Episode 124

[B-rank Hero High Elf Sapaella has killed Raider Pakon.]

[B-rank Hero High Elf Benipper is observing Raider Gondris.]

[B-rank Hero High Elf Neru is consuming a Rudmil fruit.]

The High Elves stationed in the Forest of Silence had assimilated into their new environment. They killed the raiders who came to hunt them and merely observed the irregulars who came for side income. They also reported any raiders attempting to raid Dungeon Balak directly to Taehyun. These were the orders given through the forced contract. The elves, who despised humans, carried out the instructions skillfully and were now the effective rulers of the Forest of Silence. They were even growing stronger by hunting raiders—a very satisfactory result.

Meanwhile, Kadum, the captured A-rank hunter, was given time to contemplate with a contract placed before him.

"…I would like some time to think," he said finally.

"Fine. I'll give you time," Taehyun replied. "But let me tell you one thing: Count Dinen can't touch Balak right now. To be precise, he'll probably leave Balak alone, under the pretext of developing the West into a land for raiders."

"Hmm."

Balak was the center of the West. Now that it maintained a symbiotic relationship with the raiders and helped develop the region's cities, there was no reason for Count Dinen to recklessly try to subjugate it. The Peyton Ducal Family was also unable to enter the West due to the ban on Haven Territory, so the only immediate threats were other Dungeon Masters and A-rank or higher raid parties. However, even those parties were not attempting raids yet due to penalty and reward issues.

Kadum, who had experienced this firsthand, finally made his decision. "…I will sign the contract. I don't care what happens to me. But I want you to protect my family."

"Of course," Taehyun said smoothly. "Tell your family you were captured by the dungeon and have no choice but to live here. They'll be scared at first, but it'll get much more comfortable later on."

"The High Elves…?"

"I'll make it so they can't even speak to your family. They won't be able to mention anything about you being a slave hunter, either."

And so, Kadum signed a contract with Taehyun.

[Contract]

Contracting Parties: Player Taehyun Yoo, Raider Kadum

1. Kadum must always disclose all information and facts to Taehyun Yoo.

2. Kadum cannot disobey Taehyun Yoo's orders.

3. Kadum pledges lifelong loyalty as a member of Balak.

4. Kadum is forbidden from harming Taehyun Yoo and the beings of Balak.

5. Kadum must do whatever Taehyun Yoo commands.

6. Kadum cannot betray Balak.

7. Kadum cannot run away or speak of this fact to others.

8. Kadum cannot order, commission, or induce anyone else to attempt a raid on Balak or harm Taehyun.

9. Kadum cannot speak of any facts regarding Taehyun Yoo and Balak to any being not affiliated with Balak.

10. Calisia and Vera are also subject to all clauses (with the consent of Calisia and Vera).

11. The safety of Calisia and Vera is guaranteed.

12. The High Elves are forbidden from approaching Calisia and Vera.

The content was similar to Roquin's, but with the inclusion of clauses for Calisia and Vera, a new contract was created. Kadum couldn't argue with the terms, which were thoroughly disadvantageous to him. He could only let out a sigh of relief at the clauses concerning his family.

"You've been a slave hunter until now, right?" Taehyun said. "You'll work with the High Elves."

"Wh-what?!"

"You must feel guilty. Atone for it yourself. Don't be awkward every time you see them." Taehyun intended to make Kadum work alongside the High Elves. He gave the plausible reason of atonement, but his true purpose was different. 'As the best slave hunter, he must know a lot about them. Plus, an A-rank hunter would be a good fit with the High Elves.' If not for the penalties, Kadum might have even surpassed them.

After a moment, Kadum nodded. "If that is the path to atonement, I will follow it. Still, a demon talking about guilt… I can hardly believe what I'm hearing."

"First time seeing a demon like me? Go get your family. And don't forget to get their consent on the contract as soon as you arrive."

"Understood. For now… thank you."

And so, Kadum headed back to the village where his family lived. With the contract in place, there was no chance of him running away.

---

"We've lost contact with the hunter raid party. It seems they have failed," the subordinate reported.

The top-tier B-rank hunters had been defeated, even with an A-rank hunter among them. No matter the penalties, it was hard to believe that men who had been slave hunters for years had been taken down.

'What the hell were they doing? I didn't ask them to raid the place, just to capture the High Elves!' Gelix seethed. Count Dinen had entrusted him with this task, and now he was hesitant to report back. He had tried to win the Count's favor with the elves, but now his loyal hunters had been wiped out, and he was about to get an earful. 'I even managed to rope in an A-rank raider who was an old comrade, and they still failed?'

He knew the Dungeon Master of Balak was watching, but he never expected this. Gelix grabbed his head, vexed. Just then, another report came through.

"Director Gelix. Kadum has emerged from Balak's territory. It seems he was the sole survivor."

"Hmph. Have men wait in the village and dispose of him along with his family." An A-rank raider like Kadum would surely try to escape with his family. Since he knew it was Count Dinen's order, they had to be eliminated together to silence them. 'He'll try to escape the West, but Dinen's eyes are everywhere. There's no escape for you.'

---

[Hunter's Eye has been activated.]

[Nearby tracks will be marked in red.]

[Certain individuals within the village are observing you.]

[Killing intent is being felt.]

'Here, too. And over there!' A cold sweat ran down Kadum's back. He knew Count Dinen would be after him, but assassins were already waiting in the village. He had returned as quickly as possible, but this was dangerous. He rushed into his house to find Calisia and Vera.

"Kadum?"

"Daddy?"

Thankfully, they were both safe. Kadum gritted his teeth at the sound of approaching footsteps. Just then, he remembered Taehyun's words: 'Go get your family. And don't forget to get their consent on the contract as soon as you get there.'

He pulled the contract from his coat and held it out to them. "Here's a quill. Sign this immediately."

"What is this…?" Calisia asked.

"Trust me and sign it. Please!"

"…Alright." This was Kadum, the man who had retired for his family. If she couldn't trust him, who could she? Calisia quickly signed her consent.

"M-Mommy? Daddy?" Vera whimpered.

"My daughter, you just have to sign here. You trust Daddy, right?"

"Uh-huh!"

The tearful Vera followed her mother and signed. Kadum let out a sigh of relief and glanced behind him.

A sharp sound of drawn steel cut through the air.

Count Dinen's men had entered the house. Kadum broke into a cold sweat and drew his scimitar. Calisia trembled, holding Vera close. Slowly, the men raised their weapons, surrounding him.

"K-Kadum."

"Waaah! Daddy!"

The mother and daughter, unaware of the situation, trembled in fear. Having only known peaceful days, it was natural for them to be terrified. Kadum bit his lip, his eyes darting between the men. He could use his one-time skill to take care of them, but his family might be captured in the chaos…

"Aaaah! Kadum!"

"Daddy! Daddyyyy!"

Just then, more men appeared from behind, grabbing his wife and daughter.

"If you don't want to see your family die, you'd better drop your weapon," their leader sneered.

"…Damn it."

Blades were pressed against their necks. It was his mistake not to have checked inside with Hunter's Eye. Kadum carefully set down his scimitar and raised his hands. 'What was the point of having them sign the contract first? Does this mean we're supposed to die like this, Dungeon Master?!' The Dungeon Master of Balak had made him sign a contract but offered no help at all.

The men holding his family smirked and threw them to the floor.

"C-Calisia! Vera!"

"Hey! What are you all doing? He dropped his weapon. Seize him," the leader ordered.

"Damn it! Let go of me!" The men pinned the surrendered Kadum to the floor. The leader sneered and grabbed Calisia by the hair. "This bitch is quite a looker. Hard to believe she even has a daughter."

"You bastard! Just you touch her, and I'll kill you!" Kadum roared.

"Heh heh. You just watch from over there as your wife gets raped. We've already chased all the villagers away, so there's no one to help you."

"Aaaaargh! Don't touch her, damn you!"

The man's rough hands were about to tear Calisia's clothes. At that moment, she vanished.

"Wh-what? Where did the bitch go?!"

"Boss, the little brat is gone too!"

"Is there a mage nearby?!"

Following Calisia, Vera had also disappeared. The men looked around in confusion. Kadum stared blankly at the spot where they had been. Just then, Taehyun's voice echoed in his mind.

—'What are you doing? Your family has already been moved to the dungeon. Now, fight.'

'…I see.' A smile formed on his lips. Kadum instantly struck the men holding him with his shoulder and snatched up his scimitar.

"Damn it! Attack!"

"You dared to lay a hand on my family," Kadum snarled. "I won't give you a clean death!"

[Wild Instinct has been activated.]

[For a certain period, all physical stats are doubled.]

[Wild Instinct Use Limit: 1/1]

The one-time skill he couldn't use in Balak was now active.

"Aaaargh!"

"R-run! He's a monster!"

And just like that, Kadum swiftly dealt with the B-rank raiders, ending the situation.

---

"D-Director Gelix! The B-rank raiders we sent to the village have all been defeated!"

"What?! Didn't I tell you to take the family hostage first?!"

"According to the monitors, they followed instructions, but the mother and daughter suddenly disappeared."

The men sent were mere B-rank raiders. Since their opponent was an A-rank, they were supposed to take his family hostage first, but for some reason, they had vanished.

"What kind of nonsense is that? Then where is Kadum? You should have at least captured him!"

"W-well, after he dealt with the raiders, he disappeared, following them."

Gelix was speechless. Not only had the hunters been defeated by the High Elves, but now he had lost Kadum as well. Reporting this to Count Dinen would only double his disappointment. Just then, Balak came to mind. 'Wait. Could Kadum have escaped from Balak alone? He must have been under the penalty. D-don't tell me…?!'

The thought of a contract occurred to him. If he had signed one, just like Sebastian, the sudden movement could be explained.

'I don't know how he did it, but this is definitely the work of the Dungeon Master of Balak!' Gelix's face turned red with rage as he slammed his fist on the table. It was highly likely that leaving the High Elves in the forest was part of the plan. No, considering the information he had been receiving through the Peyton Ducal Family, it had to be. 'So you're paying me back, is that it? Damn it. Just you wait, Dungeon Master of Balak!'

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