[The Zephyrin Mine has been discovered within Balak's territory.]

[The Anamanto Mine has been discovered within Balak's territory.]

Four days after putting Chief Meldon in charge, the hidden mines were discovered. The primary ore was iron, and the villagers immediately began their work. With soldiers dispatched to eliminate any threats, the mines were developed without incident.

"You demon baaaastard!" Lord Lawrence of Crowley roared from his cell. "You swore you wouldn't touch the territories, yet you turn them into dungeons! Is this how you operate?!" He was furious at Taehyun's deception. He had written a letter recognizing Taehyun as his successor on the condition that his territories remain untouched, only for Behetl and Lemagal to be completely transformed.

"I certainly made a promise," Taehyun replied coolly. "But you said you don't believe demons. Demons don't keep promises."

"Aaargh! I'll kill you! I'll kill you for this!"

"Kill me all you want while you rot in this prison for the rest of your life."

And so, Lawrence was returned to his cell. With only the small city of Partren remaining of Crowley's domain, the viscount was of no further use. Taehyun returned to the Master Room and studied the World Map.

[B-rank Dungeon Leviathan]

Dungeon Leviathan was located just across the Halung Plains. Taehyun had already confirmed its location through his communications with Junhyun. No matter what move Kyunghee made, she would have to cross the plains, making her visible long before she reached him.

'From the moment Seonghwi revealed I was Balak's master, joining hands to strike other factions was impossible,' he reasoned. 'It's better to get rid of this bitch first, then take on the other two myself.'

Two B-rank Dungeon Masters. It would be a tough fight, even with his integrated dungeon. But Taehyun had acquired many new assets. He was confident he could face them, even without Kyunghee on his side.

'The order to eliminate other factions begins in a few days. I'll destroy Leviathan before then and clean up the rest.' By the time he dealt with the rival Dungeon Masters and Leviathan, the city of Myol would be complete. He would also have a steady Zen income from selling iron ore. By gradually developing his territory, he could fully prepare for his inevitable confrontation with Junhyun.

'Later, with Larkan's help, I can develop the territory into a proper city. When that happens, my symbiotic relationship with the raiders will deepen, and I might even be able to operate the other four dungeons.'

Larkan was currently overseeing the restoration of Myol with the villagers. Once the city was complete, Balak would become the undisputed center of the West. The ruler of the West. As the only major dungeon in the region, he could monopolize the raider economy. But to do that, he had to eliminate all the other B-rank Dungeon Masters first. Seonghwi must have anticipated this, fanning the flames to make him grow stronger, to forge him into a more powerful piece on his board.

'I have no intention of becoming a pawn on your chessboard,' Taehyun thought, a cold smile touching his lips. 'I'll devour everyone just as you wanted and become a monster you can't even touch.' That included the Resistance and, if they got in his way, Mihye's faction as well.

First, he contacted his supporters. "I'm locking the dungeon doors for a few days. Block all raiders from entering the territory and kick out anyone currently inside. Try not to kill them if you can help it."

"Understood."

"I will carry out the order."

With that, the interference from raiders was eliminated. He would lose a few days of Zen income, but facing other Dungeon Masters meant he had to be prepared for damage to his own territory.

"Rabiz. Summon everyone I call, now."

"Understood."

Next, Taehyun gathered all of Balak's main forces. With dungeon operations on hold, he could mobilize the guardians and supporters from his other dungeons as well.

[B-rank Hero Guardian Orc Swordsman Grai has been summoned.]

[B-rank Named Guardian Mana Bullet Marksman Mederia has been summoned.]

[B-rank Named Keeper Angelina of Pleasure has been summoned.]

One by one, his most powerful assets gathered in the Master Room.

---

[A presence has been detected by the watchtower.]

[Leviathan's soldiers have appeared from the Halung Plains.]

[Leviathan's A-rank Named Guardian Dike has appeared.]

[Leviathan's A-rank Named Guardian Solomon has appeared.]

[Leviathan's Dungeon Master Kyunghee Min has appeared.]

As predicted, Leviathan was on the move. Kyunghee, now openly hostile, had mobilized her entire army and advanced to the Halung Plains. She appeared with her soldiers and sent a message.

"I'm going to teach you a proper lesson this time. You might be smug after growing so quickly, but the Dungeon Masters of the Resistance are on a different level. I can't kill you because of Seonghwi, but you're in for a serious scolding."

Still clinging to her pride as a senior, she spoke of educating her junior. Taehyun scoffed and replied.

"You crazy bitch. Still haven't come to your senses. We'll have to wait and see who gets scolded, won't we?"

"Eek! You're the lowest of the low in the Resistance! Everyone, begin!"

The bombardment from her siege units began, and the buildings in the Ones and Twos regions crumbled instantly. Taehyun focused on a marker on the Halung Plains and activated a location transfer item.

[Location Transfer has been used.]

[The location of Grai and the surprise attack unit will be changed to the saved previous location.]

Grai and his elite unit, who were on standby, were about to materialize on the plains.

"Not so fast!" Kyunghee's voice rang out.

At that moment, as if she had anticipated the move, she used a nullification item.

[Dungeon Leviathan has activated 'Item Nullification'.]

[Location Transfer is canceled.]

[Grai and the surprise attack unit's location transfer has failed.]

The transfer failed. Kyunghee's mocking laughter echoed through the communication channel.

"I could see that coming with my eyes closed. Is this all you've got, Dungeon Master of Balak? Yoo. Tae. Hyun?"

She was now completely full of herself.

Beginning with a barrage from her siege units, she advanced the rest of her soldiers. Shield-bearers formed the vanguard, followed by soldiers of various classes, all swarming into Balak's territory. In their midst, two A-rank Guardians commanded the invasion.

"What will you do now, Master Taehyun?" Riel asked, her voice calm as she watched the scene unfold. Taehyun and his forces were positioned in the Threes region.

"What do you mean, 'what now'?" Taehyun replied, a predatory grin spreading across his face. "It's time to toy with them."

"But they have two A-rank Named Guardians. On top of that, we're vastly outnumbered. You should avoid a direct confrontation until we deal with their siege units."

"It's a significant disadvantage, I'll admit. But," he said, his voice dropping, "as long as that bitch has used Item Nullification, there's no defeat for me. They're all going to be annihilated right here."

With a smirk, Taehyun sent out all his forces. Angelina led the shield-bearers forward, with Mederia and Grai following close behind.

"Riel, you need to go too."

"Yes. I'm on my way."

Riel moved out to support the troops, accompanied by the elves who had re-classed as Priests.

Taehyun remained in the rear with his catapults and took out Seira's Baton.

[Seira's Baton]

[Rank: B]

[Requirement: Level 40 or higher, Commander or Conductor-type classes]

[Description: This is Seira's Baton, a rare-grade item. The baton she created increases the wielder's Affinity during battle.]

It was the very piece of equipment he had obtained from the normal difficulty of Yuslan's Ice Palace.

It was a B-rank item he had kept tucked away in his inventory, but now was the time to use it. Gripping the command baton, Taehyun began to orchestrate his troops.

'Shield bearers, tighten your formation and brace for the bombardment!'

[The Command skill has been activated.]

[The soldiers' reaction speed is continuously increasing.]

[The effect of the Affinity skill has been activated.]

[The soldiers are beginning to grasp Master Taehyun's commands.]

[The effect of Seira's Command Baton has been activated.]

[The soldiers are beginning to understand Master Taehyun's commands with remarkable speed.]

A cascade of command effects was activated, and the shield bearers clustered together, weathering the barrage.

'Catapult Drakes, use your extended range and target their ranged units first.'

With a series of deafening booms and cracks, the modified Catapult Drakes unleashed their payload. Leviathan's mages and archers, caught completely off guard by the unexpected range, took direct hits. Kyunghee belatedly managed to deploy a barrier through her Guardian.

[A-rank Named Guardian Solomon has cast Shield of the Wise.]

[A barrier has formed around Leviathan's ranged soldiers.]

A barrier of immense size enveloped the rear troops. As expected of an A-rank Named Guardian's skill, its power was undeniable, effortlessly withstanding the firepower of the modified Catapult Drakes.

'Shield bearer unit, advance in step with the melee forces. Punch right through their center.'

The shield bearers charged forward alongside the melee soldiers, clashing with Leviathan's forces in a brutal shoving match. Angelina, having cast a sacred buff unique to paladins upon herself, led the charge. Just then, the enemy Guardian, Dyke, materialized before her.

[A-rank Named Guardian Dyke has used Apotheosis.]

[The energy of Titan, the God of War, envelops Dyke.]

Dyke emanated a formidable aura as he gripped a massive greatsword.

'Grai, can you handle him?' Taehyun projected.

—"Honestly, it's impossible for me alone. With Angelina and Mederia, I think we can barely hold him off."

'Then do it.'

—"Understood."

As expected of an A-rank Named Guardian, Dyke was already unleashing powerful skills. Taehyun assigned three of his own Guardians to tie him up and minimize casualties among his soldiers. At that moment, a wave of buffs washed over Dyke and his formation.

[B-rank Dungeon Master Kyunghee Min has used a buff item.]

[The morale of Leviathan's forces is boosted.]

[The stats of Leviathan's forces are increased for a set time.]

[The skill critical rate of Leviathan's forces is increased for a set time.]

'So, she's playing her buff items first?'

She had to be aware of the Effect Reversal Card, yet she used them anyway. Taehyun's gaze flickered to Solomon, who stood beside Kyunghee in the rear.

'That means he either possesses buff skills of his own or a counter to the Effect Reversal Card.'

Kyunghee was sharp; she would save her card as a countermeasure. She must have played her buff items first, confident in Solomon's abilities.

'So I have to take him out first. Is that it?'

With A-rank Named Guardians positioned in both the vanguard and the rearguard, this battle would be anything but easy. Both sides were already trading blows with their siege units, and Dyke looked unnervingly relaxed even while facing three of Taehyun's Guardians. Taehyun decided to play his own hand, pulling out a buff item.

[The morale of Balak's forces is boosted.]

[The stats of Balak's forces are increased for a set time.]

[The skill critical rate of Balak's forces is increased for a set time.]

Balak's soldiers, who had been on the verge of being pushed back, surged with newfound power. But at that very moment, Kyunghee played her card.

[B-rank Dungeon Master Kyunghee Min has used the Effect Reversal Card.]

[The buffs on Balak's forces are converted into debuffs.]

[The overall morale of Balak's forces plummets.]

[The stats of Balak's forces are decreased for a set time.]

[The skill critical rate of Balak's forces is decreased for a set time.]

In an instant, Balak's soldiers were crippled by debuffs, and the tide of battle turned grim. Despite this, Taehyun calmly raised his communication device.

"I think we've drawn enough attention. Begin."

—"Understood."

From the plains, a lone figure emerged from hiding: Raviz.

[A-rank Named Guardian Raviz has cast Gravity Control.]

[Gravity within a certain radius is now under her command.]

As she cast her spell, Leviathan's rear troops froze, pinned in place. Kyunghee, though flustered, forced a smile and raised her own communication device.

—"So you had an A-rank Named Guardian too. But what can you possibly do with just that!"

"Oh, I can do plenty."

—"Nonsense. Solomon!"

Solomon, still wrapped in bandages, began to cast a spell toward Raviz. Just then, a group of about twenty figures appeared from the front, all running in perfect sync, all dressed in identical outfits.

—"W-what are those!"

"I'll make you regret not using a radar detection network," Taehyun's voice was cold. "If you have True Identity, go ahead and try to figure them out. I'll wait."

—"All their information is the same! The name is Lex… ner?"

The moment she uttered the name, time itself began to freeze.

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