Episode 149

[Construction of an inn is underway in the town of Myol.]

[The Balak Trading Company has successfully completed a trade with the Depay territory.]

[The dwarf Roland of the Rough Rock Tribe has crafted an iron longsword with improved Endurance.]

[Dungeon resident Padis has gathered Deborah herbs from the Silent Forest.]

Slowly, the territory was taking shape. Residents gathered herbs and magical ingredients from the Silent Forest while beginning to cultivate the Revived Plains. Loggers were dispatched to the lumber mill, and dwarves oversaw construction. They were even crafting equipment for Balak’s soldiers. It was no exaggeration to say that everything was finally falling into place.

“Master Taehyun, the Balak Trading Company has returned. They will deliver the goods and then proceed to their next destination.”

“Good. Have them supply Myol and tell Melden to continue reporting on any shortages.”

“Understood. By the way, it’s said that mages from the Magic Tower occasionally visit our territory.”

“I’ll have to visit the Magic Tower and establish a trade route eventually. For now, since our residents have started doing business in Myol, send a few to the main passage to sell goods to the raiders.”

A steady supply of food and materials would soon be established. If they could create a unique specialty product, it would surely pique interest. Moreover, with mages visiting the territory, opening trade routes with the Magic Towers in addition to their target domains would increase his income exponentially.

Taehyun set the report down and leaned back in his chair. The territory’s development was welcome, but managing so many moving parts was becoming tiresome.

“Riel, any word from Dropin?”

“Still no contact, Master.”

“That bastard. What in the world is he doing? The North must be in an uproar over Balak by now.”

Dropin was supposed to be operating as a raider in the North. Taehyun had even sent Loqwin to assist him, yet there had been no communication. He tried contacting Loqwin as well, just in case, but she also remained silent.

“Do you think something has happened? The contract requires them to report all information.”

“Most likely. Whew. For now, you’re in charge of the territory. I’m going to be busy with dungeon operations. Report any problems or needs to me directly.”

“Understood. Is it time for the second Faction War?”

“That’s right. I have to attend to that first. Hah, has it already been a month? What a pain.”

Another month had passed since the first Faction War. The dungeon would be under a protection period again during the event. He expected the A-rank raiders to start flocking to his gates as soon as it was over.

Taehyun ordered the restoration of the broken watchtowers within the territory and rose from his seat. Just then, a series of blue messages appeared before him.

[The combat experience of the Werewolves has exceeded its limit.]

[The combat experience of the Harpies has exceeded its limit.]

[The combat experience of the Centaurs has exceeded its limit.]

[The combat experience of the Direct Fairies has exceeded its limit.]

[The combat experience of the Salamanders has exceeded its limit.]

His B-rank soldiers had been promoted to elites. Taehyun reviewed each unit’s information with satisfaction. He had tasked Grai, Riel, and his other main forces with training them, and the results were finally beginning to show. In addition to steady stat increases, they now possessed special abilities suited to their classes.

[Infiltrator: Acceleration]

[Priest: Divinity Sharing]

‘The Infiltrator gets a momentary speed boost, and the Priests can share Divinity among themselves.’

He had already seen the other class abilities, but these two were new. The Harpies and Direct Fairies would now be even more effective in battle.

“Grai is still training the residents at the training ground, correct?”

“Yes. You should be able to utilize them as soldiers soon.”

“Well, I’m not expecting miracles, but if they’re attacked by fellow humans, it’s the raiders who will hesitate. That alone is an advantage worth exploiting.”

Balak’s military might was now comparable to an army preparing for war. Dungeon soldiers and dungeon residents. By further systematizing these two groups, he could operate numerous units to defend his expanding territory.

“I’ll be back. Let me know the instant you hear from Dropin or Loqwin.”

“Are you going alone this time?”

“Yes. There’s no guarantee I’ll be chosen as a participant every time.”

With that, Taehyun teleported to Duke Nikunbel’s mansion.

—

[The second Faction War between the Nider Faction and the Resistance is being prepared.]

[Nider: Sangjun Han, Cheolwoo Min]

[Resistance: Sangtae Jeong, Hosik Lee]

As he’d suspected, he wasn’t chosen to participate. Since the members were selected at random, it was to be expected. Taehyun watched the screen leisurely.

From the mission description, it appeared to be a game based on a modified version of chess. Two members per team, taking turns moving their pieces. He hadn’t paid much attention to the Nider faction before, but in a mission like this, they had a decent chance of winning.

Taehyun sighed at the clumsy strategic exchange between Sangtae and Hosik.

“The Resistance is going to lose.”

“Hmm. An unfortunate, but accurate assessment.”

“…Who?”

A man had appeared beside him. He cleared his throat and replied, “It’s Hyunjun Cho. We were in the last mission together. Have you forgotten already?”

“Ah, Mr. Hyunjun. My apologies. I’ve been so busy lately, things keep slipping my mind.”

“Hmph. I’m sure you have. After all, you managed to elevate Balak to A-rank. Congratulations, newbie. No… Taehyun.”

“I was merely fortunate. But thank you.”

A-rank Dungeon Master Hyunjun Cho. The mage who had sacrificed himself before the final chamber in their last mission. Taehyun exchanged an awkward greeting and turned back to the screen. Nider’s pieces were slowly dominating the board.

“A shame. We’ll have to hope for a better outcome in the next Faction War.”

“I suppose so. I don’t see any way for them to turn this around.”

“By the way, Taehyun. It seems you and Songyi have grown closer.”

Hyunjun gestured to Songyi, who was nestled in Taehyun’s arms. She had been clinging to him since they’d arrived at the stadium, and he couldn’t help but be conscious of her. Taehyun stroked her head and forced a smile.

Just then, Seonghwi Hyeon and Narae approached their seats.

“Taehyun! I heard you hit A-rank! You’ll finally be playing in the big leagues with the rest of us.”

“Uh… um… congratulations.”

Seonghwi grinned, clapping him on the shoulder, while Narae gave a brief, awkward wave. Taehyun simply nodded and turned his gaze back to the screen as the mission reached its climax.

[Victory for the Nider Faction!]

[The winner of this Faction War is the Nider Faction.]

As expected, the Resistance had lost. Time acceleration must not have been in effect, as he could see Sangtae and Hosik trudging back to their seats.

‘I was bored to death.’

The two defeated members were immediately swarmed by their faction mates. Having no further business there, Taehyun lost interest.

“…Are you leaving?”

“I should. There’s nothing else to see.”

“Okay.”

Songyi naturally rose from her seat with him. Taehyun gave a quick farewell to the others and was about to exit the stadium when Narae, who had been hesitating nearby, grabbed his wrist.

“Hey… can I talk to you for a moment?”

“…What is it?”

“Um… do you know Dropin and Loqwin?”

Dropin and Loqwin, raiders from Balak. Just as he was vexed by their sudden silence, she had spoken their names.

—

[Visiting the dungeon of Resistance faction member Narae Min.]

[Transporting to Katarniak Dungeon in the northern Astral Continent.]

A-rank Dungeon Master Narae Min. She was undoubtedly one of the heavy hitters in the Resistance. Having consistently defended her dungeon and maintained her A-rank status, her domain was several times more advanced than Balak.

‘That’s right. She’s an A-rank Dungeon Master, too. I might have been underestimating her because of the last mission.’

He had sent Songyi ahead and now stood before Katarniak. Taehyun gazed up at the massive fortress and sighed.

“F-follow me. I’ll show you the way.”

“Understood.”

The two of them soon arrived in the master room. Taehyun looked around the well-appointed chamber in awe.

‘She’s always put a lot of thought into her decor. It’s quite stylish, even by modern standards.’

White, butterfly-patterned wallpaper, a clean interior, and atmospheric lamps. She had clearly put a woman’s touch into decorating her personal space.

“What are you staring at? I-it’s this way.”

“Right. Coming.”

Following Narae’s lead, Taehyun arrived at the prison.

“They’re over there.”

“Sigh. Thank you.”

The prison was several times larger than Balak’s, but it was eerily silent, suggesting she typically killed her captives. Taehyun walked in the direction she indicated. Among hundreds of empty cells, he saw one that held two figures.

“Hah. What are you two doing in here?”

“M-Master Taehyun.”

“…So, you finally came for us.”

It was the cell holding Dropin and Loqwin.

—

Two weeks before the second Faction War, while operating as raiders in the North, the pair had stumbled upon an opportunity to join an A-rank raid.

“We’re raiding Katarniak Dungeon?”

“It seems they’re accepting all B-rank raiders, no questions asked.”

“Excellent. We’ll join to raise our contribution score.”

“I’ll prepare an instant return scroll, just in case.”

The A-rank dungeon, Katarniak, had just had its raid restriction lifted, and A-rank raiders were recruiting. The offer to unconditionally accept any B-rank raider was too good an opportunity for Dropin and Loqwin to pass up.

And so, after making their preparations, the two joined the raid.

[A-rank Raider Tamkren has used a wide-range radar.]

[Katarniak]

[Rank: A]

[Number of Rooms: 46]

On the day of the raid, under the guidance of their leader Tamkren’s radar, the raiders stepped onto the path of conquest.

—

‘It’s like a demon king’s castle. To think a dungeon like this exists in these valleys. I can’t let my guard down.’

The massive fortress was an intimidating sight. Dropin pulled his robe low over his face and surveyed the raid party.

The Tamkren raid party consisted of five A-rank raiders and 157 B-rank raiders.

“Even with the population penalty, this is a formidable force,” Loqwin observed.

“No. My research indicates that Katarniak is so large it doesn’t impose a significant population penalty. The only restriction will likely be on our skills.”

Raider penalties were automatically calibrated based on a dungeon’s scale and military strength. A fortress of this size could easily accommodate two hundred people, which meant it also housed a massive army. A balancing system must have been applied to give the raiders a fighting chance.

Dropin gripped the hilt of his greatsword, his breath misting in the frigid air. He still wasn’t used to the biting cold of the North, where blizzards raged year-round.

“We’re entering shortly! Everyone, final preparations!” Tamkren’s voice boomed.

With the fortress entrance looming before them, a final check of items and equipment was crucial. Dropin and Loqwin finished inspecting their spare gear.

“I’ve got the instant return scroll ready,” Loqwin confirmed.

“Good. If that bastard Taehyun summons us by mistake, we’d have to come all the way back. This is a better alternative.”

“Looks like they’re about to go in.”

Their preparations complete, the Tamkren raid party advanced toward the entrance. Dropin and Loqwin hurried to fall in line, stepping into the dungeon’s maw.

—

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep