NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 49: 49: Sowing Discord
That roar naturally came from Gold Hook Jack. At the same time, it woke up the fighters in the Wild Arena, who rushed out of corners and charged toward the giant wolf.
Tristan scanned the area, and just in his line of sight, there were over thirty fighters. Most were around level 15.
With Tristan's current stats, wiping them out in an instant wouldn't be a problem, but he couldn't act yet—he needed to avoid exposing himself too early.
His thoughts focused, and under his control, the giant wolf wreaked havoc, charging through the audience, knocking people aside, and making the chaos spread even further.
Many of the spectators, now too frightened to care about the ongoing battles, scrambled in all directions to find an escape.
The fighters, struggling against the tide of people, found it hard to make progress. But finally, they managed to get closer. The giant wolf made a few quick jumps and appeared on the other side of the stands, causing another wave of panic.
Gold Hook Jack's roar rang out again: "What are you idiots doing?! Bring me that beast's head, or it's your heads I want!"
The black market didn't care for human rights, and in Gold Hook Jack's eyes, the fighters were expendable.
Upon hearing their boss's orders, the fighters immediately got to work with renewed vigor. Anyone blocking their path was tossed aside without a second thought.
After all, the spectators were all just nobodies; the real VIPs had private booths. The fighters had no qualms about roughing them up. Even if they did bump into a major figure, it would be Gold Hook Jack's problem, not theirs.
With the mindset of "The boss's problems are not my problems," the fighters cleared a path with their weapons in hand.
But the giant wolf wasn't going to just stand still and wait. Under Tristan's direction, it used its speed advantage to dart around the stands, hopping around to keep the fighters on their toes.
Finally, seizing the moment, the wolf dashed out of the arena.
Gold Hook Jack's furious voice echoed: "Chase after it!"
The fighters immediately set off, some running on two legs, some on three, and some even on four.
The large group of pursuers flooded out of the arena, causing even more chaos outside.
Amidst the chaos, Tristan activated Stealth and moved swiftly, climbing over three layers of buildings until he reached the top of the arena.
Up there was a massive circular room, surrounded by transparent crystal panels, allowing a panoramic view of the entire arena.
It was here that Tristan saw his target, Gold Hook Jack.
[Gold Hook Jack (Gold Grade)]
Level: 20
Health: 1,800,000/1,800,000
Attack: 5000
Defense: 3000
Skills: Fatal Hook Lock, Trickery, Gunfire Negotiation, Call for Bombing
Description: Former pirate leader who abandoned his ship for unknown reasons and now runs the Wild Arena in the black market.
From the stats alone, it was clear that Gold Hook Jack was on par with Baron Ghibbobo from Crimson Tomb, though he had the advantage in level.
However, this didn't matter much. At the same level, Gold Hook Jack would have been no match for the vampire baron.
This made sense, as Gold Hook Jack was just a regular human, and his base stats and growth potential were far inferior to a true Vampire Baron like Ghibbobo.
In fact, ExoGenesis had vast differences between races. A creature like a dragon, for example, had inherent power right from birth, far surpassing what any native of ExoGenesis could ever achieve.
Tristan focused, continuing to observe.
Gold Hook Jack, being a former pirate and a shrewd operator in the black market, was calm and composed even in this chaotic situation.
While he had sent his fighters to chase the giant wolf, his three closest subordinates were still with him—two humans and one Minotaur.
A rather odd combination.
[One-Eyed First Mate (Silver Grade)]
Level: 15
Health: 500,000/500,000
Attack: 2500
Defense: 2200
Skills: Blackwater Swordsmanship, Throwing Expertise, Enhanced Vision, Nimble Steps
Description: Gold Hook Jack's first mate with considerable ambition.
[Redbeard Second Mate (Bronze Grade)]
Level: 15
Health: 250,000/250,000
Attack: 2200
Defense: 2000
Skills: Fire Liquor, Scorbutic, Trip, Binding Net
Description: The first mate's younger brother, though this fact seems to be hidden from the public.
[Heavy Fist Third Mate (Bronze Grade)]
Level: 15
Health: 400,000/400,000
Attack: 2800
Defense: 3500
Skills: Tough Skin, Resilience, Mighty Strength, Charge Hammer Strike
Description: A wandering Minotaur who, by chance, joined the Wild Arena. He yearns to return home but doesn't know the way.
A Gold Grade boss, a Silver Grade, and two Bronze Graders—what a terrifying combination!
This scene was even more intimidating than when Tristan faced Baron Ghibbobo in Crimson Tomb. Not only were there more bosses, but their levels were also higher.
Yet Tristan saw an opportunity.
The first mate had ambition, and the second mate was his hidden younger brother?
This was a perfect setup for treachery!
When the battle began, these two would absolutely not go all out. If Gold Hook Jack started losing, they might even betray him and take his place.
As for the Minotaur, Tristan had a hunch that Gold Hook Jack had tricked him with food.
Minotaurs weren't particularly bloodthirsty, and their presence in the arena was likely coincidental. The surrounding wilderness didn't offer enough hunting grounds, and since this area was human territory, Heavy Fist probably found it hard to fill his stomach.
Gold Hook Jack must have noticed this weakness and used it to keep Heavy Fist in the arena.
Tristan guessed that Heavy Fist was likely neutral. As long as his life wasn't in danger, he wouldn't care who ran the Wild Arena.
With that in mind, Tristan realized that the fight might not be as difficult as it seemed. Surviving the combined assault of these four bosses would not be easy, but it was possible.
The trick was, these bosses weren't united. As long as Gold Hook Jack was taken down, the others would not fight to the death.
With this thought, Tristan began to form a plan.
As Tristan was analyzing the situation, Gold Hook Jack sensed the odd atmosphere in the air. His wolf-like eyes scanned the room, but he didn't spot anyone and quickly came to a conclusion.
"Edith sent you, didn't she?" Gold Hook Jack's voice was dripping with sarcasm. "That woman, always sending her subordinates to die while hiding in some safe corner. Do you think that's appropriate?"
Tristan silently nodded.
Gold Hook Jack was clever, trying to divide and conquer from the start.
If Tristan were a native of ExoGenesis, he might have fallen for it. But as a player, Tristan knew the truth: Gold Hook Jack was his mission target.
And that alone meant they were locked in a deadly struggle.
Tristan didn't want to waste any more time talking.
The fighters were all chasing the giant wolf, and now was the perfect moment to act.
Gathering shadow energy in his hand, Tristan launched Shadow Dagger, sending it flying through the air.
As he did, he loudly declared: "Gold Hook Jack, did you know your first and second mates are brothers?"
You think you're the only one who knows how to sow discord? I can do that too!