They all call me Great Master

At the corner under the night, with the interweaving of light and shadow, a deeper darkness emerged.

Cold, sharp.

And...

Deadly!

Unexpectedness flickered in Joel Coleman's eyes, and then his brow relaxed as he became excited—

"Your helper is actually a swordsman!"

This swordsman, known as the strongest among the younger generation of Inner Bay, acted extremely strange as he spoke.

Not only did a distortion appear on his face, with unprecedented ferocity in his eyes, but he also started gasping heavily.

The next moment, along with the heavy panting, the swordsman known as the strongest of the younger generation in Inner Bay swayed.

Bones, joints, bending at unimaginable angles.

The ferocity in his eyes became almost tangible.

Ultimately, madness was born!

"Hehe hehheh hahaha.

Great!

It's actually a swordsman!"

Muttering such words, Joel Coleman lightly shook the sword in his hand, far exceeding the length of an ordinary longsword, and without any hesitation, he walked into the alley.

With each step, the injuries caused by Jimte healed a little.

Then, when only one step away from the alley, he suddenly stopped and directly thrust the longsword into the ground.

Crack!

The metal blade effortlessly sliced through the stone pavement.

The sword tip sank three inches, enough to make the longsword stand upright.

An invisible force field spread out.

It was a repulsion against the 'sword'.

Accompanied by a disdain for the 'sword'.

In the repulsion, there was suppression.

In the disdain, there was scorn.

The fusion of various unique emotions turned into a distortion—not the 'Theofact Psychic Cultivation Association's' distortion, but a howl from the depths of one's own soul.

"The howling of the defeatist."

In the alley, Kalal smirked, full of disdain.

He had such high expectations before coming here.

And the result?

Just this!

A failure!

Jimte beside him did not feel anything different.

This young noble was just looking for Hayes's figure.

When Hayes's figure was not found, the young noble immediately breathed a sigh of relief—

'Did not follow, should have already started taking action.'

Jimte was very clear; he could guess the anomalies happening in Inner Bay, and the Kalal and Hayes he acknowledged could guess too.

Especially after he spent the better part of the day running circles around Inner Bay with that bastard Joel Coleman, it would be abnormal for Kalal and Hayes not to act.

Jimte could almost imagine that Kalal had definitely contacted those 'strangers on the docks'.

And Hayes?

Probably kidnapped his fiancée.

Then, using this as leverage to 'surrender' to His Excellency Baro Hamlet.

Of course, this was not enough.

It was not that his Annie was not valuable enough.

But His Excellency Baro Hamlet, who made such a 'seizure of power' move, would definitely 'have a bigger appetite', so...

'Dieudonne Hamlet!

Pistri Hamlet!'

The second and third sons of the Old Lion are important chips.

Coincidentally, Hayes has the ability to acquire these chips.

Do not forget this guy's lover Manta.

This lady is actually an agent arranged by the Old Lion.

If used well, even if the Old Lion's second and third sons find something wrong and hide, they will be pulled out, becoming chips for His Excellency Baro Hamlet.

Moreover, these are essential chips!

Jimte believes even the ambitious Baro Hamlet at this moment would not give up adding more insurance for his life.

'Hayes has a high chance of success.

If this happens, then...

We seem to be able to gain more!'

Jimte almost instinctively thought of the Golden Lion Family's treasures.

They are said to contain 'treasures of the last era' without exaggeration.

Especially the private vault of the Old Lion, its value must be unimaginable.

If added to the lord's private collection, it would probably advance the lord's strength further, right?

And the forces under his command would surely develop more rapidly!

Normally, one wouldn't have thought of targeting here.

But now?

Faced with a rare opportunity, a crazy plan began to form in Jimte's mind.

However, that is for later.

Right now, Joel Coleman must be dealt with.

"How is it?"

Jimte asked Kalal.

Although reluctant to admit, Jimte knew, among the three of them, Kalal was the strongest, he was second, and Hayes third.

"Heh."

Kalal didn't answer, only sneered coldly.

He had already said before.

The howling of the defeatist!

Those who completely lost confidence, no longer believed in the sword in their hands, began using other means to compensate. What are they if not defeatists?

For these people, if he used his sword, it would become unclean.

Thinking of this, Kalal sheathed his twin swords.

Click!

The sound of the sword being sheathed was all too familiar to Joel Coleman.

Immediately, this swordsman, known as the strongest among the younger generation in Inner Bay, burst into laughter—

"A person who adheres to the honor of the swordsman—it is so rare during the 'Pioneer Era'.

Alright!

As a reward for you, I'll show you my true skills!"

As he finished speaking, Joel Coleman, who had already fully recovered, clapped his hands.

Clap!

Amidst the crisp sound, invisible force fields began converging upon him.

Layer after layer.

With ten layers of this defense field superimposed, Joel Coleman, filled with a sense of security, strode into the alley.

The two sides were only a step apart.

As Joel Coleman advanced once more.

This swordsman, known as the strongest among the younger generation of Inner Bay, immediately saw Kalal.

As for Jimte?

A mere rat wriggling around had long been ignored by him.

"When I gave up the longsword, you also chose to give it up, a truly respectable opponent.

However, even if you didn't give up the longsword, facing the current me, what could you possibly do?

Your sword cannot cut through my defense!"

At this, an unprecedented arrogance appeared on Joel Coleman's face.

But Kalal answered indirectly.

"You failed to advance to 'Ascend Steper', didn't you?

Moreover, you failed more than once trying to ascend.

As a result, your 'Sword Heart' shattered, no longer believing in the sword in your hand. Yet, to cover this up, to keep your 'young number one swordsman' title, you chose means you normally would disdain, even though you still carried a sword.

And, you became more stubborn with your sword.

You've even added some inexplicable rules to yourself to show your attachment to the sword."

The voice was calm but undeniable, as if seeing it with his own eyes.

Jimte beside him squinted his eyes.

Let alone Joel Coleman.

"Shut up!"

Joel Coleman said as he charged at Kalal.

But, Kalal easily dodged him.

Furthermore, Kalal whispered softly in Joel Coleman's ear—

"Your sword doesn't want you anymore!"