Chapter 459

Chapter 459: Attention from the Higher-ups

With just two sentences, he had drawn out sixteen blueprints that covered every detail and displayed incredible creativity in mechanical design. What did this mean?

How was this possible?

It was absolutely impossible!

For an instant, every alchemist present—including Master Buck—believed they’d misheard.

Or perhaps they simply refused to accept reality.

Yet the sixteen blueprints lay before their eyes, and the black-haired, black-eyed human stood right there, leaving no room for denial.

The alchemy laboratory plunged into suffocating silence. No one wished to speak, nor could they find words.

Only Midi, appearing utterly unperturbed, shattered the heavy stillness. “Master Buck, I’ve explained enough. Could your workshop craft these two weapons? The Fighter Selection in Mososbury City starts in two weeks—time’s pressing.”

“N-No problem! None at all!” Buck wiped sweat from his brow, stammering. “I’ll handle this. By tomorrow morning, we’ll deliver complete sets with spare parts. Even wear-and-tear replacements.”

This wasn’t empty boasting. After a week’s study, they’d memorized every component except the core structures—they could assemble the rest blindfolded.

Nine workers producing one or two equipment sets overnight? Simple.

Yet only Buck’s team knew the bitterness hidden behind this “simple” task.

“My thanks.” Midi nodded, then added casually, “Master Buck, might I occasionally use this lab for mechanical experiments?”

“You’re always welcome!” Buck blurted.

How could any tech-obsessed alchemist refuse someone who casually produced such blueprints?

For Midi, this secured his foothold in the mechanical workshop.

The bait was taken, the fish hooked. Now came the test of reeling it in.

As Midi plotted, within the Death Scorpion family’s tallest cavern pillar, the higher-ups convened their routine meeting.

The Shaded Realm worshipped individual heroes, breeding fierce kin rivalry and constant clashes.

But family leaders focused on broader concerns—maintaining clan strength and Mososbury City’s balance, preventing internal strife.

With the Black Dragon Conference’s Fighter Selection underway—even the Crystal Dragon Fortress prepared to open—every detail demanded attention.

Beyond daily operations, the higher-ups closely monitored five core disciples and hundred warriors—the family’s honed blade.

This blade’s sharpness would decide how far Death Scorpion advanced in the Conference.

Aware of being watched, warriors and core disciples flaunted prowess before each meeting.

Core disciples cleared entire mission boards of high-risk tasks. Warriors staged dramatic feats to climb rankings and grab resources.

Yet becoming core disciples proved nearly impossible for warriors. Even earning challenge rights took years.

With core disciples far outleveling regular warriors, only three or four challenges ever occurred—all ending in humiliating defeat.

Reviewing polished reports, Death Scorpion’s elders, priests, and family heads anticipated another satisfactory progress meeting.

Until they noticed one name appearing with disturbing frequency.

“Midi Asreks?” The family head of the Death Scorpion family murmured while seated on the championship throne in the hall. “Is this the warrior Master Hawke invited from the bonfire gathering?”

“Exactly. Midi Asreks, a human from the surface world’s Arad continent. Hunted and fell through a long-distance random teleportation portal to the Third Layer of the Shaded Realm, likely noble-born. Joined the Wolfspider tribe as a slave warrior, rose through undefeated promotions to warrior rank, took third place at the bonfire gathering while holding back.” The personnel elder recited Midi’s details without consulting any documents.

Though appearing indifferent, the Death Scorpion family thoroughly tracked every member’s activities – no detail escaped their notice.

Such was the capability of major families.

In the Shaded Realm, nothing remained hidden from them if they wished to know.

“Combat strength?”

The personnel elder paused briefly before answering: “Proficient in all four branches of Demon Swordman skills. Best feat – killed Level 64 Battle Mage Ulhan at Level 62. Also highly skilled in alchemy and herbology. Produced core potion for our family at assembly-line speed for lower-grade potions, as Zote described.”

“Serviceable.” The family head nodded without much thought.

While Midi’s achievements were notable, they didn’t impress the leader who’d witnessed generations of Mososbury City elites and Black Dragon Conference prodigies. Compared to the Shaded Realm’s top talents, Midi showed mere potential.

Moreover, with city-level Black Dragon Conference selections approaching, Midi’s Level 62 posed limitations. Levels required time – even geniuses couldn’t rush without cultivation instability from forced upgrades.

Hence the family head’s “serviceable” verdict.

The enforcement elder frowned. “You’ve all read his report? This human gave potions – including Level 7 ones – to rival family warriors! He’s sabotaging our Death Scorpion candidates before selections!”

Several elders furrowed brows, including the family head.

Midi used personal resources for the potions – his property to distribute. Yet most alchemists traded surplus potions for family resources like formulas or rare materials, cultivating internal alliances.

But Midi openly distributed potions to rival warriors! Strengthening opponents meant tougher challenges for Death Scorpion warriors. Worse, Level 7 potions could help enemies break bottlenecks and level up.

Even the family head grew uneasy.

“How narrow-minded!” A clear voice interrupted – Veyna, the normally silent Black Dragon High Priest. “His potions, his choice. Nothing’s free – clever Midi surely negotiated benefits. You see aid to rivals, I see alliance-building.”

Veyna rarely spoke at meetings. Her seat came from personal strength, not political skill. She found elder debates tedious, but Midi’s situation – and his generous gifts of high-grade potions – made this worth supporting her human protege.

The enforcement elder glared at the young priestess. “Don’t pretend innocence, Veyna! You’ve benefited from his flattery too. A noble-born bootlicker shouldn’t suck up to outsiders before selections!”

“Petty miser!” Veyna glared at the alchemist elder beside her. “Say something!”

The alchemist elder controlled Death Scorpion’s three major workshops – including Midi’s Alchemy Workshop. Preferring neutrality, he’d stayed silent until Veyna’s prodding forced his hand.

“What punishment does the enforcement elder propose?”

Veyna’s face darkened as the enforcement elder smirked.