Terra Nova Online: Rise of The Strongest Player

Chapter 192: The next fight

Chapter 192: The next fight

( Ben and Leo’s POV )

Following their usual routine, after his round of 32 match, Leo and Ben shadowed the match official to discover the arena type for their upcoming match.

Just like always, the match official was moving in a haphazard way, making it difficult to tail him as per protocol, however, Ben and Leo still managed to stay on his tail regardless.

However, midway, Ben abruptly called off their pursuit when he noticed several strong yet unfamiliar figures also following the match official.

“Why have we stopped chasing him, master? We’ll lose him soon if we don’t keep up,” Leo protested, but Ben stood firm in his decision.

“We can’t continue the chase, boy. There are at least seven strong fighters nearby who are also tailing the official today. It’s too risky,” Ben explained as Leo scanned his surroundings, trying to spot the fighters that Ben mentioned, but he could not find anyone suspicious.

‘Where?’ Leo wondered as he tried his best to locate them, but failed.

Since Ben said there were 7 strong men tailing the match official, Leo had no doubt that there would be 7 men tailing the official, however, it was his inability to spot them that felt frustrating.

It was moments like these where Leo realized that although he had managed to grasp all of Ben’s core skills, the gap between him and Ben as a fighter was still very wide.

“So what now? Do we give up on spying for the arena and go in blind for tomorrow’s match?” Leo asked, as Ben contemplated this question for a moment, before nodding his head.

“Your opponent tomorrow is Jerome Crowhead of the West Duke Family.

If my guess is not wrong. Then the men tailing the match official should be from the West Duke Family.

A knight against an assassin is a match up that you should win. But with things like these you can never be too sure” Ben said, as he tried to factor in how much importance they should place on the arena.

“Spying on the arena is a crime. You could get disqualified if you were caught.

I would have gone spied on him alone, however, with the night guild searching for you as wild hounds, leaving you alone tonight also seems extremely dangerous…” Ben said as he made it clear that leaving Leo alone tonight was also a risky choice that he was unwilling to make.

Leo could see the inner turmoil in Ben’s expression as he considered their limited options, something that he felt himself responsible for and hence tried to contribute towards solving it as best as he could.

“Maybe there’s another way to find out about the arena without directly spying on the official,” Leo suggested, trying to ease Ben’s burden. “Could we possibly gather information from some of the other contestants who might not be as closely watched as us?”

Ben looked at Leo, a spark of approval in his eyes. “That’s a good thought. There are always ears less guarded than eyes. We might find someone who’s heard something. But we need to be discreet. The West Duke Family isn’t known for their forgiving nature.” Ben said, as a plan started to formulate in his mind.

“Should we split up then, or stick together?” Leo asked, understanding the risks but also the potential need to cover more ground.

“We’ll stick together. With the night guild possibly on our tail, it’s safer. We’ll make casual rounds in the common areas where the West Duke Family stays in the capital” Ben directed, his plan forming more solidly now.

As they headed towards the areas controlled by the Crowhead family in Stronghaven, Leo felt a renewed sense of purpose.

While just lurking and hoping to catch an important piece of information was not the best way to gather information as it was not guaranteed to succeed.

Even if they did not succeed in gathering the information they wanted, Leo felt like being kept on his toes and alert amidst enemies would help keep his senses sharp for tomorrow’s battle which in his opinion was equally important.

***********

( Cervantez’s POV )

“So the match arena tomorrow is going to be the pillar arena. Another classic from old times, where the entire arena is covered with thick large white pillars, blocking one’s line of sight constantly” Cervantez said, as he drew the layout of the match arena tomorrow for Luke to study.

With even Tor being eliminated in the round of 32, the only two DarkSky guild members still left in the grand tournament were himself and Luke and hence Cervantez was now doing his best to ensure that Luke safely made it to the quarter-finals.

“This ground is an assassin’s paradise, so many places to hide …. So many shadows to use” Luke commented after studying the battlefield as he realized that the type of fighter that this arena would least favor is the long ranged fighter like mage, archer etc.

While as a Knight he wasn’t at a blatant disadvantage at this arena, it did not favor him either.

“Indeed, You can expect The Boss to have a field day tomorrow against your best friend Jerome” Cervantez commented as Luke let out a deep sigh.

After having met The Boss in person, Luke still did not think he was as special a fighter as the other guild members made him to be, however, he kept that opinion to himself.

“Well my opponent is a mage. Not just any mage, the number one mage academy graduate, so I think the arena this time is playing out in my favor” Luke commented, as Cervantez nodded his head.

“Just make sure to close down the distance between yourself and your opponent using the obstacles and you should be good,” Cervantez said, as he went on to discuss Luke’s battle plan for the next day in depth with him.

“You can’t lose tomorrow Skylion….. I need you to make it to the quarters” Cervantez finally said when it was almost time to logout, as Luke gave him an assuring thumbs up.

“I won’t fail you-” he said, as Cervantez sighed in relief.