Chapter 314

Chapter 314: Undead vs. Shadows

At this point, Midi had made a significant concession, at least on the surface.

Slaying the King of Shadows was an extremely difficult and dangerous task. If the lured shadow creatures returned, they’d face encirclement, and even a small mistake could lead to their demise.

Luring the creatures away seemed much simpler by comparison.

Refusing under these conditions would appear petty or even cowardly.

Besides, passing the trial required everyone to confront the King of Shadows eventually.

With all four teams intact, this was the trial participants’ strongest moment. If they failed now, everyone would likely perish in the Shadow Maze – a pointless loss.

Thus, Sandur and the Scarred Man reluctantly agreed.

They accepted Midi’s command but insisted their role be limited to distracting the shadow knights and their forces, leaving the King of Shadows to Midi’s group.

The alliance was formed.

Midi immediately began issuing orders. He didn’t trust this temporary alliance’s obedience, but as a veteran commander, he knew how to handle fractious troops.

Such alliances crumbled under pressure, only useful for straightforward tasks. Overly detailed commands would breed resentment, so he kept instructions simple and clear for each team leader.

This wasn’t true coordinated warfare – Midi would face the King of Shadows while using the other teams as distractions.

"Rot’s team ambush front-right. Sandur’s team front-left. Execution Team flank the rear." Midi’s commands were crisp and practical.

The simple orders pleased the leaders since no team took the vanguard position. Deployment proceeded smoothly.

When all teams were positioned, Midi’s group took the foremost ambush spot.

"Begin," Midi nodded to Wiseman.

"Watch this," Wiseman grinned, summoning hordes of skeleton warriors with practiced ease. High-level skeleton knights on bony warhorses appeared, clutching rusted spears with unnatural pride.

This was Midi’s battle-tested strategy: undead versus shadows.

No sudden inspiration, but proven through countless clashes. Shadow knights possessed intelligence beyond mere beasts – Midi’s team knew exactly how many undead to deploy and how to bait them. Now they’d apply the same tactics against the King of Shadows.

Risking direct confrontation never crossed Midi’s mind – that would be suicidal.

"They can do that?!"

"Necromancy! Outside-world techniques!"

"Curse our Blood Purification’s limited professions!"

The three allied teams gaped at the skeletal host. Though individually weak, the undead army’s numbers and absolute obedience made them perfect for multi-pronged maneuvers. Their natural immunity to mind-related abilities rendered them ideal Shadow Maze opponents.

"Standard attack pattern. Maximum intensity this time." Midi’s calm voice held no hesitation.

Even the usually flippant Wiseman turned serious. Beside him, Reinhardt stood motionless, absorbing every word. Though commanding mindless skeletons, this remained the undefeated genius commander of Arad. Observing his tactics at close range offered invaluable lessons for future growth.

Both Wiseman and Reinhardt executed orders with precision, knowing this rare learning opportunity shouldn’t be wasted.

Observing the expressions of the two, Midi gave a slight nod but kept his thoughts hidden. "Attack," he murmured.

"Attack," Wiseman echoed, his eyes flooding with swirling magic light.

The skeleton army, sensing their summoner’s will, erupted with waves of deathly aura and surged toward the deepest part of the maze where the King of Shadows resided.

Midi’s meticulous adjustments amplified the assault’s ferocity. Unaffected by mind-related abilities, the skeletons clashed head-on with pure physical force. The half-corporeal shadow creatures, already weaker than Undead Creatures, crumpled under the sudden onslaught. A frontline squad of shadow knights vanished instantly, swallowed by the skeletal tide.

Instead of retreating after this victory, the skeleton army wheeled toward a second squad. Enraged, the King of Shadows unleashed a telepathic command, rallying its forces to form an impenetrable central formation. Yet before this army could coalesce, two more shadow knight squads fell, reducing the King’s forces by thirty percent.

Watching teams stared in disbelief. These outsiders had achieved in moments what others failed to accomplish despite sacrifices—all without lifting a finger themselves. Was the Necromancer profession truly this overpowering?

Only Wiseman and Reinhardt knew the truth: these mindless skeletons triumphed not through strength, but through Midi’s flawless command. What others saw as the Necromancer’s power was actually the strategist’s brilliance.

But even genius had limits.

When the third shadow knight fell, darkness erupted around the King of Shadows. A pitch-black energy sphere materialized in its grasp, crashing to the ground like an obsidian geyser. From the dark fountain emerged a fresh shadow knight followed by swarms of shadow creatures—the army was regenerating.

"Retreat," Midi ordered without hesitation.

As the skeleton army withdrew like an ebbing tide, the King of Shadows abandoned its incomplete regeneration to pursue. Midi guided the retreating undead, subtly herding the enraged monarch toward the ambush zone.

Trial participants held their breath as the shadow forces drew near. Thankfully, the Mind Maze denied these creatures detection abilities—their mind-related powers focused solely on attack. The trap remained undetected.

Midi’s voice crackled through magical communications:

"Rot’s team—upper left flank. Lure two knights, retreat 200 meters, hold position. No kills."

"Sandur’s team—upper right. Three knights."

"Execution Team—center. Two knights."

The skeleton army launched another piercing charge, pinning the King of Shadows as three teams sprang from hiding. Shadow knights were systematically drawn away until only two remained guarding their ruler, backed by fewer than sixty shadow creatures—all preoccupied with battling skeletons.

"Now!" A starry glint flashed in Midi’s eyes as golden-red sword light enveloped him. He shot forward like a comet, leaving Wiseman’s group emerging from cover: Avril phasing through shadows, Reinhardt’s longsword gleaming coldly, Wiseman wreathed in deathly energy.

Midi reached the King first, his "Sky Sword Dance" carrying him over the fray. Twin blades Sun and Moon crashed against the monarch’s greatsword with a metallic shriek, cracking the dark metal. But before Midi could press the advantage, a tsunami of psychic force roared toward him.