They all call me Great Master

The whipping vines fell like a tempest, yet the 'Bandage Swordsman' strolled through them with ease.

Every time the vines struck down, they barely missed the 'Bandage Swordsman,' as if they were just a hair's breadth away from hitting him.

But a miss is as good as a mile!

That slight difference allowed the 'Bandage Swordsman' to step forward, one step at a time.

He was getting closer and closer to No. 2 Cork Street.

Feeling the 'Bandage Swordsman's' approach,

immediately, the banyan tree began to shake.

Within the rustling of leaves, one could sense the feeling of anger.

The ceaselessly thrashing vines all came to a halt.

It was then that the stalkers, who had run far away, finally relaxed and let out a breath.

"Such a terrifying 'Bandage Swordsman'!"

"If such dense attacks can't harm him... then he must be confident about dodging a volley of rifle fire, right?"

"Definitely!"

"Truly terrifying!"

"But, he's still doomed, right?"

"For sure!"

"Those vines have gathered up, they won't give him any more chances!"

As they watched the vines line up, murmurs of discussion rose among the stalkers.

An experience of escaping death seemed to have drawn them closer together.

As for Eli, he discreetly increased the distance once again—he could see clearly that these seemingly chatty fellows were all armed.

And their intentions?

One could guess with their big toes.

Stalkers were, in some ways, worse than robbers, because robbers specialized only in robbery, whereas stalkers often took on the role of robbers as well.

Sometimes they even doubled as thieves.

Overall, highly unprofessional.

Of course, he was different.

Unlike the average stalker, he was a professional scout, who just occasionally trafficked information and picked up spoils of war.

Moreover, he at least had the patience to wait until everything was over.

Even if he guessed the outcome, he had to watch until the end.

Furthermore...

Thinking of the 'Slash of Vanquishing Evil' the 'Bandage Swordsman' possessed, Eli didn't think the battle would end this way—about the 'Bandage Swordsman' being Undead and mastering the 'Slash of Vanquishing Evil,' he had only sold that information to the 'Cloak Society' and 'Count Bert.'

Why not 'spread the word'?

Naturally, because the 'scarcity' of news represents its value.

Although after today, this news would no longer be 'scarce,' what did it have to do with him?

When he sold it, the information was genuine and valid.

More importantly, he had made his earnings!

And...

He was about to earn much more!

Eli looked towards No. 2 Cork Street with great anticipation.

The dense banyan vine had obscured the sky, and as they uniformly fell, it seemed as though the heavens were collapsing.

Seeing the scene he had anticipated unfold, a few impatient souls among the stalkers who had just escaped death could no longer hold back, lashing out at the people around them.

The quick-reacting ones dodged and began to retaliate after escaping the first strike.

The slow ones lay in pools of blood.

The killings born out of chaos intertwined with the most despicable parts of the human heart, morphing into a hideous visage that leered at its prey.

Or rather...

Gifts!

In their eyes, these were gifts.

Gifts known as 'windfalls.'

But when that dazzling white light appeared, they all turned around in shock; they saw that burning, sharp slash split the dark sky.

They saw the 'Bandage Swordsman's' scorched palm.

Black as death, as if belonging to the Undead!

Undead?

Undead!

The stalkers realized in an instant!

'The 'Bandage Swordsman' was Undead!

But how could the Undead use "Slash of Vanquishing Evil"?

Just like the first time Eli encountered the "Bandage Swordsman" using "Slash of Vanquishing Evil," the worldviews of these stalkers were shattered.

They stood there, dazed, somewhat at a loss as they watched the "Bandage Swordsman" standing in front of No. 2 Cork Street.

A low growl filled their ears.

Just by observing that pitch-black, bone-chilling palm, they understood the frustration it held.

Just like Eli, they began to speculate.

Arthur, with Eagle Eye's vision, glanced over the stalkers, pausing slightly on Eli before controlling the "Bandage Swordsman" to exhibit a very puzzled expression.

But in the next moment, the revealed cyclopean eye showed a hint of surprise.

Without paying any more attention to No. 2 Cork Street or the banyan tree, the "Bandage Swordsman" turned and dashed into a nearby alley.

The stalkers who had previously been fighting over their greed didn't hesitate to follow.

But Eli did not.

This professional Scout rushed to the nearest information trading hub.

The information about that banyan tree was quite valuable, after all.

As for the loot on the ground?

Who does the loot in front of No. 2 Cork Street belong to?

Unless he was out of his mind, he would definitely not touch those things.

Arthur looked appreciatively at the professional Scout and manipulated the "Death Serpent Banyan" to pull back all the bodies and loot on Cork Street—the bodies became the best nourishment for the "Death Serpent Banyan," much like the previously crushed corpses had restored the "Snake Vine."

And the loot?

Arthur would go through it later.

For now?

He needed to address the lady in front of him.

A lady who stood at an imposing height of 2.5 meters—solidly built yet not at all bloated.

This lady had fiery red hair that was left untied, and she carried a colossal sword on her back like a door. Anyone seeing this lady would naturally feel a psychological pressure due to her stature and build; those of a timider disposition might even fall over in fright, despite the lady's face being not at all unpleasant.

However, Arthur recovered quickly from his initial surprise.

He was purely astonished by her height.

Then came the warranted caution.

Even though she had appeared alongside the Count's Guards.

The Count's Guards, wrapped up tightly with only their eyes exposed, began 'cleaning up' once more, but their gazes occasionally swept over Arthur—with the benefits of "Eagle Eye" and "Insight," Arthur clearly read emotions such as 'not you again,' 'enough already,' 'I'm tired' from the eyes of these guards.

In response, Arthur expressed that his attention was entirely captured by the lady in front of him, and he did not notice anything else.

"Hello, Kledos Advisor, I am Julie, Lord Count's Swordsmanship Master!"

The lady introduced herself.

"Good evening, Swordsmanship Master Julie,"

Arthur replied with the proper etiquette.

Then, suitably, a look of confusion appeared in his eyes.

Seeing the perplexity on Arthur's face, the Swordsmanship Master laughed out loud.

"Please rest assured, as the Shire District Police Station's Advisor personally employed by Lord Count, you won't have to compensate for these damages!"

The Swordsmanship Master pointed at the smashed pavement, joking.

The implication in her words was clear: We're on the same side, no need to worry.

Arthur obliged with a smile.

And likewise, joined in the jest.

"If compensation is required, may I go to the Shire District Police Station and get reimbursed by Chief Malz?"

"Of course, as long as Chief Malz still has money—that Chief has recently spent a fortune at the club, probably even dipping into his pension fund."

The Swordsmanship Master winked at Arthur, displaying a knowing smile that any man would understand.

"No wonder that bastard gave me a menu when he was at my New House Salon! Your next chapter is on My Virtual Library Empire

I thought he was reminding me to eat well when I'm alone!

That scoundrel, toying with my emotions!"

Arthur grumbled indignantly.

The Swordsmanship Master burst into hearty laughter.

When the laughter subsided, she immediately asked.

"What's the deal with that 'Bandage Swordsman'?"

"An accident."

Arthur sighed softly, his eyes brimming with helplessness.

Seeing the helplessness in Arthur's eyes, the Swordsmanship Master sighed in relief and thought to herself—

'Just as the Lord Count expected!'