In the dream arena, blurry human figures kept rushing toward Galen.
Each swing of his fist smashed a figure into bits.
After crushing two more, no new enemies appeared.
The familiar arena had changed, now feeling like the inside of a giant mushroom.
On a high platform, a glow flickered, revealing a Puffshroom’s shadow.
“Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to the Great Mushroom Arena! Tonight, our ‘star fighter’—the Empire’s pride, demonkin warrior Galen—will show his ‘unbreakable’ will! Let’s see how long he lasts!”
As the Puffshroom spoke, the solid ground under Galen softened and split.
With a creepy sound of roots breaking through, several huge treants with wild red veins roared and climbed out!
Thanks to Lin Jun’s frequent use, [Mind Guidance] had reached level four, allowing more tricks.
For someone like Galen, whose dream was rooted in arena battles, Lin Jun could keep that theme but turn the arena into a gladiator pit, swapping shadowy enemies for monsters from his imagination.
Of course, going too wild could backfire.
This was a battle of mind and spirit. The only point of these illusions was to guide, hint, or, like now, break the target’s willpower.
“Just these rotten trees?”
Facing the crazed treants, Galen roared, standing his ground. His tattooed iron fist slammed out!
Wood chips and blood flew. Each hit made Galen bleed more, but he tore through the giant enemies.
More treants kept coming, the arena hosting a brutal, raw struggle. The black glow of Galen’s tattoos clashed with the treants’ wild red veins.
Galen kept getting hurt but fought harder. In the end, only he stood.
The Puffshroom’s voice rang out. “Tch, tch, the opening snack wasn’t enough? No worry! We’ve got plenty of shows! Next up—buzzing death!”
Next came poisonous giant needle bees and acid-spitting two-headed flying snakes, one after another.
Galen fought until his body was wrecked, yet he didn’t fall.
The Puffshroom’s voice held a hint of frustration. “Unbelievable toughness… but the big finale always comes at the darkest moment! Ready for… your final fate?!”
The arena’s light dimmed suddenly. On the highest, grandest viewing stand, space twisted, and a massive, terrifying figure slowly appeared.
Bigger and scarier than in reality!
Little Black, ultimate enhanced version!
Its cruel golden slit eyes locked onto Galen in the arena’s center.
Roar—!
A soul-shaking dragon roar erupted, and Little Black moved!
Its huge body vanished like it teleported!
The spot where Galen stood, along with the surrounding sand, was smashed by a terrifying attack!
The shockwave exploded outward, kicking up a dust wave dozens of meters high, wrecking the stands!
But as the dust settled… in the pit’s center, Galen knelt on one knee, arms crossed above his head!
His tattooed arms, scales cracked, showed bleeding flesh. Half his body was sunk into the shattered rock!
Yet he held on!
Little Black’s giant claw hovered inches above, blocked by his wounded body!
“That’s it?!” A hoarse roar, full of defiance, echoed in the silent arena. “Not… enough!!!”
No matter how fiercely Little Black attacked, Galen never fell, never gave in, until… a faint light glowed on the horizon.
The dream faded like an old painting, twisting, blurring, and vanishing completely…
Lin Jun knew it wouldn’t be easy to break Galen’s mind.
His mental strength was even tougher than expected.
In a dark, cold underground cell, lit only by a few dim glowing mushrooms, Galen woke from deep “sleep.” Pain shot through his body, reminding him of his situation.
His bloodshot, tired eyes showed no fear.
His arms, shoulders, and waist were pierced and pinned by stone-armored Puffshroom tendrils, forcing him into a humiliating kneel, unable to move.
“Mind magic?” Galen glanced at a silent Puffshroom nearby, letting out a rough laugh. “Hah… fits a sneaky rat like you, hiding behind puppets!”
Footsteps echoed in the cell. Shòu stepped in front of Galen.
“Empire’s demonkin,” Shòu’s voice was low, “what are you after? Why kill without talking?”
Galen stayed quiet for nearly half a minute before asking, “Gray… he’s not working with you?”
Catching a flash of confusion in Shòu’s eyes, Galen understood.
He didn’t regret sending that message accusing Gray. Gray’s faulty report deserved blame for this mess!
One half-Diamond-rank fighter? No mention of that black dragonkin or these Puffshrooms!
Cursing Gray in his head, Galen looked up, giving Shòu a cold stare.
“Hah, tell you? Can’t you guess?” His tone mocked. “For demonkin, what’s worth all this trouble besides Magic Cores?”
Shòu’s face darkened, his guess confirmed.
Seeing this, Galen grinned, blood staining his teeth. “Beat me… so what? You’re up against the whole Empire’s demonkin! Maybe the Empire itself! That dragonkin? What do you have to fight the Empire? The more you resist… the worse your end!”
“Let me go now, take your tribe and Magic Cores to the Empire, and I’ll act like this never happened!”
“Or kill me!” He stared into Shòu’s eyes, each word sharp. “Then watch your tribe burn to ashes because of your stupid stubbornness!”
Shòu didn’t answer, just looked at Galen’s shoulder, where a Voice Puffshroom climbed up.
“Tch, tch, tch,” its slimy, twisted voice dripped with fake praise, giving Galen a creepy whisper. “Whoa, for a brute, you talk smooth! Come on, tell me how strong the Empire’s demonkin are. Scare me, and maybe… I’ll surrender!”
Even pinned, Galen got goosebumps.
Knowing persuasion was hopeless after Lin Jun spoke, he clamped his mouth shut, looking ready to die, ignoring everything.
Getting no response, Lin Jun lost interest and left the tough guy to Louisa, who was more curious.
Lin Jun didn’t grab Galen for info but for that [Physical Resistance LV10].
As for Galen’s Empire threats, Lin Jun wasn’t worried.
The Far North wasn’t easy to reach!
An army? Nearly impossible. Elites? Let them come.
If they’re weak, they’re easy prey. If they’re too strong, Lin Jun would pack up the demonkin tribe and retreat to his home base!
Back home, he had Thunder Punishment, war puppets, even humans. Dare to come?
If some overpowered no-level-skill boss showed up, Lin Jun would seal the Far North rift tight!
The Far North was just a side base. The real value was the movable demonkin.
With a fallback, Lin Jun didn’t care.
The only pity? He’d planned to befriend the demonkin clans.
From this mess, that goal looked tricky.
(End of Chapter)
