[Third Faction War Final Rankings]

[1. Tarantula (6 points)]

[2. Blood Lion (6 points)]

[3. Foxy (6 points)]

[4. Secret (6 points)]

[5. Nider (4 points)]

[6. Rodria (4 points)]

[7. Handas (4 points)]

Fourteen factions had participated in the war. As of the end of the third round, points had been awarded down to seventh place.

A victory earned two points—a consistent rule until now. Duke Nikunbel had explained that only three factions would survive in the end, with rewards prepared only for the top three.

‘Random mission, random members, and only two points per win.’

If things continued this way, the rankings would follow a predictable pattern. However, from the very first Faction War, Taehyun had been suspicious of the two-point reward. With random member selection, securing a victory was difficult, no matter how sharp a Dungeon Master’s judgment was.

Duke Nikunbel wouldn’t want such a predictable outcome. If he had deliberately set the victory points at two, then this couldn’t be the end of the system.

‘Four factions have already hit six points, so he’s probably planning to give the lower-ranked factions a chance. In that case, the answer is an additional system for members and missions.’

Taehyun’s eyes gleamed as he sat in the colosseum. The members of each faction had already taken their seats, waiting for Duke Nikunbel to appear.

“Newbie,” Seonghwi’s voice cut in beside him. “By the way, how did you know my dungeon’s name? I’m sure I never told you.”

“I found out by chance,” Taehyun replied. “I never expected you to be in the North, Mr. Seonghwi.”

Talos, the S-rank dungeon in the North, was the domain of Seonghwi, leader of the Resistance. He wouldn’t have learned this even from his own faction members; he’d learned it from Inhye.

A year ago, the Elenoa Raid Party had attempted to conquer Talos and failed. That was when she had been cursed. The terms of her contract forced her to confess everything, and she had explained the incident in detail.

‘She was under a Mind Field effect and led her party into a curse. So he used the fact that she was spilling all her information against her.’

To have cursed two top-tier A-rank raiders and six high-rank ones, Seonghwi was nothing short of an incredible talent.

‘The medium for the curse should still be inside Talos, so I can break Hendi’s curse through this deal.’

Seonghwi had been on edge ever since his faction’s ranking plummeted after their last match with Secret. Since Taehyun had guaranteed a victory in exchange for lifting the curse, Seonghwi would agree to the deal as soon as the facts were confirmed.

Taehyun sat back leisurely, looking down at the arena where Duke Nikunbel was already making preparations.

Just then, the Duke displayed the final rankings of the third Faction War again.

“It seems factions with six points are starting to appear,” Nikunbel announced. “I believe this is a good time to introduce a new system.”

The new system Taehyun had been waiting for was finally announced. The Dungeon Masters in the seats looked bewildered, unable to grasp the situation.

Duke Nikunbel seemed to enjoy their confusion as he conjured a shop window they had never seen before.

[Faction Point Shop]

[1. Reset Mission Content (2P)]

[2. Reset Mission Objective (2P)]

[3. Reset Opponent Faction (2P)]

[4. Reset Members (2P)]

[5. Substitute Member (2P)]

[6. Maintain Faction Item Neutralization (3P)]

It was a Faction Point Shop. The faction members immediately erupted in protest.

“What kind of new system is this?!”

“You only give us two points for a win, and now you’re not even giving the lower-ranked factions a chance!”

“Damn it! I quit! I can’t do this stupid Faction War anymore!”

The items in the shop were priced at a minimum of two faction points—items the lower-ranked factions couldn’t even dream of affording. Their outrage was only natural.

However, Duke Nikunbel simply smiled, showing no intention of stopping them.

“It is perhaps natural for you all to be angry,” he said smoothly. “However, if you think this is the end, you are greatly mistaken. I have already prepared a second change for the lower-ranked factions.”

Another system message appeared.

[1. Faction War points will be randomly set for each mission.]

[2. When high-ranked factions are matched, the winning faction will steal an additional 1 point from the opposing faction.]

[3. When low-ranked factions are matched, the winning faction will steal an additional 1 point from the opposing faction.]

[4. When a low-ranked faction and a high-ranked faction are matched, if the low-ranked faction wins, they will steal an additional 2 points from the opposing faction.]

[5. Faction items are limited to one per faction per mission.]

The message detailed the new rules. Seonghwi’s eyes narrowed as he shot a look at Taehyun.

“How did you predict this?”

“Mr. Seonghwi, you know that only the top three factions survive. But that bastard Nikunbel has never specified when the Faction War will end. He just said it will continue until only three factions remain, but he hasn’t touched the lower-ranked factions yet.”

“Don’t tell me…”

“The fact that he hasn’t touched the lower ranks means he’s laid the groundwork to give them a chance. In the old structure, the top ranks would stay on top, and the bottom would remain at the bottom. Duke Nikunbel wanted a more intense competition. Just like this.”

Only three factions would survive. Until the final Faction War was scheduled, each faction had to compete in missions every month.

With this new system, the lower-ranked factions were given a chance. If they were matched with a high-ranked faction and won even once, they could skyrocket up the ranks.

Taehyun looked at Duke Nikunbel and sneered.

‘You just wanted to see a fierce fight. But with this, the stage has been set for me. From now on, the rankings will flow in an unpredictable direction, Duke Nikunbel.’

Hoarding faction points was now meaningless. A single victory could completely overturn the standings. Taehyun looked over the points, pleased.

Beside him, Seonghwi stared at Taehyun with an unusual glint in his eyes.

‘I thought it back then, too. I might have to take a serious risk to keep you on my side, Taehyun.’

—

[Victory for the Blood Lion Faction!]

[The victory for this Faction War goes to the Blood Lion Faction.]

The second match, between Blood Lion and Buckler, had ended. Buckler was a lower-ranked faction, but they had lost even after using an item.

“Ugh! This mission was worth five points!”

“We could have stolen an extra two points from those Blood Lion bastards! Damn it, what a shame.”

“Let’s make sure we win next time.”

The Buckler members were disappointed but already looking toward the next war.

Watching them, Taehyun felt a flicker of pity. From now on, the Faction War was a fight to secure a ‘low’ rank. They were aiming for the top, but perhaps losing was for the best.

‘Don’t they get it? The higher you are in the rankings, the bigger a target you become.’

With this victory, the Blood Lion faction had reached the maximum number of points. However, a single loss to a lower-ranked faction would send them plummeting. Now that the new systems were in place, it was best to remain in the lower ranks for as long as possible.

Taehyun glanced at Seonghwi. Fortunately, he seemed to have figured that much out and wasn’t acting impatient.

“Now then!” Duke Nikunbel’s voice boomed. “I shall reveal the factions for the third Faction War!”

The matchup was decided. The remaining factions in the arena tensed and checked the screen.

[Tarantula]

[Resistance]

The third Faction War was a battle between two of the strongest contenders for the top spot. Due to the high-rank versus low-rank structure, if Resistance won, they could steal a whopping two points from Tarantula.

“They’re finally meeting! The spider swarm and the revolutionaries!”

“I wonder what kind of mission they’ll get. This is getting exciting!”

“It’s a battle of monsters. I can’t miss this!”

A buzz swept through the colosseum. The Dungeon Masters watched the two factions’ seats with anticipation. Seonghwi and Mihye were already locking gazes. As two factions that had constantly been at odds, a storm of emotions must have been brewing between them.

Nikunbel, standing in the center, couldn’t hide his smile, clearly looking forward to the clash.

“Now, I shall reveal the content of this mission!”

Finally, the long-awaited mission details appeared.

[Capital Baltricia]

1. The two factions will choose their side via a coin toss. One side will defend Baltricia, the other will conquer it.

2. The defending side will act as magicians protecting the prince.

3. Conversely, the conquering side will act as the commander of the opposing kingdom’s army.

4. When Baltricia is on the verge of being conquered, or when it is successfully defended, each side will be given their next objective.

5. The winning side will acquire two faction points. Additionally, at the end of the mission, player performance will be tallied and ranked. Rewards will be given according to that rank.

Unlike the usual dungeon defense or raid missions, this one was structured around a kingdom’s capital.

Taehyun felt a sense of unease. Being pitted against Tarantula right after the new system was introduced was terrible luck. Seonghwi would naturally be determined to win.

“From now on, the most important thing is to stay in the lower ranks,” Taehyun said quietly. “Are you still going to gamble on this?”

“I’m counting on you, newbie,” Seonghwi replied with a bright smile, casually patting his shoulder.

Just as he’d thought. Taehyun sighed and examined the mission details again.

‘The capital, Baltricia. The defenders are magicians protecting a prince. The conquerors are the enemy’s commander-in-chief. No matter how you look at it, conquering seems easier this time.’

The very act of protecting a prince implied the king was already gone. They would have to assist the prince and command the soldiers, making the conqueror’s role as commander-in-chief far more straightforward.

‘And the existence of a ‘next objective’ means this isn’t just about winning or losing… What is that about?’

If the enemy conquered the capital, their objective would be complete. Yet this mission had a second objective. Taehyun pondered the mystery.

Just then, the arena darkened. It was time to select the mission members.

“The members for this Faction War are these individuals!” Duke Nikunbel announced.

Spotlights shone on the seating areas of both factions, landing on the two Dungeon Masters: their leaders, Seonghwi and Mihye.

“How very interesting that the leaders of each faction will be facing off,” the Duke mused. “For now, if anyone would like to purchase an item, please raise your hand.”

Nikunbel prompted them to buy items in advance. Seonghwi looked over the shop and asked Taehyun, “Member substitution or member reset?”

“Buy the substitution,” Taehyun advised. “That mission has a second objective. Rather than leaving it all to me from the start, it would be better for you to switch out when the time is right.”

“Alright, then.”

Seonghwi shot his hand up, signaling his intent to purchase an item. The Resistance faction bought the member substitution, while the Tarantula faction proceeded with the mission without buying anything.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep