Chapter 480: Three Parties, Simon Lewis

Chapter 480: Chapter 480: Three Parties, Simon Lewis

From another direction, a lean man pushed through the crowd with several people in tow.

He wore a tight-fitting combat suit, a row of Flying Knives tucked into his belt. He exuded a cold, forbidding Aura, warning others to keep their distance.

Simon Lewis—second-in-command of the Hound team, known for his speed and assassination skills.

"That’s strange. You used to always see Simon Lewis and Dylan Kane running Hound together. Now it’s just Simon Lewis."

Then, a third figure appeared.

A woman.

She was tall and statuesque, clad in a tight black leather suit. With long hair cascading over her shoulders, her features were as icily beautiful as a supermodel’s on a magazine cover.

But her eyes held a glint so sharp it dared anyone to meet her gaze.

Sunny Sinclair—captain of the Night Owl Squad, a ruthless figure rumored to never leave anyone alive.

Three people, from three different directions, converged on Connor Webb’s stall at almost the exact same time.

The surrounding crowd fell silent in an instant, parting automatically to clear a path.

Seraphina Sullivan, cradling her black cat, stood at the edge of the crowd and watched the scene unfold with keen interest.

"Looks like the base’s most famous Players have all shown up," she murmured.

Sean Chandler shifted in her arms. His amber eyes fixed on the newcomers as he offered a rare, multi-word observation. "That Eugene Jensen has a strong defense. The woman is dangerous."

Seraphina Sullivan nodded.

’Looks like I’m not the only one who sees Connor Webb as a juicy target.’

’Interesting.’

Seraphina Sullivan’s gaze swept over the three "big shots" as countless schemes began to churn in her mind.

Ironwall, Hound, and the Night Owl Squad—the three most famous Player organizations in the Central Base.

’She’d already gotten most of the dirt on all three groups from that unlucky fool, Dylan Kane.’

’Ironwall’s strategy was direct confrontation; they had strength in numbers and formidable defenses.’

’The Night Owl Squad was secretive, specializing in dirty work like assassinations and intelligence gathering.’

’And as for Hound...’

Her gaze fell on the lean, cold-looking man.

Simon Lewis, Hound’s second-in-command.

’And the true power behind Hound.’

’And Dylan Kane, who *was* Hound’s second-in-command, was the very "blade" she had personally taken Control of. She’d sent him to kill Ethan Soto, then forced him to end his own life.’

At this thought, the corners of Seraphina Sullivan’s lips curved into a faint smile.

’Dylan Kane’s disappearance was her doing.’

’But if she played her cards right, she could easily pin the blame on someone else.’

’Someone like... Connor Webb.’

’Or... Shawn Gardner.’

’After all, before Dylan Kane disappeared, he was working for Megan Soto.’

’And she just so happens to be Shawn Gardner’s wife and Ethan Soto’s older sister.’

’All she had to do was start a little rumor that Dylan Kane’s disappearance was tied to Connor Webb, or perhaps to some of Shawn Gardner’s shady business dealings...’

’I’m so wicked,’ Seraphina Sullivan thought with gleeful satisfaction. ’The God of Conspiracy should give me an award.’

Somewhere in the great unseen, a certain unknown entity seemed to sneeze.

--God of Conspiracy: ???

--God of Cuisine: Is my own Beloved lusting after another Divine? Are my rewards not good enough?

Of course, Seraphina Sullivan was completely unaware of this secret exchange between the Divine.

All she knew was that her plan was viable.

Killing with a borrowed blade—and she was about to borrow three of the sharpest ones.

...

Meanwhile, the atmosphere in front of Connor Webb’s stall had grown tense.

Eugene Jensen, shouldering his enormous Shield, took a step forward. The ground trembled slightly under his weight.

He stared at the[Enslavement Chain]before Connor Webb and said in a booming voice, "I’m taking this."

Simon Lewis sneered, his fingers lightly caressing the Flying Knives at his waist. "Eugene Jensen, doesn’t Ironwall have enough members already? Must you fight us for this?"

"The spoils go to the highest bidder," Eugene Jensen retorted, not yielding an inch. "If you want it, make an offer."

Sunny Sinclair remained silent, simply standing there.

But her cold, beautiful eyes had already taken in the entire situation.

She had no need to speak. She only needed to wait—for the perfect moment to strike.

Caught between the three powerhouses, beads of sweat began to form on Connor Webb’s forehead.

It wasn’t out of fear.

It was... excitement.

His gaze drifted involuntarily toward Sunny Sinclair.

Her tall figure, her icy features, the perfect curves outlined by her tight leather suit...

’If I could get her into my Harem...’ he began to calculate. ’I’d not only gain an extra life, but I’d also have an assassin for a wife. Who in the base would dare cross me then?’

The heart encased in his fleshy chest began to pound with lust.

The three powerhouses were, of course, oblivious to Connor Webb’s sordid thoughts.

They were focused only on the [Enslavement Chain], each with their own agenda.

With this item, one could gain an absolutely loyal, powerful subordinate. In this backstabbing, post-apocalyptic world, what could possibly be more valuable?

"I’ll give five thousand Contribution Points," Simon Lewis made the first offer.

"Six thousand," Eugene Jensen immediately countered.

"Seven thousand."

"Eight thousand."

The two went back and forth, neither willing to yield.

Sunny Sinclair remained silent, but her hand had already crept toward her waist—where her weapon was hidden.

Connor Webb was grinning from ear to ear.

’As I thought, it’s best to reveal your best items slowly.’

Everyone waited to see who would emerge victorious.

But change always comes when you least expect it.

At the edge of the trade district, in front of a nondescript stall, a small monkey trapped in a cage suddenly grew agitated.

It was a dusty, ordinary-looking gray monkey. Compared to the mutated creatures common in this post-apocalyptic world, it was laughably weak.

The stall owner was selling it as a pet for a low price. Passersby would give it a cursory glance and move on, thinking nothing of it.

But now, something was wrong with the monkey.

Its eyes began to glow red.

A low growl rumbled in its throat.

And then—

BANG!

The cage exploded!

The monkey burst from the wreckage, its body visibly expanding, twisting, and contorting!

Muscle grew wildly beneath its fur, and its bones emitted a sickening series of CRACKS. In the blink of an eye, the palm-sized monkey had transformed into a giant ape over three meters tall, covered in long, grayish-white fur!

ROAR—!!!

The giant ape let out a deafening roar, casually snatched up a nearby stall, and hurled it—stall owner and all—into the crowd!

The trade district erupted into chaos!

"Monster! There’s a monster!"

"Run!"

"Damn it! What the hell is that thing?!"

Ordinary people and Low Rank players scattered, screaming their heads off, while the High Rank players swiftly adopted combat stances.

Some retreated to observe, others were eager for a fight, and still others were already scheming how to profit from the chaos.

Eugene Jensen immediately raised his shield, planting it in front of him.

With a flick of his wrist, Simon Lewis already had three Flying Knives held between his fingers.

Sunny Sinclair’s figure blurred. In this kind of chaos, she was like a fish in water.

Connor Webb watched, too.

Though his Level wasn’t low, combat had never been his strong suit.

None of his "wives" were with him now.

Muttering curses, he began to shrink back.