One-Eyed Monster

Night quickly enveloped Guru Mountain, rendering the summit exceptionally chilly. Without any experience in the wilderness, Young Master Hustace was soon trembling from the cold. However, as the sickest member of the team, and also its most valuable captive, everyone tended to him with extra care.

Stan Sol sat quietly, his eyes slightly closed. Remaining alert while resting was a habit of his. For now, he couldn't set up a defense zone like his predecessors. They had been powerful enough to scatter ashes or sprinkle liquid on their resting grounds to keep intruders at bay. This strategy, passed down from the earliest Hunters, involved scattering the droppings or flesh of fierce animals around a campsite to deter potential threats.

This primitive skill was further developed by the Hunters, who started infusing their own blood into the bones of these beasts. With this blood Integration, the bones became even more formidable. Over time, this peculiar skill became exclusive to the Hunters. The most powerful among them would crush these blood-infused bones, carry the powder with them, and use it to establish their defense zones when camping in the wild.

At first, Stan Sol didn't think there was much to blood Integration. He figured it was merely dripping one's own blood onto bones and considered giving it a try. However, he soon discovered it wasn't so simple. The blood he dripped onto the bones quickly dried and would crumble off like powder at the slightest scrape of his dagger, serving no purpose.

As he grew older, he learned that blood Integration required a certain skill. Later, after experiencing his family's vicissitudes, he figured out that this ancient technique was essentially about infusing one's Spirit Power into the bones of dead animals. It was somewhat similar to the Alchemists' trick with their Exchange Beasts, except the Alchemists produced lively creatures, while what Hunters created were still Dead Objects.

Stan Sol knew his powers hadn't quite reached the level of his predecessors. So when he sensed something was amiss, he could only be more alert. He was the Sol Family's last flicker of hope. Therefore, no accidents could be allowed to happen before he found his brother.

He had already secured the bargaining chip to meet his brother. Although this item was coveted by all sorts of disreputable people, he was confident he could protect it.

The night wind swept through, bringing a chill. Stan Sol remained as still as stone. He felt none of the residual warmth from the extinguished campfire; it had all been monopolized by Igor and Hustace. The ailing young master, caring little for the ashes, had sprawled wherever it was warmest. Igor had no choice but to cede the prime spot and try to glean some warmth from the periphery.

Baharo, naturally, was also restless. Though he had been defeated by Stan Sol, it didn't mean he was resigned to his fate. However, he had no intention of resisting Stan. Deep down, I know that even two or three of me wouldn't be a match for Sol, Baharo thought. It would take four of me to even stand a chance of a difficult fight. Even though Sol summoned the Flame Folk, that's hardly the extent of his abilities. I could tell that much from what he said earlier.

Baharo had exerted all his strength and still hadn't detected anything unusual. Yet, Stan Sol had nonchalantly informed them that apart from their group, there was more than one other party roaming the mountain.

The purpose of these wanderers was obvious. They certainly aren't here for the White Cloud Fruit, Baharo mused. Despite all the legends over the years, not a single one has ever appeared in reality. There isn't even a convincing replica in any market. Why are these fortune-seeking dreamers so obsessed with something that doesn't exist?

Those groups heading up the mountain must be after Young Master Hustace!

Despite being bound, Baharo hadn't forgotten his commission. He had been tasked by the Hound Organization to ensure Hustace's safety. As long as Hustace returned to Luona Mansion unharmed, Baharo would have fulfilled his task, ensuring that the Hound Organization wouldn't lose face. No one will ask about the process, just like no one asks how I win my fights. Once there's a result, who cares about the tedious process? Even if I win through sheer strength, no one cares. People only care about the outcome. They don't have the leisure to investigate if the winner used despicable tricks.

So, Baharo also rested with one eye open. If something unexpected happens, as a Hunter from the Hound Organization, I should be able to help a bit, he reasoned.

However, with his limited Spirit Power and inquiry skills, he hadn't detected anything unusual in their surroundings.

The one-eyed Alien Species, Kadi, though not very talkative these past few days, had taken in every minute detail of his surroundings. Like Stan Sol, he too sensed that the mountain was changing. Stan Sol perceived the anomalies through the heightened senses common to ancient Hunters and his own formidable power, whereas Kadi sensed them purely through instinct. Perhaps because he was, more or less, a native of Guru Mountain, he was very familiar with it. He would naturally notice when familiar things started acting unusually over a span of a few days.

Firstly, a few days ago, numerous small creatures had been flitting about the mountain. Their movements were quite bizarre, likely unnoticeable to an ordinary person. But Kadi was no ordinary person; he was a one-eyed Alien Species and naturally observed more than others. As these little creatures hurried past, Kadi couldn't determine if they were the Exchange Beasts Kevin and the others talked about. I'm still too inexperienced, Kadi thought. Unlike Kevin, who is much more seasoned. Kevin would surely identify them in an instant, but I can't. I have to look closely to be sure.

Curled up beside Igor, Kadi pretended to sleep. My mind is full of matters, he mused, and they all seem to pose huge, unanswerable questions, leaving me completely baffled.

There's definitely something strange about those small creatures rushing around, Kadi felt. Dawn Peak is a dead mountain that not even ants can escape. For it to attract so many animals... no matter how I look at it, it's just not right.

Another strange sensation came from beneath his feet. He felt a tremor, as if something was about to burrow up from underground. If only Kevin were here, Kadi wished. Kevin would definitely say something nonsensical to distract me. Those nonsensical words wouldn't resolve my doubts, but they would certainly help ease this current tangle of thoughts.

This night was destined to be restless. Apart from the two young men sleeping like wild boars, the others merely had their eyes closed, feigning sleep.

The night wind, though bitingly cold, could not freeze the turbulent waves surging within their hearts…