Balak began hunting Dungeon Masters in earnest. One by one, the B-rank dungeons of the West vanished, their names erased from the world map. Thousands of soldiers marched across the Halung Plains daily, prompting three distinct reactions from the Raider Association. One group celebrated the elimination of the B-rank dungeons, another fretted over their dwindling livelihoods, and a third grew wary of Balak's ever-expanding influence.

The western kingdoms hired B-rank raid parties to check Balak's power, but their efforts were futile. Balak had already evolved into a mighty integrated dungeon that defied conventional ranking. The hired parties met screaming, bloody ends before they could even set foot inside the original dungeon. Their only contribution was yet another report of a failed raid.

---

"Providing a livelihood for Raiders and maintaining a symbiotic relationship, eh?" Seonghwi mused.

It was a novel concept, one no Dungeon Master had ever attempted. The idea of doing business with the very people trying to kill you seemed impossible, but in the West, it worked. No, it was a strategy that could 'only' work in the West.

The region had almost no A-rank dungeons; most were B-rank or lower. The number of Dungeon Masters had also been culled by events like the Holy Kingdom's preemptive strike, making dungeons a scarce commodity. With Balak operating three dungeons and offering Raiders a steady income, it was only natural they would flock there. Once this hunt was complete, Balak would be the sole dungeon in the entire western territory.

'A-rank Raiders aren't showing any interest, so there's no need to worry about the kingdoms or the Raider Association for now.'

He had given the seedling a little nudge, and now the weed was threatening to become a tree. At this rate, Balak would ascend to A-rank as an integrated dungeon, with its satellite dungeons operating at B and C-rank. True to its nature, it was devouring everything in its path.

—"Seonghwi! Balak just destroyed Leviathan."

—"Valtrixia, near Magrit, just disappeared from the world map. It has to be Taehyun Yoo's doing!"

—"You said fighting was forbidden! Please do something! This is a massacre of our own comrades!"

The Resistance's B-rank Dungeon Masters in the West were in a constant state of protest over Balak's actions.

"I told you, didn't I?" Seonghwi said to his companion. "He would overwhelm them."

"…I certainly underestimated him," Seunghoon admitted. "I never thought he'd devour our own members to this extent. How did he manage to create such a massive skill gap? The others in the West aren't weak."

"Taehyun Yoo has always excelled in fights against the strong. He's even more dominant when preying on the weak. Whatever cards they held, he would have displayed a level of skill that far surpassed them."

Seunghoon was right. A good hand was useless if the player was a fool. The methods used to swallow the territory, the strategy to earn a fortune in Zen—it all sprang from Taehyun's mind. A vast chasm had already opened between his abilities and those of his peers.

However, if this continued, every Resistance member in the West would be annihilated. Taehyun's monstrous growth was a boon, but Seonghwi knew he had to be reined in.

"A trump card is great, but it needs plenty of other cards to support it. I should say something, but I'm not sure how to phrase it."

"Didn't they attack their comrade first?" Seonghwi asked. "What are you hesitating for?"

"No, I checked. It turns out all of them launched preemptive strikes on Balak. Taehyun was just defending himself against those who turned hostile."

"He provoked them into attacking first," Seonghwi concluded with a grin.

"Exactly. If I try to suppress him now, it'll only breed resentment. He'll stop listening and eventually leave the faction. And he knows it. Taehyun Yoo knows I need him."

Seonghwi rose from his seat.

"Well, I should probably pay him a visit anyway. The purge of the other factions will be starting soon. I might as well stop by before that."

"I'll go with you."

"No, it's fine," Seonghwi waved a dismissive hand. "I'll take the opportunity to look around the West and have some fun."

The West, once the least notable region, was now a hotbed of activity for low-level Raiders. With adventurers flocking from all over the continent, there was no reason a Dungeon Master couldn't do the same. A flicker of anticipation in his eyes, Seonghwi set off for the West.

---

'So this is Balak?'

As the B-rank Dungeon Master hunt neared its conclusion, Balak reopened its dungeons. The Raiders of the West, who had been waiting for this moment, descended upon the territory of Wons, which was now teeming with people.

"Filthy demon bastards! How dare you toy with us?!"

Occasionally, a Raider would protest Balak's methods, only to be swiftly dispatched by soldiers that seemed to materialize from thin air. The surrounding crowd, far from being afraid, watched as if the troublemaker got what they deserved.

"Why do those guys always come here and cause a scene? Can't we just get on with it?"

"We're here to earn Zen, what's there to complain about? Just run the dungeon."

"If Balak disappears, we'll be out on the streets. Have they got any sense at all?"

It seemed the Raiders had fully adapted to Balak's way of doing things, viewing it as a positive. Some even expressed respect for the "demon's" opinions. Balak had become their undisputed source of livelihood.

'This is fascinating. Raiders thinking of a dungeon as a workplace. The economy in the West truly is fragile. He gives them hope, earns their recognition… a method only possible here.'

He had made a special trip, and the place was already captivating. The man watched the long queue of Raiders before entering the territory, bypassing the line. Immediately, the Raiders glared at him.

"Hey, pal! Get in line like everyone else! We've got to make a living too, you know."

"Mister, is this your first time at Balak? Can't you tell the difference between the entrance and exit lines?"

"Get to the back! No cutting!"

A chorus of venomous glares focused on him. The man—Wigan—cleared his throat and dutifully found his place at the back of the line.

---

[You have entered B-rank Dungeon Balak.]

After a long wait, he finally reached the original Balak. He'd spent a day camping on the way, but his schedule was still flexible. Wigan equipped the low-grade gear he'd brought to conceal his identity and stepped into the corridor.

A welcoming volley of arrows swished from traps on both sides. Wigan casually batted them aside and entered the first room.

'This is practically a jungle.'

Balak's interior was a dense forest of overgrown trees and thick undergrowth. The environment level was clearly high, evidenced by the massive, ancient trees scattered throughout. Marveling at the sight, Wigan spotted an Evil Goblin hiding in the canopy.

'An excellent setup for an ambush. He's holding a bow, so he must be an archer or a scout.'

His identity and information were already falsified. He could now let loose. With a light exhale, Wigan kicked off the ground, his body soaring toward the tree.

"Kiek! How did you know, sir?!" the goblin squawked.

"My, goblins these days have the strangest way of talking," Wigan remarked. "Here you go."

"Gak!"

His wooden sword cracked against the back of the goblin's neck. It wouldn't kill it, but it would certainly knock it unconscious.

The Evil Goblin tumbled from the branches with a dull thud, drawing the attention of the other soldiers nearby.

"Chwiik!"

"Kieeek! He looks quite strong, sir."

"Grrrrr."

A considerable number of soldiers were stationed here, clearly accustomed to dealing with Raiders from the very first room. Wigan twirled his wooden sword, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Well then… shall we have a little test?"

---

[?-rank Raider ? has entered the ninth room.]

Information: Unknown. Equipment: A common wooden sword and leather armor. The Raider, whistling as if on a leisurely stroll, had already reached the ninth room. The True Identity skill had been used, but his information remained a string of question marks.

Riel sat before the monitor, a cold sweat beading on her brow as the damage reports mounted.

'Fifty B-rank soldiers defeated already. Just who is this Raider?'

He was felling everything from Centaurs to Werewolves in a single blow, casually sidestepping every trap and installation. Riel steadied her racing heart and summoned Grai.

"The Master seems to be away," Grai noted. "What is it?"

"A lone Raider has reached the ninth room. All the soldiers are unconscious and won't be waking up anytime soon. I'm assigning an ambush squad to you. Please take care of it."

"Understood."

Grai and the ambush unit relocated to the tenth room.

[?-rank Raider ? has used a buff item.]

[?-rank Raider ?'s reaction speed increases.]

[?-rank Raider ?'s stats are increased for a set time.]

[?-rank Raider ?'s skill critical rate is increased for a set time.]

Meanwhile, the Raider activated a buff item and proceeded down the corridor.

'He still hasn't used an Effect Reversal Card. In that case, I should use the Nullification Item.'

[Item Nullification has been used.]

[?-rank Raider ?'s buff items are canceled.]

Riel made the shrewd decision to nullify his buffs. Now, the Raider was left with only his Effect Reversal Card. The moment he tried to reverse their buffs, she could counter with her own.

[?-rank Raider ? has entered the tenth room.]

At last, the Raider entered. Grai and his ambush squad lay in wait within the dense forest. The man immediately took out a peculiar radar.

'I've never seen a radar like that before.'

It looked completely different from any she had seen. Using the device, he instantly seized control of the room's entire field of vision.

[?-rank Raider ? has used a special-type radar.]

[The entire field of vision within the tenth room is shared with the Raider.]

[The soldiers hidden in the forest are revealed.]

"My goodness!" Riel gasped.

The entire field of vision meant the hidden soldiers were exposed. The man widened his stride, charging toward them. The soldiers, their cover blown, hastily prepared for battle. An immense energy began to gather in the man's sword.

[?-rank Raider ? is using Crescent Slash.]

[Mana is raging in ?-rank Raider ?'s weapon.]

A crescent-shaped arc of sword energy shot from his blade. Trees were uprooted as the room shook violently. The soldiers in the forest were caught in the blast, their bodies torn in half.

[A Werewolf has been hit by ?-rank Raider ?'s Crescent Slash.]

[A Centaur has been hit by ?-rank Raider ?'s Crescent Slash.]

[An Evil Goblin has been hit by ?-rank Raider ?'s Crescent Slash.]

An astounding number of B-rank soldiers were annihilated. Grai, positioned in the rear, recognized the danger and cast Earth Shatter.

[B-rank Hero Guardian Orc Swordsman Grai has used Earth Shatter.]

[The ground around ?-rank Raider ? splits apart.]

The floor beneath the man cracked open. Grai stepped forward, standing alone to protect the remaining soldiers.

—"Hoh. A Guardian, are you?"

—"I demand to know who you are. Reveal yourself."

—"You don't need to know. Let's fight!"

The Raider steadied himself and thrust his wooden sword. Grai broke into a cold sweat as he blocked the impossibly fast strike. It was only a wooden sword, yet the impact was immense.

'At this rate, Sir Grai will be defeated!'

The man was already pressing his advantage, overwhelming Grai with just the wooden sword. Riel hurriedly used a buff item.

[A buff item has been used.]

[Orc Swordsman Grai's reaction speed increases.]

[Orc Swordsman Grai's stats are increased for a set time.]

[Orc Swordsman Grai's skill critical rate is increased for a set time.]

Empowered by the buff, Grai launched a counterattack. But the man remained utterly unfazed. Then, he used another item.

[?-rank Raider ? has used the 'Double Amplification' item.]

[Orc Swordsman Grai's buff effects are doubled.]

It was a Double Amplification item, the likes of which she had never seen before.

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