Chapter 442

Chapter 442: The Bonfire Gathering Ends

Midi completely ignored Simon’s provocation. To him, any family willing to take in a traitor like Alexis was simply asking for trouble.

Yet Alexis’s actions still filled Midi with intense irritation. The whole "deep hatred" claim fell apart under scrutiny—even revenge should follow basic logic. Everything Alexis did was just a ruthless bid to climb higher and grab better resources.

Midi recognized the bone-deep coldness in the man’s gaze. During the territory challenge, Alexis had betrayed him to curry favor with Zaride. Now, because Midi had secured the Death Scorpion position, Alexis attacked abruptly to claim the next-best spot for himself. The man would discard any principle for personal gain.

Midi’s hand twitched toward his sword. This wasn’t about the Wolfspider tribe—the carnage in the stands meant little to him. He owed them nothing, save for his concern about Galantis.

Fundamentally, Midi and Alexis weren’t so different. Both used the Wolfspider as a stepping stone toward greater power and the Black Dragon Conference. But Alexis’s methods sickened him.

The scene crystalized a certainty in Midi’s heart—they’d meet again, blades drawn in mortal combat. If conflict was inevitable, why wait?

Though Alexis surpassed him in psychic techniques, Midi’s dual mastery of psychic energy and Thought Capturing made him a near-Ruler of Psychic Energy. In a desperate fight, victory wasn’t guaranteed for either. With decent odds, retreating made no sense.

As Midi prepared to leap from the stands, an overwhelming force clamped down on him. Control of his body vanished.

The blood oath. While tribal infighting wasn’t forbidden, warriors couldn’t duel without permission. Midi’s impulsive challenge violated this.

The colossal Dragon Head above fixed him with an unyielding stare, freezing him mid-motion like a stone fool.

"Your grasp of the blood oath remains shallow," Alexis sneered, sheathing his curved blade. He strode toward the Death Scorpion family’s stands, Simon following. Midi could only watch, paralyzed.

Such was the Dark Dragon God’s power…

When the petrification finally lifted, sweat soaked Midi’s clothes. Hawke, waiting nearby, looked impressed. "Every bonfire gathering has hotheads who collapse under the blood oath’s grip. First time I’ve seen anyone stay conscious through that long."

“Fifty steps laughing at a hundred steps,” Midi said with a bitter smile, shaking his head. “In the end, neither could resist that presence.”

As he spoke, Midi glanced upward at the cavern’s heights.

The bonfire gathering had ended abruptly under the eerie atmosphere Alexis created. The colossal shadow dragon’s head had vanished without trace, leaving empty space where it once loomed.

Major families like the Death Scorpion clan had departed, while most tribes retreated from the stands immediately. With the blood oath concluded, lingering in the perilous Shaded Realm posed unnecessary risks.

Only Death Scorpion remained at the grand arena – the family known for swift exits now stayed for their petrified recruit. Nearby lingered the Wolfspider tribe’s remnants.

Neither Zaknavan nor Mason distinguished themselves during the finals, but they’d secured positions in minor families among the spectators. Their paths would likely cross Midi’s again during Mososbury City’s Fighter Selection.

For Galantis’ group, the mission concluded with bitter results. Four warriors selected from seven should’ve been triumphant, yet Alexis’ betrayal left only grief among the Wolfspider survivors. Their purpose – protecting the tribe through gaining fighter qualifications – had backfired catastrophically.

Even Zaride paled, realizing his intended alliance with Alexis marked him as expendable. The blow struck deeper for Galantis; the assertive Black Dragon Priestess now stood shaken and vulnerable. When Midi emerged from Death Scorpion’s booth, tears streaked her face.

She rushed forward, gripping his shoulders desperately. “Kill Alexis!” Her voice cracked. “That traitor must die!”

“He will.” Midi patted her head gently. “Return home. Three Wolfspider warriors still advanced. Nurture them, and your tribe shall rise.”

Stronger tribes gained more options, while Alexis’ betrayal narrowed his. All conflicts ultimately hinged on power – a truth Midi understood well.

“You sound more like a chieftain than a warrior,” remarked Master Hawke as Galantis retreated.

“Chieftains fall without strength here,” Midi replied flatly. Though Hawke probed for history, Midi knew leadership meant nothing without might. His path forward remained singular – ascend as a fighter.

Hawke switched topics when met with silence. “Given Death Scorpion’s nature, I’ll send troops to escort the Wolfspiders.”

Midi nodded gratitude.

“Though keeping the priestess wouldn’t hurt. Death Scorpion fighters deserve companions.” Hawke grinned, implying intimacy.

Midi chuckled dryly. He valued Galantis as his first Shaded Realm ally and for her hidden kindness, but romance never crossed his mind. Dark Dragon City, his heritage, breaking Death’s Pursuit Order – these consumed him. Now, through Death Scorpion, he’d touched the Black Dragon Conference’s periphery. He wondered how Fina and Alice fared.

His hand drifted to his chest. The warm pulse of their fate-bound oath remained steady beneath his fingers. The fleeting smile it brought vanished instantly, replaced by warrior’s ice.

“To Death Scorpion,” he told Hawke. “What does Mososbury require of its fighters?”