[You have successfully invaded the Behetel Territory.]

[You have successfully invaded the Lemagal Territory.]

[You have successfully invaded the Vedon Territory.]

[You have successfully invaded the Perna Territory.]

[Ownership of the four territories is being forcibly transferred to you, Taehyun.]

[You have captured 25,891 residents from the four territories.]

From summoning his soldiers into the basement of Viscount Crowley’s mansion to sending troops through the underground passage to deceive and annihilate the two viscounts, his plan had unfolded flawlessly. The Zen he’d extorted from the viscounts and plundered from their territories totaled over fifty million. Taehyun used the funds to purchase Dungeonization Crystal Orbs through the Grondes Merchant Guild, securing four in total.

“Cawww!” a wyvern shrieked.

“You damn crow, it’s about time you let me ride on your back,” Taehyun grumbled.

“Caw!”

“Good boy.” His relationship with the wyverns had finally improved enough for him to ride them. Taehyun took to the skies, soaring over the four newly acquired territories.

[The Behetl territory has begun to dungeonize.]

[A C-rank Dungeon’s Crystal Orb is swallowing the territory.]

[The Lemagal territory has begun to dungeonize.]

[A C-rank Dungeon’s Crystal Orb is swallowing the territory.]

[The Bedon territory has begun to dungeonize.]

[A C-rank Dungeon’s Crystal Orb is swallowing the territory.]

[The Perna territory has begun to dungeonize.]

[A C-rank Dungeon’s Crystal Orb is swallowing the territory.]

One after another, the territories transformed, birthing new extensions of Balak. Each was reborn as a C-rank dungeon, the original landscapes vanishing without a trace.

“Now, excluding Partren, all of Viscount Crowley’s territories have been consumed,” Riel observed.

“That’s right,” Taehyun confirmed. “And since we’ve also swallowed the Bedon and Perna territories, the heart of the West can now be considered Balak’s domain.”

“But if our domain becomes this vast, won’t it be difficult to manage? We’ll have to operate the new dungeons as well.”

“No,” he said. “I won’t touch them for now. I’ll leave them be until our Zen income stabilizes. First, I’ll need to build watchtowers and barricades near each one for protection. The soldiers are going to be busy for a while.”

As a temporary measure, Taehyun ordered the construction of watchtowers and barricades at each new dungeon. Balak’s forces were divided into four groups to guard the new holdings, their watch supported by additional lookouts and guard posts. Just as these preparations were underway, the original Dungeon Balak began to change.

[B-rank Dungeon Master Taehyun Yoo’s dungeon count has exceeded five.]

[Balak’s magic is surging.]

[Transfer gates are being created inside each dungeon.]

[All of Balak’s dungeons are being integrated.]

[The regions where the dungeons are located are now recognized as Balak’s territory.]

[All of Balak’s soldiers are shouting for Balak.]

[Loyalty increases by 10.]

[Obedience increases by 8.]

It was a full integration, connecting all of Balak’s dungeons as one.

[The lands recognized as Balak’s territory begin to turn red under the influence of magic.]

Soon, the very soil of his new territory was stained a deep crimson, a visual marker of Balak’s ever-expanding influence.

‘Is this StarCraft or something? I feel like I’m spreading Zerg creep,’ he thought wryly. Amidst the triumphant cheers of his soldiers, the name ‘Balak’ was carved boldly across the World Map.

“Master Taehyun! We’ve finally become an integrated dungeon!” Riel exclaimed, her voice bright with excitement.

“So it seems,” Taehyun mused. “At this scale, we’re no ordinary B-rank dungeon. First, let’s check out that new icon.” He focused on the integrated dungeon information window that had materialized before his eyes.

[Integrated Dungeon: Balak]

[Rank: B]

[Alliances: None]

[Hostile Relations: Raider Association]

[Owned Dungeons: B-rank (1), C-rank (5), C-rank Labyrinth (1)]

[Owned Income Sources: Undiscovered Mine (2), Undiscovered Ancient Ruins (1)]

[Owned Buildings & Installations: Watchtower, Barricade, Lookout, Guard Post]

[Territory: Balak’s influence extends from the Valley of Silence to the Halung Plains]

‘Undiscovered mines?’ he wondered. The income sources section listed something unexpected. It meant there were hidden mines in the area now recognized as his territory. ‘Don’t tell me those two viscounts were trying to swallow Crowley’s lands for this.’ He suddenly recalled the greedy, triumphant looks on their faces. He’d wondered why they were spending a fortune on the territories, but now the hidden reason was clear.

Taehyun checked the locations of the mines and ancient ruins displayed on the World Map. Their positions seemed to be visible only to Dungeon Masters. ‘Well, well. I was short on Zen, and now I have a new source of income. How can I ever thank you, Viscount Bedon and Viscount Perna?’ If he developed the mines using the villagers, he could secure a steady flow of Zen.

“Riel, contact Edchan immediately. Tell him to send the villagers.”

“Yes, understood.”

“Rabiz, summon Grai.”

“Understood,” the succubus replied.

A moment later, Grai appeared through Rabiz’s summoning skill. Taehyun appointed the Orc Hero as his commander-in-chief, tasking him with guarding the four new dungeons.

“From now on, you will defend this area with the soldiers on the front lines,” Taehyun commanded.

“How should I deal with the raid parties?” Grai asked, his voice a low rumble.

“If they target these new dungeons, wipe them out. If it seems dangerous, contact me immediately. But if they’re targeting the three dungeons we’re already operating, just let them pass.”

“Stronger raiders will come in the future. Is that wise?”

“It’s fine,” Taehyun said, a wicked smile spreading across his face as his eyes gleamed. “If it gets too tough, we can just surround them within our territory. Besides, I need to keep doing business with the raiders.”

—

News that Balak had dungeonized four territories spread throughout the West via the Raider Association. Balak was no longer a single dungeon but an integrated territory. The local lords and branch managers grew even more vigilant, declaring Balak’s domain a no-entry zone. However, raiders drawn from all corners of the continent ignored the local ordinance and continued to pour in, figuring that an integrated dungeon would offer rewards to match its scale.

They tried to conquer every one of Balak’s dungeons, but each attempt on a new location was met by swarms of soldiers who annihilated them. Eventually, the raiders began to believe Balak was truly impossible to conquer and were about to turn back. But then, unexpected stories began to circulate.

“We’re low-rank, so we just went for the Labyrinth,” one raider recounted. “The soldiers nearby just stared at us. They didn’t attack.”

“I’m a B-rank raider, so I wasn’t interested in the new dungeons,” another explained. “My party and I tried to sneak past the territory, but we got caught. The soldiers never came for us.”

“We got lost and were surrounded,” a third whispered in awe. “But then an orc covered in tattoos showed us the way out.”

It turned out Balak wasn’t touching any raiders who were just passing through. In a bizarre turn of events, they were even guiding those who were lost. At first, no one on the continent believed it, but as more raiders ventured into the territory, the truth became undeniable. The idea of a demon doing business with humans was laughable, but for the raiders, it was a welcome development.

“It pisses me off that a demon is toying with us, but this makes planning our schedules so much easier.”

“We came to the West for Balak, we can’t just go back empty-handed. I don’t know about the Labyrinth, but I heard plenty of guys make it back alive from the original Balak, and they earned a pretty penny.”

“A-rank raiders don’t care about this place anyway. Us low-rank guys have to make a living, too.”

As more raiders emerged alive with their pockets full of Zen, Balak became a new frontier for profit. Raiders from B-rank to D-rank continued to flock to the territory.

Meanwhile, the Royal Family, which had intended to reclaim the lands, found their hands tied. Once the territories were dungeonized, the matter fell under the jurisdiction of the Raider Association. Some nobles demanded a subjugation to push back Balak’s influence, but the Royal Family refused. With the eyes of other kingdoms upon them, they couldn’t risk mobilizing their army. Instead, they pressured the Raider Association to handle it. However, with most A-rank raiders having already left the West, conquering Balak was a tall order, and frankly, they had no interest in a B-rank dungeon.

“The reward is pathetic. Why would I go? I don’t give a damn if it’s an integrated dungeon or not.”

“The West might be a new haven for low-level raiders, but we still have dungeons in other regions.”

“Offer me tens of millions of Zen, and maybe I’ll think about it.”

They all refused, claiming it was beneath them or that the reward wasn’t worth their time. While some offered a hefty commission, hiring an A-rank raid party would cost a fortune. In the end, the Raider Association put the matter on the back burner, leaving Balak untouched for the time being.

—

[D-rank Raider Deden throws beef jerky to a Werewolf.]

[The Werewolf is pleased.]

“Hey. Bring that one here,” Taehyun ordered.

“Understood,” Rabiz replied.

While watching the monitor, a Werewolf accepting a bribe had caught his eye. Rabiz immediately summoned the creature, which was still happily munching on the jerky.

“Grrr?” the Werewolf growled quizzically.

“Hey, you son of a bitch!” Taehyun snapped. “Didn’t I tell you not to accept food? Are you even a dungeon soldier?!”

“Yelp!”

He punched the Werewolf squarely in the nose, a harsh punishment for its transgression. For the creature, it was a bolt from the blue. As the chastised Werewolf was sent back, Riel cautiously voiced her concern.

“It’s good that we’re attracting raiders, but what if, by some chance, A-rank raiders show up?”

“Don’t worry. They won’t come for now,” Taehyun reassured her. “They’ll show interest when Balak becomes an A-rank dungeon. For now, we just need to squeeze Zen out of the raiders flocking here. By the way, Riel, are you letting some of them live, as I instructed?”

“Yes. We are thwarting raids by letting a few survive, but are you sure this is wise? What if they return for revenge?”

“Well, they might burn with a desire for revenge if a few comrades die,” he conceded. “But they prioritize Zen over their friends. Balak is known as the best place to earn Zen in the West. Rather than clinging to petty emotions, they’ll come back to make a living.”

There were undoubtedly raiders who had come to the West specifically for Balak. By letting them live, giving them hope, and allowing them to earn some Zen, he ensured they had no choice but to return. At the end of the day, raiders had to make a living, and dungeons were their livelihood. Except for the Players, the rest had to put Zen first.

“Once the small city of Myol is completed, I’ll have the entire territory surrounded by a wall,” he explained. “Then I’ll create a separate path just for the raiders. Of course, any bastards who target Balak itself will be attacked from the walls.”

“I see. At this rate, Balak might even develop into a nation of its own.”

“I’m not hoping for that much. Anyway, contact Kinjo and Edchan. Tell them to operate their dungeons by letting some of the raiders escape alive.”

“I’ll contact them right away,” Riel confirmed. “Oh! Speaking of which, in the Labyrinth, isn’t it impossible to let them go alive?”

She was right. Once someone entered the maze, there was no getting out.

“Tell them to punch a hole in the wall for a fake exit on the opposite side of the real one.”

“But couldn’t they find the real exit that way?”

“Just make it so that once they use the fake exit, they can’t re-enter the maze through that path. They’ll have no choice but to go back through the main entrance or give up and leave.” A sliding door came to mind. Taehyun’s lips curled into a smile as he contacted Edchan directly.

“What is it, Master Taehyun?” a voice came through the communication device.

“Hey. We’re changing the structure. Do exactly as I say.”

“Understood.”

Following Taehyun’s instructions, Edchan altered the maze’s design. And so, the three active dungeons of Balak began operating in a way that gave just enough hope to keep the raiders coming back.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep