[You have thwarted the raid of Sebastian's raid party.]

[Sebastian's raid party has been annihilated.]

[You have defeated the Named Raider, Sebastian.]

He had stopped the top-tier B-rank raid party. Sebastian of the Peyton Duchy—his long-time rival, Junhyun—was dead. The victor was Taehyun. The loser, Junhyun. It was definitive proof of how much Balak had grown over the past year.

[The medium injury status of top-tier B-rank raider Roquin has been removed.]

[The medium injury status of A-rank Named Guardian, Ruler of Space Rabiz, has been removed.]

Just as the raid was thwarted, Roquin and Rabiz finally recovered.

"Thankfully, their recovery is complete," Riel reported. "They've both woken up and are resting. What happened to the raid party?"

"I stopped them inside the dungeon," Taehyun said. "But the damage is severe. You should go rest, too. You must be exhausted from all the healing."

"I'm glad you stopped them. In that case, I will accept your offer."

Riel didn't refuse, a testament to her fatigue. After sending her off, Taehyun began to assess Balak's losses.

[B-rank Soldier × 120]

[C-rank Soldier × 190]

His forces, once numbering over a thousand, had been decimated, leaving him with just over three hundred.

[The damage rate of Balak's ninth room has exceeded 90%.]

[Prompt restoration is required.]

The ninth room, which he had sacrificed to trap Kino, was also in desperate need of repair.

"My lord, my Fire Dragon Sword is broken. I will use a replacement for now," Grai informed him.

"I'll buy you a new one later. Just wait."

"…Understood."

Grai's legendary sword had been destroyed blocking Reaper's Judgment. He would need to re-equip all his Guardians and Keepers.

'That was too close,' Taehyun reflected. 'Aside from the S-rank raider, that was the most dangerous moment I've faced.'

If Junhyun's party had realized Death's Breath could be used twice, Balak might have fallen. He checked the Zen he'd earned from the victory.

[Zen: 8,435,942]

The reward was substantial, likely because the party was composed entirely of top-tier B-rank raiders. It wasn't quite enough to restore everything, but combined with his existing funds, it would suffice.

[B-rank Mana Stone x 95]

[C-rank Mana Stone x 231]

Furthermore, the raiders' equipment yielded a considerable number of mana stones.

"With this many B-rank mana stones, we should be able to upgrade the crystal sphere to stage four," one of his Supporters observed.

"I think so, too," Taehyun said. "For now, Kinjo, you take the C-rank stones."

"Muahaha! Thank you, Master! It seems my dungeon can finally become B-rank!"

The second Balak, which had been on the cusp of a promotion, would soon be able to rank up. Kinjo gathered the C-rank mana stones and returned to his dungeon. Taehyun sent Edchan back to the labyrinth and turned his full attention to restoring his main fortress.

---

News spread like wildfire: a raid party composed entirely of top-tier B-rank raiders had failed to conquer Dungeon Balak. The leader, Sebastian, a raider who had been making a spectacular name for himself, had been annihilated along with his entire team.

The first to react was the Peyton Duchy of the Derk Empire. Enraged by the news of Sebastian's death, the Duke of Peyton officially announced a military campaign to subjugate Balak. Raiders across the West began to fear for their livelihoods, terrified of incurring the Sword Duke's wrath.

However, the situation shifted dramatically when the Haven Territory, the kingdom's so-called Wailing Wall, suddenly fell. With this crucial territory on the western front now in the hands of Count Dinen, the Peyton Duchy's advance was cut off.

It was the only passage connecting the Derk Empire to the West, and the death of Marquis Dietrich had changed the political landscape entirely. Count Dinen sealed the gates of Haven, blocked the Duke's path, and raised the issue diplomatically.

"Is the subjugation of Balak the will of the Empire, or is it the Duchy's unilateral decision?" he challenged. "If you proceed, we will consider it an invasion of our kingdom's sovereign territory."

The kingdom and the Derk Empire were allies. By framing the Duke's advance as an unauthorized military action, Count Dinen escalated the matter into an international incident.

Though Duke Peyton insisted it was a simple dungeon subjugation, the Imperial Family belatedly denied him permission, and the attempt was thwarted.

'I will not forget this, Count Dinen,' the Duke vowed.

Ultimately, the Peyton ducal family had no choice but to postpone their campaign and withdraw their troops.

---

[The C-rank Dungeon, the second Balak, has been upgraded to B-rank.]

[The influence of the integrated Dungeon Balak is now known throughout the West.]

As expected, Kinjo's second Balak was upgraded to B-rank. The integrated Dungeon Balak now possessed two B-rank territories. This expanded not only his soldier population limit but also allowed him to summon B-rank soldiers. For the moment, however, he had no time to worry about his secondary dungeon.

"You can summon one more Guardian and Keeper now," Edchan noted.

"And more soldiers," Taehyun added. "But restoring the original Balak takes priority."

The dungeon's interior was now fully repaired. He had reset the traps and installations in preparation for the next wave of invaders. All that remained was to replenish his forces. Taehyun began by examining the equipment that had dropped from Sebastian's raid party.

[Giant's Shield]

[Rank: B]

[Requirements: Level 50 or higher, Paladin or Shield Bearer class types]

[Description: A rare-grade item, the Giant's Shield was once wielded by the top-tier B-rank raider, Deriman. Increases successful block rate by 20%.]

The first item was the Giant's Shield that had belonged to Deriman, a rare piece of equipment suitable for Paladins and Shield Bearers alike. Taehyun presented it to Angelina.

"Enough with the gifts. Just trample me already," she purred. "You kept your promise, didn't you? Please, Master!"

"I'm too busy," he replied flatly. "Take good care of that shield. If you lose it, there will be no mercy."

"Hmph. Always so busy." Despite her grumbling, she equipped the shield. It was crude and unadorned, but she held it as if it were a priceless treasure.

[The B-rank Named Keeper, Angelina of Pleasure, is grateful to her Master for the new equipment.]

[Favorability has increased by 3.]

A moment later, after the notification faded, Angelina returned to the second Balak.

'As Balak's only Keeper, her defense is paramount,' Taehyun mused. 'With the Giant's Shield complementing her Pelsidium Armor, she'll be a far more formidable wall.' Combined with her innate Paladin barrier skill, she was truly evolving into the ultimate guardian.

He then inspected the next item: Shape's bow.

[Storm-Laden Bow]

[Rank: B]

[Requirements: Level 50 or higher, Archer or Scout class types]

[Description: A rare-grade item, the Storm-Laden Bow was once wielded by the top-tier B-rank raider, Shape. Increases overall critical hit rate by 15%.]

'A fifteen percent boost to overall critical rate… that's immense. This one is for Mederia.'

He handed the bow to her without a second thought.

"Thank you, as always. Um…"

"What is it?"

"…If you're not busy, please visit the second Balak more often." A deep blush colored her cheeks as she hastily retreated.

Left alone, Taehyun tilted his head in confusion, and a moment later, a system message appeared.

[The B-rank Named Guardian, Mederia the Mana Bullet Marksman, is grateful to her Master for the new equipment.]

[Favorability has increased by 3.]

[Mederia's favorability has surpassed 60.]

'So her favorability is already over sixty. That explains her recent change in attitude. I'll just have to leave it be for now.'

Riel, whose favorability had long since surpassed eighty, was already making nightly visits to his Master Room. The thought of her made Taehyun break out in a cold sweat. If Mederia became just as possessive, he wouldn't be able to handle it.

'Right. I need to finish checking the equipment.' He sighed and returned his attention to the pile of gear. Aside from the shield and the bow, however, there was nothing else of use. The sword Revex had wielded was a massive greatsword, far too cumbersome for Grai, who specialized in dual-wielding.

Just as he was about to store everything in his inventory, his eyes fell upon the scythe Sebastian had used.

[Scythe of the Apocalypse]

[Rank: B]

[Requirements: Level 50 or higher, Archer or Scout class types]

[Description: A unique-grade item, the Scythe of the Apocalypse was once wielded by the top-tier B-rank raider, Sebastian. Increases skill critical hit rate by 15%.]

Wordlessly, Taehyun picked up the scythe and returned to the Master Room.

"Sir Taehyun, you're back. Oh! Isn't that the weapon Junhyun used? Why did you bring it here?"

"No reason."

"Pardon?"

"I just brought it," he repeated, hanging the scythe on the wall beside the main screen. Riel could only tilt her head, completely baffled.

---

[The top-tier B-rank raider, Roquin, has returned.]

[The A-rank Named Guardian, Raviz, has returned.]

Roquin and Raviz, who had fallen to the raiders, reappeared, fully restored.

"I-I'm so sorry! I let my guard down in the forest."

"I have no excuse, Master."

The moment they entered the Master Room, they began to apologize profusely. Roquin kept her head bowed, terrified of her impending punishment, while Raviz, for the first time, wore a somber expression as he bowed repeatedly.

Taehyun waved a hand dismissively. "It's not like you chose to be defeated. Why are you apologizing? It's fine. Roquin, go back to Rexner—no, to Dropin. Raviz, return to your room and rest. I'll call you when I need you."

"Wha-what? There's no… punishment or anything?"

"What kind of punishment were you expecting?"

"W-Well, I heard that when captured females make a mistake, demons take them to bed and… do things… until they properly repent…"

"Get out. Now!"

"Eek! I-I'm sorry!" Roquin quickly used Doll Swap and vanished, returning to Dropin's side.

Raviz, now alone, blinked slowly. "Are you taking me to bed now?"

"Ugh. You weren't even captured… That's not the point! You, get out of here too."

"Understood."

After the commotion finally subsided, silence settled over the Master Room. Taehyun sighed and picked up the ringing communication device.

"What is it?"

—"Count Dinen has conquered Haven Territory. It seems the Peyton Duchy's forces that were advancing on Balak have turned back because of it."

"…Alright, I understand. Carry on."

—"Will do. Oh, speaking of which, Roquin wouldn't stop talking about you the moment she returned. Said you were a decent man for a dem—"

—"Aaagh! What are you talking about!"

Suddenly, Roquin's frantic voice cut in. Taehyun scowled, but by the time he called for Dropin, the connection was already dead. He sighed again, setting the device down.

'Count Dinen… he's the noble who has the Raider Association wrapped around his little finger. Why would he stop the attack on Balak? And Haven Territory was known as the Wailing Wall. They've never managed to conquer it before, so how did they do it now?'

A storm of questions swirled in his mind. Deep in thought, he suddenly recalled Branch Manager Gelix. As the manager in Partren, he had hired top-tier B-rank raiders without any support from the Peyton Duchy. His abrupt transfer to headquarters had also been suspicious.

'Could that old fox have sided with Count Dinen?' If that were true, the fall of Haven Territory was undoubtedly a product of Gelix's cunning. 'That would explain why he stopped the Peyton Duchy. He plans to use Balak to develop the West into a territory for raiders.'

If Balak were to disappear now, the kingdoms of the West and the raiders would be the ones who lose out. As a powerful count who controlled the Raider Association, Dinen had no choice but to recognize Balak's immense value.

'Gelix. You and I aren't finished yet. One day, I'll crush you on my way to the top.'

Taehyun stood, ready to restore his forces. Just then, Riel returned and handed him a cracked communication device.

"An Evil Goblin found this a little while ago. I heard one of the raiders was carrying it. Is that true?"

"…It is."

Taehyun silently accepted the device. At that exact moment, the cracked screen lit up and began to ring. He calmly answered the call.

—"Are you the Dungeon Master of Balak?"

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