Clearly, the Silver Fox team’s objective required them to join the pirate faction.
If the situation continues, they might lose all their members.
As both sides faced off, Sasuke used his keen perception to eavesdrop on a few Reincarnators behind him.
“That guy from Sound Nest is named Olsen, a super rookie heavily nurtured by a large team. He’s completed three storyline worlds.”
“And the other one?”
“That’s Hoshino from Silver Fox. He’s quite low-key, but his sword skills are sharp, probably with high-level basic skills.”
Rising to fame in just a few storyline worlds indicated these were super rookies with astounding talent.
For example, the middle-aged man with the sword came from a family of swordsmen and had years of honed skills.
Upon entering the space, he was granted level 11 basic swordsmanship and a unique swordsmanship-related talent.
While Olsen was indeed a key rookie nurtured by Sound Nest, Hoshino’s strength might not be inferior.
At this stage, conflict seemed inevitable. As the visible strongest, both needed to demonstrate their strength to recruit others.
Combat was unavoidable.
As the Reincarnations retreated, the two super rookies assumed combat stances by the shore.
Neither would go for a kill blow to prevent others from taking advantage. A full team clash would harm both sides’ interests.
The real fight would wait for the space-arranged faction battles.
“Please,” Hoshino said, drawing his long sword. His aura intensified, making it painful to look at him.
Holding the sword with his left hand, he pointed the tip at the ground. As a breeze rustled the leaves, the blade flashed with brilliance.
Instinctively, Olsen raised his arm, but blood spurted from it the next second.
Facing a formidable swordsman, Olsen had no chance to counter.
With a single strike, Hoshino swung horizontally, a silver crescent blade radiating out.
Despite retreating, the crescent blade still tore into Olsen’s abdomen, blood gushing out.
In just two exchanges, Hoshino dominated. His every swing was precise as if each move was practised countless times.
By contrast, Olsen seemed like a stationary target, unable to counterattack.
“It’s over!”
Spotting an opening, Hoshino accelerated, breaking through Olsen’s defence with an almost imperceptible move.
However, just as he was about to strike, Olsen vanished, leaving only an afterimage.
The burst of speed wasn’t something a rookie should have. Even with movement skills, it was extraordinary.
“His agility must be at least twenty points,” Hoshino realised he’d underestimated Olsen.
Olsen had pushed an attribute to a frightening level in just three storyline worlds.
“Is it over?” Olsen’s voice came from behind.
Before Hoshino could turn, a searing heat wave hit him, making breathing hard.
The once cool-headed Olsen now wore a metal glove, blazing orange flames emanating from it.
MAX Heat Drive!
Olsen became a blur, his right hand smashing into Hoshino’s chest, the flames threatening to incinerate him instantly.
Seeing this, the Silver Fox team couldn’t sit idle any longer.
“Stop!” Two members moved to intervene.
At the critical moment, Olsen halted the flames, using brute force to hurl Hoshino away.
Though severely injured, Hoshino’s life was spared.
Hands in pockets, Olsen surveyed the scene with arrogance, finally fixing his gaze on the wary Silver Fox team: “Not leaving yet?”
Defeated, the Silver Fox trio had no choice but to slink away.
With the show of force over, Olsen coldly scanned the crowd, his domineering aura enveloping them: “The choice is yours.”
The team then headed towards the obvious naval base across the island, where they would guide those who wished to join the Navy.
Others exchanged looks, hesitated, and about a third followed towards the island.
Some sought survival, and others hoped-for benefits. Following the strong offered safety, but they might not even get scraps.
This was the fatal issue.
“Interesting fight,” Sasuke turned, heading towards the town.
He needed more information to decide on a faction, starting with understanding the current timeline.
For information, the best place was a tavern in town.
“Hey, wait up.”
Turning, Sasuke saw the informant Reincarnator from earlier.
“Hey, wait for Old Cat,” the man approached, overly familiar, oblivious to the potential danger.
Perhaps it was a tactic to lower Sasuke’s guard, but Sasuke didn’t care.
“What do you want?” His tone was hostile, showing displeasure at being approached.
Seeing this, the informant quickly placated him, glancing at Sasuke’s ODM gear: “I recognize that gear. Anyone who has it must be skilled.”
“Go on.”
“Ha,” Old Cat smirked confidently, “I deal in information and know many secrets, including how to benefit in this world.”
Sasuke didn’t respond immediately, uncertain of Old Cat’s true intentions.
Why seek him instead of the Silver Fox or other teams? His doubt was clear.
Sensing Sasuke’s hesitation, Old Cat explained, “Don’t underestimate yourself. The ODM gear is very useful, especially in naval battles.”
True enough, the gear could ignore ocean barriers, allowing assaults on enemy ships using gas propulsion.
Locking onto masts could enable mid-air attacks without guns, using bombs to destroy enemy vessels.
Understanding his value, Sasuke realised others noticed, too.
Old Cat, desperate, revealed his true motive: “I have a hidden task needing your help. The place is tricky, and only your gear can reach it.”
“I’ll split the loot’s value, 30% to you.”
Simply put, he needed Sasuke’s help for a task.
After a moment’s thought, Sasuke agreed, but only if paid upfront: “Give me 200 plot points first. I won’t trust a stranger without a guarantee.”
Requesting plot points directly was bold, but as he said, he didn’t need the treasure and could take or leave the task.
Old Cat needed the task completed, so he had to bear the risk.
“Fine.” Old Cat reluctantly transferred 200 points through the space imprint.
[ID 11675 has transferred 200 plot points.]
With 250 plot points now, Sasuke felt it was a pleasant number.
Having shared information and money, Old Cat became more enthusiastic.
“What’s your name?”
“Jason.”
“A great name.”
Reaching the town’s entrance, they were interrupted by an intense chase.
Bang!
A pirate, shot, fell to the ground, blood flowing from his chest.
The shooter, a seemingly high-ranking Navy soldier, searched the pirate, finding only a few hundred Berries. Furious, he repeatedly shot the dying pirate.
Satisfied only after reducing the pirate to a bloody mess, he left without any attempt to conceal his actions.
The townspeople and the two Reincarnators at the entrance saw everything.
“Seems this town has poor security.”
Poor security meant either the Navy didn’t care, or the base commander was incompetent and unable to handle pirates.
Either way, it was good news for Sasuke.
Just as he was about to leave, Old Cat sent him a string of data.
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