Chapter 2359 Crafter''s Champions


    "The champion candidate is… you," Wyatt said, pointing at Ds. His gaze steady, he asked, "Ds, are you willing to be my champion?"


    "Me?" Ds blinked in surprise, her finger unconsciously pointing at herself as if to confirm she''d heard correctly. Though she was technically staff at the Chaos Dwarven Forge, she realized she still counted as part of the audience. A thrill of excitement coursed through her. The idea of being chosen as her contestant''s first champion was exhrating—especially since it gave her a chance to explore the secrets of the Frosling corpse puppet firsthand. What better way to learn its intricacies than by using it in battle? n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    However, her excitement was quickly tempered by practicality. Having gone through the extensive list of volunteers, she knew there were candidates far more qualified than her to serve as champions. Putting her selfish desires aside, she spoke carefully, "No. I think you shouldn''t decide this in haste or on a whim. You should look at the list I''ve prepared. There are many volunteers who are far more eligible and fit to be your champion than me."


    Wyatt''s brows arched slightly, but his voice remained calm as he replied, "Kid, as their crafter, I know who the best champions for them are. If I say you''re eligible, then you are." His tone grew firmer, his eyes locking onto hers. "Now the real question: are you confident enough to take on the responsibility I''m giving you? Be straight with me. Don''t give me any nonsense about ''more eligible candidates.'' If you''re willing, say yes. If not, say no. Simple."


    The weight of his words settled on Ds like a mantle. She could feel his trust in her—not as a constion choice, but as someone he genuinely believed in. Clenching her fists to steady herself, she met his gaze and nodded. "Yes, I am. I won''t let you down," she dered, her bright eyes brimming with a newfound confidence.


    "It''s not about letting me down. Just go out there and have fun," Wyatt said with a reassuring grin. His rxed demeanor wasn''t without reason. He trusted the high-ranking artificial will he had integrated into his Frosling corpse puppets. With the two-and-a-half-day practice session under their belts, these puppets could handle opponents on their own with basicmands like fight or defend.


    As Ds nodded, her expression softening with relief, Wyatt added with a mischievous glint in his eye, "Also, just imagine the item you want them to craft. They''ll craft them use it in the battle. Let''s give it a try. Which one do you want?" He gestured toward the towering Frosling corpse puppets lined up in formation. Their resemnce to the Snow Elven race made them tall, but the mechanical armor they donned gave them an even more imposing presence.


    "The one in the middle," Ds said, her gaze locking onto a particr puppet. A small grin tugged at her lips. "She looks like she means business." Handing Wyatt a drop of her blood, she added, "Let''s see what she''s got."


    Wyatt epted the blood with a nod, swiftly transferring temporary ownership of the middle Frosling corpse puppet to her. "She''s yours now. Go ahead, give her a try," he encouraged, gesturing for Ds to test the puppet''s capabilities.


    Ds hesitated, ncing back at Wyatt before shaking her head. "Not now. My uncle is crafty. Let''s not reveal I''m your champion until it''s time." Her eagerness to test the puppet was evident, but she kept her priorities in check, her brow furrowed with determination.


    Wyatt chuckled softly, impressed by her restraint. "Fair enough. Keep it under wraps until its time for the match," he said, his tone approving as he turned his focus back to choosing the second and third champions.


    "Alright, then. Help me ask the female Frosling who chose the species and realm of the corpse puppet for the crafting duel if she''s willing to be my champion," Wyatt requested Ds. Though he suspected the Frosling would readily agree, he waited for confirmation. As expected, Ds soon informed him, "She''s in. In fact, she''s one of the volunteers who applied to be your champion. She''s a crafter specializing in corpse puppets. Even if I mess up, she''ll hold down the fort."


    "Good," Wyatt said with a satisfied nod. "Then, for the third champion, randomly choose one of your friends—someone you trust—only if they''re willing to do it." A small smirk tugged at the corner of his lips as he subtly made a move on Ds''s entire circle of friends. He had noticed that many of the young chaos dwarfs seated on Bigold''s side of the colosseum seemed to know Ds, as they would asionally wave at her. "Really? I get to choose one of my friends to be your third champion?" Ds''s eyes lit up mischievously, and she let out a low, evilugh. Whatever she was plotting was evident from the sly grin spreading across her face. The reason for her excitement was simple: many of her friends had already contacted her, begging for her rmendation as a champion candidate to her contestant. Some had even offered her bribes, ranging from helping her clean her uncle''s workshop for a week to handing over rare minerals from their personal collections. Ds had initially ignored these offers, thinking it would be wrong to exploit the influence she had over her contestant. But now that her contestant himself had given her permission, the game had changed.


    "This is great," she muttered under her breath, her fingers steepling as if she were plotting world domination. She nned to extract the maximum benefit from her friends while still ensuring Wyatt got a capable and trustworthy champion. "Don''t worry, I''ve got this," Ds replied with exaggerated confidence, already envisioning the flurry of favors and promises she would secure.


    Wyatt observed her with an amused expression, arms crossed, shaking his head at her obvious scheming.