Chapter 264: Episode 264

[Remaking the skill ’Saw Blade Cleave’ of Pargal clan soldier, Rumenko.]

[Remaking the skill ’Magic Convergence’ of A-rank Hero Guardian, Celestial Archfey Mederia.]

[Remaking the skill ’Spatial Domination’ of A-rank Hero Guardian, Pioneer of Space Rabiz.]

One after another, skills were reforged. He was already on his dozenth attempt at Remake. The random nature of the effects was consuming far more materials than he had anticipated.

“A divine blessing! The god has bestowed a blessing upon us!” a Pargal soldier cried out.

Taehyun sighed, rubbing his temples. “I guess the Pargal clan is mostly finished. And I’ve remade the skills for a few of the main forces. The basic restructuring should be complete.”

While the Pargal clan soldiers cheered, Taehyun was completely drained. He had been forced to repeat the process over and over, discarding one disappointing result after another. He let out a long breath and reviewed the newly forged primary skills.

[Grai/Silent Battlefield: Declares the field around the caster as his domain. For a certain period, all swordsmanship proficiency is doubled.]

[Mederia/Attribute Change: Imbues an arrow with the caster’s desired attribute. The attribute is maintained for a certain period and can be changed upon deactivating the skill.]

[Rabiz/Restricted Space: Creates a space with a specific rule within a certain range. Inside, enemies must always move in pairs. If the rule is broken, they receive a critical hit penalty.]

His efforts had paid off. The skills of his three key guardians had evolved significantly. Rabiz’s new ability, in particular, would be a nightmare for any invading raid party. Satisfied, he summoned Karon.

“I heard you called for me,” Karon said as he entered. “Don’t tell me I’m being sent into battle again?”

“Sit down. I’m going to take a look at your enchanter skills.”

“Hmm. I don’t know what you mean, but alright.”

Karon was an A-rank, top-tier enchanter. He had once arrived as an enemy with the Tarantula raid party, but now he was just another one of Balak’s assets. His tone had changed accordingly. Taehyun activated Remake and examined his skills.

[Remakeable Skills: Vigor of Strength, Vigor of Agility, Vigor of Stamina, Vigor of Magic, Earth’s Vigor]

There was no need to touch the four primary stat enchantments. The obvious candidate for a Remake was Earth’s Vigor.

[Remaking the skill ’Earth’s Vigor’ of A-rank top-tier raider Karon Deik.]

[The skill Earth’s Vigor has been changed.]

A new skill was born. This time, unlike with Grai, the result was an immediate success. Even the name was promising.

[Holy Power’s Vigor: Temporarily increases the Divinity of all soldiers.]

The description was simple, but Divinity was the lifeblood of priests. It was infinitely more useful than Earth’s Vigor.

“That’s it. You can go.”

“Huh? That’s all? How anticlimactic.”

“I changed one of your skills. You can check it out for yourself later.”

“Hmm. If you say so.” No raider would complain about getting stronger. As Karon left the Master Room, the next candidate entered.

“A lot of the main forces are visiting today,” Eleonora noted with a graceful smile. “I assume I’m here for the same reason?”

She was an A-rank, top-tier priest whose one-time skill, God’s Teaching, had been a great help. Taehyun gestured for her to sit and examined her skills.

[Remakeable Skills: Primeval Light, Shadow that Erases Existence, Magic Nullification Barrier, God’s Teaching, Sacred Blessing]

He had experienced two of these skills firsthand during her raid. The one he needed to change was God’s Teaching.

’This is a huge gamble,’ he thought. ’I have enough materials, but the result could be worse.’

Excessive greed could lead to disaster. But Taehyun decided to bet on it anyway.

[Remaking the skill ’God’s Teaching’ of A-rank top-tier raider Eleonora.]

[The skill God’s Teaching has been changed.]

Finally, the new skill was created. He felt a surge of tension, like enhancing a rare item in an online game.

[God’s Revelation: Declares an area on the field around the caster for a certain period. The area’s barrier minimizes skill damage and its durability automatically recovers. Additionally, beings outside the area cannot perceive those inside.]

It was the third area-of-effect skill, after Riel’s and Grai’s. Compared to the old God’s Teaching, this Remake was a resounding success.

’The auto-recovery was there before, but damage minimization and perception nullification are new. This is far more versatile.’

Pleased, he explained the new skill to her.

“With an effect like that, I’ll be able to handle enemies much more easily,” she said, her eyes lighting up. “I like it very much.”

“It’s an area declaration skill, so you won’t be able to maintain it indefinitely like before. Keep that in mind.”

“Yes, thank you, as always,” she said, her tone softening. “By the way, Mr. Taehyun, do you have a moment? I’ve had something on my mind lately. Would you mind listening?”

She gracefully swept a lock of hair from her face and leaned forward, offering a glimpse beneath her robes. It was clearly not a simple concern. Taehyun studied her for a long moment before giving his answer.

“Next.”

—

By the end of the day, the general overhaul of his forces’ skills was complete. There had been a few failures, resulting in some utterly useless abilities, but the gains far outweighed the losses. With the enhancement of his army more or less finished, Taehyun turned his attention to the dungeon’s internal management.

[Traps: Sticky Trap, Hunting Trap, Arrow Trap, Deep Pit, Magic Nullification Trap, Rolling Boulder, Wall Spikes, Binding Net, Illusion Formation, Flame Trap, Sacrificial Coffin, Skill Nullification Trap, Radar Sealing Trap, Skill Restriction Prison, Helpless Struggle, Cruel Wheel, Shadow Cage, Item Sealing Trap, Environment Alteration Altar]

[Installations: Abyssal Flower Landrozel, Madria’s Bookshelf, Ghastly Spider Eggs, Glittering Sack, Thick Chest, Low-grade Magic Turret, Mid-grade Magic Turret, Mysterious Magic Powder, Merchant’s Corpse, Lost Cat, Soldier’s Corpse, High-grade Magic Turret, Gold and Silver Treasury, Suspicious Gate, Screaming Goblin]

[Modifications & Changes: Corridor Variation (Stage 8), Room Position Variation (Stage 6), Corridor Length Variation (Stage 9), Room Size Expansion (Stage 12), Forest Environment (Stage 9), Corridor Modification (Stage 9), Corridor Size Expansion (Stage 10), Overall Dungeon Scale Expansion (Stage 0)]

[Rooms: 49]

[Dungeon Status: Balak currently surpasses the level of an ordinary S-rank dungeon. The territory’s combat power has been strengthened by the three demi-human races, and the army’s firepower has increased through numerous main units. However, the dungeon’s internal traps and installations are severely lacking. The defenses must be promptly reinforced with traps and installations befitting its rank.]

He had barely touched the dungeon’s interior since it had become S-rank. The A-rank traps had been effective against the Yuda raid party, but the situation had changed.

’Since the territory itself is a combat zone, most raiders die before they even enter the dungeon.’

Between the elves and Elder Hamolton in the Silent Forest, the beastmen and Great Chieftain Hasla defending the territory, and the dwarves crafting superior equipment and siege weapons, he had enough power to annihilate most raid parties before they even reached the entrance. However, with S-rank raiders on their way, he could no longer neglect his internal defenses.

’S-rank raiders have all sorts of bizarre special abilities and exclusive items. They might be able to bypass the Silent Forest entirely.’

He needed to purchase A-rank and S-rank traps and installations. He began browsing the system shop when Songyi returned from her playtime in Heimdal.

“Taehyun, the faction members in the North are having a hard time with the Frost Queen’s army,” she reported.

“Hmm. Come to think of it, Narae is probably in danger. Since we’re allies, I suppose I should help her out.”

He didn’t care about the other faction members, but Narae was different. She was on the verge of reaching S-rank herself; she wasn’t a piece he could afford to lose.

’The Resistance faction’s ultimate goal is to conquer the Demon Realm. That means Seonghwi’s reason for ordering Jeong Hwan-hee to gather magic is simple.’

The third ability of the Magic Jade hadn’t been a coincidence. Seonghwi was undoubtedly aiming for the Demon Realm gate as well. By stealing the magic, Taehyun had also stolen the authority to open that gate. The decision-making power within the faction was now his alone, which meant Narae would have no choice but to follow his lead. He glanced at his new S-rank Dungeon Master skill and smiled.

’Katarniac is built like a castle, which makes it a very conspicuous target. You should be grateful to me, Min Narae.’

—

Rahamut, the capital. It was the heart of the Moderland Empire, a great city nestled beyond the Venus Snowy Mountains. Its emperor, Lugonis, was renowned for his wisdom. He had secured trade routes, formed alliances, and supported the northern Raider’s Association, bringing prosperity and strength to his nation. While its military might paled in comparison to the Derk Empire, it was still a major power in the North.

But with the awakening of Yuslan, all of it had crumbled. The empire’s cities had fallen to the frost army, their functions ceasing one by one. Now, that army had crossed the Venus Snowy Mountains and was gazing upon the capital itself.

“Damn Yetis! There are so many of them!” a raider roared.

“Ice Trolls over here, too! Stay focused!”

“Watch out! Frost Knights!”

Raiders from all over had gathered to stand against the tide. They were now on the front lines, facing the full might of the frost army.

“Kuaaaargh!”

“Shut up, you beast!” S-rank raider Kindrick bellowed, his massive halberd cleaving a Yeti in two. That was his fiftieth. He had been fighting for hours, but the monsters were still pouring in, an endless wave of white fur and blue ice. Spotting a contingent of Frost Knights charging in the distance, he called to his comrade.

“Reginis, with me!”

“Dammit, more Frost Knights? On it!”

The two S-rank raiders shot forward, leaping into the air and unleashing their skills in unison.

[Casting Thor’s Wrath.]

[Casting Absolute Wood Wall.]

A halberd crackling with lightning flew into the midst of the Frost Knights, and a massive wall of enchanted wood erupted from the ground, encircling them. The combined power of two S-rank raiders exploded across the battlefield.

’BZZZZZT!’

A tremendous electric current arced between the walls, flash-frying everything within. The Frost Knights scrambled to escape, but the wooden prison was absolute.

[The A-rank Frost Knights have been annihilated.]

Trapped and helpless, the knights were utterly destroyed, a testament to the raiders’ power.

“Hoo.’ That should buy us a little time,” Reginis panted.

“Hmph. What’s the use? They’ll just keep coming,” Kindrick grumbled. “I’m getting my halberd.”

He started walking across the field of corpses to retrieve his weapon. At that moment, a shadow fell over him. A troll of immense size plummeted from the sky.

’KWAAANG!’

A crater formed where it landed. Kindrick and Reginis scrambled back, staring up at the behemoth.

“H-how is it so big?” Reginis stammered. “And what is that armor?”

“Look!” Kindrick yelled, pointing. “On its shoulder!”

A woman with flowing blue hair sat leisurely on the Ice Troll’s shoulder, surveying the battlefield. After a moment, her cold gaze fell upon the two raiders.

“You possess considerable energy,” she said, her voice like the winter wind. “You must be counted among the strong on this continent.”

“You… you’re the Frost Queen, Yuslan!” Kindrick spat.

“Is there a need for me to answer?” she replied with a faint, cruel smile. “You can experience it for yourselves.”

“Grr. Fine! We’ll show you what we’re made of!”

The death of the witch would mean the end of her army. Unwilling to miss this chance, Kindrick charged, swinging his halberd. But in that instant, razor-sharp crystals of ice erupted from the ground, piercing his body from all sides.

“ACK!”

“K-Kindrick!”

Panicked, Reginis tried to cast a skill, but it was too late. Yuslan’s icy gaze was already fixed on him.

[SS-rank Frost Queen Yuslan has cast Frost Crystallization.]

[The designated target is trapped in a frost crystal.]

Ice crept up his body, starting from his legs. The crystallization was absolute, impossible to escape.

“N-no…”

In his final moments, Reginis was encased in a tomb of ice. Yuslan looked at the two frozen statues and gave a simple command.

“Shatter them.”

“Kuaaaaargh!” the Ice Troll roared.

With a furious cry, it swung its massive fist.

The ground shattered along with the crystal that held Reginis. Now, not even a trace of the two S-rank raiders remained. Yuslan gazed toward the capital, recalling the words of the demon who had freed her.

“And as for ruling the continent again… you’ll find it challenging. The nations I mentioned have military power to rival your own. Plus, they have Superhumans who have transcended mortal limits. It’ll be difficult, even for you.”

She had let him go then, still weak from her long imprisonment, but his words lingered.

“The Enais Kingdom, the Ain Kart Holy Kingdom, and the Derk Empire, was it?” she whispered to the wind. “I do not know how great they claim to be, but I will show them they are nothing before the witch Yuslan. First, I will take the Moderland Empire. Then, I will strike the Derk Empire.”

In that moment, Yuslan’s first objective was set.

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