Raiders receive payment from the Association based on their performance score, in addition to any dungeon conquest rewards. Monster carcasses, mana stones, acquired equipment, and Zen found within a dungeon are all considered supplementary income.

"You've accumulated 4,800 performance points in the C-rank Dungeon Mortina. Please collect your payment to the left," a clerk announced.

"How much did my raider score go up?" another asked.

"At this rate, your sub-rank will increase soon. You're not far from C-rank Intermediate. Congratulations."

There were separate scores for dungeon conquest and an individual raider's contribution. The Association's score affected one's main and sub-ranks, which in turn could lead to higher pay. Association President Anderno had founded the organization to eradicate dungeons, but that purpose had long since faded. Now, dungeons were simply a means of livelihood for raiders.

"Our party can't even dream of conquering a dungeon. The best we can do is reach the seventh chamber before running for our lives."

"You have to bring expensive items to a dungeon with a Master, and the prices lately are insane. It's hell every time we have to schedule a raid."

"My performance score was this low again. At this rate, my family is going to starve."

While some succeeded in every raid, many more were desperate just to earn performance points, let alone achieve a full conquest. They risked their lives for those points and extra income, but the reality was that survival itself was a challenge. It was either a total party wipe or a successful conquest—there was rarely an in-between.

Amidst this grim reality, Dungeon Balak in the West introduced a revolutionary management style, and the raiders rejoiced. At Balak, they could secure a decent number of performance points and supplementary income and still return alive, free to visit again. They no longer had to risk their lives on every run. Since then, a steady stream of raiders had knocked on Balak's doors, and the nearby Partren branch was busier than ever.

---

The Magritte City Association Branch, overseen by Branch Manager Nelson, was the primary entry point for raiders from other regions into the West. From Magritte, they would disperse across the territory. Newly arrived raiders often sought lodging at local inns to recover from their long journeys. As the influx grew, the city prospered, and shop revenues soared. The Association branch also saw its performance rise, widening its lead over other branches.

However, Branch Manager Nelson couldn't simply rejoice. This entire phenomenon was Balak's doing. Every raider who passed through Magritte's gates asked about Balak first.

"I heard there's a dungeon called Balak in the West. Where is it?"

"Is Balak really that popular? Is it okay for a demon to operate like that? Well, it makes our lives easier, so I'm not complaining."

"My friends who settled in the West said they've already racked up tens of thousands of performance points. I came here hoping to do the same."

He couldn't be happy that everyone was seeking out a single dungeon.

"I don't know whether to be happy about this or not," Nelson muttered to himself. When the raider Sebastian had settled here, the residents had trembled in fear, and nasty rumors had spread. But now, the population was booming again, several times larger than before, with even merchants flocking to Magritte. Nelson wondered if the Dungeon Master of Balak had anticipated all of this.

'Is he saying, 'Make the city prosperous, and in return, leave me alone?' A mutually beneficial arrangement.' He was nothing like the rigid, old-fashioned demons. A demon doing business with humans was unheard of, yet the cities of the West had become surprisingly more livable. Even the various kingdoms remained silent on the matter of Balak. At this rate, Balak itself could become the center of the entire western region, evolving beyond a mere dungeon into a thriving city. It was an unprecedented event in the continent's history, but it just might be possible.

'Hmph. For a demon, he's got a good head on his shoulders. But it's not enough. The moment I get a chance, I'll…'

Just then, a group of raiders approached him on the street.

"Excuse me. To get to Balak, which way is the carriage?"

"Ahem. It's quite a distance from here," Nelson replied, stroking his chin. "You'll need to head south, and it should take about three days. Since you're already in the city, why not get a room at an inn and rest up? Oh, and the Magritte Association Branch has excellent information on Balak, so stop by when you have time. It's just up on that hill."

"I-Is that so?"

"Indeed. And if your equipment needs repairs, try Hart's Blacksmith. If you're looking to replace it, the Rumano Equipment Shop is a fine choice as well."

"Ah, ah. Got it."

Bombarded with a flood of information, the raiders nodded hastily and departed. Nelson watched them go, a satisfied smile playing on his lips.

---

"You're here to register as a raider?" the clerk asked, looking the man before him up and down. The continent was filled with adventurers hoping to become raiders for wealth, fame, or the thrill of it. This seemed to be another such case.

'He's built like a bull, and that greatsword on his back probably isn't just for show,' the clerk thought. 'But it takes more than brute strength to be a raider.' A raider needed quick judgment, consistent skill, and reliable companions. While it paid to be on the good side of a promising rookie, this one just looked like a muscle-bound adventurer.

The clerk casually handed over a quill and paper.

"Fill out this section, this one, and all the way to here. If you plan on using an alias, write it down in advance."

"I will," the man said, filling out the form with practiced ease before handing it back.

'Let's see. Name's Drophin?' the clerk mused, examining the paper. By the time he looked up, the man was already gone.

---

The man who left the Partren branch approached a hooded figure waiting at the entrance.

"Are you finished?" the figure asked.

"…Are you going to keep following me?"

"D-Do you think I 'want' to follow you?" the hooded raider, Loquin, pouted. "I'm only doing this because it's Master Taehyun's order."

Rexner—no, Drophin—sighed and turned away.

"Where are you headed now?" she asked.

"To the North. I need to start over there. Besides, won't you be automatically summoned when Balak needs you? There's no point in following me."

"Don't worry about that. As long as I'm with my dolls, I can just use my Doll Swap skill."

"I see," Drophin grunted. "To think I'd be traveling with Loquin, a top-tier B-rank raider. 'Hmph.' Should I call it an honor?"

Though bound by a contract, he was free as long as he wasn't facing a Dungeon Master. Loquin's presence was a minor annoyance, but it wouldn't hinder his activities as a raider. In fact, as a top-tier B-ranker, she would be a great asset. Setting his destination for the North, Drophin began his journey with her.

---

[Development of the Zephyrin Mine is complete.]

[Development of the Anamanto Mine is complete.]

[Under the command of Supervisor Melden, 150 residents are working as miners.]

The mine development he had been waiting for was finally finished. The primary ore was iron—the most basic and widely used metal.

"Kehkeh. It is a great honor that you will continuously supply iron ore to our Grondz Merchant Guild, Sir Taehyun Yoo," Lugo said with a bow.

"Right. We should probably set a price," Taehyun replied, standing up.

"Wh-Where are you going?"

"He's in charge of pricing. Talk to him."

As Taehyun stepped aside, a goblin with a comically long nose took his place.

"Muahaha. From now on, you'll be negotiating with me," Kinjo cackled. "This will be a most pleasant discussion."

"W-With a goblin?" Lugo stammered, looking utterly flustered as Kinjo confidently took Taehyun's seat.

---

[Kinjo's 'Negotiation is Timing' has been activated.]

[Kinjo lowballs the price.]

[Lugo becomes enraged.]

[Kinjo lowers the price further.]

[Lugo's expression slightly relaxes.]

[Kinjo raises the price again.]

[Lugo is on the verge of tears.]

As soon as he left the reception room, a stream of notifications confirmed Kinjo's ability was at work. Lugo was probably looking for him right now. Taehyun smirked and returned to the Master Room.

[Restoration of the small city of Myol is successful.]

[Through Larkan's outstanding alchemy, the Endurance of the small city of Myol is doubled.]

[Through Larkan's outstanding alchemy, the size of the small city of Myol is expanded.]

Soon, news of Myol's completion arrived. Taehyun recalled Deshkar to the dungeon and summoned Larkan.

[A-rank Named Guardian Rabiz has activated a summoning skill.]

[C-rank Named NPC Larkan is summoned.]

Larkan appeared in an instant, courtesy of Rabiz's skill.

"Tch. Do you always have to summon me like this, Taehyun?" he snarled, landing hard on his rear and glaring up at him. It was understandable that he was angry, being dropped from mid-air every time.

"You've worked hard," Taehyun said calmly. "But I have another favor to ask."

"…Are you truly a demon?"

"I am. Now, you don't get to rest. You will spend the rest of your life developing Balak's territory with your transmutation circle."

"Damn you!" Larkan spat, storming out of the Master Room. Taehyun had already assigned villagers to him; he had no choice but to get back to work.

"Now that Myol is complete, we can summon the captured villagers, right?" Riel asked.

"Not yet. Once we start managing the city, there will be many positions to fill." It was impossible to manage both a dungeon and a city by himself. He needed to appoint people to administrative roles. For now, Taehyun decided to bring some order to his chaotic territory.

---

"Ugh, this line isn't moving at all. It'll take a whole day just to get to the Labyrinth."

"And this path is a total mess. Other raiders keep cutting in."

"There's no order. At this rate, even the dungeon soldiers won't be able to control them. They might even turn on us later."

The queues, which now stretched from 'Ones' to 'Fives,' were completely unmanaged. Dungeon soldiers were doing their best to maintain control, but the lack of a clear path meant even the monsters sometimes got lost. Harpies and wyverns circled overhead, but the number of line-cutters only grew.

Just then, a group of villagers appeared among the raiders, carrying tools and materials as they followed a man in the lead.

"Today!" the man yelled. "We will finish this today!"

"Yes, sir!" the villagers chorused.

"Grrr. That damn bastard," the man muttered under his breath. "I'll finish this in one day, and then I'll finally rest."

A transmutation circle flared to life on the ground, pulsing with the considerable mana it shared with Balak. The raiders watched, bewildered.

"Is that guy part of Balak, too?"

"The others look like those captured villagers, don't they?"

"Think we'd get performance points for killing them? They might even drop equipment."

A few raiders showed flickers of hostility, but they quickly backed down when the gargoyles and centaurs accompanying the work crew shot them threatening glares. The crowd watched in awe as a complex mana structure began to form under Larkan's hands.

"That guy's an alchemist! I've never seen alchemy before!"

"Look, the mana structures are taking shape!"

"Is he… building a road? It looks exactly like a wall!"

Soon, through Larkan's alchemy, the framework of a massive passage was revealed.

"Oooooooh!" the raiders roared.

"It's a path! A real passage!"

"That demon bastard! He actually knows a thing or two about order!"

The raiders cheered, their spirits lifted, as the villagers worked furiously to construct the new thoroughfare.

---

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