The geographical advantage was obvious. For Balak's forces to attack, they would have to cross the mountains. For Lasten's forces to retaliate, they would have to take a long, treacherous detour along a steep cliff path. It was the perfect setup to deliver absolute despair to an enemy attempting a surprise attack.

'He thinks I'm after the territory. Hilarious,' Taehyun mused. 'Even I know I cannot take it right now. Let him keep his delusions. I will make him regret it.'

First, he summoned Grai, who was now fully outfitted in armor salvaged from Viscount Crowley's knights. The full plate was adequate, but his weapon was paramount.

"Grai," Taehyun began, "you will be facing a B-rank Named Guardian."

"So, the large fish you spoke of has taken the bait."

"It has. But first, I am upgrading your equipment."

"Hmph. I would prefer new swords. This human armor is serviceable enough."

For a swordsman, the blade was everything. Taehyun opened the equipment shop, a feature he had barely touched since his first exploration of the ruins.

'I've earned enough Zen. Time to make a serious investment. Grai is Balak's ultimate weapon.'

As commander, main damage dealer, and drill instructor, Grai was the cornerstone of his dungeon's strength. Taehyun browsed the rare weapons, his eyes landing on a pair of swords costing a staggering 250,000 Zen each. It was a massive expense, but his income from thwarting raiders was steady, and he always had the Ice Palace to grind for more. If all else failed, he could simply raid a nearby town.

'This is an investment,' he told himself. 'A stronger Grai means a stronger dungeon.'

He steeled himself and purchased both swords.

[Fire Dragon Sword]

[Rank: C]

[Restriction: Rank C or higher]

[Description: A rare-grade longsword imbued with the essence of a fire dragon. On attack, has a chance to unleash the Fire Dragon's Roar.]

[Ice Dragon Sword]

[Rank: C]

[Restriction: Rank C or higher]

[Description: A rare-grade longsword imbued with the essence of an ice dragon. On attack, has a chance to unleash the Ice Dragon's Roar.]

The twin blades, a perfectly matched set of opposing elements, radiated power. They would allow Grai to overcome any enemy, regardless of their resistances.

"Here. Take them."

Grai's eyes widened slightly. "Hoh. Not quite the equal of the blades I wielded in my prime, but for my current level, they are the finest I could ask for."

[B-rank Hero Guardian Orc Swordsman Grai is grateful for the Master's gift.]

[Loyalty increases by 2.]

[Favorability increases by 3.]

The investment was already paying off. Grai gave the swords a few experimental swings, a look of grim satisfaction on his face, then bowed his head deeply.

"My thanks. I find you more agreeable with each passing day. However, I have not yet acknowledged you as my lord. I will observe you through the coming battle."

"Of course," Taehyun said. He had not expected to buy the orc's loyalty with a gift. Grai's respect had to be earned, and the battle with Lasten would be the true test. The real problem was the impending duel between Guardians. The new swords had significantly boosted Grai's attack power, but his opponent, the Named fairy known as the Mana Bullet Marksman, was an unknown quantity. Grai needed to close the distance; his opponent needed to maintain it. Taehyun's job was to create that opening.

"Just follow my orders," he said. "That is all I ask."

"Understood."

With Grai equipped, Taehyun turned to Riel, gifting her a new priest's robe and staff. Another 200,000 Zen vanished, but he gritted his teeth and chalked it up as a necessary expense.

[B-rank Named Supporter Riel of Healing is grateful for the Master's gift.]

[Loyalty increases by 2.]

[Favorability increases by 2.]

"Thank you, Master," she said, her voice soft. "I will put them to good use."

"You are the only healer in Balak. You deserve the best."

"You truly cherish your soldiers and… us, Master Taehyun," she murmured, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. "At times like this, I feel an emotion for you I cannot quite name."

Her favorability was now over seventy. She was a world away from the formal, detached being he had first summoned. A bead of sweat trickled down Taehyun's temple as he awkwardly dismissed her.

'She's getting harder to deal with.'

He had no time for romance. He was fighting for his life—managing a dungeon, fending off raiders, and outmaneuvering rival Masters. He was not about to lose himself to pleasure and desire like the degenerates he had seen at the assembly.

Finally, Taehyun purchased a series of items for the battle ahead.

'Using items is critical in any fight, but especially against another Dungeon Master. With exclusive items in play, timing is everything.'

The rules were simple: one of each type of item per battle. An item used once was gone for the remainder of the fight. Who struck first and who countered decided the victor.

'Some items are the same for both raiders and Masters. Let's review the main categories.'

First, nullification items, which could cancel an opponent's skill or item. Second, counter items, like an effect-reversal card. Third, deception items, like vision priority or disguises.

'They're all crucial, but I have to break through his vision first. The battle of nullification and counters comes after that.'

His opponent would almost certainly have a radar item active, detecting any movement within a certain radius. He had to bypass that detection and seize control of the battlefield's intel.

'Whew. This is more complicated than I thought. The psychological battle with Junhyun was easier because I was on the defensive. This time, I am the attacker.'

It was a war on multiple fronts: items, intel, Guardians, soldiers, and psychology. He also had to be prepared for system-triggered "Surprise Events" or "Vision Battles." This was his first time fighting another Master, and the sheer number of variables was giving him a headache. As he sank deeper into his planning, time flew by.

---

Grai inhaled the crisp mountain air, a freshness he had rarely known even in his own world. He rolled his shoulders and strode to the cliff's edge. Below, just as Taehyun had predicted, was a narrow, steep path. And along that path, Lasten's soldiers were advancing.

'Using fairies as soldiers,' Grai mused. 'How novel.'

A large, shimmering radar floated above them. They must have detected Balak's forces and activated a vision item. Following Taehyun's orders, Grai led his ambush squad toward the edge of the radar's range.

'I wonder what method he has devised to get us through?'

They could not afford to waste their own vision items so early. Puzzled, Grai stepped into the radar's field. Instantly, a strange energy washed over him and his soldiers. He tensed, then watched the enemy's reaction.

'They did not see us.'

The fairies marched on, completely unaware. Then Grai noticed a new crest on his armor—a blue spear. It was the mark of Lasten, identical to the ones on the fairies' own bodies.

'Could it be…?!'

He glanced at his squad. They all bore the same mark.

'I see. Now I understand.'

A grin stretched across Grai's face, baring his large tusks. The screen shared with Balak would be dark now; the disguise item had severed the link by changing their affiliation.

He drew the Fire Dragon and Ice Dragon Swords, steam puffing from his nostrils. Since he was temporarily a soldier of Lasten, he had to make his betrayal count.

'The moment we attack, the disguise will vanish. This was your plan, Taehyun. You are a true strategist.'

The goblin archers nocked their arrows. The wild dogs and orcs drew their weapons in silence. Grai scanned his troops, then let out a thunderous roar.

"Strike!"

---

[Affiliation Disguise on Orc Swordsman Grai has worn off.]

[Affiliation Disguise on the ambush squad has worn off.]

[Affiliation of Orc Swordsman Grai has reverted to Balak.]

[Affiliation of the ambush squad has reverted to Balak.]

The blacked-out screen in Taehyun's command room flickered back to life. The disguise item, used to bypass the enemy's radar without wasting a precious vision item, had served its purpose.

'This ambush won't end the fight, but it's a hell of a start.'

This would be a long battle. With a one-time use limit on key items, he had to conserve his vision-related skills. Using a disposable disguise item to slip past their radar was a massive tactical victory.

'Bypass their detection with a useless disguise, save my vision item, and use the ambush squad to inflict heavy damage.'

It was a strategy only possible with prior intelligence on Lasten, as the disguise required knowledge of the target affiliation. The start was perfect. On the screen, Grai and his squad tore into the center of the enemy formation.

[Grai's Valiant Roar is cast!]

[Strength, Stamina, and Endurance of Balak's soldiers are temporarily increased!]

The roar echoed as the attack began. Lasten's fairies, caught completely by surprise, scrambled to react. Grai and the rogue goblins ignored the front line, focusing their assault on the vulnerable ranged units in the rear.

[Elite High Rogue Goblin's Critical Blow strikes Elite High Archer Fairy!]

[Elite High Scout Goblin's Focused Fire inflicts Bleeding on Elite High Mage Fairy!]

[B-rank Hero Guardian Orc Swordsman Grai's blade instantly kills Elite High Spiritmancer Fairy!]

The center of the enemy line collapsed in seconds. The fairies on the flanks rallied, desperately trying to counterattack. Buffs began to flare across their ranks as they moved to encircle and annihilate the ambush squad.

'He's seen my Guardian and is committing his buff items.'

Losing Grai would mean losing the war. But Taehyun simply smiled and selected another item.

---

Meanwhile, in Dungeon Lasten, Hyuntae and Kinjo were laughing.

"The fool," Hyuntae sneered. "I do not know how he slipped past the radar, but sending his Guardian on a suicide mission like this is pure idiocy."

The ambush had been unexpected, but it had played right into his hands. He had assumed Balak was moving on the territory, but now it was clear his opponent had anticipated being tracked. It was a clever move, but a fatal one.

"The plan was certainly impressive, Master," Kinjo simpered. "To bypass the radar we set up for just such a contingency! But to send his Guardian with the ambush squad… he has sealed their fate! They are surrounded and will be annihilated! 'Muahaha!'"

It was a classic blunder, striking the center only to be enveloped. Kinjo wiggled his long nose, predicting the inevitable. "He will use a return item now, you will see. He will be regretting his little ambush."

"You're right," Hyuntae agreed. "He cannot afford to lose his Guardian."

His buffed soldiers, led by Mederia, were already closing the net. The enemy had no choice but to retreat. Just as Kinjo predicted, a magical aura began to swirl around the bodies of Balak's soldiers.

"Now, Master Hyuntae!" Kinjo shrieked.

"Okay!"

At the signal, Hyuntae activated his trump card.

[Dungeon Master exclusive item 'Item Nullification' has been activated.]

[The effect of Job Disguise is nullified.]

[The Job Disguise of Balak's soldiers is revealed.]

The system message flashed. Hyuntae and Kinjo stared, blinking. The item that had been nullified was not a return scroll. It was a job disguise.

"Huh?"

"Huh? Wha-what?"

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