Chapter 252: Episode 252

The title of Guide wasn’t particularly important. Even if he did awaken a new ability, its usefulness was debatable. The real value lay with the demi-human races themselves. The dwarves and elves who had already settled in Balak were proving their worth in countless ways. The Rough Rock Tribe excelled at crafting ancient artifacts and smelting equipment, while the elves from the Forest of Spirits now served as invaluable guardians of the Forest of Silence. The beastmen would surely be no different. Since he was already integrating demi-humans, he might as well utilize the beastmen as soldiers, too.

’You’re becoming a Guide? Is that it? Is that why you’re trying to drag us beastmen into this?’ Mikang’s voice crackled through the device.

“I don’t know about being a Guide or whatever,” Taehyun retorted, “but it would be good to bring the beastmen in. How long are you going to stay cooped up in that jungle? It must be frustrating. This is all because of the humans’ wars; demi-humans deserve to live freely, too.”

’So you’re just going to work us to the bone in your dungeon, is that it? You can’t fool me!’

“Shut up, you damn rabbit,” he snapped. “Just spill it. If I’m a Guide, I should be qualified enough, right?”

If Hamolton hadn’t mentioned the Guide, he wouldn’t have even bothered coming to the jungle. Taehyun planned to use the title to persuade them, and Mikang, being a beastman herself, was a crucial part of that plan. After spouting a bit more nonsense, she finally laid out the conditions.

’Even a Guide has to pass a test to meet us. Once you find our people, tell them I sent you. They’ll definitely test your qualifications.’

“What’s on the test?”

’That’s a secret! You should do your own work. Don’t you get it? You don’t, do you? Of course you don’t!’

He was silent.

For a moment, the thread of his reason threatened to snap. Taking a long, steadying breath, Taehyun contacted Geonsun again.

’Can’t I just go to sleep now…’

“Right now,” Taehyun commanded, his voice cold, “give that supporter named Mikang ten hard flicks on the forehead.”

It was a forced command, delivered through their contract. Liviksian was an ally, but in a way, they were also his subordinates. As their Dungeon Master, Geonsun had no choice but to comply.

’Aack! Master! It hurts, it hurts!’

’Forgive me, Mikang. Besides, you brought this on yourself for provoking him. Hmph!’

’Waaaah! You’re so mean!’

Soon, only the sound of Mikang’s sobbing came through the device. Satisfied, Taehyun put it away.

“Master, you seem to be in a much better mood all of a sudden,” Hyena observed.

“Those who sin are bound to be punished,” he stated. “You should be careful, too. If you don’t do anything wrong in the first place, you won’t have to worry about punishment.”

“I’m always devoted to you, Master. Have I ever done anything bad?”

“Not bad, no. But you are being sly. Get off me.”

Though she clung to his arm, claiming the ground was slippery, Hyena was a Raider, not some delicate woman. A Trapper with her agility had no need to be carried. She pouted, disappointed, as she put some distance between them.

“Ah, not too far,” he added quickly. “Just walk beside me.”

“Honestly. First this, then that. What is it you really want?” she grumbled.

“It’s my decision. I’m your master, after all. You should at least do as I say.”

“Ugh. That’s cheap.”

He treated her casually because of her high favorability, but at the end of the day, she was a slave Raider bound by contract. His word was law. Taehyun patted her head and contacted Kadum.

“Found anything yet?”

’An immense amount of mana is flowing from deep within. I’m approaching it now.’

A massive concentration of mana in this jungle could only be the Mana Jade that Hamolton had mentioned. It seemed Kadum’s information was correct; the beastmen were indeed living here.

’If they’re protecting something like the elves, they should be showing up soon.’

To the beastmen, his forces were nothing but intruders. Taehyun took out an item, preparing for contact. Just then, a venomous snake shot out from the vines, lunging at him.

“Master, look out!” Hyena screamed.

She tackled him out of the snake’s path with a solid thud, but her rescue had an unforeseen consequence. He slammed headfirst into one of the jungle’s iron-hard trees and the world went black.

“Gasp! My lord!”

“H-hey! Dungeon Master! What happened? Was that snake really that strong?!”

“Oh my god! Master, please wake up! Master!”

The party from Balak, deep in the heart of the jungle, had just stumbled into a disaster.

—

At that very moment, another crisis was unfolding in Balak’s territory.

[Mana is running rampant from Balak’s Labyrinth.]

[All beings inside the Labyrinth have fainted.]

[All beings inside the Labyrinth are suffering from mana saturation.]

The Labyrinth’s crystal monitoring orb, left to observe its progress, was flashing red. It had occasionally surged past its limits before, but this time, the effect was ravaging the entire interior.

’We have a major problem!’ a frantic voice reported to Riel. ’Not only the residents but the dungeon soldiers have all collapsed. We need to act fast. Please call for Master Taehyun!’

“Unfortunately, Master Taehyun has gone to the East with some of the main forces,” Riel replied calmly. “For now, I will send Lady Eleanora there with the priest soldiers.”

’Ugh. That alone won’t be enough!’

“Hmm. I understand. In that case, I will go to the Labyrinth as well. Please take care of the main dungeon in my absence. All the necessary items are prepared, so do not worry.”

The number of residents and soldiers in the Labyrinth had grown quite large. Including the Raiders who had recently entered, simple healing skills wouldn’t be enough. However, with Riel and her unique ability to amplify natural healing, the situation was manageable.

Edchan immediately sealed the Labyrinth’s entrance and moved to the original Balak.

[You have entered the Master Room.]

He arrived in the command center where Taehyun always watched the monitors. He had been here a few times before, but rarely since Balak had become an A-rank dungeon. Edchan picked up the items on the table and took a seat.

“Hmm. I, Edchan the butler, will protect Balak in Master Taehyun’s stead.”

He had gained countless hours of experience thwarting raids in the Labyrinth. The structure here was different, but his skills were second to none.

[The Tartan Raid Party has entered the territory.]

Just then, a group of what appeared to be elite Raiders materialized. They hadn’t even bothered to mask their information, striding confidently into the passage.

’B-rank or A-rank Raiders? I should check their information first.’

Everything began with intelligence. The first one to analyze was the man giving orders at the front.

[Hassan]

[Rank: S]

[Level: 91]

[Class: Gladiator]

[Title: Mercenary King]

[Affiliation: Tartan Raid Party]

[Stress: 12]

[Status: Sorrowful]

[Relationship with Colleagues: Amicable]

[Description: Hassan, who once enjoyed great fame as the Mercenary King. Though now a Raider, his skills have not rusted. He has come with his subordinates to raid Balak.]

’An S-S-rank Raider?!’ Edchan’s composure cracked.

A formidable enemy had arrived just as Taehyun was away. With the crisis in the Labyrinth, most of the priests were gone, too. Though it was a small party of only twenty, he had zero experience defending against an S-rank Raider. He hurriedly tried to contact Taehyun, but there was no response.

“…This means I have to stop that man myself,” he muttered, steeling his resolve. “I have a mission to protect Balak. I will not allow them to reach the Crystal Core!”

If he lacked experience, he would make up for it with troops. Edchan first reviewed the status of the main dungeon.

’We’re short on S-rank traps and installations, but we have enough soldiers. Our main forces are thin, but we have two S-rank Keepers. I can stop them. Somehow.’

Kumakuma and Riashu were still in the territory. Though both were Keepers, they were more than enough to handle a single S-rank Raider. Furthermore, the High Elves and Hamolton were still in the Forest of Silence. It was entirely possible to annihilate the intruders before they even set foot in the dungeon proper.

’First, a surprise attack from the forest with S-rank soldiers.’

Edchan gathered the remaining forces from each dungeon and dispatched them to the High-lon Forest.

—

[Taehyun Yoo has suffered a critical injury.]

[He will be temporarily unconscious.]

The Dungeon Master was down. Or rather, in her attempt to save him, she had inadvertently caused his downfall. Hyena shook him for what felt like an eternity, but it was no use. He was already unconscious, his eyes peacefully closed.

“M-Master! You can’t do this! Please, wake up!” she cried.

“Hmph. Since our lord has fallen, we will wait,” Grai said, his voice firm. “Lady Hyena, please calm yourself. The message says he is only temporarily unconscious. He will wake soon.”

“But… this happened because of me.”

“You were only trying to save him, Lady Hyena. You have done nothing wrong.”

Taehyun had been unconscious during the Yuda raid as well. Grai calmed Hyena and glanced up into the trees.

“Wh-what? What happened?!”

Kadum, who had been scouting ahead, had returned. He froze at the sight of the fallen Taehyun, but that wasn’t the most pressing issue. Grai raised his Storm Sword as shadowy figures emerged from the foliage behind his comrade.

“Did you return with pursuers, Kadum?”

“Ah, calm down,” Kadum said quickly. “These are the beastmen Taehyun was looking for. When I mentioned the Guide, they said they would come to see for themselves.”

“That’s right,” a feminine voice called down from the canopy. “We just came to confirm if he is the Guide. Could you please step aside, Sir Knight?”

A woman descended gracefully from the branches. She had long fox ears, a swaying tail, and sharp, upturned eyes. She was clearly one of the beastmen they had been searching for. Wagging her tail lightly, she approached Taehyun.

“Don’t come any closer!” Hyena warned.

“Hmm. Then I can just watch from here, can’t I?” the woman purred.

“That’s…”

“Hah. Why are humans so full of complaints? Fine. I’ll watch from a little further away.”

Stepping back slightly, she summoned her mana, a golden light swirling around her hand. She directed the energy toward the unconscious Taehyun, probing to see if he was the true Guide. Suddenly, the gentle look in her eyes sharpened into pure killing intent.

“…Do you people have any idea what kind of being you’ve brought here?” she hissed.

“What kind of being?” Grai demanded. “Our lord is our lord!”

“To think that this ’lord’ of yours is a demon,” she spat, her voice dripping with disgust. “How utterly absurd. You have made a grave mistake. You will pay for the crime of mocking us with your lives.”

“Must you do this?” Kadum interjected. “You’re making a foolish decision.”

Dozens of beastmen dropped from the trees, their bodies glowing with the same golden mana. A battle was imminent. Grai signaled to Kadum and Hyena, assuming a defensive stance.

“Unwise? How ridiculous!” the fox woman sneered. “You only say that because you don’t know the fate of the Hobbits who lived in the North. They were our only friends, and they were all captured by the Dungeon Masters there and treated like common soldiers. And that was the best of it. At least they didn’t die. But during the last war between the demons, every last Hobbit was slaughtered. They were all sacrificed for the Dungeon Masters’ greed. And you dare tell me I’m being unwise?!”

The Hobbits, captured by Dungeon Masters, had been taken to various dungeons and used as slaves. With the outbreak of the demon war, the fourth race had been completely wiped out. Now, only the elves, dwarves, and beastmen remained on the continent, making the beastmen the last of the demi-human races.

[Fox Tribe Chieftain Pinyas has used Wild Instinct.]

[For a certain period, all physical stats will be doubled.]

[Wild Instinct Usage Limit 1/3]

Wild Instinct—the very skill Kadum had possessed before his evolution. Now, thirty beastmen were activating it at once.

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