Chapter 240: Episode 240

[A-Rank Dungeon Master Kang Hee-chan has visited.]

[A-Rank Dungeon Master So Hyun-seok has visited.]

[A-Rank Dungeon Master Han Cha-seok has visited.]

The Tarantula faction members he had met at the auction had arrived. The meeting had been delayed by the Lia-Shu incident, but he had summoned them again. Mihye and her core members had disappeared after their audience with Leon—or more accurately, they had never returned from the capital. Taehyun, as the only one known to have been personally invited by Leon, was their last hope. Their desperation was palpable.

Sitting in the reception room, Taehyun slid a contract across the table.

“First, sign this. It is a non-disclosure agreement. Not a word of what we discuss leaves this room. That includes any information about Balak. You are forbidden from telling your remaining faction members, or any other Dungeon Master, for that matter.”

“You mean we have to keep this completely to ourselves?” Kang Hee-chan protested. “We cannot even inform the others?”

“Then go get their consent,” Taehyun said coolly. “Until you do, my lips are sealed.”

“…Wait here.”

The contract’s terms were revised, and Hee-chan hurried off to secure the agreement of his comrades, likely making a frantic tour of their individual dungeons. Taehyun turned to the two men who remained.

“Care for some tea?”

—

Hee-chan returned in under half an hour, panting.

“Pant… pant…’ Here. I have gotten everyone’s consent.”

“Oh? About thirty people, I see,” Taehyun noted, scanning the document. “This does not include raiders, correct?”

“Of course not.”

“Good. Then have a seat.”

Taehyun still had not signed, a clear sign that he had more demands. Hee-chan sat down, his expression anxious. His eyes fell upon the empty teacups on the table.

The other two remained silent.

The other two had enjoyed a relaxing cup of tea while he had been sweating and running all over. They could not escape his sharp, resentful glare. Taehyun just chuckled and picked up a quill.

“Wh-what are you doing?!” Hee-chan yelped.

“Is it not obvious? I am revising the contract.”

“This was not part of the deal! You cannot just change it after I got everyone to agree! I will not accept it!”

“You seem to be mistaken,” Taehyun said, his voice dangerously smooth. “This is a transaction. The information may be minor, but I expect to get something in return.”

If Leon had truly absorbed Tarantula, the entire West was in danger, Balak included. But that was a separate issue. If he was going to give them information, he was going to get paid. He twirled the quill between his fingers and asked with a cruel smile.

“Alright. Let us start over. First, how much Zen do you all have?”

“Y-you are insane!”

That day, Hee-chan witnessed a truly cruel demon, one who would exploit every last drop from a desperate situation.

—

[The contract procedure has been completed.]

[The contract has been activated.]

[Morpina, the God of Contracts, now observes Player Taehyun Yoo and the 34 members of the Tarantula faction.]

The faction members who had already signed had no choice but to accept the new terms. The deal replenished his depleted finances quite nicely. He had even promised to share his vision during their planned infiltration of the capital, so it was safe to say he had squeezed them for everything they were worth.

“Th-the forest is alive!”

“Dammit, it is Ents! Everyone, fall back!”

“Ugh! Mana arrows! No one said they would be this powerful!”

Meanwhile, in the Silent Forest, raiders were being systematically slaughtered. The birth of the World Tree had changed everything. The plant-like monsters were stronger, and the High Elves themselves had grown in rank.

[High Elf Safaella]

[Rank: A (Named)]

[Level: 76]

[Class: Magic Swordsman]

[Title: High Elf Blessed by the World Tree]

[Affiliation: Balak]

[Loyalty: 72]

[Favorability: 64]

[Obedience: 100 (Forced Contract)]

[Skills: Spirit Sword, Earth’s Protection, Mana Release, Surprise Pierce, Keen Gaze]

[Special Ability: Nature Assimilation]

[Strength: 45] [Endurance: 32] [Agility: 27] [Stamina: 33]

[Mana: 31] [Divinity: 1] [Affinity: 50] [Luck: 27]

While her favorability had increased, the fact that she had evolved without his direct intervention was the most significant change. Swordsmen had become Magic Swordsmen, archers and scouts had become Spirit Archers, and their skills had transformed. Their stats were now on par with their new A-rank status, all thanks to the World Tree.

’I cannot believe the World Tree can generate its own soldiers. They do not count against my population limit, do they?’

Ents and spirits, the new A-rank defenders of the forest, swarmed the last raiding party. By now, every raider in the West knew of the World Tree’s existence.

“Master Taehyun,” Riel reported, “the High Elves say that any land where a World Tree takes root becomes the domain of the elves.”

“I have heard. Has that caused a problem?”

“Well, the number of slave hunters has surged recently. They are coming from other regions, so it seems news of Balak’s World Tree has spread across the entire continent.”

“And you mentioned other elves were on their way, too. I wonder if they will settle here, even if it is a dungeon.”

His High Elves were content, but elves from the outside world might feel differently. Worse, the tree was attracting hunter-raiders and slave hunters in droves. Considering its branches were priceless magical materials, it was only a matter of time before raiders from every corner of the continent came calling.

’Which means S-rank raiders will eventually show up, drawn by the smell of Zen. I already have to keep Leon in check. I do not know whether to be happy about this or not.’

Count Dinen, Leon, Tarantula, Duke Peyton… his list of enemies was already long, and now he might have to add even more factions to it. If an entire nation decided to claim the World Tree, they would mobilize not just S-rank raiders but their whole army.

“Demon… No, Taehyun. You have given us a new home. This power to create a World Tree… it must be the mark of the one who guides our people. Though you are a demon, you are a true friend to the elves!”

“I pledge my life to you. The Silent Forest is now the home we must protect. We will always be by your side.”

“It seems Ameria, the Goddess of Nature, has acknowledged you. Though this is a dungeon, I will defend it with my life.”

Oblivious to his concerns, the High Elves had completely changed their tune and were now singing his praises. The forced contract was still in effect, but the World Tree had boosted their favorability to new heights. Taehyun still found it unsettling, but it was undeniably a positive development.

’Once the other elves arrive, I should probably reveal that Balak is S-rank. I need to deal with these other vultures before Dinen decides to show up.’

If a path forward did not present itself, he would forge one himself. S-rank Balak was growing stronger by the day. The pieces were falling into place. Taehyun looked over the world map—the Holy Kingdom, the Gogul Kingdom, the Peshant Empire, the Derk Empire—and a slow smile spread across his face.

—

“An A-rank dungeon with a World Tree… It is unbelievable. Balak is more than just a dungeon now.”

“We should make a play for the Silent Forest. Just one branch from that tree would be worth tens of millions of Zen.”

“Is the Raider’s Association still banning the use of radars? This is infuriating.”

A week had passed since the World Tree took root. Balak’s territory was now flooded with raiders, all of whom were being carefully screened at the entrance. While the occasional fool tried to force their way through, a state of relative peace was maintained.

“The line is long today. I heard some people are even trying to get Balak residency just to get easier access.”

“Nah, that is just talk. Who would actually do that? You would immediately become one of Balak’s affiliated raiders.”

“True. Anyway, who is that group? Why are they all wearing hoods?”

A large group was approaching the territory, all clad in hooded robes to conceal their identities. Suddenly, the person at the front of the group collapsed to his knees.

“H-how can this be?” an aged, grief-stricken voice cried out. “The place where the World Tree took root… was a dungeon?”

He stared at the great tree with hollow eyes, tears streaming down his face. Most of the other raiders paid him no mind, but soon, they had no choice but to look.

“Oh, great World Tree! Why have you given us such a trial?”

“A dungeon… Does that mean our people are trapped in there?”

“It is lost! The World Tree has been corrupted! No wonder Lady Ameria was so anxious… She must have only just realized!”

The hundreds of hooded figures began to wail in unison. What had seemed like a personal tragedy was quickly escalating. The raiders in line stared, their curiosity piqued.

“What is going on?”

“Hey, look! They are drawing weapons! They are going to attack the territory!”

“Someone stop them! We are going to get caught in the crossfire!”

The lamenting figures were now armed. The raiders at the entrance scattered, scrambling to get out of the way. Just then, a figure appeared atop the fortress wall.

“Brothers and sisters of the forest!” she called out, her voice ringing with authority. “Lay down your weapons and look at me!”

Pointed ears, blonde hair whipping in the wind, a powerful figure clad in leather armor. It was the High Elf, Safaella.

—

[Grand Elder of the Forest of Spirits, Hamolten]

The elder, dragging his frail body, took a seat. As the grand elder of the elves from the southern Forest of Spirits, his wisdom was profound.

“Ahem. I have heard the gist of the story from my High Elf sisters. Is it true that Lady Ameria herself recognized the Silent Forest as her domain?”

“You can speak casually,” Taehyun said. “You are not a noble. And yes, it is true some goddess named Ameria showed up and said something like that.”

“Hah. So it is true. The Goddess of Nature has acknowledged a demon like you as the Guide?”

“I do not know what you are talking about, but if you want to live in the Silent Forest, you are welcome to. I have no intention of harming elves. You just need to sign a simple contract.”

Elves were always a valuable asset. If hundreds more joined his High Elves, he could form an entire specialized unit. Taehyun placed a contract on the table and studied Hamolten’s information.

[Grand Elder Elf Hamolten]

[Rank: SS]

[Level: 93]

[Class: Mage]

[Title: Leader of the Elves]

The information was brief, but the rank was jaw-dropping. Not just S, but SS. That put him on par with Yuslan, the Frost Queen.

’I have to make him a core part of my forces.’

Simply having him protect the forest was not enough. With Hamolten’s power, he could easily counter the superhumans in the Onais Kingdom. He had to be made to fight for Balak. Taehyun watched Hamolten review the contract and spoke calmly.

“What do you think of the terms?”

“They are… acceptable. No, they are very satisfactory. Like a true Guide, you seem to know how to care for the elves. With the exception,” he said, tapping a finger on the document, “of this final clause.”

“That is non-negotiable. If you become part of Balak, you have to fight for the dungeon. If you just hide in the forest, you could be wiped out at any moment.”

“The High Elf sisters are a different matter, but I cannot ask the same of the others. I will never accept this clause.”

The grand elder had immediately pinpointed the most disadvantageous term. His plan to form an elven troop was now limited to a simple forest defense force. Taehyun sighed and nodded.

“Fine. We will sign the contract without that clause. From now on, you and your elves will protect the forest as members of Balak.”

“We are in your debt, Guide.”

“And drop the damn ‘Guide’ thing.”

And with that, 452 elves officially joined the ranks of Balak.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep