Episode 127

[A-rank Guardian Knight Grai has cast Raging Wave Sword.]

[A powerful wave of energy surges through the surroundings.]

[Raging Wave Sword uses remaining: 1/1]

At last, one of Balak's Guardians had learned a one-time-use skill. Grai, by virtue of his level, had acquired a skill that even Raviz had yet to learn.

"W-Wait a minute. That's cheating!" Katarina had screamed.

"Here I come!" Grai had roared.

"Aaaaaaargh!"

A lone swordsman stood no chance against an A-rank ultimate skill. Katarina was utterly consumed by the Raging Wave Sword.

"The b-barrier was pierced instantly!" one of the raiders had cried.

"Someone stop the war hounds!"

"It's no use! We can't even block the gargoyles' charge!"

The rest of the raiders were swiftly and brutally cut down by the ambush unit. Adding the gargoyles to the assault force had dramatically increased its breakthrough power, and the results were devastating.

'It was worth benching the werewolves and centaurs. They're only effective in forests; they're better off stationed inside the dungeon.' Taehyun observed the annihilated raid party with satisfaction. His new unit was effective, and the A-rank Grai was far stronger than before. If he could handle a highest-ranking B-rank raider this easily, A-rank opponents would likely pose little threat. And the Exploding Sword Gravolta was a masterpiece—its fire enchantment and explosive properties made it a true Hero-grade weapon.

'With the vision battle penalty, it didn't matter where they ran.' He pocketed the unused neutralization item. The ambush had been so swift they hadn't even had a chance to use their return scroll. He could officially deem his new forces combat-ready.

---

[Knight Grai is training the soldiers.]

[The Gargoyles' Charge skill level is increasing.]

[The Goblins' swordsmanship proficiency is rapidly increasing.]

[The Orcs' Strength stat has increased by 1.]

Having evolved to A-rank, Grai trained the soldiers with far greater efficiency. The melee units, filled with a newfound respect for their commander, followed his regimen with diligence.

'I should build a training ground in Myol. Now that Grai is a knight, he might be able to train the young men among the villagers into a proper fighting force.' Grai's evolution had been a massive boon to Balak's power. Contemplating its future growth, Taehyun rose from his seat.

"Where are you going?" Riel asked.

"The second Balak is a B-rank dungeon now. I need to go summon troops."

"Hasn't Sir Kinjo already summoned them as your representative?"

"No, he asked me to do it personally. I have the Zen, so I have to go."

The second dungeon's forces were composed mainly of fairies, which meant they had significant weaknesses. Leaving Riel in charge of monitoring for raiders, Taehyun teleported to the second Balak with Raviz.

"Muahaha! You've arrived! I have been waiting!" Kinjo greeted him with his signature laugh.

"Any trouble while I was gone?"

"Of course not! As you instructed, I have significantly reduced my... toying with the raiders. Their numbers are on the rise again."

"I'm aware. Let's see the troops." Taehyun first inspected the second dungeon's roster.

[Named Fairy, Mandra of Flames (1)]

[Direct Subordinate Fairies (4)]

[Fairies (495)]

A total of 500 soldiers. Aside from the five B-rank units, the rest were C-rank.

[Shield Soldiers (50)]

[Reconnaissance Soldiers (30)]

[Warriors (20)]

[Archers (150)]

[Mages (150)]

[Spirit Summoners (150)]

[Priests (50)]

The army was overwhelmingly composed of ranged units, a clear accommodation for the fairy race's inherently low melee stats. 'The second Balak is designed for internal defense. It's probably better to lean into that and maximize its firepower.' The dungeon's fairy-type environment already provided a significant stat boost. While it made even low-stat fairies combat-effective, using them for melee was still a waste.

"Kinjo, what level is the fairy environment?"

"Muahaha! It has just surpassed level five!"

"I'll give you more Zen. Increase the number of traps and installations with binding and suppression effects. Slowing effects are fine too."

If melee troops were inefficient, he would simply replace their function with the dungeon itself. If he could immobilize raiders with traps, his ranged units could concentrate their overwhelming firepower on a single point. Seeing Kinjo nod eagerly, Taehyun opened the shop. 'Since I'm only buying fairies, there's no need to summon C-rank units.' The original Balak's diverse races meant even C-rank soldiers had unique traits. Fairies, however, were functionally identical regardless of rank, unless they were Named or higher. There was no point in buying a lower-tier unit.

[Second Balak Soldier Population: 500/1800]

That left 1,300 slots. Considering his finances, Taehyun summoned 900 direct subordinate fairies.

"Where are we? Where!"

"Yayy! We finally made it to the continent!"

"It's a dungeon! We're dungeon soldiers!"

The newly summoned fairies cheered, ecstatic. The sight made Taehyun think of Grai, and he scowled. "...Is that bastard's fan club going to get even bigger?"

"What was that?" Kinjo asked.

"Nothing. Never mind. Get these new recruits to level thirty in the Ice Palace."

"If you'll just provide the transport! Muahaha!" Kinjo beamed and called for Mederia. She appeared with a frown, which immediately melted into a brilliant smile when she saw Taehyun.

"Master Taehyun, you're here!"

"I just stopped by to summon some soldiers. Take these new fairies and get them leveled up."

"You're... coming with us, right?" she asked, her voice hopeful. "With your Command skill, they'll grow much faster." She leaned against him, and he could feel her chest press into his arm. Since her affinity had surpassed sixty-five, she'd become far more forward with her physical affection.

Just then, Raviz stepped between them, gently separating Mederia from him. "You are making the Master uncomfortable."

"...And how would you know that, Miss Raviz?" Mederia's voice was laced with ice.

"I can tell by looking."

A silent, tense war ignited between the two Guardians, their glares clashing in the air. Caught in the middle, Taehyun sighed and addressed the new recruits. "Fine, let's go. I can raise my Command skill level while we're at it. Both of you, follow me."

"Yes, Master Taehyun!" Mederia chirped, victorious.

"Understood," Raviz replied, her expression unreadable.

In the end, all of them headed to the Ice Palace.

---

[Shield Soldiers (50)]

[Reconnaissance Soldiers (130)]

[Warriors (20)]

[Archers (450)]

[Mages (350)]

[Spirit Summoners (350)]

[Priests (150)]

After a run through the Ice Palace, the newly leveled fairies were assigned classes and integrated into the army. With decent equipment and sub-grades, they were ready for active duty.

"Master Taehyun, isn't this composition too unbalanced?" Kinjo asked.

"I told you to add more traps and installations," Taehyun reminded him. "Since melee units are useless here, it's better to maximize firepower. Wasting slots on ineffective melee soldiers is inefficient."

"I see! So, from now on, I just need Miss Mederia to continue their training. Muahaha!"

"And occasionally send your mages and priests to the main dungeon. Raviz and Riel can train them."

"Understood!"

The B-rank second Balak now possessed a military force befitting its status. All that remained was to continue expanding its numbers and power. Taehyun moved to the final chamber and purchased a Random Keeper Summon Card.

"Finally, time to summon a Keeper."

"Master Taehyun, please summon a truly tremendous one! Muahaha!"

"It's not up to me. We'll see what we get." So far, his luck had been extraordinary, granting him Guardians and Keepers far above his dungeon's rank. There was no guarantee it would hold. 'The second Balak is an internal-defense dungeon, so a Keeper is a better fit. It already has Mederia as a Guardian.' The Labyrinth's maze-like structure had demanded a Keeper, but this dungeon was different. With its weak melee presence, it desperately needed a powerful anchor.

Taehyun nonchalantly used the card.

[You have used a Random Keeper Summon Card.]

[A summoning circle is being generated.]

[The summoning circle forms near the Crystal Sphere, stabilizing the magic.]

A circle of light materialized near the core.

[Great Success!]

[Rank B Hero Keeper 'Shield Soldier of the White Giant Star, Jighart' has been summoned.]

He'd seen this message several times now. He watched as a figure materialized from the light. 'Male, at least.' Thankfully, it wasn't another Angelina. This was a sturdy, well-built man with a tall stature and sharp eyes—the ideal image of a Keeper. The man's eyes slowly opened, and he immediately knelt before Taehyun.

"Shield Soldier of the White Giant Star, Jighart, greets his lord."

"...You're calling me 'lord,' too?"

"Of course. I pledge my undying loyalty!"

Jighart, Shield Soldier of the White Giant Star. After the Holy Knight Angelina, this was his first true shield-bearing Keeper. The thought of Grai made Taehyun scowl. Unlike Grai, Jighart had pledged fealty from the start, but he had the same rigid, formal air. Even his speech patterns were similar, and for some reason, it set Taehyun's teeth on edge. He pulled up Jighart's information.

[Shield Soldier of the White Giant Star, Jighart]

[Rank: B (Hero)]

[Level: 1]

[Class: Shield Soldier]

[Title: Shield Captain of the White Giant Star]

[Affiliation: Balak]

[Loyalty: 70]

[Favorability: 10]

[Obedience: 50]

[Skills: Shield of the Giant Star]

[Special Ability: Myth of the White Giant Star]

[Strength: 4] [Endurance: 6] [Agility: 1] [Stamina: 6]

[Mana: 1] [Divinity: 1] [Affinity: 1] [Luck: 4]

His stats were solid for a B-rank Hero. His starting loyalty was also impressively high. "I am Taehyun Yoo, Dungeon Master of Balak. You will be in charge of this second dungeon alongside Mederia. Avoid visiting the main dungeon unless absolutely necessary. Your duty is here."

"Yes, My Lord. But why am I forbidden from visiting your primary dungeon?"

"You don't need to know. Just guard this place well. Kinjo will provide you with equipment once you've leveled up. For now, go to the Ice Palace."

Taehyun assigned Mederia and a squad of soldiers to Jighart and sent them off.

"Master Taehyun, is there a problem with the main dungeon?" Kinjo asked. "Sir Jighart will have to visit eventually, won't he?"

"Not now, unless it's unavoidable." Taehyun thought of Grai, who had been singing his lord's praises even as he annihilated Katarina's party. If Jighart joined him, Taehyun was certain he wouldn't be able to stand the two of them together.

Having maximized his dungeons' power, Taehyun returned to the main Master Room.

"Demon... no, Taehyun. Is my family well?" A communication from Kadum came through.

"I'm helping them adjust. Don't worry."

"Phew. Thank you. Vera knows nothing of this world, so please... Hey! Wait up!" The line cut off abruptly. It seemed he was busy but managing to get along with the High Elves.

Taehyun returned to his command center and spread out the world map. His forces were strong enough. Exploring the undiscovered ruin now would not only yield magic stones but also level up his troops. It was also the perfect opportunity to raise Raviz's skill level. It was the logical next step.

He began planning the expedition. Just as he was setting the schedule, a series of messages flashed before his eyes.

[The Faction System has been introduced.]

[The Faction War System has been introduced.]

[The faction you currently belong to is the 'Resistance'.]

[A demon has arrived from the Demon World.]

On the dungeon monitor, Valdrick's familiar figure appeared. Taehyun's face hardened at the mention of 'Factions', and he rose from his chair. 'I heard about this from Seonghwi, but for the system to be implemented already... Duke Nikunbel. You've been quiet for a while. So this is what you were plotting.'

That day, for the second time, Taehyun received an invitation to the Duke's mansion from Valdrick.

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