Chapter 236: Episode 236

[Evolution Successful!]

[Evolution Successful!]

[Evolution Successful!]

[Evolution Successful!]

The evolution required a Paladin’s Soulstone and a considerable number of Magic Stones to raise him from B-rank Mid-tier all the way to A-rank Top-tier. Dropin, the paladin who had always relied on Time Freeze, now had the potential to unleash tremendous power. All he had lacked were the raw stats and skills. While Evolution couldn’t draw out his innate talent, it could certainly enhance his abilities.

[Dropin]

[Rank: A (Top-tier)]

[Level: 73]

[Class: Frost Knight]

[Title: The One Who Governs Time]

[Affiliation: Balak]

[Loyalty: 73]

[Favorability: 69]

[Obedience: 68]

[Skills: Ice Path, Ice Veil, Frost Sword, Cardias’s Blessing, Judgment of the Iceberg]

[Special Ability: Permanent Freeze]

[Strength: 66] [Endurance: 45] [Agility: 32] [Stamina: 51]

[Mana: 5] [Divinity: 53] [Affinity: 3] [Luck: 21]

With a tremendous boost to his stats and a complete overhaul of his skills and special ability, Dropin was reborn as a Frost Knight.

“…Is this it?”

“Yes. Go and test it for yourself. I’ll call for you again later.”

“Hoo. Understood.”

Since he couldn’t see the changes immediately, it probably didn’t feel real. Taehyun sent him off and checked his remaining materials. ’I can probably do about three more.’ The list of candidates was quickly narrowed down. Karon, a recent addition, was on the list but was ultimately excluded. The priority was to evolve those who were still stuck at lower ranks. Having made his decision, Taehyun began summoning his core forces one by one.

—

[Cardias’s Blessing has been cast.]

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

A buff of unimaginable power washed over him. Dropin, who had come to the Valley of Silence to test his new abilities, was utterly astonished.

[Frost Sword has been cast.]

[Summons Frost Swords enchanted with the frost attribute for a period of time.]

Frost Swords materialized in his hands, their icy chill seeping into his palms. As a Frost Knight, these blades would be his primary weapon. As he tested his other skills, the reality of his evolution finally sank in.

’KABOOM!’

He unleashed the once single-use skill, Judgment of the Iceberg. The resulting explosion was powerful enough to shatter an entire section of the valley. It was on a completely different level from his old tactic of stopping time to swing his greatsword. Finally, Dropin activated his new special ability.

[Permanent Freeze has been activated.]

[The space around the caster begins to freeze.]

[A field where time is stopped has been created within a certain range.]

[The field will automatically disappear when the caster’s Divinity is depleted or when they cancel it directly.]

[Permanent Freeze Usage Limit: 1/3]

The very air around him began to crystallize. There was no longer a casting delay; the ability activated instantly. Despite the usage limit, the effect was immense. Dropin looked around the frozen field. The flow of time itself had stopped—even a pebble rolling on the ground was suspended in mid-tumble.

“Hah… So this is it. There’s no duration limit, it seems. Yes. I’ve definitely become stronger.”

Taehyun hadn’t been bluffing. He had truly stepped into the realm of an A-rank Top-tier. At this level, the contract didn’t matter anymore. He had reached the height he had always dreamed of, and his joy was overwhelming.

“No one can ignore me now. I won’t be abandoned again. I won’t. I won’t!”

Memories of his stained past resurfaced—the looks of contempt and disregard from his former comrades were still burned into his mind. But amidst that darkness, a new light had emerged. Dropin sank to his knees and bowed his head.

’Drip, drip.’

As his tears fell to the ground, joyous shouts echoed from other parts of the territory. That day, the three raiders spent hours testing their new skills, reveling in the newfound strength they now possessed.

—

[A-Rank Hero Keeper: Angelina, the Queen of Pleasure]

Angelina had become a B-rank Hero Keeper through a unique evolution just before facing the Yuda Raid Party. She had certainly played her part in holding Yuda back on the Revived Plains, but it hadn’t been enough. Balak was now S-rank, which meant powerhouses on a completely different level would soon be at their gates. For that reason, Taehyun had made Angelina his first priority.

“Kyahahaha! A whip! I need a whip! Now, Dungeon Master, you were always so busy avoiding me. From now on, the great Angelina shall personally deal with you. Come, lick my feet!”

“Hah. She’s even worse than before. Hey, move. That’s my seat.”

“Here, I am the only queen, and you are but a lowly subject! Now, this body is waiting. Hurry and—’Kyang!”

Angelina, who had been trying to steal his chair, tumbled to the floor. Her condition had deteriorated to the point that even the way she fell was strangely alluring. Taehyun quickly sent her away and checked her status.

[Angelina, the Queen of Pleasure]

[Rank: A (Hero)]

[Level: 67]

[Class: Queen]

[Title: Queen of Pleasure]

[Affiliation: Balak]

[Loyalty: 91]

[Favorability: 88]

[Obedience: 100]

[Skills: Enjoying Pain, Faint Scream, Seductive Gesture, Queen’s Command, Whip Bind]

[Special Ability: Whip Mastery]

[Strength: 23] [Endurance: 55] [Agility: 15] [Stamina: 62]

[Mana: 35] [Divinity: 32] [Affinity: 51] [Luck: 15]

She was the first of his core forces to reach 100 Obedience. Her defiant attitude suggested the exact opposite, but the stats didn’t lie. It was likely an effect of her new class. Taehyun sighed as he reviewed her upgraded abilities.

“The bull-heads were a headache after their class change, and now I have a Queen. Why do all my shield bearers and paladins turn out so weird?”

A wave of regret washed over him, but it was too late to reverse it. He had no choice but to summon the next candidate.

“I heard you called, Master.”

A much more vibrant Hyena appeared. She was still technically a slave raider, but her personality had changed drastically.

“I’m going to raise your rank. You’re still Mid-tier A-rank, right?”

“Yes, that’s right. But is it possible?”

“It is.”

As long as he had the materials, Evolution was always an option. Taehyun immediately evolved Hyena to an A-rank Top-tier raider.

[Hera]

[Rank: A (Top-tier)]

[Level: 73]

[Class: Trapper]

[Title: Balak’s Slave Raider]

[Affiliation: Balak]

[Loyalty: 90]

[Favorability: 91]

[Obedience: 93]

[Skills: Chain Explosion Trap (Special), Imprisonment Trap (Special), Electric Current Trap (Special), Illusion Trap (Special), Sealing Trap (Special)]

[Special Ability: Trap Control]

[Strength: 15] [Endurance: 9] [Agility: 72] [Stamina: 12]

[Mana: 43] [Divinity: 1] [Affinity: 32] [Luck: 47]

[Status: Affection, Amnesia]

There weren’t many changes, but some of her stats and skills had improved. He was particularly pleased with the new Sealing Trap skill. However, her relationship stats were a bit unsettling.

’They’ve all surpassed 90? And her status is still Affection… just as I thought.’

Hyena tilted her head adorably. He didn’t need a status window to guess what kind of feelings she harbored for him.

“Is it done?”

“Yeah. You’re an A-rank Top-tier raider now. You’ve got a new skill, so go check it out.”

“It’s okay, I can check later. Can’t I just stay and watch by your side, Master?”

“Ugh. Do as you please.”

Unlike with his other core forces, he found he couldn’t refuse Hyena’s requests. She suddenly sat on his lap, flustering him.

“Lady Rabiz does this. Am I not allowed to?”

“…No. It’s fine.”

“Hehe. Master, please pat my head.”

“Geez… How did things end up like this?” He had no idea what was happening, but his hand moved on its own, gently stroking Hyena’s hair.

—

[Demon Realm Auction Invitation has been used.]

[You will be moved to the Demon Realm Auction.]

[Do you wish to allow your companions to accompany you?]

[YES/NO]

’Yes.’

After evolving Grai to Hero grade, Taehyun visited the Demon Realm Auction once again. His purpose was simple: to acquire new equipment for his evolved forces. This time, he needed to purchase A-rank High-tier weapons and armor.

“Thank you for bringing me, Taehyun. I’ll enjoy looking around,” Inhae said cheerfully.

“Don’t get lost and stick close. You’ll look like a slave raider in here.”

“I heard violence is forbidden, right? I’ll just have to trust you, then.”

He had planned to come alone, exhausted from the stress of the evolutions, but somehow Inhae had ended up accompanying him. She linked her arm with his and stayed close. Taehyun shot a weary glance at Kesha.

“Welcome! Thank you so much for visiting again, esteemed customer Taehyun Yoo!”

“I don’t need a guide. You can go.”

“Aha. It seems you have only one companion, so there’s no need to issue a separate card. I shall take my leave, then.”

He already knew the general layout. After Kesha disappeared, Taehyun entered with Inhae.

“Are you planning to buy equipment for your Guardians and Keepers again today?”

“No. The raiders of Balak have ranked up, so it’s time to invest in them. If you see anything good, let me know. I still have plenty of Zen.”

“Fufu. I will.”

Their first stop was the armor district. He had neglected his raiders’ gear for too long, so he had to avoid items with effects that were overly specialized for dungeon soldiers.

“Oh! Doesn’t that plate armor look nice? I think it would be perfect for Sihan, who wields shockwaves.”

“Where?”

“Come on, follow me! It’s right here!”

“Whoa, w-wait a minute.”

Somehow, he had ended up being dragged around by Inhae. He browsed the equipment with her and began making purchases.

“Three million Zen! Not a single Zen less!” the merchant declared.

“Didn’t you tell the last customer it was two and a half million?” Inhae countered. “Why the sudden change of heart?”

“Wh-what are you talking about? I have no memory of—”

“I saw it with my own eyes. Are you lying to us?”

“Ugh! Two-point-seven million!”

“Two-point-three.”

“T-two and a half million!”

“Two million.”

“Damn it! You win! Two-point-three million Zen, and not a Zen less!”

“Fufu. Thank you,” Inhae said, turning to Taehyun. “He says it’s two-point-three million.”

Thanks to Inhae’s surprisingly effective haggling, they acquired the necessary equipment quickly. They moved from armor to weapons, then to accessories, visiting every district except the slave auction. The companion seemed more excited than the Dungeon Master who was actually there to shop. Taehyun, who had been spacing out, finally snapped back to reality.

“Hah. What was I just doing?”

“Oh? Taehyun, are you feeling sick?”

“No… it feels like I just skipped through time. I-I need to rest over there for a bit.”

“Oh, come on. We’re not done shopping yet! Hurry up!”

He was suddenly reminded of his last visit to the Demon Realm. He had suffered at the hands of his female forces then, too, but this was even worse. Taehyun felt a fresh wave of dread as he was reacquainted with a woman’s instinct for shopping.

—

[Finances: 9,853,152 Zen]

After purchasing most of the equipment, his funds had dipped below ten million. Taehyun forced his trembling legs to hold him up and collapsed onto a nearby bench. ’Next time, I’m definitely coming alone.’ His body wouldn’t survive another trip with Inhae.

“Thank you so much for the gift. I’ll treasure it,” she said, beaming.

“I have no idea what I bought you, but I hope you use it well.”

“Fufu. By the way, don’t you think it’s been quite a while since I became a raider for Balak?”

“Well, a lot has happened. Why do you ask?”

Inhae, the woman with whom he had fought a psychological battle in the Mind Field, was now one of his own. Taehyun recalled that time and tilted his head. Just then, Inhae blushed and moved closer.

“…What do you think of me?”

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