[Hera]

[Rank: A (Intermediate)]

[Level: 62]

[Class: Trapper]

[Title: Balak’s Slave Raider]

[Affiliation: Balak]

[Loyalty: 50]

[Favorability: 0]

[Obedience: 50]

[Skills: Explosive Trap, Binding Trap, Electric Current Trap (Special), Illusion Trap (Special)]

[Special Ability: Trap Control]

[Strength: 8] [Endurance: 5] [Agility: 35] [Stamina: 9]

[Mana: 14] [Divinity: 1] [Affinity: 15] [Luck: 10]

[Status: Despair, Resignation, Amnesia]

‘So two of her skills have special properties. And Trap Control… what does that do?’

Hyena, the girl he’d purchased at the slave auction, was now a raider affiliated with Balak. Decent stats specializing in agility, trap-type skills, and a special ability related to traps—it was certainly the profile of a trapper.

Taehyun glanced at the title that included the word “slave” and then at Hyena.

After being assigned a room, she had bathed with Riel’s help and was now dressed in new gear.

“Hmm. Riel, are there any other sets of gear besides this one?”

“This is all we have left in terms of spare leather gear. The bow is the one Mederia used to use. Is there something you don’t like about it?”

The leather armor Hyena was currently wearing was B-rank. Aside from her upper body being rather exposed, it wasn’t uncomfortable.

“…It’s nothing. By the way, did you tie my hair?”

“Yes. It looked quite long, so I tied it up.”

“It looks good.”

Her red hair, tied back with a ribbon, enhanced her charm. She looked completely different from how she had at the slave auction.

Taehyun smiled, satisfied.

At that moment, Riel, who stood before him, trembled and asked, “M-Master, what did you just say?”

“What’s wrong all of a sudden? What did I say?”

“I-I’m sure you said it looked good.”

“What are you talking about? An A-rank raid party just showed up. Let’s go test out her skills.”

An A-rank raid party had entered the Revived Plains at the perfect time. This would be a chance to test Hyena’s skills and special abilities.

Taehyun sent Hyena ahead and returned to the Master Room. Riel, left alone, sank to the floor and muttered, “He’s never praised a woman so warmly before. That can’t be Master Taehyun.”

—

[An A-rank raid party has appeared at the edge of the Revived Plains.]

The A-rank raid party, which had been quiet recently, had come to Balak again. He had already checked their information through Baron Momonte. This raid defense was a chance to test Hyena the Trapper and to check on his main forces in their new gear.

[Rottingham]

[Rank: A (Intermediate)]

[Level: 56]

[Class: Knight]

[Title: Knight of the Ebon Armor]

[Affiliation: Leodric]

[Stress: 1]

[Status: Calm]

[Relationship with Companions: Trust, Faith]

[Description: An upper-tier A-rank intermediate raider. He primarily uses unconventional swordsmanship and has come from the south to raid Balak.]

‘Is it a trend these days to come raiding with all your information exposed? It doesn’t seem like the information was fabricated, either.’

Rottingham, who had come from the south, had brought about ninety B-rank raiders with him. Excluding him, there were four other A-rank raiders. It was safe to assume there were five in total.

[An Elite Harpy of the Revived Plains has been killed.]

[A Familiar Summon, Rainbow Eye, of the Revived Plains has been killed.]

The raid party must have used a vision expansion scroll, as they were already picking off his familiars from a distance.

‘With three A-rank Knight raiders, they’ll have the advantage in close combat. Shall we start off light?’

Since they had five single-use skills, he needed to make them use them up first. Taehyun revealed the soldiers he had placed in the Forest of Silence.

“UWOOOOAR!”

With Deshkar’s guttural roar, the Catapult Drakes began their bombardment. The harpies continued to light up the area using their acceleration ability, and dozens of projectiles flew toward the raid party.

Rottingham saw the boulders flying in after the projectiles and gave an order.

[B-rank raider Anidello’s Earthen Barrier has been cast.]

[B-rank raider Pamante’s Sublime Barrier has been cast.]

[B-rank raider Kutan’s Mystic Barrier has been cast.]

A series of barriers enveloped the raid party. The ranged raiders used their expanded vision to prepare for precision shots. Their target wasn’t the harpies, but the forces stationed in the Forest of Silence.

Rottingham had certainly made the most logical decision. However, Taehyun had already placed Rabiz on the cliff above.

[An Elite Catapult Drake (Modified) has been hit by a mana arrow.]

[Catapult Drake (Modified) Damage Rate: 5%]

[An Elite Catapult Drake (Modified) has been hit by a flame spear.]

[Catapult Drake (Modified) Damage Rate: 4%]

As the Catapult Drakes’ damage rate slowly increased, the raid party’s barriers also began to crack.

[Raid Party’s Overlapping Barrier Damage Rate: 65%]

With the siege soldiers and the raid party attacking each other, the barrier’s damage rate was accumulating much faster.

‘Rabiz, summon only the heavily damaged Catapult Drakes to the cliff.’

—Rabiz: Understood.

Following the order, Rabiz summoned the Catapult Drakes at the front of the cliff. His forces were instantly split in two, throwing the raid party into confusion. The soldiers they were just about to finish off had vanished right before their eyes. Now they would have to start accumulating damage on the remaining soldiers all over again.

‘I can’t let that happen.’

The raid party’s barrier had just shattered. Until they could cast their skills again, they would have to rely on their shield bearers. Taehyun ordered the Catapult Drakes on the cliff to open fire.

‘Boom! Boom! Boom!’

In an instant, bombardments rained down from two directions. The shield bearers at the front lost their bearings and fell into confusion.

“They’re firing from the cliff too!”

“Aaaargh!”

“What are the shield bearers doing?! We need help over here too!”

They had been focused on the front, but with the center now taking damage, their forces were inevitably split. In the end, Rottingham had a companion use a single-use skill.

[A-rank raider Kenpo has cast Giant Water Prison.]

[Deshkar will be trapped in the Giant Water Prison for a certain period of time.]

[Giant Water Prison Use Limit: 1/1]

Deshkar, who had been busy throwing boulders, was trapped in the Giant Water Prison, unable to move, and the raid party aimed for a direct frontal assault.

‘As expected, they’re neutralizing Deshkar first, since he’s hard to block even with shield bearers. Well, I’ve inflicted a decent amount of damage, so this is fine.’

He had already killed over a dozen B-rank raiders. Satisfied with having forced them to use a single-use skill, Taehyun had Rabiz recall the remaining soldiers.

—

Day 2.

[The Rottingham Raid Party has entered the Forest of Silence.]

As the message indicated, the raid party had entered the Forest of Silence. The High Elves and Kadum had already been returned to the dungeon. He planned to face them with only his existing soldiers.

[A-rank raider Hera has set an Explosive Trap.]

[A-rank raider Hera has set a Binding Trap.]

The main point of interest in this raid defense was Hera the Trapper. As instructed, she set two types of traps.

“Hyena, are you done setting them?”

—Hyena: Yes. I have set the two traps as you instructed, Master.

“Good. Stick with the ambush unit. Don’t get discovered and hurt.”

—Hyena: Understood.

Hera then joined the ambush unit. Riel, who was watching the screen, tilted her head and asked, “Master Taehyun, I have a question…”

“Ah, I know. Those traps will be detected by the Bounty Hunters anyway. They’re just a feint.”

“No, that’s not it.”

“If it’s another question, ask me later. The raid party is about to enter that route.”

The vision shared by his familiars was gradually being cut off. Riel had no choice but to hold her tongue and watch the situation unfold. However, her gaze remained fixed on Hyena, who had joined the ambush unit.

—

[Bounty Hunter Camel has discovered a trap.]

[Bounty Hunter Kool has discovered a trap.]

Two Bounty Hunters discovered the traps using their detection skills. Rottingham quickly ordered the traps to be disarmed and looked around.

‘Nothing has been detected on the radar yet. The vision expansion scroll is still active, so they won’t be able to launch a surprise attack just yet.’

They had lost twelve B-rank raiders on the Revived Plains, but if they could just get through the Forest of Silence, they would be at the main part of Balak. With the High Elves yet to appear, they had to get through the forest as quickly as possible.

[Explosive Trap Disarmament Progress: 46%]

[Binding Trap Disarmament Progress: 44%]

The two traps were slowly being disarmed. Rottingham remained vigilant and positioned the raiders in the rear.

Just then, dozens of gargoyles appeared from the front, all holding spears and charging toward the raid party.

“I knew it. Shield…”

As he was about to call for the shield bearers, an arrow landed on the ground.

‘KABOOM!’

The Explosive Trap that was being disarmed was instantly triggered, engulfing the two Bounty Hunters in flames.

“Wh-What is this?! Shield bearers, to the front, now!”

“Understood!”

The shield bearers moved to the front and blocked the gargoyles. Rottingham and his companions supported them and began to take down the gargoyles.

‘Thwip-thwip-thwip!’

Then, from the trees above, the ambush unit’s arrows began to rain down.

“Ranged raiders, take out the ranged soldiers detected on the radar first!”

Fortunately, all of Balak’s soldiers had been detected by the radar. Now that their positions were known, returning fire was easy. The raid party followed Rottingham’s orders and began to counter the ambush unit.

Occasionally, arrows would fly toward the raid party, but they all landed harmlessly on the ground.

“Balak is nothing special. I’m surprised the Eleanor Raid Party failed. Such an obvious ambush.”

“I know, right? Let’s push on to the dungeon.”

“Don’t let your guard down. We haven’t seen the High Elves yet.”

The A-rank raiders scoffed at such a blatant ambush. Rottingham urged them to stay focused, but he, too, found it absurd.

Just then, the arrows stuck in the ground began to emit mana. The raiders were stunned and tried to retreat, but it was already too late.

[Electric Current Trap has been triggered.]

[Electric Current Trap has been triggered.]

[Illusion Trap has been triggered.]

[Binding Trap has been triggered.]

The traps attached to the arrows, along with the original Binding Trap, were all triggered at once.

“Aaaaaargh!”

“Where is this? I was on my way home!”

“I-I can’t move!”

Three traps instantly engulfed the raid party. The ambush unit seized the opportunity and began to kill the raiders as Rottingham hastily pulled out an item.

“Ughhh! R-Rottingham, we can’t even use our skills in this state! Use the location shift, quickly!”

“Dammit. If I had been caught in the trap too, we would have been wiped out.”

Fortunately, thanks to his high-resistance gear, he hadn’t been caught. Rottingham immediately used a location shift to move back to the Revived Plains.

—

[The Rottingham Raid Party has used a location shift.]

[The Rottingham Raid Party’s location will be changed to the previously saved location.]

Their casualties amounted to about thirty B-rank raiders. They had used a location shift item to escape the forest, but he had already seized the upper hand.

‘Hyena isn’t just a simple trapper. To think she could utilize traps like this… I can see why she was an A-rank raider. She is an essential asset to Balak!’

Triggering pre-set traps through archery and even launching traps attached to arrows—this was a whole new kind of trapper.

Taehyun re-evaluated Hyena and summoned her.

“I have completed the mission, Master.”

“I saw it on the screen. I didn’t expect you to inflict this much damage on them. You are an indispensable raider for Balak.”

“…Thank you.”

Hyena bowed her head, taken aback by the unexpected praise. It was probably the first compliment she had received since becoming a slave.

“For now, rest until the raid party enters again. I’ll call for you later.”

“Understood.”

She left the Master Room. Left alone, Taehyun checked on Riel, who was healing the soldiers, and re-inspected the dungeon.

Just then, a message appeared before his eyes.

[A-rank raider Hera is flustered by the Dungeon Master’s praise.]

[Favorability has increased by 1.]

It was the favorability increase message from a moment ago.

‘So, the relationship stats of dungeon-affiliated raiders can increase too.’

Roquin and Drofin’s favorability had already risen considerably. Hyena, a slave raider, was no exception.

Taehyun felt a strange sense of unease as he prepared to face the raid party.

—

Day 4.

[A-rank raider Hera has cast the special ability ‘Trap Control’.]

[The Skill Restriction Prison will be moved to the 26th room.]

[Trap Control Use Limit: 1/2]

Hyena’s special ability, Trap Control. Although it could only be used twice a day, it had the incredible effect of moving any trap to a desired location.

[A-rank raider Gehunt has been trapped in the Skill Restriction Prison.]

[All of Gehunt’s skills have been sealed.]

As a result, the raid party was caught in the same Skill Restriction Prison they had already bypassed and was now cornered by his soldiers.

[A-rank Guardian Knight Grai has cast Knight’s Vow.]

[Due to the effect of the Rhomadium Plate Armor, the efficiency of Knight-related skills is amplified.]

Rhomadium Plate Armor. It was the new A-rank equipment he had acquired during his visit to the Demon Realm Auction. It amplified the effectiveness of his knight-related skills, proving to be a great help to Grai. He charged straight toward Rottingham and swung Gravolta.

Rottingham barely managed to block the attack, but he still took damage from the explosion caused by Gravolta’s effect.

“Damn it! I need support over here!”

“Even with two of us, this guy is a handful! Just hang in there!”

“Shit! And now the Drake Slayer, Cheddar, shows up.”

Thanks to Sihan, two other A-rank raiders were also pinned down. In the end, Rottingham was forced to face Grai alone.

“Grrrrr!”

“Kooooo!”

“Wooooong!”

Meanwhile, the A-rank soldiers were slaughtering the B-rank raiders, tearing the raid party to shreds. Rottingham belatedly tried to use a Comrade Rescue Coin, but Taehyun wasn’t about to let him.

[The Dungeon Master-exclusive item ‘Item Nullification’ has been activated.]

[The effect of the Comrade Rescue Coin vanishes.]

[A-rank Intermediate Raider Gehunt’s teleportation fails.]

A moment later, the glowing coin fell to the floor. A spell preventing any escape had already been cast.

All hope for the raid party was gone.

[A-Rank Named Guardian Rabiz’s Spatial Restraint has been activated.]

[A-Rank Named Guardian Rabiz’s Gravity Control has been activated.]

Two of Rabiz’s skills activated in quick succession. Her magic stat had risen considerably thanks to the magic silk robe that was custom-made for her at the Demon Realm Auction.

‘Hmm. It does look a little breathtaking on her.’

While the revealing outfit was a bit daring, Rabiz herself seemed satisfied, so he let it slide.

And so, the Rottingham Raid Party was annihilated in the twenty-sixth room, their raid ending in definitive failure.

—

[The Rottingham Raid Party has been annihilated.]

The raid party had served as perfect test subjects before being wiped out. With that, the trials for Rabiz and Grai’s new equipment were complete. His other primary forces remained, but he could check on them after the Faction War.

“You two have certainly gotten stronger with the new gear,” Taehyun remarked.

“That’s right,” Riel agreed. “And it’s not just them. This defense has truly highlighted Hyena’s versatility as well.”

“Master, could it be…”

“Ah, just a moment. I think I’m getting a call.”

Just as she was about to ask a question, his communication device rang. Riel sighed and left the Master Room.

Left alone, Taehyun took out the device.

—”The fourth Faction War is finally tomorrow,” a voice said. “If what you told me is true, I’ll remove the curse right away.”

“Mr. Seonghwi,” Taehyun replied calmly. “You can remove the curse whenever you like. We’ll be able to confirm everything in tomorrow’s Faction War anyway.”

—”I like that confidence. See you tomorrow, newbie.”

The call ended. It had been none other than Seonghwi, the leader of the Resistance, calling about the curse he’d asked Taehyun to investigate.

‘He keeps calling me newbie to the very end. So, the fourth Faction War is already tomorrow?’

The fourth Faction War. With the introduction of a new system, the rankings were bound to be completely overturned starting tomorrow.

Taehyun set down the communication device, the corners of his mouth curling into a smile.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep