The first raid was over. With the final quest complete and its rewards secured, Taehyun took a moment to reflect. Bolton’s party had crumbled in the very first room, but he knew he couldn’t take all the credit. ‘Without the fortress and the Minotaurs, that would have been a much closer fight.’

This first defense had been an invaluable lesson. He now had a better understanding of raiders: how to gather intel on them with scouts, the existence of the Surprise Phenomenon, the mechanics of the Stress Index, and the use of their unique items.

Information was transmitted the moment his forces spotted the enemy. The Surprise Phenomenon was a double-edged sword, but one he could certainly exploit. The Stress Index was a psychological weapon, a way to break his enemies’ minds before their bodies. And finally, their items—camping kits for recovery, torches for illumination—were all things he now knew to watch for.

‘The first victory was easy, but I can’t get complacent,’ he mused. ‘The dungeon’s protection period is over. It’s visible on the world map now. News of this failed raid will only attract more, stronger parties.’ Organizing his newfound knowledge, Taehyun began a thorough reassessment of Balak.

[Name: Taehyun Yoo]

[Age: 22]

[Nationality: Republic of Korea]

[Level: 10]

[Rank: D]

[Class: Commander]

[Title: None]

[Affiliation: Dungeon Master]

[Guild: None]

[Strength: 1] [Endurance: 1] [Agility: 1] [Stamina: 1]

[Mana: 1] [Affinity: 2] [Luck: 1]

His status window had changed. The successful defense had pushed him to level 10, unlocking the Commander class and granting him a point in Affinity. ‘A commander… someone who leads from the front, I guess. The Affinity boost seems to confirm that.’ It was a stat that helped build rapport, meaning he could now command a larger, more loyal force.

“Congratulations, Master,” Riel said. “From now on, you will be able to participate directly in exploration and combat.”

Taehyun listened to her and then checked his new skills.

[Command]

[Skill Level: 1]

[Description: You can directly issue commands to subordinates and soldiers on the battlefield.]

[Affinity]

[Skill Level: 1]

[Description: As a commander, you make a strong impression on your subordinates and soldiers. It acts as an additional effect when issuing orders.] [Value: 1]

One active, one passive, both exclusive to his new class.

“Participating in battle myself, huh.”

The thought was unsettling. Until now, he had been a spectator. The idea of facing danger directly was terrifying.

“Do not worry,” Riel added, sensing his apprehension. “I will be by your side to assist you in battle.”

Her words were meant to be comforting, but they didn’t entirely ease his fears. ‘Come to think of it, Riel has never fought in person either. Her special ability is powerful, but she has a whole set of combat skills she’s never used.’ She might appear delicate, but she was Balak’s only healer. Her Battle Heal skill would be indispensable.

[Elite Low-rank Goblin (15)]

[Scout Low-rank Goblin (7)]

[Elite Low-rank Imp (15)]

[Low-rank Imp (3)]

[Low-rank Wild Dog (8)]

[Elite Mid-rank Minotaur (2)]

His forces had grown stronger, too. With elite units in his ranks, he needed a proper command structure and a dedicated healer. ‘Their stats have increased, so they’ll need better equipment. The same goes for Riel and me.’ His Zen reserves had swelled thanks to the quest and defense bonuses. It was time to invest.

—

“So there’s a prison beneath the Crystal Sphere chamber.”

“Yes. Roughly fifty villagers from Dallas are being held there.”

“Alright.”

Taehyun’s first order of business was to deal with the captured villagers. He descended the stairs beneath the fifth room and found the prison, a series of crude cells carved from the rock.

“It’s the she-devil! She’s back!”

“Damn it, who’s that with her?”

“Ugh, I just want to get out of here.”

The prisoners reacted with a mixture of fear and defiance. Taehyun felt a pang of pity, but quickly suppressed it. ‘No. I can’t afford to be soft-hearted.’

He cleared his throat. “I am the Dungeon Master of Balak,” he announced, his voice echoing in the cavern. “Every monster in this place answers to me, and I am the one who had you brought here. I am now going to give you a choice.”

“A D-Dungeon Master?!”

“He looks human, but he’s a demon…”

The villagers trembled. An old man stepped forward from the back of the crowd.

“I-I am Melden, the chief of this village. What do you mean by a choice?”

“…You’re their representative, then. The choice is simple: die here, or work for my dungeon.”

“And if we choose to work?” Melden asked, his eyes shaking. “What kind of treatment can we expect?”

Taehyun’s gaze swept over the crying children and frightened women. They were terrified of what was to come. ‘This is harder than fighting the raid,’ he thought, steeling himself.

He paused before delivering his terms. “The children, the elderly, and the women will remain here as hostages. The rest of the men will be taken to the fortress to serve as laborers or soldiers. I have no intention of being cruel. So long as you follow my orders without question, no harm will come to any of you. I promise.”

“Tsk! How can we trust the word of a demon!” someone shouted.

“That’s right!” another echoed.

It was the reaction he’d expected. He had no choice but to be firm.

“Believe me or not, it makes no difference. But remember this: your lives are in my hands.”

The threat was clear. With their families held captive, the men would have no choice but to obey. Taehyun had driven the point home.

Melden collapsed to his knees in despair. His decision made, Taehyun turned and left the prison with Riel, the villagers’ cries fading behind them.

—

[You have successfully threatened the 50+ residents of Dallas Village, changing their affiliation to Balak.]

The problem of the villagers was settled. He still needed a concrete plan for them, but for now, it was enough.

“That was more draining than the raid,” Taehyun sighed, slumping into his chair back in his private room.

“For you, Master, that was handled quite well,” Riel commented. Her tone was complimentary, but he could detect a hint of disappointment. This was the limit of his ruthlessness for now.

“…I suppose. Anyway, now to deal with the raiders’ equipment.” He examined the items he’d looted from Bolton’s party.

[Wood Shield]

[Rank: D]

[Restriction: Shield User]

[Description: A crude shield made of wood.]

[Broad Sword]

[Rank: D]

[Restriction: Swordsman or Knight]

[Description: An ordinary broad sword forged from iron.]

[Crude Bow]

[Rank: D]

[Restriction: Archer or Scout]

[Description: A crudely made bow, just as it appears.]

‘All D-rank with class restrictions. I’ll hold onto the sword and shield. The bow can go to one of the goblin scouts.’

None of his soldiers had a proper class yet, aside from the scouts. With his soldier cap at 50, he couldn’t simply summon more. ‘I’ll have to upgrade the ones I have with classes and equipment.’

He handed the Crude Bow to one of the scouts.

“You’re the captain of the scout unit now.”

“Kiek! Kiek!” the goblin shrieked with delight, instantly becoming the leader of its peers.

Leaving the ecstatic goblin behind, Taehyun checked his Zen balance.

[Zen: 32,540]

It was a small fortune, painstakingly earned. ‘With this, I’ll strengthen the dungeon, the fortress, and my army.’ His mind began to race. It was time to invest.

—

[Dungeon Name: Balak]

[Master: Taehyun Yoo]

[Rank: D]

[Location: A cave deep in the Silent Valley, on the western frontier of the Astral Continent.]

[Supporter: Riel of Healing (B)]

[Boss: None]

[Mercenary: None]

[Guardian & Keeper: None]

[Soldiers: Low-rank Goblin (22), Low-rank Imp (18), Low-rank Wild Dog (8), Mid-rank Minotaur (2)]

[Monsters: Low-rank Goblin (22), Low-rank Imp (18), Low-rank Wild Dog (8), Mid-rank Minotaur (2)]

[Servants & Maids: None]

[Traps: Sticky Trap, Hunting Trap]

[Installed Methods: Abyssal Flower Landrozel, Madria’s Bookshelf, Hideous Spider Egg]

[Remodeling & Alteration Status: Corridor change between rooms (Stage 1)]

[Rooms: 5]

[Dungeon Status: A D-rank dungeon that could be conquered at any moment. Its forces have been strengthened by Mid-rank Minotaurs. Traps and installed methods are weak, and the passage is a straight line. The recovery rate of the forces has been increased by the B-rank Named Supporter, Riel.]

[Fortress Name: Balak Fortress]

[Master: Taehyun Yoo]

[Rank: D]

[Location: Center of the Arid Plains, on the western frontier of the Astral Continent.]

[Soldiers: Scout Goblin (7), Low-rank Imp (8), Low-rank Goblin (10)]

[Remodeling & Alteration Status: None]

‘Strengthening my soldiers is vital, but first, I need to shore up the defenses of the fortress and the dungeon.’ Raiders had to cross the Arid Plains to reach him, a geographical necessity dictated by the impassable mountain ranges flanking the Silent Valley. ‘I learned from Bolton’s party that the defense begins at the fortress.’ He had to leverage that advantage.

First, he summoned more familiars.

“Kkyu!”

“Kkyuu.”

“Kkyu kkyu!”

Like the first Blue Eye, they were all D-rank, one-eyed creatures. He issued his command to the colorful new arrivals.

“You are now assigned to the fortress. Your mission is to patrol the entire Arid Plains and report everything you see back to me.”

“Kkyu!”

Just like that, his family of floating eyes grew to twelve, joining the goblin scouts in their surveillance of the plains. ‘The fortress is a critical chokepoint on the only route to my dungeon. If I can spot raiders long before they reach me, I’ll have a massive advantage.’ The table was set perfectly. ‘Next, reinforce the fortress.’

With his vision secured, Taehyun turned his attention to fortress management.

[Entering Manager Mode.]

[Field of vision expands to the entire interior of Balak Fortress.]

—

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