Arthur was inexplicably startled by the girl's actions.
Agent Carter was a unique figure born out of World War II, so it was normal for her to be a bit violent. But the girl in front of him also seemed very dangerous.
The next thing he knew, Lily was running after Arthur, yelling at the remaining three thugs, "Come on! He's the first disciple of our Dojo. If you can beat him, I'll sell this Dojo to you!"
Arthur was shocked again. This quick thinking… how did he suddenly become their first disciple?
"Does that mean you agree?" Arthur whispered to Lily.
Lily blinked, "What did you say?"
Arthur realized that this girl was not as naive as she seemed; she was quite clever. She seemed to be using him as a bargaining chip, leaving room for later negotiations.
Amused by this quick change in attitude, Arthur understood that she had earlier claimed that this matter had nothing to do with him.
The reasons for Arthur's intervention were twofold.
First, he desperately needed a place to stay. He had landed in this world with practically nothing, knowing nothing of his surroundings. He needed some help, a place to sort out the current situation.
Secondly, as a man, he couldn't just stand by and watch a girl who had already helped him being harassed by thugs. If he chose to "lay low" in such a situation, he would despise himself.
Great men "lay low" either easily or heavily!
After stretching his limbs slightly, Arthur decided to deal with the thugs before talking to Lily.
But before he could make a move, the thugs retreated on their own.
The leader left a stern remark as he retreated, "I will remember this!"
Then they dragged their companion away… yes, dragged him away!
The one who couldn't stand had already tried to get up three times while Arthur and Lily were talking but ended up rolling around on the floor. So when they left, two of them grabbed his legs and dragged him away.
Arthur was astonished by this maneuver. He turned to Lily, who grabbed his hand and shook it vigorously, almost making Arthur nauseous, before exclaiming, "You're a hero!"
Arthur's face darkened, "Don't talk nonsense and label me."
The last thing he wanted was to be called a hero. Yet, he had inadvertently thwarted Schmidt's plan to destroy the world, sent Schmidt to an alien planet, and now found himself in this era… was that the price of being a hero?
That one act of heroism had cost him seventy years!
The direct consequence was… in a few years, the sunset finger snap would occur! Damn it all to hell!!!
Thinking about these things made Arthur's stomach ache.
"I'm not talking nonsense. You are a hero, just like Captain America and the Instructor!"
Lily's eyes shone with admiration, but quickly turned sly, "So, hero, when are you leaving? My little temple can't accommodate a great god like you!"
This sudden turn of phrase nearly knocked Arthur off his feet.
Arthur found himself both amused and annoyed. However, remembering the conversation just now, he couldn't help but ask, "I know Captain America, but who is the Instructor?"
"Instructor…" Lily's expression became complicated as she spoke. "They say he was one of our countrymen, a hero during World War II. But there's not much legend left because the U.S. doesn't officially acknowledge his existence. There are many rumors, however, and his titles vary. Some call him the Decapitator Instructor, others the Night Instructor, or even the Night Slayer because he is said to have carried out many decapitation missions. Although the U.S. doesn't recognize him, if he didn't exist, why would there be so many legends? There's also a rumor that the reason he's called "Instructor" is because he used to be Captain America's instructor. Captain America used to call him that…"
Arthur blinked after hearing that.
He didn't quite know how to feel. It was all a bit confusing. He looked at Lily. "Do you like this person?"
"Not really… I just find him impressive."
After saying that, Lily blinked and said to Arthur, "So, are you going to leave or not? You're obviously very skilled, and you were so efficient in the fight just now, you can't be an ordinary person. Whoever threw you into the trash can is someone I can't afford to provoke. I'm just an ordinary person. I don't want to get involved in your kind of trouble, so please just go, okay?"
Arthur was silent for a moment. Under Lily's hopeful gaze, he shook his head and said, "Not really…"
"…Not really what? Does that mean you're not going?" Lily was annoyed.
Arthur grinned. "You're overthinking it. I don't have any enemies. The reason I was in the dumpster… well, there's a reason."
"Ha! Don't try to tell me you usually sleep in dumpsters. Do you think I'm three years old or an idiot?" Lily yelled.
Arthur quickly stepped back to avoid her spittle and scratched his head. "Believe it or not, I have a habit of sleeping in dumpsters… Besides, I just helped you solve a problem."
"But I carried you here last night!"
"But… I just helped you solve a problem…"
"And I cooked you noodles today!!!"
Arthur was horrified and quickly waved his hands. "I really didn't eat them! Don't accuse me!"
"Huh? You ate them and now you're denying it!" Lily was furious. "I cooked three bowls for you!"
"Oh, you meant that." Arthur breathed a sigh of relief.
"What else would I mean?" Lily was about to lose it.
Arthur thought for two seconds and then said, "But I helped you solve a problem."
"Is that all you can say?" Lily stared at Arthur, stunned by his shamelessness.
Arthur thought for a moment and then said, "I could probably help you solve future problems as well.
Lily blinked, was silent for a moment, and then said, "Deal!"