They all call me Great Master

Why could Alvis's people avoid the ambush set by Gleisa's subordinates?

Of course, it was because Arthur stepped in.

Arthur blocked part of the attack, allowing one of Alvis's death warriors to successfully reach Count Bert. Then, the young Southern Lost Spirit Medium dispatched his crows and dogs to quietly wait.

Fujin focused on Alvis.

Kuliqi focused on Suke Street.

Kiri focused on the docks.

As for Wuni?

It circled high above, filling in any gaps.

As Arthur's eyes and ears, the two crows and two dogs completed their tasks quite well.

In fact, they overachieved.

For example: Fujin.

Through Fujin's eyes, when the "Thief's Door" appeared, Arthur's "Spirituality" quickly became active—it was the flickering of the "Lockpicking Technique" and the trembling of the two props, "Bracelet of Carmen" and "Carmen's Leap."

Arthur's intuition told him that the "Thief's Door" was of great significance to him.

Arthur trusted his intuition.

Therefore, when the opportunity arose, Arthur had Fujin act directly.

The moment Fujin swallowed the "Thief's Door," Arthur's intuition was confirmed—

Suddenly, standing a hundred meters away in the shadows, Arthur's view transformed.

In front of him appeared a step.

Arthur looked up.

Magnificent, huge.

These two words instantly appeared in his mind.

'The step of the Ascend Steper!'

Having seen a "step" once, Arthur quickly confirmed.

'Is this Carmen's test?'

Arthur speculated, stepping toward the step ahead.

From a distance, the step appeared magnificent and huge.

Upon closer inspection, it resembled a city wall supporting the heavens and the earth.

Unlike the "Fourteenth Rank" he had seen before, here there was only one step, with the rest concealed in the mist. Evidently, one must climb this step to possibly see the others.

But this appearance made the step seem all the more like a city wall.

It also caused more people who saw it to feel the urge to retreat.

And this is the essence of the test.

Most people would shrink away.

A few would forge ahead fearlessly.

As for Arthur?

He was neither of the former nor the latter.

Because, when Arthur saw 'this step', he sensed something was off.

Instinctively, Arthur pondered.

Arthur was someone who thrived on thought.

He thought to avoid unnecessary effort, but not at the cost of foolishness, such as compensating for laziness with unnecessary exertion. Arthur would never do that—the image of his friend, a fat guy who ate ice cream while dressing because he was too lazy to wash dishes, only to hurt his teeth from the cold and spit the ice cream out, dirtying his clothes and the floor, was still fresh in his mind.

At the moment, Arthur contemplated Carmen Huntington's life.

With an increasingly rich collection of books, Arthur had specifically sought out the "Gentleman Thief's" life story.

The person was not a truly "righteous man" in people's eyes.

Strictly speaking, the person straddled the line between good and evil.

Would such a person test others' "endurance" or "willpower"?

Perhaps "willpower."

Definitely not "endurance."

Carmen Huntington preferred clever individuals, not those who were as diligent and industrious as an old ox; otherwise, his disciples wouldn't have included so many misfits.

Although he was dubbed the "Gentleman Thief," his "chivalry" often stemmed from finding certain people unpleasant.

In a biography written in "Glyphic Language," there were Carmen Huntington's own words.

'A partner of justice?

I'm no partner of justice.

I'm just a thief driven by interest.'

With those words in mind, Arthur squinted slightly.

A ruse!

The "one step" before him was a ruse.

It was a trap to lure him into climbing it.

Once climbed, success would also mean failure.

Success would undoubtedly entail gaining partial usage rights of the "Thief's Door."

Failure would mean losing the real method to use the "Thief's Door."

Faced with such a person, the "Gentleman Thief" would surely laugh heartily, with his laughter full of ridicule for the blindly foolish and self-righteous.

Thinking of this, Arthur turned to walk away.

He needed to find the true "way out."

However, after taking just two steps.

Arthur doubled back.

Young Southern Lost Spirit Medium did not particularly like Carmen Huntington, who couldn't be defined by common sense. So he picked up a stone and wrote on the "one step"—

Arthur Kredos was here for a visit.

After writing, Arthur felt something was still missing.

Then, he unclipped his belt.

Whoosh!

With a splashing sound, Arthur looked content.

Then, satisfied, he pulled his pants up.

This was the Spirit Medium's retort.

The force wasn't particularly strong.

But it was full of flavor.

'Hope you like it.'

Arthur thought to himself.

And then—

Hahaha!

A burst of laughter rang out.

Within the laughter, the phantom of a one-eyed old man appeared before Arthur. The man was tall, with a head of white hair and beard. He laughed and slapped his leg, and even with only one eye, his joy was evident.

'Arthur Kredos?

Boy, you see through fast.'

With those words, the one-eyed old man vanished.

"The step" also disappeared.

In its place appeared a series of words.

[Name: Thief's Door (Right Eye)]

[Type: Organ]

[Quality: Mythical. Secondary]

[Requirements: 1, Lockpicking Technique; 2, Carmen's Test]

[Attributes: 1, Stealing; 2, Transplant; 3, Immortal]

[Remarks: In the Silver Era of 89, at the age of 80, the "Gentleman Thief" Carmen successfully promoted to Master Alchemist and became a member of the Ascend Steper in the truest sense. In that era, the significance of being an Ascend Steper was exceptional, and all factions extended invitations to this "Gentleman Thief."

Of course, with the invitation came various temptations.

The Master Alchemist allowed this "Gentleman Thief" to become an Ascend Steper without the aid of the "Stairway of Ascension," but the subsequent "Path to Tenth Rank" was shrouded in mist, fraught with difficulties.

All factions used the "Path to Tenth Rank" as leverage to tempt this "Gentleman Thief."

In response, Carmen Huntington paid no heed.

This "Gentleman Thief" believed he could do it.

He could cross the "Stairway of Ascension" and naturally pass the "Path to Tenth Rank."

Yet the "Path of Ascension" was more challenging than imagined. Despite his extraordinary talent, the "Gentleman Thief" was stuck on the Fourth Order after much toil.

Thus, the "Gentleman Thief" sought an alternative path!

And the "Thief's Door" is the fruit of his wisdom and power!

Of course, you need to truly own it!]

...

The text paused here slightly.

Then, more related attributes appeared.

Seeing these words, surprise flashed in Arthur's eyes—

This is possible?!