Chapter 263: Episode 263

“Mmm.”

Songyi stirred in his arms. After running around Heimdal for so long, she was understandably exhausted.

’That supporter, Rubin, must be managing Antelos,’ Taehyun thought. With its Dungeon Master away, the supporter had to take full responsibility for its defense.

He tried to lay Songyi down on the bed, but she was clinging to him so tightly it was nearly impossible.

“Songyi?”

“Mmm. Taehyun… don’t go.”

“Well, I guess it doesn’t matter.” He’d somehow fallen into the role of a babysitter, but he was getting used to it. Sitting in an awkward position, he pulled up the dungeon’s information window.

[Dungeon Name: Balak]

[Master: Taehyun Yoo]

[Rank: S (Stage 2)]

[Location: A cave deep within the Silent Valley, on the western frontier of the Astral Continent.]

[Supporter: Riel of Healing (B)]

[Boss: Maurat, Gottman]

[Mercenary: None]

[Guardians & Keepers: Grai, Rabiz, Riashu, Krodin, Kumakuma]

Balak had reached Stage 2. The two newly evolved Minotaurs had taken over as bosses, and with the addition of Kumakuma from Heimdal, his forces were more formidable than ever. Still, as he glanced between the empty mercenary slot and Riel’s B-rank status, he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was lacking.

’Riel’s utility has dropped off significantly. As the dungeon’s rank increased, I’ve left her to manage the territory. Maybe I should evolve her while I’m deciding on a mercenary.’

In the early days, she had been indispensable, but with his ranks of elite soldiers swelling, she was rarely deployed in battle anymore. He immediately summoned her.

“You called for me?” Riel asked, appearing in a soft glow.

“Yes. It’s time to evolve you. Are you ready for that?”

“Of course,” she replied without hesitation. “I’ve been worried lately that I’m not as useful as I once was. If it will help you, Master Taehyun, I will accept any change.”

“I’m not forcing you…” he started, but then he felt a sudden, sharp intensity in her gaze. “Ahem. I mean, you should evolve, right?”

Hastily changing his tune, he activated Evolution.

[Evolution Successful!]

[Evolution Successful!]

[Evolution Successful!]

[Evolution Successful!]

He had already stockpiled enough Priest Soulstones and rank-up Magic Stones. In a flash of light, Riel ascended to A-rank.

[B-rank Named Supporter, Riel of Healing, has successfully evolved.]

[A-rank Hero Supporter, Angel in White Riel, has been born.]

When the light faded, a more mature Riel stood before him. Her Divinity felt purer, nobler. Just standing near her was a soothing experience. Taehyun’s eyes drifted to her now more voluptuous chest, and a bead of sweat trickled down his temple.

“Have I finally become an A-rank supporter?” she asked, her voice filled with wonder.

“Mm. It seems not only your rank but your… physical attributes have leveled up as well.”

“Pardon?”

“Nothing. Let’s check your status window.” He needed to see her new skills and abilities.

[Angel in White Riel]

[Rank: A (Hero)]

[Level: 1]

[Class: Priest]

[Title: Noble Angel of Healing]

[Affiliation: Balak]

[Loyalty: 94]

[Favorability: 100]

[Obedience: 97]

[Skill: Sacred Prayer]

[Special Ability: Source of Life]

[Strength: 2] [Endurance: 3] [Agility: 2] [Stamina: 3]

[Mana: 7] [Divinity: 43] [Affinity: 35] [Luck: 27]

Her stats had certainly improved. Now for the skills.

“Riel, cast Sacred Prayer on me.”

“Understood.” She immediately knelt and began to pray. Bright streams of light radiated from her, filling the room.

[A-rank Hero Supporter, Angel in White Riel, has cast Sacred Prayer.]

[The designated target’s innate life force is doubled for a certain period.]

A heavenly harmony washed over him as Divinity seeped into his very being. Innate life force—the essential energy of existence itself. Doubling that, even temporarily, would drastically reduce the damage he could take.

“This is excellent. How much Divinity does it consume?”

“Because my level was reset, it’s a bit taxing,” she admitted. “In my current state, I can probably only use it twice.”

“What about your special ability?”

“Ah, one moment.” Following her prayer, she activated Source of Life.

[A-rank Hero Supporter, Angel in White Riel, has activated the special ability ’Source of Life.’]

[An area of Divinity is declared around the caster for a certain period.]

[The natural healing of allies who enter the area is increased by 15%.]

[Source of Life Usage Limit 1/1]

The Master Room was bathed in a gentle green light. The declared area, like a mobile safety zone, possessed a tremendous effect.

“A 15% boost to natural healing… This is incredible. It’s on a completely different level from a standard priest’s barrier.”

“I-I’m glad I can be helpful,” she said, blushing slightly.

“You’ve worked hard. Go back and rest for now. I’ll send you to the Ice Palace later to level up.”

“Yes. Then, if you don’t mind, I will rest for a little while.”

Having used so much of her power right after her level was reset, she was understandably drained. After sending Riel off, Taehyun moved on to the next task.

—

[Darkblind Lord Ashuanin has been officially hired as a mercenary.]

[Darkblind Lord Ashuanin is assigned as a direct mercenary for 60 days.]

[Upon expiration of the contract, he can be reassigned based on the decision to re-employ.]

A knight clad in black full-plate armor knelt on one knee, paying his respects.

“An excellent choice,” the knight’s voice boomed from behind his helm. “For sixty days, I shall pledge my loyalty as your direct mercenary.”

“Why?!” a demonic voice roared. “Why in the hell did you hire that trash? He is an inferior being compared to me!”

“I am curious as to why you chose that knight over me,” a serene, feminine voice added.

The two mercenaries standing beside him—the Abyssal Demon Solrian and the Great Spirit of the Lake, Manuria—were clearly displeased. Taehyun, still holding a sleeping Songyi, gave them a simple explanation.

“First, Solrian, you’re a demon. I can’t trust you not to betray me, contract or not. Besides, I don’t like your face.”

“Damn you, Dungeon Master!”

“And Manuria, you’re a spirit of the lake. Your abilities are impressive, but Balak doesn’t have a lake. I’ve got more than enough spirits as it is, and I’m not about to build you a pond.”

“I’m speechless…”

With their questions answered, the two disgruntled beings vanished back to their home dimensions. Taehyun’s arm was going numb, so he gently set Songyi down and examined Ashuanin’s information.

[Darkblind Lord Ashuanin]

[Rank: S]

[Level: 78]

[Class: Shield Knight]

[Title: Bloodwind of the Black Moon Alliance]

[Affiliation: Darkblind (Direct Contract)]

[Loyalty: 50]

[Favorability: 40]

[Obedience: 40]

[Skills: Lord’s Demeanor, Blade of Advance, Sentence of Doom, One-Man Army, Blood-soaked Legion]

[Special Ability: Calamity of the Black Moon]

[Strength: 87] [Endurance: 76] [Agility: 32] [Stamina: 77]

[Mana: 9] [Divinity: 3] [Affinity: 2] [Luck: 15]

He was a classic lord-type mercenary. His skills were all specialized for command and large-scale tactics. Combined with his high stats as a Shield Knight, he was perfect for leading an army.

“From now on, you will lead a unit each time you are summoned. You seem to have plenty of experience as a lord, so I trust you are capable.”

“I am the Darkblind Lord who has crushed countless armies in my own world,” Ashuanin declared. “Whatever force you command, I can lead it to victory.”

“Reliable. You may return for now.”

“I shall be waiting.”

Ashuanin faded back to his dimension. The mercenary contract was settled. He would miss the raw power of his former mercenary, Raimond, but as his forces grew, a commander had become a far greater necessity.

“Taehyun, is it over?” Songyi asked, rubbing her eyes.

“I just signed the mercenary. By the way, Songyi, don’t you need to get back?”

“Mmm-hmm. Rubin will take care of everything.”

“He really has it rough… Come to think of it, I’ve never seen your mercenary. Can you summon it here?”

He hadn’t seen it during his visit to Antelos. As an A-rank dungeon, she surely had one. Songyi nodded and shook the doll in her arms awake.

[A-rank Dungeon Master Han Songyi has cast Summon Mercenary.]

[S-rank Mercenary Knight Dream has been summoned.]

The doll in her arms twitched and came to life. Knight Dream blinked its button eyes and let out a huge yawn.

“Hwaaam. Been a while. So, what’s up?”

“I wanted to introduce you,” Songyi said.

“Oh yeah? To who?”

“To Taehyun.”

She pointed at him. Knight Dream tilted its head, and then its stitched mouth gaped wide open, revealing rows of needle-sharp teeth.

“So you want me to eat this guy?!”

Its attitude flipped in an instant. The cute doll transformed into a monster straight out of a horror movie, its gaze fixed menacingly on Taehyun. But Songyi just shook her head and smacked it on the back of the head.

“Ack!”

“No. Taehyun is precious to me.”

“Ugh. Should’ve said so sooner.”

Returning to its harmless form, Knight Dream became docile once more. Taehyun, who had been staring blankly, finally snapped out of it.

“That’s a… decent mercenary. But maybe it’s better not to summon it too often.”

“Yeah,” Songyi agreed. “That’s why I usually don’t.”

“You little—in front of me—Gack!”

The teddy bear received another sharp smack to the head.

—

[Supporters: Riel, Kinjo, Edchan, Veder]

[Mercenaries: Eclat, Ashuanin]

[Guardians: Grai, Mederia, Rabiz, Krodin]

[Keepers: Angelina, Kumakuma, Riashu, Tartas]

[Raiders: Hera, Hendy, Eleonora, Cheddar, Roquin, Drofin, Karon, Kadum]

[Main Force Soldiers: Larkan, Grizzle, Granzle, Bigdream, Maurat, Gottman, Confus, Haguru, Mandra, Pargal Clan, High Elves, Beastmen Chieftain, Hasla, Hamolton]

[S-rank Soldiers: Hydra, Gryphon]

[A-rank Soldiers: Basilisk, Nightmare, Hell Hound, Venitas Gargoyle, Giant Ballista Drake, Abyssal Knight, Golden Mimic, Ancient Skeleton Soldier]

[B-rank Soldiers: Elves, Beastmen, Dungeon Residents, Black Lizardmen, Hobgoblins, Flash Fenrir, Armored Trolls, Wind Harpies, Moonlight Werewolves, Blessed Direct Fairies, Red-Horned Centaurs, Catapult Drakes (Modified), Giant Crossbow Drakes (Modified), Merchant Guild Wyverns, Butcher Minotaurs]

[Support Soldiers: Larkan, Tuperus, Rough Rock Tribe, Dungeon Residents]

He had created a clean, organized roster of his forces, far easier to parse than the dungeon information window. Thanks to Evolution, he no longer had any soldiers below C-rank. His army was composed entirely of units befitting an S-rank dungeon. Taehyun scanned the diverse list, deep in thought.

’The Pargal clan soldiers are a definite keep. Grai and Mederia have a few skills I’m not happy with. Rabiz’s skills are all support-based; besides her teleport, she has no real offensive power. Eleonora and Hendy, too. And Bigdream’s special ability is good, but it could be better.’

The Remake ability was a complete re-creation. Even with the right materials, a good result wasn’t guaranteed. If he got a useless effect, he might have to repeat the process dozens of times. He made his decision and summoned the most straightforward candidate first: Grai.

“I heard you summoned me, my lord.”

“Have a seat.”

“Ah, yes.”

Grai, who had been standing awkwardly, sat across from him. Taehyun activated Remake and examined his skills.

[Remakeable Skills: Half-Moon Storm Sword, Unwavering Conviction, Earth Shatter, Expression of Will, Claymore]

After evolving into an A-rank Hero Guardian, his skills had changed significantly. The one that stood out was Claymore.

[Claymore: Swings a greatsword forward, launching an explosive slash at enemies within a certain range.]

’An explosive slash… It’s a limited-use skill, yet it’s weaker than Half-Moon Storm Sword. I’ll start with this one.’

Even if the Remake failed, the new skill couldn’t possibly be worse than the current one. He immediately activated the ability.

[Remaking the skill ’Claymore’ of A-rank Hero Guardian, Silent Knight Grai.]

[The skill Claymore has been changed.]

A new skill was born. Grai watched him with an expectant expression. Taehyun’s own expression, however, was grim.

[Knight’s Dance: Plunges the sword into the ground and performs the traditional knight’s dance of the Lothric family. Temporarily distracts the opponent’s vision.]

It was utterly useless. The limited-use skill Claymore had been instantly transformed into a pointless party trick. Taehyun hesitated for a moment before speaking.

“It’s not done yet… Wait a little longer.”

The long process of reforging his main forces had just begun.

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