Chapter 445

Chapter 445: Alchemy Mission

“There are five recommendation spots for five core members of the family – the top five warriors out of a hundred,” Hawke explained. “These five might not be the strongest fighters, but each has unique skills making them most likely to earn Black Dragon warrior qualifications. Replacing them is impossible.”

Hawke gave such detailed explanations because he’d guessed Midi’s intentions.

Why else would Midi rush to the family mission hall on the first day before even using his allocated resources?

But Hawke believed any attempts to prove himself through difficult tasks would be pointless.

Ordinary warriors and core members weren’t judged by the same standards!

Even if Midi stood out among regular warriors, he’d still be considered mediocre by core disciples’ measures.

The mission hall rarely posted truly challenging tasks anyway. Midi would just waste his month’s preparation time.

Seeing Midi’s silent nodding, Hawke pressed further: “The weakest core disciple is Level 64. The strongest reached Level 65 mastery – surpassing even me. In the wilderness, these core members could single-handedly kill Terrorclaw Scorpions!”

“Impressive,” Midi agreed, knowing firsthand how fearsome those scorpions were.

He didn’t mention that Terrorclaw Scorpions had exploitable weaknesses. A knowledgeable adventurer could defeat them without bloodshed.

Misreading Midi’s silence as agreement, Hawke added: “Combat skill’s just one aspect. These five excel in different fields – they’re complete adventurers, not mere warriors. Give up this idea.”

Securing a spot was hard enough for family members. For an outsider human? Impossible.

Hawke thought he’d made things clear. Midi didn’t seem stubborn.

Yet Midi smiled: “Thank you, Mr. Hawke. But I still need to visit the mission hall.”

Hawke’s face stiffened.

“You misunderstand,” Midi continued. “I don’t think completing missions will get me recommended. I’m here for alchemy tasks.”

“Alchemy tasks?” Hawke blinked.

Major families like Death Scorpion offered more than basic Wolfspider tribe missions. Alongside combat tasks existed production assignments and diplomatic missions.

Alchemists were rare treasures everywhere – tribes, cities, even powerful families. Midi planned to use his potion-making skills to enter the Death Scorpion’s Alchemy Workshop.

Though only skilled in potions now, he could learn mechanical alchemy later. Even if he failed to earn recommendations, the potions would boost his levels. Stronger for the Fighter Selection, he’d make contributions while seeking advancement chances.

Brew potions. Grow stronger. Earn merits. Find opportunities. That was the plan.

However, Hawke clearly felt great surprise.

A battle-skilled warrior could be an adventurer with multiple techniques, but becoming a knowledgeable alchemist proved far more challenging.

Even magic users who studied extensively often lacked alchemy expertise—let alone Midi, a melee fighter.

Training a qualified alchemist required vast amounts of rare materials, even for basic potion making.

Theory alone meant nothing without practice.

Midi hardly seemed the type to spend days brewing potions in an Alchemy Workshop.

“Death Scorpion’s Alchemy tasks demand real alchemists,” Hawke cautioned. “Don’t underestimate them just because you can brew low-grade potions.”

Yet this time, Hawke left room for doubt.

He wondered just how skilled Midi truly was. Even basic blood coagulation potions would make the combat-capable alchemist remarkable—a rare combination.

“I’ll decide after reviewing the tasks,” Midi replied calmly.

Their conversation continued until they reached the family mission hall—a hollowed stone pillar with three levels.

Each floor’s magic array projected tasks onto silk curtains for selection. Across the hall, counters handled task settlements, though rewards were collected in a separate pillar, mirroring the Wolfspider tribe’s system.

Most battle missions occupied the First Layer, with red-marked high-difficulty ones requiring teams. Midi spotted a Terrorclaw Scorpion heart-hunting task but moved past it.

The Second Layer housed non-combat tasks: setting magic arrays, checking cavern defenses, weapon forging, Enchanting, and countless alchemy requests—exactly what Midi sought. More tasks meant higher challenges. Completing these would earn the Alchemy Workshop’s approval, just as he’d impressed Sherlock in the Wolfspider tribe. Workshop membership promised clear advantages.

As Midi focused on task selection, two dark elves descended from the Third Layer—restricted to warriors with contribution points. Their status was undeniable.

Hawke recognized them instantly: Kanis, fifth-ranked core member, and Veyna, youngest of Death Scorpion’s three Black Dragon High Priests. While martial arts masters equaled core members, High Priests demanded immediate respect in the family’s strict hierarchy.

Hawke moved to greet Veyna, but she approached first, drawn by the anomaly—a round-eared human beside a martial arts master.

“Who is he?” Veyna asked, curiosity blazing like Galantis’ initial interest in Midi.

“A human…” Hawke explained, repeating his bonfire gathering report to family higher-ups. Yet Veyna’s questions grew more intrusive, probing details even Hawke didn’t know.

Kanis watched bitterly. As Veyna’s suitor, her fascination with this human grated his pride.