Chapter 226: Episode 226

[Riel of Healing]

[Eleonora]

[Nightmare]

[Crybaby Eclat]

Evolution could target any living creature. Not only Guardians and Keepers, but also Supporters, mercenaries, and dungeon soldiers could be evolved.

[Parasite]

[Aincycle]

[Perona]

In particular, it was even possible on plants imbued with life. In such cases, since they didn’t have a sub-grade, they jumped an entire grade.

’Equipment and items are impossible. The crystal orb is also impossible, so it seems evolving the dungeon itself is out of the question.’

He had learned everything about Evolution. Aside from the whereabouts of the soulstones, he had figured out the rest. He could immediately strengthen his forces with his remaining A-rank magic stones, but he needed to lay the groundwork first.

’Besides, I still haven’t checked Remake.’

He had unlocked two special abilities when he escaped the labyrinth. One was Evolution, which he had just examined. Now, what remained was the special ability called Remake.

[Activating Remake.]

[Please select a target to recreate.]

His vision turned white. It seemed he had to select a target this time as well. He first examined Rabiz, who was clinging to his arm.

[Rabiz, Pioneer of Space]

[Grade: A]

[Sub-grade: Hero]

[Recreatable Class: Mage]

[Recreatable Stats: Strength, Durability, Agility, Stamina, Magic, Divinity, Affinity, Luck]

[Recreatable Skills: Great Summon, Spatial Domination, Gravity Burst, Black Hole]

[Recreatable Special Ability: Teleportation Circle]

It was similar to Evolution, but different information appeared: stats, skills, and even special abilities. If Evolution evolved a lifeform to raise its grade, Remake targeted its inherent abilities. Just in case, he selected her class as the target.

[Target: Mage]

[Class Proficiency: Max]

[Recreation Chance: 50%]

[Recreation Materials: A-rank Magic Stone × 200, Mage’s Soulstone]

’This also requires magic stones and a soulstone. Where the hell do I get these soulstones?’

Since it was a class recreation, it required a considerable number of A-rank magic stones. This time, in particular, he needed a Mage’s Soulstone. Before he could utilize his two special abilities, it was crucial to find out where to get these soulstones. He canceled Remake and decided to save it for later. Just then, messages he had never seen before appeared before his eyes.

[Raider Heldet has died.]

[Acquired Warrior’s Soulstone.]

[Raider Liverny has died.]

[Acquired 3 B-rank Magic Stones.]

[Raider Bryunin has died.]

[Acquired Tenacious Soulstone.]

Somehow, the materials for his special abilities were being acquired one by one. A warrior raider yielded a Warrior’s Soulstone, and he was getting magic stones and soulstones corresponding to their grades, as if they were quest items. It felt like a system created just for his special abilities.

“Oho. So this is how you get them? I won’t need to go looking for ruins anymore.”

“I don’t know what’s happening, but you can also get artifact-grade equipment from ruins, Master,” Rabiz reminded him. “If you just think of the Temple of the Subterranean Race and the Crystal Cave, they could be an unexpected source of income.”

“Well, I suppose that’s true. But at least I don’t have to worry about magic stones for now.”

“If you are happy, Master, then I am happy too.”

The special ability he had coincidentally acquired was now even supplying him with magic stones. He looked at the messages with satisfaction and finished his inspection by pinching Rabiz’s cheek.

“Stop subtly rubbing up against me.”

“Maaasteer.”

—

[The Bephilier Raid Party has used Location Shift.]

[The locations of all raiders will be changed to the saved previous location.]

As if they had placed a marker beforehand, the A-rank raid party that had been fighting in the Silent Forest vanished. A rough guess would place their new location in the Revived Plains.

[The Bephilier Raid Party has appeared in the Revived Plains.]

As proof, the raid party was immediately spotted in the harpies’ vision. Taehyun dispatched Grizzle and Granzle, who had been on standby in the labyrinth.

—”It’s another hunt, my son!”

—”Yes, Father!”

The two simple-minded father and son took the Abyss Knights and ambushed the raid party. However, the raiders, having spotted them in advance, quickly mounted a response.

[A-rank Top-tier Raider Bephilier has cast Clone Explosion.]

[The clones installed in the vicinity create a massive explosion.]

[Clone Explosion uses remaining 1/1]

Their firepower was considerable, especially since they included A-rank top-tier raiders. The raid party gradually began to kill off the Abyss Knights using their single-use skills.

“They came here knowing the Yuda Raid Party was annihilated, so this much is to be expected.”

“Master, please have some tea while you work.”

“Big Dream, lead the Doom Skeletons and cast Black Mist from the front. Rabiz, cast Black Hole and gather the raiders.”

“Mas. Ter?”

While he was concentrating on the screen, Riel pushed a teacup toward him. He belatedly came to his senses and turned his head.

He was speechless.

An incredibly soft warmth pressed against his cheek. Riel must have leaned over to hand him the teacup, burying his face in her full chest.

“Oh my. Master, if you wanted to do this, you should have just said so.”

“It’s because you leaned right into me. Anyway, thanks.”

“Just say the word, anytime. And that includes other things, of course.”

“I doubt that’ll ever happen. Um…”

He flatly rejected her offer, but his eyes were naturally drawn to her chest. They were on a different level from Rabiz’s. If he were to evolve her using Evolution, there would surely be physical changes as well.

’It’d be a disaster if they got any bigger than that.’

Just imagining it sent a shiver down his spine. Meanwhile, whether she knew what he was thinking or not, Riel looked extremely satisfied.

’Master seems a little different since waking up from his coma. Normally, he wouldn’t pay any attention to my body, but he keeps sneaking glances. This might be my chance. Mederia may have stolen a kiss, but I will be the one to share his bed!’

Currently, there were more than five women in Balak vying for his affection. As the supporter who had assisted him from the very beginning, this was a battle she absolutely refused to lose. And so, Riel, unaware of Evolution, was burning with determination based on a misunderstanding.

—

[The Bephilier Raid Party has been annihilated.]

[You have thwarted the Bephilier Raid Party’s raid.]

The A-rank raid party that had arrived at just the right time was finally annihilated. It took longer to wipe them out than before, but it didn’t matter. It was a stage to test the main forces of the other dungeons anyway.

“I left Kumakuma out, but it still seems a bit slow.”

“Master, even this is incredibly fast compared to other dungeons.”

“That may be so, but now that we’re S-rank, we need to be faster. Shall I start summoning soldiers to fill the empty slots?”

“Ah, come to think of it, it seems the continent doesn’t know that Balak is an S-rank dungeon yet, does it?” Riel voiced her question.

All the raiders who had come so far seemed to think Balak was only A-rank. They should have been able to tell at a glance just by using a wide-range radar, so it was strange that they didn’t know it was S-rank. He had found that suspicious as well, but the answer was actually simple.

“It’s got to be that bastard Count Dinen. I don’t know what he’s plotting, but he must have forbidden the use of wide-range radars.”

“What? But then they wouldn’t know the number of rooms.”

“He probably changed the method, using a separate S-rank radar to tell them the number of rooms beforehand. It’s a ploy to prevent the few S-rank raiders on the continent from finding out. He’s been doing that all along, hasn’t he? Blocking Balak from being raided.”

Judging by his actions so far, Count Dinen had been developing the western lands through Balak. Moreover, he had even set rules for specific raid parties, so it didn’t seem like he wanted it to be conquered. From Taehyun’s perspective, it was a situation that should have made him anxious, but he wasn’t at all. In fact, he was grateful to Count Dinen for laying the groundwork for him.

“Whatever he’s plotting, as long as I surpass his expectations, there won’t be a problem. I’ll just grow big enough to devour Leon himself.”

“Come to think of it, you said you unlocked special abilities, right?”

“Yeah. Not only the other Dungeon Masters, but even the NPCs on the continent don’t know I’ve obtained special abilities. Plus, they don’t know Balak’s true potential. All I have to do is prepare step by step.”

More leisurely, yet more meticulously. All he had to do was overcome the obstacles blocking his path. Through this latest raid party, he had once again realized what Balak was lacking. First, he had to fill the empty slots and summon new soldiers and main forces befitting an S-rank dungeon.

“Riel, what’s the report from Kinjo?”

“He says the second Balak has currently entered stage five. As soon as it has enough magic stones to absorb into its crystal orb, it should become A-rank soon.”

“Good. What about Veder’s side?”

“He says it’s about to enter stage five. It seems it will rank up before the second Balak.”

The second Balak and Heimdal were also gradually aiming for a rank-up. This meant that, aside from Balak’s labyrinth, the other dungeons were also reaching a respectable level. Taehyun finished his check and organized his thoughts.

[Soldier Population: 3,513/10,000]

[Main Soldiers: 5]

[Raiders Affiliated with Balak: 8]

[Guardians and Keepers: 2/4]

[Mercenaries: 2]

[Direct Mercenaries: 0]

[Mercenaries Awaiting Contract: 1]

[Summonable Grade: S]

Currently, he could summon two additional Guardians or Keepers. Considering the Black Mage Raimond’s contract had ended, he needed to summon a few more mercenaries as well.

’There’s no need for a complete overhaul. I’ll fill the ranks with S-rank soldiers from here. What I’m lacking right now are main soldiers and a Keeper. The second Balak also needs to fill Sieghardt’s empty spot. I plan to strengthen them using Evolution and Remake, so I’ll need to form them into a proper unit.’

He suddenly thought of Deshkar, who had boasted powerful firepower. He was currently filling the void with the three types of undead, but it was still a shame.

’Raiders can also be targeted by my special abilities, so I’ll need to increase their numbers. I’ve already brought Charon in, but it’s not enough.’

He had captured Hiclu and Yuda while stopping the Yuda Raid Party. Hiclu was currently being tormented by Kumakuma, but he was refusing the contract no matter how much he was tortured. The same would surely be true for Yuda. For now, he had no choice but to lock them in the prison and wait.

“Alright. First, I’ll summon a Keeper.”

“Didn’t you summon Kumakuma this time?”

“He’ll join in to stop specific raid parties, but the original Balak needs a Keeper too.”

Since he could summon up to four main forces, he had to summon at least one as a Keeper. He purchased a Random Keeper Summon Card and headed for the final room.

[You have used a Random Keeper Summon Card.]

[A summon circle is being generated.]

[The summon circle is generated near the crystal orb, stabilizing the magic.]

A summon circle soon formed near the crystal orb. Balak’s current rank was S. No matter how bad his luck was, a Keeper of at least A-rank should appear.

“Ooh, is that the summoning magic only you demon bastards can use?”

“Quiet! Get back to work. We haven’t even finished the blueprints yet!”

“Hey, Larkan, you should watch too. Something’s coming out!”

Tuperus, who had been in the middle of crafting the artifact, made a fuss as he watched the summoning. Larkan, who was next to him, also seemed curious as he kept sneaking glances.

[Great Success!]

[S-rank Keeper, Spirit Master Riashu, has been summoned.]

Finally, a girl appeared on the summon circle. Riashu, dressed in a white one-piece, was thankfully an S-rank Keeper.

“Why do you mostly summon women, Master?” Riel muttered.

“It’s not like I can control that. It’s a random summon, so the grade and gender are random too.”

“Somehow, I don’t like it.”

She belatedly voiced her complaint, but now that the Keeper was summoned, it was impossible to send her back.

—

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