Episode 125

With the High Elves settling in the Forest of Silence, the influx of raiders increased. The number of slave hunters entering under disguise also grew, but surprisingly, so did the number of irregular raiders. The pure mana of the High Elves was transforming the forest, as if nature itself was evolving. Fruit began to grow on the trees, and the soil became fertile, allowing various mana-infused plants and herbs to sprout. For raiders seeking magic ingredients and rare herbs, it was a gold mine. Taehyun had the High Elves drive out anyone who over-harvested but left those who took only a fair share alone.

"Master Taehyun, the land of the Barren Plains is also changing due to the High Elves' mana," Riel reported.

"At this rate, we'll end up cultivating even the barren lands," Taehyun mused. "I should start charging Zen for entering the forest."

"The villagers from the small city of Myol will be migrating soon. Wouldn't it be a good idea to have them sell the plants and fruits from the forest?"

"Hmm. It's true that expensive herbs and magic ingredients are overflowing. Having the women gather them seems like a good idea."

With the Barren Plains slowly being cultivated, the changes in the forest were a promising sign. Taehyun felt Dungeon Balak steadily developing as he reviewed the report on Count Dinen, obtained from Braum. Since he was just a hunter who followed orders, there was no crucial information, but it did contain details about Haven Territory.

'So this is how they conquered Haven Territory. Just like that old fox. Did he cause chaos from within using just his words?' Haven Territory was geographically advantageous. A simple military push would have been blocked by the Wall of Wailing. Gelix must have realized that. According to the report, he had used slaves to incite a rebellion and spread rumors of traitors to bring about its collapse from within. He must have spent a considerable amount of time preparing.

'If I were Gelix, what would I have proposed to Count Dinen after obtaining Haven Territory?' To move the slaves, he would have had to offer them something. That condition was likely their freedom. Now that they had conquered Haven, the slaves would have been granted freedom on a large scale. But those without a home had nowhere to live.

'Gelix must have proposed that Dinen absorb them. Be the first to abolish the slave law. The effect would be winning the public sentiment of the West. Slaves from all over would flock to Haven, naturally increasing its population.' He would reveal himself as a liberating lord, the first to abolish slavery in the West. That would easily recover the public support eroded by the continuous territory wars. 'His plan is to make Count Dinen the ruler of the West. He's already halfway there, and this will certainly be effective.'

With other kingdoms watching closely, Count Dinen's influence had grown even larger. He would be able to suppress any opposition from the other cities at once. 'For now, I can only watch. I don't want Dinen to grow more powerful, but as a Dungeon Master, I can't openly stand against him.' For now, Balak was merely in a symbiotic relationship with the raiders. It didn't possess the power to control the entire West.

Taehyun put down the report and recalled Deshukar to Balak.

"Uwo, uwo!"

"You've worked hard. You can rest for a bit now."

"Uwoooo!"

The shrunken Deshukar was scheduled to stay in Balak for a while. As promised, Taehyun moved the villagers to the small city of Myol.

[A-rank Named Guardian Raviz, Ruler of Space, has cast a teleportation circle.]

[2,319 residents within the dungeon have been moved to the small city of Myol.]

In an instant, over two thousand people were relocated. Taehyun toured the city with Riel.

"It's definitely much nicer than before, having been restored with the transmutation circle," Riel commented.

"You could say everything from the structure to the facilities has been upgraded," Taehyun agreed. "This should be suitable for the villagers. The contracts have established a basic system of order, so the next problem is their livelihood. We can supply them with food for now, but eventually, they'll have to manage their own households and earn Zen. Our first priority is to provide them with the means to do that."

"The arid plains are slowly being cultivated. Wouldn't it be best to make use of that land? The merchant caravan can operate on its own, some residents can be sent to the Forest of Silence, and the rest can be put to work farming."

Just as Riel said, utilizing the territory would provide them with adequate means to make a living. There were many avenues available: hunting, gathering, farming, trade, soldiering, and business.

'We're also getting iron ore from the mines, so we could craft equipment as a primary product to sell,' Taehyun thought. With blacksmiths in mind, he called Meldon aside.

"What is it, Dungeon Master?"

"From now on, you're in charge of managing this city. Just think of it like when you were the village chief. I'll provide support, so don't worry about Zen."

"I-I can't accept this," Melden stammered, his voice trembling. "I'm just a village chief. How can you suddenly put me in charge of an entire city? It's far too much for me, Dungeon Master."

"Don't worry," Taehyun assured him coolly. "I've already selected administrators to assist you. Just create a ledger and report to me monthly. Note down anything you need or any issues that arise. I won't be collecting taxes right away, so you don't need to track the flow of Zen just yet."

And just like that, Melden was promoted from village chief to lord of a small city.

"Master Taehyun," Riel murmured, a hint of concern in her voice, "was it wise to appoint him so quickly?"

"The contract is already signed," Taehyun replied, his eyes scanning the fledgling city. "It's better to install someone who will follow my orders to the letter. Do you think he'd dare skim Zen from me? Not if he values his life. Besides, his affinity for me is quite high now. When you saddle someone with that much responsibility, they tend to work hard on their own."

He surveyed the city's layout. Already, the villagers were beginning to settle in, each finding their place.

[2,319 dungeon residents have settled in the small city of Myol.]

[Initial Zen has been distributed to the dungeon residents.]

[The first city within Balak's territory has been born.]

[The entire western region of the Astral Continent is notified of the small city of Myol.]

Myol. The first city in his domain. This was the foundation upon which Dungeon Balak would build its future. Taehyun pulled up the city's information.

[Small City of Myol]

[Master: Taehyun Yoo]

[Administrator: Melden]

[Rank: C]

[Location: Western frontier of the Astral Continent, near Hylon Forest.]

[Population: 2,319]

[Military Population: None]

[Food and Supplies: None]

[Taxes: None]

[Development Status: None]

[Commercial Status: None]

[Financial Status: 19,534,931 (Shared with Balak)]

[Main Products: None]

[Main Source of Income: None]

[Overall Status: The small city of Myol has been restored via the Transmutation Circle. Existing facilities and equipment have been improved, and the territory's overall Endurance has increased. Currently, no roads exist other than the passage leading to the dungeon. With no external trade, the residents are effectively isolated. The potential for development is high due to its inclusion in Balak's territory.]

'It's a pathetic sight right now. All the old buildings are back, but every stage of development has been reset to zero.' He had to build new roads immediately. Travel within Balak's vast territory would also require a proper transportation network. 'First, I'll have Larkan create a new passage.' If he established separate routes for raiders and residents, maintaining order would be simple. With his initial plan in place, Taehyun returned to Balak with Riel.

---

"Are you telling me to build 'another' passage?" Larkan demanded, his voice dripping with incredulity.

"You can take your time with this one," Taehyun said calmly. "I'll lend you the settlers from Myol. I need you to open up passages throughout the entire territory."

"You truly are a demon!"

"I keep telling you I am."

Before he could begin developing Myol, he needed a network of roads connecting his entire domain. Passages for raiders already existed from First to Fifth. Now, he needed routes for his residents, linking Myol to the main entrance and each of his sub-dungeons.

Larkan stormed out of the Master Room, his face a mask of resentment. Taehyun simply chuckled, turning his attention to Raviz, who stood silently beside him. 'Come to think of it, I do have her teleportation magic circle. But the time limit makes it impractical for now.' If he could install them permanently, the transportation problem would be solved in an instant.

"Is something the matter?" Raviz inquired.

"Is there any way to install your teleportation circles permanently?" he asked. "Like, does the time limit disappear if the skill level gets high enough?"

"It is possible," she confirmed. "However, the number of permanent circles I can install is limited. I predict it will become possible starting at level five."

Her skill was currently at level three. According to her, two more levels would unlock permanent installation. 'Proficiency won't rise just from spamming the skill. Raviz needs to level up, too.' She occasionally trained the soldiers and defended against raiders, but her level progression had slowed recently. Worse, since he had summoned a new batch of soldiers, most of his troops were stuck in their thirties. 'The Ice Palace is cleared. I won't get any significant experience or magic stones from it unless I raise the difficulty. I need to find another way to strengthen my forces.' The palace was good for getting troops to level thirty, but it was a dead end beyond that. Still, Taehyun nodded, satisfied for the moment. Raviz had given him a promising lead on solving his transportation problem.

"You really are the most important Guardian in Balak," he said, offering a rare compliment.

"...Thank you." She blushed, the sudden praise catching her off guard, and lowered her head.

[A-rank Named Guardian, Ruler of Space Raviz, is embarrassed by the Master's compliment.]

[Loyalty has increased by 2.]

[Affinity has increased by 5.]

[Raviz's affinity has surpassed 50.]

'When the hell did her affinity get over fifty?' The perpetually expressionless Guardian was now blushing. Taehyun decided to leave her to her fluster and opened the System Shop. Grai's Fire Dragon Sword was broken; he needed a replacement. Just as he started browsing, a blue message flared to life before him.

[B-rank Hero Guardian, Orc Swordsman Grai, has surpassed his limits after extensive training.]

[Orc Swordsman Grai begins to evolve.]

It was happening. Grai was evolving.

---

[Knight Grai]

[Rank: A]

[Level: 57]

[Class: Knight]

[Title: Guardian of Balak]

[Affiliation: Balak]

[Loyalty: 90]

[Favorability: 77]

[Obedience: 87]

[Skills: Half-Moon Slash, Parry, Knight's Oath, Raging Wave Sword]

[Special Ability: Swordsmanship Mastery]

[Strength: 31] [Endurance: 15] [Agility: 14] [Stamina: 13]

[Mana: 5] [Divinity: 1] [Affinity: 6] [Luck: 7]

Grai's rank had ascended. He had evolved before Taehyun could even find him a new weapon. After scanning the information, Taehyun lifted his head to face the transformed Guardian.

"Who are you?"

"Allow me to greet you once more, My Lord," the man said, his voice a deep baritone. "I am Grai, Knight and Guardian of Balak."

"...You said you were training. Did you lock yourself in a cave and eat nothing but mugwort and garlic?" Taehyun deadpanned.

"I do not understand your meaning, but I will take it as a compliment."

His speech had changed. No, his entire appearance had changed. The creature that was once the orc Grai had transformed into a human. 'This seems like a good thing, so why am I suddenly so pissed off?' Golden hair, a sharp nose, distinct features, a perfectly proportioned body... the orc had instantly become a strikingly handsome man.

Taehyun scowled. "So, what kind of weapon do you need?"

"I gained much enlightenment from the S-rank raider who invaded our lands. I am now capable of wielding any weapon, but if I must choose, I will select a greatsword."

Indeed, a new skill had appeared in Grai's list, one remarkably similar to the S-rank raider's. The influence was undeniable. 'A greatsword, huh. Now that he's A-rank, he'll need something of Rare grade or higher.' Taehyun searched the shop, but the regular inventory only offered low-grade weapons. Then, an item appeared in the blind shop. He glanced from the greatsword to Grai, then back again, and reluctantly made the purchase.

[Exploding Sword Gravolta]

[Rank: A]

[Restrictions: Level 50+, Warrior or Knight classes.]

[Description: The Exploding Sword Gravolta is a Hero-grade item. When equipped, it is automatically enchanted with the fire attribute and has a chance to cause an explosion on impact.]

The Exploding Sword Gravolta. A Hero-grade weapon, a tier above Unique. Taehyun's scowl deepened as he handed it over.

"Ooh! Thank you, My Lord! A greatsword of this caliber!" Grai exclaimed, his eyes wide with awe.

"...Hey."

"Yes, My Lord?"

"Get lost."

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