Episode 154

“Everyone has gathered, Master,” Riel reported as Balak’s main forces filed into the Master Room behind her.

Grai, Raviz, Mederia, Angelina, Zighart, Roquin, and Kadum. The two supporters were present as well. Excluding Larkan, this was the entirety of Balak’s core power.

Taehyun calmly looked them over. ‘A top-tier A-rank raider. A step below S-rank, but can Balak, having just reached A-rank, stop them?’

Including the mercenary Raimon, he had considerable fighting power, but the reputation of the Eleonora Raid Party was immense. Ecla was currently unable to communicate, Dropin was contracted to deal only with Dungeon Masters, and Valona was in a similar state. For now, he had to face this threat with only the forces before him.

‘The last battle proved the dwarves won’t be much help. Better to have them focus on developing the territory than use them as troops. That leaves the high elves.’

Since he couldn’t yet mobilize the residents, he would have to rely on the high elves and Balak’s internal forces. Count Dinen’s condition was that they only had to defend the existing dungeon, so he didn’t have to worry about damage to the wider territory. Furthermore, since only one party would attack at a time, there would be no reinforcements. He could focus solely on Eleonora.

“To think the Eleonora Raid Party would be our first A-rank opponent. Do you have a plan, Taehyun?” Grai asked.

“I don’t have a proper plan. We’ll have to improvise when we engage them.”

“Damn it! What will happen to my family if we’re conquered?!” Kadum cried out.

“Then we’ll have to make sure we aren’t,” Taehyun said flatly. “You protect them with everything you have, Kadum.”

Kadum’s face flushed, and he let out a heavy sigh. He knew it, too—there was no perfect countermeasure they could prepare right now.

Taehyun checked the monitor displaying the entrance to his territory. Thousands of raiders had gathered in a massive crowd, all eager to watch the show. Among them, he spotted figures who appeared to be subordinates of Count Dinen and Duke Peyton, glaring daggers at each other.

‘Seeing Rudin there confirms Peyton’s men are here. As for the others, they’ve been openly displaying their information from the start, so I guess they just intend to watch. He’s not backing down, that Count Dinen.’

Ever since targeting the high elves, Count Dinen had his subordinates openly reveal their identities whenever they entered Balak. It was a power play, a message that Balak only existed because of his grace and that Taehyun should bow his head.

Taehyun fiddled with an item and smirked. ‘You’re not using Balak. I’m using you. But for now, I’ll thank you for setting the terms.’

Thanks to Dinen, he could at least fend off the raid parties one by one. Taehyun expelled all the raiders from his territory and waited. Since Eleonora had her permit, she would be showing herself soon.

‘It’s definitely too soon. Facing top-tier opponents as our first A-rank raid party… I knew Duke Peyton would make a move, but I never imagined he’d drag retired legends into this. I should have known when he offered fifty million Zen for Balak’s head.’

Dropin had kept him updated on Peyton’s attempts to hire raid parties. When the requests were suddenly canceled, Taehyun had expected a different approach, but never this. He had anticipated a series of mid-tier parties at most, but events were unfolding in an unexpected way.

‘I heard that high-tier A-rank raiders are extremely rare… but if they’re retired, I suppose it would be possible to bring them back. Whether they approached him or he dragged them out of retirement, it doesn’t matter now. The only problem is how to stop them.’

The Tarantula Faction and Duke Peyton were threats he had always been watching. He had fully anticipated they would continue to send raiders of a different caliber. Now he was suddenly forced to face the Eleonora Raid Party, but he couldn’t just sit back and take it. He had always defeated parties stronger than his dungeon’s level, and this time would be no exception.

“It seems they’ve finally arrived,” Riel murmured.

On the screen, about eighty figures appeared. They had all concealed their information, not even revealing their appearances. Taehyun straightened his posture and began to position his troops. According to Count Dinen’s conditions, they would only target the original Balak, so the raid would begin from the Revived Plains.

Just then, a red message flared before his eyes.

[The Eleonora Raid Party has entered Balak’s territory.]

The raid had begun. Taehyun immediately checked Eleonora’s information.

[Eleonora]

[Rank: A (Peak)]

[Level: 61]

[Class: ?]

[Title: ?]

[Affiliation: ?]

[Stress: ?]

[Status: ?]

[Relationship with Companions: ?]

[Description: A top-tier A-rank Raider. She retired a year ago but has returned through a request from the House of Duke Peyton. She has received a raid permit and has come to conquer Balak.]

‘She’s disguised most of her information, but a peak A-rank raider is openly revealing her identity?’

He still didn’t know her skills or special abilities, but it was incomprehensible for a raid leader to expose herself like this. There might be a specific reason, but it made choosing a primary target easy. It was an open invitation. Taehyun checked the information again, but nothing had changed.

‘No matter the reason, this is something even B-rank raiders don’t do. What is she thinking?’

His hand instinctively reached for the True Identity Card, but he stopped himself and gave an order to Kadum first. “Kadum. Take the high elves and…”

At that moment, a low hum resonated through the entire Master Room. Taehyun looked around in surprise, but the others showed no sign of noticing. Riel, who was beside him, simply tilted her head, looking at him quizzically.

“Did none of you feel that?”

“Feel what, Master?”

“…Nothing. It’s nothing.”

With a troubled expression, Taehyun turned back to the screen. The raid party had already passed through the entrance and was on the floor known as Twos.

“Anyway, Kadum.”

“Why do you keep calling me?”

“Take the high elves and search the terr—!”

The Master Room vibrated again, more violently this time. It wasn’t a hallucination; the floor itself was shaking. Taehyun’s expression hardened as a blinding white space unfolded before his eyes.

[D-rank Raider Hendy’s special ability ‘Mind Field’ has been activated.]

[D-rank Raider Hendy and Balak’s Dungeon Master, Taehyun Yoo, have been moved to the Mind Field.]

A system message appeared. The cause of the sudden phenomenon was a special ability, and he had been instantly transported.

Taehyun silently surveyed his surroundings. He was in a completely sealed space, surrounded by pure white walls. He was, for all intents and purposes, trapped in a featureless white cube. Noticing a pair of chairs, he slowly approached.

“Please, have a seat. We’ll be starting soon,” the woman in the opposite chair gestured. She had fine black hair, delicate features, and a faint dimple that appeared when she spoke. In his old world, she would have turned heads instantly.

Taehyun sighed and sat down. “You must be Eleonora.”

“A pleasure to meet you. My name is Inhye Cha. And you are?”

“…You should have seen it in the message. It’s Taehyun Yoo.”

“I’m just asking out of courtesy,” she said, her smile widening. “Well then, Taehyun, I’m afraid it’s time for you to be annihilated.”

She was a Player. And she was smiling brightly as she said it.

—

[D-rank Raider Hendy’s special ability ‘Mind Field’ has been activated.]

[D-rank Raider Hendy and Balak’s Dungeon Master, Taehyun Yoo, have been moved to the Mind Field.]

Hendy—no, Inhye—had successfully cast her ability. The other raiders hadn’t noticed, but Sihwan had. Since they were already in a party, he could see the system messages in real-time.

‘So I’m doing this again after a year. Brings back memories.’

The Mind Field of Eleonora, the Mind Dominator. It was a special ability that directly connected to the Dungeon Master’s consciousness, pulling them both into a white, featureless space. The drawback was that the caster was also trapped, but once activated, escape was impossible. From now on, Inhye’s and the Dungeon Master’s monitors would be shared. Any order he gave, she would know instantly.

[D-rank Raider Hendy has designated you as a communication partner.]

[Will you accept?]

[YES/NO]

The time came to select a partner.

‘Why did she have to use Hendy’s name? Sheesh. Anyway, yes.’

Sihwan was chosen as Inhye’s partner. The Dungeon Master had surely chosen his supporter as well. Within the Mind Field, physical force was impossible. They would simply sit facing each other, issuing orders through their partners.

—Sihwan. Can you hear me?

—Yeah. I hear you. Who’s the opponent?

—A Dungeon Master named Taehyun Yoo. As expected, he picked his supporter.

—Good. We’ll proceed according to schedule. Just shoot the breeze with the guy for now. And don’t start whining that you can’t kill him because you fell for him at first sight.

—That won’t happen.

The connection got cut off. It would probably open again soon. Sihwan scratched his head as he and the raid party advanced to the area known as Threes.

—

—M-Master?

“Yeah, it’s me. Listen carefully. I’ve been hit by a raider’s special ability and can’t get back. I’ll keep giving you orders, so move the troops accordingly. First, have Kadum and the high elves search the territory. If they find a raider named Hendy, contact me immediately.”

—Um, I understand. Please be safe, Master.

“Don’t worry. I’ll call again later.”

The communication with Riel ended. Taehyun scowled at the screens that appeared on his left and right. Thanks to the Mind Field, his and Inhye’s monitors were linked. She would instantly counter any order he gave.

“Your supporter seems very worried about you,” Inhye observed. “Unlike other Dungeon Masters, you must have built up a lot of favorability.”

“Your partner seemed quite concerned, too. Are you sure you’ll be okay?”

“Oof. He worries too much. Physical force is impossible here. Skills that harm an opponent are sealed, so there’s nothing you can do to me.”

“I never even considered it, you damn bitch.”

Taehyun put down his communication device and examined Inhye’s screen. The raid party led by her partner was slowly approaching Threes. Since even their private communications were being shared, a dedicated item would be just as visible. He had no choice but to watch from within the Mind Field. He placed the device on the table and glared at her.

“Since you were in the territory before the raid party, you must be hiding somewhere and casting this spell, right?”

“Why don’t you try to find me? You sent the high elves with an A-rank hunter, but will they really be able to?”

“We’ll see about that.”

“By the way, it’s almost time for questions. What will you do?”

“What?”

As he wondered what she meant, a message appeared before him.

[The second effect of the Mind Field has been activated.]

[At regular intervals, you will be given a chance to ask each other questions.]

[The person asked must answer with the absolute truth.]

It was the question time she had mentioned. Taehyun read the message and looked up.

“Your location…”

“Of course, questions about my location are against the rules. You should know that in advance. Now, who will ask first? There are three chances in total, and all answers must be the truth. It will activate periodically, so take your time.”

An opportunity to extract information from his opponent. Taehyun pressed the button that appeared in the air and took his turn.

“Then I’ll go first. First question: What do you see right now?”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep