Chapter 401

Chapter 401: The Wolfspider Elder Council

The Wolfspider chieftain hunched his aged body, his hair gray-white and eyebrows drooping low. Though dark elves lived long lives, his advanced years were unmistakable. Beside him stood the Level 62 old mage known to Midi, along with several elders ranging from elderly to middle-aged. Below them were the two Black Dragon Priestesses, Galantis and Zaride.

Every decision-maker among the Wolfspider tribe’s higher-ups—excluding warriors representing raw power—had gathered here. This grand meeting wasn’t to honor Midi and Zaknavan, the slave warriors, but to address the Dark Mushroom Forest’s discovery.

In the resource-starved Shaded Realm, expanding territories ranked as any tribe’s utmost priority. The mages had assumed the uncharted area to be barren, hence assigning it as a high-contribution-point task for disposable slave warriors. Yet it turned out to be a fertile Dark Mushroom Forest!

Midi had witnessed firsthand the land’s richness, sustained by mushroom wood and water sources. Diverse creatures, medicinal herbs, magical beasts, and ferocious beasts proved the forest’s vitality. The spoils Midi and Zaknavan hauled back ignited the tribe’s greed.

News traveled fast in the caverns, prompting this high-level debriefing.

Spotting the Wolfspider chieftain waiting, Midi nudged Zaknavan. Though articulate, Midi lacked local knowledge—slave warriors learned little of tribal customs or dark elf traditions. The report fell to Zaknavan, the city-born dark elf demon swordsman.

Zaknavan stepped forward without hesitation, presenting their map and laying out details in a clear, organized manner. The chieftain and elders fired questions, which Zaknavan answered flawlessly.

When describing their Terrorclaw Scorpion fight, the elders showed no surprise at the victory—unlike the settlement mages—but frowned at the Blue Serpent Tribe’s involvement.

“The Blue Serpent Tribe has overshadowed us for years. Without these two warriors’ persistence, we’d have lost this chance,” the old mage fretted. “Yet we’re still behind.”

Though both tribes discovered the forest simultaneously, their approaches differed starkly. The Wolfspiders sent two slave warriors—skilled but low-status—while the Blue Serpents deployed full-fledged tribesmen, including the warrior Cuide. The disparity in commitment was glaring.

Midi and Zaknavan’s personal gains from the scorpion battle meant little in the tribes’ power struggle. By the time Wolfspider warriors mobilized, the Blue Serpents would’ve already staked their claim in the forest.

As the elders buzzed with concern, the Wolfspider chieftain declared: “Normal expansion is too slow. We must launch a territory challenge.”

Upon these words, a slight commotion rippled through the elder council.

The two Black Dragon Priestesses, Galantis and Zaride, suddenly sharpened their gazes, the competitive tension between them thickening like heavy smoke.

A territory challenge?

Even Midi felt surprised.

During their return journey, Zaknavan had already discussed possible scenarios with Midi.

With the Blue Serpent Tribe seizing initiative, the Wolfspiders had three choices—

First: Send envoys to negotiate shared rights over the Dark Mushroom Forest. But the Blue Serpent would demand harsh terms, like Midi’s earlier insistence on a 30-70 split.

Second: Quietly expand territorial claims without formal talks, a common tribal tactic.

This would turn the forest into contested ground, sparking raids lasting years.

The downside? Endless conflict would drain both sides’ resources, letting rival tribes overtake them.

Third: The territory challenge.

Each tribe selects champions to compete. The victor claims the forest; the loser withdraws completely.

Though formats vary, all challenges require a blood oath ceremony overseen by Black Dragon Priestesses to bind the loser’s compliance.

While the cleanest solution, this high-stakes gamble clashed with cautious tribal governance.

Yet Midi understood. With the Black Dragon Conference nearing, every tribe scrambled for resources.

Negotiations or skirmishes might yield gradual gains, but only the territory challenge could secure immediate advantages for the Conference’s selection.

Thus, the council took this rare aggressive stance.

“For decades,” the Wolfspider chieftain declared, “the Blue Serpent has overshadowed us—claiming more forests, richer veins, grander trade. Yet Wolfspider warriors never yielded. These past ten years, our champions have risen above!”

“True! Unless facing Risen of the Fire Lizard Tribe, our Great Warriors won’t falter,” an elder affirmed.

“Alexis, barely twenty, has reached Level 62’s peak. He’ll be our tribe’s hope!” another exclaimed.

“And we have more than Alexis,” the chieftain said, turning to Midi and Zaknavan. “Among the slave warriors lie fallen heroes—like secret silver buried in mud, awaiting discovery.”

Midi and Zaknavan exchanged glances, bowing in unison. “We serve at your command, Chieftain.”

After completing the exploration mission, gaining the chieftain’s favor, and trading rare materials—especially from the Terrorclaw Scorpion—Midi’s contribution points surged past 5,000.

Zaknavan’s tally exceeded 6,000, counting prior weeks.

This didn’t include consumed resources.

Their haul left the tribe speechless.

Even Mason, once the top slave warrior, gaped upon hearing Midi’s feat. Eventually, he muttered, “Typical Midi Asreks. Shocking folks whether in Arad or the Shaded Realm.”

Yet Midi stayed calm amid the tribe’s awe and envy.

He knew such opportunities were once-in-a-lifetime.

No duo, however skilled, could reliably earn 5,000 points weekly.

This success relied on Zaknavan’s prior intel, luck in finding the Terrorclaw Scorpion, Blue Serpent warriors as cannon fodder, and the chieftain’s deliberate generosity.

Future missions might yield 1,000 points weekly at best. Repeating this feat was impossible.

Now, with the chieftain urging them to join the territory challenge, Midi gladly accepted.

Of course, slave warriors wouldn’t lead the charge. Despite his prowess, Midi remained an outsider—untrusted, possibly treacherous. He’d likely be frontline fodder.

But Midi didn’t care. He sought freedom, not glory in “saving the Wolfspiders.”

The chieftain promised freedom post-challenge. Refusing was unthinkable.

In one week, he’d risen from last to first among slave warriors.

Now, he’d seize freedom in two weeks, becoming a true Tribe Warrior.

Then—qualify for higher selections!