One-Eyed Monster

Coban Kangen’s expression was one of helplessness, which left Kadi a bit bewildered. Was this expression meant to be mocking, or what did it mean? What had these guys been whispering about for so long? Could it really be something about him?

Kadi didn’t believe it, so he continued to press on, "Say it, even if it’s about me, I won’t be angry!"

"Why do you think your reaction would be anger?" Coban Kangen retorted, and this counter-question made Igor suddenly realize how skillful Coban Kangen was in this regard. Responding fluently and able to turn the situation around—this kind of counterattack was quite impressive!

"Uh, you guys whispering so quietly—if you’re really discussing me, then it definitely isn’t good." Kadi’s logic suddenly turned sharp.

"Not necessarily!" Coban Kangen’s humor seemed unstoppable.

"Well, give it a try—say it and see if I get angry!" Kadi had also learned to use a provocative approach.

"Haha, you think I’ll say it just because you ask?" Coban Kangen didn’t fall for this trick.

"Are we friends or not!" Kadi suddenly turned to Igor, leaving Igor in an awkward position, watching the show from the side.

"Uh..." The embarrassed Igor stammered, unsure of how to reply.

"If we are friends, tell me what you were discussing about me just now!" Kadi continued to ask loudly.

"Well..." The stammering Igor looked to Coban Kangen, clearly seeking help from him.

With a smile on his face, Coban Kangen looked at Igor, obviously now an onlooker.

"Uh..." Igor scratched his head, truly unsure what to say—they’d been discussing the suspicious individuals on the steam trolley, which logically shouldn’t be hidden from Kadi. Yet, Kadi’s comprehension was somewhat dull, and telling him now would be like announcing it to everyone aboard, thus alerting the suspects.

"Alright, let’s not fool around anymore!" Coban Kangen finally stepped in to resolve the situation; it was his doing, so he naturally had to solve it.

Igor and Kadi quieted down and looked at Coban Kangen together.

"We weren’t discussing anything else; we were talking about the tail behind you, Kadi."

"My tail?" Kadi froze for a moment, thinking, what’s there to discuss about my tail!

Meanwhile, Igor admired from the side, truly didn’t expect Coban Kangen to resolve the issue so smoothly. In fact, they were indeed discussing the tail—a tail following them.

With Coban Kangen’s explanation, he neither deceived Kadi nor concealed the situation—really skillful!

"Your tail is quite nice!" Coban Kangen said, though this was just him flattering Kadi.

"Uh..." Now it was Kadi’s turn to be uneasy; he’d said earlier that he’d be most angry, but now that they’ve truthfully told him what was discussed, he had no reason to be angry!

It seems using traditional methods to judge these matters is unreliable; Kadi began to doubt his own experience.

"Your tail’s camouflage isn’t very good, we noticed it, haha!" continued Coban Kangen lightheartedly, looking as if he were joking.

Igor admired him greatly, feeling this method also served as a warning to those who had followed.

These people followed all the way without any other activity, indicating they merely monitored Igor and the group’s every move.

This certainly meant someone was orchestrating from behind the scenes, though who exactly was unknown—but the presence of the tail made them realize danger was everywhere.

"Hopefully, when you get to Xinbal, your tail can hide a bit better; after all, there are many people there who catch tails!" Coban Kangen continued with the warning.

Kadi, unaware this was a warning, instead became more panicked, "Really? Why would these people catch tails—my tail isn’t anything special, why would anyone want to catch it!"

Igor almost laughed; Kadi’s misunderstanding was indeed escalating. Yet he also grew curious—Kadi feared people grabbing his tail, despite knowing him for so long. Igor understood Kadi’s meanings well enough to discern his emotions from his tone.

Overall, when it came to grabbing tails, Kadi exhibited a slight fear—his emotional fluctuations were evident in his tone.

"Haha, you’ll understand then; everything will become clear in Xinbal," Coban Kangen said indifferently.

The situation was indeed like this—only upon reaching Xinbal would they know what would truly happen.

Whether these tails would continue following or lie dormant, waiting to attack, was uncertain for now—only time would tell.

If Kadi could point out the suspicious individuals now, Coban Kangen could try to identify them.

Coban Kangen was also deputy captain of the Bistal League Guard and quite familiar with such tactics.

"Then I really need to find a way to hide my tail," Kadi was earnest, still believing Coban Kangen’s remarks applied to him.

Igor, opting not to say anything, let Kadi persist in his error.

"I suggest wrapping your tail around your waist, then no one will notice—people might think it’s just a belt!" Coban Kangen playfully suggested, both deeply engrossed in the act!

"I’ll try!" Kadi accepted Coban Kangen’s suggestion.

This small episode had wrapped up using Kadi’s tail as an excuse.

The people in the shadows did hear their words but remained inactive.

At that moment, they realized an earlier minor mistake of theirs.

Though the opponents numbered only three, each was formidable.

Only now did these hidden figures understand—their task wasn’t as straightforward.

With their oversight, these three individuals had discovered their presence, complicating matters moving forward.

These shadowy figures regretted dramatizing fear—they hadn’t been particularly afraid of the one-eyed monster, despite its oppressive presence.

Now, that slip-up was seized by the opponents—truly unexpected given their keen observational skills.

Fortunately, their mission was only to Xinbal, after which they’d stop monitoring, replaced by others reporting everything occurring aboard the steam trolley.

They didn’t understand their mission’s purpose, but still aimed to fulfill it.

And about what would unfold in Xinbal—they’d only truly care then...