’Chapter 63: Pandemonium’
’Eleonora, an A-rank Top-tier Priest. She had led her raid party with unparalleled success in the North, but in reality, she was one of the Players summoned from the modern world. Including Sihan, another modern person, it could be said that two Player raiders had been traveling together. She returned after a year to treat Hendi but was defeated by Balak. She was contracted on the spot and beca a raider of Balak.’
’It certainly has been a long ti. Her relationship stats are even higher than Sihan’s and Hendi’s. What do I think of her?’ When he truly considered it, she was little more than a tool he was using. He had no particular feelings for her; at best, she was a very helpful raider. There probably wasn’t a man alive who wouldn’t know the intent behind Inhae’s question. However, unfortunately for her, that kind of thing only worked in the modern world. Taehyun recalled the Mind Field and answered.
"You said your life force was greatly reduced because of the Mind Field, right?"
"You’re changing the subject right now, aren’t you?"
"You probably don’t have much ti left, so take care of yourself. Don’t overdo it and die."
Having used the Mind Field for so long and even pushing herself for Hendi’s sake, her remaining lifespan was likely to be relatively short. Taehyun ruffled Inhae’s hair and stood up.
"Let’s head back soon."
Inhae didn’t answer.
"What?"
"Oh, no. It’s just that you’re the first person besides Sihan and Hendi to worry about . My other comrades had no idea about the side effects. Well, it’s not the answer I wanted, but I’m relatively satisfied. Fufu. Let’s hurry back."
The slightly flustered woman seed satisfied and clung to his arm again. Taehyun began to walk with a tired expression. Just then, three Dungeon Masters appeared before them.
"The Dungeon Master of Balak. Taehyun Yoo. That’s you, right?"
"You saw at the eting, so why bother asking?"
"There’s sothing I want to ask you."
They were mbers of the Tarantula Faction. They gestured with hardened faces. It seed they were conscious of the other Dungeon Masters on the street. It must have ant they wanted to talk sowhere quiet.
"You go back first."
"But those people."
"Violence is forbidden within the Demon Realm Auction. Besides, everything that happens here must be kept secret. The fact that only three of them ca ans it’s a matter they can’t even tell Mihye or the other faction mbers about. It’s fine, so go back first. I’ll walk you to the exit."
The faction mbers were even nodding in agreent. And so, Taehyun sent Inhae back to Balak first and began to follow them.
---
anwhile, Inhae, who had returned to Balak alone, hurriedly inford Riel of the situation.
"mbers of the Tarantula Faction ca to see Taehyun?"
"Yes. That’s right. He sent back alone and is following them by himself."
"I-I’ll inform the others right away!"
Although violence was forbidden in the Demon Realm Auction, there was a chance the Tarantula Faction mbers might take this opportunity to attack. Riel quickly contacted all the supporters.
—"Understood-imnidayo. We will assemble all troops within the Labyrinth!"
—"To target Balak. They must have a death wish. On my na as the butler Edchan, I will protect this place at all costs!"
—"We will assemble the soldiers of our Heimdall as well... ’Oof!"
A threat to Taehyun was a threat to Balak itself. The supporters each sent their soldiers to the Revived Plains to prepare for an ergency. As a result, an unusual atmosphere descended upon Balak’s territory.
"I heard those spider-sothings are coming to attack."
"Oh my. This is terrible. Our soldiers must stop them."
"We dungeon residents can’t just stand by. We head to the original Balak imdiately!"
The rumor spread like wildfire, and residents poured out of the training grounds, heading for Balak without even stopping to don their armor. As the soldiers began to move in large numbers, the main forces didn’t stay idle either. Grai, who had been examining his new skills, flew into a rage.
"Krrrgh.’ To dare target Balak while the Lord is away. I will never forgive them. Though I have not yet adapted to my new skills, I will not allow a single one of them to set foot inside!"
anwhile, the undead main forces also began to move.
"Father. They say enemies targeting the Dungeon Master are coming!"
"This place is also our second kingdom. How can we forgive invaders? Viceroy Bigdream. Lead the way at once!"
"I am but a re lich now. However, I will faithfully follow Your Majesty’s command!"
The main forces were mobilized in an instant. The dwarves, who had been in the middle of crafting an ancient artifact, were utterly bewildered.
"Wh-what’s going on? What are they plotting this ti!"
"That demon must have brought so noisy new project!"
"St-stop work imdiately. Stop work!"
The project had already been delayed due to the last magic overload incident. This ti, there had to be no damage to the parts. And so, the dwarves secured the parts and evacuated to Myol. The only one left was Larkan, who had been designing the schematics. He looked at the artifact, still in its early stages of production, with a vacant gaze.
"I see. This is the curse of the people of the Brynhart Kingdom who died. It has to be. Otherwise, this wouldn’t be happening. Yes. That’s right."
The crown prince was now denying reality.
---
’Rumble.’
Once again, soldiers were on the move. It was a sight she had seen seven tis already. Riashu, who had been living in the forest for a while, had no idea what was going on.
"What on earth is happening? Could it be that enemies are attacking?"
It was rare for the entire territory to be in such an uproar. Although she had only been summoned a short ti ago, she already knew that much. Soldiers were gradually being moved from the other dungeons. And occasionally, she could even see the main forces.
"The Dungeon Master is in danger. Kuma!"
"It’s the dungeon that’s in danger. Besides, why are you taking with you!"
"You are the prettiest of my concubines. Kuma. We are always together. Kumakuma!"
"Aaaah. Stop licking with your tongue!"
Including the giant teddy bear charging over, it was an incredible military force. Riashu frowned as she watched the struggling raider being dragged away. ’As I thought, Balak has far too many slave raiders. And most of them are won!’
She was suddenly reminded of the slave raiders locked in the underground prison. She had heard they were won captured again during the war with the demons. Riashu made a decision and headed for the underground prison.
"Wh-who is it?"
"Maybe a dungeon soldier."
"D-don’t tell they’re here to torture us?"
Dozens of female raiders were locked inside the prison. Just by looking at the bruises all over their bodies, she could guess what had happened. It must have been the work of the Dungeon Master, Taehyun Yoo. As a Keeper of Balak, Riashu was supposed to pledge her loyalty to him, but she hated n more than anyone. That didn’t change even if he was the master of the dungeon.
Riashu quickly opened the prison door and gestured. "Everyone, co out. Use this chance to escape. You haven’t signed a contract yet, have you?"
"Wh-what’s your sche?!"
"I have no sche. I may be a Keeper of Balak, but I can’t just stand by and watch you all suffer. Please, beco free and get as far away as you can!"
"Don’t lie. You’re just letting us escape so you can capture us again and punish us. We’ve been through this dozens of tis!"
They had been tortured so much that they wouldn’t even dare to step outside. Having fallen into the hands of the demons who committed all sorts of evil deeds, it was understandable. The influence of their previous demon masters was also quite severe. Riashu recalled the screen in the Master Room and summoned a spirit.
[Spirit Summoning has been activated.]
[Aura of Fire has been cast.]
[The Lesser Fire Spirit, Anid, has been summoned.]
A blazing fla materialized in the air. Although it was only a lesser spirit, it would have no trouble lting the shackles. Riashu quickly used Anid to lt away the shackles. The raiders, freed in an instant, were bewildered.
"Why... why did you free us? We could just attack you!" one of them cried out.
"Please, trust ," Riashu pleaded. "You have to get out of Balak quickly. The soldiers will be here soon. Please, escape before they arrive."
"...I won’t forget this," the woman who appeared to be their leader finally said.
As if her sincerity had gotten through, she began to lead the others in a desperate flight. Now, all that was left was to show them the way out.
’I’ve already morized the paths while wandering through the dungeon,’ Riashu thought. ’I’ll use this confusion as a chance to help them escape.’
It didn’t matter that she herself would be unable to avoid punishnt. She had cast aside her identity as a mber of the dungeon long ago. As long as those won could escape safely, she could endure any pain.
[You have left the existing Balak.]
Soon, they were outside the cave. Seeing that the soldiers hadn’t arrived yet, it was certain that no one was in the Master Room. Moreover, the High Elves from the Silent Forest had also gathered in the dungeon.
It was now or never. A triumphant smile spread across Lia-Shu’s face as she pointed toward the Silent Forest. But her hope shattered when Raviz appeared, blocking their path.
[A-Rank Hero Guardian, Pioneer of Space, Raviz has cast Grand Summon.]
[The dungeon’s main forces have been summoned to the Valley of Silence.]
The primary defenders of Balak materialized one by one. Among them, Riel let out a deep sigh as she took in the sight of the unshackled raiders.
"Have you completely forgotten that you are a Dungeon Keeper?" she demanded, her voice laced with disbelief. "I do not care how much you despise n, but to free raiders in your crusade? I never would have imagined it. Are you trying to start so kind of crusade for womankind?"
"To , all n are the sa," Lia-Shu retorted, her voice trembling with conviction. "And that includes demons. My beliefs have not changed just because I was summoned to Balak. My eyes do not deceive . And all of you," she whirled on Balak’s raiders, "are you truly willing to follow that demon while being oppressed like this?!"
Riel was so stunned she was about to order an imdiate attack, but In-hye stepped forward, holding up a hand to stop her.
"I will handle this."
Since Lia-Shu had addressed them directly, an answer was required. In-hye moved to the front, ready to speak for all the raiders of Balak.
---
’Demon Realm Auction - Rest Area’
They arrived at the only designated rest area on the sprawling street. The mbers of the Tarantula faction claid a corner table and settled in.
"This should be far enough," one of them muttered.
"Alright," Taehyun replied, taking a seat. "So, why were you looking for ? I would think you’d be busy taking orders from Mihye. Cooking up another sche?"
"We are not scheming," the man in the middle said with a bitter laugh. "And this is not about you. Well... not entirely." As the faction leader who had always shown a keen interest in Balak, he could not deny the connection.
Taehyun leaned back, waiting for him to continue.
"I believe it all started with the coronation. King Leon van Noah, the first monarch on the continent to invite a demon. Our leader was... intrigued by the man who extended you that invitation."
"So she went to see this Leon?" Taehyun asked, his interest piqued.
"We would be lucky if that was all she did."
The internal conflict in the Onais Kingdom was far from over. With more than ten thousand raiders hired by Count Dinen alone, the war over the territories was dragging on. Mihye had easily led her forces into the capital amidst the chaos, but then the situation had changed. They had confird her visit to Leon’s royal court, but she and her retinue had never returned.
"Our last communication confird they had an audience with Leon. After that, nothing. Complete radio silence. Not only that, but every faction mber we had stationed in the capital vanished without a trace."
Taehyun remained silent.
"The remaining mbers have been trying to get into the capital to find them, but two monsters are making it impossible. And there is still no sign of our people anywhere inside the city."
"Do not tell ..." Taehyun began, a grim suspicion dawning on him.
"My guess?" the man said, his voice heavy. "They were all captured by Leon, or worse, their forces were absorbed into his. That is why we had no choice but to co to you. Do you know anything about him? If you do—anything at all—I am begging you. Please, tell us."
The Tarantula mbers leaned forward, their faces etched with desperation. Taehyun’s expression hardened into a mask of stone.
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