Chapter 235: Episode 235

[Bull-head #1 has cast Spirit Force Explosion.]

[Physical stats will slightly increase for a period of time.]

A stern figure—a man, if not for the bull’s head—crisscrossed the plain. His sturdy build marked him as a soldier of monstrous strength. The A-rank raider at the forefront confidently launched a counterattack, but in that same instant, Bull-head #1’s fist flew.

[Bull-head #1 has cast Thunderous Blow.]

[Instantly delivers dozens of punches to the enemy.]

The raider, struck by the barrage, braced for the inevitable agony, but felt nothing at all.

“Hah! With a cotton-puff attack like this, you—”

“You are already dead.”

“Agh!” The raider collapsed, vomiting blood. His comrades swarmed around their fallen leader.

“Ugh! The bull-head is too strong!”

“Leader! Get a hold of yourself! Snap out of it!”

“To think there was a Guardian like that… my judgment was—’cough!”

It was a scene of utter sorrow. With the leader who had been the pillar of their party now fallen, his comrades couldn’t hold back their tears. Bull-head #1 watched for a moment before turning his back.

“Come back when you are stronger.”

And with that, the figure who had taught the raid party the meaning of true power vanished without a trace.

—

[A-Rank High Raider Notlos has died.]

[The raiders have realized what true strength is.]

Maurat, whom he had sent out after manipulating the intel, had killed only the raid leader before disappearing. Taehyun and Riel stared at the screen, so dumbfounded they could only watch the remaining raiders.

“Waaah! We won’t forget our leader’s sacrifice!”

“That Guardian taught us the power of a true warrior!”

“We have to try harder! We will definitely return to Balak!”

It was a bizarre spectacle of sorrow and inspiration. His Guardians were now bestowing profound life lessons upon the enemy. Taehyun finally snapped out of his stupor and roared.

“You crazy bull-head! You were supposed to wipe out the entire party!”

“Even if it is the Master’s command, the strong do not prey upon the weak,” Maurat’s voice echoed back. “I have made an example of their leader. Now, they will return stronger. Mo.”

Taehyun was at a complete loss for words. Ever since his evolution, he’d been obsessed with the hierarchy of the strong and weak, and now he was mentoring his enemies.

[Bull-head #2 has cast Blood Explosion Palm.]

[Causes an explosion through the opponent’s bleeding.]

Meanwhile, on another front, Gotman had engaged a different raid party. He, at least, was in the process of annihilating them.

’BOOM!’

Another raider’s body exploded, dealt with cleanly. Most of Gotman’s main skills, inherited from the Blood Explosion Fist, were activated through blood. He could subdue his enemies in various ways, using both their bleeding and his own.

“Well, at least Gotman is doing his job,” Riel offered.

“If he had thrown a tantrum like Maurat, my stress levels would have shattered their limits,” Taehyun grumbled.

Though he had lost his Berserk Shield Bearers, their new classes had retained the Taunt ability. This little experiment had certainly proven their combat prowess. Aside from Maurat’s bizarre personality, everything was satisfactory. Taehyun recalled the two to the dungeon and headed back to the final room.

—

“So, why did you call the three of us?”

“I’ve been summoned here again? (sob).”

“…Hah. To think I have to go back to the North again.”

The targets of Evolution weren’t limited to his soldiers. Raiders like the three now before him could also be evolved. A-rank Hunter Kadum, B-rank Top-tier Puppeteer Roquin, and B-rank Mid-tier Paladin Dropin. These three were his next subjects.

Taehyun sat in a chair he had brought and called them forward one by one. “Alright, Kadum. You’re currently just an A-rank raider. Your Hunter class is very useful, but don’t you think you need to get stronger?”

“Hmm. I’m satisfied as I am.”

“You need to impress Calisia, don’t you? Besides, you’re not strong enough to protect her and Vera as you are now. Am I wrong?”

“We-well… you have a point.”

Kadum had joined Balak to protect his wife and daughter. Becoming stronger was the surest way to defend his new home. Seeing that Kadum was halfway convinced, Taehyun cast Evolution.

[Kadum]

[Grade: A]

[Sub-grade: Low]

[Evolution EXP: 8,218/11,000]

[Evolution Chance: 99%]

[Evolution Materials: A-Rank Magic Stone x28, Hunter’s Soulstone]

Raiders’ sub-grades were divided into Lowest, Low, Mid, High, and Top. Kadum was currently at the Low stage. Evolving him through this method would raise his grade far faster than simple performance.

“From now on, you’re going to be the best hunter.”

“I-I’m anxious, but I’ll trust you.”

“Don’t worry. Everything will be fine.”

It was his first time using Evolution on a raider, but it seemed there would be no side effects. Taehyun finished his preparations and began.

[Evolution Successful!]

[Evolution Successful!]

[Evolution Successful!]

Three consecutive successes. Outwardly, nothing had changed, but his status window showed a dramatic transformation.

[Kadum]

[Rank: A (Top-tier)]

[Level: 72]

[Class: Hunter]

[Title: Balak’s Guard Dog]

[Affiliation: Balak]

[Loyalty: 75]

[Favorability: 67]

[Obedience: 71]

[Skills: Wolf’s Eye, Shadow Step, Destructive Instinct, Magic Tracking]

[Special Ability: Danger Sense]

[Strength: 32] [Endurance: 15] [Agility: 63] [Stamina: 22]

[Mana: 18] [Divinity: 1] [Affinity: 41] [Luck: 36]

An A-rank Top-tier raider was born. Kadum looked over his body with a bewildered expression. “Did anything even change?”

“Go and see for yourself. Alright, next.”

The moment the evolution finished, the next subject stepped up: the puppeteer, Roquin. She and Dropin had been raiding in the North for some time, but she had never managed to break into the A-rank tier.

“U-um, for what reason did you call me?” she asked timidly.

“No need to be so formal. This is all for you. Just stay still.”

“Hic!’ D-don’t tell me you’re planning to do it… h-here? I-I don’t really mind… if it’s you, Taehyun, it’s okay. But still…” Roquin clutched the hem of her dress and fidgeted.

Taehyun stared, surprised. “You knew?”

“No, I-I wasn’t notified… (sob). But I understand.”

“Hey, hey, what are you doing? Stop. Why are you taking your clothes off?”

“Eh? This isn’t it?” She paused, her hand on a button, looking utterly flustered. It seemed she had completely misunderstood. Taehyun let out a long sigh and cast Evolution.

[Evolution Successful!]

[Evolution Successful!]

[Evolution Successful!]

[Evolution Successful!]

A whopping four successes in a row. It consumed a significant number of A-rank Magic Stones, but as long as he could substitute them with Mage’s Soulstones, it was no problem.

[Roquin]

[Rank: A (Top-tier)]

[Level: 66]

[Class: Puppeteer]

[Title: Master of the Puppet Troupe]

[Affiliation: Balak]

[Loyalty: 75]

[Favorability: 76]

[Obedience: 72]

[Skills: Become a Star in the Sky, Dol Gate, Puppet Will Manifestation, Puppetry]

[Special Ability: Puppet Workshop]

[Strength: 7] [Endurance: 6] [Agility: 15] [Stamina: 12]

[Mana: 62] [Divinity: 1] [Affinity: 55] [Luck: 24]

His second A-rank raider was born. Her skills and abilities had changed dramatically. Roquin was now a proper A-rank Puppeteer. ’Her favorability is quite high, too. Strange, considering she hasn’t been in Balak for long.’ The high favorability was a mystery, but the result was satisfactory.

Taehyun gestured to her. “Wha-what?!”

“It’s done. Go and check your new skills.”

“Okaaaay.” She disappeared with a sullen pout, clearly disappointed to be leaving.

All that remained was the unfortunate time-freezing raider, Dropin. Constantly abandoned for his lack of skill, his desire for strength ran deeper than anyone’s.

“Hah. So what is it this time?” he said, sighing. “Last time you dragged me out of bed, and now you’re summoning me whenever you please.”

“You could have refused, but you came anyway. I’ll cut to the chase: I’m going to rank you up.”

“…Is that even possible?”

“So you are interested. I acquired a new special ability. It allows me to evolve things, and raiders are no exception. I can raise your rank all the way to A-rank Top-tier, right here, right now.”

A-rank. The level he had yearned for. He had struggled for a whole year, but his rank wouldn’t budge. He’d only reached B-rank Mid-tier thanks to Roquin’s support. Dropin hesitated for a moment before asking, “What do you want in return?”

“A special condition, just for you. I want to modify our contract. It’s nothing major. I was just thinking I could borrow your strength when dealing with raid parties. Of course, if you’re not interested…”

“I’ll do it. Modify it right now.”

“Hmm. Don’t forget that promise.”

He agreed without a hint of hesitation. Seeing the newfound seriousness in Dropin’s expression, Taehyun began to cast Evolution.

—

At that moment, in Aslan, the capital of the Enais Kingdom, a host of unexpected guests had arrived.

“Five S-rank raiders and about six S-rank Dungeon Masters. The rest are all A-rank. Did they bring their entire force?”

“My, Duke Centrix, you’re surprisingly quick with your calculations. Is that a power unique to SS-rank Superhumans like yourself?” Mihye Han purred.

“By your standards, we would be considered near SS-rank. However, I advise you not to make any rash judgments. While we act on His Majesty’s command, the moment I see any suspicious movement, I will take your head,” Duke Centrix, commander of the kingdom’s army, warned coolly.

Mihye, standing before the throne room, simply shrugged. She was finally about to meet the person who had invited Taehyun to the coronation. She had already anticipated the two Superhumans. Although her entire Tarantula Faction was mobilized, she had no intention of fighting a disadvantageous battle within the capital.

’Squeak.’

The heavy doors opened, and they stepped into the throne room. With a Superhuman on either side of her, Mihye knelt and paid her respects. “Should I say it’s a pleasure? In any case, I am Mihye Han, leader of the Tarantula Faction.”

Her etiquette was clumsy, to say the least. Centrix and Crowell scowled, but the young man on the throne reacted differently. He burst into a hearty laugh, thoroughly amused.

“Hahaha! You make me laugh from our very first meeting. That’s enough. There’s no need for such clumsy formalities. Raise your head.”

“Hmph. You look like such a goody-two-shoes. You must be quite popular around here, Your Highness, Leon van Noah?”

“I used to be, but now I’m nothing more than a tyrant. These days, the maids tremble in fear if I so much as walk down the hall. So, why have you come? You seem to command a considerable force among the demons.”

“No particular reason. Ah, can I speak informally? I’m much more comfortable with that.”

A meeting between demon royalty and human royalty was an imbalance in itself. Trivial etiquette was pointless. Leon nodded and dismissed the two Superhumans. Only then did Mihye rise, a seductive smile playing on her lips.

“I heard you invited the Dungeon Master of Balak. He’s a kid I’m very fond of, you see, so I grew quite curious. What’s your reason? Don’t keep me in suspense. Tell me. Perhaps I could even help you end this internal conflict from the shadows.”

“Kukuk. It seems we need to establish who’s in charge here first. Then again, I suppose bringing such a force would make anyone cocky.”

“…Do you have a death wish?”

“Certainly, the forces you have here could easily take my life while dealing with Duke Centrix and Viscount Crowell. But you’ve been looking too far down. There’s always someone flying above those who run.”

A leisurely calm bloomed in the chilling atmosphere. Leon smirked, looking down at Mihye. “If you’re debating whether to kill me, you’d better reconsider. Ah, and the man beside you is Wigan, I believe? You should put that holy sword away.”

“…How do you know my name? And you even identified my sword… Just what are you?” The holy sword Ludwig, wrapped in bandages, was difficult to recognize even up close. Wigan, who had been about to draw the blade from his robe, froze and glared at the king.

Leon, however, rose languidly from his throne and met Mihye’s gaze. “You asked if I had a death wish. If you can kill me, then by all means, try. If you want something, you must first pay the price. Your entire attitude is flawed.”

“…You’re going to regret saying that.”

“We’ll see who has regrets when the time comes. Ho. By the way, have you been receiving orders from that fellow, Duke Nikunbel? How fascinating. The demons playing with children summoned from the modern world, and all of you clinging to those demons, moving like puppets. It’s a truly delightful arrangement.”

“You… you?!”

A truth she had hidden for years was laid bare. Leon sneered at her shocked expression. “Did you really think no one would know if you kept it hidden? I’m sorry, but you’re wrong. You can’t fool my eyes.”

Slowly, the eyes of the king on the throne began to glow a deep, menacing red.

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