. The loneliness awakened within him this time was incredibly intense—so strong that the memory of any past touching moment was insufficient to offer even the slightest comfort to his wounded heart.

Hustace felt he was still an outsider among this group. Although, in terms of appearance, the one called Kadi was the true Alien Species—Hustace himself looked like everyone else—in behavior, these people were on a completely different wavelength from him. It was as if he had been utterly abandoned.

The current situation was not complicated at all. Of the five individuals (if the monster Kadi could even be called a person), four were tied up. The remaining one, it went without saying, was the one who had tied the ropes. Hustace considered their predicament quite simple: they had been captured and had no chance of escape. They were now someone else's prisoners, forced to passively submit to their captor's will.

Therefore, the normal reactions at this moment should have been anxiety, fear, helplessness, sorrow...

But among the four who were tied up, Hustace seemed to be the only one reacting this way. The other three—some laughing, some dazed—had relaxed and carefree expressions. They acted as if they were having breakfast or afternoon tea, completely casual, without a hint of nervousness on their faces.

This astonished Hustace. The astonishment gradually made him uneasy. He plunged into deeper thought, and the result—no need to reiterate—was that he unleashed the demonic power within his heart. That long-absent loneliness surged forth, growing rapidly. He was on the verge of bursting into tears.

Why can't I be like them? Hustace's inner voice asked.

Why don't they show any sign of nervousness? What kind of attitude is this? How have I never encountered it before?

Why can even this Alien Species fit in, while I can't get a word in edgewise?

...

No one could answer Hustace's myriad questions. They were all busy; no one had the leisure to pay attention to Hustace's gradually darkening expression.

They were busy chatting and laughing, utterly oblivious to their predicament as bound captives.

The "they" in Hustace's mind referred only to the bound Igor, the monster Kadi, and the recently defeated Baharo. The three of them chatted back and forth, relaxed and at ease, not behaving like captives in the slightest. Sometimes, they would even banter with the one holding the ropes, Stan Sol, the ancient Hunter who had captured them.

Hustace could not understand how they had the spare energy to chat and laugh, especially the recently captured Hunter. His face showed no trace of regret, nor the slightest hint of despair or helplessness. On the contrary, this fellow laughed the loudest, appearing like a treasure hunter who had just discovered a trove. He was simply overjoyed, that exuberant happiness causing him to ignore all impending difficulties.

In fact, Hustace himself had enjoyed such ease not long ago. That period was neither short nor particularly long.

That time had occurred during Baharo's confrontation with Stan Sol. The circumstances then were not much different from now; it was mainly about the newcomers helping Kadi dispel his inner doubts. At that time, Hustace had been eloquent, not treating the monster Kadi as an outsider in the slightest. But why, now, could he not get a word in?

Of course, Hustace did not realize any of this. He remained mired in that loneliness, unable to extricate himself, instantly forgetting many things, including what had just transpired...