Chapter 505

Chapter 505: Assigning Rewards

Midi accepted the family head’s goodwill calmly.

He knew this gesture didn’t mean the family head truly supported him—it merely showed the Death Scorpion family found him worth protecting after he’d proven his strength.

If they’d genuinely favored him, they would’ve declared their stance from the start like Veyna did, instead of letting the Death Scorpion family question or even attack him.

Ultimately, the influence of "Warrior" Thor was too great. Once Thor expressed dislike for Midi, the entire Death Scorpion family wavered.

In this vast family, Veyna seemed to be his only true ally.

Midi glanced at the smirking woman beside him, marveling inwardly that this domineering, unreasonable figure had become his companion.

“What’re you staring at?” Veyna snapped.

“Nothing. Still… thank you,” Midi said sincerely.

“Don’t get cocky. This is just the beginning. The real test comes after we return,” Veyna muttered, turning away. Her voice carried faint unease.

No matter what Midi did, he remained part of the Death Scorpion family. Even if the Death Scorpions allied with Flame Serpent and Two-Headed Warwolf against him, they’d still spare his life.

But within the family, without allies besides Veyna, gaining the higher-ups’ approval would decide whether he could advance toward the Black Dragon Conference.

With Thor—the favored "Warrior"—now openly at odds with Midi, Veyna worried most about the coming family discussions.

Though she held authority as Black Dragon High Priest, her influence paled next to Thor’s. One word from him would leave Midi isolated.

If exclusionary figures like the enforcement elder spoke against Midi, his efforts might come to nothing.

Strength mattered little within the family—using force there would only brand him a traitor. Could Midi defeat every elder single-handedly? Impossible.

Veyna’s anxiety deepened, yet Midi met her gaze calmly, signaling reassurance.

*Where does this guy’s confidence come from?* she wondered, sighing inwardly.

Guarded heavily, they soon reached the Death Scorpion family’s cavern. Without ceremony, Midi, Thor, and the other fighters from Crystal Dragon Fortress were ushered into the central hall.

The family had sent these fighters to seek heritage through trial. Now came rewards and internal rankings.

As Mososbury City’s first family, Death Scorpion’s influence was immense. With rivals from the Three Major Families nearly wiped out during Fighter Selection, these rankings would also decide the fighters’ status citywide.

All eyes were on how Midi and Thor would be positioned.

“Our trial in Crystal Dragon Fortress was victorious,” declared the enforcement elder, ignoring Midi entirely. “But we must clarify contributions and failures to assign rewards fairly.” He nodded at Thor. “As this trial’s leader, explain the situation.”

Thor stepped forward. “No need for details. Let’s count the spoils.”

He removed his storage ring, activated it, and began extracting loot.

These spoils were obtained by the Death Scorpion team as they looted their way downward starting from the Seventh Layer of the underground Dragon Tower.

Naturally, the fighters had already taken whatever suited them. What remained were the items Thor brought forward for submission.

Though these were leftovers, they still originated from the Crystal Dragon Fortress. In Mososbury City, they undoubtedly counted as premium goods.

Every piece—whether weapons, equipment, rare materials, or potions—dazzled the eyes when displayed.

When Thor later revealed the Grade Seven and Grade Eight potions exchanged from the Dragon God Temple using Black Flame Coins, the entire hall fell completely silent except for the sound of held breaths.

Even the haughty Death Scorpion higher-ups couldn’t hide their covetous gazes. The sight of these potions—each capable of sparking bloodshed—lined up before them turned their eyes wolfish, as if staring at fresh prey.

“Well done! Truly worthy of being the Death Scorpion family’s Chief core disciple! Your contributions during this trial merit generous rewards and public recognition!” The enforcement elder cheered, thoroughly ignoring Midi’s presence.

“These are just extras. The real prize lies here.” Thor smiled faintly, producing a ring kept against his skin—the same type issued to every family fighter for storing Black Dragon monument fragments.

A soft glow flashed. A massive Black Dragon monument base over one meter long materialized in the hall.

An ancient, overwhelming Dragon Breath instantly flooded the chamber.

And this was while the monument remained inactive. How much denser would the aura become once awakened?

Upon seeing the monument, even the family head—who’d remained motionless on his throne—leaned forward, eyes blazing.

If even the family head was moved, the outcome seemed decided.

The higher-ups shared this thought. Though Midi might present decent spoils, Thor’s triumph likely meant Midi’s demotion.

His life wasn’t at risk, but his Black Dragon Conference qualification would surely be revoked.

As for Veyna, her greatest desire had been the Black Dragon monument. But seeing Thor as its bearer, disappointment and sorrow flickered through her gaze.

If only Midi had claimed it! The Black Dragon Priestess thought bitterly, not just because she’d asked him to retrieve fragments, but because she’d rooted for his victory.

Yet now…

As she mourned silently, a voice cut through the tension.

“Thor did adequately. This base will simplify installing the monument’s main body.”

Midi spoke calmly, his tone almost dismissive, as if wholly unaffected by the hall’s oppressive atmosphere.

Others stared at him like he’d gone mad. To provoke the “Warrior” Thor after losing? Was he courting death?

Yet Thor merely snorted, offering no retort.

Smiling faintly, Midi drew an identical ring from his robes.

Another glow flashed. A new Black Dragon monument segment appeared—not the base, but the main body etched with dense inscriptions, stretching over three meters long!

If the earlier Dragon Breath felt vast, this one was downright suffocating.

Instantly, elders abandoned decorum, sitting cross-legged to greedily inhale the potent aura.

CRACK! The family head sprang to his feet, shattering the floor tiles. He materialized before the monument, caressing its surface like a lover.

“Magnificent! Midi, you’ve surpassed all expectations! The Death Scorpion family owes you its gratitude!” The usually reserved family head trembled visibly.

Laughing boisterously, he added, “With this Dragon Tablet and base, our family could thrive for millennia! We might even transcend Mososbury City and ascend to temple status!”

Temples?

Midi filed away this new term—apparently a tier above cities—for later inquiry.

Thor snorted loudly. “Don’t preen, Midi! That monument was guarded by a level 71 Corpse Two-Horned Dragon. Without me distracting it, you’d never have succeeded! Stop pretending you did this alone!”

So that’s his game, Midi thought coldly. By presenting his smaller prize first, Thor aimed to share credit for both monument pieces, neutralizing Midi’s advantage.

Right on cue, the enforcement elder declared, “Since both contributed to securing the monument, their merits should be combined! The base and main body are equally vital!”