Arena Master

Biodata

Background / History

The Arena Master runs the fighting arena in Iron Cage City, an underground Mafia outpost on Banaro Island. He schedules captive fighters' matches and uses food and private cells as rewards for victories. He also plans matches that will kill successful fighters once an upset becomes profitable 1 2.

After Jack survives several matches, the Arena Master orders him to kill Lynx, the arena's Executioner, because Lynx has refused to fight. He offers Jack Lynx's position and an advance payment of 50,000 Beli. When Jack wins, the Arena Master presents him to the crowd as the new Executioner and moves him to Private Cell No. 1 4 6. He later offers Jack better food, money, and living conditions in exchange for killing on command. Believing Jack has agreed, he arranges for him to execute a captured Marine corporal during Capone Bege's visit 7 8.

Jack instead protects the corporal, disrupting the event. After Jack kills Bege's Doberman bodyguard, Bege privately warns the Arena Master, who believes his position is finished 8 10. Jack subsequently attacks Bege's guards and escapes while the Arena Master hides in the private box. Bege orders him to handle the escape, but Jack returns, frees the prisoners, and sets off explosions that burn Iron Cage City. The Arena Master's fate is not stated 12 13 15.

Appearance

The Arena Master is a man in his forties who wears silk shirts and gold rings 2.

• Carries a short whip, which he uses to strike cage bars or railings for attention 1 3 5.
• Wears dress shoes that can be heard approaching along the arena's iron corridors 2 7.

Personality

The Arena Master treats fighters as investments: he improves Jack's food and lodging while looking for ways to profit from his victories or death. Lynx's refusal to fight offends him because he considers the money spent feeding Lynx grounds for obedience 2 4 7.

He is deferential to Bege, preparing his VIP box and anxiously seeking his approval. When Jack defies the planned spectacle and Bege turns against him, his confidence gives way to panic 8 10 12.

Equipment / Items

• Short whip — carried at his waist and used to command attention in the arena 1 2 5.
• Ammunition-store key — one of only two people with access to the store; the Vice Warden holds the other key 15.
• Operational records — letters signed “Arena Master” document gambling revenue, the Executioner's record, and Mafia operations in the West Blue 15.

Relationships

• Jack — a captive fighter whom he promotes to Executioner and tries to recruit as a killer; Jack secretly marks him as a target 4 6 7.
• Capone Bege — the Mafia boss to whom he defers and for whom he stages a special match. Bege holds him responsible after Jack escapes 7 8 13.
• Lynx — his former Executioner; the Arena Master orders Jack to kill him after Lynx refuses to fight 4.
• Garma — a captive blacksmith whom he keeps repairing weapons and cages rather than sending into the arena 7.
• Colin — the captured Marine corporal he schedules for execution as the finale of Bege's visit 7 8.

Notable Quotes

“You fight again tomorrow. Win, and you live.” 1

“You kill for me, and I give you money, meat, a better private cell.” 7