[Sword Style: Jumping Wave!]

Thunk—

Agility against agility, the outcome was determined in an instant!

In the green sea, a massive hole had been torn, and the golden sunset cast its still intense light between the two people standing back to back.

In the boundary of light and shadow, Billiver, having transformed into a large feline, lay on the ground. His neck, still made of flesh and blood, was half-severed by Aiven's swift sword.

Meanwhile, Aiven had been pierced through the right chest by Billiver's left claw, launched like a cannonball, with the sharp claw exiting his back.

Drip... drip...

Bluish blood dripped onto the ground, accumulating into a small puddle before the powerful self-healing ability of a Peak Knight could take effect.

The white mask on his face had also been hit by another claw, sending it flying. Three long scratches appeared on an otherwise ordinary young face underneath.

Clearly, the face under the mask wasn't Aiven's own.

It was a disguise mask made from a scaleless fish known as "Black Sea White Fish", crafted with the "Activated Beast Hide" technique. It had no combat power but could slightly alter one's facial features.

This was often necessary for people like Milan, Gary, and others who frequently switched identities between the Navy and Pirates.

The claw marks seemed to have disfigured Aiven, but in reality, they hadn't touched his true skin.

"Pfft...."

He reached to pull out the claw still lodged in his chest, self-diagnosed according to his body's sensations, and quickly downed the appropriate antidote, pouring half a vial of No. 2 Holy Water on the wound and drinking the other half.

Using his formidable bodily control, he compressed his blood vessels for physical hemostasis.

Thanks to the inhuman self-healing ability of a Peak Knight, though the injury was severe, it was far from fatal.

Unless another intact "Clockwork Man" showed up now, then he would indeed... have to run.

Kaka...

The shadow underfoot squirmed, quietly taking away the patch of blood-stained soil.

It was then Aiven turned to look behind him at the "Clockwork Man" who should have been dead after being fatally struck.

ZZZZZ...

He only saw the severed neck fusing, healing itself until it was whole without much blood loss.

While Aiven tended to his wound, the "Clockwork Man" evidently almost fully recovered. However, looking down at his chest where the spring key had nearly completed two rotations.

The "Clockwork Man", whose consciousness seemed to be asleep, emitted that bizarre mechanical sound:

"Overload state ending, automatically executing command: Retreat!"

Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!

He leaped onto the treetop and vanished with several bounding strides.

Watching the figure disappear, Aiven did not pursue but collected the blood that spilled on the ground, pondering deeply.

"A super-speed regeneration ability of the flesh?

Why do I feel a familiarity with this guy?

It's somewhat unfamiliar, yet seems to share traits with the 'Vitalist School', could it be... the mechanized 'Flesh Puppet'?"

Resolved to thoroughly research the "Clockwork Man"'s blood with him, to see if it has anything to do with the lost second volume of the 'Vitalist School'!

....

Tap.. tap.. tap..

When Aiven had dressed his wounds and changed clothes with the intentions to exit the rainforest, amused by what his subordinates were doing.

Some were gathering the mules, some counting loot, while others were finishing off enemies. It seemed they weren't affected at all by the overwhelmingly powerful "Clockwork Man".

'You guys sure have a lot of trust in me! Didn't even think of what to do if I lost?'

Whether others had faith in Aiven, Milan didn't know, but he was confident.

Not to mention the 'Vitalist School' witchcraft, exceptionally effective on physical beings, even the 'Magic Pocket's' 'Bloody Lake Light', recharged by a Tier 3 Guard before leaving the New Continent, was enough to turn the tide.

He didn't even ask about the combat's outcome, Aiven's return explained everything!

"Come and look! Although I'm not poor, I've never seen so much gold and silver in my life!"

The battle was thoroughly concluded.

Pirates were executing the wounded Hilus soldiers, with the Arawak being the main force.

Under Aiven's restraints, at least they didn't skin the Hilus People alive like their other compatriots.

Following the Seagull's guidance, besides those blown to pieces, the mules scared by explosions were retrieved.

With Milan leading the tally, the final haul amounted to:

Gold bars valued at 50,000 Golden Lions, enough to construct a new Level 1 Battleship!

Although such strategic weapons weren't equivalent to money, nor could they be purchased even with enough gold.

To be aware of this fact, despite various constraints, Phaletis had only a single-digit number of Level 1 Ships till then.

Additionally, there was nearly equivalent valued silver totaling forty-two tons.

Large gemstones with unmeasurable value and exceptional quality.

Compared to this bountiful wealth, the mere four tons of silver previously lost by Phaletis was just a drizzle!

As for the stablemen conscripted by Hilus, those who perished in the chaos were beyond salvation. The surviving ones were spared by Aiven. Since he had adopted the 'Righteous Thief' path, he adhered to self-imposed regulations.

He couldn't just strip off his military uniform and start slaughtering civilians. Even if he were to be a pirate starting today, he must maintain a baseline of conduct.

Aiven even left each surviving stableman one Hilus Gold Coin per the 'Righteous Thief' tradition.

Once the crew assembled, Aiven gently clapped his hands:

"Come! Let me show you a magic trick, please turn around everyone."

Then he snapped his fingers.

Clap—

Kaka...

A black lizard the size of a crocodile emerged from Aiven's shadow, transformed into a black "Swamp", swiftly swallowing the mound of treasures into the "Shadow Secret Vault".

By the time the Pirate Gang members turned back around, all the treasures had vanished without a trace.

"Ah!"

In the eyes of the new recruits, the already powerful and monster-like leader gained a layer of mystery.

Awe and reverence sowed an irresistible seed in their hearts, silently growing with time, spreading new seeds far and wide.

Standing at the front, Aiven was full of spirit. It seemed as if even the pain in his chest was gone, he waved a large hand:

"End of the operation, return! Loot distribution!"

"Hooray!"

"Long live the Boss!"

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