Chapter 244: Episode 244

This was the first S-rank raid party his dungeon had ever faced. Even though Vesta’s companions were all top-tier A-rankers, they were an undeniably formidable force. To make matters worse, he was a member of the Tarantula faction. Taehyun had shared information with their agent, Hee-chan, in exchange for a shared vision, but the results had been disastrous.

“Get a hold of yourselves! We came to save you!” one of his Dungeon Masters had cried.

“We’ve never seen you before,” a raider in Aslan had replied coldly. “If you’re going to lie, at least make it believable.”

“D-damn it! Gwaaaaaaah!”

The Dungeon Masters who entered the capital had been slaughtered by their own faction’s raiders. It was clear now that Mihye’s forces had been completely absorbed by Leon.

’He used that ‘Voice of Madness’ skill to knock me out back then,’ Taehyun recalled. ’Whatever it is, that bastard has a skill that manipulates the mind.’

The forces that had gone to the royal court included five S-rank raiders and six S-rank Dungeon Masters. To absorb individuals of that caliber, Leon’s ability had to be something extraordinary. The dwarven equipment had bought Count Dinen some time in the civil war, but the ultimate outcome was still uncertain.

“Tsk. That bastard Leon is going to turn the entire west upside down,” Taehyun said grimly. “Sending me this ‘gift’ means he plans to use me even more.”

“But our Balak is now an S-rank dungeon,” Riel reminded him, her voice firm. “We can certainly stop a single S-rank raider.”

Her gaze shifted to the main screen. The Vesta raid party had finally appeared, and the crowd of onlookers was hastily backing away.

[The Vesta raid party has appeared at the entrance of Balak’s territory.]

They seemed to have no intention of hiding their identities; no information manipulation was being used. The party immediately removed their hoods, revealing their faces as if on command. Taehyun’s eyes narrowed as he watched Vesta, who stood at the center.

’Not using information manipulation is one thing, but to reveal their faces right at the entrance… It’s as if he assumes I already know everything about them. What’s going on?’

His connection to Momont Anslake was a closely guarded secret. Yet Vesta was acting as if he knew it all. That had to mean he’d received some kind of message from Leon. This was not just about the raid anymore; Momont could be in danger. Taehyun reviewed his troop deployments and summoned his exclusive items.

’He probably has S-rank exclusive items, too. They still think Balak is A-rank, but the moment I use my items, they’ll know the truth.’

New items required new strategies and new psychological gambits. All of Balak’s forces were already gathered at the original dungeon entrance, including his newly acquired powerhouses. He was as ready as he could be.

[The Vesta raid party has entered Balak’s territory.]

The raid party crossed the border. Or rather, Vesta crossed the border alone. Taehyun watched the flames engulfing the man’s body, puzzled, when a system message flashed before his eyes.

[S-rank Raider Vesta has used the special ability ‘Rule Maker.’]

[The rules of the dungeon raid will be changed.]

[Capture Crystal Spires have appeared within Balak’s territory.]

A new set of rules for the raid had just been established.

—

[Hylon Forest/First Capture Crystal Spire]

[Revived Plains/Second and Third Capture Crystal Spires]

[Forest of Silence/Fourth Capture Crystal Spire]

[Valley of Silence/Fifth Capture Crystal Spire]

[Original Balak/Final Sixth Capture Crystal Spire]

New structures had materialized across his territory. Capture Crystal Spires now stood in every major combat zone, each surrounded by an ominous, shimmering barrier.

[Vesta’s Rule has been applied.]

[Dungeon Master Taehyun Yoo and Raid Leader Vesta will be moved to the Arena.]

The world dissolved around him. Like with Mind Field, he was transported to a separate dimension, this one resembling a massive coliseum.

“Welcome to the Arena, Dungeon Master of Balak, Taehyun Yoo,” Vesta said, his voice echoing in the vast space.

“Hmm. I take it this is your special ability?” Taehyun asked, remaining calm.

“That’s right. Rule Maker. The ability to create new rules for a dungeon raid. From now on, you and I will battle for control of the Capture Crystal Spires. First, take a seat.”

Vesta gestured to an ornate chair on the opposite side of the arena floor. Two seats, like thrones, faced each other. It seemed this would be their command center for the coming battle. Taehyun leisurely sat down and waited for the explanation.

[You have been recognized as the White Army of Vesta’s Rule.]

[Please select the soldiers for the White Army.]

Huge screens materialized in the air before him, displaying views of his master room and every combat zone in his territory. Following the prompt, Taehyun began to consider his selections.

“I assume there are no restrictions on rank or level?”

“Correct,” Vesta confirmed. “However, classes are restricted. The roster for the Black Army is now visible on your screen. You must select ten participants with a similar class composition.”

Ten soldiers for each army. So that was why Vesta had formed such a small, elite party. For Taehyun, who relied on overwhelming numbers, this personnel limit was a crippling disadvantage. He scowled and examined the enemy roster.

[Black Army Soldiers]

[Raid Leader: Vesta]

[Archer Raider: Maarin]

[Hunter Raider: Kaid]

[Spear Knight Raider: Pletine]

[Mage Raider: Golvers]

[Summoner Raider: Remberd]

[Shield Bearer Raider: Maximus]

[Knight Raider: Falkaden]

[Priest Raider: Merdes]

[Thief Raider: Nero]

The Black Army was a perfectly balanced composition of various classes, clearly assembled with the Rule Maker ability in mind.

’Vesta is listed as a soldier, which means I’m probably an automatic participant as well.’

He had said there were no rank or level restrictions, but it was absurd for a commander like a Dungeon Master to fight directly. A question formed in his mind.

“Am I, the Dungeon Master, also participating in the fighting?”

“Of course,” Vesta answered without hesitation. “For you specifically, your class, level, and skills will be automatically assigned to match the combat zone and your opponent. Rest assured.”

“So this isn’t just a simple brawl. Are you allowed to be telling me all this?”

“This is the first penalty of the Rule Maker,” Vesta explained. “All information about a new rule is shared with the opponent. I am compelled to answer any question you ask.”

The first penalty was revealed. A creation-type ability of this magnitude was bound to have significant drawbacks. There were likely more hidden penalties as well. Taehyun nodded, his mind racing as he considered his choices for the White Army.

’If he’s telling the truth, then the use of my exclusive items is also uncertain. For now, I have to select experts for each role, even if it means revealing that Balak is an S-rank dungeon.’

If he was to choose one soldier for each class, Taehyun already had several candidates in mind. He quickly finalized the roster for the White Army.

[White Army Soldiers]

[Dungeon Master/Taehyun Yoo]

[Archer/Mederia]

[Hunter/Kadum]

[Lancer/Rishita]

[Mage/Hamulton]

[Spirit Master/Riashu]

[Shield Bearer/Kumakuma]

[Knight/Grai]

[Priest/Elenoa]

[Thief/Krodin]

With the exception of Rishita, who was on loan from Rivixian, they were all Balak’s core forces. Taehyun’s gaze lingered on Hamulton’s name in the Mage slot, a smirk playing on his lips. ’With a compulsory rule like this, even Hamulton has no choice. We’ve just secured an overwhelming advantage on the magic front.’

Hamulton had sworn he would only protect the Forest of Silence, but being summoned by a special ability was another matter entirely. An SS-rank mage operated on a plane entirely beyond even the top A-rank raiders. Furthermore, every other position was filled by an A-rank Hero or a combatant of S-rank or higher. It was no exaggeration to say the White Army’s soldiers were in a league of their own.

[Soldier selection has been completed.]

[Preparing the battlefield for the first capture point.]

[Each soldier will be moved to Hylon Forest.]

An image of Hylon Forest materialized before them. One by one, the chosen soldiers appeared on the screen, already waiting on the battlefield.

“What kind of battlefield is it?” Taehyun asked.

“Exactly what it sounds like,” Vesta replied coolly. “The event is random. The terrain will also change at random, and the number of participants will be decided accordingly. You’ll be able to select your soldier once the details are announced, so you’d best be ready.”

The battle would unfold over six crystal spires, a setup reminiscent of the missions during the Faction War. Taehyun glanced at the trembling Mederia before asking Vesta another question. “If you die on the battlefield, is it permanent?”

“That also depends on the rules. If the event specifies permanent annihilation, then death on the battlefield is final. But with six spires to capture, that’s highly unlikely. Don’t worry about it.”

“Hmm. I see. By the way, you’re a member of the Tarantula faction, aren’t you?”

“I will not answer any questions unrelated to the Rule Maker,” Vesta stated flatly.

He had only been probing, but the response was more guarded than he had expected. Recalling the slight flicker in Vesta’s eyes, Taehyun turned his attention back to the screen.

[The battlefield for the first capture point is ready.]

[This battlefield’s event is Prey Tracking.]

[The field will be changed to Nephalem Forest.]

[Number of participants: 1.]

[The soldier and their respective army commander can communicate freely during the battle.]

[Detailed objectives will be announced after the battlefield begins.]

At last, the first stage was set. This battle would likely determine control of the first crystal spire. Taehyun noted the event was Prey Tracking and selected Kadum as his champion.

A voice crackled over their connection. “H-Hey. Taehyun, can you hear me?”

“Loud and clear,” Taehyun confirmed. “You can hear me too, right?”

“I can. Haa. What a relief. I was starting to panic when you vanished from the Master Room, but it looks like you’re still alive.”

“Somehow. Anyway, you got the message, didn’t you? You’ll be facing off against their raider on the battlefield. The event is Prey Tracking—perfect for a hunter like you.”

“Of course,” Kadum’s voice hardened with confidence. “I don’t know who my opponent is, but I’ll make them regret ever stepping onto this field.”

Through evolution, Kadum had become a top-tier A-rank hunter. Though his opponent was of the same class, Kadum was a force to be reckoned with.

[Battle Start!]

And with that, Kadum and Kaide were transported to the battlefield.

—

A faint light began to sparkle in the oppressive darkness. Kadum fought back a wave of nausea and forced his eyes open.

[You have entered Nephalem Forest.]

[Top-tier A-rank Hunter Kadum has entered the battlefield.]

The crimson-stained forest came into view. It was a landscape he had seen to the point of exhaustion within the dungeon, but here, the blood-red leaves carried an ominous weight.

[Communication with Taehyun Yoo has been connected.]

[Objective has been updated.]

[Battlefield Objective: Track the prey!]

[Details: The prey that attacked the Filimona Merchant Guild has fled into Nephalem Forest. For the sake of the guild members’ revenge, you must track and kill the prey.]

[Objective Status: Prey 0/1]

The objective was set. He had to find the creature that had attacked the merchant guild. Kadum’s eyes immediately fell upon the crime scene laid out before him.

[Filimona Merchant Guild Attack Site (A)]

It seemed each participant was shown the scene in advance—a wrecked carriage surrounded by the mangled corpses of guild members.

“Hmm,” Taehyun’s voice echoed in his mind. “They’re showing you the scene as it was, but there’s a problem.”

He was right. Bloodstains and bodies were scattered around the carriage, but the most crucial clues were missing. Kadum knelt to examine a tattered corpse more closely.

“They started at the neck and devoured all the internal organs,” he reported. “Just from this corpse, I can tell we’re dealing with a formidable monster.”

“What about inside the carriage?”

“A monster wouldn’t care about a carriage. The spilled contract goods on the floor make that clear.”

“Don’t jump to conclusions,” Taehyun cautioned. “Examine the scene again, this time with Wolf’s Eye.”

“Understood.” Kadum’s hunter instincts pointed to a simple beast, but Taehyun was trying to decipher the meaning behind the scene itself.

[Wolf’s Eye has been cast.]

[Nearby tracks are marked in blue.]

The world bled into a deeper shade of red. The already crimson landscape intensified, making the ethereal blue tracks stand out in stark detail. Kadum focused on the corpse once more.

[Favolt-style merchant attire]

[Male]

[Forcibly opened abdomen]

[Completely empty body cavity]

[Chain marks]

[Bloodstains on clothes]

[Torn-off pocket]

A cascade of clues flooded his vision. Kadum’s brow furrowed as he stared at the opened stomach. “What is this? There are bite marks all over the body, but the abdomen has been sliced open cleanly.”

“What do you mean?”

“The abdomen was definitely torn open, but before that, it was cut with something sharp. And these chain marks on the neck… Don’t tell me.”

His gaze shifted to the carriage’s interior. Kadum climbed inside, his eyes scanning every detail.

[Scattered Freeze Powder]

[Dripping bloodstains]

[Filimona Merchant Guild Token]

’Freeze Powder’, a rare and powerful hallucinogen, was spilled across the floorboards. An empty sack lay on the seat, its strap likely torn loose during a violent struggle. Kadum cautiously sniffed the inside of the sack.

“It was definitely spilled from here. If that’s the case…”

“Exactly,” Taehyun’s voice was grim. “They showed you the crime scene for this very reason. The prey is none other than…”

Kadum’s head slowly turned, his gaze following the faint trail of powder leading out of the carriage and into the woods.

“A human.”

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