Chapter 399

Chapter 399: Struggle for the Spoils

Though Midi’s displayed power made them wary, it was merely wariness.

Tribes of the Shaded Realm feared no death, battling fiercely for resources. Mere intimidation through strength couldn’t deter them.

Though the Blue Serpent Tribe lost one member and their strongest warrior Cuide was wounded with depleted magic, they still numbered seven against Midi’s solitary presence. By headcount alone, they matched him.

Moreover, Vorg the Demon Swordman looked down on Midi entirely.

He believed his earlier restraint stemmed solely from the Terrorclaw Scorpion’s venomous nature. In raw power, he—a sword soul—should surpass this mid-range attacker.

This, of course, was pure delusion.

Hearing Vorg’s hostile tone, Midi stood unmoving, sweeping the area with an icy smirk.

Every dark elf touched by that razor-sharp gaze felt their hearts chill.

Midi’s true focus rested solely on the Level 62 Asura. The rest—even the Level 61 Demon Swordman—posed no threat regardless of numbers.

His gaze finally settled on Cuide, awaiting the decision.

“Silence, Vorg.” Cuide met Midi’s eyes. “He saved my life and fought alongside us, not just scavenging. We’ll split the Terrorclaw Scorpion’s remains.”

Midi gave a faint smile, nodding without words.

He couldn’t claim the massive corpse alone. Cuide had fought hard, and they’d lost a warrior. With the Blue Serpent and Wolfspider Tribes allied, Midi—eager to integrate into dark elf society—couldn’t overstep.

An even split suited him.

Vorg reluctantly nodded at his leader’s command.

But agreement to share didn’t mean fair division.

“Wolfspider slave,” Vorg sneered, “we’ll grant you twenty percent. We keep eighty.”

“Eighty-twenty?” Midi chuckled.

“Correct.” Vorg stepped forward threateningly. “Be grateful. Seven of us versus one—you’d get less with equal shares.”

“Eighty-twenty works,” Midi said calmly, “if I take eighty. Most of you never drew blades. How dare scavengers claim spoils after true warriors fought?”

Truth rang in his words—the Terrorclaw’s poison had immobilized most Blue Serpent warriors, Vorg included.

But this blunt truth became provocation. Flipping the split mocked them outright.

Vorg’s temper ignited.

“Slave, you court death!” he roared.

Steel sang through the Dark Mushroom Forest as the dark elf Demon Swordman lunged skyward.

Demon Swordman skill: Silver Blade Fall.

Midi stood firm, half-watching Cuide as Golden-Red Sword Lights flared around him. His blade slashed upward to meet the diving strike.

This was a strike powerful enough to send a heavy Lizardman flying.

Midair, Vorg felt overwhelming force crashing toward him. He resembled a torn kite caught in roaring hurricane winds, utterly incapable of resistance.

A sharp metallic clang echoed as the dark elf Demon Swordman hurtled backward, crashing into a mushroom tree ten meters away.

The broken blade of his longsword spun downward, embedding deep into the earth.

One strike. Midi had sent a higher-ranked opponent flying and shattered his weapon.

This was Midi’s current strength.

"Good," Midi thought approvingly.

His former combat style couldn’t achieve such dominance.

But in the Shaded Realm, trained by Eighth Apostle Rot, Midi had shifted from targeting vital points with speed to frontal assaults, clashing directly with heavyweights like Lizardmen and half-giants.

Constant battles refined the Dragon’s Blood in his veins, enhancing his power and resilience.

Now, agility-focused dark elves couldn’t withstand his heavy strikes.

Seeing their second-strongest member crumpled by Midi’s blow, Blue Serpent Tribe warriors drew weapons – not for vengeance, but fearing they’d be next.

Yet Midi didn’t pursue. He stood firm, gaze locked on Level 62 Asura Cuide.

"My eighty, your twenty," Midi’s icy voice cut through the Dark Mushroom Forest.

No warriors mistook this for jest now.

Though wary, Cuide maintained composure. Being two levels higher and a Tribal Warrior, he wouldn’t retreat easily.

"Fifty-fifty’s fair," Cuide countered.

"Seventy-thirty. Your limit," Midi shook his head with mocking smile. "Fairness comes too late."

When the Demon Swordman challenged earlier, Cuide had allowed the test. Had Midi shown weakness, twenty-eight split would’ve stood despite his saving Cuide.

Now, after Midi’s display, pretending fairness for fifty split? Unacceptable.

Since they bullied the weak but feared the strong, Midi pressed harder.

"Fifty? Alone, could you handle seventy?" Cuide persisted.

Through environmental awareness, Midi sensed Cuide accelerating magic flow while healing injuries.

Stalling? Awaiting reinforcements?

Midi smirked. "Who said I’m alone?"

He gestured. Overpowering demon god power erupted from the forest – Zaknavan’s aura.

"What?!" Cuide’s calm shattered. He desperately tried locating the energy source.

But Zaknavan’s expertise prevented tracking. The power flashed briefly before vanishing.

One certainty remained – another presence hid in the forest.

An expert obeying Midi’s command. Possibly multiple.

Zaknavan’s aura shattered Cuide’s plans. Originally confident against slave warrior Midi, believing tribes confiscated their treasures, now…

That fleeting power proved Midi’s ally was formidable. Blue Serpent warriors exposed their positions while enemies stayed hidden. With Vorg incapacitated…

Total annihilation loomed.

Cold sweat drenched Cuide’s back.

"Seventy-thirty," he forced out calmly.

"Good." Midi leapt down, landing by the Terrorclaw Scorpion corpse.

Guided by Zaknavan’s instructions and adventurer experience, Midi deftly harvested venom sac, heart, crystal, pincers, mouthparts, and spine – valuable yet portable parts.

Rot had already claimed the core during negotiations.

Under Blue Serpent warriors’ mixed gazes, Midi packed spoils and vanished into shadows.