Thanks to Seral's final "dispersed retreat" order, this cult team was not completely wiped out by Sword Saint Puki.
Despite heavy losses, about a quarter of them managed to escape, taking advantage of their familiarity with the terrain and dispersed routes, vanishing into the vast mountains and forests.
Most of the rescued survivors, after a brief respite and gratitude, chose to return to the small town. Their belongings were still there, although likely ravaged by the adventurers who came later.
Only Eugene stayed behind.
Eugene was a Level 47 Gold Level middle-aged man, already quite powerful among adventurers.
But his greatest strength was not in combat, but in his pharmacy skills.
Making poisons and detoxifying people were his specialties, and he even experimented with creating his own poisons.
His pharmacy was the only place in the town with signs of battle.
According to Eugene's recollection, the cultists exploited the town's lack of management to easily infiltrate.
