Capítulo 1668: Lupus’s Duel (Part 1) Steve was worried about what was taking place right now. For one, he honestly hadn’t expected the three of them to do this well. He knew they were skilled and talented, and before today he had believed there was a chance that one of them might win their match. Maybe two, if things went poorly. But not all of them. Not like this. As Steve stood there, watching Gary still breathing heavily from his fight, blood staining his body, it became painfully clear that the three who had left his camp had grown tremendously in strength in a frighteningly short amount of time. Whatever they had gone through after leaving his pack, whatever training or experiences they had faced, it had pushed them far beyond what Steve had originally believed possible. The reason Steve had asked Gary to lose his fight had been calculated. After seeing Kai win so decisively, Steve had already started thinking ahead. He believed that Kai’s victory wasn’t a fluke, and more importantly, that Lupus, out of the three, was the most talented of them all. Lupus had always been dangerous, even back when he was still under Steve’s watch. His instincts, his growth rate, and his composure were far above average. If Lupus won as well, then all three outsiders would claim victory. And if that happened, the duel would no longer serve its purpose. Steve had proposed the duel for a few reasons. He had structured it carefully, choosing a format that allowed him to buy more time. That had been his intention from the start. However, if all three outsiders won their matches, then Jack’s pack would lose the duel outright. This might have seemed like the best result at first for buying more time, but that wasn’t the case at all for a few reasons. That would leave only one unresolved outcome. Jack and Steve. Steve wanted to fight against Jack in the duel and not any situation that might occur outside of the duels. That was why he had asked Gary to lose. If Gary lost, and if Lupus won, then thier was a chance to argue for another fight. Since it was expected that Jack would be fighting anyway with a total of four fights all together. Only if all three won, would they not fight. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮 But now, after Gary had won his fight through sheer grit and survival, the situation had shifted dangerously. Steve clenched his jaw. If Lupus won this next fight too, then everything he had tried to prevent would collapse right in front of him. And that was the part that didn’t make sense. If Steve truly wanted to fight Jack, he could have simply challenged him directly from the start. There had been no rule stopping him. So why hadn’t he? Why go through the trouble of selecting the three outsiders in the first place? Why not just choose members from his own pack, or weaker fighters, if he wanted to lose certain matches? The answer lay in the tension boiling beneath the surface. Those in Steve’s pack were becoming hostile, far more hostile than they should have been. It wasn’t just rivalry or resentment. Something darker was stirring. Steve could see it in their eyes, hear it in the whispers, feel it in the way their gazes lingered on Jack’s pack. Hatred was growing. And Steve knew exactly why. Unzoku. He didn’t have proof yet, but the signs were unmistakable. The unnatural aggression. The eagerness to kill rather than restrain. The way words were being twisted and emotions amplified. Unzoku’s influence was spreading, seeping into the minds of Werewolves on both sides. That was the real danger. If fighters from either pack died during this duel, it would ignite everything. There would be no stopping the war after that. Based on what Steve had just witnessed in Gary’s fight, death was already far too close for comfort. Claw hadn’t been fighting to win, he had been fighting to kill. Which meant Steve couldn’t risk letting fighters from his own pack continue these duels unchecked. That was another reason he had chosen the outsiders. They weren’t fully bound by pack loyalty. They weren’t fueled by hatred or resentment. They didn’t want this war. And so far, they had shown restraint, even when facing lethal intent. And there was one more reason Steve needed these fights to continue. Time. Steve had quietly sent part of his pack away on a mission. A dangerous one. They were gathering information, chasing rumors, following traces tied to Unzoku’s movements. Steve could no longer afford to be afraid of Unzoku, he needed proof. Something tangible. Something that could convince Jack that all of this was manipulation. So far, they had found nothing concrete. And the chances of them finding something in these final moments were slim. But Steve still needed time. Even a little more time could make the difference between war and understanding. If Lupus lost this fight, then Steve and Jack would be forced to face each other in combat, buying him exactly what he needed, time, control, and the ability to keep the situation from spiraling completely out of control. Steve exhaled slowly. ‘I’ve noticed it,’ he thought grimly. ‘In Jack’s pack… and in my own. There are those stirring trouble, whispering, pushing for violence. Just waiting for the chance to strike.’ That was the most terrifying part. Steve couldn’t even fully trust his own pack anymore. Which was why, against all odds, he was relying on the Omega Werewolves. That was why he didn’t want Lupus to win. “I guess it’s me against Tongo,” Lupus said as he stepped forward, rolling his shoulders. His voice was calm, but there was steel beneath it. “What kind of stupid name is that?” Lupus cracked his neck, eyes fixed ahead. “I’m going to bash you like a damn drum,” he continued coldly, “so don’t even think about trying something like what you guys did to the green-haired.” The atmosphere tightened instantly. Tongo was just about to step forward when another figure moved. A single step. Enough to stop him. Everyone turned. “I’ll take this fight.” The voice was calm. Firm. Familiar. Steve’s eyes widened slightly. Bluebird stepped forward. Although he wasn’t part of either pack, his presence carried weight. Immense weight. A Hero of the past, a knight who had survived Dragon’s Revenge itself. Someone who didn’t need to prove anything to anyone. “Although I’m not part of the pack,” Bluebird continued, his gaze steady, “I am a dear friend to Jack. I was brought here for a reason.” He turned his head slightly, looking at Steve. “And since you’re allowed to use these three outsiders as representatives, I don’t see why it would be a problem if I join in as well.” Silence followed. Even Steve hadn’t anticipated this. The Werewolves on both sides stirred uneasily. There was no doubt in anyone’s mind, if Bluebird fought, this would be a guaranteed victory. No one present questioned that. But at the same time, Lupus, Gary, and Kai exchanged glances. This wasn’t what Bluebird had said he wanted. He had claimed he wanted to stop the fight. So why step in now? What was he really planning? **** **** For updates for MWS and future works, please follow me on my social media below. Instagram: Jksmanga P.a.t.r.e.o.n: jksmanga When news of MVS, MWS or any other series comes out, you will be able to see it there first, and you can reach out to me. If I’m not too busy, I tend to reply.