Episode 128

He already knew from Seonghwi that two major factions were facing off on the Plains of Pain. The S-rank raider who had invaded Balak was, in reality, a member of Mihye's faction. She had undoubtedly used him to orchestrate her plans during the Holy Kingdom invasion. For Seonghwi, letting that raider live had been a grave error. For Taehyun, the sudden implementation of the Faction System was a massive headache.

[Dungeon Master Factions]

[Resistance]

[Tarantula]

[Requiem]

[Foxy]

[Secret]

[Black Alliance]

[Blood Lion]

[Rodria]

'They sure multiplied the second the system went live. Seonghwi said Tarantula was Mihye's faction, right? If she's managed to pull in raiders, she's built a formidable force.' The Resistance boasted highly skilled Dungeon Masters, but Tarantula had raiders in its ranks. With an S-rank Dungeon Master on one side and an S-rank raider on the other, a fierce rivalry was inevitable.

Taehyun scanned the list of factions and sighed. Of all the times for this system to be introduced, it had to be right when he was planning to explore the ruin. And now, he had another invitation from Valdrick.

"This gathering has been moved up to tomorrow," the demon announced. "The time is noted on the invitation."

"Can I refuse to attend this time?" Taehyun asked, already knowing the answer.

"Impossible for faction members. Duke Nikunbel has decreed that participation is mandatory for anyone belonging to a faction."

As a member of the Resistance, he had no choice.

"We'll have to postpone the ruin exploration, then," Riel said softly. "The gathering is tomorrow, after all."

"I guess I have to go," Taehyun conceded. "It's scheduled during the dungeon protection period, like last time, so Balak will be safe. Still... a Faction War."

The two major powers were finally set to collide head-on. With other factions now in the mix, he needed to understand the dynamics of this new battlefield. He thought of Duke Nikunbel and scowled. 'What kind of game have you set up this time, Duke?'

He had a very bad feeling about this.

---

On the day of the gathering, Taehyun tugged at his uncomfortably stuffy suit and pulled out the invitation. Riel stood beside him, radiant as ever in a gorgeous gown.

"How do I look, Master Taehyun? Does it suit me?"

"Yeah. It looks great."

"...You sound a bit dismissive, Master Taehyun," she pouted. "At the first gathering, you were so flustered you couldn't even look at me."

She was right. His reaction was a world away from that first meeting. The memory of that day a year ago surfaced for a moment before he pushed it away. "Stop living in the past. Let's go."

"Alright."

"And stop clinging to me." He gently pried her arm off his and tore the invitation in half.

[You have used the invitation to Duke Nikunbel's mansion.]

[You will be teleported to the entrance.]

[Will Supporter Riel accompany you?]

[YES / NO]

'Yes.' A magic circle flared to life, and they were consumed by light, reappearing at the mansion's entrance. 'This place hasn't changed a bit.' The crimson sky, the five unnatural moons—it was the same Demon World landscape he remembered. The guards at the gate approached, their movements identical to his last visit.

"Welcome to the mansion of Duke Nikunbel. Your name..."

"Taehyun Yoo."

"Ah, understood. You are confirmed. Please follow him."

Leaving the slightly flustered guard behind, Taehyun followed the butler inside.

"There's a new guy. Know who he is?" he overheard one Dungeon Master whisper.

"No idea. I was forced to come because of my faction. Didn't even show up last time."

"Man, look at his supporter, though. I wish I could summon a beauty like that."

The chatter came from Dungeon Masters loitering in the corridor. It seemed many attendees this time were mandatory participants. They were clearly the types who always skipped the meetings, and their ignorance of the Master of Balak proved they paid little attention to continental affairs.

Taehyun ignored them and stopped before a set of massive doors.

"Here you are," the butler said before turning to leave.

Alone with Riel, Taehyun gripped the handle and threw the doors open. The vast hall was already filled with Dungeon Masters clustered in their respective faction groups. All eyes turned to him as he entered. It was the same grand ballroom as before. Across the room, he saw the Resistance members had already arrived; Seonghwi gave him a cheerful wave.

'He's playing the innocent fool again, that bastard. Still... I can't join them.' Normally, he would head to Seonghwi's table, but he could feel the daggers being stared into his back. Instead, he chose a table at the far rear of the hall.

"Nikunbel is nowhere to be seen."

"There's still time before the official start," Riel noted. "He will likely appear once everyone has gathered."

"Hmm." She was right; he was a bit early. Taehyun helped himself to the food on the table, using the time to size up the factions. 'Those two are Kanghyuk and Chanjae Park from the Holy Kingdom invasion. So the S-rank Masters all formed their own factions.' The two, who had been at each other's throats back then, were seated at opposing tables, still glaring daggers at one another. Their factions, Blood Lion and Foxy, were quite large. While other groups were present, these two were clearly the main event for now.

'So where is Tarantula?' Mihye was still absent. According to the invitation, her faction should be arriving soon. He took a sip of his drink and set the glass down. Just then, the doors swung open again, and dozens of people streamed in.

"Finally. The spider bastards have arrived."

"So that's Tarantula."

"Mostly A-rank Masters. They'll be a match for the other factions."

A stir went through the hall. Taehyun watched as Mihye entered at the head of a long line of A-rank Dungeon Masters. He recognized a few faces from the first gathering. 'She's managed to gather this many members even without her raiders. Tenacious.' They might lack an S-rank Master, but Tarantula was by no means at a numerical disadvantage. In terms of raw power, they were on par with any other faction here.

He scowled as he watched Mihye glide directly toward his table.

"My, my. Why is our little Taehyun sitting all alone over here?" she purred, her voice dripping with mock sympathy. "Did the Resistance abandon you?"

"I prefer being alone," he shot back. "Unlike some people, I find the idea of traveling in a swarm of spiders repulsive."

"Kahaha! Are you, by any chance, talking about me?" she laughed, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

"Why, did I strike a nerve? I didn't say your name." He smirked and shrugged. A few of her followers bristled, looking ready to pounce, but she waved them off.

"All of you, find a table. I have some business with Taehyun."

"There are no seats here. Go away."

"Heehee. Are you really rejecting a woman like me?"

"No. Go away."

A tense standoff ensued. The memory of the Rexner raid was enough to make his blood boil, and now she had the audacity to try and join him. He waved his hand dismissively, but she simply draped herself over his arm, her low-cut dress leaving little to the imagination. "You know, this hurts my feelings, Taehyun."

"Excuse me," Riel said, her voice dangerously calm. "I would appreciate it if you would remove yourself from Master Taehyun."

"Oh, the little supporter is jealous," Mihye cooed, her eyes glinting. "He must have been quite the beast with you to make you glare so venomously. Are you looking to die?" Riel didn't back down. Mihye's smile tightened, and she raised her hand as if to strike.

In that instant, Seonghwi appeared from the next table and caught her wrist. "So sorry about this," he said, his smile as bright as ever. "You see, Taehyun is one of ours. And you know what that means for his supporter, don't you? Automatic Resistance property."

"Hmph. Is that so?" Mihye's eyes narrowed. "Then perhaps you could let go of my hand."

"Ah, my mistake. I'll be more careful next time." Seonghwi released her and slid into the chair on Taehyun's other side. Riel was instantly pushed to the end of the table, leaving Taehyun trapped between the two faction leaders.

"Ahahaha! Taehyun, look up! Everyone is staring at us!" Seonghwi boomed.

"Hmph. Why don't you ditch this fool's faction and join mine?" Mihye whispered, leaning closer. "We can forget all about our past disagreements and start fresh. Perhaps tonight, in my room..."

Every eye in the hall was now fixed on their table. Taehyun, caught between the two pestering leaders, ground his teeth.

'These goddamn bastards.'

---

It wasn't long before Duke Nikunbel made his entrance, descending from the second-floor balcony and capturing the attention of every Dungeon Master present.

"Thank you all for gathering," his amplified voice boomed. "I am Duke Nikunbel, a high-ranking demon who helps guide the Demon World." After a brief introduction, he unfurled a scroll. "As is tradition, we will begin by announcing the top-ranking Dungeon Masters."

This gathering, held to kick off the Faction System, included mandatory attendees from every faction, as well as a few independents. Many of them were keenly interested in the official rankings. Taehyun found himself leaning forward, his attention fixed on the Duke.

"First, the A-rank 1st place: Hwanhee Jeong. He is absent once again."

The name was familiar. Hwanhee Jeong had held the top A-rank spot for some time now. His continued absence suggested a complete lack of interest in the political landscape of the factions. 'Is he intentionally holding back his rank? Or is the jump from A to S-rank just that difficult?' Given the small number of S-rank Masters, the latter seemed more likely.

"Next, B-rank 1st place." It was time. Riel looked toward the balcony with hopeful eyes, only for them to fall in disappointment at the Duke's next words.

"Seokwoo Yoo. During the failed Holy Kingdom invasion, he was the only B-rank Master to successfully capture a city, earning a staggering five million Contribution Points."

Contrary to all expectations, Taehyun was not number one. This ranking period had clearly factored in points from the invasion. A man named Seokwoo was now ascending the platform. 'The only B-rank to capture a city. He must have had help, but with that many points, he basically did it all himself.'

Murmurs of awe swept through the hall as all eyes turned to the new top B-rank. The message above his head identified him as a member of the 'Secret' faction. Even Taehyun watched with a flicker of curiosity.

After the C-rank winner was announced, Duke Nikunbel finally addressed the main topic. "In truth, the purpose of this gathering is none other than the Faction War."

Each faction would hold a monthly meeting to engage in a Faction War, with rankings determined by cumulative points.

"And the rewards?" Seonghwi asked.

"Ah, you must be Seonghwi, leader of the Resistance," Duke Nikunbel said. "The rewards are determined by rank. As this is a Faction War, we have prepared immense rewards. Unfortunately, they are reserved for the top three factions."

In other words, only three factions would be rewarded when the final rankings were tallied.

'Wait a minute. If only three factions get rewards, what happens to the rest?' The question struck Taehyun. Over ten factions had already registered. If only three were to be chosen, the final ranking system would have to be adjusted accordingly.

"As I have already informed the leaders of each faction, the number of Dungeon Master factions has been capped at fourteen," Duke Nikunbel continued. "Creating new factions is no longer possible. The Faction War, beginning today, will continue every month until only three factions survive. Naturally, the final rankings will reflect this."

Taehyun's suspicion was confirmed. Duke Nikunbel had structured even this event as a brutal contest where factions had to crush one another to ascend.

"What are you talking about? Only three factions survive?!"

"If I'd known this, I never would have created a faction! I'm out! No, we're all out!"

"You bastard, Nikunbel! First the Holy Kingdom invasion, and now you twist the Faction War into this?!"

The hall instantly erupted into a maelstrom of outrage. Confusion and fear whipped through the Dungeon Masters, and one after another, they began to declare their withdrawal. But Duke Nikunbel's expression remained a mask of indifference as he spoke again.

"Once you have entered the Faction War, withdrawal is impossible. Now. Today marks the first battle. Let us begin."

With a sharp snap of his fingers, the Dungeon Masters who were not part of a faction were teleported away in an instant. A cold sweat traced a path down Taehyun's spine as he watched the very architecture of the hall begin to warp.

'Is this… a colosseum?'

The opulent chamber was melting away, reforming into the tiered stone seating of a gladiatorial arena.

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