Chapter 447

Chapter 447: Invitation to Gamble

“I came to complete the alchemy mission.” Without turning to see the commotion behind him, Midi produced a token carved with magical runes—proof he’d accepted the Volcano Potion task.

Though puzzled by why this “round-eared creature” would attempt such a difficult mission, the female alchemist granted him entry to the Alchemy Workshop. The Death Scorpion’s territory allowed her authority to expel most intruders.

She couldn’t stop the martial arts master, Black Dragon High Priest, or core disciples. But she alerted her superior, prompting a short dark elf to emerge from the workshop’s inner chambers.

“To what do we owe this visit, Hawke the martial arts master, High Priest Veyna, and Mr. Kanis?” The master alchemist beamed.

Kanis and Hawke were manageable, but Veyna ranked among the most formidable figures in the Death Scorpion family. Offending others might be tolerated, but crossing the “Venomous Beauty” Veyna? Unthinkable. The alchemist hurried to greet the High Priestess.

Veyna stepped forward without ceremony, gesturing at Midi. “We wish to observe this new warrior’s alchemical prowess. Could you arrange a workspace?”

“Consider it done.” The alchemist masked his surprise. “So this is the human Hawke recruited? He practices alchemy? Will he brew blood coagulation potions or magic potions?”

“The Volcano Potion you listed in the mission hall,” Veyna interjected.

The alchemist’s smile vanished.

Volcano Potion?

The materials required—Lava Flowers, fire lizard hearts, Magical Smoke—were priceless treasures in Mososbury City. Letting some unknown human waste such rare materials? Unacceptable.

Kanis seized the hesitation. “Veyna and I questioned his competence, but Hawke insists he’ll succeed. Seems you’ll bear the loss.”

Though Hawke hadn’t made such claims, he stayed silent. His worried glance toward Midi betrayed his doubts.

Midi met the alchemist’s gaze. “An alchemist’s worth lies in their creations. Since when do ear shapes determine skill in the Shaded Realm?”

“Know your place, human!” Kanis sneered. “You’re merely a hired blade. The Death Scorpion tolerates no recklessness.”

“Since Kanis doubts me,” Midi locked eyes with the noble, “let’s wager on my success.”

The calm challenge prickled Kanis’ pride. “You dare—”

“A wager!” Veyna clapped, eyes sparkling. “How delightful!”

With that interruption, Kanis choked back the words he’d nearly spoken.

Yet it was clear he wouldn’t give Midi an advantage simply because Veyna wanted to witness the wager.

The core member of the family narrowed his eyes, then flashed a cold grin. "Human, your status makes you unworthy to gamble with me. But since you insist on pushing this far, shall we raise the stakes?"

"How?" Midi asked.

"Simple. If you fail to brew a passable Volcano Potion, you’ll crawl out of Death Scorpion at once," Kanis hissed, his voice icy.

Hawke’s face tightened.

"And if I succeed?" Midi replied, his tone utterly calm.

"Hmph! If you somehow manage it, I’ll grant you one condition," Kanis snorted.

Midi’s lips twitched.

He itched to demand Kanis’s Mososbury City fighter recommendation slot. But that was impossible.

Though Kanis possessed a recommendation right as a core disciple, he couldn’t freely transfer it. The Death Scorpion higher-ups had granted him the privilege, not the power to reassign it. Making such a request would expose Midi’s ambition outright—and likely draw the ire of true powerholders.

So Midi kept silent.

But since Kanis had foolishly offered an open-ended wager, Midi aimed to bleed him dry. Resources for his advancement were scarce, and this fool was begging to be exploited.

"Ten portions of rare materials matching the Volcano Potion’s value." Midi’s voice carried casual ease. "Surely a Death Scorpion Warrior’s standing justifies this?"

Though spoken lightly, ten portions were no trifle. The entire Wolfspider tribe’s combined resources could barely yield four Dragon Breath Potions—equivalent to six or seven Volcano Potions. Yet Midi demanded ten!

Even for Kanis, this stung. But it remained within acceptable limits—a seemingly fair, even lenient demand. Midi risked his entire future; Kanis merely parted with resources. Refusal would equal surrender.

Hearing this precisely calculated demand, Master Hawke felt déjà vu. This mirrored how Midi had manipulated Risen’s psyche at the bonfire gathering, goading him against Alexis.

Psychological warfare. Pure psychological warfare!

Studying Midi’s impassive face, Hawke jolted awake. Could this human truly brew a master-tier Volcano Potion?

Beside him, Veyna’s flickering gaze betrayed similar suspicions.

But Kanis, caught in Midi’s trap, remained oblivious. The thought of ten rare material portions gnawed at him—until he dismissed it. The human was bluffing. Why else would he gamble?

"Ten’s nothing. Consider it done," Kanis lied through gritted teeth, suppressing his wince.

"Then we’re agreed." Midi nodded, then added offhandedly, "Shall we blood-seal…"

"Unnecessary." Veyna cut in smoothly. "The Dragon God dislikes mortal squabbles. But I’ll personally guarantee this wager’s fairness."

Exactly what Midi needed.

The workshop’s alchemist master stayed silent. Though wasting Volcano Potion ingredients pained him, he’d no interest in noble games. This human’s fate concerned him less than hastening their exit.

Efficiency became the workshop’s new creed. Within minutes, an alchemy laboratory stood ready.

"Materials prepared. Brew. Now." The alchemist spun to leave—determined to avoid judging the potion’s validity.

But his retreat froze mid-step.

Crimson flames erupted from Midi’s palm.

Within that blaze swirled an aura—the same oppressive might the alchemist sensed when handling Black Dragon Dust Crystals.

Black Dragon fire.

Impossible.