“Have you considered working for me? I will elevate your family, which is nothing more than a house of merchants.”

Count Dinen’s offer had been like rain in a drought. From his beginnings as a merchant to entering the political world as a baron, Momonte had done nothing but claw his way up. He’d paid a fortune for a title to establish the Ansleyke barony, but he was always met with contempt and disdain from the other nobles. He had done it all to escape the stigma of his common merchant origins, but in the end, nothing had changed.

Then he came under Count Dinen’s patronage, and suddenly, he was someone no one could ignore.

“From now on, your mission is to train Raiders and grow the guilds.”

As an influential figure in the Raider’s Association, Momonte had continuously dispatched Raiders. The goal was to produce A-rank or higher talents and expand the guilds’ influence in the West. He had no reason to refuse.

He gradually expanded his footing, nurturing Raiders one by one. They would raid dungeons, funneling all the credit to a single individual to raise their rank while avoiding the continent’s prying eyes. There was no better training method.

Because he led the Raiders with the guild as their foundation, they were naturally a cut above other raid parties, and his string of successes continued. Thus, Momonte became a figure who could not be ignored even in the political sphere, and he was even able to raise his precious daughter, Valona, into a top-tier B-rank Raider.

Valona, who had always dreamed of being a Raider, instantly became the core of the Sapadin Guild and began operating as a raid captain under the Ansleyke family name. He wasn’t at ease sending his own daughter into a dungeon, but he assigned her an escort to lessen his worries.

Then one day, Valona suddenly announced that she would raid Balak. The cause was the Katarina Raid Party; Katarina, who had always been a source of strife within the guild, had attempted to raid Balak and been annihilated.

“Balak is off-limits! Do you have any idea what Balak’s standing is right now that you’d even attempt a raid?!”

“I told you, it’s fine. Just hire a bunch of Raiders for me this time, too. I’m a top-tier B-rank Raider now. That bitch Katarina failed, but I need to show everyone that I can succeed!”

“Sigh. Valona, do you have any idea how that makes your father feel?”

“Oh, I don’t care. Just hurry up and get things ready!”

As the Ansleyke family solidified its position, Valona’s attitude had changed drastically, and even Momonte couldn’t stop her. In the end, he had no choice but to hire a reasonable number of Raiders and send them, separately giving orders to Paris and handing him an Instant Return Scroll.

“Do not worry. I will protect Lady Valona.”

“I’m counting on you.”

And so, the Valona Raid Party departed for Balak, and Momonte grew more anxious with each passing moment. Even after several days, the raid party hadn’t returned. He couldn’t rest easy. Left with no other choice, Momonte sent another group of Raiders into Balak’s territory, but still no news came.

‘This leaves me no choice. I’ll have to arrange a meeting myself.’

In the end, Momonte had his Raiders insert themselves among A-rank raid parties to deliver a handwritten letter. The Ansleyke Raiders delivered the letter at the cost of their lives, and in response, Balak sent its own Raider to arrange the meeting.

However, the conditions demanded by Balak’s Dungeon Master were not easy to bear. Moreover, he even mentioned betraying Count Dinen, intending to use Momonte for all he was worth.

‘How dare that demon bastard mock me?!’

Momonte’s anger had boiled over, and he’d vented his frustration on the Balak Raider using the men he had placed in advance, but it solved nothing. The Raider who had visited his mansion was merely a doll, and the Dungeon Master was giving him time to think, clearly believing he already had the upper hand.

Unable to bear it any longer, Momonte had called off the deal and tried to raid Balak, but that too was impossible due to Count Dinen. In the end, all that remained was regret and a lingering sense of unease.

‘Me, taking down Count Dinen?’

His hands began to tremble, but not from fear. Rather, a thrill of excitement born from a powerful desire coursed through him. The branch manager, Gellix, was always by Count Dinen’s side, while he was nothing more than a subordinate who simply carried out orders. His position had certainly guaranteed success, but it was always Gellix who got ahead. He didn’t show it on the outside, but he couldn’t help but feel his dissatisfaction grow.

Momonte stared down at the communication device on the table, contemplating a dangerous thought.

—

[Demon Realm Auction Invitation]

[Rank: ?]

[Restriction: Dungeon Masters and Demons Only]

[Description: All the items and equipment you need for your dungeon. From slaves to Raiders captured in the Demon Realm. Everything you desire is prepared at the Demon Realm Auction. We await your visit!]

A few days after his request to Lugo, the invitation to the Demon Realm Auction arrived. It was a place only Dungeon Masters and demons could enter, and the description emphasized its massive scale.

“A place like this existed? Why didn’t I know about it until now?” Taehyun wondered aloud.

“This is news to me as well,” Riel admitted. “I had no idea such a large-scale market existed in the Demon Realm.”

It was an auction that even a Supporter didn’t know about. He had been gathering information since the first meeting of Dungeon Masters, but he had never heard of such a place. Taehyun correctly guessed that the information was being controlled. According to Lugo, anyone with Zen could enter, but the auction itself likely screened which Dungeon Masters it admitted.

‘So they screen their clientele, only accepting those they deem worthy. That means there are already Dungeon Masters using the Demon Realm Auction.’

They controlled the information and forced users to keep silent about the auction’s existence. It was nothing short of a black market for a select few. He didn’t know how it was connected to the Grondes Company, but since they had sent him an invitation, it meant he was now qualified.

Taehyun put the invitation into his inventory and reviewed his main forces.

[Knight Grai]

[Ruler of Space, Rabiz]

[White Giant Star’s Shield Bearer, Sieghart]

[Angelina of Pleasure]

[Magic Bullet Shooter, Mederia]

He had a total of five Guardians and Keepers. Including Raimond and the permanent mercenary Eclat, these seven formed the core of his strength. Grai’s firepower had increased now that he possessed a Hero-grade greatsword, but his armor was lacking. Furthermore, since Rabiz was treated as a support-type mage, he hadn’t paid her much attention. He would have to use this opportunity to get new equipment for both of them, as well as for the two Keepers.

‘Angelina is wearing the Armor of Felsidium, but her shield is subpar. Sieghart… well, there’s no need to explain. And Mederia is a strong candidate for Evolution, so I should buy her equipment in advance.’

A rough plan was forming. The only remaining problem was securing the necessary funds while keeping some in reserve.

“Riel, still no word from him, right?”

“No. It seems he’s giving it serious thought.”

“Hmm. Well, I gave him the communication device. I guess I just have to wait.”

Since he had worked under Count Dinen for so long, Momonte wouldn’t be able to make a decision instantly. Taehyun decided to wait a little longer and surveyed his territory in the meantime. He had left its management to Riel for a while, so this was the first time he had checked on it in quite some time.

[Dungeon Resident Alps has started running a tavern.]

[Dungeon Resident Rebeltos is delighted with the restoration of the inn.]

[Dungeon Resident Nuein has started doing business with Raiders.]

[The Balak Company has successfully completed a trade with the Prolita Estate.]

The residents within the territory were gradually starting to do business with Raiders or farm on the Revived Plains. Some were directly buying and selling goods to raid parties in the passage, while others were gathering herbs and magical ingredients from the Silent Forest.

[The Rough Rock Tribe Dwarves want a higher-grade blacksmith.]

[The residents of the small city of Myol are dissatisfied with the waterway.]

[Some Raiders are rampaging or looting in Myol without hesitation.]

On the other hand, problems were also surfacing. The low-grade iron ore was reaching its limits, and he absolutely had to meet the dwarves’ demands.

‘I need to solve the financial issues quickly. Establishing security measures for Myol and building an intermediate-grade or higher blacksmith both cost Zen. Plus, even if I use Larkan and the dwarves to fix the waterway, it’ll require that many materials.’

Since he was managing the territory and the dungeon simultaneously, a lack of funds was bound to become a problem for everything. Although he was operating two iron mines and three dungeons, his sources of income were currently insufficient.

‘For now, I’ll have to gradually expand my search area based on the information that guy Momonte brings.’

Taehyun was already certain Momonte would come over to his side. It was a dangerous plan—joining hands with Balak to strike Count Dinen under the pretext of saving Valona. There was a chance he could be used, but the very act of attempting a deal with Balak was tantamount to defying Count Dinen’s will. Moreover, the only subordinate Count Dinen currently trusted was Gellix. The promise of success, Gellix always getting ahead, a position where he only received and executed orders—it must have all been deeply unsettling and frustrating for him.

‘Should I check on the Labyrinth until the call comes? It’s still C-rank, but I’m curious how it’s doing.’

He had checked on the second Balak from time to time, but he hadn’t looked at the Labyrinth in a long while. Taehyun leisurely got up from his seat, intending to head over. Just then, the communication device held by Riel rang.

“Master Taehyun, I believe that’s Baron Momonte Ansleyke.”

“He called right on time.”

It was a call from Baron Momonte Ansleyke.

—

The interior of the tavern, usually bustling with customers, fell silent. The entire building had been rented for the day, so there was no need to worry about prying eyes. Baron Momonte, his appearance concealed, carefully stepped inside.

“Well, well. Looks like you didn’t bring any Raiders this time,” a voice echoed from the device on the table.

Baron Momonte remained silent.

“He’s at the farthest table. Go on.”

The designated seat was at the far right. Baron Momonte saw the two people already sitting there. One was likely the doll disguised as a Raider, just like before, but the other one had to be her.

‘Valona.’

According to the terms of the deal, it had to be her. Baron Momonte’s eyes reddened as he approached the table. Just then, the waiting doll pointed to the seat across from them—a signal not to approach until the deal was over. He suppressed his emotions and sat in the opposite chair.

“Now, I’ll tell you this in advance,” the doll said. “Your daughter has signed a contract. If you try any funny business, I’ll send her right back to Balak, so keep that in mind.”

“Grk… I understand.”

“Good. I’ll hand you the contract. Check it first.”

The doll then took out a contract and spread it on the table. Baron Momonte calmly reviewed the terms. Some conditions were disadvantageous to him, but the contract was certainly mutually beneficial.

“Why are you entrusting me with such a task, Dungeon Master of Balak?”

“Entrusting you? I’m giving you an opportunity. It might have started because of Valona, but you’ve always been dissatisfied, haven’t you? He doted on that Gellix fellow and didn’t even give you a second glance. Why don’t you just swallow up the West yourself?”

“…Do you think that’s possible?”

“You probably think Count Dinen has been using Balak all this time. You’re wrong. I’m the one using him. The West is increasingly becoming the land of Raiders, and Balak is at its center. No matter what tricks Count Dinen tries, he can’t realize any of his plans without Balak.”

Balak had already formed a symbiotic relationship with the Raiders. By operating the dungeon as part of its territory and slowly establishing itself in the West, its influence had grown immense. Now that even the Magic Towers were taking an interest, Balak had become an indispensable part of the West.

Baron Momonte acknowledged that fact and finally spoke. “I agree to the contract, Dungeon Master of Balak.”

—

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep