Chapter 402

Chapter 402: Making a Choice

Participating in the territory challenge, making sufficient contributions, then gaining freedom, and later seeking further selections until qualifying for the Black Dragon Conference.

This was Midi’s strategy—simple, direct, and straightforward.

Yet not everyone favored this approach.

Take Zaride, the Black Dragon Priestess.

After the elders’ meeting, this alluring priestess promptly sent for Midi again.

“Surface warrior, have you considered my proposal?” Zaride cut to the chase upon meeting.

“Mr. Zaride, let’s discuss this after I become a Tribe Warrior. For now, I’m just a slave fighting for freedom,” Midi replied, stalling once more.

But he was no longer a minor curiosity—he’d become a prize catch. Zaride wouldn’t be brushed off so easily.

When Midi delayed again, the priestess’s smile tightened briefly before she purred, “In the Shaded Realm, the strong lack wit, and the clever lack power for direct combat. Yet you, a surface human, are both strong and sly.”

“Is that a compliment, Mr. Zaride?” Midi grinned, feigning innocence.

Zaride pressed harder.

Subtlety failed, so he tried hints. When hints failed, he laid cards on the table.

“The Dark Mushroom Forest territory challenge requires priestesses as leaders—me and Galantis,” Zaride stated, locking eyes with Midi. “Follow my orders to undermine Galantis. In return, I’ll grant your freedom and promote you to Wolfspider champion. Refuse, and I offer nothing.”

His voice dripped honeyed menace.

Midi’s freedom was already assured, rendering it useless as leverage. But Wolfspider champion status held appeal.

Dark elf warriors ranked in three tiers:

Regular warriors, captains, and elites formed the first.

Those surpassing them became Tribe Warriors—the second tier—through trials and service.

Above all stood the Great Warrior, heir apparent to the chieftaincy.

Priests and mages followed apprenticeship systems, rarely attaining leadership. Only warriors could rise to chieftain.

For Midi, becoming a Tribe Warrior was essential—the gateway to the Black Dragon Conference. Failing here meant failing entirely.

Zaride’s offer seemed tempting. Yet Midi remained unmoved.

If Zaride could elevate him with a word, his rival Galantis surely had her own trump cards. Worse, siding with Zaride would brand Midi a traitor in Galantis’s eyes. She might ignore Zaride entirely to eliminate him first.

A verbal promise of promotion wasn’t worth becoming Galantis’s primary target in the priestesses’ feud. Midi wanted no part of that thankless strife.

Moreover, more importantly, Zaride’s forceful approach to pressure him into revealing his hand made Midi deeply uncomfortable.

Though he’d initially compromised to become a slave due to Galantis’s whimsical demands, this aligned with Shaded Realm customs—powerful dark elves like Zaknavan and Mason from great Cities had also been enslaved after capture, hadn’t they?

Crucially, while Galantis acted capriciously, she never demanded anything from Midi, driven mainly by curiosity.

Though her attitude seemed naive and exasperating, at least Galantis remained straightforward and harmless.

But this alluring Zaride clearly sought to manipulate Midi.

No, "manipulate" fell short—this was outright coercion.

Given Midi’s temperament, current strength, and established position in Wolfspider Tribe, how could he accept such blackmail?

Moreover, would Zaride—who resorted to such tactics—actually honor the "Tribe Warrior" promise?

Faced with this ultimatum, only one choice remained.

"Since you’ve pushed this far, I must respond," Midi finally answered.

"Then you accept?" Zaride’s face brightened.

Midi shook his head. "I decline."

"What?" Zaride’s beautiful features twisted as if slapped, "You dare refuse me, human?"

"My rule’s simple: stay neutral and mind my business," Midi met Zaride’s gaze unflinchingly, "But force my hand, and you become my enemy."

With that, Midi strode away without glancing back.

This exit served as both statement and precaution—lingering near the enraged Zaride risked non-combat troubles like false accusations.

Fortunately, Zaride’s overconfidence in his offer’s appeal meant no contingencies were prepared, letting Midi retreat safely.

Though he’d held firm this time, Midi knew the seemingly seductive yet ruthless priestess would strike during the territory challenge.

The solution was simple—

Grow stronger!

While Midi had risen remarkably from slave warriors, he still wasn’t Wolfspider Tribe’s top tier.

Initially, dark elves were stunned because he shattered their "weak human" stereotype.

Even after winning ranking matches and gaining fame, the elder council remained unimpressed.

To earn their notice, he’d need to reach Great Warrior Alexis’s level—a Level 62 peak Dark Elf Demon Swordman!

At merely Level 60 mastery without reaching peak, Midi remained beneath the elders’ notice.

He needed greater power!

Midi immediately retreated to White Rock Cave, ignoring rumors to begin secluded training.

With the elder council declaring their Dark Mushroom Forest departure in two days, Midi and favored slave warriors like Mason/Zaknavan were exempted from rankings to rest for the challenge.

Wolfspider Tribe was mobilizing all elites—warriors, fighters, slave warriors alike.

Midi used this time to process rare materials from Dark Mushroom Forest.

Mirage Grass, Demon Face Mushrooms, Shadow Vines, Terrorclaw Scorpion heart blood…

These materials either contained Radiance of Darkness or enhanced bloodline purity, all meticulously chosen by Eighth Apostle Rot.

When refined together, they’d create synergistic resonance.

Guided by Rot, Midi first consumed the heart blood.

Fiery Vitality exploded through his veins, flooding limbs like tidal waves—similar to Dragon’s Blood White Crystal Pool immersion, but gentler due to existing Dragon Blood integration.

As the heart blood’s effects waned, Midi channeled golden-red sword light from his palms—magic compressed to extreme densities. The blistering heat swiftly fused Mirage Grass and other medicinal materials.