Chapter 315: Episode 315

All of Balak’s supporters had gathered. Excluding Riel, they were all capable individuals who had been managing their respective areas of the dungeon.

There was Kinjo, who always loved to toy with Attackers; Butler Edchan, who, despite lacking a bit in skill, had managed the labyrinth well; and even the teddy bear Beder, who had focused on ’bus’ raid parties to create a charming dungeon.

They were the ones who had constantly worked together to develop Balak’s territory. They, too, had an obligation to witness this final defense against the raid.

“Hmm… Master Taehyun, wouldn’t it be better to summon a new supporter for Balak first? No matter how many of us have gathered, a supporter to manage the core of Balak would be more helpful.”

“No, you guys are enough for now. Even if I summoned a new supporter, I’d just be busy refilling their [Loyalty] and [Obedience].”

He wasn’t being swayed by emotion. He simply lacked faith in a new supporter.

Even if he summoned one through a Random Supporter Summon Card, their rank would be random, and he would have to raise their level and relationship stats all over again.

In a situation where he didn’t even have the luxury to use Evolution like he did with Riel, a new supporter would actually be a detriment.

[SSS-rank Attacker Pilseus has entered the territory.]

Exactly seven days had passed since the final battle in the Aneis Kingdom. For seven days, he had prepared desperately just to stop a single Absolute.

Now, the remaining Dungeon Masters, members of the Resistance, SS-rank Dungeon Masters, and himself included, numbered only about nine.

’Besides, I was tricked by Duke Nikunbel, which is why things ended up like this. It’s too late for regrets now.’

’Beware of Duke Nikunbel. That bastard is…’ Ah?

If the SS-rank dungeons were moving under Duke Nikunbel’s leadership, it meant his life as a Dungeon Master was nearing its end.

Since the rest of the dungeon’s Main Forces, excluding Pilseus, had already moved to the Celestial Realm along with the SS-rank Dungeon Masters, he had to stop this raid and follow after them.

’Is there an entity in the Celestial Realm that needs to be eliminated? Or is it just to exterminate the Angels?’

The only time Duke Nikunbel had directly interfered with the continent was during the Holy Kingdom invasion, which was assumed to be an event.

The fact that he was making a move now, having only shown his face through meetings since then, meant he was aiming for something.

’Then what was with the interest he showed me during the first meeting? Was it just a passing remark?’

In truth, his doubts about Duke Nikunbel were endless.

Not only did the exact items and equipment he needed appear as rewards every time, but Eclat becoming a permanent mercenary, the two special abilities, the World Tree’s seed, and so on, the ulterior motive of intentionally trying to foster his growth was glaringly obvious.

For him to now order Chahee to raid Balak made absolutely no sense.

[SSS-rank Attacker Pilseus has used Terrain Alteration.]

[The terrain of Hylon Forest changes to a desert terrain.]

However, as if refusing to give him a moment to think, the Absolute initiated the raid using a top-tier Exclusive Item.

The three supporters gasped in shock as they watched Hylon Forest instantly turn into a desert.

“I-Is that the power of an SSS-rank Exclusive Item?”

“To completely change the terrain itself… Is that truly the effect of an item?”

“Balak seems to be in danger… Whoa! I almost fell over. Phew.”

It was an SSS-rank Exclusive Item that transformed a terrain advantageous for ambushes into a wide-open field with completely exposed vision.

Because of this, the Ambush Soldiers hiding in the forest had their positions revealed and were forced into a frontal charge.

However, to an SSS-rank Attacker known as a one-man army, low-grade soldiers were nothing more than scarecrows.

Perhaps feeling there was no need to even use a skill, Pilseus simply raised his sword and met the Ambush Soldiers head-on.

A deafening rumble echoed across the plains.

Sand whipped up in all directions. It was a terrifying display of power that split the entire desert area with just a single swing of his sword.

It meant the effects of his equipment were just as exceptional.

The Ambush Soldiers had been sent solely to check his skills, but it seemed there would be no gains.

’At the very least, I’ll check his public information.’

Whether due to Chahee’s orders or purely out of his own confidence, the Absolute had openly revealed his information.

[Pilseus(?)]

[Rank: SSS (Forced)]

[Level: 167]

[Class: Dark Knight]

[Title: One Tainted by the Evil Dragon’s Energy]

[Affiliation: Dios (Forced)]

[Stress: 0]

[Condition: Cold-blooded (Forced)]

[Relationship with Allies: None]

[Description: Having reached the level of an SS-rank Attacker, Pilseus’s rank was semi-forcibly increased through the Evil Dragon’s Chain. Having become affiliated with Dios due to the Evil Dragon’s Energy, he has now obtained martial prowess capable of even cutting down Divine Power.]

’His rank was forcibly increased? If so, this guy wasn’t originally affiliated with a dungeon either. Just how on earth did they capture him? On top of that, martial prowess capable of cutting down Divine Power…’

Goosebumps erupted across his skin.

Even now, he was slaughtering hundreds of Ambush Soldiers with a single strike, but if Divine Power was being mentioned, it meant he was even stronger than that.

Many questions still remained regarding Pilseus’s true identity, but for now, he had to focus on stopping the raid.

Taehyun checked the infiltration soldiers that had been wiped out in an instant and began preparing the next battle area.

—

[You have entered the Celestial Realm Pletas.]

Along with the city in the sky, a magnificent tower revealed itself.

Perhaps having sensed the intruders beforehand, the Angels were busy erecting barriers starting from the entrance leading to the tower.

The four Dungeon Masters who had crossed over through the gate pulled out coins and tossed them as they spotted the Archangels among the Angels.

[You have used a Soldier Summon Coin.]

[You have used a Soldier Summon Coin.]

[You have used a Soldier Summon Coin.]

[You have used a Soldier Summon Coin.]

Soon, an army of over two hundred thousand soldiers was summoned.

If one included the Main Forces that had dealt with the Transcendents on the continent, it could be considered a substantial military force.

However, the Angels were beings who had infiltrated the Demonic King’s castle twenty years ago and sealed the Demonic King’s soul.

Even with four SS-rank Dungeon Masters banding together, they still lacked firepower.

Chahee stroked the shell of Tayvolk, who had been summoned to her side, and asked, “So, when is Duke Nikunbel coming?”

“He should be showing up soon with the Demons. By the way, is it really okay to send Pilseus to Balak all by himself?”

“You’re not actually worried about Pilseus, are you?”

“Make some sense. I’m actually worried about Balak. Duke Nikunbel clearly ordered us not to annihilate Taehyun just yet. But if that guy ends up annihilating Taehyun along with the Crystal Sphere, it’ll cause a disruption in the plan, won’t it?”

He was an Absolute that an S-rank dungeon couldn’t possibly handle.

Even though his rank was forcibly increased through Necrotic Energy, his martial prowess was impossible to match even with the Main Forces gathered here.

[The Demon Realm Grand Army led by Duke Nikunbel has appeared.]

Soon, the awaited Demon army appeared. Chahee pointed to the mage Main Force in the back and replied.

“Of course, I’ve set up the stages so that kind of situation won’t happen. I’d never abandon Taehwan in the first place. As long as Stage 5 isn’t activated, I can have him eliminate the God of Nature, Ameria, and return immediately. Well, I did give him a separate order to reach the final room and threaten him, though.”

“That’s a cruel prank. But for an S-rank like Balak, even Stage 3 will definitely be tough. By the way, was Pilseus’s real name Taehwan?”

“Tae. Hwan. Yoo. He’s the man I love and cherish the most. Once I get my reward from Nikunbel this time, we’ll be able to live together forever. Eek! Just imagining it makes me so happy.”

She was the very definition of a misguided, one-sided love.

The Dungeon Master of Bellotin, Seonwoo Jeong, shook his head and prepared to join the Demon Realm Grand Army.

Once this subjugation of the Celestial Realm was over, they would receive their promised rewards and be able to own a part of the dimension.

The SS-rank Dungeon Masters revealed their respective desires as they welcomed Duke Nikunbel.

—

[A-rank Top-tier Attacker Hicleu has cast True Eyes.]

[Secures vision of the Revived Plains for a set period of time.]

[True Eyes Usage Limit: 1/1]

The vision of the pitch-black plains brightened.

It was the limited-use skill of Hicleu, who had been living as the concubine(?) of Tyrant Kuma Kuma for the past few months.

—As expected of my favorite concubine. Kuma Kuma!

—Ugh, get lost, you stupid bear!

—I like this fiery personality of yours too. Kuma!

—Sigh. You’re nothing but a pervert.

Perhaps she had grown somewhat attached to him over time, as she didn’t coldly reject Kuma Kuma’s embrace like before.

However, the most important thing right now was Pilseus. Taehyun prepared his items as he confirmed Pilseus appearing in the Revived Plains.

“B-rank Named Supporter, Riel of Healing, greets her Master. I look forward to working with you.”

’Click.’

“…I cannot die.”

’Roll.’

“Nice to meet you. I’m Inhye Cha. And you?”

A heavy thud echoed as three items, purchased by investing all his finances, were placed on the table.

The supporters, who had come without hearing any news, dropped their jaws as they looked down at the items.

“A-Aren’t these SS-rank items?!”

“Are you saying Balak has become an SS-rank dungeon?”

“That’s amazing, Master Taehyun!”

The three(?) of them expressed their admiration.

They were high-grade Exclusive Items that only SS-rank Dungeon Masters could purchase from the shop.

Although they were one rank lower than Pilseus’s rank, it could be seen as tremendous growth.

’I invested all the special ability materials I obtained in the capital Ashlan, but even this might not be enough.’

Currently, Balak had achieved a massive increase in combat power through Evolution and Remake.

However, this wasn’t the end of his preparations.

Taehyun immediately sent a message to the remaining faction members in the faction community window.

[Dungeon Master of Antelos, Songyi Han, has visited.]

[Dungeon Master of Talos, Seonghwi, has visited.]

[Dungeon Master of Unix, Hyunjun Cho, has visited.]

[Dungeon Master of Grandal, Seungpil Seo, has visited.]

[Dungeon Master of Velvet, Seunghun Han, has visited.]

Familiar Dungeon Masters revealed themselves in the Master Room.

Except for the fact that one person was missing, they were all faction members with whom he had deep connections in one way or another.

’…did.’

Suddenly, Narae came to mind. She had conveyed her last words right before dying from a direct hit by the Absolute Slash.

Having clearly seen the shape of her mouth from right beside her, there was no way Taehyun wouldn’t know what those words were.

“With this number of people, we can’t even dream of subjugating the Demon Realm. When I think back to the time with Duke Centrix, I want to kill the newbie first, but the situation is too ambiguous for that. I’ll help you out for now. Here, you take the helm again this time.”

“Hmph. It’s obvious what they’ll do to the rest of us if they succeed in subjugating the Celestial Realm. We’re only helping because we have no other choice, Taehyun.”

“Taehyuuuun, I missed you!”

Along with Songyi, who threw herself into his arms, everyone chose to follow Balak. Taehyun looked at Seonghwi, Seungpil, and Seunghun, who had melee-type classes, and asked.

“In the case of you three, you might be annihilated during the battle. Are you still okay with this?”

“I don’t even have the right to refuse because of the contract anyway. As long as you give me the role of taking that bastard’s life, I don’t care.”

“If we’re destined to be annihilated even if we sit still, it’s much better to go down struggling. We’re purely doing this because there’s no other way. Don’t get the wrong idea.”

“I don’t think we had a choice to begin with.”

Perhaps because of Duke Nikunbel and the four SS-rank Dungeon Masters, all three of them were choosing to join.

—Argh! That bastard killed Inhye!

—We’ll end up fighting anyway. Calm down first.

—What kind of final battle happens right after joining Balak? I didn’t wish for this. Are you listening, Taehyun?!

—Haha. Despite being quite a distance away, there’s already an evil energy… Hmm. Come to think of it, it might be because of you, Ashlanche.

—Hmm. The key will be whether the Holy Sword works first.

Soon, they were moved to the positions where the Main Forces were deployed alongside the dungeon soldiers.

It was a situation where not only the existing S-rank soldiers but also the newly summoned SS-rank soldiers were realigning their ranks.

’I will absolutely not die here. I will definitely kill you and wipe out every last one of those bastards in the Celestial Realm.’

Taehyun kept his eyes on Pilseus, who was drawing his sword, and issued his commands.

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