In the early morning, the White Swamp was cloaked in thick fog, and chirping birds already fluttered about in the misty marsh. The flas that had spewed from the ground the previous evening didn't seem to have significantly impacted them. They rose early and called out as they usually did.
Monster Xiso wore a grim look. The problem with the invaders hadn't been resolved, and new issues had arisen in Moonflow Stream. Although the Great ntor was very confident about Moonflow Stream, Xiso sensed sothing was amiss. Over the years, many had tried to approach Moonflow Stream, but as long as Arnold was present, no one could enter this territory. Even the monsters of Guru Mountain couldn't see through Arnold's traps. Yet now, Kadi and the stranger with him had sohow triggered Arnold's Spirit Fla. It seed they had pushed Arnold to his limit.
This unusual situation prevented Xiso from thinking clearly. He was primarily concerned for the Great ntor of Moonflow Stream. That unfamiliar youth with Kadi is an enigma, Xiso thought. If Kadi has been bewitched by him, things will beco even more complicated.
This unease prompted Xiso to end his patrol early. He felt uneasy leaving the Great ntor alone in Moonflow Stream. Although Kevin was there, supposedly to protect him, Xiso had never considered Kevin reliable. The source of this content ɪs ɴovᴇl(ꜰ)ir(e).nᴇt
Kevin, that lout, was completely unreliable.
Xiso could only feel assured of the Great ntor's safety if he were watching over him personally.
Xiso wasn't fast enough on foot to return to Moonflow Stream quickly, but he could have his goshawk carry him. The goshawks tad by the Great ntor were very intelligent, and Xiso had one himself. This goshawk was a treasured gift from the Great ntor. Its flights with Xiso to every corner of Guru Mountain had forged a natural bond between them, and Xiso felt he could no longer be parted from it.
The goshawk carried Xiso to the Stone House. He was sowhat surprised to find neither Kevin nor the Great ntor inside. However, noticing the fishing gear was gone from the house, his tense heart finally eased a little. The absence of the fishing gear ant the Great ntor had surely gone fishing.
The Great ntor only went fishing when he was in high spirits. It seed his mood was quite good now.
Xiso rembered the fishing spot clearly. Still, it's odd to go fishing at this hour, he thought.
Strange or not, so things had to be addressed.
Xiso's steps grew heavier.
Reaching a lush, grassy area of the White Swamp, Xiso stopped. He himself had chosen this fishing spot for the Great ntor. He had chosen this plant-rich location hoping the swamp's mysterious vegetation would conceal them from prying eyes. After all, the swamp grass grew as tall as a man and spread out in a vast white expanse, offering natural camouflage, perfect for misleading anyone nearby.
Parting the tall grass and walking a bit further, he saw the Great ntor, completely engrossed in fishing.
Xiso watched the Great ntor's focused expression and hesitated to interrupt. Fishing was a solitary wait; only the angler knew when to lift the rod or add more bait.
Those who are bored tend to notice everything around them. Kevin, having given up on fishing long ago, remained vigilant, yet a part of him was relaxed. He scanned his surroundings and soon spotted Xiso entering the area.
To avoid disturbing the Great ntor's fishing, Xiso and Kevin communicated using Spirit Power.
Spirit Communication was taxing, but Xiso needed answers. The Great ntor's behavior is too abnormal, Xiso thought. He must have misjudged sothing.
"The Great ntor was here fishing all through last night," Kevin conveyed to Xiso via Spirit Communication.
An entire night? Xiso couldn't believe it. The Great ntor had never fished, let alone ditated, for an entire night. This plunged Xiso into deep thought.
But his contemplation yielded nothing; he still couldn't fathom what the Great ntor was up to.
"What's the situation outside?" Kevin's Spirit Power ssage reached Xiso again.
"Dawn Peak is in utter chaos. Other areas seem normal for now. The invaders' advance seems to have slowed, as if they're waiting for sothing."
"I hope everything will be alright," Kevin transmitted with a ntal sigh.
The Great ntor's fishing rod twitched; it seed he had a bite.
The Great ntor never cared about his catch; any fish he caught, he would release. His purpose in fishing wasn't to pass the ti or for a tasty al, but for ditation.
Whenever the Great ntor was exceptionally pleased, he would go fishing. He often said that emotional fluctuations could cloud judgnt. There were many ways to stabilize one's emotions, ditation being one of them.
Xiso's heart, however, remained uneasy. The Great ntor ditated all night... that ans his emotions are extrely turbulent. What could be troubling him so?
Fishing in the White Swamp appeared tranquil, but in truth, one never knew what might erge from its depths. All one could do was clasp one's hands and pray that whatever was caught would be... normal.
"Master!" Xiso finally blurted out, unable to hold back any longer, interrupting the Great ntor's deep thoughts.
But the Great ntor simply waved his hand dismissively, as if warding off a fly, clearly annoyed at the interruption just as a fish was about to bite.
Kevin shrugged, casting a look of profound sympathy at Xiso.
It was a truly awkward impasse. The situation was clearly dire, a ti for grave concern, yet the Great ntor showed no sign of anxiety. Indeed, it was Xiso who was frantic.
Perhaps this is what they call 'the master isn't worried, but the attendant is frantic'... Xiso thought, nearly stomping his foot in frustration. He couldn't fathom why the Great ntor remained so unperturbed. With alarming things happening everywhere, how can he be so unconcerned?
Every monster on Guru Mountain felt an unbreakable bond with it, a sentint fostered by the Great ntor himself. Therefore, every monster was duty-bound to share any risk threatening the Great ntor.
"Ah! A big one this ti!" the Great ntor exclaid, lifting his rod. Dangling from the line was a plump Prosperity Fish.
"Let's keep this one." For once, the Great ntor didn't release his catch.
"Master! This is hardly the ti to be discussing fish!" Xiso exclaid, sweat beading on his forehead. I wish I could pry open his skull and see what on earth he's thinking!
"Oh, Xiso," the Great ntor said. "You still haven't learned. Haven't I told you before? Things are not always as they appear on the surface."
"But Master, the invaders' strength..."
"Xiso, Xiso," the Great ntor sighed. "Life isn't solely about revenge. There is also legacy, Xiso. And that is more important than anything."
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