Chapter 490

Chapter 490: Crimson Tide

Midi now possessed 120,000 Black Flame Coins – barely one-tenth of the amount needed for the "Primary True Dragon Body Refinement Method." Clinging to this sum would never get him closer to the million-coin goal or help overcome immediate challenges.

Though it stung, Midi chose to invest in the most potent lower-tier equipment. The priciest item was a 50,000-coin "forward base" that materialized instantly in the forest when deployed. This fortress came with robust defenses, supply lines, and three transport-capable alchemical automatons called "Moths" for aerial troop deployment – perfect for defending steam springs.

He also acquired two heavy-duty units: the artillery-like "Rhinoceros Beetle" and the tank-like "Iron Ladybug." Soon, over half his coins vanished. Outside Dragon God Temple, swarms of insectoid battle automatons stood ready. A black ring appeared in Midi’s palm.

He marched straight to the largest steam spring guarded by Purple Gold Scorpion and dropped the ring. Instantly, a massive base unfurled across the hillside. Six-meter black walls rose with watchtowers dotting their length, each mounting rapid-fire artillery. Inside lay black crystal storage, repair workshops, and magic vein stations for restoring fighters’ stamina. Three dormant Moths could airlift troops hundreds of kilometers.

By anchoring this base at the main spring, only two other sites needed protection. Though unable to build more bases there, Midi personally directed Worker Bees to erect local fortifications using nearby materials. His three companions stood uselessly during the entire operation – Mason vaguely aware of Midi’s Arad continent exploits, Zaknavan and Risen utterly dumbstruck.

The sheer number of automatons now surpassed major families’ armies. Midi had casually assembled superior forces while managing them effortlessly. What tier of mastery was this? Could a mere "Mososbury City fighter" achieve this?

Yet beneath their awe, the trio felt creeping dread. At this rate, they’d degrade from comrades to mercenaries. Should more springs be captured, they might become mere footnotes in Midi’s expanding forces. Lacking military acumen, their individual power meant nothing in this snowballing resource war. Survival demanded learning command basics – at minimum, the ability to hold a single spring alone.

Otherwise, Midi would leave them further behind, and they might end up less crucial than those battle automatons.

After all, the battle automatons could receive orders directly from Midi’s Black Dragon Remnant Token, making them far more efficient as soldiers than living humans.

At this realization, the three exchanged uneasy glances. Holding their breath, they focused intently on studying Midi’s formations and memorizing every command he issued.

They aimed to become proper commanders rather than coasting on Personal Power until being phased out.

Noticing their shifted mindset, Midi’s lips curled into a faint smile.

It’d be ideal if these three could share his command burdens in future large-scale battles.

But for now, this fight was his alone.

He commanded three types of battle automatons.

The most numerous were "Soldier Bees"—jack-of-all-trades automatons with basic ranged, melee, and defensive skills. Fragile and rudimentary, they’d shatter from a single strike by beasts like Purple Gold Scorpions.

Next were "Iron Ladybugs," defensive units that anchored themselves with six legs to deploy iron walls and reflect attacks, though they moved sluggishly.

Lastly, "Rhinoceros Beetles" provided ranged firepower. Weak in defense and average in mobility, their concentrated volleys could overwhelm even a Purple Gold Scorpion.

While elite automatons were available at the Dragon God Temple, Midi hadn’t traded for any due to the steep price. For now, he and Zaknavan’s group remained the battlefield elites.

As black crystals from the steam springs flowed into the forward base, the Black Crystal Forest turned increasingly crimson—a bloody, surging ocean.

The ground trembled. Cracks split the earth, disgorging magical beasts toward the steam springs.

These crystallized lizards, scorpions, metal snakes, and beasts resembled their earlier foes but bore red crystals that boosted their speed, strength, defenses, and magic resistance.

“Crimson Beasts,” the Dragon Head’s voice echoed through the Black Dragon Remnant Token. “With black crystals no longer suppressing their bloodlust, they’ve grown stronger. But this power burns briefly. Hold for twelve hours, and they’ll retreat or drop dead.”

“Twelve hours?” Midi pressed.

“Twelve.”

Even major battles rarely lasted half that time. This meant a brutal siege.

“Face this Crimson Tide with all your might. May the Dark Dragon God shield you,” the Dragon Head intoned before vanishing.

Midi scoffed. In the Shaded Realm, one relied only on oneself.

“Attack.”

Commands pulsed through the Black Dragon Remnant Token. Soldier Bees, Iron Ladybugs, and Rhinoceros Beetles moved in coordinated formations, repelling the crimson onslaught. Even Worker Bees joined, repairing damaged automatons on-site.

A flood of battlefield data surged into Midi’s mind—attacks, losses, positions. Normal armies distributed this across command hierarchies, but Midi’s automaton legion required his sole oversight.

An ordinary commander would’ve drowned in this torrent. But Midi’s eyes glowed deep blue as pure psychic energy fueled his computations. The automaton lines held firm against wave after wave, even counterattacking.

Zaknavan’s team intercepted stronger foes like Crimson Scorpions and Metal Tigers before they neared the springs.

Within five hours, the Crimson Tide frayed into harmless shreds.

The first assault had been crushed.