Man With Super Medical Skill novel Chapter 3413

Matthew nodded. He hadn't just seen that group; he'd felt their unfriendly stares clinging to him the entire time.

"That crowd you saw—well, they're the main muscle around here, part of the largest faction on this island: the guilds. On each island, the guilds typically hold the most power. If you really managed to set up a factory, you'd be hurting their business. Where do you think they'd get their recruits if you gave people actual jobs? You'd be cutting into their profits," Tertius explained, revealing why he'd been so alarmed by Matthew's plans to invest here. If word got out, the guilds would stop at nothing to eliminate him.

"Besides this, are there any other rules I should know about on this island?"

Tertius nodded, eyeing the stack of Dornian Emeralds on the table. It was clear Matthew had paid for full transparency.

"Most of the other islands have established rules, but this one is a little different." Tertius' face grew serious as he listened to the sounds around them, making sure they were alone.

"There are two more docks, one on the east side and one on the west. They're controlled by different guilds. These three guilds have been fighting over this island for a long time, each one trying to take full control. But they're evenly matched, and the island isn't that large, so the power struggle is in a deadlock. No one else has dared to try and compete."

"Thank you, Mr. Zoller." Matthew smiled and rose to leave.

As he turned to go, Tertius called out, "Mr. Larden, make sure you find an inn to stay in before dark—one of the stone buildings. It'll cost a bit more, but those places are under protection, and you'll be safe there. Once it's dark, things get far more dangerous. And remember, don't draw blood during the day, or you'll have a whole pack of hounds on you in no time!" His voice held a trace of bitterness.

Matthew nodded and moved the plank aside, stepping out of the office. Suddenly, he felt a gust of wind rushing toward him. A burly man in a yellow linen vest, his body packed with muscle, approached with a smug look on his face. His calloused fist swung forcefully at Matthew, who moved with such ease that he seemed to float back like a sheet of paper, narrowly evading the strike.

The man in the vest paused, surprised, then sneered, "I see now why you dare come to Crook's Island alone—you've got some skills."

Crook's Island, as locals called the West Montiria Islands, was an apt name given that 99% of the residents were hardened criminals.

"Unfortunately, this world doesn't run on martial arts anymore!" The man pulled out a gleaming handgun, aiming it straight at Matthew.

"Are you planning to break the rule against bloodshed during the day?" Matthew asked calmly.

The man's expression shifted to surprise before he burst out laughing. "Ha! How could you say something so naive? Sure, there's a fine for spilling blood during the day, but I'm ready to pay up. Once you're dead, that yacht of yours is mine, and that'll fetch me at least a few grand."

Matthew's lips curled into a faint smile. "That yacht cost millions. And you're aiming to sell it for a few thousand?"

The man snorted, "You're new here. On Crook's Island, yachts aren't worth much."

Matthew nodded, still smiling, "Got it."

In the next instant, a silver needle shot forward.