Chapter 439

Chapter 439: Trump Cards

At last came the final match of the championship.

Though Midi couldn’t participate in this decisive battle or claim the champion’s title and rewards, the electric tension surrounding the arena owed much to his schemes. The true capabilities of both finalists had become the focus of intense scrutiny from countless spectators—Midi included.

He intended to secure an optimal viewing spot at the Wolfspider tribe’s stands. But before he could reach the high point, a dark elf warrior clad in polished equipment blocked his path. The scorpion emblem stamped on the warrior’s breastplate marked him as belonging to the Death Scorpion family.

"Master Hawke requests your presence in the family’s private viewing box for the final match," the warrior announced with deliberate formality. The words carried the weight of an order rather than invitation.

This face-to-face meeting confirmed Midi’s suspicions—after covert observation, the Death Scorpion faction had finally decided to test him directly, using the championship battle as their stage.

"Welcome to the Death Scorpion. Call me Hawke." The martial arts master gestured casually as Midi entered the elevated box overlooking the vast arena. Hawke’s relaxed demeanor suggested years of camaraderie rather than a first meeting.

Matching this informality, Midi offered a calm greeting before claiming a vantage point beside Hawke. The human’s unflinching composure further validated the martial arts master’s earlier assessment—this surface-worlder carried himself like seasoned nobility.

In the Underdark’s ruthless hellscape, former status meant little. Scions of major families like Mason or Zaknavan routinely became tribal slaves when fortunes turned. Yet true power stemmed from more than bloodline—the right combination of experience, strategic vision, and adaptability could elevate even fallen nobles. Midi’s recent maneuvers, effortlessly extracting advantages from volatile situations, had convinced Hawke to extend this invitation.

Now came the real evaluation.

"Midi." Hawke nodded toward the arena below.

"Master Hawke. Your guidance?" Though anticipating the ploy, Midi maintained an appropriately guarded tone—overly keen perception might arouse distrust.

"Who claims victory today?"

"Alexis." The answer came swift as a dagger thrust.

Hawke’s eyebrow twitched. Most would hedge their bets, especially someone who’d manipulated Risen through careful implication. Yet this exiled human offered neither qualification nor explanation for his absolute declaration.

Not blind loyalty then. Nor surface-world arrogance. The martial arts master’s curiosity sharpened as he studied Midi’s impassive profile.

From the recent exchanges between the top warriors of the Wolfspider tribe, it became clear that Alexis and Midi shared no friendship or bond—instead, they remained wary and guarded against each other.

Midi couldn’t fully grasp Alexis’s trump cards, nor would he speak favorably out of emotional support.

Had he discovered something during the recent spar with Risen?

Unlikely.

Risen, the Fire Lizard Tribe’s Great Warrior, appeared rough but operated with extreme caution—a trait that had carried him this far.

Their brief clash had been mere probing, offering no deep insights.

So why was Midi so confident now?

“Give me your reasoning,” Hawke demanded, his calm tone edged with authority.

“Both hold unrevealed trump cards,” Midi explained. “The speed Alexis showed in the semifinals? Just a targeting spell—unimpressive and insufficient to fool Risen. This isn’t about strength or speed, but whose hidden weapon prevails.”

“You know their secrets?” Hawke’s stern facade cracked, revealing genuine curiosity.

“Not exactly, but I can infer,” Midi replied.

“Go on.”

“Risen’s trump card ties to his Dragon’s Blood—likely enhanced attacks, defense, or sub-dragon traits. It’s a ‘visible card.’ Once unleashed, its nature becomes clear. Surviving it depends purely on strength.” Midi glanced at Alexis. “But Alexis’s is an ‘invisible card.’ Even if activated, its workings stay hidden. And even if uncovered, surviving it still demands power. The gap between these cards is obvious. Hence, Alexis will win.”

“Unless they strike a deal mid-fight…” Midi added innocently, shrugging off all accountability.

“You little—!” Hawke snapped, glaring after being hooked by Midi’s analysis only to get derailed.

Yet the “visible vs. invisible” theory intrigued the seasoned martial arts master.

Risen fought methodically, relying on brute force. Alexis won through unpredictability, lacking clear strengths yet overwhelming foes. Unless Risen’s card overpowered him, Alexis held the advantage.

Notably, Alexis showed no concern for Risen’s prized Dragon’s Blood.

Midi knew Alexis’s true card—mind-related abilities—but kept silent. Exposing it risked exposing himself. Letting Alexis eliminate rivals before facing him was ideal… provided Midi surpassed him in psychic prowess.

This battle would reveal much. Risen, with his Dragon’s might, possessed mid-level Thought Capturer defenses—a perfect test subject.

But Midi soon realized his miscalculation.

Without warning, crimson light erupted around Risen, mirroring Midi’s Golden-Red Sword Lights.

“Dragon’s Blood Flame!” Hawke muttered, shooting Midi a pointed look that questioned his earlier confidence.

The martial arts master’s reaction was justified. Blood Flame—a skill channeling Dragon Power—signaled Risen had gained Dragon Heritage, something even the Death Scorpion family lacked. Dark elves, devoid of Dragon’s Blood, could never achieve this.

“His bloodline’s mediocre—second-rate sub-dragon at best,” Eighth Apostle Rot whispered to Midi. “He fears you. Your thin yet pure Dragon’s Blood will surpass his in time.”

Midi understood now. Risen’s impure lineage capped his growth at sub-dragon tier, while Midi’s pure bloodline, though weak, could awaken into ancient dragon-tier power.

Yet currently, Risen dominated. His Blood Flame surpassed Dragon’s might, elevating his psychic defense to senior Thought Capturer level—enough to stroll unharmed through the Blue Truth Sect in the Sea of Clouds.

How would Alexis, reliant on mind-related abilities, counter this psychic kryptonite?

Midi watched intently as Alexis stood across the arena.