Titan King: Ascension of the Giant Chapter 1354 Initiation into the Alliance

To eventually ascend as an Arch Lord, Tangere knew that conquering foreign realms alongside Orion was essential for seizing territory and growing his population.

Yet, Orion’s departure had been shockingly sudden. He hadn't provided any profound wisdom or a strategic blueprint before turning his back and disappearing.

His total absence left Tangere with a hollow, sinking sensation in his chest.

Am I simply too weak? Tangere wondered as anxiety began to take hold.

Is the composition of my units too limited?

Pacing across the stone floor of his Mage Tower, Tangere fell into a spiral of self-doubt. He was trapped in a maze of second-guessing, over-analyzing every past interaction and dissecting his own flaws. He was desperate to find a way to remain valuable enough for Orion to continue supporting him.

[Survivor's Platform: Champions Alliance Secure Channel]

The moment Orion synced his consciousness with the secure channel, he broadcast his choice to the members.

Hulk: "Alright everyone, I met with Tangere. He checks out. I've decided to bring him into the Champions Alliance."

Orion’s trip to see Tangere hadn't been a mere social visit; the final trial had been asking Tangere to provide an assessment of his own comrades.

While the test appeared basic, Orion was actually probing the depths of Tangere's character.

Possessing the clarity to understand oneself while accurately reading others is a rare gift. It demands keen observation, social intelligence, and the ability to interpret people while remaining objective. Tangere had proven he possessed these traits in abundance.

Leonidas: "About time. I scouted the kid earlier. Not bad."

Leonidas: "He's at peak Legend rank. He can't punch above his weight class, but his kit is unique. High utility."

Leonidas was the first to respond. He and the Deputy Commander had already withdrawn their Demigod Phantoms from the Abyssal World and were currently occupied with the conquest of a Godforsaken Land. Since the situations in the Emerald Dream Realm and Silverwood Realm were now stable, Leonidas had no desire to sit idle.

Tangere’s introduction was timed perfectly; Leonidas planned to haul him over to the Emerald Dream Realm to manage the tedious labor.

Edward: "Let me know when he's in. I need to read him the riot act regarding our protocols."

The Deputy Commander had also been monitoring Tangere, though his surveillance was far more subtle. Tangere had never even detected his shadow.

Isabella: "Hulk, you screwed me over!"

Isabella finally spoke up. During her last attempt to 'evaluate' Tangere, she had nearly been impaled by Orion's trident.

Hulk: "Isabella, Alexander is right here. Watch your phrasing—you make it sound like I knocked you up."

Kraken: "Wait, Isabella's pregnant? And it's Hulk's?"

Makareth: "Congrats! I'll start working on the baby shower gifts immediately."

While the members were always attentive when new blood joined the Alliance, Kraken and Makareth possessed a unique talent for immediately derailing the conversation.

Isabella: "Oh, go to hell... you bunch of assholes!"

Isabella: "You're the ones who are pregnant! Your whole families are pregnant! It's all Hulk's fault!"

The outburst from Isabella only triggered a wave of crude laughter from Leonidas, Kraken, and Makareth.

Alexander: "I've seen the rookie too. Honestly, he's better suited as a garrison commander."

Alexander: "His plague abilities are devastating in an invasion, but his personality is cautious. He prefers to hunker down."

Alexander: "Besides, being a defensive specialist doesn't mean his plague can't be weaponized offensively when needed."

Orion’s eyes brightened upon hearing Alexander’s evaluation.

He had initially viewed Tangere as having a somewhat wretched, merchant-like craftiness. Throughout the resistance in the [Forest of Nature] and the following campaign in the south, Tangere hadn't performed any spectacular feats.

However, the undeniable fact was that Tangere had survived. He had endured without Orion’s protection and emerged without a single wound.

That capability, in and of itself, was a significant skill.

Leonidas: "Alexander, you always have the most to say, and you usually say it best. Go prepare a gift. You're a Demigod—don't be cheap about it."

Alexander: "You say that like you aren't a Demigod yourself. Between the two of us, who's the one actually broke?"

That retort from Alexander left Leonidas speechless.

Although Leonidas had successfully hatched the [World Dragons], the process had completely drained his wealth, and the creatures continued to consume resources like a bottomless pit. He was undoubtedly the poorest among the Demigods in the Champions Alliance.

Orion ignored their squabbling. After notifying the Deputy Commander, he turned his focus back to Tangere.

"I want to introduce you to a few friends. You interested?"

Silverwood Realm, City of Mirelune

Tangere paused in confusion when the message arrived.

He disconnected from the Survivor's Platform and opened his eyes in the physical realm, sitting upright within his Mage Tower. He poured a glass of water, taking slow sips to calm his racing heart.

Orion had only just departed, and now he was sending cryptic invitations. Tangere was clever enough to realize he might have just struck gold.

Orion was a Demigod. His associates would be Arch Lords at the very least—and likely other Demigods.

Regardless, this was exactly the kind of network Tangere had been desperate to join.

Trembling with an adrenaline rush, he took a moment to regain his composure before logging back into the system.

"Absolutely! Thank you for the opportunity, Big Boss!"

After finishing his water, Tangere closed his eyes and sent his confirmation.

"I'm going to pull you into a channel. Remember: follow the rules, listen more, talk less."

Following that short instruction, Orion issued the invitation.

[System Alert: Hulk has invited you to join the Champions Alliance. Accept?]

Tangere didn't hesitate for a second. He clicked accept immediately.

The moment he stepped into the Champions Alliance public channel, his vision was flooded by a barrage of welcome messages.

Hulk: "Welcome, Tangere!"

Arthas: "Welcome to the crew."

Edward: "Welcome to the Champions Alliance."

Leonidas: "Fresh meat! Get in here!"

Alexander: "Welcome."

Kraken: "My brother! Welcome! Drinks are on me next time."

Isabella: "Welcome to the team. This is a new chapter for you."

Makareth: "Welcome! Welcome! A warm welcome!"

Everyone was present except for the sleeping Commander. Even Arthas, who was usually silent, spoke up once Tangere was officially part of the roster.

"Pay close attention to the rules the Deputy Commander sends you. That's not a suggestion."

Acting as his sponsor, Orion sent a private warning. He had no desire to be forced into a position where he had to personally hunt Tangere down. Just the thought was irritating.

"Don't worry, Big Boss. I'll watch my step."

Satisfied with the reply, Orion went quiet.

Now, he had to prepare an initiation gift for the newcomer, just as his comrades had done for him when he first arrived in the Champions Alliance.

After considering his options, Orion pulled out an idol crafted from rare black gold and started a trade with Tangere.

It was a statue of Orion himself, imbued with a fragment of his Demigod Phantom. It functioned as a super-weapon—a ultimate trump card capable of saving Tangere’s life during a disaster.

Coming after the contributions from the rest of the Alliance, this specific gift would hold a weight and importance all its own.